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Hesham HM, Dokla EME, Elrazaz EZ, Lasheen DS, Abou El Ella DA. FLT3-PROTACs for combating AML resistance: Analytical overview on chimeric agents developed, challenges, and future perspectives. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 277:116717. [PMID: 39094274 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
The urgent and unmet medical demand of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients has driven the drug discovery process for expansion of the landscape of AML treatment. Despite the several agents developed for treatment of AML, more than 60 % of treated patients undergo relapse again after re-emission, thus, no complete cure for this complex disease has been reached yet. Targeted oncoprotein degradation is a new paradigm that can be employed to solve drug resistance, disease relapse, and treatment failure in complex diseases as AML, the most lethal hematological malignancy. AML is an aggressive blood cancer form and the most common type of acute leukemia, with bad outcomes and a very poor 5-year survival rate. FLT3 mutations occur in about 30 % of AML cases and FLT3-ITD is associated with poor prognosis of this disease. Prevalent FLT3 mutations include internal tandem duplication and point mutations (e.g., D835) in the tyrosine kinase domain, which induce FLT3 kinase activation and result in survival and proliferation of AML cells again. Currently approved FLT3 inhibitors suffer from limited clinical efficacy due to FLT3 reactivation by mutations, therefore, alternative new treatments are highly needed. Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) is a bi-functional molecule that consists of a ligand of the protein of interest, FLT3 inhibitor in our case, that is covalently linked to an E3 ubiquitin ligase ligand. Upon FLT3-specific PROTAC binding to FLT3, the PROTAC can recruit E3 for FLT3 ubiquitination, which is subsequently subjected to proteasome-mediated degradation. In this review we tried to address the question if PROTAC technology has succeeded in tackling the disease relapse and treatment failure of AML. Next, we explored the latest FLT3-targeting PROTACs developed in the past few years such as quizartinib-based PROTACs, dovitinib-based PROTACs, gilteritinib-based PROTACs, and others. Then, we followed with a deep analysis of their advantages regarding potency improvement and overcoming AML drug resistance. Finally, we discussed the challenges facing these chimeric molecules with proposed future solutions to circumvent them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba M Hesham
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, 11566, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eman M E Dokla
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, 11566, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Eman Z Elrazaz
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, 11566, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Deena S Lasheen
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, 11566, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Dalal A Abou El Ella
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, 11566, Cairo, Egypt.
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2
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Tan Y, Xin L, Wang Q, Xu R, Tong X, Chen G, Ma L, Yang F, Jiang H, Zhang N, Wu J, Li X, Guo X, Wang C, Zhou H, Zhou F. FLT3-selective PROTAC: Enhanced safety and increased synergy with Venetoclax in FLT3-ITD mutated acute myeloid leukemia. Cancer Lett 2024; 592:216933. [PMID: 38705564 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients carrying Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) mutations often face a poor prognosis. While some FLT3 inhibitors have been used clinically, challenges such as short efficacy and poor specificity persist. Proteolytic targeting chimera (PROTAC), with its lower ligand affinity requirement for target proteins, offers higher and rapid targeting capability. Gilteritinib, used as the ligand for the target protein, was connected with different E3 ligase ligands to synthesize several series of PROTAC targeting FLT3-ITD. Through screening and structural optimization, the optimal lead compound PROTAC Z29 showed better specificity than Gilteritinib. Z29 induced FLT3 degradation through the proteasome pathway and inhibited tumor growth in subcutaneous xenograft mice. We verified Z29's minimal impact on platelets in a patient-derived xenografts (PDX) model compared to Gilteritinib. The combination of Z29 and Venetoclax showed better anti-tumor effects, lower platelet toxicity, and lower hepatic toxicity in FLT3-ITD+ models. The FLT3-selective PROTAC can mitigate the platelet toxicity of small molecule inhibitors, ensuring safety and efficacy in monotherapy and combination therapy with Venetoclax. It is a promising strategy for FLT3-ITD+ patients, especially those with platelet deficiency or liver damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Tan
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Lilan Xin
- Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (MOE) and Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Rong Xu
- Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (MOE) and Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xiqin Tong
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Guopeng Chen
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Linlu Ma
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Fuwei Yang
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Hongqiang Jiang
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Jinxian Wu
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xinqi Li
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xinyi Guo
- Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (MOE) and Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (MOE) and Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Haibing Zhou
- Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (MOE) and Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Fuling Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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Ma H, Cui J, Liu Z, Fang W, Lu S, Cao S, Zhang Y, Chen JA, Lu L, Xie Q, Wang Y, Huang Y, Li K, Tong H, Huang J, Lu W. Blockade of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis triggers autophagic degradation of oncoprotein FLT3-ITD in acute myeloid leukemia. Oncogene 2023; 42:3331-3343. [PMID: 37752234 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02848-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
The internal tandem duplication of the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3-ITD) is one of the most frequent genetic alterations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Limited and transient clinical benefit of FLT3 kinase inhibitors (FLT3i) emphasizes the need for alternative therapeutic options for this subset of myeloid malignancies. Herein, we showed that FLT3-ITD mutant (FLT3-ITD+) AML cells were susceptible toward inhibitors of DHODH, a rate-limiting enzyme of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis. Genetic and pharmacological blockade of DHODH triggered downregulation of FLT3-ITD protein, subsequently suppressed activation of downstream ERK and STAT5, and promoted cell death of FLT3-ITD+ AML cells. Mechanistically, DHODH blockade triggered autophagy-mediated FLT3-ITD degradation via inactivating mTOR, a potent autophagy repressor. Notably, blockade of DHODH synergized with an FDA-approved FLT3i quizartinib in significantly impairing the growth of FLT3-ITD+ AML cells and improving tumor-bearing mice survival. We further demonstrated that DHODH blockade exhibited profound anti-proliferation effect on quizartinib-resistant cells in vitro and in vivo. In summary, this study demonstrates that the induction of degradation of FLT3-ITD protein by DHODH blockade may offer a promising therapeutic strategy for AML patients harboring FLT3-ITD mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ma
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiayan Cui
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Zehui Liu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenqing Fang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Sisi Lu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuying Cao
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China
| | - Ji-An Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Lixue Lu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiong Xie
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Yonghui Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Huang
- NMPA Key Laboratory of Rapid Drug Inspection Technology, Guangdong Institute for Drug Control, 510663, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kongfei Li
- Department of Hematology, People's Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University, 315000, Ningbo, China
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310003, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Hematopoietic Malignancy, Zhejiang University, 310003, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongyan Tong
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310003, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Hematopoietic Malignancy, Zhejiang University, 310003, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jin Huang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, China.
| | - Weiqiang Lu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 200241, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multidimensional Information Processing, East China Normal University, 200241, Shanghai, China.
