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Tayeb BA, Kusuma IY, Osman AAM, Minorics R. Herbal compounds as promising therapeutic agents in precision medicine strategies for cancer: A systematic review. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 2024; 22:137-162. [PMID: 38462407 DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The field of personalized medicine has gained increasing attention in cancer care, with the aim of tailoring treatment strategies to individual patients for improved outcomes. Herbal medicine, with its long-standing historical use and extensive bioactive compounds, offers a rich source of potential treatments for various diseases, including cancer. OBJECTIVE To provide an overview of the current knowledge and evidence associated with incorporating herbal compounds into precision medicine strategies for cancer diseases. Additionally, to explore the general characteristics of the studies included in the analysis, focusing on their key features and trends. SEARCH STRATEGY A comprehensive literature search was conducted from multiple online databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL-EBSCO. The search strategy was designed to identify studies related to personalized cancer medicine and herbal interventions. INCLUSION CRITERIA Publications pertaining to cancer research conducted through in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, employing natural products were included in this review. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently applied inclusion and inclusion criteria, data extraction, and assessments of methodological quality. The quality assessment and biases of the studies were evaluated based on modified Jadad scales. A detailed quantitative summary of the included studies is presented, providing a comprehensive description of their key features and findings. RESULTS A total of 121 studies were included in this review for analysis. Some of them were considered as comprehensive experimental investigations both in vitro and in vivo. The majority (n = 85) of the studies included in this review were conducted in vitro, with 44 of them specifically investigating the effects of herbal medicine on animal models. Additionally, 7 articles with a combined sample size of 31,271 patients, examined the impact of herbal medicine in clinical settings. CONCLUSION Personalized medication can optimize the use of herbal medicine in cancer treatment by considering individual patient factors such as genetics, medical history, and other treatments. Additionally, active phytochemicals found in herbs have shown potential for inhibiting cancer cell growth and inducing apoptosis, making them a promising area of research in preclinical and clinical investigations. Please cite this article as: Tayeb BA, Kusuma IY, Osman AAM, Minorics R. Herbal compounds as promising therapeutic agents in precision medicine strategies for cancer: A systematic review. J Integr Med. 2024; 22(2): 137-162.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bizhar Ahmed Tayeb
- Institute of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Ikhwan Yuda Kusuma
- Institution of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, 6725 Szeged, Hungary; Pharmacy Study Program, Faculty of Health, Universitas Harapan Bangsa, Purwokerto 53182, Indonesia
| | - Alaa A M Osman
- Institute of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary; Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, 20 Wad Madani, Sudan
| | - Renáta Minorics
- Institute of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
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Vilaboa N, Voellmy R. Withaferin A and Celastrol Overwhelm Proteostasis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:367. [PMID: 38203539 PMCID: PMC10779417 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Withaferin A (WA) and celastrol (CEL) are major bioactive components of plants that have been widely employed in traditional medicine. The pleiotropic activities of plant preparations and the isolated compounds in vitro and in vivo have been documented in hundreds of studies. Both WA and CEL were shown to have anticancer activity. Although WA and CEL belong to different chemical classes, our synthesis of the available information suggests that the compounds share basic mechanisms of action. Both WA and CEL bind covalently to numerous proteins, causing the partial unfolding of some of these proteins and of many bystander proteins. The resulting proteotoxic stress, when excessive, leads to cell death. Both WA and CEL trigger the activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) which, if the proteotoxic stress persists, results in apoptosis mediated by the PERK/eIF-2/ATF4/CHOP pathway or another UPR-dependent pathway. Other mechanisms of cell death may play contributory or even dominant roles depending on cell type. As shown in a proteomic study with WA, the compounds appear to function largely as electrophilic reactants, indiscriminately modifying reachable nucleophilic amino acid side chains of proteins. However, a remarkable degree of target specificity is imparted by the cellular context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Vilaboa
- Hospital Universitario La Paz-IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingenieria, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, CIBER-BBN, 28046 Madrid, Spain
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Bowling GC, Rands MG, Dobi A, Eldhose B. Emerging Developments in ETS-Positive Prostate Cancer Therapy. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:168-178. [PMID: 36511830 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-22-0527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is a global health concern, which has a low survival rate in its advanced stages. Even though second-generation androgen receptor-axis inhibitors serve as the mainstay treatment options, utmost of the metastatic cases progress into castration-resistant prostate cancer after their initial treatment response with poor prognostic outcomes. Hence, there is a dire need to develop effective inhibitors that aim the causal oncogenes tangled in the prostate cancer initiation and progression. Molecular-targeted therapy against E-26 transformation-specific (ETS) transcription factors, particularly ETS-related gene, has gained wide attention as a potential treatment strategy. ETS rearrangements with the male hormone responsive transmembrane protease serine 2 promoter defines a significant number of prostate cancer cases and is responsible for cancer initiation and progression. Notably, inhibition of ETS activity has shown to reduce tumorigenesis, thus highlighting its potential as a clinical therapeutic target. In this review, we recapitulate the various targeted drug approaches, including small molecules, peptidomimetics, nucleic acids, and many others, aimed to suppress ETS activity. Several inhibitors have demonstrated ERG antagonist activity in prostate cancer, but further investigations into their molecular mechanisms and impacts on nontumor ETS-containing tissues is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gartrell C Bowling
- School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.,Center for Prostate Disease Research, Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Mitchell G Rands
- School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Albert Dobi
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Binil Eldhose
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland
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Zhang L, Hu X, Meng Q, Li Y, Shen H, Fu Y, Zhang F, Chen J, Zhang W, Chang W, Pan Y. SHP2 inhibition improves celastrol-induced growth suppression of colorectal cancer. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:929087. [PMID: 36120370 PMCID: PMC9477229 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.929087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to explore novel targets for celastrol sensitization in colorectal cancer (CRC) based on differentially regulated signals in response to high- or low-dose celastrol. Targeting signals were investigated using Western blotting or phosphorylated receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) arrays. Corresponding inhibitors for the signals were individually combined with low-dose celastrol for the assessment of combined anti-CRC effects, based on proliferation, apoptosis, colony assays, and xenograft models. The potential mechanism for the combination of celastrol and SHP2 inhibition was further examined. Low-dose celastrol (<1 µM) did not effectively suppress AKT and ERK signals in CRC cells compared to high-dose celastrol (>1 µM). However, when combined with an AKT or ERK inhibitor, low-dose celastrol could cooperatively suppress CRC proliferation. Furthermore, failed AKT or ERK inhibition by low-dose celastrol may be due to reactivated RTK-SHP2 signaling with negative feedback. The combination of celastrol and the SHP2 inhibitor resulted in greatly reduced AKT and ERK signals, as well as greater inhibition of CRC growth than celastrol alone. Moreover, the mechanism underlying combination suppression was also involved in the activation of immune cell infiltration (mainly for CD8+ cells) in CRC tissues. Failure to inhibit RTK-SHP2-AKT/ERK signaling contributed to the lack of CRC growth suppression by low-dose celastrol. However, the combination of celastrol and the SHP2 inhibitor resulted in synergistic inhibition of CRC growth and provided a promising therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linxi Zhang
- Department of Navy Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Digestive Endoscopy, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuefei Hu
- Department of Navy Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingying Meng
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ye Li
- Department of Digestive Endoscopy, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Shen
- Department of Navy Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yating Fu
- Department of Navy Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Navy Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiahui Chen
- Department of Navy Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yamin Pan, ; Wenjun Chang, ; Wei Zhang,
| | - Wenjun Chang
- Department of Navy Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yamin Pan, ; Wenjun Chang, ; Wei Zhang,
| | - Yamin Pan
- Department of Digestive Endoscopy, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yamin Pan, ; Wenjun Chang, ; Wei Zhang,
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Palit P, Chattopadhyay D, Thomas S, Kundu A, Kim HS, Rezaei N. Phytopharmaceuticals mediated Furin and TMPRSS2 receptor blocking: can it be a potential therapeutic option for Covid-19? PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 85:153396. [PMID: 33380375 PMCID: PMC7591300 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak creates global panic across the continents, as people from almost all countries and territories have been affected by this highly contagious viral disease. The scenario is deteriorating due to lack of proper & specific target-oriented pharmacologically safe prophylactic agents or drugs, and or any effective vaccine. drug development is urgently required to back in the normalcy in the community and to combat this pandemic. PURPOSE Thus, we have proposed two novel drug targets, Furin and TMPRSS2, as Covid-19 treatment strategy. We have highlighted this target-oriented novel drug delivery strategy, based on their pathophysiological implication on SARS-CoV-2 infection, as evident from earlier SARS-CoV-1, MERS, and influenza virus infection via host cell entry, priming, fusion, and endocytosis. STUDY DESIGN & METHODS: An earlier study suggested that Furin and TMPRSS2 knockout mice had reduced level of viral load and a lower degree of organ damage such as the lung. The present study thus highlights the promise of some selected novel and potential anti-viral Phytopharmaceutical that bind to Furin and TMPRSS2 as target. RESULT Few of them had shown promising anti-viral response in both preclinical and clinical study with acceptable therapeutic safety-index. CONCLUSION Hence, this strategy may limit life-threatening Covid-19 infection and its mortality rate through nano-suspension based intra-nasal or oral nebulizer spray, to treat mild to moderate SARS-COV-2 infection when Furin and TMPRSS2 receptor may initiate to express and activate for processing the virus to cause cellular infection by replication within the host cell and blocking of host-viral interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Partha Palit
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drug Discovery Research Laboratory, Assam University, Silchar, Assam-788011 India.
