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Gharib E, Robichaud GA. From Crypts to Cancer: A Holistic Perspective on Colorectal Carcinogenesis and Therapeutic Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9463. [PMID: 39273409 PMCID: PMC11395697 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25179463] [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: 07/29/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a significant global health burden, with high incidence and mortality rates worldwide. Recent progress in research highlights the distinct clinical and molecular characteristics of colon versus rectal cancers, underscoring tumor location's importance in treatment approaches. This article provides a comprehensive review of our current understanding of CRC epidemiology, risk factors, molecular pathogenesis, and management strategies. We also present the intricate cellular architecture of colonic crypts and their roles in intestinal homeostasis. Colorectal carcinogenesis multistep processes are also described, covering the conventional adenoma-carcinoma sequence, alternative serrated pathways, and the influential Vogelstein model, which proposes sequential APC, KRAS, and TP53 alterations as drivers. The consensus molecular CRC subtypes (CMS1-CMS4) are examined, shedding light on disease heterogeneity and personalized therapy implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Gharib
- Département de Chimie et Biochimie, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB E1A 3E9, Canada
- Atlantic Cancer Research Institute, Moncton, NB E1C 8X3, Canada
| | - Gilles A Robichaud
- Département de Chimie et Biochimie, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB E1A 3E9, Canada
- Atlantic Cancer Research Institute, Moncton, NB E1C 8X3, Canada
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2
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Bani N, Rahmani F, Shakour N, Amerizadeh F, Khalili-Tanha G, Khazaei M, Hassanian SM, Kerachian MA, Abbaszadegan MR, Mojarad M, Hadizadeh F, Ferns GA, Avan A. Wortmannin Inhibits Cell Growth and Induces Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer Cells by Suppressing the PI3K/AKT Pathway. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2024; 24:916-927. [PMID: 38584531 DOI: 10.2174/0118715206296355240325113920] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant contributor to mortality, often exacerbated by metastasis and chemoresistance. Novel therapeutic strategies are imperative to enhance current treatments. The dysregulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is implicated in CRC progression. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of Wortmannin, combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), to target the PI3K/Akt pathway in CRC. METHODS Anti-migratory and antiproliferative effects were assessed through wound healing and MTT assays. Apoptosis and cell cycle alterations were evaluated using Annexin V/Propidium Iodide Apoptosis Assay. Wortmannin's impact on the oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium was examined via ROS, SOD, CAT, MDA, and T-SH levels. Downstream target genes of the PI3K/AKT pathway were analyzed at mRNA and protein levels using RTPCR and western blot, respectively. RESULTS Wortmannin demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect on cell proliferation, modulating survivin, cyclinD1, PI3K, and p-Akt. The PI3K inhibitor attenuated migratory activity, inducing E-cadherin expression. Combined Wortmannin with 5-FU induced apoptosis, increasing cells in sub-G1 via elevated ROS levels. CONCLUSION This study underscores Wortmannin's potential in inhibiting CRC cell growth and migration through PI3K/Akt pathway modulation. It also highlights its candidacy for further investigation as a promising therapeutic option in colorectal cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nastaran Bani
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Farzad Rahmani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Neda Shakour
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Forouzan Amerizadeh
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ghazaleh Khalili-Tanha
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Majid Khazaei
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Mahdi Hassanian
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Amin Kerachian
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Abbaszadegan
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Majid Mojarad
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Farzin Hadizadeh
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Gordon A Ferns
- Department of Medical Education, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton, Sussex BN1 9PH, UK
| | - Amir Avan
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Lee CL, Cremona M, Farrelly A, Workman JA, Kennedy S, Aslam R, Carr A, Madden S, O’Neill B, Hennessy BT, Toomey S. Preclinical evaluation of the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib in combination with a PI3K or MEK inhibitor in colorectal cancer. Cancer Biol Ther 2023; 24:2223388. [PMID: 37326340 PMCID: PMC10281467 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2023.2223388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Palbociclib (CDK 4/6 inhibitor), Gedatolisib (PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor) and PD0325901 (MEK1/2 inhibitor) in colorectal cancer (CRC), however single agent therapeutics are often limited by the development of resistance. METHODS We compared the anti-proliferative effects of the combination of Gedatolisib and Palbociclib and Gedatolisib and PD0325901 in five CRC cell lines with varying mutational background and tested their combinations on total and phosphoprotein levels of signaling pathway proteins. RESULTS The combination of Palbociclib and Gedatolisib was superior to the combination of Palbociclib and PD0325901. The combination of Palbociclib and Gedatolisib had synergistic anti-proliferative effects in all cell lines tested [CI range: 0.11-0.69] and resulted in the suppression of S6rp (S240/244), without AKT reactivation. The combination of Palbociclib and Gedatolisib increased BAX and Bcl-2 levels in PIK3CA mutated cell lines. The combination of Palbociclib and Gedatolisib caused MAPK/ERK reactivation, as seen by an increase in expression of total EGFR, regardless of the mutational status of the cells. CONCLUSION This study shows that the combination of Palbociclib and Gedatolisib has synergistic anti-proliferative effects in both wild-type and mutated CRC cell lines. Separately, the phosphorylation of S6rp may be a promising biomarker of responsiveness to this combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cha Len Lee
