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Song B, Chi H, Peng G, Song Y, Cui Z, Zhu Y, Chen G, Wu J, Liu W, Dong C, Wang Y, Xu K, Yu Z, Song B. Characterization of coagulation-related gene signature to predict prognosis and tumor immune microenvironment in skin cutaneous melanoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:975255. [PMID: 36059641 PMCID: PMC9434152 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.975255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Backgroud Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is an extremely metastatic form of skin cancer. However, there are few valuable molecular biomarkers, and accurate diagnosis is still a challenge. Hypercoagulable state encourages the infiltration and development of tumor cells and is significantly associated with poor prognosis in cancer patients. However, the use of a coagulation-related gene (CRG) signature for prognosis in SKCM, on the other hand, has yet to be determined. Method We used data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases to identify differentially expressed CRGs, then designed a prognostic model by using the LASSO algorithm, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis, and constructed a nomogram which was evaluated by calibration curves. Moreover, the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), GSE54467 was used as an independent validation. The correlation between risk score and clinicopathological characteristics, tumor microenvironment (TME), and immunotherapy was further analyzed. Results To develop a prognostic model, seven CRGs in SKCM patients related to overall survival (OS) were selected: ANG, C1QA, CFB, DUSP6, KLKB1, MMP7, and RABIF. According to the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, an increased OS was observed in the low-risk group than in the high-risk group (P<0.05). Immunotherapy was much more beneficial in the low-risk group, as per immune infiltration, functional enrichment, and immunotherapy analysis. Conclusions The prognosis of SKCM patients may now be predicted with the use of a CRG prognostic model, thus guiding the development of treatment plans for SKCM patients and promoting OS rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binyu Song
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Hao Chi
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Gaoge Peng
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yajuan Song
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhiwei Cui
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yuhan Zhu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Guo Chen
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Junzheng Wu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Chen Dong
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yuanyong Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhou Yu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Zhou Yu, ; Baoqiang Song,
| | - Baoqiang Song
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Zhou Yu, ; Baoqiang Song,
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Mukherjee N, Dart CR, Amato CM, Honig-Frand A, Lambert JR, Lambert KA, Robinson WA, Tobin RP, McCarter MD, Couts KL, Fujita M, Norris DA, Shellman YG. Expression Differences in BCL2 Family Members between Uveal and Cutaneous Melanomas Account for Varying Sensitivity to BH3 Mimetics. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 142:1912-1922.e7. [PMID: 34942200 PMCID: PMC9635014 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.11.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is a subtype of melanoma. Although they share a melanocytic origin with cutaneous melanoma (CM), patients with UM have few treatment options. BCL2 homologous 3 mimetics are small-molecule drugs that mimic proapoptotic BCL2 family members. We compared BCL2 family member expression between UM and CM using immunoblot and The Cancer Genome Atlas transcriptomic analysis. UM has a unique signature of low BFL1 and high PUMA proteins compared with CM and 30 other cancer types, making them an attractive candidate for BCL2 homologous 3 protein mimetics. We tested the efficacy of a BCL2 inhibitor and MCL1 inhibitor (MCL1i) in UM, with viability assays, live-cell imaging, sphere assays, and mouse xenograft models. UM had a higher sensitivity to MCL1i than CM. Overexpression of BFL1 or knockdown of PUMA made the UM more resistant to MCL1i. In contrast, MAPK/extracellular signal‒regulated kinase inhibitor treatment in CM made them more sensitive to MCL1i. However, MCL1i-alone treatment was not very effective to reduce the UM initiating cells; to overcome this, we employed a combination of MCL1i with BCL2 inhibitor that synergistically inhibited UM initiating cell's capacity to expand. Overall, we identify a distinct expression profile of BCL2 family members for UM that makes them susceptible to BCL2 homologous 3 mimetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabanita Mukherjee
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Chiara R Dart
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA; Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Carol M Amato
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Adam Honig-Frand
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - James R Lambert
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Karoline A Lambert
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - William A Robinson
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Richard P Tobin
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Martin D McCarter
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kasey L Couts
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Mayumi Fujita
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA; Dermatology Section, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, USA; Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - David A Norris
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA; Dermatology Section, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Yiqun G Shellman
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA; Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
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Zhang X, Bustos MA, Gross R, Ramos RI, Takeshima T, Mills GB, Yu Q, Hoon DSB. Interleukin enhancer-binding factor 2 promotes cell proliferation and DNA damage response in metastatic melanoma. Clin Transl Med 2021; 11:e608. [PMID: 34709752 PMCID: PMC8516365 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND 1q21.3 amplification, which is frequently observed in metastatic melanoma, is associated with cancer progression. Interleukin enhancer-binding factor 2 (ILF2) is located in the 1q21.3 amplified region, but its functional role or contribution to tumour aggressiveness in cutaneous melanoma is unknown. METHODS In silico analyses were performed using the TCGA SKCM dataset with clinical annotations and three melanoma microarray cohorts from the GEO datasets. RNA in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry were utilised to validate the gene expression in melanoma tissues. Four stable melanoma cell lines were established for in vitro ILF2 functional characterisation. RESULTS Our results showed that the ILF2 copy number variation (CNV) is positively correlated with ILF2 mRNA expression (r = 0.68, p < .0001). Additionally, ILF2 expression is significantly increased with melanoma progression (p < .0001), and significantly associated with poor overall survival for metastatic melanoma patients (p = .026). The overexpression of ILF2 (ILF2-OV) promotes proliferation in metastatic melanoma cells, whereas ILF2 knockdown decreases proliferation by blocking the cell cycle. Mechanistically, we demonstrated the interaction between ILF2 and the splicing factor U2AF2, whose knockdown reverses the proliferation effects mediated by ILF2-OV. Stage IIIB-C melanoma patients with high ILF2-U2AF2 expression showed significantly shorter overall survival (p = .024). Enhanced ILF2/U2AF2 expression promotes a more efficient DNA-damage repair by increasing RAD50 and ATM mRNA expression. Paradoxically, metastatic melanoma cells with ILF2-OV were more sensitive to ATM inhibitors. CONCLUSION Our study uncovered that ILF2 amplification of the 1q21.3 chromosome is associated with melanoma progression and triggers a functional downstream pathway in metastatic melanoma promoting drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Zhang
- Department of Translational Molecular MedicineProvidence Saint John's Health CenterSaint John's Cancer InstituteSanta MonicaCalifornia
| | - Matias A. Bustos
- Department of Translational Molecular MedicineProvidence Saint John's Health CenterSaint John's Cancer InstituteSanta MonicaCalifornia
| | - Rebecca Gross
- Department of Translational Molecular MedicineProvidence Saint John's Health CenterSaint John's Cancer InstituteSanta MonicaCalifornia
| | - Romela Irene Ramos
- Department of Translational Molecular MedicineProvidence Saint John's Health CenterSaint John's Cancer InstituteSanta MonicaCalifornia
| | - Teh‐Ling Takeshima
- Department of Translational Molecular MedicineProvidence Saint John's Health CenterSaint John's Cancer InstituteSanta MonicaCalifornia
| | - Gordon B. Mills
- Department of Cell Development and Cancer BiologyKnight Cancer InstituteOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandOregon
| | - Qiang Yu
- Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR)Genome Institute of SingaporeBiopolisSingapore
| | - Dave S. B. Hoon
- Department of Translational Molecular MedicineProvidence Saint John's Health CenterSaint John's Cancer InstituteSanta MonicaCalifornia
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A Novel Regimen for Treating Melanoma: MCL1 Inhibitors and Azacitidine. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14080749. [PMID: 34451846 PMCID: PMC8399604 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Although treatment options for melanoma patients have expanded in recent years with the approval of immunotherapy and targeted therapy, there is still an unmet need for new treatment options for patients that are ineligible for, or resistant to these therapies. BH3 mimetics, drugs that mimic the activity of pro-apoptotic BCL2 family proteins, have recently achieved remarkable success in the clinical setting. The combination of BH3 mimetic ABT-199 (venetoclax) plus azacitidine has shown substantial benefit in treating acute myelogenous leukemia. We evaluated the efficacy of various combinations of BH3 mimetic + azacitidine in fourteen human melanoma cell lines from cutaneous, mucosal, acral and uveal subtypes. Using a combination of cell viability assay, BCL2 family knockdown cell lines, live cell imaging, and sphere formation assay, we found that combining inhibition of MCL1, an anti-apoptotic BCL2 protein, with azacitidine had substantial pro-apoptotic effects in multiple melanoma cell lines. Specifically, this combination reduced cell viability, proliferation, sphere formation, and induced apoptosis. In addition, this combination is highly effective at reducing cell viability in rare mucosal and uveal subtypes. Overall, our data suggest this combination as a promising therapeutic option for some patients with melanoma and should be further explored in clinical trials.
