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Silva-Carvalho AÉ, Filiú-Braga LDC, Bogéa GMR, de Assis AJB, Pittella-Silva F, Saldanha-Araujo F. GLP and G9a histone methyltransferases as potential therapeutic targets for lymphoid neoplasms. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:243. [PMID: 38997742 PMCID: PMC11249034 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03441-y] [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: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Histone methyltransferases (HMTs) are enzymes that regulate histone methylation and play an important role in controlling transcription by altering the chromatin structure. Aberrant activation of HMTs has been widely reported in certain types of neoplastic cells. Among them, G9a/EHMT2 and GLP/EHMT1 are crucial for H3K9 methylation, and their dysregulation has been associated with tumor initiation and progression in different types of cancer. More recently, it has been shown that G9a and GLP appear to play a critical role in several lymphoid hematologic malignancies. Importantly, the key roles played by both enzymes in various diseases made them attractive targets for drug development. In fact, in recent years, several groups have tried to develop small molecule inhibitors targeting their epigenetic activities as potential anticancer therapeutic tools. In this review, we discuss the physiological role of GLP and G9a, their oncogenic functions in hematologic malignancies of the lymphoid lineage, and the therapeutic potential of epigenetic drugs targeting G9a/GLP for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alan Jhones Barbosa de Assis
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Fábio Pittella-Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Felipe Saldanha-Araujo
- Hematology and Stem Cells Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasilia, Brazil.
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2
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Zhang Q, Yang Z, Hao X, Dandreo LJ, He L, Zhang Y, Wang F, Wu X, Xu L. Niclosamide improves cancer immunotherapy by modulating RNA-binding protein HuR-mediated PD-L1 signaling. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:192. [PMID: 37848943 PMCID: PMC10583380 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01137-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) represents a revolutionary advance in cancer treatment but remains limited success in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Here we aim to explore the mechanism of RNA-binding protein (RBP) HuR in cancer immune evasion by post-transcriptionally regulating PD-L1 and evaluate the potential of HuR inhibition to improve immune response. METHODS The binding between HuR and PD-L1 mRNA was determined by ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation and RNA pull-down assays. The HuR knockout clones were established by CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The protein levels were assessed by Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunocytochemistry. The function and molecular mechanism of HuR-PD-L1 were determined by in vitro T cell activation and killing assay and in vivo efficacy assay. RESULTS We found that HuR directly bound to and stabilized PD-L1 mRNA. Knocking out HuR reduced PD-L1 levels and promoted T cell activation. We discovered that niclosamide reduced PD-L1 by inhibiting HuR cytoplasmic translocation, and diminished glycosylation of PD-L1. Niclosamide enhanced T cell-mediated killing of cancer cells and significantly improved the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in two syngeneic animal tumor models. CONCLUSION We identified HuR as a novel posttranscriptional regulator of PD-L1, which plays an important role in tumor immune evasion. Niclosamide might be a promising repurposed drug to improve the patient response to immunotherapy by targeting HuR-PD-L1 axis. Our study demonstrates a novel strategy for targeting HuR/PD-L1 and provides the first proof-of-principle for repurposing niclosamide as a HuR inhibitor to overcome cancer immune evasion and improve response to ICB immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Kansas, 1567 Irving Hill Rd, Lawrence, KS, 66045-7534, USA
| | - Zhe Yang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Kansas, 1567 Irving Hill Rd, Lawrence, KS, 66045-7534, USA
| | - Xinbao Hao
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Kansas, 1567 Irving Hill Rd, Lawrence, KS, 66045-7534, USA
| | - Lauren J Dandreo
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Kansas, 1567 Irving Hill Rd, Lawrence, KS, 66045-7534, USA
| | - Lily He
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Therapeutics, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Yuxia Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology & Therapeutics, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Fen Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Xiaoqing Wu
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Kansas, 1567 Irving Hill Rd, Lawrence, KS, 66045-7534, USA.
- The University of Kansas Cancer Center, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
| | - Liang Xu
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Kansas, 1567 Irving Hill Rd, Lawrence, KS, 66045-7534, USA.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
- The University of Kansas Cancer Center, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
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Xie Y, Zhou Y, Wang J, Du L, Ren Y, Liu F. Ferroptosis, autophagy, tumor and immunity. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19799. [PMID: 37810047 PMCID: PMC10559173 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis was first proposed in 2012, a new form of cell death. Autophagy plays a crucial role in cell clearance and maintaining homeostasis. Autophagy is involved in the initial step of ferroptosis under the action of histone elements such as NCOA4, RAB7A, and BECN1. Ferroptosis and autophagy are involved in tumor progression, treatment, and drug resistance in the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we described the mechanisms of ferroptosis, autophagy, and tumor and immunotherapy, respectively, and emphasized the relationship between autophagy-related ferroptosis and tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jiale Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Lijuan Du
- Department of Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yuanyuan Ren
- Department of Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
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Sakai N, Kamimura K, Terai S. Repurposable Drugs for Immunotherapy and Strategies to Find Candidate Drugs. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2190. [PMID: 37765160 PMCID: PMC10536625 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15092190] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventional drug discovery involves significant steps, time, and expenses; therefore, novel methods for drug discovery remain unmet, particularly for patients with intractable diseases. For this purpose, the drug repurposing method has been recently used to search for new therapeutic agents. Repurposed drugs are mostly previously approved drugs, which were carefully tested for their efficacy for other diseases and had their safety for the human body confirmed following careful pre-clinical trials, clinical trials, and post-marketing surveillance. Therefore, using these approved drugs for other diseases that cannot be treated using conventional therapeutic methods could save time and economic costs for testing their clinical applicability. In this review, we have summarized the methods for identifying repurposable drugs focusing on immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norihiro Sakai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, 1-757, Aasahimachi-Dori, Chuo-Ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan; (N.S.); (S.T.)
| | - Kenya Kamimura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, 1-757, Aasahimachi-Dori, Chuo-Ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan; (N.S.); (S.T.)
- Department of General Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine, 1-757, Aasahimachi-Dori, Chuo-Ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Shuji Terai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, 1-757, Aasahimachi-Dori, Chuo-Ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan; (N.S.); (S.T.)
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Luo M, Wang X, Wu S, Yang C, Su Q, Huang L, Fu K, An S, Xie F, To KKW, Wang F, Fu L. A20 promotes colorectal cancer immune evasion by upregulating STC1 expression to block "eat-me" signal. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:312. [PMID: 37607946 PMCID: PMC10444827 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01545-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have induced durable clinical responses in a subset of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the dis-satisfactory response rate and the lack of appropriate biomarkers for selecting suitable patients to be treated with ICIs pose a major challenge to current immunotherapies. Inflammation-related molecule A20 is closely related to cancer immune response, but the effect of A20 on "eat-me" signal and immunotherapy efficacy remains elusive. We found that A20 downregulation prominently improved the antitumor immune response and the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitor in CRC in vitro and in vivo. Higher A20 expression was associated with less infiltration of immune cells including CD3 (+), CD8 (+) T cells and macrophages in CRC tissues and also poorer prognosis. Gain- and loss-A20 functional studies proved that A20 could decrease the "eat-me" signal calreticulin (CRT) protein on cell membrane translocation via upregulating stanniocalcin 1 (STC1), binding to CRT and detaining in mitochondria. Mechanistically, A20 inhibited GSK3β phosphorylating STC1 at Thr86 to slow down the degradation of STC1 protein. Our findings reveal a new crosstalk between inflammatory molecule A20 and "eat-me" signal in CRC, which may represent a novel predictive biomarker for selecting CRC patients most likely to benefit from ICI therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, P.R. China
| | - Xueping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, P.R. China
| | - Shaocong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, P.R. China
| | - Chuan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, P.R. China
| | - Qiao Su
- Laboratory Animal Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, P.R. China
| | - Lamei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, P.R. China
| | - Kai Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, P.R. China
| | - Sainan An
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, P.R. China
| | - Fachao Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, P.R. China
| | - Kenneth Kin Wah To
- School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, P.R. China.
| | - Liwu Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, P.R. China.
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Hsu CM, Chang KC, Chuang TM, Chu ML, Lin PW, Liu HS, Kao SY, Liu YC, Huang CT, Wang MH, Yeh TJ, Gau YC, Du JS, Wang HC, Cho SF, Hsiao CE, Tsai Y, Hsiao SY, Hung LC, Yen CH, Hsiao HH. High G9a Expression in DLBCL and Its Inhibition by Niclosamide to Induce Autophagy as a Therapeutic Approach. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4150. [PMID: 37627178 PMCID: PMC10452841 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164150] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a malignant lymphoid tumor disease that is characterized by heterogeneity, but current treatment does not benefit all patients, which highlights the need to identify oncogenic genes and appropriate drugs. G9a is a histone methyltransferase that catalyzes histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) methylation to regulate gene function and expression in various cancers. METHODS TCGA and GTEx data were analyzed using the GEPIA2 platform. Cell viability under drug treatment was assessed using Alamar Blue reagent; the interaction between G9a and niclosamide was assessed using molecular docking analysis; mRNA and protein expression were quantified in DLBCL cell lines. Finally, G9a expression was quantified in 39 DLBCL patient samples. RESULTS The TCGA database analysis revealed higher G9a mRNA expression in DLBCL compared to normal tissues. Niclosamide inhibited DLBCL cell line proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner, reducing G9a expression and increasing p62, BECN1, and LC3 gene expression by autophagy pathway regulation. There was a correlation between G9a expression in DLBCL samples and clinical data, showing that advanced cancer stages exhibited a higher proportion of G9a-expressing cells. CONCLUSION G9a overexpression is associated with tumor progression in DLBCL. Niclosamide effectively inhibits DLBCL growth by reducing G9a expression via the cellular autophagy pathway; therefore, G9a is a potential molecular target for the development of therapeutic strategies for DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Mu Hsu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (C.-M.H.); (T.-M.C.); (Y.-C.L.); (M.-H.W.); (T.-J.Y.); (Y.-C.G.); (J.-S.D.); (H.-C.W.); (S.-F.C.)
| | - Kung-Chao Chang
- Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
| | - Tzer-Ming Chuang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (C.-M.H.); (T.-M.C.); (Y.-C.L.); (M.-H.W.); (T.-J.Y.); (Y.-C.G.); (J.-S.D.); (H.-C.W.); (S.-F.C.)
| | - Man-Ling Chu
- M.Sc. Program in Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (M.-L.C.); (P.-W.L.); (H.-S.L.)
| | - Pei-Wen Lin
- M.Sc. Program in Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (M.-L.C.); (P.-W.L.); (H.-S.L.)
| | - Hsiao-Sheng Liu
- M.Sc. Program in Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (M.-L.C.); (P.-W.L.); (H.-S.L.)