| | - Debprasad Chattopadhyay
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Nehru Nagar, Belagavi, 590010, India; ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata 700010, India.
| | - Sabu Thomas
- School of Chemical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala 686 560, India.
| | - Amit Kundu
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066, Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon 440-746, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Sik Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066, Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon 440-746, Republic of Korea.
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 14194, Tehran, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Stockholm, Sweden.
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Hussain Y, Mirzaei S, Ashrafizadeh M, Zarrabi A, Hushmandi K, Khan H, Daglia M. Quercetin and Its Nano-Scale Delivery Systems in Prostate Cancer Therapy: Paving the Way for Cancer Elimination and Reversing Chemoresistance. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1602. [PMID: 33807174 PMCID: PMC8036441 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the second most leading and prevalent malignancy around the world, following lung cancer. Prostate cancer is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer morbidity and mortality have grown drastically, and intensive prostate cancer care is unlikely to produce adequate outcomes. The synthetic drugs for the treatment of prostate cancer in clinical practice face several challenges. Quercetin is a natural flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables. Apart from its beneficial effects, its plays a key role as an anti-cancer agent. Quercetin has shown anticancer potential, both alone and in combination. Therefore, the current study was designed to collect information from the literature regarding its therapeutic significance in the treatment of prostate cancer. Studies performed both in vitro and in vivo have confirmed that quercetin effectively prevents prostate cancer through different underlying mechanisms. Promising findings have also been achieved in clinical trials regarding the pharmacokinetics and human applications of quercetin. In the meantime, epidemiological studies have shown a negative correlation between the consumption of quercetin and the incidence of prostate cancer, and have indicated a chemopreventive effect of quercetin on prostate cancer in animal models. The major issues associated with quercetin are its low bioavailability and rapid metabolism, and these require priority attention. Chemoresistance is another main negative feature concerning prostate cancer treatment. This review highlights the chemotherapeutic effect, chemo preventive effect, and chemoresistance elimination potential of quercetin in prostate cancer. The underlying mechanisms for elimination of prostate cancer and eradication of resistance, either alone or in combination with other agents, are also discussed. In addition, the nanoscale delivery of quercetin is underpinned along with possible directions for future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaseen Hussain
- Lab of Control Release and Drug Delivery System, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China;
| | - Sepideh Mirzaei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran 1477893855, Iran;
| | - Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Orta Mahalle, Üniversite Caddesi No. 27, Orhanlı, Tuzla, Istanbul 34956, Turkey;
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, Istanbul 34956, Turkey;
| | - Ali Zarrabi
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, Istanbul 34956, Turkey;
| | - Kiavash Hushmandi
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417466191, Iran;
| | - Haroon Khan
- Department of Pharmacy, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Maria Daglia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy;
- International Research Center for Food Nutrition and Safety, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
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Fontana F, Raimondi M, Marzagalli M, Di Domizio A, Limonta P. Natural Compounds in Prostate Cancer Prevention and Treatment: Mechanisms of Action and Molecular Targets. Cells 2020; 9:cells9020460. [PMID: 32085497 PMCID: PMC7072821 DOI: 10.3390/cells9020460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) represents a major cause of cancer mortality among men in developed countries. Patients with recurrent disease initially respond to androgen-deprivation therapy, but the tumor eventually progresses into castration-resistant PCa; in this condition, tumor cells acquire the ability to escape cell death and develop resistance to current therapies. Thus, new therapeutic approaches for PCa management are urgently needed. In this setting, natural products have been extensively studied for their anti-PCa activities, such as tumor growth suppression, cell death induction, and inhibition of metastasis and angiogenesis. Additionally, numerous studies have shown that phytochemicals can specifically target the androgen receptor (AR) signaling, as well as the PCa stem cells (PCSCs). Interestingly, many clinical trials have been conducted to test the efficacy of nutraceuticals in human subjects, and they have partially confirmed the promising results obtained in vitro and in preclinical models. This article summarizes the anti-cancer mechanisms and therapeutic potentials of different natural compounds in the context of PCa prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Fontana
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (F.F.); (M.R.); (M.M.); (A.D.D.)
| | - Michela Raimondi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (F.F.); (M.R.); (M.M.); (A.D.D.)
| | - Monica Marzagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (F.F.); (M.R.); (M.M.); (A.D.D.)
| | - Alessandro Di Domizio
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (F.F.); (M.R.); (M.M.); (A.D.D.)
- SPILLOproject, 20037 Paderno Dugnano, Italy
| | - Patrizia Limonta
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (F.F.); (M.R.); (M.M.); (A.D.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0250318213
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Shinde D, Albino D, Zoma M, Mutti A, Mapelli SN, Civenni G, Kokanovic A, Merulla J, Perez-Escuredo J, Costales P, Morìs F, Catapano CV, Carbone GM. Transcriptional Reprogramming and Inhibition of Tumor-propagating Stem-like Cells by EC-8042 in ERG-positive Prostate Cancer. Eur Urol Oncol 2018; 2:415-424. [PMID: 31277777 DOI: 10.1016/j.euo.2018.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion is the most frequent genetic rearrangement in prostate cancers and results in broad transcriptional reprogramming and major phenotypic changes. Interaction and cooperation of ERG and SP1 may be instrumental in sustaining the tumorigenic and metastatic phenotype and could represent a potential vulnerability in ERG fusion-positive tumors. OBJECTIVE To test the activity of EC-8042, a compound able to block SP1, in cellular and mouse models of ERG-positive prostate cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS We evaluated the activity of EC-8042 in cell cultures and ERG/PTEN transgenic/knockout mice that provide reliable models for testing novel therapeutics in this specific disease context. Using a new protocol to generate tumor spheroids from ERG/PTEN mice, we also examined the effects of EC-8042 on tumor-propagating stem-like cancer cells with high self-renewal and tumorigenic capabilities. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS The efficacy of EC-8042 was determined by measuring the proliferative capacity and target gene expression in cell cultures, invasive and metastatic capabilities in chick chorioallantoic membrane assays, and tumor development in mice. Significance was determined using statistical test. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS EC-8042 blocked transcription of ERG-regulated genes and reverted the invasive and metastatic phenotype of VCaP cells. EC-8042 blocked the expansion of stem-like tumor cells in tumor spheroids from VCaP cells and mouse-derived tumors. In ERG/PTEN mice, systemic treatment with EC-8042 inhibited ERG-regulated gene transcription, tumor progression, and tumor-propagating stem-like tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS Our data support clinical testing of EC-8042 for the treatment of ERG-positive prostate cancer in precision medicine approaches. PATIENT SUMMARY In this study, EC-8042, a novel compound with a favorable pharmacological and toxicological profile, exhibited relevant activity in cell cultures and in vivo in a genetically engineered mouse model that closely recapitulates the features of clinically aggressive ERG-positive prostate cancer. Our data indicate that further evaluation of EC-8042 in clinical trials is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dheeraj Shinde
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Domenico Albino
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Marita Zoma
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Azzurra Mutti
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Sarah N Mapelli
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Gianluca Civenni
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Aleksandra Kokanovic
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Jessica Merulla
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Carlo V Catapano
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppina M Carbone
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
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Abstract
Celastrol is a highly investigated anticancer moiety. It is a pentacyclic triterpenoid, isolated several decades ago with promising role in chemoprevention. Celastrol has been found to target multiple proinflammatory, angiogenic and metastatic proteins. Inhibition of these targets results in significant reduction of cancer growth, survival and metastasis. This review summarizes the varied molecular targets of celastrol along with insight into the various recently published clinical, preclinical and industrial patents (2011-2017).