- Medical Oncology Group, Department of Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mattia Cremona
- Medical Oncology Group, Department of Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Angela Farrelly
- Medical Oncology Group, Department of Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Julie A. Workman
- Medical Oncology Group, Department of Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sean Kennedy
- Medical Oncology Group, Department of Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Razia Aslam
- Medical Oncology Group, Department of Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aoife Carr
- Medical Oncology Group, Department of Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Stephen Madden
- Data Science Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Brian O’Neill
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Luke’s Radiation Oncology Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Bryan T. Hennessy
- Medical Oncology Group, Department of Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sinead Toomey
- Medical Oncology Group, Department of Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
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Fan F, Ghosh S, Powell R, Roszik J, Park Y, Sobieski M, Sorokin A, Stephan C, Kopetz S, Ellis LM, Bhattacharya R. Combining MEK and SRC inhibitors for treatment of colorectal cancer demonstrate increased efficacy in vitro but not in vivo. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281063. [PMID: 36952536 PMCID: PMC10035898 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. More than 50% of patients with mCRC harbor mutations of the oncogenic driver RAS (KRAS or NRAS). Because directly targeting most mutations of RAS is technically challenging, researchers have concentrated on targeting MEK, a downstream mediator of RAS. However, targeting MEK as single-agent therapy is ineffective in patients with mCRC. We hypothesize that combining a MEK inhibitor with other agents can enhance the efficacy of MEK targeting in mCRC. Unbiased high-throughput screening (HTS) was performed to identify drugs that enhance the efficacy of MEK inhibitors. HTS was performed with KRAS-mutated CRC cells using the MEK inhibitor trametinib as a "backbone" and two "clinically ready" compound libraries approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or in clinical trials. HTS demonstrated that the combination of the SRC inhibitor dasatinib and trametinib was synergistic in CRC cells in vitro (MTT and colony formation assays). Analysis of markers for cell proliferation and apoptosis using fluorescence-activated cell sorting, reverse-phase protein array, or Western blotting demonstrated decreased cell proliferation and increased cell death when targeting both SRC and MEK as compared to single agents in multiple CRC cell lines. However, combining dasatinib and trametinib in vivo at doses in mice equivalent to doses used in humans failed to significantly enhance the antitumor activity of trametinib when compared to that of trametinib alone. These results underscore the importance of performing careful preclinical in vivo validation studies using clinically relevant doses as a prerequisite for translating in vitro findings to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Fan
- Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Susmita Ghosh
- Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Reid Powell
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jason Roszik
- Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Yongsun Park
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Mary Sobieski
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Alexey Sorokin
- Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Clifford Stephan
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Scott Kopetz
- Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Lee M Ellis
- Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Rajat Bhattacharya
- Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
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Davis SL, Hartman SJ, Bagby SM, Schlaepfer M, Yacob BW, Tse T, Simmons DM, Diamond JR, Lieu CH, Leal AD, Cadogan EB, Hughes GD, Durant ST, Messersmith WA, Pitts TM. ATM kinase inhibitor AZD0156 in combination with irinotecan and 5-fluorouracil in preclinical models of colorectal cancer. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:1107. [PMID: 36309653 PMCID: PMC9617348 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-10084-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
AZD0156 is an oral inhibitor of ATM, a serine threonine kinase that plays a key role in DNA damage response (DDR) associated with double-strand breaks. Topoisomerase-I inhibitor irinotecan is used clinically to treat colorectal cancer (CRC), often in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5FU). AZD0156 in combination with irinotecan and 5FU was evaluated in preclinical models of CRC to determine whether low doses of AZD0156 enhance the cytotoxicity of irinotecan in chemotherapy regimens used in the clinic.