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Shih-Yu Kao
- Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Yi-Chang Liu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (C.-M.H.); (T.-M.C.); (Y.-C.L.); (M.-H.W.); (T.-J.Y.); (Y.-C.G.); (J.-S.D.); (H.-C.W.); (S.-F.C.)
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Tzu Huang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (C.-M.H.); (T.-M.C.); (Y.-C.L.); (M.-H.W.); (T.-J.Y.); (Y.-C.G.); (J.-S.D.); (H.-C.W.); (S.-F.C.)
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Min-Hong Wang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (C.-M.H.); (T.-M.C.); (Y.-C.L.); (M.-H.W.); (T.-J.Y.); (Y.-C.G.); (J.-S.D.); (H.-C.W.); (S.-F.C.)
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Jang Yeh
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (C.-M.H.); (T.-M.C.); (Y.-C.L.); (M.-H.W.); (T.-J.Y.); (Y.-C.G.); (J.-S.D.); (H.-C.W.); (S.-F.C.)
| | - Yuh-Ching Gau
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (C.-M.H.); (T.-M.C.); (Y.-C.L.); (M.-H.W.); (T.-J.Y.); (Y.-C.G.); (J.-S.D.); (H.-C.W.); (S.-F.C.)
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Jeng-Shiun Du
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (C.-M.H.); (T.-M.C.); (Y.-C.L.); (M.-H.W.); (T.-J.Y.); (Y.-C.G.); (J.-S.D.); (H.-C.W.); (S.-F.C.)
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ching Wang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (C.-M.H.); (T.-M.C.); (Y.-C.L.); (M.-H.W.); (T.-J.Y.); (Y.-C.G.); (J.-S.D.); (H.-C.W.); (S.-F.C.)
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Feng Cho
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (C.-M.H.); (T.-M.C.); (Y.-C.L.); (M.-H.W.); (T.-J.Y.); (Y.-C.G.); (J.-S.D.); (H.-C.W.); (S.-F.C.)
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Chi-En Hsiao
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA;
| | - Yuhsin Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan;
| | - Samuel Yien Hsiao
- Department of Biology, University of Rutgers-Camden, Camden, NJ 08102, USA;
| | - Li-Chuan Hung
- Long-Term Care and Health Management Department, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan;
| | - Chia-Hung Yen
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Hua Hsiao
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (C.-M.H.); (T.-M.C.); (Y.-C.L.); (M.-H.W.); (T.-J.Y.); (Y.-C.G.); (J.-S.D.); (H.-C.W.); (S.-F.C.)
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
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Lange F, Porath K, Sellmann T, Einsle A, Jaster R, Linnebacher M, Köhling R, Kirschstein T. Direct-Current Electrical Field Stimulation of Patient-Derived Colorectal Cancer Cells. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1032. [PMID: 37508461 PMCID: PMC10376471 DOI: 10.3390/biology12071032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Several cues for a directional migration of colorectal cancer cells were identified as being crucial in tumor progression. However, galvanotaxis, the directional migration in direct-current electrical fields, has not been investigated so far. Therefore, we asked whether direct-current electrical fields could be used to mobilize colorectal cancer cells along field vectors. For this purpose, five patient-derived low-passage cell lines were exposed to field strengths of 150-250 V/m in vitro, and migration along the field vectors was investigated. To further study the role of voltage-gated calcium channels on galvanotaxis and intracellular signaling pathways that are associated with migration of colorectal cancer cells, the cultures were exposed to selective inhibitors. In three out of five colorectal cancer cell lines, we found a preferred cathodal migration. The cellular integrity of the cells was not impaired by exposure of the cells to the selected field strengths. Galvanotaxis was sensitive to inhibition of voltage-gated calcium channels. Furthermore, signaling pathways such as AKT and MEK, but not STAT3, were also found to contribute to galvanotaxis in our in vitro model system. Overall, we identify electrical fields as an important contributor to the directional migration of colorectal cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falko Lange
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Katrin Porath
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Tina Sellmann
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Anne Einsle
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Robert Jaster
- Division of Gastroenterology and Endocrinology, Department of Medicine II, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Michael Linnebacher
- Molecular Oncology and Immunotherapy, Clinic of General Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Köhling
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Timo Kirschstein
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
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Lin Q, Wang X, Hu Y. The opportunities and challenges in immunotherapy: Insights from the regulation of PD-L1 in cancer cells. Cancer Lett 2023:216318. [PMID: 37454966 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The immunosuppressive molecule programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is frequently upregulated in human cancers. Binding of PD-L1 to its receptor, programmed death-1 (PD-1), on activated T cells facilitates cancer cells to evade the host immune system. Antibody-based PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors can inhibit PD-1/PD-L1 interaction allowing reactivate cytotoxic T cells to eradicate advanced cancer cells. However, the majority of cancer patients fail to respond to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies and the molecular mechanisms for this remain poorly understood. Recent studies show that PD-L1 expression level on tumor cells affect the clinical efficacy of immune checkpoint therapies. Thus, furthering our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of PD-L1 expression in cancer cells will be critical to improve clinical response rates and the efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 immune therapies. Here we review recent studies, primarily focusing on the mechanisms that regulate PD-L1 expression at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional and protein level, with the purpose to drive the development of more targeted and effective anti-PD-1/PD-L1 cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyu Lin
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150001, China; Key Laboratory of Science and Engineering for the Multi-modal Prevention and Control of Major Chronic Diseases, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China
| | - Xingwen Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150001, China; Key Laboratory of Science and Engineering for the Multi-modal Prevention and Control of Major Chronic Diseases, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China
| | - Ying Hu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150001, China; Key Laboratory of Science and Engineering for the Multi-modal Prevention and Control of Major Chronic Diseases, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China.
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Khalil R, Green RJ, Sivakumar K, Varandani P, Bharadwaj S, Mohapatra SS, Mohapatra S. Withaferin A Increases the Effectiveness of Immune Checkpoint Blocker for the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3089. [PMID: 37370701 PMCID: PMC10295988 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of late-stage lung cancers remains challenging with a five-year survival rate of 8%. Immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) revolutionized the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by reactivating anti-tumor immunity. Despite achieving durable responses, ICBs are effective in only 20% of patients due to immune resistance. Therefore, synergistic combinatorial approaches that overcome immune resistance are currently under investigation. Herein, we studied the immunomodulatory role of Withaferin A (WFA)-a herbal compound-and its effectiveness in combination with an ICB for the treatment of NSCLC. Our in vitro results show that WFA induces immunogenic cell death (ICD) in NSCLC cell lines and increases expression of the programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1). The administration of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, abrogated WFA-induced ICD and PD-L1 upregulation, suggesting the involvement of ROS in this process. Further, we found that a combination of WFA and α-PD-L1 significantly reduced tumor growth in an immunocompetent tumor model. Our results showed that WFA increases CD-8 T-cells and reduces immunosuppressive cells infiltrating the tumor microenvironment. Administration of NAC partially inhibited the anti-tumor response of the combination regimen. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that WFA sensitizes NSCLC to α-PD-L1 in part via activation of ROS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roukiah Khalil
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Ryan J. Green
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Kavya Sivakumar
- Taneja School of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Payal Varandani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Srinivas Bharadwaj
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Shyam S. Mohapatra
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Taneja School of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Subhra Mohapatra
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
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10
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Kim JH, Park S, Jung E, Shin J, Kim YJ, Kim JY, Sessler JL, Seo JH, Kim JS. A dual-action niclosamide-based prodrug that targets cancer stem cells and inhibits TNBC metastasis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2304081120. [PMID: 37186828 PMCID: PMC10214212 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2304081120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy typically destroys the tumor mass but rarely eradicates the cancer stem cells (CSCs) that can drive metastatic recurrence. A key current challenge is finding ways to eradicate CSCs and suppress their characteristics. Here, we report a prodrug, Nic-A, created by combining a carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) inhibitor, acetazolamide, with a signal transducer and transcriptional activator 3 (STAT3) inhibitor, niclosamide. Nic-A was designed to target triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) CSCs and was found to inhibit both proliferating TNBC cells and CSCs via STAT3 dysregulation and suppression of CSC-like properties. Its use leads to a decrease in aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 activity, CD44high/CD24low stem-like subpopulations, and tumor spheroid-forming ability. TNBC xenograft tumors treated with Nic-A exhibited decreased angiogenesis and tumor growth, as well as decreased Ki-67 expression and increased apoptosis. In addition, distant metastases were suppressed in TNBC allografts derived from a CSC-enriched population. This study thus highlights a potential strategy for addressing CSC-based cancer recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hyeon Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
| | - Soeun Park
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul08308, Korea
| | - Eunsun Jung
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul08308, Korea
| | - Jinwoo Shin
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
| | - Yoon-Jae Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul08308, Korea
| | - Ji Young Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul08308, Korea
| | - Jonathan L. Sessler
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712-1224
| | - Jae Hong Seo
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul08308, Korea
| | - Jong Seung Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
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Xue C, Yao Q, Gu X, Shi Q, Yuan X, Chu Q, Bao Z, Lu J, Li L. Evolving cognition of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway: autoimmune disorders and cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:204. [PMID: 37208335 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01468-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The Janus kinase (JAK) signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of transmembrane signal transduction that enables cells to communicate with the exterior environment. Various cytokines, interferons, growth factors, and other specific molecules activate JAK-STAT signaling to drive a series of physiological and pathological processes, including proliferation, metabolism, immune response, inflammation, and malignancy. Dysregulated JAK-STAT signaling and related genetic mutations are strongly associated with immune activation and cancer progression. Insights into the structures and functions of the JAK-STAT pathway have led to the development and approval of diverse drugs for the clinical treatment of diseases. Currently, drugs have been developed to mainly target the JAK-STAT pathway and are commonly divided into three subtypes: cytokine or receptor antibodies, JAK inhibitors, and STAT inhibitors. And novel agents also continue to be developed and tested in preclinical and clinical studies. The effectiveness and safety of each kind of drug also warrant further scientific trials before put into being clinical applications. Here, we review the current understanding of the fundamental composition and function of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. We also discuss advancements in the understanding of JAK-STAT-related pathogenic mechanisms; targeted JAK-STAT therapies for various diseases, especially immune disorders, and cancers; newly developed JAK inhibitors; and current challenges and directions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Xue
