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Ren Y, Li G, Li E, Deng K, Lian J, Gao Q, Wang H, Wang X, Wang Z, Shen T, Jiang Z, Li X, Qiu G. Luteolin blocks the ROS/PI3K/AKT pathway to inhibit mesothelial-mesenchymal transition and reduce abdominal adhesions. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 964:176272. [PMID: 38110140 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postoperative abdominal adhesion (PAA) is a common postoperative complication. Clinically, various methods have been used to prevent the occurrence of PAA, such as drugs and physiotherapy; however, no satisfactory results have been obtained. Luteolin (LUT) is a natural flavonoid that reduces inflammation and acts as an antioxidant. This research aimed to examine the impact and mechanism of LUT in reducing PAA. METHODS C57/BL6 mice were used in vivo experiments. PAA model was established using a brush friction method. Visual scoring and hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to score the severity of adhesions. Network pharmacology was used to infer potential targets and core pathways of LUT. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was used to induce oxidative stress in vitro, while the reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay kit was used to evaluate oxidative stress levels. Western blotting, cell immunofluorescence, and multiple immunofluorescence assays were used to detect α-SMA, vimentin, E-cadherin, collagen I, or AKT phosphorylation level. Scratch assay was used to detect cell migration. RESULTS LUT reduced the degree of PAA in mice. It attenuated H2O2-induced ROS production and reversed mesothelial-mesenchymal transition (MMT) in HMrSV5 cells. Network pharmacology analysis showed that LUT likely exerted anti-adhesion activity by regulating the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Phosphorylated Akt levels were significantly reduced in LUT-treated HMrSV5 cells. LUT also significantly reduced the expression of vimentin and collagen I in adherent tissues and upregulated E-cadherin expression. CONCLUSION LUT blocks the ROS/PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby inhibiting MMT and reducing PAA. To this end, LUT has potential in PAA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Ren
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Gan Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Enmeng Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kai Deng
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jie Lian
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qi Gao
- Department of General Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an Medical University, 710061 Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Huijun Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xingjie Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zijun Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tianli Shen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhengdong Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xuqi Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China; Department of Talent Highland, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Guanglin Qiu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China.
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2
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Amiri S, Rabbani-Chadegani A, Davoodi J, Fakhrabadi HG. Restoration of MiR-34a Expression by 5-Azacytidine Augments Alimta -Induced Cell Death in Non-Small Lung Cancer Cells by Downregulation of HMG B1, A2 and Bcl-2 Pathway. CELL JOURNAL 2021; 23:674-683. [PMID: 34939761 PMCID: PMC8665979 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2021.7332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alimta (Pemetrexed) as an antifolate drug has been approved for the treatment of lung cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the combination effect of 5-Azacytidine (5-aza) and Alimta on the miR-34a and its target genes expression and induction of apoptotic cell death in non-small lung cancer A549 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this experimental study, lung cancer A549 cells were treated with various concentrations of Alimta alone and combined with 5-Aza. Then, viability was assessed by trypan blue and MTT assays. mRNA expressions were performed by real time-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot. Flow cytometry used to detect apoptotic/ necrotic cells and cell cycle arrest. RESULTS Alimta alone reduced viability of the cells in a dose dependent manner with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 12 μM. Pretreatment of the cells with 5-aza (5 μM) induced a synergistic cytotoxic effect with IC50 of 3 μM. Sequential exposure of the cells to 5-aza and Alimta enhanced miR-34a expression and significantly downregulated HMGB1, HMGA2 and BCL-2 expressions. Also, it was associated with reduction of nuclear HMGB1 and HMGA2 content. Caspase-3 activation, HMGB1 release into extracellular space and staining of the cells with annexine V/PI suggested that 5-aza reduced late apoptotic/necrotic cell death induced by Alimta. In addition, combination of 5-aza and Alimta arrested the cells at S and sub-G1 phases and inhibited colony formation. CONCLUSION 5-aza synergistically enhances Alimta induced apoptotic cell death through HMG proteins regulation, MIR34A gene expression and intrinsic apoptosis mechanism, providing a promising combination therapy in clinical lung cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Azra Rabbani-Chadegani
- P.O.Box: 13145-1384Department of BiochemistryInstitute of Biochemistry and BiophysicsUniversity of TehranTehranIran
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3
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Gong B, Zhang J, Hua Z, Liu Z, Thiele CJ, Li Z. Downregulation of ATXN3 Enhances the Sensitivity to AKT Inhibitors (Perifosine or MK-2206), but Decreases the Sensitivity to Chemotherapeutic Drugs (Etoposide or Cisplatin) in Neuroblastoma Cells. Front Oncol 2021; 11:686898. [PMID: 34322387 PMCID: PMC8311598 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.686898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chemotherapy resistance is the major cause of failure in neuroblastoma (NB) treatment. ATXN3 has been linked to various types of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases; however, its roles in NB have not been established. The aim of our study was to explore the role of ATXN3 in the cell death induced by AKT inhibitor (perifosine or MK-2206) or chemotherapy drugs (etoposide or cisplatin) in NB cells. Methods The expressions of ATXN3 and BCL-2 family members were detected by Western blot. Cell survival was evaluated by CCK8, cell confluence was measured by IncuCyte, and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. AS and BE2 were treated with AKT inhibitors or chemotherapeutics, respectively. Results Downregulation of ATXN3 did not block, but significantly increased the perifosine/MK-2206-induced cell death. Among the BCL-2 family members, the expression of pro-apoptotic protein BIM and anti-proapoptotic protein Bcl-xl expression increased significantly when ATXN3 was down-regulated. Downregulation of BIM protected NB cells from the combination of perifosine/MK-2206 and ATXN3 downregulation. Downregulation of ATXN3 did not increase, but decrease the sensitivity of NB cells to etoposide/cisplatin, and knockdown of Bcl-xl attenuated this decrease in sensitivity. Conclusion Downregulation of ATXN3 enhanced AKT inhibitors (perifosine or MK-2206) induced cell death by BIM, but decreased the cell death induced by chemotherapeutic drugs (etoposide or cisplatin) via Bcl-xl. The expression of ATXN3 may be an indicator in selecting different treatment regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baocheng Gong
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environment and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jinhua Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhongyan Hua
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environment and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhihui Liu
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Section, Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Carol J Thiele
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Section, Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Zhijie Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environment and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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4
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Advani D, Sharma S, Kumari S, Ambasta RK, Kumar P. Precision Oncology, Signaling and Anticancer Agents in Cancer Therapeutics. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2021; 22:433-468. [PMID: 33687887 DOI: 10.2174/1871520621666210308101029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global alliance for genomics and healthcare facilities provides innovational solutions to expedite research and clinical practices for complex and incurable health conditions. Precision oncology is an emerging field explicitly tailored to facilitate cancer diagnosis, prevention and treatment based on patients' genetic profile. Advancements in "omics" techniques, next-generation sequencing, artificial intelligence and clinical trial designs provide a platform for assessing the efficacy and safety of combination therapies and diagnostic procedures. METHOD Data were collected from Pubmed and Google scholar using keywords: "Precision medicine", "precision medicine and cancer", "anticancer agents in precision medicine" and reviewed comprehensively. RESULTS Personalized therapeutics including immunotherapy, cancer vaccines, serve as a groundbreaking solution for cancer treatment. Herein, we take a measurable view of precision therapies and novel diagnostic approaches targeting cancer treatment. The contemporary applications of precision medicine have also been described along with various hurdles identified in the successful establishment of precision therapeutics. CONCLUSION This review highlights the key breakthroughs related to immunotherapies, targeted anticancer agents, and target interventions related to cancer signaling mechanisms. The success story of this field in context to drug resistance, safety, patient survival and in improving quality of life is yet to be elucidated. We conclude that, in the near future, the field of individualized treatments may truly revolutionize the nature of cancer patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dia Advani