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Tsai CY, Ko HJ, Chiou SJ, Lai YL, Hou CC, Javaria T, Huang ZY, Cheng TS, Hsu TI, Chuang JY, Kwan AL, Chuang TH, Huang CYF, Loh JK, Hong YR. NBM-BMX, an HDAC8 Inhibitor, Overcomes Temozolomide Resistance in Glioblastoma Multiforme by Downregulating the β-Catenin/c-Myc/SOX2 Pathway and Upregulating p53-Mediated MGMT Inhibition. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115907. [PMID: 34072831 PMCID: PMC8199487 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) plays a role in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), whether its inhibition facilitates the treatment of temozolomide (TMZ)-resistant GBM (GBM-R) remains unclear. By assessing the gene expression profiles from short hairpin RNA of HDAC8 in the new version of Connectivity Map (CLUE) and cells treated by NBM-BMX (BMX)-, an HDAC8 inhibitor, data analysis reveals that the Wnt signaling pathway and apoptosis might be the underlying mechanisms in BMX-elicited treatment. This study evaluated the efficacy of cotreatment with BMX and TMZ in GBM-R cells. We observed that cotreatment with BMX and TMZ could overcome resistance in GBM-R cells and inhibit cell viability, markedly inhibit cell proliferation, and then induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In addition, the expression level of β-catenin was reversed by proteasome inhibitor via the β-catenin/ GSK3β signaling pathway to reduce the expression level of c-Myc and cyclin D1 in GBM-R cells. BMX and TMZ cotreatment also upregulated WT-p53 mediated MGMT inhibition, thereby triggering the activation of caspase-3 and eventually leading to apoptosis in GBM-R cells. Moreover, BMX and TMZ attenuated the expression of CD133, CD44, and SOX2 in GBM-R cells. In conclusion, BMX overcomes TMZ resistance by enhancing TMZ-mediated cytotoxic effect by downregulating the β-catenin/c-Myc/SOX2 signaling pathway and upregulating WT-p53 mediated MGMT inhibition. These findings indicate a promising drug combination for precision personal treating of TMZ-resistant WT-p53 GBM cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Yu Tsai
- Ph.D. Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (C.-Y.T.); (A.-L.K.); (T.-H.C.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Huey-Jiun Ko
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (H.-J.K.); (Y.-L.L.)
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Shean-Jaw Chiou
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Yu-Ling Lai
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (H.-J.K.); (Y.-L.L.)
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Chia-Chung Hou
- New Drug Research & Development Center, NatureWise Biotech & Medicals Corporation, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
| | - Tehseen Javaria
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan; (T.J.); (T.-S.C.)
| | - Zi-Yi Huang
- Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
| | - Tai-Shan Cheng
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan; (T.J.); (T.-S.C.)
| | - Tsung-I Hsu
- Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 115, Taiwan; (T.-I.H.); (J.-Y.C.)
| | - Jian-Ying Chuang
- Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 115, Taiwan; (T.-I.H.); (J.-Y.C.)
| | - Aij-Lie Kwan
- Ph.D. Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (C.-Y.T.); (A.-L.K.); (T.-H.C.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (H.-J.K.); (Y.-L.L.)
| | - Tsung-Hsien Chuang
- Ph.D. Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (C.-Y.T.); (A.-L.K.); (T.-H.C.)
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Ying F. Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan; (T.J.); (T.-S.C.)
- Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: (C.-Y.F.H.); (J.-K.L.); (Y.-R.H.); Tel.: +886-7-312-1101-5386 (Y.-R.H.); Fax: +886-7-321-8309 (Y.-R.H.)
| | - Joon-Khim Loh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (H.-J.K.); (Y.-L.L.)
- Correspondence: (C.-Y.F.H.); (J.-K.L.); (Y.-R.H.); Tel.: +886-7-312-1101-5386 (Y.-R.H.); Fax: +886-7-321-8309 (Y.-R.H.)
| | - Yi-Ren Hong
- Ph.D. Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (C.-Y.T.); (A.-L.K.); (T.-H.C.)
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (H.-J.K.); (Y.-L.L.)
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (C.-Y.F.H.); (J.-K.L.); (Y.-R.H.); Tel.: +886-7-312-1101-5386 (Y.-R.H.); Fax: +886-7-321-8309 (Y.-R.H.)
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Ortiz R, Perazzoli G, Cabeza L, Jiménez-Luna C, Luque R, Prados J, Melguizo C. Temozolomide: An Updated Overview of Resistance Mechanisms, Nanotechnology Advances and Clinical Applications. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 19:513-537. [PMID: 32589560 PMCID: PMC8206461 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x18666200626204005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Temozolomide (TMZ), an oral alkylating prodrug which delivers a methyl group to purine bases of DNA (O6-guanine; N7-guanine and N3-adenine), is frequently used together with radiotherapy as part of the first-line treatment of high-grade gliomas. The main advantages are its high oral bioavailability (almost 100% although the concentration found in the cerebrospinal fluid was approximately 20% of the plasma concentration of TMZ), its lipophilic properties, and small size that confer the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Furthermore, this agent has demonstrated activity not only in brain tumors but also in a variety of solid tumors. However, conventional therapy using surgery, radiation, and TMZ in glioblastoma results in a median patient survival of 14.6 months. Treatment failure has been associated with tumor drug resistance. This phenomenon has been linked to the expression of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase, but the mismatch repair system and the presence of cancer stem-like cells in tumors have also been related to TMZ resistance. The understanding of these mechanisms is essential for the development of new therapeutic strategies in the clinical use of TMZ, including the use of nanomaterial delivery systems and the association with other chemotherapy agents. The aim of this review is to summarize the resistance mechanisms of TMZ and the current advances to improve its clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Ortiz
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Biomedical Research Centre (CIBM), University of Granada, Spain
| | | | - Laura Cabeza
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Biomedical Research Centre (CIBM), University of Granada, Spain
| | - Cristina Jiménez-Luna
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Epalinges 1066, Switzerland
| | - Raquel Luque
- Medical Oncology Service, Virgen de las Nieves Hospital, Granada, Spain
| | - Jose Prados
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Biomedical Research Centre (CIBM), University of Granada, Spain
| | - Consolación Melguizo
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Biomedical Research Centre (CIBM), University of Granada, Spain
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Mukherjee N, Amato CM, Skees J, Todd KJ, Lambert KA, Robinson WA, Van Gulick R, Weight RM, Dart CR, Tobin RP, McCarter MD, Fujita M, Norris DA, Shellman YG. Simultaneously Inhibiting BCL2 and MCL1 Is a Therapeutic Option for Patients with Advanced Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2182. [PMID: 32764384 PMCID: PMC7464298 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need to develop treatments for patients with melanoma who are refractory to or ineligible for immune checkpoint blockade, including patients who lack BRAF-V600E/K mutations. This is often the case in patients diagnosed with rare melanoma subtypes such as mucosal and acral melanoma. Here, we analyzed data from the cutaneous melanoma The Cancer Genome Atlas Network (TCGA) transcriptomic and proteomic databases for differential expression of apoptosis molecules between melanomas with or without BRAF hotspot mutations. Our data indicated higher B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (BCL2) expression in melanoma without BRAF hotspot mutations, suggesting that BH3 mimetics, such as ABT-199 (venetoclax, a small molecule against BCL2), may be a potential therapeutic option for these patients. We explored the efficacy of combining two BH3 mimetics, ABT-199 and a myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1 (MCL1) inhibitor (S63845 or S64315/MIK665) in cutaneous, mucosal and acral melanomas, in vitro and in vivo. Our data indicate this combination induced cell death in a broad range of melanoma cell lines, including melanoma initiating cell populations, and was more potent in melanoma cells without BRAF-V600E/K mutations. Our knockdown/knockout experiments suggest that several pro-apoptotic BCL2 family members, BCL2-like 11 (apoptosis facilitator) (BIM), phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced protein 1 (NOXA) or BID, play a role in the combination-induced effects. Overall, our study supports the rationale for combining an MCL1 inhibitor with a BCL2 inhibitor as a therapeutic option in patients with advanced melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabanita Mukherjee
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (N.M.); (J.S.); (K.J.T.); (K.A.L.); (M.F.); (D.A.N.)