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qinfan Yao
- Kidney Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinyu Gu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qingmiao Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin Yuan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qingfei Chu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhengyi Bao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Juan Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Lanjuan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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12
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Kannan MP, Sreeraman S, Somala CS, Kushwah RB, Mani SK, Sundaram V, Thirunavukarasou A. Advancement of targeted protein degradation strategies as therapeutics for undruggable disease targets. Future Med Chem 2023; 15:867-883. [PMID: 37254917 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) aids in developing novel bifunctional small-molecule degraders and eliminates proteins of interest. The TPD approach shows promising results in oncological, neurogenerative, cardiovascular and gynecological drug development. We provide an overview of technology advancements in TPD, including molecular glues, proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), lysosome-targeting chimeras, antibody-based PROTAC, GlueBody PROTAC, autophagy-targeting chimera, autophagosome-tethering compound, autophagy-targeting chimera and chaperone-mediated autophagy-based degraders. Here we discuss the development and evolution of the TPD field, the variety of proteins that PROTACs target and the biological repercussions of their degradation. We particularly highlight the recent improvements in TPD research that utilize autophagy or the endolysosomal pathway, which enables the targeting of undruggable targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayuri P Kannan
- Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 602105, India
- B-Aatral Biosciences Private Limited, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560091, India
| | - Sarojini Sreeraman
- Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 602105, India
- SRIIC Lab, Sri Ramachandra Institute for Higher Education & Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600116, India
| | - Chaitanya S Somala
- B-Aatral Biosciences Private Limited, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560091, India
| | - Raja Bs Kushwah
- B-Aatral Biosciences Private Limited, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560091, India
- Department of Entomology and Agrilife Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Saravanan K Mani
- B-Aatral Biosciences Private Limited, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560091, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600073, India
| | - Vickram Sundaram
- Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 602105, India
| | - Anand Thirunavukarasou
- B-Aatral Biosciences Private Limited, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560091, India
- SRIIC Lab, Sri Ramachandra Institute for Higher Education & Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600116, India
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13
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Stolfi C, Pacifico T, Luiz-Ferreira A, Monteleone G, Laudisi F. Anthelmintic Drugs as Emerging Immune Modulators in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076446. [PMID: 37047419 PMCID: PMC10094506 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances in treatment approaches, cancer is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Restoration of tumor immune surveillance represents a valid strategy to overcome the acquired resistance and cytotoxicity of conventional therapies in oncology and immunotherapeutic drugs, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and immunogenic cell death inducers, and has substantially progressed the treatment of several malignancies and improved the clinical management of advanced disease. Unfortunately, because of tumor-intrinsic and/or -extrinsic mechanisms for escaping immune surveillance, only a fraction of patients clinically respond to and benefit from cancer immunotherapy. Accumulating evidence derived from studies of drug repositioning, that is, the strategy to identify new uses for approved or investigational drugs that are outside the scope of the original medical indication, has suggested that some anthelmintic drugs, in addition to their antineoplastic effects, exert important immunomodulatory actions on specific subsets of immune cell and related pathways. In this review, we report and discuss current knowledge on the impact of anthelmintic drugs on host immunity and their potential implication in cancer immunotherapy.
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14
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Effect of BIM expression on the prognostic value of PD-L1 in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with EGFR-TKIs. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3943. [PMID: 36894581 PMCID: PMC9998621 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30565-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in predicting epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKIs) efficacy remains controversial. Recent studies have highlighted that tumor-intrinsic PD-L1 signaling can be modulated by STAT3, AKT, MET oncogenic pathway, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, or BIM expression. This study aimed to investigate whether these underlying mechanisms affect the prognostic role of PD-L1. We retrospectively enrolled patients with EGFR mutant advanced stage NSCLC who received first-line EGFR-TKI between January 2017 and June 2019, the treatment efficacy of EGFR-TKI was assessed. Kaplan-Meier analysis of progression-free survival (PFS) revealed that patients with high BIM expression had shorter PFS, regardless of PD-L1 expression. This result was also supported by the COX proportional hazard regression analysis. In vitro, we further proved that the knockdown of BIM, instead of PDL1, induced more cell apoptosis following gefitinib treatment. Our data suggest that among the pathways affecting tumor-intrinsic PD-L1 signaling, BIM is potentially the underlying mechanism that affects the role of PD-L1 expression in predicting response to EGFR TKI and mediates cell apoptosis under treatment with gefitinib in EGFR-mutant NSCLC. Further prospective studies are required to validate these results.
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15
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Syamprasad NP, Madje N, Bachannagari J, Jannu AK, Jain S, Tene K, Shantanu PA, Naidu V, Chella N. Niclosamide nanocrystal for enhanced in-vivo efficacy against gastrointestinal stromal tumor via regulating EGFR/STAT-3/DR-4 axis. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2023.104221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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16
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Mo J, Deng L, Peng K, Ouyang S, Ding W, Lou L, Lin Z, Zhu J, Li J, Zhang Q, Wang P, Wen Y, Chen X, Yue P, Lu JJ, Zhu K, Zheng Y, Wang Y, Zhang X. Targeting STAT3-VISTA axis to suppress tumor aggression and burden in acute myeloid leukemia. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:15. [PMID: 36849939 PMCID: PMC9969711 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01410-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients obtain limited benefits from current immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs), although immunotherapy have achieved encouraging success in numerous cancers. Here, we found that V-domain Ig suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA), a novel immune checkpoint, is highly expressed in primary AML cells and associated with poor prognosis of AML patients. Targeting VISTA by anti-VISTA mAb boosts T cell-mediated cytotoxicity to AML cells. Interestingly, high expression of VISTA is positively associated with hyperactive STAT3 in AML. Further evidence showed that STAT3 functions as a transcriptional regulator to modulate VISTA expression by directly binding to DNA response element of VISTA gene. We further develop a potent and selective STAT3 inhibitor W1046, which significantly suppresses AML proliferation and survival. W1046 remarkably enhances the efficacy of VISTA mAb by activating T cells via inhibition of STAT3 signaling and down-regulation of VISTA. Moreover, combination of W1046 and VISTA mAb achieves a significant anti-AML effect in vitro and in vivo. Overall, our findings confirm that VISTA is a potential target for AML therapy which transcriptionally regulated by STAT3 and provide a promising therapeutic strategy for immunotherapy of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianshan Mo
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Lin Deng
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Keren Peng
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Shumin Ouyang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Wen Ding
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Linlin Lou
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Ziyou Lin
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jianzheng Zhu
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jingwei Li
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Qiyi Zhang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Pengyan Wang
- Innovation Practice Center, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, China
| | - Yuanzhen Wen
- Increasepharm (Hengqin) Innovative Medicine Institute Limited, Zhuhai, 519000, China
| | - Xiaobing Chen
- Increasepharm (Hengqin) Innovative Medicine Institute Limited, Zhuhai, 519000, China
| | - Peibin Yue
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, and Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Jin-Jian Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, 999078, China
| | - Kai Zhu
- Innovation Practice Center, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, China
| | - Yongjiang Zheng
- Department of Hematology, Institute of Hematology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
| | - Yuanxiang Wang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Xiaolei Zhang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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HERC2 promotes inflammation-driven cancer stemness and immune evasion in hepatocellular carcinoma by activating STAT3 pathway. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2023; 42:38. [PMID: 36721234 PMCID: PMC9890722 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02609-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic inflammation is a common initiator of liver diseases and considered as the primary driver of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the precise mechanism of inflammation-induced HCC development and immune evasion remains elusive and requires extensive investigation. This study sought to identify the new target that is involved in inflammation-related liver tumorigenesis. METHODS RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis was performed to identify the differential gene expression signature in primary human hepatocytes treated with or without inflammatory stimulus. A giant E3 ubiquitin protein ligase, HECT domain and RCC1-like domain 2 (HERC2), was identified in the analysis. Prognostic performance in the TCGA validation dataset was illustrated by Kaplan-Meier plot. The functional role of HERC2 in HCC progression was determined by knocking out and over-expressing HERC2 in various HCC cells. The precise molecular mechanism and signaling pathway networks associated with HERC2 in HCC stemness and immune evasion were determined by quantitative real-time PCR, immunofluorescence, western blot, and transcriptomic profiling analyses. To investigate the role of HERC2 in the etiology of HCC in vivo, we applied the chemical carcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DEN) to hepatocyte-specific HERC2-knockout mice. Additionally, the orthotopic transplantation mouse model of HCC was established to determine the effect of HERC2 during HCC development. RESULTS We found that increased HERC2 expression was correlated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. HERC2 enhanced the stemness and PD-L1-mediated immune evasion of HCC cells, which is associated with the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway during the inflammation-cancer transition. Mechanically, HERC2 coupled with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and limited PTP1B translocation from ER to ER-plasma membrane junction, which ameliorated the inhibitory role of PTP1B in Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) phosphorylation. Furthermore, HERC2 knockout in hepatocytes limited hepatic PD-L1 expression and ameliorated HCC progression in DEN-induced mouse liver carcinogenesis. In contrast, HERC2 overexpression promoted tumor development and progression in the orthotopic transplantation HCC model. CONCLUSION Our data identified HERC2 functions as a previously unknown modulator of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, thereby promoting inflammation-induced stemness and immune evasion in HCC.