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4
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Migliaccio S, Moretti A, Biffi A, Ronco R, Porcu G, Adami G, Alvaro R, Bogini R, Caputi AP, Cianferotti L, Frediani B, Gatti D, Gonnelli S, Lenzi A, Leone S, Nicoletti T, Paoletta M, Pennini A, Piccirilli E, Michieli R, Tarantino U, Rossini M, Corrao G, Brandi ML, Iolascon G. Medication holidays in osteoporosis: evidence-based recommendations from the Italian guidelines on 'Diagnosis, risk stratification, and continuity of care of fragility fractures' based on a systematic literature review. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis 2023; 15:1759720X231177110. [PMID: 37359175 PMCID: PMC10286165 DOI: 10.1177/1759720x231177110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Noncommunicable, chronic diseases need pharmacological interventions for long periods or even throughout life. The temporary or permanent cessation of medication for a specific period, known as a 'medication holiday,' should be planned by healthcare professionals. Objectives We evaluated the association between continuity (adherence or persistence) of treatment and several outcomes in patients with fragility fractures in the context of the development of the Italian Guidelines. Design Systematic review. Data Sources and Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library up to November 2020 for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies that analyzed medication holidays in patients with fragility fracture. Three authors independently extracted data and appraised the risk of bias of the included studies. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. Effect sizes were pooled in a meta-analysis using random effects models. Primary outcomes were refracture and quality of life; secondary outcomes were mortality and treatment-related adverse events. Results Six RCTs and nine observational studies met our inclusion criteria, ranging from very low to moderate quality. The adherence to antiosteoporotic drugs was associated with a lower risk of nonvertebral fracture [relative risk (RR) 0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20-0.87; three studies] than nonadherence, whereas no difference was detected in the health-related quality of life. A reduction in refracture risk was observed when continuous treatment was compared to discontinuous therapy (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.25-0.98; three studies). A lower mortality rate was detected for the adherence and persistence measures, while no significant differences were noted in gastrointestinal side effects in individuals undergoing continuous versus discontinuous treatment. Conclusion Our findings suggest that clinicians should promote adherence and persistence to antiosteoporotic treatment in patients with fragility fractures unless serious adverse effects occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Migliaccio
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Foro Italico University, Rome, Italy
| | - Antimo Moretti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties and Dentistry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli,” Napoli, Italy
| | - Annalisa Biffi
- Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Public Health, Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, National Centre for Healthcare Research and Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaella Ronco
- Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Public Health, Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, National Centre for Healthcare Research and Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Gloria Porcu
- Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Public Health, Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, National Centre for Healthcare Research and Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Rosaria Alvaro
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Bruno Frediani
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Davide Gatti
- Rheumatology Unit, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Gonnelli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Policlinico Le Scotte, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Andrea Lenzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Viale del Policlinico, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Leone
- AMICI Onlus, Associazione nazionale per le Malattie Infiammatorie Croniche dell’Intestino, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Nicoletti
- CnAMC, Coordinamento nazionale delle Associazioni dei Malati Cronici e rari di Cittadinanzattiva, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Paoletta
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties and Dentistry, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli,” Napoli, Italy
| | - Annalisa Pennini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Piccirilli
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata,” Rome, Italy
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, “Policlinico Tor Vergata” Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaella Michieli
- Italian Society of General Medicine and Primary Care (SIMG), Florence, Italy
| | - Umberto Tarantino
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata,” Rome, Italy
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, “Policlinico Tor Vergata” Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Corrao
- Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Public Health, Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, National Centre for Healthcare Research and Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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5
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Modulation of FLT3-ITD and CDK9 in acute myeloid leukaemia cells by novel proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC). Eur J Med Chem 2022; 243:114792. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Tecik M, Adan A. Therapeutic Targeting of FLT3 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Current Status and Novel Approaches. Onco Targets Ther 2022; 15:1449-1478. [PMID: 36474506 PMCID: PMC9719701 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s384293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is mutated in approximately 30% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. The presence of FLT3-ITD (internal tandem duplication, 20-25%) mutation and, to a lesser extent, FLT3-TKD (tyrosine kinase domain, 5-10%) mutation is associated with poorer diagnosis and therapy response since the leukemic cells become hyperproliferative and resistant to apoptosis after continuous activation of FLT3 signaling. Targeting FLT3 has been the focus of many pre-clinical and clinical studies. Hence, many small-molecule FLT3 inhibitors (FLT3is) have been developed, some of which are approved such as midostaurin and gilteritinib to be used in different clinical settings, either in combination with chemotherapy or alone. However, many questions regarding the best treatment strategy remain to be answered. On the other hand, various FLT3-dependent and -independent resistance mechanisms could be evolved during FLT3i therapy which limit their clinical impact. Therefore, identifying molecular mechanisms of resistance and developing novel strategies to overcome this obstacle is a current interest in the field. In this review, recent studies of approved FLT3i and knowledge about major resistance mechanisms of clinically approved FLT3i's will be discussed together with novel treatment approaches such as designing novel FLT3i and dual FLT3i and combination strategies including approved FLT3i plus small-molecule agents targeting altered molecules in the resistant cells to abrogate resistance. Moreover, how to choose an appropriate FLT3i for the patients will be summarized based on what is currently known from available clinical data. In addition, strategies beyond FLT3i's including immunotherapeutics, small-molecule FLT3 degraders, and flavonoids will be summarized to highlight potential alternatives in FLT3-mutated AML therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melisa Tecik
- Bioengineering Program, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, Abdullah Gul University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Aysun Adan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Life and Natural Sciences, Abdullah Gul University, Kayseri, Turkey
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7
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Lu D, Yu X, Lin H, Cheng R, Monroy EY, Qi X, Wang MC, Wang J. Applications of covalent chemistry in targeted protein degradation. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:9243-9261. [PMID: 36285735 PMCID: PMC9669245 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00362g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs) are currently two exciting strategies in the fields of chemical biology and drug discovery. Extensive research in these two fields has been conducted, and significant progress in these fields has resulted in many clinical candidates, some of which have been approved by FDA. Recently, a novel concept termed covalent PROTACs that combine these two strategies has emerged and gained an increasing interest in the past several years. Herein, we briefly review and highlight the mechanism and advantages of TCIs and PROTACs, respectively, and the recent development of covalent PROTACs using irreversible and reversible covalent chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
| | - Xin Yu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
| | - Hanfeng Lin
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
| | - Ran Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
| | - Erika Y Monroy
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
| | - Xiaoli Qi
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
| | - Meng C Wang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA
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8
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Ohoka N, Suzuki M, Uchida T, Tsuji G, Tsukumo Y, Yoshida M, Inoue T, Demizu Y, Ohki H, Naito M. Development of Gilteritinib-Based Chimeric Small Molecules that Potently Induce Degradation of FLT3-ITD Protein. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:1885-1891. [DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nobumichi Ohoka
- Division of Molecular Target and Gene Therapy Products, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan
| | - Masanori Suzuki
- Modality Research Laboratories, Biologics Division, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo 140-8710, Japan
| | - Takuya Uchida
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratories, R&D Division, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo 140-8710, Japan
| | - Genichiro Tsuji
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-9501 Japan
| | - Yoshinori Tsukumo
- Division of Molecular Target and Gene Therapy Products, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan
| | - Masayuki Yoshida
- Modality Research Laboratories, Biologics Division, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo 140-8710, Japan
| | - Takao Inoue
- Division of Molecular Target and Gene Therapy Products, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan
| | - Yosuke Demizu
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-9501 Japan
| | - Hitoshi Ohki
- Modality Research Laboratories, Biologics Division, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo 140-8710, Japan
| | - Mikihiko Naito
- Division of Molecular Target and Gene Therapy Products, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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9
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Recent Advances in the Development of Anti-FLT3 CAR T-Cell Therapies for Treatment of AML. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102441. [PMID: 36289703 PMCID: PMC9598885 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Following the success of the anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies against B-cell malignancies, the CAR T-cell approach is being developed towards other malignancies like acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Treatment options for relapsed AML patients are limited, and the upregulation of the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) in malignant T-cells is currently not only being investigated as a prognostic factor, but also as a target for new treatment options. In this review, we provide an overview and discuss different approaches of current anti-FLT3 CAR T-cells under development. In general, these therapies are effective both in vitro and in vivo, however the safety profile still needs to be further investigated. The first clinical trials have been initiated, and the community now awaits clinical evaluation of the approach of targeting FLT3 with CAR T-cells.