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi 110042. India
| | - Sudhanshu Sharma
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi 110042. India
| | - Smita Kumari
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi 110042. India
| | - Rashmi K Ambasta
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi 110042. India
| | - Pravir Kumar
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi 110042. India
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5
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Kaleağasıoğlu F, Zaharieva MM, Konstantinov SM, Berger MR. Alkylphospholipids are Signal Transduction Modulators with Potential for Anticancer Therapy. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2019; 19:66-91. [PMID: 30318001 DOI: 10.2174/1871520618666181012093056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alkylphospholipids (APLs) are synthetically derived from cell membrane components, which they target and thus modify cellular signalling and cause diverse effects. This study reviews the mechanism of action of anticancer, antiprotozoal, antibacterial and antiviral activities of ALPs, as well as their clinical use. METHODS A literature search was used as the basis of this review. RESULTS ALPs target lipid rafts and alter phospholipase D and C signalling cascades, which in turn will modulate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathways. By feedback coupling, the SAPK/JNK signalling chain is also affected. These changes lead to a G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and subsequently induce programmed cell death. The available knowledge on inhibition of AKT phosphorylation, mTOR phosphorylation and Raf down-regulation renders ALPs as attractive candidates for modern medical treatment, which is based on individualized diagnosis and therapy. Corresponding to their unusual profile of activities, their side effects result from cholinomimetic activity mainly and focus on the gastrointestinal tract. These aspects together with their bone marrow sparing features render APCs well suited for modern combination therapy. Although the clinical success has been limited in cancer diseases so far, the use of miltefosine against leishmaniosis is leading the way to better understanding their optimized use. CONCLUSION Recent synthetic programs generate congeners with the increased therapeutic ratio, liposomal formulations, as well as diapeutic (or theranostic) derivatives with optimized properties. It is anticipated that these innovative modifications will pave the way for the further successful development of ALPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferda Kaleağasıoğlu
- Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Mersin 10, Turkey
| | - Maya M Zaharieva
- Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Infectious Microbiology, The "Stephan Angeloff" Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Spiro M Konstantinov
- Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacotherapy and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Martin R Berger
- Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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6
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Xu WF, Liu F, Ma YC, Qian ZR, Shi L, Mu H, Ding F, Fu XQ, Li XH. Baicalin Regulates Proliferation, Apoptosis, Migration, and Invasion in Mesothelioma. Med Sci Monit 2019; 25:8172-8180. [PMID: 31670317 PMCID: PMC6844144 DOI: 10.12659/msm.919872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Baicalin, one of the main bioactive components extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine baical Skullcap root, has an anti-tumor activity which had been studied in several cancers. However, its role in human mesothelioma remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor mechanisms of baicalin in the mesothelioma cell line MESO924. Material/Methods Effects of baicalin on mesothelioma were assessed by measuring cell viability, apoptosis, migration, invasion, inactivation of signaling intermediates, and cell-cycle alterations. Results Baicalin inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of human mesothelioma cells and increased their apoptosis, all in a dose-dependent manner. Specifically, baicalin decreased the expression of p-EGFR, p-AKT, p-MAPK, p-S6, Bcl-2, and VEGF and increased the expression of Bax in mesothelioma cells. The suppressed mesothelioma cellular proliferation is due to the arrest of the S cell cycle by baicalin. Inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by a PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitor augmented the anti-proliferation effects induced by baicalin. In addition, baicalin increased the sensitivity of MESO924 to the chemotherapeutic drugs doxorubicin, cisplatin, and pemetrexed. Conclusions These results highlight the roles of baicalin in inhibiting cell growth, migration, and invasion of mesothelioma cells while increasing apoptosis and sensitizing cells to chemotherapeutic agents through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, which indicates that baicalin could be a useful drug for mesothelioma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Fei Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China (mainland).,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Feng Liu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Yi-Cong Ma
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Zhi-Rong Qian
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China (mainland)
| | - Long Shi
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Hang Mu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Feng Ding
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Xue-Qi Fu
- College of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China (mainland)
| | - Xu-Hui Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
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7
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Bjune K, Wierød L, Naderi S. Inhibitors of AKT kinase increase LDL receptor mRNA expression by two different mechanisms. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218537. [PMID: 31216345 PMCID: PMC6583949 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein kinase B (AKT) is a serine/threonine kinase that functions as an important downstream effector of phosphoinositide 3-kinase. We have recently shown that MK-2206 and triciribine, two highly selective AKT inhibitors increase the level of low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) mRNA which leads to increased amount of cell-surface LDLRs. However, whereas MK-2206 induces transcription of the LDLR gene, triciribine stabilizes LDLR mRNA, raising the possibility that the two inhibitors may actually affect other kinases than AKT. In this study, we aimed to ascertain the role of AKT in regulation of LDLR mRNA expression by examining the effect of five additional AKT inhibitors on LDLR mRNA levels. Here we show that in cultured HepG2 cells, AKT inhibitors ARQ-092, AKT inhibitor VIII, perifosine, AT7867 and CCT128930 increase LDLR mRNA levels by inducing the activity of LDLR promoter. CCT128930 also increased the stability of LDLR mRNA. To study the role of AKT isoforms on LDLR mRNA levels, we examined the effect of siRNA-mediated knockdown of AKT1 or AKT2 on LDLR promoter activity and LDLR mRNA stability. Whereas knockdown of either AKT1 or AKT2 led to upregulation of LDLR promoter activity, only knockdown of AKT2 had a stabilizing effect on LDLR mRNA. Taken together, these results provide strong evidence for involvement of AKT in regulation of LDLR mRNA expression, and point towards the AKT isoform specificity for upregulation of LDLR mRNA expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrine Bjune
- Unit for Cardiac and Cardiovascular Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Lene Wierød
- Unit for Cardiac and Cardiovascular Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Soheil Naderi
- Unit for Cardiac and Cardiovascular Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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8
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Galani V, Varouktsi A, Papadatos SS, Mitselou A, Sainis I, Constantopoulos S, Dalavanga Y. The role of apoptosis defects in malignant mesothelioma pathogenesis with an impact on prognosis and treatment. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2019; 84:241-253. [DOI: 10.1007/s00280-019-03878-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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9
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Barati Bagherabad M, Afzaljavan F, ShahidSales S, Hassanian SM, Avan A. Targeted therapies in pancreatic cancer: Promises and failures. J Cell Biochem 2018; 120:2726-2741. [PMID: 28703890 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an incidence rate nearly equal to its mortality rate. The poor prognosis of the disease can be explained by the absence of effective biomarkers for screening and early detection, together with the aggressive behavior and resistance to the currently available chemotherapy. The therapeutic failure can also be attributed to the inter-/intratumor genetic heterogeneity and the abundance of tumor stroma that occupies the majority of the tumor mass. Gemcitabine is used in the treatment of PDAC; however, the response rate is less than 12%. A recent phase III trial revealed that the combination of oxaliplatin, irinotecan, fluorouracil, and leucovorin could be an option for the treatment of metastatic PDAC patients with good performance status, although these approaches can result in high toxicity level. Further investigations are required to develop innovative anticancer agents that either improve gemcitabine activity, within novel combinatorial approaches or acts with a better efficacy than gemcitabine. The aim of the current review is to give an overview of preclinical and clinical studies targeting key dysregulated signaling pathways in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matineh Barati Bagherabad