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Mohamed AA, Xavier CP, Sukumar G, Tan SH, Ravindranath L, Seraj N, Kumar V, Sreenath T, McLeod DG, Petrovics G, Rosner IL, Srivastava M, Strovel J, Malhotra SV, LaRonde NA, Dobi A, Dalgard CL, Srivastava S. Identification of a Small Molecule That Selectively Inhibits ERG-Positive Cancer Cell Growth. Cancer Res 2018; 78:3659-3671. [PMID: 29712692 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-17-2949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Oncogenic activation of the ETS-related gene (ERG) by recurrent gene fusions (predominantly TMPRSS2-ERG) is one of the most validated and prevalent genomic alterations present in early stages of prostate cancer. In this study, we screened small-molecule libraries for inhibition of ERG protein in TMPRSS2-ERG harboring VCaP prostate cancer cells using an In-Cell Western Assay with the highly specific ERG-MAb (9FY). Among a subset of promising candidates, 1-[2-Thiazolylazo]-2-naphthol (NSC139021, hereafter ERGi-USU) was identified and further characterized. ERGi-USU selectively inhibited growth of ERG-positive cancer cell lines with minimal effect on normal prostate or endothelial cells or ERG-negative tumor cell lines. Combination of ERGi-USU with enzalutamide showed additive effects in inhibiting growth of VCaP cells. A screen of kinases revealed that ERGi-USU directly bound the ribosomal biogenesis regulator atypical kinase RIOK2 and induced ribosomal stress signature. In vivo, ERGi-USU treatment inhibited growth of ERG-positive VCaP tumor xenografts with no apparent toxicity. Structure-activity-based derivatives of ERGi-USU recapitulated the ERG-selective activity of the parental compound. Taken together, ERGi-USU acts as a highly selective inhibitor for the growth of ERG-positive cancer cells and has potential for further development of ERG-targeted therapy of prostate cancer and other malignancies.Significance: A highly selective small-molecule inhibitor of ERG, a critical driver of early stages of prostate cancer, will be imperative for prostate cancer therapy. Cancer Res; 78(13); 3659-71. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed A Mohamed
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Charles P Xavier
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Gauthaman Sukumar
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Shyh-Han Tan
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lakshmi Ravindranath
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Nishat Seraj
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Vineet Kumar
- Division of Radiation & Cancer Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Taduru Sreenath
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - David G McLeod
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Gyorgy Petrovics
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.,John P. Murtha Cancer Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Inger L Rosner
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.,John P. Murtha Cancer Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.,Urology Service, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Meera Srivastava
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.,John P. Murtha Cancer Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - Sanjay V Malhotra
- Division of Radiation & Cancer Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Nicole A LaRonde
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Albert Dobi
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.,John P. Murtha Cancer Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Clifton L Dalgard
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland. .,John P. Murtha Cancer Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Shiv Srivastava
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland. .,John P. Murtha Cancer Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
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12
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Wang Z, Ravula R, Shi L, Song Y, Yeung S, Liu M, Lau B, Hao J, Wang J, Lam CWK, Chow MSS, Huang Y. Overcoming chemoresistance in prostate cancer with Chinese medicine Tripterygium wilfordii via multiple mechanisms. Oncotarget 2018; 7:61246-61261. [PMID: 27487134 PMCID: PMC5308648 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A leading cause of cancer chemotherapy failure is chemoresistance, which often involves multiple mechanisms. Chinese medicines (CM) usually contain multiple components which could potentially target many mechanisms simultaneously and may offer an advantage over single compounds that target one mechanism at a time. The purpose of this study was to investigate the chemosensitizing effect (CE) of a specific CM, Tripterygium wilfordii (TW), on prostate cancer cells resistant to docetaxel (Dtx) and identify the potential mechanisms. The CE of TW (in combination with Dtx) was evaluated in two Dtx resistant prostate cancer cell lines (PC3-TxR and DU145-TxR) and the efficacy of the combination for resistant PC3-TxR tumor was investigated using a xenograft mouse model. For mechanistic study, the inhibitory effect of TW on P-glycoprotein activity was assessed. In addition, novel gene targets of TW were identified using DNA microarray and quantitative PCR. Results showed that TW induced a CE of 8 and >38 folds in PC3-TxR and DU145-TxR cells, respectively with Dtx IC50 reversed back to that of the sensitive parent cells. An optimum dose of TW+Dtx significantly retarded tumor growth in mice compared to TW or Dtx alone. TW inhibited P-glycoprotein activity and induced a significant gene expression changes in genes related to angiogenesis, cell cycle regulation and differentiation. Our in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that TW in combination with Dtx was able to overcome the chemoresistance and suppress resistant prostate tumor growth via multi-mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijun Wang
- Center for Advancement of Drug Research and Evaluation, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Ranadheer Ravula
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Leming Shi
- Center for Pharmacogenomics, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and MOE Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Schools of Life Sciences and Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunjie Song
- Center for Pharmacogenomics, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and MOE Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Schools of Life Sciences and Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Steven Yeung
- Center for Advancement of Drug Research and Evaluation, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Mandy Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Bernard Lau
- Center for Advancement of Drug Research and Evaluation, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Jijun Hao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Christopher Wai Kei Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau
| | - Moses Sing Sum Chow
- Center for Advancement of Drug Research and Evaluation, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Ying Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
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13
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Li YJ, Sun YX, Hao RM, Wu P, Zhang LJ, Ma X, Ma Y, Wang PY, Xie N, Xie SY, Chen W. miR-33a-5p enhances the sensitivity of lung adenocarcinoma cells to celastrol by regulating mTOR signaling. Int J Oncol 2018; 52:1328-1338. [PMID: 29484434 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2018.4276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) have recently become a popular focus of cancer research due to their ability to act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. In the present study, miR‑33a‑5p expression was identified to be downregulated in lung adenocarcinoma samples compared with normal, which suggested that miR‑33a‑5p may serve as a tumor suppressor gene. Transfection with miR‑33a‑5p mimics inhibited the proliferation and migration of A549 and LTEP‑a‑2 cells and increased cellular apoptosis. A luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR‑33a‑5p targets the 3'‑untranslated region of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) gene. mTOR expression was decreased in A549 and LTEP‑a‑2 cells treated with miR‑33a‑5p mimics, as well as the expression of its downstream effectors phosphorylated (p)‑p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) and p‑eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4EBP1). Following treatment with celastrol, miR‑33a‑5p expression was upregulated, and miR‑33a‑5p could enhance cellular sensitivity to celastrol. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of mTOR, p‑p70S6K and p‑4EBP1 decreased following celastrol treatment. These results suggested that mTOR was involved in the mechanism by which miR‑33a‑5p enhanced the sensitivity of lung adenocarcinoma cells to celastrol. Furthermore, LTEP‑a‑2 cells were xenografted subcutaneously into nude mice, to examine the effect of celastrol and miR‑33a‑5p on the growth of LTEP‑a‑2 cells in vivo. The results demonstrated that tumor growth in the celastrol‑treated or miR‑33a‑5p‑treated group was attenuated compared with the control group. Notably, tumor growth in the combination treatment group was almost arrested after 2 weeks. In addition, celastrol upregulated the expression of miR‑33a‑5p, and high expression of miR‑33a‑5p inhibited mTOR and its downstream effectors. In summary, miR‑33a‑5p inhibited the proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cells, enhanced the antitumor effect of celastrol, and improved sensitivity to celastrol by targeting mTOR in lung adenocarcinoma in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Jie Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Yun-Xiao Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, The Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264100, P.R. China
| | - Rui-Min Hao
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology in Binzhou Medical University, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China
| | - Pin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology in Binzhou Medical University, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China
| | - Li-Jun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology in Binzhou Medical University, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China
| | - Xu Ma
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology in Binzhou Medical University, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China
| | - Ying Ma
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology in Binzhou Medical University, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China
| | - Ping-Yu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology in Binzhou Medical University, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China