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10
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Translatome proteomics identifies autophagy as a resistance mechanism to on-target FLT3 inhibitors in acute myeloid leukemia. Leukemia 2022; 36:2396-2407. [PMID: 35999260 PMCID: PMC9522593 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01678-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Internal tandem duplications (ITD) in the receptor tyrosine kinase FLT3 occur in 25 % of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, drive leukemia progression and confer a poor prognosis. Primary resistance to FLT3 kinase inhibitors (FLT3i) quizartinib, crenolanib and gilteritinib is a frequent clinical challenge and occurs in the absence of identifiable genetic causes. This suggests that adaptive cellular mechanisms mediate primary resistance to on-target FLT3i therapy. Here, we systematically investigated acute cellular responses to on-target therapy with multiple FLT3i in FLT3-ITD + AML using recently developed functional translatome proteomics (measuring changes in the nascent proteome) with phosphoproteomics. This pinpointed AKT-mTORC1-ULK1-dependent autophagy as a dominant resistance mechanism to on-target FLT3i therapy. FLT3i induced autophagy in a concentration- and time-dependent manner specifically in FLT3-ITD + cells in vitro and in primary human AML cells ex vivo. Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of autophagy increased the sensitivity to FLT3-targeted therapy in cell lines, patient-derived xenografts and primary AML cells ex vivo. In mice xenografted with FLT3-ITD + AML cells, co-treatment with oral FLT3 and autophagy inhibitors synergistically impaired leukemia progression and extended overall survival. Our findings identify a molecular mechanism responsible for primary FLT3i treatment resistance and demonstrate the pre-clinical efficacy of a rational combination treatment strategy targeting both FLT3 and autophagy induction.
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11
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Role of Biomarkers in FLT3 AML. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051164. [PMID: 35267471 PMCID: PMC8909069 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Genetically heterogeneous disorder acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is marked by recurring mutations in FLT3. Current FLT3 inhibitors and other emerging inhibitors have helped in the improvement of the quality of standard of care therapies; however, the overall survival of the patients remains static. This is due to numerous mutations in FLT3, which causes resistance against these FLT3 inhibitors. For effective treatment of AML patients, alternative approaches are required to overcome this resistance. Here, we will summarize the biomarkers for FLT3 inhibitors in AML, as well as the alternative measures to overcome resistance to the current therapies. Abstract Acute myeloid leukemia is a disease characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of clonal myeloid blast cells that are incapable of maturation to leukocytes. AML is the most common leukemia in adults and remains a highly fatal disease with a five-year survival rate of 24%. More than 50% of AML patients have mutations in the FLT3 gene, rendering FLT3 an attractive target for small-molecule inhibition. Currently, there are several FLT3 inhibitors in the clinic, and others remain in clinical trials. However, these inhibitors face challenges due to lack of efficacy against several FLT3 mutants. Therefore, the identification of biomarkers is vital to stratify AML patients and target AML patient population with a particular FLT3 mutation. Additionally, there is an unmet need to identify alternative approaches to combat the resistance to FLT3 inhibitors. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on the utilization of diagnostic, prognostic, predictive, and pharmacodynamic biomarkers for FLT3-mutated AML. The resistance mechanisms to various FLT3 inhibitors and alternative approaches to combat this resistance are also discussed and presented.
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12
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Safarzadeh Kozani P, Safarzadeh Kozani P, Rahbarizadeh F. Novel antigens of CAR T cell therapy: New roads; old destination. Transl Oncol 2021; 14:101079. [PMID: 33862524 PMCID: PMC8065293 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy has so far proved itself as a reliable therapeutic option for the treatment of relapsed/refractory (R/R) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), multiple myeloma (MM), and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). However, this picture is not as colorful when it comes to the treatment of solid tumors mainly due to the lack of definitive tumor antigens, as well as the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments and poor CAR-T infiltration. The recent developments in bioinformatics and cell biology, such as single-cell RNA sequencing, have offered silver linings in the subject of tumor antigen discovery. In the current review, we summarize the development of some CAR-T therapies that target novel tumor antigens, rather than the traditionally CAR-T-targeted ones, and briefly discuss the clinical antitumor achievements of those evaluated in patients, so far. Furthermore, we propose some tumor antigens that might someday be therapeutically beneficial while targeted by CAR-Ts based on the experimental evaluations of their specific monoclonal antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooria Safarzadeh Kozani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pouya Safarzadeh Kozani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran; Student Research Committee, Medical Biotechnology Research Center, School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rahbarizadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran; Research and Development Center of Biotechnology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
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13
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Synergistic targeting of FLT3 mutations in AML via combined menin-MLL and FLT3 inhibition. Blood 2021; 136:2442-2456. [PMID: 32589720 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020005037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of menin (MEN1) and MLL (MLL1, KMT2A) is a dependency and provides a potential opportunity for treatment of NPM1-mutant (NPM1mut) and MLL-rearranged (MLL-r) leukemias. Concomitant activating driver mutations in the gene encoding the tyrosine kinase FLT3 occur in both leukemias and are particularly common in the NPM1mut subtype. In this study, transcriptional profiling after pharmacological inhibition of the menin-MLL complex revealed specific changes in gene expression, with downregulation of the MEIS1 transcription factor and its transcriptional target gene FLT3 being the most pronounced. Combining menin-MLL inhibition with specific small-molecule kinase inhibitors of FLT3 phosphorylation resulted in a significantly superior reduction of phosphorylated FLT3 and transcriptional suppression of genes downstream of FLT3 signaling. The drug combination induced synergistic inhibition of proliferation, as well as enhanced apoptosis, compared with single-drug treatment in models of human and murine NPM1mut and MLL-r leukemias harboring an FLT3 mutation. Primary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells harvested from patients with NPM1mutFLT3mut AML showed significantly better responses to combined menin and FLT3 inhibition than to single-drug or vehicle control treatment, whereas AML cells with wild-type NPM1, MLL, and FLT3 were not affected by either of the 2 drugs. In vivo treatment of leukemic animals with MLL-r FLT3mut leukemia reduced leukemia burden significantly and prolonged survival compared with results in the single-drug and vehicle control groups. Our data suggest that combined menin-MLL and FLT3 inhibition represents a novel and promising therapeutic strategy for patients with NPM1mut or MLL-r leukemia and concurrent FLT3 mutation.
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14
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Multiplexed single-cell mass cytometry reveals distinct inhibitory effects on intracellular phosphoproteins by midostaurin in combination with chemotherapy in AML cells. Exp Hematol Oncol 2021; 10:7. [PMID: 33531064 PMCID: PMC7852110 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-021-00201-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) receptor serves as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Approximately one-third of AML patients carry mutation in FLT3, associated with unfavourable prognosis and high relapse rate. The multitargeted kinase inhibitor midostaurin (PKC412) in combination with standard chemotherapy (daunorubicin and cytarabine) was recently shown to increase overall survival of AML patients. For that reason, PKC412 has been approved for treatment of AML patients with FLT3-mutation. PKC412 synergizes with standard chemotherapy, but the mechanism involved is not fully understood and the risk of relapse is still highly problematic. Methods By utilizing the unique nature of mass cytometry for single cell multiparameter analysis, we have explored the proteomic effect and intracellular signaling response in individual leukemic cells with internal tandem duplication of FLT3 (FLT3-ITD) after midostaurin treatment in combination with daunorubicin or cytarabine. Results We have identified a synergistic inhibition of intracellular signaling proteins after PKC412 treatment in combination with daunorubicin. In contrast, cytarabine antagonized phosphorylation inhibition of PKC412. Moreover, we found elevated levels of FLT3 surface expression after cytarabine treatment. Interestingly, the surface localization of FLT3 receptor increased in vivo on the blast cell population of two AML patients during day 3 of induction therapy (daunorubicin; once/day from day 1–3 and cytarabine; twice/day from day 1–7). We found FLT3 receptor expression to correlate with intracellular cytarabine (AraC) response. AML cell line cultured with AraC with or without PKC412 had an antagonizing phosphorylation inhibition of pAKT (p = 0.042 and 0.0261, respectively) and pERK1/2 (0.0134 and 0.0096, respectively) in FLT3high compared to FLT3low expressing cell populations. Conclusions Our study provides insights into how conventional chemotherapy affects protein phosphorylation of vital signaling proteins in human leukemia cells. The results presented here support further investigation of novel strategies to treat FLT3-mutated AML patients with PKC412 in combination with chemotherapy agents and the potential development of novel treatment strategies.