| | - Carol M. Amato
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (C.M.A.); (W.A.R.); (R.V.G.); (R.M.W.); (C.R.D.)
| | - Jenette Skees
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (N.M.); (J.S.); (K.J.T.); (K.A.L.); (M.F.); (D.A.N.)
| | - Kaleb J. Todd
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (N.M.); (J.S.); (K.J.T.); (K.A.L.); (M.F.); (D.A.N.)
| | - Karoline A. Lambert
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (N.M.); (J.S.); (K.J.T.); (K.A.L.); (M.F.); (D.A.N.)
| | - William A. Robinson
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (C.M.A.); (W.A.R.); (R.V.G.); (R.M.W.); (C.R.D.)
| | - Robert Van Gulick
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (C.M.A.); (W.A.R.); (R.V.G.); (R.M.W.); (C.R.D.)
| | - Ryan M. Weight
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (C.M.A.); (W.A.R.); (R.V.G.); (R.M.W.); (C.R.D.)
| | - Chiara R. Dart
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (C.M.A.); (W.A.R.); (R.V.G.); (R.M.W.); (C.R.D.)
| | - Richard P. Tobin
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (R.P.T.); (M.D.M.)
| | - Martin D. McCarter
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (R.P.T.); (M.D.M.)
| | - Mayumi Fujita
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (N.M.); (J.S.); (K.J.T.); (K.A.L.); (M.F.); (D.A.N.)
- Dermatology Section, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO 80220, USA
- Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - David A. Norris
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (N.M.); (J.S.); (K.J.T.); (K.A.L.); (M.F.); (D.A.N.)
- Dermatology Section, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO 80220, USA
| | - Yiqun G. Shellman
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; (N.M.); (J.S.); (K.J.T.); (K.A.L.); (M.F.); (D.A.N.)
- Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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8
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Mukherjee N, Skees J, Todd KJ, West DA, Lambert KA, Robinson WA, Amato CM, Couts KL, Van Gulick R, MacBeth M, Nassar K, Tan AC, Zhai Z, Fujita M, Bagby SM, Dart CR, Lambert JR, Norris DA, Shellman YG. MCL1 inhibitors S63845/MIK665 plus Navitoclax synergistically kill difficult-to-treat melanoma cells. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:443. [PMID: 32513939 PMCID: PMC7280535 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2646-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Current treatment for patients with metastatic melanoma include molecular-targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, a subset of melanomas are difficult-to-treat. These melanomas include those without the genetic markers for targeted therapy, non-responsive to immunotherapy, and those who have relapsed or exhausted their therapeutic options. Therefore, it is necessary to understand and explore other biological processes that may provide new therapeutic approaches. One of most appealing is targeting the apoptotic/anti-apoptotic system that is effective against leukemia. We used genetic knockdown and pharmacologic approaches of BH3 mimetics to target anti-apoptotic BCL2 family members and identified MCL1 and BCLXL as crucial pro-survival members in melanoma. We then examined the effects of combining BH3 mimetics to target MCL1 and BCLXL in vitro and in vivo. These include clinical-trial-ready compounds such as ABT-263 (Navitoclax) and S63845/S64315 (MIK655). We used cell lines derived from patients with difficult-to-treat melanomas. In vitro, the combined inhibition of MCL1 and BCLXL resulted in significantly effective cell killing compared to single-agent treatment (p < 0.05) in multiple assays, including sphere assays. The combination-induced cell death was independent of BIM, and NOXA. Recapitulated in our mouse xenograft model, the combination inhibited tumor growth, reduced sphere-forming capacity (p < 0.01 and 0.05, respectively), and had tolerable toxicity (p > 0.40). Taken together, this study suggests that dual targeting of MCL1 and BCLXL should be considered as a treatment option for difficult-to-treat melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabanita Mukherjee
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Jenette Skees
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Kaleb J Todd
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Drake A West
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Karoline A Lambert
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - William A Robinson
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Carol M Amato
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Kasey L Couts
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Robert Van Gulick
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Morgan MacBeth
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Kelsey Nassar
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Aik-Choon Tan
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, 33612, US
| | - Zili Zhai
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Mayumi Fujita
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Stacey M Bagby
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - Chiara R Dart
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Mail Stop 8117, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - James R Lambert
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Mail Stop 8104, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
| | - David A Norris
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO, 80045, US
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dermatology Section, Denver, CO, 80220, US
| | - Yiqun G Shellman
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Mail Stop 8127, Aurora, CO, 80045, US.
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, US.
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9
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BH3 mimetics induce apoptosis independent of DRP-1 in melanoma. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:907. [PMID: 30185782 PMCID: PMC6125485 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0932-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Despite the recent advancement in treating melanoma, options are still limited for patients without BRAF mutations or in relapse from current treatments. BH3 mimetics against members of the BCL-2 family have gained excitement with the recent success in hematological malignancies. However, single drug BH3 mimetic therapy in melanoma has limited effectiveness due to escape by the anti-apoptotic protein MCL-1 and/or survival of melanoma-initiating cells (MICs). We tested the efficacy of the BH3 mimetic combination of A-1210477 (an MCL-1 inhibitor) and ABT-263 (a BCL-2/BCL-XL/BCL-W inhibitor) in killing melanoma, especially MICs. We also sought to better define Dynamin-Related Protein 1 (DRP-1)'s role in melanoma; DRP-1 is known to interact with members of the BCL-2 family and is a possible therapeutic target for melanoma treatment. We used multiple assays (cell viability, apoptosis, bright field, immunoblot, and sphere formation), as well as the CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing techniques. For clinical relevance, we employed patient samples of different mutation status, including some relapsed from current treatments such as anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. We found the BH3 mimetic combination kill both the MICs and non-MICs (bulk of melanoma) in all cell lines and patient samples irrespective of the mutation status or relapsed state (p < 0.05). Unexpectedly, the major pro-apoptotic proteins, NOXA and BIM, are not necessary for the combination-induced cell death. Furthermore, the combination impedes the activation of DRP-1, and inhibition of DRP-1 further enhances apoptosis (p < 0.05). DRP-1 effects in melanoma differ from those seen in other cancer cells. These results provide new insights into BCL-2 family's regulation of the apoptotic pathway in melanoma, and suggest that inhibiting the major anti-apoptotic proteins is sufficient to induce cell death even without involvement from major pro-apoptotic proteins. Importantly, our study also indicates that DRP-1 inhibition is a promising adjuvant for BH3 mimetics in melanoma treatment.