Methods
Anti-proliferative effects of single-agent AZD0156, the active metabolite of irinotecan (SN38), and combination therapy were evaluated in 12 CRC cell lines. Additional assessment with clonogenic assay, cell cycle analysis, and immunoblotting were performed in 4 selected cell lines. Four colorectal cancer patient derived xenograft (PDX) models were treated with AZD0156, irinotecan, or 5FU alone and in combination for assessment of tumor growth inhibition (TGI). Immunofluorescence was performed on tumor tissues. The DDR mutation profile was compared across in vitro and in vivo models.
Results
Enhanced effects on cellular proliferation and regrowth were observed with the combination of AZD0156 and SN38 in select models. In cell cycle analysis of these models, increased G2/M arrest was observed with combination treatment over either single agent. Immunoblotting results suggest an increase in DDR associated with irinotecan therapy, with a reduced effect noted when combined with AZD0156, which is more pronounced in some models. Increased TGI was observed with the combination of AZD0156 and irinotecan as compared to single-agent therapy in some PDX models. The DDR mutation profile was variable across models.
Conclusions
AZD0156 and irinotecan provide a rational and active combination in preclinical colorectal cancer models. Variability across in vivo and in vitro results may be related to the variable DDR mutation profiles of the models evaluated. Further understanding of the implications of individual DDR mutation profiles may help better identify patients more likely to benefit from treatment with the combination of AZD0156 and irinotecan in the clinical setting.
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Oryani MA, Tavasoli A, Ghalavand MA, Ashtiani RZ, Rezaee A, Mahmoudi R, Golvari H, Owrangi S, Soleymani-Goloujeh M. Epigenetics and its therapeutic potential in colorectal cancer. Epigenomics 2022; 14:683-697. [PMID: 35473313 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
It is estimated that colorectal cancer (CRC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death around the globe. 'Epigenetics' refers to changes in the chromosome rather than the DNA sequence, which may be transmitted down to daughter cells. Epigenetics is an essential part of controlling the development and variation of a single cell. ncRNAs have a role in epigenetic regulation in CRC, which will be discussed in this review in the context of DNA methylation and histone modifications. A greater survival rate for CRC patients might be achieved by addressing epigenetic mediators, as the authors show. In this review, they aim to thoroughly examine the role of epigenetics in the prognosis, diagnosis and treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Akbari Oryani
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Afsaneh Tavasoli
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mohammad Amin Ghalavand
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Alisam Rezaee
- Faculty of Medical Sciences & Technologies, Science & Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Hossein Golvari
- School of Nursing & Paramedical Sciences, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Soroor Owrangi
- Student Research Committee, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Mehdi Soleymani-Goloujeh
- Department of Stem Cells & Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
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Van de Walle T, Cools L, Mangelinckx S, D'hooghe M. Recent contributions of quinolines to antimalarial and anticancer drug discovery research. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 226:113865. [PMID: 34655985 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Quinoline, a privileged scaffold in medicinal chemistry, has always been associated with a multitude of biological activities. Especially in antimalarial and anticancer research, quinoline played (and still plays) a central role, giving rise to the development of an array of quinoline-containing pharmaceuticals in these therapeutic areas. However, both diseases still affect millions of people every year, pointing to the necessity of new therapies. Quinolines have a long-standing history as antimalarial agents, but established quinoline-containing antimalarial drugs are now facing widespread resistance of the Plasmodium parasite. Nevertheless, as evidenced by a massive number of recent literature contributions, they are still of great value for future developments in this field. On the other hand, the number of currently approved anticancer drugs containing a quinoline scaffold are limited, but a strong increase and interest in quinoline compounds as potential anticancer agents can be seen in the last few years. In this review, a literature overview of recent contributions made by quinoline-containing compounds as potent antimalarial or anticancer agents is provided, covering publications between 2018 and 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Van de Walle
- SynBioC Research Group, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lore Cools
- SynBioC Research Group, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sven Mangelinckx
- SynBioC Research Group, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Matthias D'hooghe
- SynBioC Research Group, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium.