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15
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Elmeliegy M, Den Haese J, Talati C, Wetzler M, Jusko WJ. Towards better combination regimens of cytarabine and FLT3 inhibitors in acute myeloid leukemia. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2020; 86:325-337. [PMID: 32748108 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-020-04114-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AML patients with FLT3/ITD mutations have poor response to cytarabine-based chemotherapy. FLT3 inhibitors (FLT3i) may resensitize cells to cytarabine (CYT). Improving treatment outcome of this combination may benefit from a mechanistic extrapolation approach from in vitro data. METHODS The effects of CYT and several FLT3i on cell proliferation and cell cycle kinetics were examined in AML cell lines. The effect of FLT3i (quizartinib, midostaurin, sorafenib) on cell proliferation and cell cycle kinetics was assessed in AML cell lines with differing FLT3 status; HEL (negligible expression of wild-type FLT3), EOL1 (wild-type FLT3), MV4-11 (FLT3-ITD resulting in constitutively active isoform). Semi-mechanistic cell cycle models for CYT and FLT3i were developed. Clinical CYT and quizartinib pharmacokinetic dosage regimens were modeled. Survival of AML patients was described via a hazard model. Simulations exploring different CYT/quizartinib regimens were conducted with the goal of improving treatment outcome. RESULTS FLT3 status was associated with sensitivity to CYT (HEL cells most sensitive > EOL1 > MV4-11 cells). This order of sensitivity is reversed for FLT3i. Cytarabine induced apoptosis in the S-phase while all FLT3i induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G1 phase. Simulations of candidate clinical regimens predict better cell kill upon adding quizartinib simultaneously with or immediately after CYT exposure. Overall survival was predicted to be significantly better with quizartinib 200 mg administered every 48 h vs every 24 h in patients with FLT3 aberrations. CONCLUSION Simultaneous administration of quizartinib and CYT every other day is a promising combination regimen for AML patients with FLT3 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Elmeliegy
- Pfizer, Inc., 10555 Science Center Dr., San Diego, CA, 92121, USA. .,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14214, USA.
| | - Jason Den Haese
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Department of Biology and Mathematics, D'Youville College, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Chetasi Talati
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Department of Malignant Hematology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Meir Wetzler
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - William J Jusko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14214, USA
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16
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Li X, Song Y. Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) for targeted protein degradation and cancer therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:50. [PMID: 32404196 PMCID: PMC7218526 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00885-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) has been developed to be a useful technology for targeted protein degradation. A bifunctional PROTAC molecule consists of a ligand (mostly small-molecule inhibitor) of the protein of interest (POI) and a covalently linked ligand of an E3 ubiquitin ligase (E3). Upon binding to the POI, the PROTAC can recruit E3 for POI ubiquitination, which is subjected to proteasome-mediated degradation. PROTAC complements nucleic acid-based gene knockdown/out technologies for targeted protein reduction and could mimic pharmacological protein inhibition. To date, PROTACs targeting ~ 50 proteins, many of which are clinically validated drug targets, have been successfully developed with several in clinical trials for cancer therapy. This article reviews PROTAC-mediated degradation of critical oncoproteins in cancer, particularly those in hematological malignancies. Chemical structures, cellular and in vivo activities, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of these PROTACs are summarized. In addition, potential advantages, challenges, and perspectives of PROTAC technology in cancer therapy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yongcheng Song
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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17
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Thakur A, Tawa GJ, Henderson MJ, Danchik C, Liu S, Shah P, Wang AQ, Dunn G, Kabir M, Padilha EC, Xu X, Simeonov A, Kharbanda S, Stone R, Grewal G. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Quinazolin-4-one-Based Hydroxamic Acids as Dual PI3K/HDAC Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2020; 63:4256-4292. [PMID: 32212730 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
A series of quinazolin-4-one based hydroxamic acids was rationally designed and synthesized as novel dual PI3K/HDAC inhibitors by incorporating an HDAC pharmacophore into a PI3K inhibitor (Idelalisib) via an optimized linker. Several of these dual inhibitors were highly potent (IC50 < 10 nM) and selective against PI3Kγ, δ and HDAC6 enzymes and exhibited good antiproliferative activity against multiple cancer cell lines. The lead compound 48c, induced necrosis in several mutant and FLT3-resistant AML cell lines and primary blasts from AML patients, while showing no cytotoxicity against normal PBMCs, NIH3T3, and HEK293 cells. Target engagement of PI3Kδ and HDAC6 by 48c was demonstrated in MV411 cells using the cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA). Compound 48c showed good pharmacokinetics properties in mice via intraperitoneal (ip) administration and provides a means to examine the biological effects of inhibiting these two important enzymes with a single molecule, either in vitro or in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Thakur
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Gregory J Tawa
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Mark J Henderson
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Carina Danchik
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Suiyang Liu
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Pranav Shah
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Amy Q Wang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Garrett Dunn
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Md Kabir
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Elias C Padilha
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Xin Xu
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Anton Simeonov
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Surender Kharbanda
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Richard Stone
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Gurmit Grewal
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
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18
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Waldeck S, Rassner M, Keye P, Follo M, Herchenbach D, Endres C, Charlet A, Andrieux G, Salzer U, Boerries M, Duyster J, von Bubnoff N. CCL5 mediates target-kinase independent resistance to FLT3 inhibitors in FLT3-ITD-positive AML. Mol Oncol 2020; 14:779-794. [PMID: 31955503 PMCID: PMC7138400 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
FLT3‐ITD tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) show limited clinical activity in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) due to emerging resistance. TKI resistance is mediated by secondary FLT3‐ITD mutations only in a minority of cases. We hypothesize that the cytokine CCL5 protects AML cells from TKI‐mediated cell death and contributes to treatment resistance. We generated PKC412‐ and sorafenib‐resistant MOLM‐13 cell lines as an in vitro model to study TKI resistance in AML. Increased CCL5 levels were detected in supernatants from PKC412‐resistant cell lines compared to TKI‐sensitive cells. Moreover, CCL5 treatment of TKI‐sensitive cells induced resistance to PKC412. In resistant cell lines with high CCL5 release, we observed a significant downregulation of the CCL5‐receptor CCR5 and CXCR4. In these cell lines, TKI resistance could be partly overcome by addition of the CXCR4‐receptor antagonist plerixafor. Microarray and intracellular flow cytometry analyses revealed increased p‐Akt or p‐Stat5 levels in PKC412‐resistant cell lines releasing high amounts of CCL5. Treatment with the CXCR4 antagonist plerixafor, αCCL5, or CCR5‐targeting siRNA led to a decrease of p‐Akt‐positive cells. Transient transfection of sensitive MOLM‐13 cells with a CCL5‐encoding vector mediated resistance against PKC412 and led to an increase in p‐Akt‐positive and p‐Stat5‐positive cells. Isolated AML blasts from patients treated with PKC412 revealed that CCL5 transcript levels increase significantly at relapse. Taken together, our findings indicate that CCL5 mediates resistance to FLT3‐TKIs in FLT3‐ITD‐mutated AML and could possibly serve as a biomarker to predict drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Waldeck
- Department of Medicine I (Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation), Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Freiburg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Rassner
- Department of Medicine I (Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation), Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Philip Keye
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marie Follo
- Department of Medicine I (Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation), Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dieter Herchenbach
- Department of Medicine I (Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation), Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Cornelia Endres
- Department of Medicine I (Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation), Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Freiburg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anne Charlet
- Department of Medicine I (Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation), Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Geoffroy Andrieux
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Freiburg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Salzer
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Boerries
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Freiburg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Justus Duyster
- Department of Medicine I (Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation), Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Freiburg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nikolas von Bubnoff
- Department of Medicine I (Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation), Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Freiburg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Hematology and Oncology, Medical Center, University of Schleswig Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
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19