| | - Ning Xie
- Department of Chest Surgery, Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Shu-Yang Xie
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology in Binzhou Medical University, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
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14
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Deplus R, Delliaux C, Marchand N, Flourens A, Vanpouille N, Leroy X, de Launoit Y, Duterque-Coquillaud M. TMPRSS2-ERG fusion promotes prostate cancer metastases in bone. Oncotarget 2017; 8:11827-11840. [PMID: 28055969 PMCID: PMC5355307 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone metastasis is the major deleterious event in prostate cancer (PCa). TMPRSS2-ERG fusion is one of the most common chromosomic rearrangements in PCa. However, its implication in bone metastasis development is still unclear. Since bone metastasis starts with the tropism of cancer cells to bone through specific migratory and invasive processes involving osteomimetic capabilities, it is crucial to better our understanding of the influence of TMPRSS2-ERG expression in the mechanisms underlying the bone tropism properties of PCa cells. We developed bioluminescent cell lines expressing the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion in order to assess its role in tumor growth and bone metastasis appearance in a mouse model. First, we showed that the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion increases cell migration and subcutaneous tumor size. Second, using intracardiac injection experiments in mice, we showed that the expression of TMPRSS2-ERG fusion increases the number of metastases in bone. Moreover, TMPRSS2-ERG affects the pattern of metastatic spread by increasing the incidence of tumors in hind limbs and spine, which are two of the most frequent sites of human PCa metastases. Finally, transcriptome analysis highlighted a series of genes regulated by the fusion and involved in the metastatic process. Altogether, our work indicates that TMPRSS2-ERG increases bone tropism of PCa cells and metastasis development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Deplus
- University Lille, CNRS, Institut Pasteur de Lille, UMR 8161 (M3T) Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Target Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Carine Delliaux
- University Lille, CNRS, Institut Pasteur de Lille, UMR 8161 (M3T) Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Target Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Nathalie Marchand
- University Lille, CNRS, Institut Pasteur de Lille, UMR 8161 (M3T) Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Target Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Anne Flourens
- University Lille, CNRS, Institut Pasteur de Lille, UMR 8161 (M3T) Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Target Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Nathalie Vanpouille
- University Lille, CNRS, Institut Pasteur de Lille, UMR 8161 (M3T) Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Target Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Xavier Leroy
- Institut de Pathologie Centre de Biologie Pathologie Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire, F-59037 Lille, France
| | - Yvan de Launoit
- University Lille, CNRS, Institut Pasteur de Lille, UMR 8161 (M3T) Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Target Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Martine Duterque-Coquillaud
- University Lille, CNRS, Institut Pasteur de Lille, UMR 8161 (M3T) Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Target Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France
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15
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Sedarsky J, Degon M, Srivastava S, Dobi A. Ethnicity and ERG frequency in prostate cancer. Nat Rev Urol 2017; 15:125-131. [PMID: 28872154 DOI: 10.1038/nrurol.2017.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Emerging observations emphasize a distinct biology of prostate cancer among men of different ethnicities and races, as demonstrated by remarkable differences in the frequency of ERG oncogenic activation, one of the most common and widely studied prostate cancer driver genes. Worldwide assessment of ERG alterations frequencies show consistent trends, with men of European ancestry having the highest rates of alteration and men of African or Asian ancestries having considerably lower alteration rates. However, data must be interpreted cautiously, owing to variations in assay platforms and specimen types, as well as ethnic and geographical classifications. Many opportunities and challenges remain in assessing cancer-associated molecular alterations at a global level, and these need to be addressed in order to realize the true potential of precision medicine for all cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Sedarsky
- Urology Service, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20889, USA
| | - Michael Degon
- Urology Service, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20889, USA
| | - Shiv Srivastava
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA
| | - Albert Dobi
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA
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16
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Ren R, Mao Y, Ruan Z, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Du J, Yu W. Celastrol attenuates ventilator induced lung injury in mouse through inhibition of MAPK pathway. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2017; 10:9302-9309. [PMID: 31966802 PMCID: PMC6965913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Previous studies have shown that celastrol has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-tumor activities, but little is known about its protective effects on ventilator induced lung injury (VILI). This study is aimed to investigate the effects of celastrol on VILI and explore its potential mechanism. METHODS A total of 40 ICR male mice aged 7-9 weeks were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10 per group): control group (Con), control + celastrol group (Con+Ce), mechanical ventilation group (Ven) and mechanical ventilation + celastrol group (Ven+Ce). The lungs were collected for histological examination, detection of W/D, and MPO, MDA, SOD, inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α) by ELISA, p-P38 and p-JNK 1/2 protein by Western blotting, and collagen-1 and TGF-β mRNA expression by RT-PCR. RESULTS The W/D in the Ven group was significantly higher than the W/D in the Con group and the Ven+Ce group (both P<0.01). Mechanical ventilation for 4 h markedly increased lung MPO and MDA activity, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, but dramatically reduced SOD and IL-10 (all P<0.01). However, celastrol pre-treatment compromised the increased MPO, MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 (all P<0.01) and significantly increased SOD (P=0.035<0.05) and IL-10 (P<0.01). In addition, mRNA level of collagen-1 and TGF-β as well as p-P38 and p-JNK 1/2 protein expression increased significantly (P<0.01) after mechanical ventilation, which however were markedly reduced in the presence of celastrol pre-treatment. CONCLUSION Celastrol pre-treatment may exert anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects and related lung fibrosis to attenuate VILI in mice, which may be related to the inhibition of p-P38 and p-JNK 1/2 by MAPK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongrong Ren
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical UniversityShanghai 200438, China
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xin Hua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai 200092, China
| | - Yanfei Mao
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xin Hua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai 200092, China
| | - Zhengshang Ruan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xin Hua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai 200092, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xin Hua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai 200092, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xin Hua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai 200092, China
| | - Junming Du
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xin Hua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai 200092, China
| | - Weifeng Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical UniversityShanghai 200438, China
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17
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Cattrini C, Zanardi E, Vallome G, Cavo A, Cerbone L, Di Meglio A, Fabbroni C, Latocca MM, Rizzo F, Messina C, Rubagotti A, Barboro P, Boccardo F. Targeting androgen-independent pathways: new chances for patients with prostate cancer? Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2017; 118:42-53. [PMID: 28917268 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2017.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the mainstay treatment for advanced prostate cancer (PC). Most patients eventually progress to a condition known as castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), characterized by lack of response to ADT. Although new androgen receptor signaling (ARS) inhibitors and chemotherapeutic agents have been introduced to overcome resistance to ADT, many patients progress because of primary or acquired resistance to these agents. This comprehensive review aims at exploring the mechanisms of resistance and progression of PC, with specific focus on alterations which lead to the activation of androgen receptor (AR)-independent pathways of survival. Our work integrates available clinical and preclinical data on agents which target these pathways, assessing their potential clinical implication in specific settings of patients. Given the rising interest of the scientific community in cancer immunotherapy strategies, further attention is dedicated to the role of immune evasion in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Cattrini
- Academic Unit of Medical Oncology, San Martino University Hospital - IST National Cancer Research Institute, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), School of Medicine, University of Genoa, V.le Benedetto XV 6, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
| | - E Zanardi
- Academic Unit of Medical Oncology, San Martino University Hospital - IST National Cancer Research Institute, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), School of Medicine, University of Genoa, V.le Benedetto XV 6, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - G Vallome
- Academic Unit of Medical Oncology, San Martino University Hospital - IST National Cancer Research Institute, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), School of Medicine, University of Genoa, V.le Benedetto XV 6, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - A Cavo