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Li H, Jing Y, Qu X, Yang J, Pan P, Liu X, Gao H, Pei X, Zhang C, Yang Y. The Activation of Reticulophagy by ER Stress through the ATF4-MAP1LC3A-CCPG1 Pathway in Ovarian Granulosa Cells Is Linked to Apoptosis and Necroptosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032749. [PMID: 36769070 PMCID: PMC9917250 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Female infertility is caused by premature ovarian failure (POF), which is triggered by the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated apoptosis of granulosa cells. The ER unfolded protein response (UPRer) is initiated to promote cell survival by alleviating excessive ER stress, but cellular apoptosis is induced by persistent or strong ER stress. Recent studies have reported that reticulophagy is initiated by ER stress. Whether reticulophagy is activated in the ER stress-mediated apoptosis of granulosa cells and which pathway is initiated to activate reticulophagy during the apoptosis of granulosa cells are unknown. Therefore, the role of reticulophagy in granulosa cell death and the relationship between ER stress and reticulophagy were investigated in this work. Our results suggest that the ER stress inducer tunicamycin causes POF in mice, which is attributed to the apoptosis of granulosa cells and is accompanied by the activation of UPRer and reticulophagy. Furthermore, granulosa cells were treated with tunicamycin, and granulosa cell apoptosis was triggered and increased the expression of UPRer and reticulophagy molecules. The expression of ATF4 was then downregulated by RNAi, which decreased the levels of autophagy and the reticulophagy receptor CCGP1. Furthermore, ATF4 targets MAP1LC3A, as revealed by the ChIP sequencing results, and co-IP results demonstrated that MAP1LC3A interacts with CCPG1. Therefore, reticulophagy was activated by ER stress through the ATF4-MAP1LC3A-CCPG1 pathway to mitigate ER stress. Additionally, the role of reticulophagy in granulosa cells was investigated by the knockdown of CCPG1 with RNAi. Interestingly, only a small number of granulosa cells died by apoptosis, whereas the death of most granulosa cells occurred by necroptosis triggered by STAT1 and STAT3 to impair ER proteostasis and the ER protein quality control system UPRer. Taken together, the results indicate that the necroptosis of granulosa cells is triggered by up- and downregulating the reticulophagy receptor CCPG1 through STAT1/STAT3-(p)RIPK1-(p)RIPK3-(p)MLKL and that reticulophagy is activated by ER stress through the ATF4-MAP1LC3A-CCPG1 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiduo Li
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics in Ningxia, Department of Histology and Embryology of Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Yanan Jing
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics in Ningxia, Department of Histology and Embryology of Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Xiaoya Qu
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics in Ningxia, Department of Histology and Embryology of Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Jinyi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics in Ningxia, Department of Histology and Embryology of Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Pengge Pan
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics in Ningxia, Department of Histology and Embryology of Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Xinrui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics in Ningxia, Department of Histology and Embryology of Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Hui Gao
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics in Ningxia, Department of Histology and Embryology of Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Xiuying Pei
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics in Ningxia, Department of Histology and Embryology of Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- College of Life Science, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
- Correspondence: or (C.Z.); or (Y.Y.); Tel.: +86-951-6980172 (Y.Y.)
| | - Yanzhou Yang
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics in Ningxia, Department of Histology and Embryology of Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
- Correspondence: or (C.Z.); or (Y.Y.); Tel.: +86-951-6980172 (Y.Y.)
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Kauerová T, Pérez-Pérez MJ, Kollar P. Salicylanilides and Their Anticancer Properties. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021728. [PMID: 36675241 PMCID: PMC9861143 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Salicylanilides are pharmacologically active compounds with a wide spectrum of biological effects. Halogenated salicylanilides, which have been used for decades in human and veterinary medicine as anthelmintics, have recently emerged as candidates for drug repurposing in oncology. The most prominent example of salicylanilide anthelmintic, that is intensively studied for its potential anticancer properties, is niclosamide. Nevertheless, recent studies have discovered extensive anticancer potential in a number of other salicylanilides. This potential of their anticancer action is mediated most likely by diverse mechanisms of action such as uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, inhibition of protein tyrosine kinase epidermal growth factor receptor, modulation of different signaling pathways as Wnt/β-catenin, mTORC1, STAT3, NF-κB and Notch signaling pathways or induction of B-Raf V600E inhibition. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge about the proposed mechanisms of action of anticancer activity of salicylanilides based on preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies, or structural requirements for such an activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Kauerová
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Masaryk University, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Peter Kollar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Masaryk University, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-541-562-892
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20
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Papavassiliou KA, Marinos G, Papavassiliou AG. Combining STAT3-Targeting Agents with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in NSCLC. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15020386. [PMID: 36672335 PMCID: PMC9857288 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020386] [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: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite recent therapeutic advances, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains the leading cause of cancer-related death. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor (TF) with multiple tumor-promoting effects in NSCLC, including proliferation, anti-apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, immunosuppression, and drug resistance. Recent studies suggest that STAT3 activation contributes to resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Thus, STAT3 represents an attractive target whose pharmacological modulation in NSCLC may assist in enhancing the efficacy of or overcoming resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors. In this review, we discuss the biological mechanisms through which STAT3 inhibition synergizes with or overcomes resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors and highlight the therapeutic strategy of using drugs that target STAT3 as potential combination partners for immune checkpoint inhibitors in the management of NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kostas A. Papavassiliou
- First University Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School, “Sotiria” Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Marinos
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios G. Papavassiliou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-210-746-2508
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21
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Drug Repurposing at the Interface of Melanoma Immunotherapy and Autoimmune Disease. Pharmaceutics 2022; 15:pharmaceutics15010083. [PMID: 36678712 PMCID: PMC9865219 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells have a remarkable ability to evade recognition and destruction by the immune system. At the same time, cancer has been associated with chronic inflammation, while certain autoimmune diseases predispose to the development of neoplasia. Although cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized antitumor treatment, immune-related toxicities and adverse events detract from the clinical utility of even the most advanced drugs, especially in patients with both, metastatic cancer and pre-existing autoimmune diseases. Here, the combination of multi-omics, data-driven computational approaches with the application of network concepts enables in-depth analyses of the dynamic links between cancer, autoimmune diseases, and drugs. In this review, we focus on molecular and epigenetic metastasis-related processes within cancer cells and the immune microenvironment. With melanoma as a model, we uncover vulnerabilities for drug development to control cancer progression and immune responses. Thereby, drug repurposing allows taking advantage of existing safety profiles and established pharmacokinetic properties of approved agents. These procedures promise faster access and optimal management for cancer treatment. Together, these approaches provide new disease-based and data-driven opportunities for the prediction and application of targeted and clinically used drugs at the interface of immune-mediated diseases and cancer towards next-generation immunotherapies.
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22
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Wang Z, Ren J, Du J, Wang H, Liu J, Wang G. Niclosamide as a Promising Therapeutic Player in Human Cancer and Other Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:16116. [PMID: 36555754 PMCID: PMC9782559 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Niclosamide is an FDA-approved anthelmintic drug for the treatment of parasitic infections. However, over the past few years, increasing evidence has shown that niclosamide could treat diseases beyond parasitic diseases, which include metabolic diseases, immune system diseases, bacterial and viral infections, asthma, arterial constriction, myopia, and cancer. Therefore, we systematically reviewed the pharmacological activities and therapeutic prospects of niclosamide in human disease and cancer and summarized the related molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways, indicating that niclosamide is a promising therapeutic player in various human diseases, including cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Guiling Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
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23
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Nanoparticle-Mediated Delivery of STAT3 Inhibitors in the Treatment of Lung Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14122787. [PMID: 36559280 PMCID: PMC9781630 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is a common malignancy worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is an important transcription factor that not only regulates different hallmarks of cancer, such as tumorigenesis, cell proliferation, and metastasis but also regulates the occurrence and maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Abnormal STAT3 activity has been found in a variety of cancers, including lung cancer, and its phosphorylation level is associated with a poor prognosis of lung cancer. Therefore, the STAT3 pathway may represent a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of lung cancer. To date, various types of STAT3 inhibitors, including natural compounds, small molecules, and gene-based therapies, have been developed through direct and indirect strategies, although most of them are still in the preclinical or early clinical stages. One of the main obstacles to the development of STAT3 inhibitors is the lack of an effective targeted delivery system to improve their bioavailability and tumor targetability, failing to fully demonstrate their anti-tumor effects. In this review, we will summarize the recent advances in STAT3 targeting strategies, as well as the applications of nanoparticle-mediated targeted delivery of STAT3 inhibitors in the treatment of lung cancer.