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Morales ML, Arenas A, Ortiz-Ruiz A, Leivas A, Rapado I, Rodríguez-García A, Castro N, Zagorac I, Quintela-Fandino M, Gómez-López G, Gallardo M, Ayala R, Linares M, Martínez-López J. MEK inhibition enhances the response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in acute myeloid leukemia. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18630. [PMID: 31819100 PMCID: PMC6901485 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54901-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is a key driver of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Several tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting FLT3 have been evaluated clinically, but their effects are limited when used in monotherapy due to the emergence of drug-resistance. Thus, a better understanding of drug-resistance pathways could be a good strategy to explore and evaluate new combinational therapies for AML. Here, we used phosphoproteomics to identify differentially-phosphorylated proteins in patients with AML and TKI resistance. We then studied resistance mechanisms in vitro and evaluated the efficacy and safety of rational combinational therapy in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo in mice. Proteomic and immunohistochemical studies showed the sustained activation of ERK1/2 in bone marrow samples of patients with AML after developing resistance to FLT3 inhibitors, which was identified as a common resistance pathway. We examined the concomitant inhibition of MEK-ERK1/2 and FLT3 as a strategy to overcome drug-resistance, finding that the MEK inhibitor trametinib remained potent in TKI-resistant cells and exerted strong synergy when combined with the TKI midostaurin in cells with mutated and wild-type FLT3. Importantly, this combination was not toxic to CD34+ cells from healthy donors, but produced survival improvements in vivo when compared with single therapy groups. Thus, our data point to trametinib plus midostaurin as a potentially beneficial therapy in patients with AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Luz Morales
- H12O-CNIO Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Hospital 12 de Octubre - Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alicia Arenas
- H12O-CNIO Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Hospital 12 de Octubre - Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandra Ortiz-Ruiz
- H12O-CNIO Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Hospital 12 de Octubre - Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandra Leivas
- H12O-CNIO Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Hospital 12 de Octubre - Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Rapado
- H12O-CNIO Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Hospital 12 de Octubre - Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alba Rodríguez-García
- H12O-CNIO Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Hospital 12 de Octubre - Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nerea Castro
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ivana Zagorac
- Breast Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Quintela-Fandino
- Breast Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Gómez-López
- Bioinformatics Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Gallardo
- H12O-CNIO Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Hospital 12 de Octubre - Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa Ayala
- H12O-CNIO Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Hospital 12 de Octubre - Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Linares
- H12O-CNIO Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Hospital 12 de Octubre - Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid, Spain.
- Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Joaquín Martínez-López
- H12O-CNIO Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Hospital 12 de Octubre - Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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20
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Kawase T, Nakazawa T, Eguchi T, Tsuzuki H, Ueno Y, Amano Y, Suzuki T, Mori M, Yoshida T. Effect of Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) ligand (FL) on antitumor activity of gilteritinib, a FLT3 inhibitor, in mice xenografted with FL-overexpressing cells. Oncotarget 2019; 10:6111-6123. [PMID: 31692922 PMCID: PMC6817455 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic effects of FLT3 inhibitors have been reported in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with constitutively activating FLT3 mutations, including internal tandem duplication (ITD) and point mutation, which are found in approximately one-third of AML patients. One of the critical issues of treatment with FLT3 inhibitors in FLT3-mutated AML is drug resistance. FLT3 ligand (FL) represents a mechanism of resistance to FLT3 inhibitors, including quizartinib, midostaurin, and sorafenib, in AML cells harboring both wild-type and mutant FLT3 (FLT3wt/FLT3mut). Here, we investigated the effect of FL on the efficacy of gilteritinib, a FLT3 inhibitor, in AML-derived cells in vitro and in mice. In contrast to other FLT3 inhibitors, FL stimulation had little effect on growth inhibition or apoptosis induction by gilteritinib. The antitumor activity of gilteritinib was also comparable between xenograft mouse models injected with FL-expressing and mock MOLM-13 cells. In the FLT3 signaling analyses, gilteritinib inhibited FLT3wt and FLT3-ITD to a similar degree in HEK293 and Ba/F3 cells, and similarly suppressed FLT3 downstream signaling molecules (including ERK1/2 and STAT5) in both the presence and absence of FL in MOLM-13 cells. Co-crystal structure analysis showed that gilteritinib bound to the ATP-binding pocket of FLT3. These results suggest that gilteritinib has therapeutic potential in FLT3-mutated AML patients with FL overexpression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Kawase
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Taisuke Nakazawa
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Eguchi
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Tsuzuki
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yoko Ueno
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yasushi Amano
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Suzuki
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Masamichi Mori
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Taku Yoshida
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
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21
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Burslem GM, Song J, Chen X, Hines J, Crews CM. Enhancing Antiproliferative Activity and Selectivity of a FLT-3 Inhibitor by Proteolysis Targeting Chimera Conversion. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:16428-16432. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b10320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- George M. Burslem
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Jayoung Song
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Xin Chen
- Arvinas Inc., New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - John Hines
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Craig M. Crews
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
- Departments of Chemistry and Pharmacology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
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22
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Manley PW, Caravatti G, Furet P, Roesel J, Tran P, Wagner T, Wartmann M. Comparison of the Kinase Profile of Midostaurin (Rydapt) with That of Its Predominant Metabolites and the Potential Relevance of Some Newly Identified Targets to Leukemia Therapy. Biochemistry 2018; 57:5576-5590. [PMID: 30148617 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The multitargeted protein kinase inhibitor midostaurin is approved for the treatment of both newly diagnosed FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and KIT-driven advanced systemic mastocytosis. AML is a heterogeneous malignancy, and investigational drugs targeting FLT3 have shown disparate effects in patients with FLT3-mutated AML, probably as a result of their inhibiting different targets and pathways at the administered doses. However, the efficacy and side effects of drugs do not just reflect the biochemical and pharmacodynamic properties of the parent compound but are often comprised of complex cooperative effects between the properties of the parent and active metabolites. Following chronic dosing, two midostaurin metabolites attain steady-state plasma trough levels greater than that of the parent drug. In this study, we characterized these metabolites and determined their profiles as kinase inhibitors using radiometric transphosphorylation assays. Like midostaurin, the metabolites potently inhibit mutant forms of FLT3 and KIT and several additional kinases that either are directly involved in the deregulated signaling pathways or have been implicated as playing a role in AML via stromal support, such as IGF1R, LYN, PDPK1, RET, SYK, TRKA, and VEGFR2. Consequently, a complex interplay between the kinase activities of midostaurin and its metabolites is likely to contribute to the efficacy of midostaurin in AML and helps to engender the distinctive effects of the drug compared to those of other FLT3 inhibitors in this malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul W Manley
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research , Novartis International AG , CH-4002 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Giorgio Caravatti
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research , Novartis International AG , CH-4002 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Pascal Furet
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research , Novartis International AG , CH-4002 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Johannes Roesel
- Oncology Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research , Novartis International AG , CH-4002 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Phi Tran
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics , Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research , East Hanover , New Jersey 07936 , United States
| | - Trixie Wagner
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research , Novartis International AG , CH-4002 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Markus Wartmann
- Oncology Disease Area, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research , Novartis International AG , CH-4002 Basel , Switzerland
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23
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CAR T-cells targeting FLT3 have potent activity against FLT3 -ITD + AML and act synergistically with the FLT3-inhibitor crenolanib. Leukemia 2018; 32:1168-1179. [PMID: 29472720 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-018-0009-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is a transmembrane protein expressed on normal hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSC) and retained on malignant blasts in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We engineered CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells expressing a FLT3-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and demonstrate they confer potent reactivity against AML cell lines and primary AML blasts that express either wild-type FLT3 or FLT3 with internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD). We also show that treatment with the FLT3-inhibitor crenolanib leads to increased surface expression of FLT3 specifically on FLT3-ITD+ AML cells and consecutively, enhanced recognition by FLT3-CAR T-cells in vitro and in vivo. As anticipated, we found that FLT3-CAR T-cells recognize normal HSCs in vitro and in vivo, and disrupt normal hematopoiesis in colony-formation assays, suggesting that adoptive therapy with FLT3-CAR T-cells will require subsequent CAR T-cell depletion and allogeneic HSC transplantation to reconstitute the hematopoietic system. Collectively, our data establish FLT3 as a novel CAR target in AML with particular relevance in high-risk FLT3-ITD+ AML. Further, our data provide the first proof-of-concept that CAR T-cell immunotherapy and small molecule inhibition can be used synergistically, as exemplified by our data showing superior antileukemia efficacy of FLT3-CAR T-cells in combination with crenolanib.