- Department of Modern Sciences and Technologies, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Afzaljavan
- Department of Modern Sciences and Technologies, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Soodabeh ShahidSales
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Mahdi Hassanian
- Metabolic syndrome Research center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Avan
- Metabolic syndrome Research center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Molecular Medicine group, Department of Modern Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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10
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Rossini M, Rizzo P, Bononi I, Clementz A, Ferrari R, Martini F, Tognon MG. New Perspectives on Diagnosis and Therapy of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. Front Oncol 2018; 8:91. [PMID: 29666782 PMCID: PMC5891579 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare, but severe form of cancer, with an incidence that varies significantly within and among different countries around the world. It develops in about one to two persons per million of the general population, leading to thousands of deaths every year worldwide. To date, the MPM is mostly associated with occupational asbestos exposure. Asbestos represents the predominant etiological factor, with approximately 70% of cases of MPM with well-documented occupational exposure to asbestos, with the exposure time, on average greater than 40 years. Environmental exposure to asbestos is increasingly becoming recognized as a cause of mesothelioma, together with gene mutations. The possible roles of other cofactors, such as viral infection and radiation exposure, are still debated. MPM is a fatal tumor. This cancer arises during its early phase without clinical signs. Consequently, its diagnosis occurs at advanced stages. Standard clinical therapeutic approaches include surgery, chemo- and radiotherapies. Preclinical and clinical researches are making great strides in the field of this deadly disease, identifying new biomarkers and innovative therapeutic approaches. Among the newly identified markers and potential therapeutic targets, circulating microRNAs and the Notch pathway represent promising avenues that could result in the early detection of the tumor and novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Rossini
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pathology, Oncology and Experimental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paola Rizzo
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pathology, Oncology and Experimental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Ilaria Bononi
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pathology, Oncology and Experimental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Anthony Clementz
- Department of Natural Sciences and Geography, Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, IL, United States
| | - Roberto Ferrari
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Internal Medicine and Cardiorespiratory, School of Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,E.S. Health Science Foundation, GVM Care & Research, Maria Cecilia Hospital, Cotignola, Italy
| | - Fernanda Martini
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pathology, Oncology and Experimental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Mauro G Tognon
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pathology, Oncology and Experimental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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11
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Pinton G, Zonca S, Manente AG, Cavaletto M, Borroni E, Daga A, Jithesh PV, Fennell D, Nilsson S, Moro L. SIRT1 at the crossroads of AKT1 and ERβ in malignant pleural mesothelioma cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:14366-79. [PMID: 26885609 PMCID: PMC4924721 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In this report, we show that malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) patients whose tumors express high levels of AKT1 exhibit a significantly worse prognosis, whereas no significant correlation with AKT3 expression is observed. We provide data that establish a phosphorylation independent role of AKT1 in affecting MPM cell shape and anchorage independent cell growth in vitro and highlight the AKT1 isoform-specific nature of these effects. We describe that AKT1 activity is inhibited by the loss of SIRT1-mediated deacetylation and identify, by mass spectrometry, 11 unique proteins that interact with acetylated AKT1. Our data demonstrate a role of the AKT1/SIRT1/FOXM1 axis in the expression of the tumor suppressor ERβ. We further demonstrate an inhibitory feedback loop by ERβ, activated by the selective agonist KB9520, on this axis both in vitro and in vivo. Our data broaden the current knowledge of ERβ and AKT isoform-specific functions that could be valuable in the design of novel and effective therapeutic strategies for MPM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Pinton
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Sara Zonca
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Arcangela G Manente
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Maria Cavaletto
- Department of Sciences and Technological Innovation, University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", 15121 Alessandria, Italy
| | - Ester Borroni
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Antonio Daga
- Department of Integrated Oncological Therapies, IRCCS San Martino-IST, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Puthen V Jithesh
- Division of Biomedical Informatics Research, Sidra Medical and Research Center, 26999 Doha, Qatar
| | - Dean Fennell
- Department of Cancer Studies, Cancer Research UK Leicester Centre, University of Leicester, LE1 7RH Leicester, UK
| | - Stefan Nilsson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, S-141 57 Huddinge, Sweden.,Karo Bio AB, Novum, S-141 57 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Laura Moro
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", 28100 Novara, Italy
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12
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Yamaji M, Ota A, Wahiduzzaman M, Karnan S, Hyodo T, Konishi H, Tsuzuki S, Hosokawa Y, Haniuda M. Novel ATP-competitive Akt inhibitor afuresertib suppresses the proliferation of malignant pleural mesothelioma cells. Cancer Med 2017; 6:2646-2659. [PMID: 28960945 PMCID: PMC5673922 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), an asbestos-related occupational disease, is an aggressive and incurable tumor of the thoracic cavity. Despite recent advances in MPM treatment, overall survival of patients with MPM is very low. Recent studies have implicated that PI3K/Akt signaling is involved in MPM cell survival and development. To investigate the effects of Akt inhibitors on MPM cell survival, we examined the effects of nine selective Akt inhibitors, namely, afuresertib, Akti-1/2, AZD5363, GSK690693, ipatasertib, MK-2206, perifosine, PHT-427, and TIC10, on six MPM cell lines, namely, ACC-MESO-4, Y-MESO-8A, MSTO-211H, NCI-H28, NCI-H290, and NCI-H2052, and a normal mesothelial cell line MeT-5A. Comparison of IC50 values of the Akt inhibitors showed that afuresertib, an ATP-competitive specific Akt inhibitor, exerted tumor-specific effects on MPM cells. Afuresertib significantly increased caspase-3 and caspase-7 activities and apoptotic cell number among ACC-MESO-4 and MSTO-211H cells. Moreover, afuresertib strongly arrested the cell cycle in the G1 phase. Western blotting analysis showed that afuresertib increased the expression of p21WAF1/CIP1 and decreased the phosphorylation of Akt substrates, including GSK-3β and FOXO family proteins. These results suggest that afuresertib-induced p21 expression promotes G1 phase arrest by inducing FOXO activity. Furthermore, afuresertib significantly enhanced cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity. Interestingly, results of gene set enrichment analysis showed that afuresertib modulated the expression E2F1 and MYC, which are associated with fibroblast core serum response. Together, these results suggest that afuresertib is a useful anticancer drug for treating patients with MPM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Yamaji
- Division of Chest Surgery, Department of Surgery, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan.,Department of Biochemistry, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan
| | - Akinobu Ota
- Department of Biochemistry, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan
| | - Md Wahiduzzaman
- Department of Biochemistry, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan
| | - Sivasundaram Karnan
- Department of Biochemistry, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan
| | - Toshinori Hyodo
- Department of Biochemistry, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Konishi
- Department of Biochemistry, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan
| | - Shinobu Tsuzuki
- Department of Biochemistry, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Hosokawa
- Department of Biochemistry, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan
| | - Masayuki Haniuda
- Division of Chest Surgery, Department of Surgery, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan
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13