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Rahman S, Garrel S, Gerber M, Maitra R, Goel S. Therapeutic Targets of KRAS in Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6233. [PMID: 34944853 PMCID: PMC8699097 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer have a 5-year overall survival of less than 10%. Approximately 45% of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer harbor KRAS mutations. These mutations not only carry a predictive role for the absence of response to anti-EGFR therapy, but also have a negative prognostic impact on the overall survival. There is a growing unmet need for a personalized therapy approach for patients with KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer. In this article, we focus on the therapeutic strategies targeting KRAS- mutant CRC, while reviewing and elaborating on the discovery and physiology of KRAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafia Rahman
- Department of Medical Oncology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1695 Eastchester Road Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA; (S.R.); (R.M.)
| | - Shimon Garrel
- Department of Biology, Lander College For Men, 75-31 150th Street, Flushing, New York, NY 11367, USA;
| | - Michael Gerber
- Department of Biology, Yeshiva University, 500 West 185th Street, New York, NY 10033, USA;
| | - Radhashree Maitra
- Department of Medical Oncology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1695 Eastchester Road Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA; (S.R.); (R.M.)
- Department of Biology, Yeshiva University, 500 West 185th Street, New York, NY 10033, USA;
| | - Sanjay Goel
- Department of Medical Oncology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1695 Eastchester Road Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA; (S.R.); (R.M.)
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MTOR/4EBP1 signaling and MMR status in colorectal cancer: New correlations and arising perspectives. Pathol Res Pract 2021; 228:153655. [PMID: 34749209 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2021.153655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This is the first study aiming to investigate mTOR signaling and its relation to mismatch repair status (MMR status) in colorectal cancer (CRC). MMR status and the phosphorylated proteins, pmTOR and p4EBP1, have been immunohistochemically analyzed in 108 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded CRC specimens. The correlations between them and with clinicopathological data, MAPK pathway (KRAS, NRAS, BRAF) as well as their impact on patients' overall survival have been statistically analyzed. Our results indicated that positive pmTOR expression was significantly associated with KRAS mutations (p = 0.004). From multivariate survival analysis, only p4EBP1 expression emerged as independent adverse prognostic factor for overall survival (HR, 3.322; 95%CI, 1.110-9.945; p = 0.032). Furthermore, MMR deficient carcinomas tend to express low p4EBP1 protein levels (p = 0.002). A survival analysis stratified by MMR status and p4EBP1 expression, showed that MMR proficient tumours with high p4EBP1 expression had the worst overall survival compared with the other examined subgroups (p = 0.019). In conclusion, MAPK and PI3k/Akt pathways seem to be simultaneously overactivated in CRC. P4EBP1 could be used as a prognostic biomarker. By further analyzing the significant association between MMR status and p4EBP1 expression, we suggest that MMR deficient tumours could represent a subpopulation most likely to derive treatment benefit from mTOR inhibition.
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10
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Taylor H, Yerlioglu D, Phen C, Ballauff A, Nedelkopoulou N, Spier I, Loverdos I, Busoni VB, Heise J, Dale P, de Meij T, Sweet K, Cohen MC, Fox VL, Mas E, Aretz S, Eng C, Buderus S, Thomson M, Rojas I, Uhlig HH. mTOR inhibitors reduce enteropathy, intestinal bleeding and colectomy rate in patients with juvenile polyposis of infancy with PTEN-BMPR1A deletion. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:1273-1282. [PMID: 33822054 PMCID: PMC8804886 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultra-rare genetic disorders can provide proof of concept for efficacy of targeted therapeutics and reveal pathogenic mechanisms relevant to more common conditions. Juvenile polyposis of infancy (JPI) is caused by microdeletions in chromosome 10 that result in haploinsufficiency of two tumor suppressor genes: phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) and bone morphogenetic protein receptor type IA (BMPR1A). Loss of PTEN and BMPR1A results in a much more severe phenotype than deletion of either gene alone, with infantile onset pan-enteric polyposis and a high mortality rate. No effective pharmacological therapy exists. A multi-center cohort analysis was performed to characterize phenotype and investigate the therapeutic effect of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibition (adverse events, disease progression, time to colectomy and mortality) in patients with JPI. Among 25 JPI patients identified (mean age of onset 13 months), seven received mTOR inhibitors (everolimus, n = 2; or sirolimus, n = 5). Treatment with an mTOR inhibitor reduced the risk of colectomy (hazard ratio = 0.27, 95% confidence interval = 0.07-0.954, P = 0.042) and resulted in significant improvements in the serum albumin level (mean increase = 16.3 g/l, P = 0.0003) and hemoglobin (mean increase = 2.68 g/dl, P = 0.0077). Long-term mTOR inhibitor treatment was well tolerated over an accumulated follow-up time of 29.8 patient years. No serious adverse events were reported. Early therapy with mTOR inhibitors offers effective, pathway-specific and personalized treatment for patients with JPI. Inhibition of the phosphoinositol-3-kinase-AKT-mTOR pathway mitigates the detrimental synergistic effects of combined PTEN-BMPR1A deletion. This is the first effective pharmacological treatment identified for a hamartomatous polyposis syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Taylor