- Academic Unit of Medical Oncology, San Martino University Hospital - IST National Cancer Research Institute, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), School of Medicine, University of Genoa, V.le Benedetto XV 6, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - L Cerbone
- Academic Unit of Medical Oncology, San Martino University Hospital - IST National Cancer Research Institute, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), School of Medicine, University of Genoa, V.le Benedetto XV 6, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - A Di Meglio
- Academic Unit of Medical Oncology, San Martino University Hospital - IST National Cancer Research Institute, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), School of Medicine, University of Genoa, V.le Benedetto XV 6, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - C Fabbroni
- Academic Unit of Medical Oncology, San Martino University Hospital - IST National Cancer Research Institute, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), School of Medicine, University of Genoa, V.le Benedetto XV 6, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - M M Latocca
- Academic Unit of Medical Oncology, San Martino University Hospital - IST National Cancer Research Institute, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), School of Medicine, University of Genoa, V.le Benedetto XV 6, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - F Rizzo
- Academic Unit of Medical Oncology, San Martino University Hospital - IST National Cancer Research Institute, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), School of Medicine, University of Genoa, V.le Benedetto XV 6, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - C Messina
- Academic Unit of Medical Oncology, San Martino University Hospital - IST National Cancer Research Institute, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), School of Medicine, University of Genoa, V.le Benedetto XV 6, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - A Rubagotti
- Academic Unit of Medical Oncology, San Martino University Hospital - IST National Cancer Research Institute, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy; Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Via A. Pastore 1, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - P Barboro
- Academic Unit of Medical Oncology, San Martino University Hospital - IST National Cancer Research Institute, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - F Boccardo
- Academic Unit of Medical Oncology, San Martino University Hospital - IST National Cancer Research Institute, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), School of Medicine, University of Genoa, V.le Benedetto XV 6, 16132, Genoa, Italy
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18
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Cascão R, Fonseca JE, Moita LF. Celastrol: A Spectrum of Treatment Opportunities in Chronic Diseases. Front Med (Lausanne) 2017; 4:69. [PMID: 28664158 PMCID: PMC5471334 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2017.00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The identification of new bioactive compounds derived from medicinal plants with significant therapeutic properties has attracted considerable interest in recent years. Such is the case of the Tripterygium wilfordii (TW), an herb used in Chinese medicine. Clinical trials performed so far using its root extracts have shown impressive therapeutic properties but also revealed substantial gastrointestinal side effects. The most promising bioactive compound obtained from TW is celastrol. During the last decade, an increasing number of studies were published highlighting the medicinal usefulness of celastrol in diverse clinical areas. Here we systematically review the mechanism of action and the therapeutic properties of celastrol in inflammatory diseases, namely, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel diseases, osteoarthritis and allergy, as well as in cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and other diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, and hearing loss. We will also focus in the toxicological profile and limitations of celastrol formulation, namely, solubility, bioavailability, and dosage issues that still limit its further clinical application and usefulness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Cascão
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João E Fonseca
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Rheumatology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Norte, EPE, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon Academic Medical Centre, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luis F Moita
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
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19
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Wang Z, Zhai Z, Du X. Celastrol inhibits migration and invasion through blocking the NF-κB pathway in ovarian cancer cells. Exp Ther Med 2017; 14:819-824. [PMID: 28673005 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.4568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic ovarian cancer is a major clinical challenge with poor prognosis and high mortality. Celastrol is a natural compound that has exhibits antiproliferative activity; however, its effects on metastasis-related phenotypes in ovarian cancer models are unclear. In the current study, the anti-invasive activities and associated signaling pathways of celastrol were determined in ovarian cancer cells. Cell proliferation was tested by MTT assay. Cell migration was detected by wound healing and Transwell assays, while cell invasion was detected by a Matrigel-coated Transwell method. In addition, nuclear factor (NF)-κB and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression was examined by western blotting, and MMP-2/-9 activities were determined by gelatin zymography. At sub-toxic concentrations (<0.5 µM), celastrol inhibited migration and invasion in a concentration-dependent manner in SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells. At the molecular level, celastrol blocked the canonical NF-κB pathway by inhibiting IκBα phosphorylation, and preventing IκBα degradation and p65 accumulation. Furthermore, the expression and activity of the NF-κB target protein MMP-9, but not MMP-2, were inhibited by celastrol. Furthermore, celastrol showed no synergistic effect with MG132, an NF-κB inhibitor. In conclusion, celastrol exhibited significant anti-invasive activities in ovarian cancer cells. Such functions may be mediated via NF-κB pathway blockade. The results of this in vitro study strengthen the value of applying celastrol as a potential clinical intervention modality for delaying ovarian cancer metastasis. This, celastrol warrants further preclinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongye Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weihai Central Hospital, Weihai, Shandong 264400, P.R. China
| | - Zhenyuan Zhai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weihai Central Hospital, Weihai, Shandong 264400, P.R. China
| | - Xiulan Du
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weihai Central Hospital, Weihai, Shandong 264400, P.R. China
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20
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Ailanthone targets p23 to overcome MDV3100 resistance in castration-resistant prostate cancer. Nat Commun 2016; 7:13122. [PMID: 27959342 PMCID: PMC5159881 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) antagonist MDV3100 is the first therapeutic approach in treating castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), but tumours frequently become drug resistant via multiple mechanisms including AR amplification and mutation. Here we identify the small molecule Ailanthone (AIL) as a potent inhibitor of both full-length AR (AR-FL) and constitutively active truncated AR splice variants (AR-Vs). AIL binds to the co-chaperone protein p23 and prevents AR's interaction with HSP90, thus resulting in the disruption of the AR-chaperone complex followed by ubiquitin/proteasome-mediated degradation of AR as well as other p23 clients including AKT and Cdk4, and downregulates AR and its target genes in PCa cell lines and orthotopic animal tumours. In addition, AIL blocks tumour growth and metastasis of CRPC. Finally, AIL possesses favourable drug-like properties such as good bioavailability, high solubility, lack of CYP inhibition and low hepatotoxicity. In general, AIL is a potential candidate for the treatment of CRPC. Prostate cancers often become castration resistant due to alternative expression of androgen receptor (AR) splice variants. Here, the authors screened a library of natural compounds and identified Ailanthone as a potent inhibitor of AR through its binding to the co-chaperone protein p23 that, by preventing AR interaction with HSP90, results in ubiquitin/proteasome-mediated degradation of the receptor.
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TAZ promotes cell growth and inhibits Celastrol-induced cell apoptosis. Biosci Rep 2016; 36:BSR20160135. [PMID: 27515420 PMCID: PMC5041157 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20160135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hippo pathway is a highly conservative signalling pathway related to the development of organisms, which has been demonstrated to be strongly linked to the tumorigenesis and tumour progression. As the major downstream effector of Hippo pathway, yes-associated protein (YAP), is a transcriptional activator of target genes that are involved in cell proliferation and survival. As an oncogene, YAP can promote cell growth and inhibit cell apoptosis. Another major downstream effector of Hippo pathway, transcriptional co-activators with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), is nearly 60% homologous with YAP. In the present study, we assume that TAZ probably has the similar function to YAP. To test this issue, we established an inducible and a stable expression system of TAZ in T-Rex-293 and HEK293 cells respectively. The results of cell growth curves, colony formation assay and tumour xenograft growth showed that overexpression of TAZ could promote cell growth in vitro and in vivo Meanwhile, we found that up-regulated expression of TAZ could partially restore Celastrol-induced cell apoptosis. Induced overexpression of TAZ could up-regulate its target genes including ankyrin repeat domain-containing protein (ANKRD), cysteine-rich 61 (CYR61) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), increase the expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), decrease the expression of Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and activate the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway, which may be the mechanism underlying anti-apoptosis of TAZ. All these findings indicated that TAZ acts as an oncogene that could be a key regulator of cell proliferation and apoptosis.