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Massihnia D, Avan A, Funel N, Maftouh M, van Krieken A, Granchi C, Raktoe R, Boggi U, Aicher B, Minutolo F, Russo A, Leon LG, Peters GJ, Giovannetti E. Phospho-Akt overexpression is prognostic and can be used to tailor the synergistic interaction of Akt inhibitors with gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer. J Hematol Oncol 2017; 10:9. [PMID: 28061880 PMCID: PMC5219723 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-016-0371-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is increasing evidence of a constitutive activation of Akt in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), associated with poor prognosis and chemoresistance. Therefore, we evaluated the expression of phospho-Akt in PDAC tissues and cells, and investigated molecular mechanisms influencing the therapeutic potential of Akt inhibition in combination with gemcitabine. Methods Phospho-Akt expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays (TMAs) with specimens tissue from radically-resected patients (n = 100). Data were analyzed by Fisher and log-rank test. In vitro studies were performed in 14 PDAC cells, including seven primary cultures, characterized for their Akt1 mRNA and phospho-Akt/Akt levels by quantitative-RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. Growth inhibitory effects of Akt inhibitors and gemcitabine were evaluated by SRB assay, whereas modulation of Akt and phospho-Akt was investigated by Western blotting and ELISA. Cell cycle perturbation, apoptosis-induction, and anti-migratory behaviors were studied by flow cytometry, AnnexinV, membrane potential, and migration assay, while pharmacological interaction with gemcitabine was determined with combination index (CI) method. Results Immunohistochemistry of TMAs revealed a correlation between phospho-Akt expression and worse outcome, particularly in patients with the highest phospho-Akt levels, who had significantly shorter overall and progression-free-survival. Similar expression levels were detected in LPC028 primary cells, while LPC006 were characterized by low phospho-Akt. Remarkably, Akt inhibitors reduced cancer cell growth in monolayers and spheroids and synergistically enhanced the antiproliferative activity of gemcitabine in LPC028, while this combination was antagonistic in LPC006 cells. The synergistic effect was paralleled by a reduced expression of ribonucleotide reductase, potentially facilitating gemcitabine cytotoxicity. Inhibition of Akt decreased cell migration and invasion, which was additionally reduced by the combination with gemcitabine. This combination significantly increased apoptosis, associated with induction of caspase-3/6/8/9, PARP and BAD, and inhibition of Bcl-2 and NF-kB in LPC028, but not in LPC006 cells. However, targeting the key glucose transporter Glut1 resulted in similar apoptosis induction in LPC006 cells. Conclusions These data support the analysis of phospho-Akt expression as both a prognostic and a predictive biomarker, for the rational development of new combination therapies targeting the Akt pathway in PDAC. Finally, inhibition of Glut1 might overcome resistance to these therapies and warrants further studies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13045-016-0371-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Massihnia
- Department of Medical Oncology VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, CCA room 1.52, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Section of Medical Oncology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Amir Avan
- Metabolic syndrome Research center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Niccola Funel
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, AIRC Start Up Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mina Maftouh
- Department of Medical Oncology VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, CCA room 1.52, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anne van Krieken
- Department of Medical Oncology VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, CCA room 1.52, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Rajiv Raktoe
- Department of Medical Oncology VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, CCA room 1.52, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ugo Boggi
- Department of Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Babette Aicher
- Æterna Zentaris GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Antonio Russo
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, Section of Medical Oncology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Leticia G Leon
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, AIRC Start Up Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Godefridus J Peters
- Department of Medical Oncology VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, CCA room 1.52, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, CCA room 1.52, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Cancer Pharmacology Lab, AIRC Start Up Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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14
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Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that occurs most commonly in the pleural space and is incurable. Increasing evidence suggests that aberrant receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)-directed signalling plays a key role in the pathogenesis of this cancer. In the majority of mesotheliomas, up-regulated expression or signalling by Met, the receptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) can be demonstrated. Following binding of ligand, Met relays signals that promote cell survival, proliferation, movement, invasiveness, branching morphogenesis and angiogenesis. Here we describe the HGF/Met axis and review the mechanisms that lead to the aberrant activation of this signalling system in mesothelioma. We also describe the cross-talk that occurs between HGF/Met and a number of other receptors, ligands and co-receptor systems. The prevalent occurrence of HGF/Met dysregulation in patients with mesothelioma sets the scene for the investigation of pharmaceutical inhibitors of this axis. In light of the inter-relationship between HGF/Met and other ligand receptor, combinatorial targeting strategies may provide opportunities for therapeutic advancement in this challenging tumour.
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15
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Nabavi N, Bennewith KL, Churg A, Wang Y, Collins CC, Mutti L. Switching off malignant mesothelioma: exploiting the hypoxic microenvironment. Genes Cancer 2016; 7:340-354. [PMID: 28191281 PMCID: PMC5302036 DOI: 10.18632/genesandcancer.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant mesotheliomas are aggressive, asbestos-related cancers with poor patient prognosis, typically arising in the mesothelial surfaces of tissues in pleural and peritoneal cavity. The relative unspecific symptoms of mesotheliomas, misdiagnoses, and lack of precise targeted therapies call for a more critical assessment of this disease. In the present review, we categorize commonly identified genomic aberrations of mesotheliomas into their canonical pathways and discuss targeting these pathways in the context of tumor hypoxia, a hallmark of cancer known to render solid tumors more resistant to radiation and most chemo-therapy. We then explore the concept that the intrinsic hypoxic microenvironment of mesotheliomas can be Achilles' heel for targeted, multimodal therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noushin Nabavi
- Laboratory for Advanced Genome Analysis, Vancouver Prostate Centre, BC, Canada
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Agency, BC, Canada
| | - Kevin L. Bennewith
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Agency, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada
| | - Andrew Churg
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada
| | - Yuzhuo Wang
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Agency, BC, Canada
| | - Colin C. Collins
- Laboratory for Advanced Genome Analysis, Vancouver Prostate Centre, BC, Canada
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada
| | - Luciano Mutti
- Italian Group for Research and Therapy for Mesothelioma (GIMe) & School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom
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16
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Avan A, Narayan R, Giovannetti E, Peters GJ. Role of Akt signaling in resistance to DNA-targeted therapy. World J Clin Oncol 2016; 7:352-369. [PMID: 27777878 PMCID: PMC5056327 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v7.i5.352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Akt signal transduction pathway controls most hallmarks of cancer. Activation of the Akt cascade promotes a malignant phenotype and is also widely implicated in drug resistance. Therefore, the modulation of Akt activity is regarded as an attractive strategy to enhance the efficacy of cancer therapy and irradiation. This pathway consists of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), mammalian target of rapamycin, and the transforming serine-threonine kinase Akt protein isoforms, also known as protein kinase B. DNA-targeted agents, such as platinum agents, taxanes, and antimetabolites, as well as radiation have had a significant impact on cancer treatment by affecting DNA replication, which is aberrantly activated in malignancies. However, the caveat is that they may also trigger the activation of repairing mechanisms, such as upstream and downstream cascade of Akt survival pathway. Thus, each target can theoretically be inhibited in view of improving the potency of conventional treatment. Akt inhibitors, e.g., MK-2206 and perifosine, or PI3K modulators, e.g., LY294002 and Wortmannin, have shown some promising results in favor of sensitizing the cancer cells to the therapy in vitro and in vivo, which have provided the rationale for incorporation of these novel agents into multimodality treatment of different malignancies. Nevertheless, despite the acceptable safety profile of some of these agents in the clinical studies, with regard to the efficacy, the results are still too preliminary. Hence, we need to wait for the upcoming data from the ongoing trials before utilizing them into the standard care of cancer patients.