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Abedi Kiasari B, Abbasi A, Ghasemi Darestani N, Adabi N, Moradian A, Yazdani Y, Sadat Hosseini G, Gholami N, Janati S. Combination therapy with nivolumab (anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody): A new era in tumor immunotherapy. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 113:109365. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Jiang H, Li AM, Ye J. The magic bullet: Niclosamide. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1004978. [PMID: 36479072 PMCID: PMC9720275 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1004978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The term 'magic bullet' is a scientific concept proposed by the German Nobel laureate Paul Ehrlich in 1907, describing a medicine that could specifically and efficiently target a disease without harming the body. Oncologists have been looking for a magic bullet for cancer therapy ever since. However, the current therapies for cancers-including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy-pose either pan-cytotoxicity or only single-target efficacy, precluding their ability to function as a magic bullet. Intriguingly, niclosamide, an FDA-approved drug for treating tapeworm infections with an excellent safety profile, displays broad anti-cancer activity in a variety of contexts. In particular, niclosamide inhibits multiple oncogenic pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, Ras, Stat3, Notch, E2F-Myc, NF-κB, and mTOR and activates tumor suppressor signaling pathways such as p53, PP2A, and AMPK. Moreover, niclosamide potentially improves immunotherapy by modulating pathways such as PD-1/PDL-1. We recently discovered that niclosamide ethanolamine (NEN) reprograms cellular metabolism through its uncoupler function, consequently remodeling the cellular epigenetic landscape to promote differentiation. Inspired by the promising results from the pre-clinical studies, several clinical trials are ongoing to assess the therapeutic effect of niclosamide in cancer patients. This current review summarizes the functions, mechanism of action, and potential applications of niclosamide in cancer therapy as a magic bullet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haowen Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Albert M. Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Cancer Biology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Jiangbin Ye
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Cancer Biology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
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26
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Ren J, Wang B, Wu Q, Wang G. Combination of niclosamide and current therapies to overcome resistance for cancer: New frontiers for an old drug. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 155:113789. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
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Yan T, Tian X, Liu F, Liu Q, Sheng Q, Wu J, Jiang S. The emerging role of circular RNAs in drug resistance of non-small cell lung cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1003230. [PMID: 36303840 PMCID: PMC9592927 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1003230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the characteristics of aggressiveness and high risk of postoperative recurrence, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a serious hazard to human health, accounting for 85% of all lung cancer cases. Drug therapies, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, are effective treatments for NSCLC in clinics. However, most patients ultimately develop drug resistance, which is also the leading cause of treatment failure in cancer. To date, the mechanisms of drug resistance have yet to be fully elucidated, thus original strategies are developed to overcome this issue. Emerging studies have illustrated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) participate in the generation of therapeutic resistance in NSCLC. CircRNAs mediate the modulations of immune cells, cytokines, autophagy, ferroptosis and metabolism in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which play essential roles in the generation of drug resistance of NSCLC. More importantly, circRNAs function as miRNAs sponges to affect specific signaling pathways, directly leading to the generation of drug resistance. Consequently, this review highlights the mechanisms underlying the relationship between circRNAs and drug resistance in NSCLC. Additionally, several therapeutic drugs associated with circRNAs are summarized, aiming to provide references for circRNAs serving as potential therapeutic targets in overcoming drug resistance in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinghao Yan
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xinchen Tian
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fen Liu
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Qingbin Liu
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Qing Sheng
- School of Architecture and Fine Art, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Jianlin Wu
- School of Basic Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Jianlin Wu, ; Shulong Jiang,
| | - Shulong Jiang
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- *Correspondence: Jianlin Wu, ; Shulong Jiang,
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Cámara-Sánchez P, Díaz-Riascos ZV, García-Aranda N, Gener P, Seras-Franzoso J, Giani-Alonso M, Royo M, Vázquez E, Schwartz S, Abasolo I. Selectively Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells by 8-Quinolinol and Niclosamide. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911760. [PMID: 36233074 PMCID: PMC9570236 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer maintenance, metastatic dissemination and drug resistance are sustained by cancer stem cells (CSCs). Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the breast cancer subtype with the highest number of CSCs and the poorest prognosis. Here, we aimed to identify potential drugs targeting CSCs to be further employed in combination with standard chemotherapy in TNBC treatment. The anti-CSC efficacy of up to 17 small drugs was tested in TNBC cell lines using cell viability assays on differentiated cancer cells and CSCs. Then, the effect of 2 selected drugs (8-quinolinol -8Q- and niclosamide -NCS-) in the cancer stemness features were evaluated using mammosphere growth, cell invasion, migration and anchorage-independent growth assays. Changes in the expression of stemness genes after 8Q or NCS treatment were also evaluated. Moreover, the potential synergism of 8Q and NCS with PTX on CSC proliferation and stemness-related signaling pathways was evaluated using TNBC cell lines, CSC-reporter sublines, and CSC-enriched mammospheres. Finally, the efficacy of NCS in combination with PTX was analyzed in vivo using an orthotopic mouse model of MDA-MB-231 cells. Among all tested drug candidates, 8Q and NCS showed remarkable specific anti-CSC activity in terms of CSC viability, migration, invasion and anchorage independent growth reduction in vitro. Moreover, specific 8Q/PTX and NCS/PTX ratios at which both drugs displayed a synergistic effect in different TNBC cell lines were identified. The sole use of PTX increased the relative presence of CSCs in TNBC cells, whereas the combination of 8Q and NCS counteracted this pro-CSC activity of PTX while significantly reducing cell viability. In vivo, the combination of NCS with PTX reduced tumor growth and limited the dissemination of the disease by reducing circulating tumor cells and the incidence of lung metastasis. The combination of 8Q and NCS with PTX at established ratios inhibits both the proliferation of differentiated cancer cells and the viability of CSCs, paving the way for more efficacious TNBC treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Cámara-Sánchez
- Drug Delivery and Targeting Group, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Zamira V. Díaz-Riascos
- Drug Delivery and Targeting Group, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Functional Validation & Preclinical Research (FVPR), Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Natalia García-Aranda
- Drug Delivery and Targeting Group, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Functional Validation & Preclinical Research (FVPR), Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Petra Gener
- Drug Delivery and Targeting Group, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquin Seras-Franzoso
- Drug Delivery and Targeting Group, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Micaela Giani-Alonso
- Drug Delivery and Targeting Group, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miriam Royo
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Vázquez
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Simó Schwartz
- Drug Delivery and Targeting Group, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ibane Abasolo
- Drug Delivery and Targeting Group, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Functional Validation & Preclinical Research (FVPR), Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Thuru X, Magnez R, El-Bouazzati H, Vergoten G, Quesnel B, Bailly C. Drug Repurposing to Enhance Antitumor Response to PD-1/PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143368. [PMID: 35884428 PMCID: PMC9322126 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint have considerably improved the treatment of some cancers, but novel drugs, new combinations, and treatment modalities are needed to reinvigorate immunosurveillance in immune-refractory tumors. An option to elicit antitumor immunity against cancer consists of using approved and marketed drugs known for their capacity to modulate the expression and functioning of the PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint. Here, we have reviewed several types of drugs known to alter the checkpoint, either directly via the blockade of PD-L1 or indirectly via an action on upstream effectors (such as STAT3) to suppress PD-L1 transcription or to induce its proteasomal degradation. Specifically, the repositioning of the approved drugs liothyronine, azelnidipine (and related dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers), niclosamide, albendazole/flubendazole, and a few other modulators of the PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint (repaglinide, pimozide, fenofibrate, lonazolac, propranolol) is presented. Their capacity to bind to PD-L1 or to repress its expression and function offer novel perspectives for combination with PD-1 targeted biotherapeutics. These known and affordable drugs could be useful to improve the therapy of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Thuru
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-UMR1277—Canther—Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France; (X.T.); (R.M.); (H.E.-B.); (B.Q.)
| | - Romain Magnez
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-UMR1277—Canther—Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France; (X.T.); (R.M.); (H.E.-B.); (B.Q.)
| | - Hassiba El-Bouazzati
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-UMR1277—Canther—Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France; (X.T.); (R.M.); (H.E.-B.); (B.Q.)
| | - Gérard Vergoten
- Institut de Chimie Pharmaceutique Albert Lespagnol (ICPAL), Faculté de Pharmacie, University of Lille, Inserm, INFINITE—U1286, 3 Rue du Professeur Laguesse, BP-83, F-59006 Lille, France;
| | - Bruno Quesnel
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-UMR1277—Canther—Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France; (X.T.); (R.M.); (H.E.-B.); (B.Q.)
| | - Christian Bailly
- Oncowitan, Scientific Consulting Office, F-59290 Lille, France
- Correspondence:
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Hybridization Approach to Identify Salicylanilides as Inhibitors of Tubulin Polymerization and Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription 3 (STAT3). Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15070835. [PMID: 35890135 PMCID: PMC9318074 DOI: 10.3390/ph15070835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The superimposition of the X-ray complexes of cyclohexanediones (i.e., TUB015), described by our research group, and nocodazole, within the colchicine binding site of tubulin provided an almost perfect overlap of both ligands. This structural information led us to propose hybrids of TUB015 and nocodazole using a salicylanilide core structure. Interestingly, salicylanilides, such as niclosamide, are well-established signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT3) inhibitors with anticancer properties. Thus, different compounds with this new scaffold have been synthesized with the aim to identify compounds inhibiting tubulin polymerization and/or STAT3 signaling. As a result, we have identified new salicylanilides (6 and 16) that showed significant antiproliferative activity against a panel of cancer cells. Both compounds were able to reduce the levels of p-STAT3Tyr705 without affecting the total expression of STAT3. While compound 6 inhibited tubulin polymerization and arrested the cell cycle of DU145 cells at G2/M, similar to TUB015, compound 16 showed a more potent effect on inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation and arrested the cell cycle at G1/G0, similar to niclosamide. In both cases, no toxicity towards PBMC cells was detected. Thus, the salicylanilides described here represent a new class of antiproliferative agents affecting tubulin polymerization and/or STAT3 phosphorylation.