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22
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Kapoor S. Tumor growth attenuating effect of celastrol in systemic malignancies. Int J Cancer 2016; 139:1431. [PMID: 27097353 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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23
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Zhang L, Shao L, Creighton CJ, Zhang Y, Xin L, Ittmann M, Wang J. Function of phosphorylation of NF-kB p65 ser536 in prostate cancer oncogenesis. Oncotarget 2016; 6:6281-94. [PMID: 25749044 PMCID: PMC4467437 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Majority of prostate cancer (PCa) patients carry TMPRSS2/ERG (T/E) fusion genes and there has been tremendous interest in understanding how the T/E fusion may promote progression of PCa. We showed that T/E fusion can activate NF-kB pathway by increasing phosphorylation of NF-kB p65 Ser536 (p536), but the function of p536 has never been studied in PCa. We report here that active p536 can significantly increase cell motility and transform PNT1a cells (an immortalized normal cell line), suggesting p536 plays a critical role in promoting PCa tumorigenesis. We have discovered a set of p536 regulated genes, among which we validated the regulation of CCL2 by p536. Based on all evidence, we favor that T/E fusion, NF-kB p536 and CCL2 form a signaling chain. Finally, PNT1a cells (not tumorigenic) can form tumors in SCID mice when overexpressing of either wild type or active p65 in the presence of activated AKT, demonstrating synergistic activities of NF-kB and AKT signals in promoting PCa tumorigenesis. These findings indicate that combination therapies targeting T/E fusion, NF-kB, CCL2 and/or AKT pathways may have efficacy in T/E fusion gene expressing PCa. If successful, such targeted therapy will benefit more than half of PCa patients who carry T/E fusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine and Michael E. DeBakey Deptartment of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Longjiang Shao
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine and Michael E. DeBakey Deptartment of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Chad J Creighton
- Duncan Cancer Center Division of Biostatistics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Yiqun Zhang
- Duncan Cancer Center Division of Biostatistics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Li Xin
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Michael Ittmann
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine and Michael E. DeBakey Deptartment of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jianghua Wang
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine and Michael E. DeBakey Deptartment of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Wu J, Chi L, Chen Z, Lu X, Xiao S, Zhang G, Luo J, Chen GM, Yang J. Functional analysis of the TMPRSS2:ERG fusion gene in cisplatin‑induced cell death. Mol Med Rep 2016; 13:3173-80. [PMID: 26935606 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.4898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The TMPRSS2:E‑twenty‑six (ETS) gene fusion occurs frequently in a high proportion of patients with prostate cancer (PCa) in Western countries, and the aberrant expression of TMPRSS2: v‑ETS avian erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog (ERG), the most common form of the corresponding protein, can regulate cell migration and contribute to tumor invasion and metastasis. However, its association with other cellular events, and in particular, cell death, remain unknown. To examine the function of such fusion genes, an expression plasmid containing the TMPRSS2:ERG (T1/E5) sequence (ΔERG) from a patient sample was constructed and transiently transfected into DU145 cells, which do not express the fusion gene. It was found that the overexpression of ΔERG significantly inhibited the ability of cisplatin to induce apoptosis in DU145 cells. By contrast, VCaP cells, which do contain TMPRSS2:ERG, were sensitized to cisplatin‑induced apoptosis through siRNA inhibition of the fusion gene. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, a stable cell line expressing the ΔERG gene was constructed. Expression of ΔERG did not affect cell migration, but did protect cells from DNA damage and apoptosis induced by cisplatin. Furthermore, knockdown of ΔERG by short interfering RNA resulted in cells regaining their sensitivity to cisplatin. Finally, the gene coding for activating transcription factor 5, which is important for cell survival, may be upregulated by ΔERG. Taken together, these data point to a new function of the TMPRSS2:ERG fusion gene in regulating the apoptotic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junqi Wu
- Clinical Laboratory, Jinhua Hospital of Zhejiang University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321000, P.R. China
| | - Linfeng Chi
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Zhanghui Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Xianghong Lu
- Department of Pharmacy, Lishui People's Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang 323000, P.R. China
| | - Suping Xiao
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Guanglin Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Jindan Luo
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Ge-Ming Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Jun Yang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
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Sanna V, Chamcheu JC, Pala N, Mukhtar H, Sechi M, Siddiqui IA. Nanoencapsulation of natural triterpenoid celastrol for prostate cancer treatment. Int J Nanomedicine 2015; 10:6835-46. [PMID: 26586945 PMCID: PMC4636169 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s93752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Celastrol (CL), a triterpenoid extracted from the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii, has recently attracted interest for its potential antitumor effects. However, unfavorable physicochemical and pharmacokinetics properties such as low solubility, poor bioavailability, and systemic toxicity, are limiting its therapeutic application. In this context, the development of innovative nanocarriers can be useful to overcome these issues, and nanoencapsulation would represent a powerful strategy. In this study, we developed novel CL-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles (NPs), and investigated their antiproliferative efficacy on prostate cancer cells. CL-NPs were prepared using a nanoprecipitation method and fully characterized by physicochemical techniques. The antiproliferative effects on LNCaP, DU-145, and PC3 cell lines of CL-NPs, compared to those of free CL at different concentrations (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 µM), were investigated. Moreover, fluorescence microscopy was utilized to examine the cellular uptake of the nanosystems. Furthermore, to elucidate impact of nanoencapsulation on the mechanism of action, Western analyses were conducted to explore apoptosis, migration, proliferation, and angiogenesis alteration of prostate cancer cells. The results confirmed that CL-NPs inhibit proliferation dose dependently in all prostate cancer cells, with inhibitory concentration50 less than 2 µM. In particular, the NPs significantly increased cytotoxicity at lower/medium dose (0.5 and 1.0 µM) on DU145 and PC3 cell lines with respect to free CL, with modulation of apoptotic and cell cycle machinery proteins. To date, this represents the first report on the development of biocompatible polymeric NPs encapsulating CL. Our findings offer new perspectives for the exploitation of developed CL-NPs as suitable prototypes for prostate cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanna Sanna
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy ; Laboratory of Nanomedicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Nicolino Pala
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Hasan Mukhtar
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Mario Sechi
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy ; Laboratory of Nanomedicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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Guo J, Huang X, Wang H, Yang H. Celastrol Induces Autophagy by Targeting AR/miR-101 in Prostate Cancer Cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0140745. [PMID: 26473737 PMCID: PMC4608724 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved process responsible for the degradation and recycling of cytoplasmic components through autolysosomes. Targeting AR axis is a standard strategy for prostate cancer treatment; however, the role of AR in autophagic processes is still not fully understood. In the present study, we found that AR played a negative role in AR degrader celastrol-induced autophagy. Knockdown of AR in AR-positive prostate cancer cells resulted in enhanced autophagy. Ectopic expression of AR in AR-negative prostate cancer cells, or gain of function of the AR signaling in AR-positive cells, led to suppression of autophagy. Since miR-101 is an inhibitor of autophagy and its expression was decreased along with AR in the process of celastrol-induced autophagy, we hypothesize that AR inhibits autophagy through transactivation of miR-101. AR binding site was defined in the upstream of miR-101 gene by luciferase reporter and ChIP assays. MiR-101 expression correlated with AR status in prostate cancer cell lines. The inhibition of celastrol-induced autophagy by AR was compromised by blocking miR-101; while transfection of miR-101 led to inhibition of celastrol-induced autophagy in spite of AR depletion. Furthermore, mutagenesis of the AR binding site in miR-101 gene led to decreased suppression of autophagy by AR. Finally, autophagy inhibition by miR-101 mimic was found to enhance the cytotoxic effect of celastrol in prostate cancer cells. Our results demonstrate that AR inhibits autophagy via transactivation of miR-101, thus combination of miR-101 mimics with celastrol may represent a promising therapeutic approach for treating prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianquan Guo
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Xuemei Huang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Hui Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Huanjie Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
- * E-mail:
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27
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Celastrol Protects against Antimycin A-Induced Insulin Resistance in Human Skeletal Muscle Cells. Molecules 2015; 20:8242-69. [PMID: 25961164 PMCID: PMC6272652 DOI: 10.3390/molecules20058242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Revised: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation are widely accepted as key hallmarks of obesity-induced skeletal muscle insulin resistance. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the functional roles of an anti-inflammatory compound, celastrol, in mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance induced by antimycin A (AMA) in human skeletal muscle cells. We found that celastrol treatment improved insulin-stimulated glucose uptake activity of AMA-treated cells, apparently via PI3K/Akt pathways, with significant enhancement of mitochondrial activities. Furthermore, celastrol prevented increased levels of cellular oxidative damage where the production of several pro-inflammatory cytokines in cultures cells was greatly reduced. Celastrol significantly increased protein phosphorylation of insulin signaling cascades with amplified expression of AMPK protein and attenuated NF-κB and PKC θ activation in human skeletal muscle treated with AMA. The improvement of insulin signaling pathways by celastrol was also accompanied by augmented GLUT4 protein expression. Taken together, these results suggest that celastrol may be advocated for use as a potential therapeutic molecule to protect against mitochondrial dysfunction-induced insulin resistance in human skeletal muscle cells.