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17
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Manente AG, Pinton G, Zonca S, Cilli M, Rinaldi M, Daga A, Nilsson S, Moro L. Intracellular lactate-mediated induction of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in biphasic malignant pleural mesothelioma cells. Oncotarget 2016. [PMID: 26208479 PMCID: PMC4694819 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Biphasic malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is the second most common histotype of MPM. It is histologically characterized by the concomitant presence of epithelioid and sarcomatoid features, the latter associated with worse prognosis. In this report we describe that silencing of AKT1 in spindle-shaped biphasic MPM cells promotes the shift toward an epithelioid phenotype. Furthermore, AKT1 silencing resulted in decreased expression of the lactate/H+ symporter MCT4 and its chaperone CD147/Basigin, and in the induction of estrogen receptor β (ERβ) expression. We provide evidence that ERβ expression is induced by increased intracellular lactate concentration. Spheroid culturing and tumor growth of ERβ negative biphasic MPM in nude mice resulted in the induction of ERβ expression and response to the selective agonist KB9520. In both models, the treatment with the ERβ agonist results in reduced cell proliferation, decreased expression of MCT4 and CD147/Basigin and increased acetylation and inactivation of AKT1. Collectively, in response to metabolic changes, ERβ expression is induced and exerts an anti-tumor effect through selective agonist activation. The possibility to reverse the more aggressive biphasic mesothelioma histotype by targeting ERβ with a selective agonist could represent a new effective treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arcangela G Manente
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Giulia Pinton
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Sara Zonca
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", 28100, Novara, Italy
| | | | - Maurizio Rinaldi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", 28100, Novara, Italy
| | | | - Stefan Nilsson
- Karo Bio AB, Novum, S-141 57, Huddinge, Sweden.,Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Novum, S-141 57, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Laura Moro
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", 28100, Novara, Italy
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18
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Bonelli MA, Fumarola C, La Monica S, Alfieri R. New therapeutic strategies for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Biochem Pharmacol 2016; 123:8-18. [PMID: 27431778 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2016.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive malignant disease affecting the mesothelium, commonly associated to asbestos exposure. Therapeutic actions are limited due to the late stage at which most patients are diagnosed and the intrinsic chemo-resistance of the tumor. The recommended systemic therapy for MPM is cisplatin/pemetrexed regimen with a mean overall survival of about 12months and a median progression free survival of less than 6months. Considering that the incidence of this tumor is expected to increase in the next decade and that its prognosis is poor, novel therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. For some tumors, such as lung cancer and breast cancer, druggable oncogenic alterations have been identified and targeted therapy is an important option for these patients. For MPM, clinical guidelines do not recommend biological targeted therapy, mainly because of poor target definition or inappropriate trial design. Further studies are required for a full comprehension of the molecular pathogenesis of MPM and for the development of new target agents. This review updates pre-clinical and clinical data on the efficacy of targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibition in the treatment of mesothelioma. Finally, future perspectives in this deadly disease are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara A Bonelli
- Unit of Experimental Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Claudia Fumarola
- Unit of Experimental Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Silvia La Monica
- Unit of Experimental Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Roberta Alfieri
- Unit of Experimental Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43126 Parma, Italy.
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19
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Analysis of Gene Expression in 3D Spheroids Highlights a Survival Role for ASS1 in Mesothelioma. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150044. [PMID: 26982031 PMCID: PMC4794185 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
To investigate the underlying causes of chemoresistance in malignant pleural mesothelioma, we have studied mesothelioma cell lines as 3D spheroids, which acquire increased chemoresistance compared to 2D monolayers. We asked whether the gene expression of 3D spheroids would reveal mechanisms of resistance. To address this, we measured gene expression of three mesothelioma cell lines, M28, REN and VAMT, grown as 2D monolayers and 3D spheroids. A total of 209 genes were differentially expressed in common by the three cell lines in 3D (138 upregulated and 71 downregulated), although a clear resistance pathway was not apparent. We then compared the list of 3D genes with two publicly available datasets of gene expression of 56 pleural mesotheliomas compared to normal tissues. Interestingly, only three genes were increased in both 3D spheroids and human tumors: argininosuccinate synthase 1 (ASS1), annexin A4 (ANXA4) and major vault protein (MVP); of these, ASS1 was the only consistently upregulated of the three genes by qRT-PCR. To measure ASS1 protein expression, we stained 2 sets of tissue microarrays (TMA): one with 88 pleural mesothelioma samples and the other with additional 88 pleural mesotheliomas paired with matched normal tissues. Of the 176 tumors represented on the two TMAs, ASS1 was expressed in 87 (50%; staining greater than 1 up to 3+). For the paired samples, ASS1 expression in mesothelioma was significantly greater than in the normal tissues. Reduction of ASS1 expression by siRNA significantly sensitized mesothelioma spheroids to the pro-apoptotic effects of bortezomib and of cisplatin plus pemetrexed. Although mesothelioma is considered by many to be an ASS1-deficient tumor, our results show that ASS1 is elevated at the mRNA and protein levels in mesothelioma 3D spheroids and in human pleural mesotheliomas. We also have uncovered a survival role for ASS1, which may be amenable to targeting to undermine mesothelioma multicellular resistance.
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20
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Varesano S, Salvi S, Boccardo S, Ravetti JL, Pistillo MP, Canessa PA, Ferro P, Fedeli F, Roncella S. MET Gene Status in Malignant Mesothelioma Using Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization. J Thorac Oncol 2016; 11:e28-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2015.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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21
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Amantini C, Morelli MB, Santoni M, Soriani A, Cardinali C, Farfariello V, Eleuteri AM, Bonfili L, Mozzicafreddo M, Nabissi M, Cascinu S, Santoni G. Sorafenib induces cathepsin B-mediated apoptosis of bladder cancer cells by regulating the Akt/PTEN pathway. The Akt inhibitor, perifosine, enhances the sorafenib-induced cytotoxicity against bladder cancer cells. Oncoscience 2015; 2:395-409. [PMID: 26097873 PMCID: PMC4468325 DOI: 10.18632/oncoscience.147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been demonstrated to exert anti-tumor effects. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its effects on bladder cancer remain unknown. Here, we evaluated the mechanisms responsible for the sorafenib-induced anti-tumor effects on 5637 and T24 bladder cancer cells. We demonstrated that sorafenib reduces cell viability, stimulates lysosome permeabilization and induces apoptosis of bladder cancer cells. These effects are dependent by the activation of cathepsin B released from lysosomes. The sorafenib-increased cathepsin B activity induced the proteolysis of Bid into tBid that stimulates the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis characterized by mitochondrial membrane depolarization, oxygen radical generation and cytochrome c release. Moreover, we found that cathepsin B enzymatic activity, induced by sorafenib, is dependent on its dephosphorylation via PTEN activation and Akt inactivation. Pretreatment with orthovanadate rescued bladder cancer cells from apoptosis. In addition, the Akt inhibitor perifosine increased the sensitivity of bladder cancer cells to sorafenib-induced cytotoxicity. Overall, our results show that apoptotic cell death induced by sorafenib in bladder cancer cells is dependent on cathepsin B activity and involved PTEN and Akt signaling pathways. The Akt inhibitor perifosine increased the cytotoxic effects of sorafenib in bladder cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Consuelo Amantini
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Maria Beatrice Morelli
- School of Pharmacy, Experimental Medicine Section, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy ; Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Santoni
- Department of Medical Oncology, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Claudio Cardinali
- School of Pharmacy, Experimental Medicine Section, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy ; Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Anna Maria Eleuteri
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Laura Bonfili
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Matteo Mozzicafreddo
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Massimo Nabissi
- School of Pharmacy, Experimental Medicine Section, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Stefano Cascinu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Santoni
- School of Pharmacy, Experimental Medicine Section, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
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22
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Kolev VN, Wright QG, Vidal CM, Ring JE, Shapiro IM, Ricono J, Weaver DT, Padval MV, Pachter JA, Xu Q. PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor VS-5584 preferentially targets cancer stem cells. Cancer Res 2014; 75:446-55. [PMID: 25432176 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-1223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSC) have been implicated in disease recurrence, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance, but effective targeting strategies for these cells are still wanting. VS-5584 is a potent and selective dual inhibitor of mTORC1/2 and class I PI 3-kinases. Here, we report that VS-5584 is up to 30-fold more potent in inhibiting the proliferation and survival of CSC compared with non-CSC in solid tumor cell populations. VS-5584 preferentially diminished CSC levels in multiple mouse xenograft models of human cancer, as evidenced by marked reduction of tumor-initiating capacity in limiting dilution assays. Likewise, VS-5584 treatment ex vivo preferentially reduced CSC in surgically resected breast and ovarian patient tumors. In contrast, chemotherapeutics such as paclitaxel and cisplatin were less effective in targeting CSC than bulk tumor cells. Mechanistic investigations revealed that preferential targeting of CSC required inhibition of multiple components of the PI3K-mTOR pathway: coordinate RNAi-mediated silencing of PI3Kα, PI3Kβ, and mTOR phenocopied the effect of VS-5584, exhibiting the strongest preferential targeting of CSC, while silencing of individual PI3K isoforms or mTOR failed to replicate the effect of VS-5584. Consistent with CSC ablation, VS-5584 delayed tumor regrowth following chemotherapy in xenograft models of small-cell lung cancer. Taken together, the preferential targeting of CSC prompts a new paradigm for clinical testing of VS-5584: clinical trials designed with CSC-directed endpoints may facilitate demonstration of the therapeutic benefit of VS-5584. We suggest that combining VS-5584 with classic chemotherapy that debulks tumors may engender a more effective strategy to achieve durable remissions in patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Qunli Xu
- Verastem Inc., Needham, Massachusetts.