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24
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Jones LH. Small-Molecule Kinase Downregulators. Cell Chem Biol 2018; 25:30-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2017.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 10/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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25
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Huang HT, Dobrovolsky D, Paulk J, Yang G, Weisberg EL, Doctor ZM, Buckley DL, Cho JH, Ko E, Jang J, Shi K, Choi HG, Griffin JD, Li Y, Treon SP, Fischer ES, Bradner JE, Tan L, Gray NS. A Chemoproteomic Approach to Query the Degradable Kinome Using a Multi-kinase Degrader. Cell Chem Biol 2017; 25:88-99.e6. [PMID: 29129717 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2017.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 287] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Heterobifunctional molecules that recruit E3 ubiquitin ligases, such as cereblon, for targeted protein degradation represent an emerging pharmacological strategy. A major unanswered question is how generally applicable this strategy is to all protein targets. In this study, we designed a multi-kinase degrader by conjugating a highly promiscuous kinase inhibitor with a cereblon-binding ligand, and used quantitative proteomics to discover 28 kinases, including BTK, PTK2, PTK2B, FLT3, AURKA, AURKB, TEC, ULK1, ITK, and nine members of the CDK family, as degradable. This set of kinases is only a fraction of the intracellular targets bound by the degrader, demonstrating that successful degradation requires more than target engagement. The results guided us to develop selective degraders for FLT3 and BTK, with potentials to improve disease treatment. Together, this study demonstrates an efficient approach to triage a gene family of interest to identify readily degradable targets for further studies and pre-clinical developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Tsang Huang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dennis Dobrovolsky
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joshiawa Paulk
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Guang Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Bing Center for Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ellen L Weisberg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zainab M Doctor
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dennis L Buckley
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joong-Heui Cho
- New Drug Development Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu 41061, Korea
| | - Eunhwa Ko
- New Drug Development Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu 41061, Korea
| | - Jaebong Jang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kun Shi
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hwan Geun Choi
- New Drug Development Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu 41061, Korea
| | - James D Griffin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ying Li
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Steven P Treon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Bing Center for Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - James E Bradner
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Li Tan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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26
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Inhibition of USP10 induces degradation of oncogenic FLT3. Nat Chem Biol 2017; 13:1207-1215. [PMID: 28967922 DOI: 10.1038/nchembio.2486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Oncogenic forms of the kinase FLT3 are important therapeutic targets in acute myeloid leukemia (AML); however, clinical responses to small-molecule kinase inhibitors are short-lived as a result of the rapid emergence of resistance due to point mutations or compensatory increases in FLT3 expression. We sought to develop a complementary pharmacological approach whereby proteasome-mediated FLT3 degradation could be promoted by inhibitors of the deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) responsible for cleaving ubiquitin from FLT3. Because the relevant DUBs for FLT3 are not known, we assembled a focused library of most reported small-molecule DUB inhibitors and carried out a cellular phenotypic screen to identify compounds that could induce the degradation of oncogenic FLT3. Subsequent target deconvolution efforts allowed us to identify USP10 as the critical DUB required to stabilize FLT3. Targeting of USP10 showed efficacy in preclinical models of mutant-FLT3 AML, including cell lines, primary patient specimens and mouse models of oncogenic-FLT3-driven leukemia.
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27
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Weisberg EL, Puissant A, Stone R, Sattler M, Buhrlage SJ, Yang J, Manley PW, Meng C, Buonopane M, Daley JF, Lazo S, Wright R, Weinstock DM, Christie AL, Stegmaier K, Griffin JD. Characterization of midostaurin as a dual inhibitor of FLT3 and SYK and potentiation of FLT3 inhibition against FLT3-ITD-driven leukemia harboring activated SYK kinase. Oncotarget 2017; 8:52026-52044. [PMID: 28881711 PMCID: PMC5581010 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19036] [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: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic FLT3 kinase is a clinically validated target in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and both multi-targeted and selective FLT3 inhibitors have been developed. Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) has been shown to be activated and increased in FLT3-ITD-positive AML patients, and has further been shown to be critical for transformation and maintenance of the leukemic clone in these patients. Further, over-expression of constitutively activated SYK causes resistance to highly selective FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). Up to now, the activity of the multi-targeted FLT3 inhibitor, midostaurin, against cells expressing activated SYK has not been explored in the context of leukemia, although SYK has been identified as a target of midostaurin in systemic mastocytosis. We compared the ability of midostaurin to inhibit activated SYK in mutant FLT3-positive AML cells with that of inhibitors displaying dual SYK/FLT3 inhibition, targeted SYK inhibition, and targeted FLT3 inhibition. Our findings suggest that dual FLT3/SYK inhibitors and FLT3-targeted drugs potently kill oncogenic FLT3-transformed cells, while SYK-targeted small molecule inhibition displays minimal activity. However, midostaurin and other dual FLT3/SYK inhibitors display superior anti-proliferative activity when compared to targeted FLT3 inhibitors, such as crenolanib and quizartinib, against cells co-expressing FLT3-ITD and constitutively activated SYK-TEL. Interestingly, additional SYK suppression potentiated the effects of dual FLT3/SYK inhibitors and targeted FLT3 inhibitors against FLT3-ITD-driven leukemia, both in the absence and presence of activated SYK. Taken together, our findings have important implications for the design of drug combination studies in mutant FLT3-positive patients and for the design of future generations of FLT3 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen L Weisberg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alexandre Puissant
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Richard Stone
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Martin Sattler
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sara J Buhrlage
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Paul W Manley
- Novartis Institutes of Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Chengcheng Meng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael Buonopane
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John F Daley
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Suzan Lazo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Renee Wright
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David M Weinstock
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amanda L Christie
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James D Griffin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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28