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Witalisz-Siepracka A, Klein K, Zdársky B, Stoiber D. The Multifaceted Role of STAT3 in NK-Cell Tumor Surveillance. Front Immunol 2022; 13:947568. [PMID: 35865518 PMCID: PMC9294167 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.947568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a member of the Janus kinase (JAK)-STAT pathway, which is one of the key pathways contributing to cancer. STAT3 regulates transcription downstream of many cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10. In cancer, STAT3 is mainly described as a tumor promoter driving tumor cell proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, angiogenesis and metastasis and aberrant activation of STAT3 is associated with poor prognosis. STAT3 is also an important driver of immune evasion. Among many other immunosuppressive mechanisms, STAT3 aids tumor cells to escape natural killer (NK) cell-mediated immune surveillance. NK cells are innate lymphocytes, which can directly kill malignant cells but also regulate adaptive immune responses and contribute to the composition of the tumor microenvironment. The inborn ability to lyse transformed cells renders NK cells an attractive tool for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we provide an overview of the role of STAT3 in the dynamic interplay between NK cells and tumor cells. On the one hand, we summarize the current knowledge on how tumor cell-intrinsic STAT3 drives the evasion from NK cells. On the other hand, we describe the multiple functions of STAT3 in regulating NK-cell cytotoxicity, cytokine production and their anti-tumor responses in vivo. In light of the ongoing research on STAT3 inhibitors, we also discuss how targeting STAT3 would affect the two arms of STAT3-dependent regulation of NK cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity. Understanding the complexity of this interplay in the tumor microenvironment is crucial for future implementation of NK cell-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Witalisz-Siepracka
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Division Pharmacology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
| | - Klara Klein
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Zdársky
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Division Pharmacology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
| | - Dagmar Stoiber
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Division Pharmacology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
- *Correspondence: Dagmar Stoiber,
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32
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Lao J, Cao C, Niu X, Deng S, Ming S, Liang S, Shang Y, Yuan Y, Shi X, Liang Z, Wu M, Wu Y. OX40 enhances T cell immune response to PD-1 blockade therapy in non-small cell lung cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 108:108813. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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33
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Mito S, Cheng B, Garcia BA, Gonzalez D, Ooi XY, Ruiz TC, Elisarraras FX, Tsin A, Chew SA, Arriaga MA. SAR study of niclosamide derivatives in the human glioblastoma U-87 MG cells. Med Chem Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-022-02907-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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34
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Singh S, Weiss A, Goodman J, Fisk M, Kulkarni S, Lu I, Gray J, Smith R, Sommer M, Cheriyan J. Niclosamide - a promising treatment for COVID-19. Br J Pharmacol 2022; 179:3250-3267. [PMID: 35348204 PMCID: PMC9111792 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccines have reduced the transmission and severity of COVID‐19, but there remains a paucity of efficacious treatment for drug‐resistant strains and more susceptible individuals, particularly those who mount a suboptimal vaccine response, either due to underlying health conditions or concomitant therapies. Repurposing existing drugs is a timely, safe and scientifically robust method for treating pandemics, such as COVID‐19. Here, we review the pharmacology and scientific rationale for repurposing niclosamide, an anti‐helminth already in human use as a treatment for COVID‐19. In addition, its potent antiviral activity, niclosamide has shown pleiotropic anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, bronchodilatory and anticancer effects in numerous preclinical and early clinical studies. The advantages and rationale for nebulized and intranasal formulations of niclosamide, which target the site of the primary infection in COVID‐19, are reviewed. Finally, we give an overview of ongoing clinical trials investigating niclosamide as a promising candidate against SARS‐CoV‐2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Singh
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Anne Weiss
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.,UNION Therapeutics Research Services, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - James Goodman
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Marie Fisk
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Spoorthy Kulkarni
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ing Lu
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Joanna Gray
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rona Smith
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.,Cambridge Clinical Trials Unit, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Morten Sommer
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.,UNION Therapeutics, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Joseph Cheriyan
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.,Cambridge Clinical Trials Unit, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
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Chung YM, Tsai WB, Khan PP, Ma J, Berek JS, Larrick JW, Hu MCT. FOXO3-dependent suppression of PD-L1 promotes anticancer immune responses via activation of natural killer cells. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:1241-1263. [PMID: 35411241 PMCID: PMC8984903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Boosting anticancer immunity by blocking immune checkpoints such as the programmed death-1 (PD-1) or its ligand (PD-L1) is a breakthrough anticancer therapy. However, many cancer patients do not respond well to immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs) alone. Here we show that low-dose pharmacological immunoactivators (e.g., SN38, topotecan, sorafenib, etc.) notably downregulate PD-L1 and upregulate FOXO3 expression in various human and murine cancer cell lines. In a mouse tumor model, low-dose SN38 treatment markedly suppresses tumor growth, reduces PD-L1 expression, and enhances FOXO3 expression in primary tumor specimens. SN38 therapy engages the tumor-infiltrating mouse NK1.1/CD49b/NKG2D-positive natural killer (NK) cells to attack tumor cells by inducing mouse IFN-γ and granzyme-B secretion in the tumor microenvironment (TME) in vivo. SN38 treatment also promotes tumor cell apoptosis in the TME. SN38 treatment significantly decreases STAT3-pY705 and IL-6 protein levels; FOXO3 is essential for SN38-mediated PD-L1 downregulation. Collectively, these findings may contribute to future translational or clinical investigations tackling difficult-to-treat cancers with immune-activating medicines or combined with ICB immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Min Chung
- Panorama Institute of Molecular Medicine & Panorama Research InstituteSunnyvale, CA 94089, USA
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Wen Bin Tsai
- Panorama Institute of Molecular Medicine & Panorama Research InstituteSunnyvale, CA 94089, USA
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Pragya P Khan
- Panorama Institute of Molecular Medicine & Panorama Research InstituteSunnyvale, CA 94089, USA
| | - Jessica Ma
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jonathan S Berek
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - James W Larrick
- Panorama Institute of Molecular Medicine & Panorama Research InstituteSunnyvale, CA 94089, USA
| | - Mickey C-T Hu
- Panorama Institute of Molecular Medicine & Panorama Research InstituteSunnyvale, CA 94089, USA
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanford, CA 94305, USA
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36
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Fu L, Jin W, Zhang J, Zhu L, Lu J, Zhen Y, Zhang L, Ouyang L, Liu B, Yu H. Repurposing non-oncology small-molecule drugs to improve cancer therapy: Current situation and future directions. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:532-557. [PMID: 35256933 PMCID: PMC8897051 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug repurposing or repositioning has been well-known to refer to the therapeutic applications of a drug for another indication other than it was originally approved for. Repurposing non-oncology small-molecule drugs has been increasingly becoming an attractive approach to improve cancer therapy, with potentially lower overall costs and shorter timelines. Several non-oncology drugs approved by FDA have been recently reported to treat different types of human cancers, with the aid of some new emerging technologies, such as omics sequencing and artificial intelligence to overcome the bottleneck of drug repurposing. Therefore, in this review, we focus on summarizing the therapeutic potential of non-oncology drugs, including cardiovascular drugs, microbiological drugs, small-molecule antibiotics, anti-viral drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-neurodegenerative drugs, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, and other drugs in human cancers. We also discuss their novel potential targets and relevant signaling pathways of these old non-oncology drugs in cancer therapies. Taken together, these inspiring findings will shed new light on repurposing more non-oncology small-molecule drugs with their intricate molecular mechanisms for future cancer drug discovery.
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Palmer AC, Izar B, Hwangbo H, Sorger PK. Predictable Clinical Benefits without Evidence of Synergy in Trials of Combination Therapies with Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitors. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:368-377. [PMID: 35045958 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-2275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Combinations of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) with other cancer therapies have been approved for advanced cancers in multiple indications, and numerous trials are under way to test new combinations. However, the mechanisms that account for the superiority of approved ICI combinations relative to their constituent monotherapies remain unknown. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We analyzed 13 phase III clinical trials testing combinations of ICIs with each other or other drugs in patients with advanced melanoma and lung, breast, gastric, kidney, and head and neck cancers. The clinical activity of the individual constituent therapies, measured in the same or a closely matched trial cohort, was used to compute progression-free survival (PFS) curves expected under a model of independent drug action. To identify additive or synergistic efficacy, PFS expected under this null model was compared with observed PFS by Cox regression. RESULTS PFS elicited by approved combination therapies with ICIs could be accurately predicted from monotherapy data using the independent drug action model (Pearson r = 0.98, P < 5 × 10-9, N = 4,173 patients, 8 types of cancer). We found no evidence of drug additivity or synergy except in one trial in which such interactions might have extended median PFS by 9 days. CONCLUSIONS Combining ICIs with other cancer therapies affords predictable and clinically meaningful benefit by providing patients with multiple chances of response to a single agent. Conversely, there exists no evidence in phase III trials that other therapies interact with and enhance the activity of ICIs. These findings can inform the design and testing of new ICI combination therapies while emphasizing the importance of developing better predictors (biomarkers) of ICI response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam C Palmer
- Department of Pharmacology, Computational Medicine Program, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Benjamin Izar
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Columbia University Medical Center, Columbia Center for Translational Tumor Immunology, New York, New York
| | - Haeun Hwangbo
- Department of Pharmacology, Computational Medicine Program, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Curriculum in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Peter K Sorger
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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38
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Parakh S, Ernst M, Poh AR. Multicellular Effects of STAT3 in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Opportunities. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6228. [PMID: 34944848 PMCID: PMC8699548 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer and accounts for 85% of lung cancer cases. Aberrant activation of the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) is frequently observed in NSCLC and is associated with a poor prognosis. Pre-clinical studies have revealed an unequivocal role for tumor cell-intrinsic and extrinsic STAT3 signaling in NSCLC by promoting angiogenesis, cell survival, cancer cell stemness, drug resistance, and evasion of anti-tumor immunity. Several STAT3-targeting strategies have also been investigated in pre-clinical models, and include preventing upstream receptor/ligand interactions, promoting the degradation of STAT3 mRNA, and interfering with STAT3 DNA binding. In this review, we discuss the molecular and immunological mechanisms by which persistent STAT3 activation promotes NSCLC development, and the utility of STAT3 as a prognostic and predictive biomarker in NSCLC. We also provide a comprehensive update of STAT3-targeting therapies that are currently undergoing clinical evaluation, and discuss the challenges associated with these treatment modalities in human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagun Parakh
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia;
- Tumor Targeting Laboratory, The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia;
| | - Matthias Ernst
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia;
- Cancer and Inflammation Laboratory, The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Ashleigh R. Poh
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia;
- Cancer and Inflammation Laboratory, The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
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39
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The antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects of Ionophores for the treatment of human infection. J Inorg Biochem 2021; 227:111661. [PMID: 34896767 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2021.111661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Ionophores are a diverse class of synthetic and naturally occurring ion transporter compounds which demonstrate both direct and in-direct antimicrobial properties against a broad panel of bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic pathogens. In addition, ionophores can regulate the host-immune response during communicable and non-communicable disease states. Although the clinical use of ionophores such as Amphotericin B, Bedaquiline and Ivermectin highlight the utility of ionophores in modern medicine, for many other ionophore compounds issues surrounding toxicity, bioavailability or lack of in vivo efficacy studies have hindered clinical development. The antimicrobial and immunomodulating properties of a range of compounds with characteristics of ionophores remain largely unexplored. As such, ionophores remain a latent therapeutic avenue to address both the global burden of antimicrobial resistance, and the unmet clinical need for new antimicrobial therapies. This review will provide an overview of the broad-spectrum antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties of ionophores, and their potential uses in clinical medicine for combatting infection.