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23
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Pinton G, Manente AG, Daga A, Cilli M, Rinaldi M, Nilsson S, Moro L. Agonist activation of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) sensitizes malignant pleural mesothelioma cells to cisplatin cytotoxicity. Mol Cancer 2014; 13:227. [PMID: 25277603 PMCID: PMC4197308 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-13-227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Estrogen receptor (ER) β acts as a tumor suppressor in malignant mesotheliomas. Methods Here we explored the anti-proliferative and anti-tumorigenic efficacy of the selective ERβ agonist, KB9520, in human mesothelioma cell lines in vitro and in a mesothelioma mouse model in vivo. Results KB9520 showed significant anti-proliferative effect in ERβ positive human malignant pleural mesothelioma cells in vitro. Selective activation of ERβ with KB9520 sensitized the cells to treatment with cisplatin, resulting in enhanced growth inhibition and increased apoptosis. Furthermore, in CD1 nude mice mesothelioma tumor growth was significantly inhibited when KB9520 was added on top of the standard of care chemo combination cisplatin/pemetrexed, as compared to the cisplatin/pemetrexed alone group. Importantly, KB9520 exerted a protective effect to cisplatin toxicity in the non-malignant mesothelium derived MET5A cells. Conclusions Together, the data presented suggest that selective targeting of ERβ may be an efficacious stand-alone treatment option and/or become an important add-on to existing malignant mesothelioma therapy. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1476-4598-13-227) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Laura Moro
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale "A, Avogadro", Lgo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy.
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Zhou S, Liu L, Li H, Eilers G, Kuang Y, Shi S, Yan Z, Li X, Corson JM, Meng F, Zhou H, Sheng Q, Fletcher JA, Ou WB. Multipoint targeting of the PI3K/mTOR pathway in mesothelioma. Br J Cancer 2014; 110:2479-88. [PMID: 24762959 PMCID: PMC4021537 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mesothelioma is a notoriously chemotherapy-resistant neoplasm, as is evident in the dismal overall survival for patients with those of asbestos-associated disease. We previously demonstrated co-activation of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), MET, and AXL in mesothelioma cell lines, suggesting that these kinases could serve as novel therapeutic targets. Although clinical trials have not shown activity for EGFR inhibitors in mesothelioma, concurrent inhibition of various activated RTKs has pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects in mesothelioma cell lines. Thus, we hypothesised that a coordinated network of multi-RTK activation contributes to mesothelioma tumorigenesis. METHODS Activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR, Raf/MAPK, and co-activation of RTKs were evaluated in mesotheliomas. Effects of RTK and downstream inhibitors/shRNAs were assessed by measuring mesothelioma cell viability/growth, apoptosis, activation of signalling intermediates, expression of cell-cycle checkpoints, and cell-cycle alterations. RESULTS We demonstrate activation of the PI3K/AKT/p70S6K and RAF/MEK/MAPK pathways in mesothelioma, but not in non-neoplastic mesothelial cells. The AKT activation, but not MAPK activation, was dependent on coordinated activation of RTKs EGFR, MET, and AXL. In addition, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibition recapitulated the anti-proliferative effects of concurrent inhibition of EGFR, MET, and AXL. Dual targeting of PI3K/mTOR by BEZ235 or a combination of RAD001 and AKT knockdown had a greater effect on mesothelioma proliferation and viability than inhibition of individual activated RTKs or downstream signalling intermediates. Inhibition of PI3K/AKT was also associated with MDM2-p53 cell-cycle regulation. CONCLUSIONS These findings show that PI3K/AKT/mTOR is a crucial survival pathway downstream of multiple activated RTKs in mesothelioma, underscoring that PI3K/mTOR is a compelling target for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Zhou
- 1] Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, China [2] Department of Bioengineering, College of Biology and Chemical Engineering, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China
| | - L Liu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, China
| | - H Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, China
| | - G Eilers
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Y Kuang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - S Shi
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, China
| | - Z Yan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, China
| | - X Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, China
| | - J M Corson
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - F Meng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, China
| | - H Zhou
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, China
| | - Q Sheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - J A Fletcher
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - W-B Ou
- 1] Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Jiaxing, China [2] Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA [3] Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
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NSC126188 induces apoptosis of prostate cancer PC-3 cells through inhibition of Akt membrane translocation, FoxO3a activation, and RhoB transcription. Apoptosis 2013; 19:179-90. [DOI: 10.1007/s10495-013-0905-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Pillai K, Pourgholami MH, Chua TC, Morris DL. Ki67-BCL2 index in prognosis of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Am J Cancer Res 2013; 3:411-423. [PMID: 23977450 PMCID: PMC3744020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/27/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare peritoneal mesothelial neoplasm. Ki67 and BCL2 are established prognostic markers in several cancers. High Ki67 expression indicates tumour progression, whilst similar expression of BCL2 retards tumour replication. Traditionally, prognosis in MPM is gauged with a single biomarker assessed separately in a dichotomous manner. Here, we examine prognosis with dual biomarkers incorporated in a model to predict survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty two MPM archival patient tumours were screened for Ki67 and BCL2 by immunohistochemistry and evaluated using standard methods. Ki67 and BCL2 expression was incorporated into a prognostic model to develop Ki67-BCL2 index. Using this index, three hazard groups were identified (high, medium and low risk). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to assess the significance of these hazard groups in the various clinicopathological categories. RESULTS In all clinicopathological categories, high risk group showed poor prognosis compared to low risk group (p = < 0.001). Compared to medium risk, high risk group carried poor prognosis in all tumours, females, epitheloid tumours, peritoneal cancer index (PCI) < 20, ≥ 20, age at diagnosis (AAD) < 60, and ≥ 60 years. Independent of the Ki67-BCL2 index, male, sarcomatoid, PCI ≥ 20 and AAD ≥ 60 were poor prognostic factors. High risk group was an independent poor prognostic factor in all tumours, males, females and age < 60 years. The distribution of high risk: low risk group in male and female was 3: 2 and 2: 3, respectively, indicating a gender difference. Comparing hazard ratios generated by Ki67-BCL2 index to that of either Ki67 or BCL2, as a single prognostic biomarker, there was a reduction of HR values. CONCLUSION Ki67-BCL2 index seems to suggest a more sensitive method of predicting prognosis. However, the current model needs further evaluation in an independent large cohort sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna Pillai
- Department of Surgery, St. George Hospital, University of New South Wales Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia
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Krawczyk J, Keane N, Swords R, O'Dwyer M, Freeman CL, Giles FJ. Perifosine--a new option in treatment of acute myeloid leukemia? Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2013; 22:1315-27. [PMID: 23931614 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.2013.826648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Perifosine is a novel targeted oral Akt inhibitor. In preclinical leukemia models, perifosine has an independent cytotoxic potential but also synergizes well with other rationally selected targeted agents. The evidence from clinical trials supporting the use of perifosine in the therapy of leukemias is limited. The optimal dose and schedule have yet to be defined. However, given its favorable toxicity profile and mechanism of action, the therapeutic potential of perifosine should be evaluated in well-designed clinical trials. AREAS COVERED The role of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt zpathway in normal cells, cancer and leukemias is discussed. The mechanism of action of perifosine and the basic information on the development and chemical properties are summarized. The evidence from in vivo and in vitro studies is presented. The efficacy and side effect profile are summarized. EXPERT OPINION The safety and tolerability profile of perifosine are satisfactory. The evidence from clinical trials in patients with leukemias is very limited. The preclinical data are encouraging. Perifosine has the potential to play a role in the treatment of leukemias in the future. Its role needs to be confirmed in clinical trials.