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10
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Mukherjee N, Lu Y, Almeida A, Lambert K, Shiau CW, Su JC, Luo Y, Fujita M, Robinson WA, Robinson SE, Norris DA, Shellman YG. Use of a MCL-1 inhibitor alone to de-bulk melanoma and in combination to kill melanoma initiating cells. Oncotarget 2018; 8:46801-46817. [PMID: 27086916 PMCID: PMC5564524 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
MCL-1 (BCL-2 family anti-apoptotic protein) is responsible for melanoma's resistance to therapy. Cancer initiating cells also contribute to resistance and relapse from treatments. Here we examined the effects of the MCL-1 inhibitor SC-2001 in killing non melanoma-initiating-cells (bulk of melanoma), and melanoma-initiating-cells (MICs). By itself, SC-2001 significantly kills melanoma cells under monolayer conditions in vitro and in a conventional mouse xenograft model. However, even at high doses (10μM), SC-2001 does not effectively eliminate MICs. In contrast, the combination of SC-2001 with ABT-737 (a BCL-2/BCL-XL/BCL-W inhibitor) significantly decreases ALDH+ cells, disrupts primary spheres, and inhibits the self-renewability of MICs. These results were observed in multiple melanomas, including short term cultures of relapsed tumors from current treatments, independent of the mutation status of BRAF or NRAS. Using a low-cell-number mouse xenograft model, we examined the effects of these treatments on the tumor initiating ability of MIC-enriched cultures. The combination therapy reduces tumor formation significantly compared to either drug alone. Mechanistic studies using shRNA and the CRISPR-Cas9 technology demonstrated that the upregulation of pro-apoptotic proteins NOXA and BIM contribute to the combination-induced cell death. These results indicate that the MCL-1 inhibitor SC-2001 combined with ABT-737 is a promising treatment strategy for targeting melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabanita Mukherjee
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Yan Lu
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Adam Almeida
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Karoline Lambert
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Chung-Wai Shiau
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Chen Su
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yuchun Luo
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Mayumi Fujita
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - William A Robinson
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Steven E Robinson
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - David A Norris
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO, USA.,Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dermatology Section, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Yiqun G Shellman
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO, USA
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11
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Licochalcone D induces apoptosis and inhibits migration and invasion in human melanoma A375 cells. Oncol Rep 2018; 39:2160-2170. [PMID: 29565458 PMCID: PMC5928765 DOI: 10.3892/or.2018.6329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of Licochalcone D (LD) on the apoptosis and migration and invasion in human melanoma A375 cells. Cell proliferation was determined by sulforhodamine B assay. Apoptosis was assessed by Hoechst 33258 and Annexin V‑FITC/PI staining and JC‑1 assay. Total intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was examined by DCFH‑DA. Wound healing and Transwell assays were used to detect migration and invasion of the cells. The activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP‑2 and MMP‑9) were assessed via gelatin zymography. Tumor growth in vivo was evaluated in C57BL/6 mice. RT‑PCR, qPCR, ELISA and western blot analysis were utilized to measure the mRNA and protein levels. Our results showed that LD inhibited the proliferation of A375 and SK‑MEL‑5 cells in a concentration‑dependent manner. After treatment with LD, A375 cells displayed obvious apoptotic characteristics, and the number of apoptotic cells was significantly increased. Pro‑apoptotic protein Bax, caspase‑9 and caspase‑3 were upregulated, while anti‑apoptotic protein Bcl‑2 was downregulated in the LD‑treated cells. Meanwhile, LD induced the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and increased the level of ROS. ROS production was inhibited by the co‑treatment of LD and free radical scavenger N‑acetyl‑cysteine (NAC). Furthermore, LD also blocked A375 cell migration and invasion in vitro which was associated with the downregulation of MMP‑9 and MMP‑2. Finally, intragastric administration of LD suppressed tumor growth in the mouse xenograft model of murine melanoma B16F0 cells. These results suggest that LD may be a potential drug for human melanoma treatment by inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway and blocking cell migration and invasion.
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12
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Mukherjee N, Almeida A, Partyka KA, Lu Y, Schwan JV, Lambert K, Rogers M, Robinson WA, Robinson SE, Applegate AJ, Amato CM, Luo Y, Fujita M, Norris DA, Shellman YG. Combining a GSI and BCL-2 inhibitor to overcome melanoma's resistance to current treatments. Oncotarget 2018; 7:84594-84607. [PMID: 27829238 PMCID: PMC5356684 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Major limitations of current melanoma treatments are for instances of relapse and the lack of therapeutic options for BRAF wild-type patients who do not respond to immunotherapy. Many studies therefore focus on killing resistant subpopulations, such as Melanoma Initiating Cells (MICs) to prevent relapse. Here we examined whether combining a GSI (γ-Secretase Inhibitor) with ABT-737 (a small molecule BCL-2/BCL-XL/BCL-W inhibitor) can kill both the non-MICs (bulk of melanoma) and MICs. To address the limitations of melanoma therapies, we included multiple tumor samples of patients relapsed from current treatments, with a diverse genetic background (with or without the common BRAF, NRAS or NF1 mutations) in these studies. Excitingly, the combination treatment reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis of the non-MICs; disrupted primary spheres, decreased the ALDH+ cells, and inhibited the self-renewability of the MICs in multiple melanoma cell lines and relapsed patient samples. Using a low-cell-number mouse xenograft model, we demonstrated that the combination significantly reduced the tumor initiating ability of MIC-enriched cultures from relapsed patient samples. Mechanistic studies also indicate that cell death is NOXA-dependent. In summary, this combination may be a promising strategy to address treatment relapse and for triple wild-type patients who do not respond to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabanita Mukherjee
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Adam Almeida
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Katie A Partyka
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Yan Lu
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Josianna V Schwan
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Karoline Lambert
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Madison Rogers
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - William A Robinson
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Steven E Robinson
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Allison J Applegate
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Carol M Amato
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Yuchun Luo
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Mayumi Fujita
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - David A Norris
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.,Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dermatology Section, Denver, CO 80220, USA
| | - Yiqun G Shellman
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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13
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Clemente N, Ferrara B, Gigliotti CL, Boggio E, Capucchio MT, Biasibetti E, Schiffer D, Mellai M, Annovazzi L, Cangemi L, Muntoni E, Miglio G, Dianzani U, Battaglia L, Dianzani C. Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Carrying Temozolomide for Melanoma Treatment. Preliminary In Vitro and In Vivo Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E255. [PMID: 29364157 PMCID: PMC5855544 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19020255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To develop an innovative delivery system for temozolomide (TMZ) in solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), which has been preliminarily investigated for the treatment of melanoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS SLN-TMZ was obtained through fatty acid coacervation. Its pharmacological effects were assessed and compared with free TMZ in in vitro and in vivo models of melanoma and glioblastoma. RESULTS Compared to the standard free TMZ, SLN-TMZ exerted larger effects, when cell proliferation of melanoma cells, and neoangiogeneis were evaluated. SLN-TMZ also inhibited growth and vascularization of B16-F10 melanoma in C57/BL6 mice, without apparent toxic effects. CONCLUSION SLN could be a promising strategy for the delivery of TMZ, allowing an increased stability of the drug and thereby its employment in the treatment of aggressive malignacies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nausicaa Clemente
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli, 17, 28100 Novara, Italy.
| | - Benedetta Ferrara
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10124 Torino, Italy.
| | - Casimiro Luca Gigliotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli, 17, 28100 Novara, Italy.
| | - Elena Boggio
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli, 17, 28100 Novara, Italy.
| | - Maria Teresa Capucchio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy.
| | - Elena Biasibetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy.
| | - Davide Schiffer
- Centro di Neuro Bio Oncologia, Policlinico di Monza, Via Pietro Micca 5, 13100 Vercelli, Italy.
| | - Marta Mellai
- Centro di Neuro Bio Oncologia, Policlinico di Monza, Via Pietro Micca 5, 13100 Vercelli, Italy.
| | - Laura Annovazzi
- Centro di Neuro Bio Oncologia, Policlinico di Monza, Via Pietro Micca 5, 13100 Vercelli, Italy.
| | - Luigi Cangemi
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10124 Torino, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Muntoni
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10124 Torino, Italy.
| | - Gianluca Miglio
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10124 Torino, Italy.
| | - Umberto Dianzani
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Via Solaroli, 17, 28100 Novara, Italy.
| | - Luigi Battaglia
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10124 Torino, Italy.
| | - Chiara Dianzani
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10124 Torino, Italy.