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Traer E, Martinez J, Javidi-Sharifi N, Agarwal A, Dunlap J, English I, Kovacsovics T, Tyner JW, Wong M, Druker BJ. FGF2 from Marrow Microenvironment Promotes Resistance to FLT3 Inhibitors in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancer Res 2016; 76:6471-6482. [PMID: 27671675 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-15-3569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Potent FLT3 inhibitors, such as quizartinib (AC220), have shown promise in treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML) containing FLT3 internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations. However, responses are not durable and resistance develops within months. In this study, we outline a two-step model of resistance whereby extrinsic microenvironmental proteins FLT3 ligand (FL) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) protect FLT3-ITD+ MOLM14 cells from AC220, providing time for subsequent accumulation of ligand-independent resistance mechanisms. FL directly attenuated AC220 inhibition of FLT3, consistent with previous reports. Conversely, FGF2 promoted resistance through activation of FGFR1 and downstream MAPK effectors; these resistant cells responded synergistically to combinatorial inhibition of FGFR1 and FLT3. Removing FL or FGF2 from ligand-dependent resistant cultures transiently restored sensitivity to AC220, but accelerated acquisition of secondary resistance via reactivation of FLT3 and RAS/MAPK signaling. FLT3-ITD AML patients treated with AC220 developed increased FGF2 expression in marrow stromal cells, which peaked prior to overt clinical relapse and detection of resistance mutations. Overall, these results support a strategy of early combination therapy to target early survival signals from the bone marrow microenvironment, in particular FGF2, to improve the depth of response in FLT3-ITD AML. Cancer Res; 76(22); 6471-82. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elie Traer
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon. .,Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Jacqueline Martinez
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | | | - Anupriya Agarwal
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Jennifer Dunlap
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Department of Anatomic Pathology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Isabel English
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Tibor Kovacsovics
- BMT, Blood and Marrow Transplant, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Jeffrey W Tyner
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Department of Cell, Developmental, and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Melissa Wong
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Department of Cell, Developmental, and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Brian J Druker
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland
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29
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Sharma V, Kumar L, Mohanty SK, Maikhuri JP, Rajender S, Gupta G. Sensitization of androgen refractory prostate cancer cells to anti-androgens through re-expression of epigenetically repressed androgen receptor - Synergistic action of quercetin and curcumin. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 431:12-23. [PMID: 27132804 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Revised: 04/02/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic repression of Androgen Receptor (AR) gene by hypermethylation of its promoter causes resistance in prostate cancer (CaP) to androgen deprivation therapy with anti-androgens. Some dietary phytocompounds like quercetin (Q) and curcumin (C) with reported DNMT-inhibitory activity were tested for their ability to re-express the AR in AR-negative CaP cell lines PC3 and DU145. Combined treatment with Q+C was much more effective than either Q or C in inhibiting DNMT, causing global hypomethylation, restoring AR mRNA and protein levels and causing apoptosis via mitochondrial depolarization of PC3 and DU145. The functional AR protein expressed in Q+C treated cells sensitized them to dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced proliferation, bicalutamide-induced apoptosis, bound to androgen response element to increase luciferase activity in gene reporter assay and was susceptible to downregulation by AR siRNA. Bisulfite sequencing revealed high methylation of AR promoter CpG sites in AR-negative DU145 and PC3 cell lines that was significantly demethylated by Q+C treatment, which restored AR expression. Notable synergistic effects of Q+C combination in re-sensitizing androgen refractory CaP cells to AR-mediated apoptosis, their known safety in clinical use, and epidemiological evidences relating their dietary consumption with lower cancer incidences indicate their potential for use in chemoprevention of androgen resistance in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Sharma
- Division of Endocrinology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Lokesh Kumar
- Division of Endocrinology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Sujit K Mohanty
- Division of Endocrinology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Jagdamba P Maikhuri
- Division of Endocrinology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Singh Rajender
- Division of Endocrinology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Gopal Gupta
- Division of Endocrinology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India.
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30
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Receptor tyrosine kinase Axl is required for resistance of leukemic cells to FLT3-targeted therapy in acute myeloid leukemia. Leukemia 2015; 29:2382-9. [PMID: 26172401 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2015.147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Revised: 05/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), about 25-30% of patients harbor a constitutively active receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) FLT3 encoded by a FLT3 allele harboring internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) mutation. The presence of FLT3-ITD correlates with poor prognosis in AML and it makes FLT3 an attractive therapeutic target in AML. Unfortunately, to date small-molecule inhibitors of FLT3 have resulted in only partial and transient clinical responses with residual leukemic blasts resistant to FLT3 inhibitors detected in blood or bone marrow. In this study, we investigated whether the RTK Axl is responsible for resistance of FLT3-ITD(+) AML cells to PKC412 and AC220, FLT3 inhibitors currently under clinical trials for FLT3-ITD(+) AML patients. Upon treatment with PKC412 or AC220, phosphorylation of Axl was significantly enhanced in the FLT3-ITD(+) MV4-11 AML cell line and in primary blasts from a FLT3-ITD(+) AML patient. Consistently, a PKC412-resistant AML cell line and PKC412-resistant primary blasts from FLT3-ITD(+) AML patients had significantly higher levels of constitutively phosphorylated Axl and total Axl when compared with a PKC412-sensitive AML cell line and PKC412-sensitive primary blasts from FLT3-ITD(+) AML patients. We also found that resistance of AML cells against the FLT3 inhibitor PKC412 and AC220 was substantially diminished by the inhibition of Axl via a small-molecule inhibitor TP-0903, a soluble receptor Axl fusion protein Axl-Fc or knockdown of Axl gene expression by shRNA. Collectively, our study suggests that Axl is required for resistance of FLT3-ITD(+) AML cells against the FLT3 inhibitor PKC412 and AC220, and that inhibition of Axl activation may overcome resistance to FLT3-targeted therapy in FLT3-ITD(+) AML.
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31
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Targeting of FLT3-ITD kinase contributes to high selectivity of imidazoacridinone C-1311 against FLT3-activated leukemia cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2015; 95:238-52. [PMID: 25896848 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2015.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Drugs targeting receptor tyrosine kinase FLT3 are of particular interest since activating FLT3-internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations abundantly occur in fatal acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs). Imidazoacridinone C-1311, a DNA-reactive inhibitor of topoisomerase II, has been previously shown to be a potent and selective inhibitor of recombinant FLT3. Here, we expand those findings by studying its effect on leukemia cells with wild-type FLT3, FLT3-ITD mutant and no FLT3 receptor. While brief C-1311 exposure blocked wild-type and FLT3-ITD activity, profound and sustained inhibition was achieved only for FLT3-ITD mutants. C-1311 inhibited FLT3 downstream pathways (MAPK and AKT) independent of FLT3 status, yet translation to decreased viability was significant in FLT3-ITD cells. RNA interference against FLT3-ITD reduced cytotoxic effect and apoptosis induced by C-1311, indicating selective inhibition of FLT3-ITD crucial for high efficacy of drug against activated leukemia cells. Cellular responses in treated FLT3-ITD mutants included G1 and G2/M phase arrest, moderate inhibition of Bcl-2, caspase-3 activation, PARP cleavage, and depolarization of mitochondria. Consistent with selective decrease in FLT3-ITD activity, C-1311 remarkably reduced antiapoptotic survivin mRNA and protein expression, correlating well with enhanced apoptosis of FLT3-ITD cells. No survivin decrease and respectively lower level of apoptosis was found in wild-type and null-FLT3 cells. Combination of C-1311 with cytarabine or doxorubicin again showed distinct synergistic activity in FLT3-ITD-positive cells. The ability of C-1311 to selectively target constitutively active FLT3, suggests a favorable therapeutic index for AML carrying FLT3-ITD mutations. Thus further preclinical and clinical studies addressing its potency against FLT3-ITD kinase is well justified.