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Agarwal E, Brattain MG, Chowdhury S. Cell survival and metastasis regulation by Akt signaling in colorectal cancer. Cell Signal 2013; 25:1711-9. [PMID: 23603750 PMCID: PMC3686084 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2013.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2012] [Revised: 02/23/2013] [Accepted: 03/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Dissemination of cancer cells to distant organ sites is the leading cause of death due to treatment failure in different types of cancer. Mehlen and Puisieux have reviewed the importance of the development of inappropriate cell survival signaling for various steps in the metastatic process and have noted the particular importance of aberrant cell survival to successful colonization at the metastatic site. Therefore, the understanding of mechanisms that govern cell survival fate of these metastatic cells could lead to the understanding of a new paradigm for the control of metastatic potential and could provide the basis for developing novel strategies for the treatment of metastases. Numerous studies have documented the widespread role of Akt in cell survival and metastasis in colorectal cancer, as well as many other types of cancer. Akt acts as a key signaling node that bridges the link between oncogenic receptors to many essential pro-survival cellular functions, and is perhaps the most commonly activated signaling pathway in human cancer. In recent years, Akt2 and Akt3 have emerged as significant contributors to malignancy alongside the well-characterized Akt1 isoform, with distinct non-overlapping functions. This review is aimed at gaining a better understanding of the Akt-driven cell survival mechanisms that contribute to cancer progression and metastasis and the pharmacological inhibitors in clinical trials designed to counter the Akt-driven cell survival responses in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekta Agarwal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Eppley Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Michael G. Brattain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Eppley Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Sanjib Chowdhury
- Eppley Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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Al Sawah E, Chen X, Marchion DC, Xiong Y, Ramirez IJ, Abbasi F, Bou Zgheib N, Chon HS, Wenham RM, Apte SM, Judson PL, Lancaster JM. Perifosine, an AKT inhibitor, modulates ovarian cancer cell line sensitivity to cisplatin-induced growth arrest. Gynecol Oncol 2013; 131:207-12. [PMID: 23877012 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2013.07.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2013] [Revised: 07/12/2013] [Accepted: 07/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES AKT, a key regulator of diverse tumor signaling, is associated with progression of many cancers. Here, we investigated 1) the influence of AKT on survival from ovarian cancer (OVCA), 2) the activity of the AKT inhibitor perifosine ± cisplatin, and 3) the molecular determinants of perifosine-response. Phospho-AKT expression values and Affymetrix U133a expression data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas. METHODS Pearson correlation was used to determine associations between overall survival from OVCA and therapy response. Genes and represented signaling pathways associated with perifosine-response were explored in OVCA cells (n=10) and the NCI60 cancer cell panel. Pathway expressions, modeled by PCA, were evaluated for influences on survival using publically available clinico-genomic datasets. RESULTS Phospho-AKT (serine473) expression correlated with survival from OVCA (P<0.05) and platinum-response (P=0.004). In vitro, perifosine showed anti-proliferative effects against OVCA cells and potentiated cisplatin-induced growth arrest. Perifosine-response was associated with the expression (FDR<0.05) of 7 signaling pathways in OVCA cells and 64 signaling pathways in the NCI60 cell panel. Three pathways were found in common: 1) Cytoskeleton remodeling/cytoskeleton remodeling (cyto), 2) cell adhesion/chemokines and adhesion (chemokines), and 3) cytoskeleton remodeling/TGF-WNT (TGF-WNT). The TGF-WNT was associated with survival from OVCA (P=0.0055). CONCLUSIONS AKT signaling is an important determinant of OVCA response to chemotherapy and overall patient survival. Our data provide insight into the molecular basis to perifosine activity and identifies pathways associated with perifosine sensitivity and patient clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Entidhar Al Sawah
- Department of Women's Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; Experimental Therapeutics Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
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Pinton G, Manente AG, Tavian D, Moro L, Mutti L. Therapies currently in Phase II trials for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2013; 22:1255-63. [DOI: 10.1517/13543784.2013.816281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Yuan BZ, Chapman J, Ding M, Wang J, Jiang B, Rojanasakul Y, Reynolds SH. TRAIL and proteasome inhibitors combination induces a robust apoptosis in human malignant pleural mesothelioma cells through Mcl-1 and Akt protein cleavages. BMC Cancer 2013; 13:140. [PMID: 23517112 PMCID: PMC3665596 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2012] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive malignancy closely associated with asbestos exposure and extremely resistant to current treatments. It exhibits a steady increase in incidence, thus necessitating an urgent development of effective new treatments. METHODS Proteasome inhibitors (PIs) and TNFα-Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL), have emerged as promising new anti-MPM agents. To develop effective new treatments, the proapoptotic effects of PIs, MG132 or Bortezomib, and TRAIL were investigated in MPM cell lines NCI-H2052, NCI-H2452 and NCI-H28, which represent three major histological types of human MPM. RESULTS Treatment with 0.5-1 μM MG132 alone or 30 ng/mL Bortezomib alone induced a limited apoptosis in MPM cells associated with the elevated Mcl-1 protein level and hyperactive PI3K/Akt signaling. However, whereas 10-20 ng/ml TRAIL alone induced a limited apoptosis as well, TRAIL and PI combination triggered a robust apoptosis in all three MPM cell lines. The robust proapoptotic activity was found to be the consequence of a positive feedback mechanism-governed amplification of caspase activation and cleavage of both Mcl-1 and Akt proteins, and exhibited a relative selectivity in MPM cells than in non-tumorigenic Met-5A mesothelial cells. CONCLUSION The combinatorial treatment using TRAIL and PI may represent an effective new treatment for MPMs.