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14
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Gilormini M, Malesys C, Armandy E, Manas P, Guy JB, Magné N, Rodriguez-Lafrasse C, Ardail D. Preferential targeting of cancer stem cells in the radiosensitizing effect of ABT-737 on HNSCC. Oncotarget 2017; 7:16731-44. [PMID: 26934442 PMCID: PMC4941347 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are common human malignancies with poor clinical outcomes. The 5-year survival rates for patients with advanced stage HNSCC have not changed appreciably in the past few decades, underscoring a dire need for improved therapeutic options. HNSCC is frequently characterized by overexpression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members. Increased levels of these anti-apoptotic proteins have been associated with radio- and chemoresistance and poor clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate combined effects of radiation and ABT-737, a BH3-mimetic molecule, in HNSCC. Although ABT-737, as a single agent, was largely ineffective at promoting HNSCC cell death, we found that combining ABT-737 and radiation induced strong synergistic apoptosis in HNSCC cell lines and delayed tumoral growth in vivo. Moreover, we demonstrated for the first time that ABT-737, alone or in combination with radiation, can efficiently eliminate cancer stem cells (CSCs). Altogether, our results indicate that therapy targeting anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members could be a highly effective potential adjuvant to radiotherapy capable of targeting CSCs in HNSCC and therefore overcoming cancer recurrence and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Gilormini
- Université Lyon I, Faculté de Médecine-Lyon-Sud, Oullins, France.,Laboratoire de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, EMR3738, Oullins, France
| | - Céline Malesys
- Université Lyon I, Faculté de Médecine-Lyon-Sud, Oullins, France.,Laboratoire de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, EMR3738, Oullins, France
| | - Emma Armandy
- Université Lyon I, Faculté de Médecine-Lyon-Sud, Oullins, France.,Laboratoire de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, EMR3738, Oullins, France
| | - Patrick Manas
- UMS3444 BioSciences Gerland-Lyon Sud, PBES, Lyon, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Guy
- Université Lyon I, Faculté de Médecine-Lyon-Sud, Oullins, France.,Laboratoire de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, EMR3738, Oullins, France
| | - Nicolas Magné
- Université Lyon I, Faculté de Médecine-Lyon-Sud, Oullins, France.,Laboratoire de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, EMR3738, Oullins, France.,Institut de Cancérologie L. Neuwirth, St Etienne, France
| | - Claire Rodriguez-Lafrasse
- Université Lyon I, Faculté de Médecine-Lyon-Sud, Oullins, France.,Laboratoire de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, EMR3738, Oullins, France.,Hospices-Civils-de-Lyon, CHLS, Pierre-Bénite, France
| | - Dominique Ardail
- Université Lyon I, Faculté de Médecine-Lyon-Sud, Oullins, France.,Laboratoire de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, EMR3738, Oullins, France.,Hospices-Civils-de-Lyon, CHLS, Pierre-Bénite, France
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15
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Yi L, Lv Z, Wang J, Zhong X. Bcl‑2 associated athanogene 4 promotes proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells. Mol Med Rep 2017; 16:3753-3760. [PMID: 29067445 PMCID: PMC5646952 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.7073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, with the increase of morbidity and mortality rate, gastric cancer (GC) is attracting increasing attention in China. Bcl-2-associated athanogene 4 (BAG4) has been identified as a tumor promoter in several tumors, but its role in GC remains unknown. The present study aimed to detect the expression of BAG4 and determine its function in the progression of GC. The results from reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting revealed that BAG4 was markedly upregulated in highly metastatic cell lines (SGC7901 and MGC803), compared with the lower-metastatic cell lines (AGS and BGC823). Through Cell Counting Kit-8, cell cycle, apoptosis, Transwell and colony formation assays, BAG4 was demonstrated to promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of GC cells in vitro. Additionally, in vivo assays further certified that BAG4 can increase the proliferation and invasion of GC cells. In conclusion, these findings implicate BAG4 as a potential therapeutic target for GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizhi Yi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Leshan People's Hospital, Leshan, Sichuan 614000, P.R. China
| | - Zhenbing Lv
- Department of General Surgery Two, Nanchong Central Hospital, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, P.R. China
| | - Jianmei Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Xianfei Zhong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Leshan People's Hospital, Leshan, Sichuan 614000, P.R. China
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16
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Chuang JY, Lo WL, Ko CY, Chou SY, Chen RM, Chang KY, Hung JJ, Su WC, Chang WC, Hsu TI. Upregulation of CYP17A1 by Sp1-mediated DNA demethylation confers temozolomide resistance through DHEA-mediated protection in glioma. Oncogenesis 2017; 6:e339. [PMID: 28530704 PMCID: PMC5523064 DOI: 10.1038/oncsis.2017.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroidogenesis-mediated production of neurosteroids is important for brain homeostasis. Cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1), which converts pregnenolone to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in endocrine organs and the brain, is required for prostate cancer progression and acquired chemotherapeutic resistance. However, whether CYP17A1-mediated DHEA synthesis is involved in brain tumor malignancy, especially in glioma, the most prevalent brain tumor, is unknown. To investigate the role of CYP17A1 in glioma, we determined that CYP17A1 expression is significantly increased in gliomas, which secrete more DHEA than normal astrocytes. We found that as gliomas became more malignant, both CYP17A1 and DHEA were significantly upregulated in temozolomide (TMZ)-resistant cells and highly invasive cells. In particular, the increase of CYP17A1 was caused by Sp1-mediated DNA demethylation, whereby Sp1 competed with DNMT3a for binding to the CYP17A1 promoter in TMZ-resistant glioma cells. CYP17A1 was required for the development of glioma cell invasiveness and resistance to TMZ-induced cytotoxicity. In addition, DHEA markedly attenuated TMZ-induced DNA damage and apoptosis. Together, our results suggest that components of the Sp1-CYP17A1-DHEA axis, which promotes the development of TMZ resistance, may serve as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in recurrent glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-Y Chuang
- The Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, Taiwan.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - W-L Lo
- The Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Neurosurgery, Taipei Medical University-Shuang-Ho Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - C-Y Ko
- The Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, Taiwan.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - S-Y Chou
- The Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, Taiwan.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - R-M Chen
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - K-Y Chang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - J-J Hung
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - W-C Su
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - W-C Chang
- The Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, Taiwan.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - T-I Hsu
- The Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, Taiwan.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Center for Neurotrauma and Neuroregeneration, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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17
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Restraining FOXO3-dependent transcriptional BMF activation underpins tumour growth and metastasis of E-cadherin-negative breast cancer. Cell Death Differ 2016; 23:1483-92. [PMID: 27035620 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2016.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2015] [Revised: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of cellular adhesion leads to the progression of breast cancer through acquisition of anchorage independence, also known as resistance to anoikis. Although inactivation of E-cadherin is essential for acquisition of anoikis resistance, it has remained unclear how metastatic breast cancer cells counterbalance the induction of apoptosis without E-cadherin-dependent cellular adhesion. We report here that E-cadherin inactivation in breast cancer cells induces PI3K/AKT-dependent FOXO3 inhibition and identify FOXO3 as a novel and direct transcriptional activator of the pro-apoptotic protein BMF. As a result, E-cadherin-negative breast fail to upregulate BMF upon transfer to anchorage independence, leading to anoikis resistance. Conversely, expression of BMF in E-cadherin-negative metastatic breast cancer cells is sufficient to inhibit tumour growth and dissemination in mice. In conclusion, we have identified repression of BMF as a major cue that underpins anoikis resistance and tumour dissemination in E-cadherin-deficient metastatic breast cancer.