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32
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Herrmann MD, Lennerz JK, Bullinger L, Bartholomae S, Holzmann K, Westhoff MA, Corbacioglu S, Debatin KM. Transitory dasatinib-resistant states in KITmut t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia cells correlate with altered KIT expression. Exp Hematol 2014; 42:90-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2013.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2013] [Revised: 09/30/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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33
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Abstract
Blasts from approximately one-third of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) harbor activating mutations in the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) receptor tyrosine kinase that confer a poor prognosis. The Mucin 1-C-terminal subunit (MUC1-C) oncoprotein is aberrantly expressed in AML blasts and stem cells; however, there is no known interaction between MUC1-C and FLT3. The present studies demonstrate that MUC1-C associates with wild-type and mutant FLT3 in AML cells. Targeting MUC1-C with the cell-penetrating peptide inhibitor GO-203 disrupts MUC1-C/FLT3 complexes and downregulates FLT3 activation. GO-203 treatment of AML cells was also associated with inhibition of the FLT3 downstream effectors AKT, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and STAT5. The results further show that AML cells with FLT3-activating mutations and resistant to the FLT3 inhibitor midostaurin/PKC412 are sensitive to GO-203-induced growth arrest and death. Moreover, GO-203 increases sensitivity of mutant FLT3 AML cells to FLT3 inhibitor treatment. These results indicate that MUC1-C contributes to FLT3 activation in AML cells and that targeting MUC1-C inhibits the FLT3 signaling pathway. Our findings support the development of MUC1-C inhibitors alone and in combination with agents that target FLT3 for the treatment of wild-type and mutant FLT3 AML.
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34
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Kuczynski EA, Sargent DJ, Grothey A, Kerbel RS. Drug rechallenge and treatment beyond progression--implications for drug resistance. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2013; 10:571-87. [PMID: 23999218 PMCID: PMC4540602 DOI: 10.1038/nrclinonc.2013.158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The established dogma in oncology for managing recurrent or refractory disease dictates that therapy is changed at disease progression, because the cancer is assumed to have become drug-resistant. Drug resistance, whether pre-existing or acquired, is largely thought to be a stable and heritable process; thus, reuse of therapeutic agents that have failed is generally contraindicated. Over the past few decades, clinical evidence has suggested a role for unstable, non-heritable mechanisms of acquired drug resistance pertaining to chemotherapy and targeted agents. There are many examples of circumstances where patients respond to reintroduction of the same therapy (drug rechallenge) after a drug holiday following disease relapse or progression during therapy. Additional, albeit limited, evidence suggests that, in certain circumstances, continuing a therapy beyond disease progression can also have antitumour activity. In this Review, we describe the anticancer agents used in these treatment strategies and discuss the potential mechanisms explaining the apparent tumour re-sensitization with reintroduced or continued therapy. The extensive number of malignancies and drugs that challenge the custom of permanently switching to different drugs at each line of therapy warrants a more in-depth examination of the definitions of disease progression and drug resistance and the resulting implications for patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Kuczynski
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
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35
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Abstract
The established dogma in oncology for managing recurrent or refractory disease dictates that therapy is changed at disease progression, because the cancer is assumed to have become drug-resistant. Drug resistance, whether pre-existing or acquired, is largely thought to be a stable and heritable process; thus, reuse of therapeutic agents that have failed is generally contraindicated. Over the past few decades, clinical evidence has suggested a role for unstable, non-heritable mechanisms of acquired drug resistance pertaining to chemotherapy and targeted agents. There are many examples of circumstances where patients respond to reintroduction of the same therapy (drug rechallenge) after a drug holiday following disease relapse or progression during therapy. Additional, albeit limited, evidence suggests that, in certain circumstances, continuing a therapy beyond disease progression can also have antitumour activity. In this Review, we describe the anticancer agents used in these treatment strategies and discuss the potential mechanisms explaining the apparent tumour re-sensitization with reintroduced or continued therapy. The extensive number of malignancies and drugs that challenge the custom of permanently switching to different drugs at each line of therapy warrants a more in-depth examination of the definitions of disease progression and drug resistance and the resulting implications for patient care.
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36
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Kancha RK, Bartosch N, Duyster J. Analysis of conformational determinants underlying HSP90-kinase interaction. PLoS One 2013; 8:e68394. [PMID: 23844194 PMCID: PMC3699556 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2013] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of HSP90 in stabilization of oncogenic tyrosine kinases made it an attractive therapeutic target for treating cancer but the molecular basis underlying the interaction between the HSP90 chaperone and client kinases is not elucidated yet. Using kinase inhibitors we show that the inactive conformation of ERBB2 does not interact with HSP90 chaperone and is thus not amenable to degradation upon HSP90 inhibitor treatment, while active ERBB2 kinase conformation promotes interaction with the HSP90 machinery and thus is degraded upon HSP90 inhibitor treatment. Interestingly, the kinase-chaperone interaction is disrupted in case of BCR-ABL and FLT3-ITD when bound to inhibitors irrespective of whether they block the kinase in an active or inactive conformation and thus our results indicate that the stability of the active kinase conformation varies between different kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rama Krishna Kancha
- Department Medicine I, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Natalie Bartosch
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Justus Duyster
- Department Medicine I, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Lainey E, Wolfromm A, Marie N, Enot D, Scoazec M, Bouteloup C, Leroy C, Micol JB, De Botton S, Galluzzi L, Fenaux P, Kroemer G. Azacytidine and erlotinib exert synergistic effects against acute myeloid leukemia. Oncogene 2012; 32:4331-42. [DOI: 10.1038/onc.2012.469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2012] [Revised: 08/17/2012] [Accepted: 08/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Abstract
Internal tandem duplication (ITD) of the fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) gene is a gain-of-function mutation common in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). It is associated with inferior prognosis and response to chemotherapy. Single base mutations at the FLT3 tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) also leads to a gain of function, although its prognostic significance is less well defined because of its rarity. The clinical benefits of FLT3 inhibition are generally limited to AML with FLT3-ITD. However, responses are transient and leukaemia progression invariably occurs. There is compelling evidence that leukaemia clones carrying both ITD and TKD mutations appear when resistance to FLT3 inhibitors occurs. Interestingly, the emergence of double ITD and TKD mutants can be recapitulated in vitro when FLT3-ITD+ leukaemia cell lines are treated with mutagens and FLT3 inhibitors. Furthermore, murine xenotransplantation models also suggest that, in some cases, the FTL3-ITD and TKD double mutants actually exist in minute amounts before treatment with FLT3 inhibitors, expand under the selection pressure of FLT3 inhibition and become the predominant resistant clone(s) during the drug-refractory phase. On the basis of this model of clonal evolution, a multipronged strategy using more potent FLT3 inhibitors, and a combinatorial approach targeting both FLT3-dependent and FLT3-independent pathways, will be needed to improve outcome.
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39
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Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogenous disease with multiple signaling pathways contributing to its pathogenesis. A key driver of AML is the FMS-like tyrosine kinase receptor-3 (FLT3). Activating mutations in FLT3, primarily the FLT3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD), are associated with decreased progression-free and overall survival. Identification of the importance of FLT3-ITD and the FLT3 pathway in the prognosis of patients with AML has stimulated efforts to develop therapeutic inhibitors of FLT3. Although these inhibitors have shown promising antileukemic activity, they have had limited efficacy to date as single agents and may require use in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapies. Here, we review clinical and preclinical results for the clinically mature FLT3 inhibitors currently in development. We conclude that multitargeted FLT3 inhibitors may have more utility earlier in the course of disease, when in vitro evidence suggests that AML cells are less dependent on FLT3 signaling, perhaps because of upregulation of multiple other signaling pathways. More potent agents may have greater utility in relapsed and heavily pretreated patients, in whom high levels of circulating FLT3 ligand may necessitate use of an agent with a very favorable pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile. Novel combination regimens are also discussed.
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