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Kyung H, Kwong JMK, Bekerman V, Gu L, Yadegari D, Caprioli J, Piri N. Celastrol supports survival of retinal ganglion cells injured by optic nerve crush. Brain Res 2015; 1609:21-30. [PMID: 25813825 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2014] [Revised: 03/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The present study evaluates the effect of celastrol on the survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) injured by optic nerve crush (ONC). Celastrol, a quinine methide triterpene extracted from the perennial vine Tripterygium wilfordii (Celastraceae), has been identified as a potential neuroprotective candidate in a comprehensive drug screen against various neurodegenerative diseases. Two weeks after ONC, the average density of remaining RGCs in retinas of animals treated with daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of celastrol (1mg/kg) was approximately 1332 cells/mm(2), or 40.8% of the Celastrol/Control group. In retinas of the Vehicle/ONC group about 381 RGCs/mm(2) were counted, which is 9.6% of the total number of RGCs in the DMSO/Control group. This corresponds to approximately a 250% increase in RGC survival mediated by celastrol treatment compared to Vehicle/ONC group. Furthermore, the average RGC number in retinas of ONC animals treated with a single intravitreal injection of 1mg/kg or 5mg/kg of celastrol was increased by approximately 80% (760 RGCs/mm(2)) and 78% (753 RGCs/mm(2)), respectively, compared to Vehicle/ONC controls (422 cells/mm(2)). Injection of 0.2mg/kg of celastrol had no significant effect on cell survival, with the average number of RGCs being 514 cells/mm(2) in celastrol-treated animals versus 422 cells/mm(2) in controls. The expression levels of Hsp70, Hsf1, Hsf2, HO-1 and TNF-alpha in the retina were analyzed to evaluate the roles of these proteins in the celastrol-mediated protection of injured RGCs. No statistically significant change in HO-1, Hsf1 and Hsp70 levels was seen in animals with ONC. An approximately 2 fold increase in Hsf2 level was observed in celastrol-treated animals with or without injury. Hsf2 level was also increased 1.8 fold in DMSO-treated animals with ONC injury compared to DMSO-treated animals with no injury suggesting that Hsf2 induction has an injury-induced component. Expression of TNF-alpha in retinas of celastrol-treated uninjured and ONC animals was reduced by approximately 2 and 1.5 fold compared to vehicle treated animals, respectively. The observed results suggest that mechanisms underlying celastrol׳s RGC protective effect are associated with inhibition of TNF-alpha-mediated cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haksu Kyung
- Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; National Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jacky M K Kwong
- Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Vlad Bekerman
- Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lei Gu
- Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Yadegari
- Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Joseph Caprioli
- Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Natik Piri
- Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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29
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Sharma S, Mishra R, Walker BL, Deshmukh S, Zampino M, Patel J, Anamalai M, Simpson D, Singh IS, Kaushal S, Kaushal S. Celastrol, an oral heat shock activator, ameliorates multiple animal disease models of cell death. Cell Stress Chaperones 2015; 20:185-201. [PMID: 25300203 PMCID: PMC4255245 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-014-0536-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Revised: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein homeostatic regulators have been shown to ameliorate single, loss-of-function protein diseases but not to treat broader animal disease models that may involve cell death. Diseases often trigger protein homeostatic instability that disrupts the delicate balance of normal cellular viability. Furthermore, protein homeostatic regulators have been delivered invasively and not with simple oral administration. Here, we report the potent homeostatic abilities of celastrol to promote cell survival, decrease inflammation, and maintain cellular homeostasis in three different disease models of apoptosis and inflammation involving hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes. We show that celastrol significantly recovers the left ventricular function and myocardial remodeling following models of acute myocardial infarction and doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy by diminishing infarct size, apoptosis, and inflammation. Celastrol prevents acute liver dysfunction and promotes hepatocyte survival after toxic doses of thioacetamide. Finally, we show that heat shock response (HSR) is necessary and sufficient for the recovery abilities of celastrol. Our observations may have dramatic clinical implications to ameliorate entire disease processes even after cellular injury initiation by using an orally delivered HSR activator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudhish Sharma
- />Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, 110 S. Paca Street, 7th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - Rachana Mishra
- />Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, 110 S. Paca Street, 7th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - Brandon L. Walker
- />Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, 110 S. Paca Street, 7th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - Savitha Deshmukh
- />Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, 110 S. Paca Street, 7th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - Manuela Zampino
- />Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, 110 S. Paca Street, 7th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - Jay Patel
- />Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, 110 S. Paca Street, 7th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - Mani Anamalai
- />Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, 110 S. Paca Street, 7th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - David Simpson
- />Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, 110 S. Paca Street, 7th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - Ishwar S. Singh
- />Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, 110 S. Paca Street, 7th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - Shalesh Kaushal
- />Retina Specialty Institute, 6717 North 11th Place Suite C, Gainesville, FL 32605 USA
| | - Sunjay Kaushal
- />Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, 110 S. Paca Street, 7th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
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Huang KC, Alshalalfa M, Hegazy SA, Dolph M, Donnelly B, Bismar TA. The prognostic significance of combined ERG and androgen receptor expression in patients with prostate cancer managed by androgen deprivation therapy. Cancer Biol Ther 2014; 15:1120-8. [PMID: 24972028 DOI: 10.4161/cbt.29689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
ERG and androgen receptor (AR) are known to function cooperatively in prostate cancer (PCa) progression. However, the prognostic value of combined ERG and AR expression and potential pathways are not well characterized. We assessed ERG and AR protein expression by immunohistochemistry in a cohort of 312 men with PCa diagnosed by transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Patients were divided into those with no prior hormonal treatment (designated as PCa/AdvPCa) vs. those with castrate-resistant PCa (CRPC) undergoing channel TURP to relieve obstructive symptoms. The expression status was correlated with various clinical-pathological parameters. The Swedish watchful-waiting cohort was used for validation and characterization of potential gene signatures associated with ERG and AR. Patients with combined ERG-positive/AR high expression profile demonstrated higher rates of PCa-specific mortality (PCSM) compared with patients with ERG-negative/AR low in patients with no prior treatment (n = 90, P = 0.032), but this was attenuated in the overall cohort which included the CRPC subgroup (n = 125, P = 0.096). The prognostic significance to PCSM was validated in the Swedish watchful waiting cohort in univariate (HR: 3.3; 95% CI: 1.9-5.6, P = 4.25E-5) and multivariate analysis (HR: 2; 95% CI: 0.97-4.1, P = 0.057), which included Gleason score. ERG/AR overexpression status characterized 152 genes signatures including WNT, PI3K/AKT and chemokine signaling pathways known to be deregulated in PCa. In conclusion, combined ERG/AR overexpression signifies a class of patients at highest-risk of PCSM with specific key genetic alteration likely responsible for disease progression. The prognostic value of combined ERG/AR overexpression and its associated genes should be further investigated as potential prognostic and therapeutic targets in prostate cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Cheng Huang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of Calgary and Calgary Laboratory Services; Calgary, AB Canada
| | | | - Samar A Hegazy
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of Calgary and Calgary Laboratory Services; Calgary, AB Canada; The Prostate Cancer Center; Calgary, AB Canada; Department of Pathology; Faculty of Medicine; Zagazig University; Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Michael Dolph
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of Calgary and Calgary Laboratory Services; Calgary, AB Canada
| | - Bryan Donnelly
- Department of Urology; University of Calgary; Calgary, AB Canada; The Prostate Cancer Center; Calgary, AB Canada