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18
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Mukherjee N, Schwan JV, Fujita M, Norris DA, Shellman YG. Alternative Treatments For Melanoma: Targeting BCL-2 Family Members to De-Bulk and Kill Cancer Stem Cells. J Invest Dermatol 2015; 135:2155-2161. [PMID: 25947358 PMCID: PMC4537369 DOI: 10.1038/jid.2015.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2014] [Revised: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
For the first time new treatments in melanoma have produced significant responses in advanced diseases, but 30-90% of melanoma patients do not respond or eventually relapse after the initial response to the current treatments. The resistance of these melanomas is likely due to tumor heterogeneity, which may be explained by models such as the stochastic, hierarchical, and phenotype-switching models. This review will discuss the recent advancements in targeting BCL-2 family members for cancer treatments, and how this approach can be applied as an alternative option to combat melanoma, and overcome melanoma relapse or resistance in current treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabanita Mukherjee
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Josianna V Schwan
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Mayumi Fujita
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA; Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dermatology Section, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - David A Norris
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA; Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dermatology Section, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Yiqun G Shellman
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
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19
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Pojo M, Gonçalves CS, Xavier-Magalhães A, Oliveira AI, Gonçalves T, Correia S, Rodrigues AJ, Costa S, Pinto L, Pinto AA, Lopes JM, Reis RM, Rocha M, Sousa N, Costa BM. A transcriptomic signature mediated by HOXA9 promotes human glioblastoma initiation, aggressiveness and resistance to temozolomide. Oncotarget 2015; 6:7657-74. [PMID: 25762636 PMCID: PMC4480707 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most malignant brain tumor, exhibiting remarkable resistance to treatment. Here we investigated the oncogenic potential of HOXA9 in gliomagenesis, the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which HOXA9 renders glioblastoma more aggressive, and how HOXA9 affects response to chemotherapy and survival. The prognostic value of HOXA9 in glioblastoma patients was validated in two large datasets from TCGA and Rembrandt, where high HOXA9 levels were associated with shorter survival. Transcriptomic analyses identified novel HOXA9-target genes with key roles in cancer-related processes, including cell proliferation, DNA repair, and stem cell maintenance. Functional studies with HOXA9-overexpressing and HOXA9-silenced glioblastoma cell models revealed that HOXA9 promotes cell viability, stemness and invasion, and inhibits apoptosis. Additionally, HOXA9 promoted the malignant transformation of human immortalized astrocytes in an orthotopic in vivo model, and caused tumor-associated death. HOXA9 also mediated resistance to temozolomide treatment in vitro and in vivo via upregulation of BCL2. Importantly, the pharmacological inhibition of BCL2 with the BH3 mimetic ABT-737 reverted temozolomide resistance in HOXA9-positive cells. These data establish HOXA9 as a driver of glioma initiation, aggressiveness and resistance to therapy. In the future, the combination of BH3 mimetics with temozolomide should be further explored as an alternative treatment for glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Pojo
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Céline S. Gonçalves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Xavier-Magalhães
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Isabel Oliveira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Tiago Gonçalves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Sara Correia
- Centre of Biological Engineering/Department of Informatics, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana J. Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Sandra Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Luísa Pinto
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Afonso A. Pinto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital de Braga, Sete Fontes, 4710-243 São Victor, Braga, Portugal
| | - José M. Lopes
- Department of Pathology, Hospital S. João, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology at the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Rua Dr. Roberto Frias s/n 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- Medical Faculty, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui M. Reis
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Barretos Cancer Hospital, Molecular Oncology Research Center, Rua Antenor Duarte Vilela, 1331 - Doutor Paulo Prata, Barretos - SP, 14780-000, Brasil
| | - Miguel Rocha
- Centre of Biological Engineering/Department of Informatics, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Bruno M. Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Campus de Gualtar 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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20
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Combining a BCL2 inhibitor with the retinoid derivative fenretinide targets melanoma cells including melanoma initiating cells. J Invest Dermatol 2014; 135:842-850. [PMID: 25350317 PMCID: PMC4323853 DOI: 10.1038/jid.2014.464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Revised: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Investigations from multiple laboratories support the existence of melanoma initiating cells (MICs) that potentially contribute to melanoma's drug resistance. ABT-737, a small molecule BCL-2/BCL-XL/BCL-W inhibitor, is promising in cancer treatments, but not very effective against melanoma, with the anti-apoptotic protein MCL-1 as the main contributor to resistance. The synthetic retinoid fenretinide (4-HPR) has shown promise for treating breast cancers. Here, we tested whether the combination of ABT-737 with 4-HPR is effective in killing both the bulk of melanoma cells and MICs. The combination synergistically decreased cell viability and caused cell death in multiple melanoma cells lines (carrying either BRAF or NRAS mutations), but not in normal melanocytes. The combination increased the NOXA expression and caspase-dependent MCL-1 degradation. Knocking-down NOXA protected cells from combination-induced apoptosis, implicating the role of NOXA in the drug synergy. The combination treatment also disrupted primary spheres (a functional assay for MICs) and decreased the percentage of ALDHhigh cells (a marker of MICs) in melanoma cell lines. Moreover, the combination inhibited the self-renewal capacity of MICs, measured by secondary sphere forming assays. In vivo, the combination inhibited tumor growth. Thus, this combination is a promising treatment strategy for melanoma, regardless of mutation status of BRAF or NRAS.
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21
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Enhanced antitumor efficacy of a novel oncolytic adenovirus combined with temozolomide in the treatment of melanoma in vivo. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2014; 141:75-85. [PMID: 25103017 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-014-1763-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2014] [Accepted: 06/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Ki67-ZD55-IL-24 with temozolomide (TMZ) against melanoma in mice. METHODS Seventy-eight mice with subcutaneous injection of A375 cells (2 × 10(6)) into the right flank were randomized to receive phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Ki67-ZD55, Ki67-ZD55-IL-24, TMZ, TMZ + Ki67-ZD55, and TMZ + Ki67-ZD55-IL-24. Six mice were killed in each group 10 days after intervention for detecting IL-24 mRNA and protein expression. The remaining mice were monitored to draw the body weight change curve and tumor growth curve, and killed 30 days after intervention. Tumors were excised and weighted. The morphology of tumor tissues was determined by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and the apoptosis index and rate of apoptotic cells were determined by TUNEL assay and AnnexinV-FITC/PI double staining, respectively. RESULTS The Ki67-ZD55-IL-24-treated group generated much more reactive oxygen species than the untreated group. There was no significant difference in IL-24 expression between Ki67-ZD55-IL-24 and TMZ + Ki67-ZD55-IL-24 groups. Immunohistochemical analysis and Western blot revealed that both the Ki67-ZD55 and Ki67-ZD55-IL-24 could significantly reduce the expression of MGMT. Toxicity assessments demonstrated that mice in the three groups that received TMZ exhibited significant body weight loss following treatment. HE staining showed that TMZ + Ki67-ZD55-IL-24 group had much fewer karyokinesis in the tumors, compared with other groups. The apoptosis index of tumor tissues and the rate of apoptotic cells were significantly higher in TMZ + Ki67-ZD55-IL-24 group than in other groups (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate this novel strategy holds promising potentials for treatment of malignant melanoma.