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Meng H, Jin Y, Liu H, You L, Yang C, Yang X, Qian W. SNS-032 inhibits mTORC1/mTORC2 activity in acute myeloid leukemia cells and has synergistic activity with perifosine against Akt. J Hematol Oncol 2013; 6:18. [PMID: 23415012 PMCID: PMC3599109 DOI: 10.1186/1756-8722-6-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2012] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disorder with aberrant regulation of a variety of signal pathways. Therefore, simultaneous targeting of two or even more deregulated signal transduction pathways is needed to overcome drug resistance. Previously, it was reported that SNS-032, a selective cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, is an effective agent for treatment of AML; however, the molecular mechanisms of SNS-032-induced cell death of AML cells are not yet fully understood. The aim of the study was to characterize the effects in vitro of SNS-032, used alone and in combination with an Akt inhibitor perifosine, against AML cells and to identify the mechanism involved. RESULTS SNS-032 significantly induced cytotoxicity in human AML cell lines and blasts from patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed AML. However, Kasumi-1 cells and some of leukemic samples (14.9%) from AML patients were resistant to SNS-032-mediated cell death. Western blot analysis showed that SNS-032 strongly inhibited the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) on Ser 2448 and Ser2481, and that removal of SNS-032 resulted in partial recovery of cell death and reactivation of phosphorylation of mTOR. Moreover, exogenous insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) did not reverse SNS-032-induced cell growth inhibition and downregualtion of phosphor-mTOR at Ser2448 and Ser2481 although slight suppression of IGF-1R expression was triggered by the agent. Furthermore, SNS-032 at a lower concentration (60-80 nM) enhanced AML cell cytotoxicity induced by perifosine, an Akt inhibitor. Importantly, SNS-032 treatment reduced colony formation ability of AML cells, which was significantly increased when two agents were combined. This combination therapy led to almost complete inhibition of Akt activity. CONCLUSION We conclude that SNS-032 might directly target mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)/mTORC2. Our results further provide a rationale for combining SNS-032 with perifosine for the treatment of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitao Meng
- Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79# Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China
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Perifosine and sorafenib combination induces mitochondrial cell death and antitumor effects in NOD/SCID mice with Hodgkin lymphoma cell line xenografts. Leukemia 2013; 27:1677-87. [PMID: 23360848 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2013.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2012] [Revised: 01/21/2013] [Accepted: 01/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The effects of the Akt inhibitor perifosine and the RAF/MEK/ERK inhibitor sorafenib were investigated using two CD30(+)Hodgkin lymphoma cell lines (L-540 and HDLM-2) and the CD30(-)HD-MyZ histiocytic cell line. The combined perifosine/sorafenib treatment significantly inhibited mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt phosphorylation in two of the three cell lines. Profiling of the responsive cell lines revealed that perifosine/sorafenib decreased the amplitude of transcriptional signatures that are associated with the cell cycle, DNA replication and cell death. Tribbles homolog 3 (TRIB3) was identified as the main mediator of the in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of perifosine/sorafenib. Combined treatment compared with single agents significantly suppressed cell growth (40-80%, P<0.001), induced severe mitochondrial dysfunction and necroptotic cell death (up to 70%, P<0.0001) in a synergistic manner. Furthermore, in vivo xenograft studies demonstrated a significant reduction in tumor burden (P<0.0001), an increased survival time (81 vs 45 days, P<0.0001), an increased apoptosis (2- to 2.5-fold, P<0.0001) and necrosis (2- to 8-fold, P<0.0001) in perifosine/sorafenib-treated animals compared with mice receiving single agents. These data provide a rationale for clinical trials using perifosine/sorafenib combination.
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Zarogoulidis P, Mavroudi M, Porpodis K, Domvri K, Sakkas A, Machairiotis N, Stylianaki A, Tsiotsios A, Courcoutsakis N, Zarogoulidis K. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in malignant pleural mesothelioma: a possible guardian for long-term survival. Onco Targets Ther 2012; 5:231-6. [PMID: 23055748 PMCID: PMC3463410 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s36915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive malignancy of the pleura correlated with exposure to asbestos, with a medium survival of 11–12 months after diagnosis. A case of a 67-year-old male who had previously worked in the asbestos industry and is a current smoker is reported. The computed tomography evaluation revealed a right pleural mass with pleural thickening, and the pleural biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma. He was treated with chemotherapy consisting of etoposide, paclitaxel, and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride. After completion of chemotherapy, radiologic evaluation confirmed a reduction of pleural thickening and improvement in his symptoms. A complete presentation of each drug formulation and characteristics are also included in this paper. The patient’s follow-up is continuing, and computed tomography reveals stable disease 9 years after initial examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Zarogoulidis
- Pulmonary Department-Oncology Unit, "G Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; Pulmonary Department-Interventional Unit, Ruhrland Klinik, University of Essen, Essen, Germany
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Thomé CH, dos Santos GA, Ferreira GA, Scheucher PS, Izumi C, Leopoldino AM, Simão AM, Ciancaglini P, de Oliveira KT, Chin A, Hanash SM, Falcão RP, Rego EM, Greene LJ, Faça VM. Linker for activation of T-cell family member2 (LAT2) a lipid raft adaptor protein for AKT signaling, is an early mediator of alkylphospholipid anti-leukemic activity. Mol Cell Proteomics 2012; 11:1898-912. [PMID: 23001822 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m112.019661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipid rafts are highly ordered membrane domains rich in cholesterol and sphingolipids that provide a scaffold for signal transduction proteins; altered raft structure has also been implicated in cancer progression. We have shown that 25 μm 10-(octyloxy) decyl-2-(trimethylammonium) ethyl phosphate (ODPC), an alkylphospholipid, targets high cholesterol domains in model membranes and induces apoptosis in leukemia cells but spares normal hematopoietic and epithelial cells under the same conditions. We performed a quantitative (SILAC) proteomic screening of ODPC targets in a lipid-raft-enriched fraction of leukemic cells to identify early events prior to the initiation of apoptosis. Six proteins, three with demonstrated palmitoylation sites, were reduced in abundance. One, the linker for activation of T-cell family member 2 (LAT2), is an adaptor protein associated with lipid rafts in its palmitoylated form and is specifically expressed in B lymphocytes and myeloid cells. Interestingly, LAT2 is not expressed in K562, a cell line more resistant to ODPC-induced apoptosis. There was an early loss of LAT2 in the lipid-raft-enriched fraction of NB4 cells within 3 h following treatment with 25 μm ODPC. Subsequent degradation of LAT2 by proteasomes was observed. Twenty-five μm ODPC inhibited AKT activation via myeloid growth factors, and LAT2 knockdown in NB4 cells by shRNA reproduced this effect. LAT2 knockdown in NB4 cells also decreased cell proliferation and increased cell sensitivity to ODPC (7.5×), perifosine (3×), and arsenic trioxide (8.5×). Taken together, these data indicate that LAT2 is an early mediator of the anti-leukemic activity of alkylphospholipids and arsenic trioxide. Thus, LAT2 may be used as a target for the design of drugs for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina H Thomé
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Células-Tronco e Terapia Celular, Fundação Hemocentro de Ribeirão Preto, 14051-140, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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