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40
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Luo M, Xia Y, Wang F, Zhang H, Su D, Su C, Yang C, Wu S, An S, Lin S, Fu L. PD0325901, an ERK inhibitor, enhances the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitor in non-small cell lung carcinoma. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:3120-3133. [PMID: 34729305 PMCID: PMC8546891 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
ERK pathway regulated the programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression which was linked to the response of programmed death-1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 blockade therapy. So it is deducible that ERK inhibitor could enhance the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitor in cancer immunotherapy. In this study, PD0325901, an oral potent ERK inhibitor, strongly enhanced the efficacy of PD-1 antibody in vitro and in vivo models in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells. Mechanistically, PD0325901 or shRNA-ERK1/2 significantly downregulated the PD-L1 expression in NSCLC cells and increased the CD3+ T cells infiltration and functions in tumor tissue. There was a positive correlation between the p-ERK1/2 expression and PD-L1 expression in patients with NSCLC. And the patients with low p-ERK1/2 expression were observed a high response rate of PD-1/PD-L1 blockage therapy. Our results demonstrate that PD0325901, an ERK inhibitor, can enhance the efficacy of PD-1 blockage against NSCLC in vitro and in vivo models. And the combination of ERK inhibitor such as PD0325901 and PD-1/PD-L1 blockage is a promising regimen and encouraged to be further confirmed in the treatment of patients with NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yuhui Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Danting Su
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Chaoyue Su
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
- Pharmacy College, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510182, China
| | - Chuan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Shaocong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Sainan An
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Suxia Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel.: +86 20 873431-63, fax: +86 20 87343170.
| | - Liwu Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel.: +86 20 873431-63, fax: +86 20 87343170.
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Lim WJ, Lee M, Oh Y, Fang XQ, Lee S, Lim CH, Park J, Lim JH. Statins Decrease Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) by Inhibiting AKT and β-Catenin Signaling. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092488. [PMID: 34572136 PMCID: PMC8472538 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Retrospective observational studies have reported that statins improve clinical outcomes in patients previously treated with programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)-targeting monoclonal antibodies for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In multiple mouse cancer models, de novo synthesis of mevalonate and cholesterol inhibitors was found to synergize with anti-PD-1 antibody therapy. In the present study, we investigated whether statins affect programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in cancer cells. Four statins, namely simvastatin, atorvastatin, lovastatin, and fluvastatin, decreased PD-L1 expression in melanoma and lung cancer cells. In addition, we found that AKT and β-catenin signaling involved PD-L1 suppression by statins. Our cellular and molecular studies provide inspiring evidence for extending the clinical evaluation of statins for use in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitor-based cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo-Jin Lim
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, College of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea; (W.-J.L.); (Y.O.); (X.-Q.F.); (S.L.); (C.-H.L.); (J.P.)
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
| | - Mingyu Lee
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Yerin Oh
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, College of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea; (W.-J.L.); (Y.O.); (X.-Q.F.); (S.L.); (C.-H.L.); (J.P.)
| | - Xue-Quan Fang
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, College of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea; (W.-J.L.); (Y.O.); (X.-Q.F.); (S.L.); (C.-H.L.); (J.P.)
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
| | - Sujin Lee
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, College of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea; (W.-J.L.); (Y.O.); (X.-Q.F.); (S.L.); (C.-H.L.); (J.P.)
| | - Chang-Hoon Lim
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, College of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea; (W.-J.L.); (Y.O.); (X.-Q.F.); (S.L.); (C.-H.L.); (J.P.)
| | - Jooho Park
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, College of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea; (W.-J.L.); (Y.O.); (X.-Q.F.); (S.L.); (C.-H.L.); (J.P.)
| | - Ji-Hong Lim
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, College of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea; (W.-J.L.); (Y.O.); (X.-Q.F.); (S.L.); (C.-H.L.); (J.P.)
- Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
- Diabetes and Bio-Research Center, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-43-840-3567
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Inhibition of STAT3/PD-L1 and Activation of miR193a-5p Are Critically Involved in Apoptotic Effect of Compound K in Prostate Cancer Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082151. [PMID: 34440920 PMCID: PMC8394796 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) signaling plays an important role in tumor-immune microenvironments, in the present study, the role of STAT3/PD-L1 signaling in the apoptotic mechanism of an active ginseng saponin metabolite compound K (CK) was investigated in human prostate cancer cells. Here, CK exerted significant cytotoxicity without hurting RWPE1 normal prostate epithelial cells, increased sub-G1 and cleavage of Poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and attenuated the expression of pro-PARP and Pro-cysteine aspartyl-specific protease3 (pro-caspase-3) in LANCap, PC-3 and DU145 cells. Further, CK attenuated the expression of p-STAT3 and PD-L1 in DU145 cells along with disrupted the binding of STAT3 to PD-L1. Furthermore, CK effectively abrogated the expression of p-STAT3 and PD-L1 in interferon-gamma (INF-γ)-stimulated DU145cells. Additionally, CK suppressed the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) as immune escape-related genes in DU145 cells. Likewise, as STAT3 targets genes, the expression of CyclinD1, c-Myc and B-cell lymphoma-extra-large (Bcl-xL) was attenuated in CK-treated DU145 cells. Notably, CK upregulated the expression of microRNA193a-5p (miR193a-5p) in DU145 cells. Consistently, miR193a-5p mimic suppressed p-STAT3, PD-L1 and pro-PARP, while miR193a-5p inhibitor reversed the ability of CK to attenuate the expression of p-STAT3, PD-L1 and pro-PARP in DU145 cells. Taken together, these findings support evidence that CK induces apoptosis via the activation of miR193a-5p and inhibition of PD-L1 and STAT3 signaling in prostate cancer cells.
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43
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Liu J, Ding H, Quan H, Han J. Anthelminthic niclosamide inhibits tumor growth and invasion in cisplatin-resistant human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:666. [PMID: 34386088 PMCID: PMC8299033 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy-resistant breast cancer displays aggressive clinical behavior, is poorly differentiated and is associated with the occurrence of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the presence of cancer stem cells. The anthelmintic drug niclosamide has been shown to have numerous clinical applications in the treatment of malignant tumors, in addition to its traditional use in tapeworm disease. Our previous study demonstrated that niclosamide had an antiproliferative effect and could inhibit the stem-like phenotype of the breast cancer cells, suggesting that it might have the potential to be used in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. However, the specific function and underlying mechanism of action of niclosamide in chemoresistant human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer remain unknown. The present study aimed to determine whether niclosamide can inhibit cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, as well as the stem-like phenotype in cisplatin-resistant HER2-positive breast cancer. Alamar Blue and Annexin V/7-AAD staining, mammosphere formation and Transwell assays were performed to assess the viability, apoptosis, stem-like phenotype and invasion ability of breast cancer cell lines, respectively. Signaling molecule expression was detected via western blotting and a xenograft model was used to verify the inhibitory effect of niclosamide in vivo. The results from the present study demonstrated that niclosamide inhibited the resistance of HER2-positive breast cancer to cisplatin both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, niclosamide combined with cisplatin could inhibit breast cancer cell invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cell stemness. The inhibitory effect of niclosamide was mediated by apoptosis induction and Bcl-2 downregulation. Taken together, the results of the present study suggested that niclosamide combined with cisplatin may be considered as a novel treatment for chemoresistant HER2-positive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjun Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, P.R. China
| | - Hanzhi Ding
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, P.R. China
| | - Hong Quan
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, P.R. China
| | - Jing Han
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, P.R. China
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Rong QX, Wang F, Guo ZX, Hu Y, An SN, Luo M, Zhang H, Wu SC, Huang HQ, Fu LW. GM-CSF mediates immune evasion via upregulation of PD-L1 expression in extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:80. [PMID: 34051805 PMCID: PMC8164269 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01374-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a cytokine that is used as an immunopotentiator for anti-tumor therapies in recent years. We found that some of the extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL) patients with the treatment of hGM-CSF rapidly experienced disease progression, but the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Here, we aimed to explore the mechanisms of disease progression triggered by GM-CSF in ENKTL. Methods The mouse models bearing EL4 cell tumors were established to investigate the effects of GM-CSF on tumor growth and T cell infiltration and function. Human ENKTL cell lines including NK-YS, SNK-6, and SNT-8 were used to explore the expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) induced by GM-CSF. To further study the mechanisms of disease progression of ENKTL in detail, the mutations and gene expression profile were examined by next-generation sequence (NGS) in the ENKTL patient’s tumor tissue samples. Results The mouse-bearing EL4 cell tumor exhibited a faster tumor growth rate and poorer survival in the treatment with GM-CSF alone than in treatment with IgG or the combination of GM-CSF and PD-1 antibody. The PD-L1 expression at mRNA and protein levels was significantly increased in ENKTL cells treated with GM-CSF. STAT5A high-frequency mutation including p.R131G, p.D475N, p.F706fs, p.V707E, and p.S710F was found in 12 ENKTL cases with baseline tissue samples. Importantly, STAT5A-V706fs mutation tumor cells exhibited increased activation of STAT5A pathway and PD-L1 overexpression in the presence of GM-CSF. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that GM-CSF potentially triggers the loss of tumor immune surveillance in ENKTL patients and promotes disease progression, which is associated with STAT5 mutations and JAK2 hyperphosphorylation and then upregulates the expression of PD-L1. These may provide new concepts for GM-CSF application and new strategies for the treatment of ENKTL. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12943-021-01374-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Xiang Rong
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China
| | - Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhi-Xing Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China
| | - Yi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China
| | - Sai-Nan An
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China
| | - Min Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China
| | - Shao-Cong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui-Qiang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China.
| | - Li-Wu Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China.