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22
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Xiong S, Mu T, Wang G, Jiang X. Mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in mammals. Protein Cell 2014; 5:737-49. [PMID: 25073422 PMCID: PMC4180462 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-014-0089-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 276] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitochondria-mediated caspase activation pathway is a major apoptotic pathway characterized by mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) and subsequent release of cytochrome c into the cytoplasm to activate caspases. MOMP is regulated by the Bcl-2 family of proteins. This pathway plays important roles not only in normal development, maintenance of tissue homeostasis and the regulation of immune system, but also in human diseases such as immune disorders, neurodegeneration and cancer. In the past decades the molecular basis of this pathway and the regulatory mechanism have been comprehensively studied, yet a great deal of new evidence indicates that cytochrome c release from mitochondria does not always lead to irreversible cell death, and that caspase activation can also have non-death functions. Thus, many unsolved questions and new challenges are still remaining. Furthermore, the dysfunction of this pathway involved in cancer development is obvious, and targeting the pathway as a therapeutic strategy has been extensively explored, but the efficacy of the targeted therapies is still under development. In this review we will discuss the mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathway and its physiological roles and therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunbin Xiong
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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23
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Mohana-Kumaran N, Hill DS, Allen JD, Haass NK. Targeting the intrinsic apoptosis pathway as a strategy for melanoma therapy. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2014; 27:525-39. [PMID: 24655414 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma drug resistance is often attributed to abrogation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Targeting regulators of apoptosis is thus considered a promising approach to sensitizing melanomas to treatment. The development of small-molecule inhibitors that mimic natural antagonists of either antiapoptotic members of the BCL-2 family or the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), known as BH3- or SMAC-mimetics, respectively, are helping us to understand the mechanisms behind apoptotic resistance. Studies using BH3-mimetics indicate that the antiapoptotic BCL-2 protein MCL-1 and its antagonist NOXA are particularly important regulators of BCL-2 family signaling, while SMAC-mimetic studies show that both XIAP and the cIAPs must be targeted to effectively induce apoptosis of cancer cells. Although most solid tumors, including melanoma, are insensitive to these mimetic drugs as single agents, combinations with other therapeutics have yielded promising results, and tests combining them with BRAF-inhibitors, which have already revolutionized melanoma treatment, are a clear priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nethia Mohana-Kumaran
- The Centenary Institute, Newtown, NSW, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
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24
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Némati F, de Montrion C, Lang G, Kraus-Berthier L, Carita G, Sastre-Garau X, Berniard A, Vallerand D, Geneste O, de Plater L, Pierré A, Lockhart B, Desjardins L, Piperno-Neumann S, Depil S, Decaudin D. Targeting Bcl-2/Bcl-XL induces antitumor activity in uveal melanoma patient-derived xenografts. PLoS One 2014; 9:e80836. [PMID: 24454684 PMCID: PMC3890263 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Uveal melanoma (UM) is associated with a high risk of metastases and lack of efficient therapies. Reduced capacity for apoptosis induction by chemotherapies is one obstacle to efficient treatments. Human UM is characterized by high expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Consequently, regulators of apoptosis such as Bcl-2 family inhibitors may constitute an attractive approach to UM therapeutics. In this aim, we have investigated the efficacy of the Bcl-2/Bcl-XL inhibitor S44563 on 4 UM Patient-Derived Xenografts (PDXs) and derived-cell lines. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Four well characterized UM PDXs were used for in vivo experiments. S44563 was administered alone or combined with fotemustine either concomitantly or after the alkylating agent. Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, and Mcl-1 expressions after S44563 administration were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS S44563 administered alone by at 50 and 100 mg/kg i.p. induced a significant tumour growth inhibition in only one xenograft model with a clear dose effect. However, when S44563 was concomitantly administered with fotemustine, we observed a synergistic activity in 3 out of the 4 tested models. In addition, S44563 administered after fotemustine induced a tumour growth delay in 2 out of 3 tested xenografts. Finally, IHC analyses showed that Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, and Mcl-1 expression were not modified after S44563 administration. CONCLUSION The novel anti-apoptotic experimental compound S44563, despite a relative low efficacy when administered alone, increased the efficacy of fotemustine in either concomitant or sequential combinations or indeed subsequent to fotemustine. These data support further exploration of potential therapeutic effect of Bcl-2/Bcl-xl inhibition in human UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fariba Némati
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | | | - Guillaume Lang
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | | | - Guillaume Carita
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | | | - Aurélie Berniard
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - David Vallerand
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Geneste
- I.R.I.S., Institut de Recherches International Servier, Suresnes, France
| | - Ludmilla de Plater
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Alain Pierré
- I.D.R.S., Institut de Recherches Servier, Croissy, France
| | - Brian Lockhart
- I.D.R.S., Institut de Recherches Servier, Croissy, France
| | | | | | - Stéphane Depil
- I.D.R.S., Institut de Recherches Servier, Croissy, France
- I.R.I.S., Institut de Recherches International Servier, Suresnes, France
| | - Didier Decaudin
- Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, Paris, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Curie, Paris, France
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25
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Bennett PE, Bemis L, Norris DA, Shellman YG. miR in melanoma development: miRNAs and acquired hallmarks of cancer in melanoma. Physiol Genomics 2013; 45:1049-59. [PMID: 24046283 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00116.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a very aggressive skin cancer with increasing incidence worldwide. MicroRNAs are small, noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression of targeted gene(s). The hallmark of cancer model outlined by Hanahan and Weinberg offers a meaningful framework to consider the roles of microRNAs in melanoma development and progression. In this systematic review of the literature, we associate what is known about deregulation of microRNAs and their targeted genes in melanoma development with the hallmarks and characteristics of cancer. The diagnostic and therapeutic potential of microRNAs for future melanoma management will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige E Bennett
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
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26
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Albano F, Arcucci A, Granato G, Romano S, Montagnani S, De Vendittis E, Ruocco MR. Markers of mitochondrial dysfunction during the diclofenac-induced apoptosis in melanoma cell lines. Biochimie 2012; 95:934-45. [PMID: 23274131 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2012.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2012] [Accepted: 12/14/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive cutaneous cancer, whose incidence is growing in recent years, especially in the younger population. The favorable therapy for this neoplasm consists in its early surgical excision; otherwise, in case of late diagnosis, melanoma becomes very refractory to any conventional therapy. Nevertheless, the acute inflammatory response occurring after excision of the primary melanoma can affect the activation and/or regulation of melanoma invasion and metastasis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), widely employed in clinical therapy as cyclooxygenase inhibitors, also display a cytotoxic effect on some cancer cell lines; therefore, their possible usage in combination with conventional chemo- and radio-therapies of tumors is being considered. In particular, diclofenac, one of the most common NSAIDs, displays its anti-proliferative effect in many tumor lines, through an alteration of the cellular redox state. In this study, the possible anti-neoplastic potential of diclofenac on the human melanoma cell lines A2058 and SAN was investigated, and a comparison was made with the results obtained from the nonmalignant fibroblast cell line BJ-5ta. Either in A2058 or SAN, the diclofenac treatment caused typical apoptotic morphological changes, as well as an increase of the number of sub-diploid nuclei; conversely, the same treatment on BJ-5ta had only a marginal effect. The observed decrease of Bcl-2/Bax ratio and a parallel increase of caspase-3 activity confirmed the pro-apoptotic role exerted by diclofenac in melanoma cells; furthermore, the drug provoked an increase of the ROS levels, a decrease of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD2), the cytosolic translocation of both SOD2 and cytochrome c, and an increase of caspase-9 activity. Finally, the cytotoxic effect of diclofenac was amplified, in melanoma cells, by the silencing of SOD2. These data improve the knowledge on the effects of diclofenac and suggest that new anti-neoplastic treatments should be based on the central role of mitochondrion in cancer development; under this concern, the possible involvement of SOD2 as a novel target could be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Albano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
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27
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MicroRNA-26a is strongly downregulated in melanoma and induces cell death through repression of silencer of death domains (SODD). J Invest Dermatol 2012. [PMID: 23190898 PMCID: PMC3898712 DOI: 10.1038/jid.2012.400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive cancer that metastasizes rapidly, and is refractory to conventional chemotherapies. Identifying miRNAs that are responsible for this pathogenesis is therefore a promising means of developing new therapies. We identified miR-26a through microarray and qRT-PCR experiments as an miRNA that is strongly down-regulated in melanoma cell lines as compared to primary melanocytes. Treatment of cell lines with miR-26a mimic caused significant and rapid cell death compared to a negative control in most melanoma cell lines tested. In surveying targets of miR-26a, we found that protein levels of SMAD1 and BAG-4/SODD were strongly decreased in sensitive cells treated with miR-26a mimic compared to the control. The luciferase reporter assays further demonstrated that miR-26a can repress gene expression through the binding site in the 3′UTR of SODD. Knockdown of these proteins with siRNA showed that SODD plays an important role in protecting melanoma cells from apoptosis in most cell lines sensitive to miR-26a, while SMAD1 may play a minor role. Furthermore, transfecting cells with a miR-26a inhibitor increased SODD expression. Our findings indicate that miR-26a replacement is a potential therapeutic strategy for metastatic melanoma, and that SODD in particular is a potentially useful therapeutic target.