| | - Tarek A Bismar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of Calgary and Calgary Laboratory Services; Calgary, AB Canada; Departments of Oncology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Calgary, AB Canada; Southern Alberta Cancer Institute and Tom Baker Cancer Center; Calgary, AB Canada; The Prostate Cancer Center; Calgary, AB Canada
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31
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Celastrol targets proteostasis and acts synergistically with a heat-shock protein 90 inhibitor to kill human glioblastoma cells. Cell Death Dis 2014; 5:e1216. [PMID: 24810052 PMCID: PMC4047902 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2013] [Revised: 03/06/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme is a devastating disease of the central nervous system and, at present, no effective therapeutic interventions have been identified. Celastrol, a natural occurring triterpene, exhibits potent anti-tumor activity against gliomas in xenograft mouse models. In this study, we describe the cell death mechanism employed by celastrol and identify secondary targets for effective combination therapy against glioblastoma cell survival. In contrast to the previously proposed reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent mechanism, cell death in human glioblastoma cells is shown here to be mediated by alternate signal transduction pathways involving, but not fully dependent on, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 and caspase-3. Our studies indicate that celastrol promotes proteotoxic stress, supported by two feedback mechanisms: (i) impairment of protein quality control as revealed by accumulation of polyubiquitinated aggregates and the canonical autophagy substrate, p62, and (ii) the induction of heat-shock proteins, HSP72 and HSP90. The Michael adduct of celastrol and N-acetylcysteine, 6-N-acetylcysteinyldihydrocelastrol, had no effect on p62, nor on HSP72 expression, confirming a thiol-dependent mechanism. Restriction of protein folding stress with cycloheximide was protective, while combination with autophagy inhibitors did not sensitize cells to celastrol-mediated cytotoxicity. Collectively, these findings imply that celastrol targets proteostasis by disrupting sulfyhydryl homeostasis, independently of ROS, in human glioblastoma cells. This study further emphasizes that targeting proteotoxic stress responses by inhibiting HSP90 with 17-N-Allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin sensitizes human glioblastoma to celastrol treatment, thereby serving as a novel synergism to overcome drug resistance.
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32
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Farooqi AA, Hou MF, Chen CC, Wang CL, Chang HW. Androgen receptor and gene network: Micromechanics reassemble the signaling machinery of TMPRSS2-ERG positive prostate cancer cells. Cancer Cell Int 2014; 14:34. [PMID: 24739220 PMCID: PMC4002202 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2867-14-34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2013] [Accepted: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is a gland tumor in the male reproductive system. It is a multifaceted and genomically complex disease. Transmembrane protease, serine 2 and v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 homolog (TMPRSS2-ERG) gene fusions are the common molecular signature of prostate cancer. Although tremendous advances have been made in unraveling various facets of TMPRSS2-ERG-positive prostate cancer, many research findings must be sequentially collected and re-interpreted. It is important to understand the activation or repression of target genes and proteins in response to various stimuli and the assembly in signal transduction in TMPRSS2-ERG fusion-positive prostate cancer cells. Accordingly, we divide this multi-component review ofprostate cancer cells into several segments: 1) The role of TMPRSS2-ERG fusion in genomic instability and methylated regulation in prostate cancer and normal cells; 2) Signal transduction cascades in TMPRSS2-ERG fusion-positive prostate cancer; 3) Overexpressed genes in TMPRSS2-ERG fusion-positive prostate cancer cells; 4) miRNA mediated regulation of the androgen receptor (AR) and its associated protein network; 5) Quantitative control of ERG in prostate cancer cells; 6) TMPRSS2-ERG encoded protein targeting; In conclusion, we provide a detailed understanding of TMPRSS2-ERG fusion related information in prostate cancer development to provide a rationale for exploring TMPRSS2-ERG fusion-mediated molecular network machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ammad Ahmad Farooqi
- Laboratory for Translational Oncology and Personalized Medicine, Rashid Latif Medical College, 35 Km Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Ming-Feng Hou
- Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chi Chen
- Bioresource Collection and Research Center, Food Industry Research and Development Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Lin Wang
- Bioresource Collection and Research Center, Food Industry Research and Development Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Wei Chang
- Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Institute of Medical Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Translational Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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The Multifaceted Roles of STAT3 Signaling in the Progression of Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2014; 6:829-59. [PMID: 24722453 PMCID: PMC4074806 DOI: 10.3390/cancers6020829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2014] [Revised: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 governs essential functions of epithelial and hematopoietic cells that are often dysregulated in cancer. While the role for STAT3 in promoting the progression of many solid and hematopoietic malignancies is well established, this review will focus on the importance of STAT3 in prostate cancer progression to the incurable metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Indeed, STAT3 integrates different signaling pathways involved in the reactivation of androgen receptor pathway, stem like cells and the epithelial to mesenchymal transition that drive progression to mCRPC. As equally important, STAT3 regulates interactions between tumor cells and the microenvironment as well as immune cell activation. This makes it a major factor in facilitating prostate cancer escape from detection of the immune response, promoting an immunosuppressive environment that allows growth and metastasis. Based on the multifaceted nature of STAT3 signaling in the progression to mCRPC, the promise of STAT3 as a therapeutic target to prevent prostate cancer progression and the variety of STAT3 inhibitors used in cancer therapies is discussed.
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Evaluation of traditional medicines for neurodegenerative diseases using Drosophila models. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 2014:967462. [PMID: 24790636 PMCID: PMC3984789 DOI: 10.1155/2014/967462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Revised: 02/17/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Drosophila is one of the oldest and most powerful genetic models and has led to novel insights into a variety of biological processes. Recently, Drosophila has emerged as a model system to study human diseases, including several important neurodegenerative diseases. Because of the genomic similarity between Drosophila and humans, Drosophila neurodegenerative disease models exhibit a variety of human-disease-like phenotypes, facilitating fast and cost-effective in vivo genetic modifier screening and drug evaluation. Using these models, many disease-associated genetic factors have been identified, leading to the identification of compelling drug candidates. Recently, the safety and efficacy of traditional medicines for human diseases have been evaluated in various animal disease models. Despite the advantages of the Drosophila model, its usage in the evaluation of traditional medicines is only nascent. Here, we introduce the Drosophila model for neurodegenerative diseases and some examples demonstrating the successful application of Drosophila models in the evaluation of traditional medicines.
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Wolfram J, Suri K, Huang Y, Molinaro R, Borsoi C, Scott B, Boom K, Paolino D, Fresta M, Wang J, Ferrari M, Celia C, Shen H. Evaluation of anticancer activity of celastrol liposomes in prostate cancer cells. J Microencapsul 2014; 31:501-7. [PMID: 24654943 DOI: 10.3109/02652048.2013.879932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Celastrol, a natural compound derived from the herb Tripterygium wilfordii, is known to have anticancer activity, but is not soluble in water. OBJECTIVE Formation of celastrol liposomes, to avoid the use of toxic solubilising agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two different formulations of PEGylated celastrol liposomes were fabricated. Liposomal characteristics and serum stability were determined using dynamic light scattering. Drug entrapment efficacy and drug release were measured spectrophotometrically. Cellular internalisation and anticancer activity was measured in prostate cancer cells. RESULTS Liposomal celastrol displayed efficient serum stability, cellular internalisation and anticancer activity, comparable to that of the free drug reconstituted in dimethyl sulfoxide. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Liposomal celastrol can decrease the viability of prostate cancer cells, while eliminating the need for toxic solubilising agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy Wolfram
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute , Houston, TX , USA
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