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Jiang ZB, Wang WJ, Xu C, Xie YJ, Wang XR, Zhang YZ, Huang JM, Huang M, Xie C, Liu P, Fan XX, Ma YP, Yan PY, Liu L, Yao XJ, Wu QB, Lai-Han Leung E. Luteolin and its derivative apigenin suppress the inducible PD-L1 expression to improve anti-tumor immunity in KRAS-mutant lung cancer. Cancer Lett 2021; 515:36-48. [PMID: 34052328 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Upregulated expression of immune checkpoint molecules correlates with exhausted phenotype and impaired function of cytotoxic T cells to evade host immunity. By disrupting the interaction of PD-L1 and PD1, immune checkpoint inhibitors can restore immune system function against cancer cells. Growing evidence have demonstrated apigenin and luteolin, which are flavonoids abundant in common fruits and vegetables, can suppress growth and induce apoptosis of multiple types of cancer cells with their potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer properties. In this study, the effects and underlying mechanisms of luteolin, apigenin, and anti-PD-1 antibody combined with luteolin or apigenin on the PD-L1 expression and anti-tumorigenesis in KRAS-mutant lung cancer were investigated. Luteolin and apigenin significantly inhibited lung cancer cell growth, induced cell apoptosis, and down-regulated the IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 expression by suppressing the phosphorylation of STAT3. Both luteolin and apigenin showed potent anti-cancer activities in the H358 xenograft and Lewis lung carcinoma model in vivo, and the treatment with monoclonal PD1 antibody enhanced the infiltration of T cells into tumor tissues. Apigenin exhibited anti-tumor activity in Genetically engineered KRASLA2 mice. In conclusion, both apigenin and luteolin significantly suppressed lung cancer with KRAS mutant proliferation, and down-regulated the IFN-γ induced PD-L1 expression. Treatment with the combination of PD-1 blockade and apigenin/luteolin has a synergistic effect and might be a prospective therapeutic strategy for NSCLC with KRAS-mutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze-Bo Jiang
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Macao, Taipa, Macau (SAR), China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, China
| | - Wen-Jun Wang
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Macao, Taipa, Macau (SAR), China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, China
| | - Cong Xu
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Macao, Taipa, Macau (SAR), China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, China
| | - Ya-Jia Xie
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Macao, Taipa, Macau (SAR), China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, China
| | - Xuan-Run Wang
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Macao, Taipa, Macau (SAR), China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, China
| | - Yi-Zhong Zhang
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Macao, Taipa, Macau (SAR), China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, China
| | - Ju-Min Huang
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Macao, Taipa, Macau (SAR), China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, China
| | - Min Huang
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Macao, Taipa, Macau (SAR), China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, China
| | - Chun Xie
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Macao, Taipa, Macau (SAR), China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, China
| | - Pei Liu
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Macao, Taipa, Macau (SAR), China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, China
| | - Xing-Xing Fan
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Macao, Taipa, Macau (SAR), China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, China
| | - Yu-Po Ma
- Department of Internal Medicine, Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA; Research & Development Division, iCell Gene Therapeutics LLC, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Pei-Yu Yan
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Macao, Taipa, Macau (SAR), China
| | - Liang Liu
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Macao, Taipa, Macau (SAR), China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Yao
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Macao, Taipa, Macau (SAR), China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, China.
| | - Qi-Biao Wu
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Macao, Taipa, Macau (SAR), China.
| | - Elaine Lai-Han Leung
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Macao, Taipa, Macau (SAR), China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, China; Zhuhai Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Zhuhai City, Guangdong, China.
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Kim HJ, Lee JH, Kim SW, Lee SH, Jung DW, Williams DR. Investigation of niclosamide as a repurposing agent for skeletal muscle atrophy. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252135. [PMID: 34038481 PMCID: PMC8153455 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle atrophy is a feature of aging (termed sarcopenia) and various diseases, such as cancer and kidney failure. Effective drug treatment options for muscle atrophy are lacking. The tapeworm medication, niclosamide is being assessed for repurposing to treat numerous diseases, including end-stage cancer metastasis and hepatic steatosis. In this study, we investigated the potential of niclosamide as a repurposing drug for muscle atrophy. In a myotube atrophy model using the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, niclosamide did not prevent the reduction in myotube diameter or the decreased expression of phosphorylated FOXO3a, which upregulates the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway of muscle catabolism. Treatment of normal myotubes with niclosamide did not activate mTOR, a major regulator of muscle protein synthesis, and increased the expression of atrogin-1, which is induced in catabolic states. Niclosamide treatment also inhibited myogenesis in muscle precursor cells, enhanced the expression of myoblast markers Pax7 and Myf5, and downregulated the expression of differentiation markers MyoD, MyoG and Myh2. In an animal model of muscle atrophy, niclosamide did not improve muscle mass, grip strength or muscle fiber cross-sectional area. Muscle atrophy is also feature of cancer cachexia. IC50 analyses indicated that niclosamide was more cytotoxic for myoblasts than cancer cells. In addition, niclosamide did not suppress the induction of iNOS, a key mediator of atrophy, in an in vitro model of cancer cachexia and did not rescue myotube diameter. Overall, these results suggest that niclosamide may not be a suitable repurposing drug for glucocorticoid-induced skeletal muscle atrophy or cancer cachexia. Nevertheless, niclosamide may be employed as a compound to study mechanisms regulating myogenesis and catabolic pathways in skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Jun Kim
- New Drug Targets Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hyung Lee
- New Drug Targets Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon-Wook Kim
- New Drug Targets Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hoon Lee
- New Drug Targets Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Da-Woon Jung
- New Drug Targets Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail: (D-WJ); (DRW)
| | - Darren R. Williams
- New Drug Targets Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail: (D-WJ); (DRW)
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Repositioning Azelnidipine as a Dual Inhibitor Targeting CD47/SIRPα and TIGIT/PVR Pathways for Cancer Immuno-Therapy. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11050706. [PMID: 34068552 PMCID: PMC8150775 DOI: 10.3390/biom11050706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Strategies boosting both innate and adaptive immunity have great application prospects in cancer immunotherapy. Antibodies dual blocking the innate checkpoint CD47 and adaptive checkpoint PD-L1 or TIGIT could achieve durable anti-tumor effects. However, a small molecule dual blockade of CD47/SIRPα and TIGIT/PVR pathways has not been investigated. Here, an elevated expression of CD47 and PVR was observed in tumor tissues and cell lines analyzed with the GEO datasets and by flow cytometry, respectively. Compounds approved by the FDA were screened with the software MOE by docking to the potential binding pockets of SIRPα and PVR identified with the corresponding structural analysis. The candidate compounds were screened by blocking and MST binding assays. Azelnidipine was found to dual block CD47/SIRPα and TIGIT/PVR pathways by co-targeting SIRPα and PVR. In vitro, azelnidipine could enhance the macrophage phagocytosis when co-cultured with tumor cells. In vivo, azelnidipine alone or combined with irradiation could significantly inhibit the growth of MC38 tumors. Azelnidipine also significantly inhibits the growth of CT26 tumors, by enhancing the infiltration and function of CD8+ T cell in tumor and systematic immune response in the tumor-draining lymph node and spleen in a CD8+ T cell dependent manner. Our research suggests that the anti-hypertensive drug azelnidipine could be repositioned for cancer immunotherapy.
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Sun TX, Li MY, Zhang ZH, Wang JY, Xing Y, Ri M, Jin CH, Xu GH, Piao LX, Jin HL, Zuo HX, Ma J, Jin X. Usnic acid suppresses cervical cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting PD-L1 expression and enhancing T-lymphocyte tumor-killing activity. Phytother Res 2021; 35:3916-3935. [PMID: 33970512 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway is abnormally expressed in cervical cancer cells. Moreover, PD-1/PD-L1 blockade reduces the apoptosis and exhaustion of T cells and inhibits the development of malignant tumors. Usnic acid is a dibenzofuran compound originating from Usnea diffracta Vain and has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and anticancer activities. However, the molecular mechanism of its antitumor effects has not been fully elucidated. In this work, we first observed that usnic acid decreased the expression of PD-L1 in HeLa cells and enhanced the cytotoxicity of co-cultured T cells toward tumor cells. Usnic acid inhibited PD-L1 protein synthesis by reducing STAT3 and RAS pathways cooperatively. It was subsequently shown that usnic acid induced MiT/TFE nuclear translocation through the suppression of mTOR signaling pathways, and promoted the biogenesis of lysosomes and the translocation of PD-L1 to the lysosomes for proteolysis. Furthermore, usnic acid inhibited cell proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, and invasion, respectively, by downregulating PD-L1, thereby inhibiting tumor growth. Taken together, our results show that usnic acid is an effective inhibitor of PD-L1 and our study provide novel insights into the mechanism of its anticancer targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Xin Sun
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Ming Yue Li
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Zhi Hong Zhang
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Jing Ying Wang
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Yue Xing
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - MyongHak Ri
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Cheng Hua Jin
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Guang Hua Xu
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Lian Xun Piao
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Hong Lan Jin
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Hong Xiang Zuo
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Juan Ma
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Xuejun Jin
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, China
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Fraxetin Inhibits the Proliferation and Metastasis of Glioma Cells by Inactivating JAK2/STAT3 Signaling. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:5540139. [PMID: 33959183 PMCID: PMC8075667 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5540139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Glioma is the most common brain tumor and is characterized by high mortality rates, high recurrence rates, and short survival time. Migration and invasion are the basic features of gliomas. Thus, inhibition of migration and invasion may be beneficial for the treatment of patients with glioma. Due to its antitumor activity and chemical reactivity, fraxetin has attracted extensive interest and has been proven to be an effective antitumor agent in various cancer types. However, currently, the potential effects of fraxetin on glioma have not been investigated. Here, we demonstrate that fraxetin can inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of glioma and induce apoptosis of glioma cells in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, these findings establish fraxetin as a drug candidate for glioma treatment. Furthermore, fraxetin was able to effectively inhibit the JAK2/STAT3 signaling in glioma. In summary, our results show that fraxetin inhibits proliferation, invasion, and migration of glioma by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 signaling and inducing apoptosis of glioma cells. The present study provides a solid basis for the development of new glioma therapies.
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STAT3 and p53: Dual Target for Cancer Therapy. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8120637. [PMID: 33371351 PMCID: PMC7767392 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8120637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor suppressor p53 is considered the "guardian of the genome" that can protect cells against cancer by inducing cell cycle arrest followed by cell death. However, STAT3 is constitutively activated in several human cancers and plays crucial roles in promoting cancer cell proliferation and survival. Hence, STAT3 and p53 have opposing roles in cellular pathway regulation, as activation of STAT3 upregulates the survival pathway, whereas p53 triggers the apoptotic pathway. Constitutive activation of STAT3 and gain or loss of p53 function due to mutations are the most frequent events in numerous cancer types. Several studies have reported the association of STAT3 and/or p53 mutations with drug resistance in cancer treatment. This review discusses the relationship between STAT3 and p53 status in cancer, the molecular mechanism underlying the negative regulation of p53 by STAT3, and vice versa. Moreover, it underlines prospective therapies targeting both STAT3 and p53 to enhance chemotherapeutic outcomes.
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