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Wroblewski D, Mijatov B, Mohana-Kumaran N, Lai F, Gallagher SJ, Haass NK, Zhang XD, Hersey P. The BH3-mimetic ABT-737 sensitizes human melanoma cells to apoptosis induced by selective BRAF inhibitors but does not reverse acquired resistance. Carcinogenesis 2012; 34:237-47. [PMID: 23087082 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgs330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the introduction of selective v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) inhibitors has been a major advance in treatment of metastatic melanoma, approximately 50% of patients have limited responses including stabilization of disease or no response at all. This study aims to identify a novel means of overcoming resistance of melanoma to killing by BRAF inhibitors. We examined the influence of the BH3-mimetic ABT-737 on induction of apoptosis by the selective BRAF inhibitor PLX4720 in melanoma cells with or without BRAF V600E mutation. Included were cell lines established from four patients before and during treatment with selective BRAF inhibitors and 3D spheroids derived from these cell lines. Cell lines with no or low sensitivity to PLX4720 underwent synergistic increases and increased rates of apoptosis when combined with ABT-737. This degree of synergism was not seen in cell lines without BRAF V600E mutations. Apoptosis was mediated through the mitochondrial pathway and was due in part to upregulation of Bim as shown by inhibition of apoptosis following small interfering RNA knockdown of Bim. Similar effects were seen in cell lines established from patients prior to treatment but not in lines from patients clinically resistant to the selective BRAF inhibitors and in 3D spheroids derived from these cell lines. These results suggest that combination of selective BRAF inhibitors with ABT-737 or the related orally available compound ABT-263 may increase the degree and rate of responses in previously untreated patients with V600E melanoma but not in those with acquired resistance to these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Wroblewski
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, New South Wales 2300, Australia
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Stamelos VA, Redman CW, Richardson A. Understanding sensitivity to BH3 mimetics: ABT-737 as a case study to foresee the complexities of personalized medicine. J Mol Signal 2012; 7:12. [PMID: 22898329 PMCID: PMC3477050 DOI: 10.1186/1750-2187-7-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2012] [Accepted: 07/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BH3 mimetics such as ABT-737 and navitoclax bind to the BCL-2 family of proteins and induce apoptosis through the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. There is considerable variability in the sensitivity of different cells to these drugs. Understanding the molecular basis of this variability will help to determine which patients will benefit from these drugs. Furthermore, this understanding aids in the design of rational strategies to increase the sensitivity of cells which are otherwise resistant to BH3 mimetics. We discuss how the expression of BCL-2 family proteins regulates the sensitivity to ABT-737. One of these, MCL-1, has been widely described as contributing to resistance to ABT-737 which might suggest a poor response in patients with cancers that express levels of MCL-1. In some cases, resistance to ABT-737 conferred by MCL-1 is overcome by the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins that bind to apoptosis inhibitors such as MCL-1. However, the distribution of the pro-apoptotic proteins amongst the various apoptosis inhibitors also influences sensitivity to ABT-737. Furthermore, the expression of both pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins can change dynamically in response to exposure to ABT-737. Thus, there is significant complexity associated with predicting response to ABT-737. This provides a paradigm for the multiplicity of intricate factors that determine drug sensitivity which must be considered for the full implementation of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios A Stamelos
- Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine & School of Pharmacy, Guy Hilton Research Centre, Keele University, Thornburrow Drive, Stoke-on-Trent, Keele, ST4 7QB, UK.
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Synthetic phosphoethanolamine a precursor of membrane phospholipids reduce tumor growth in mice bearing melanoma B16-F10 and in vitro induce apoptosis and arrest in G2/M phase. Biomed Pharmacother 2012; 66:541-8. [PMID: 22902646 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2012.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2012] [Accepted: 04/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphoethanolamine (Pho-s) is a compound involved in phospholipid turnover, acting as a substrate for many phospholipids of the cell membranes, especially phosphatidylcholine. We recently reported that synthetic Pho-s has potent effects on a wide variety of tumor cells. To determine if Pho-s has a potential antitumor activity, in this study we evaluated the activity of Pho-s against the B16-F10 melanoma both in vitro and in mice bearing a dorsal tumor. The treatment of B16F10 cells with Pho-s resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation. At low concentrations, this activity appears to be involved in the arrest of the cell cycle at G2/M, while at high concentrations Pho-s induces apoptosis. In accordance with these results, the loss of mitochondrial potential and increased caspase-3 activity suggest that Pho-s has dual antitumor effects; i.e. it induces apoptosis at high concentrations and modulates the cell cycle at lower concentrations. In vivo, we evaluated the effect of Pho-s in mice bearing B16-F10 melanoma. The results show that Pho-s reduces the tumoral volume increasing survival rate. Furthermore, the tumor doubling time and tumor delays were substantially reduced when compared with untreated mice. Histological analyses reveal that Pho-s induces changes in cell morphology, typical characteristics of apoptosis, in addition the large areas of necrosis correlating with a reduction of tumor size. The results presented here support the hypothesis that Pho-s has antitumor effects by the induction of apoptosis as well as the inhibition of cell proliferation by arrest at G2/M. Thus, Pho-s can be regarded as a promising agent for the treatment of melanoma.
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Lucas KM, Mohana-Kumaran N, Lau D, Zhang XD, Hersey P, Huang DC, Weninger W, Haass NK, Allen JD. Modulation of NOXA and MCL-1 as a strategy for sensitizing melanoma cells to the BH3-mimetic ABT-737. Clin Cancer Res 2011; 18:783-95. [PMID: 22173547 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-1166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Drug resistance in melanoma is commonly attributed to ineffective apoptotic pathways. Inhibiting antiapoptotic BCL-2 and its relatives is an attractive strategy for sensitizing lymphoid malignancies to drugs but it has been largely unsuccessful for melanoma and other solid tumors. ABT-737, a small-molecule BH3-mimetic, selectively inhibits BCL-2, BCL-XL, and BCL-w and shows promise for treating leukemia, lymphoma, and small-cell lung cancer. Melanoma cells are insensitive to ABT-737, but MCL-1 inhibition reportedly increases the sensitivity of other tumors to the compound. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The efficacy of MCL-1 and BFL-1 inhibition for sensitizing melanoma cells to ABT-737 was investigated by short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown or overexpression of their antagonist NOXA in two-dimensional cell culture, a three-dimensional organotypic spheroid model, and an in vivo model. RESULTS MCL-1 downregulation or NOXA overexpression strongly sensitized melanoma cells to ABT-737 in vitro. NOXA-inducing cytotoxic drugs also strongly sensitized melanomas to ABT-737 but, surprisingly, not vice versa. The drugs most suitable are not necessarily those normally used to treat melanoma. Resistance to ABT-737 occurred quickly in three-dimensional melanoma spheroids through reduced NOXA expression, although experiments with both xenografts and three-dimensional spheroids suggest that penetration of ABT-737 into tumor masses may be the principal limitation, which may be obviated through use of more diffusible BH3-mimetics. CONCLUSION Sensitization of tumors to BH3-mimetics by cytotoxic drugs that induce NOXA is a therapeutic strategy worth exploring for the treatment of melanoma and other solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keryn M Lucas
- The Centenary Institute, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
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