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, UK
| | - Dilay Yerlioglu
- Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Fatih 34093, Turkey
| | - Claudia Phen
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Antje Ballauff
- Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin Gastroenterology, HELIOS Klinikum Krefeld, Krefeld, Nordrhein-Westfalen 47805, Germany
| | - Natalia Nedelkopoulou
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, Yorkshire S10 2TH, UK
| | - Isabel Spier
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen 53012, Germany.,National Centre for Hereditary Tumor Syndromes, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen 53126, Germany
| | - Inés Loverdos
- Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition Unit, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí I3PT, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Sabadell, Catalonia comunidad 08208, Spain
| | - Veronica B Busoni
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver-Intestine Transplantation Division, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jürgen Heise
- Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin Gastroenterology, HELIOS Klinikum Krefeld, Krefeld, Nordrhein-Westfalen 47805, Germany
| | - Peter Dale
- Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport NP20 2UB, UK
| | - Tim de Meij
- VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam 1081, The Netherlands
| | - Kevin Sweet
- Division of Human Genetics, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Marta C Cohen
- Histopathology Department, Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, Yorkshire S10 2TH, UK
| | - Victor L Fox
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Emmanuel Mas
- Unité de Gastroentérologie, Hépatologie, Nutrition, Diabétologie et Maladies Héréditaires du Métabolisme, Hôpital des Enfants, CHU de Toulouse, and IRSD, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, INRA, ENVT, UPS, Toulouse, Occitanie 31300, France
| | - Stefan Aretz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen 53012, Germany.,National Centre for Hereditary Tumor Syndromes, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen 53126, Germany
| | - Charis Eng
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, and Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.,Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, and CASE Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Stephan Buderus
- GFO-Kliniken Bonn, St. Marien-Hospital, Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen 53115, Germany
| | - Mike Thomson
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, Yorkshire S10 2TH, UK
| | - Isabel Rojas
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Holm H Uhlig
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX3 9DU, UK.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX3 9DU, UK.,Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX4 2PG, UK
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11
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Hartman SJ, Bagby SM, Yacob BW, Simmons DM, MacBeth M, Lieu CH, Davis SL, Leal AD, Tentler JJ, Diamond JR, Eckhardt SG, Messersmith WA, Pitts TM. WEE1 Inhibition in Combination With Targeted Agents and Standard Chemotherapy in Preclinical Models of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:642328. [PMID: 33869031 PMCID: PMC8044903 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.642328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal cancer with high incidences of p53 mutations. AZD1775 (adavosertib, previously MK-1775) is a small molecule WEE1 inhibitor that abrogates the G2M checkpoint and can potentially synergize with DNA damaging therapies commonly used in PDAC treatment. The purpose of this study was to identify combination partners for AZD1775, including standard chemotherapy or targeted agents, in PDAC preclinical models. Low powered preliminary screens demonstrated that two of the four PDX models responded better to the combinations of AZD1775 with irinotecan or capecitabine than to either single agent. Following the screens, two full powered PDAC PDX models of differing p53 status were tested with the combinations of AZD1775 and irinotecan or capecitabine. The combinations of AZD1775 and SN38 or 5-FU were also tested on PDAC cell lines. Cellular proliferation was measured using an IncuCyte Live Cell Imager and apoptosis was measured using a Caspase-Glo 3/7 assay. Flow cytometry was conducted to measure alterations in cell cycle distribution. Western blot analysis was used to determine the effects of the drug combinations on downstream effectors. In PDX models with mutated p53 status, there was significant tumor growth inhibition from the combination of AZD1775 with irinotecan or capecitabine (P ≤ 0.03), while PDX models with wild type p53 did not show anti-tumor synergy from the same combinations (P ≥ 0.08). The combination of AZD1775 with SN38 or 5-FU significantly decreased proliferation in all PDAC cell lines, and enhanced apoptosis in multiple cell lines. Cell cycle distribution was disrupted from the combination of AZD1775 with SN38 or 5-FU which was recorded as G2M arrest and decreased G1 phase. AZD1775 inhibited phospho-CDC2 and increased the expression of γH2AX that was either maintained or enhanced after combination with SN38 or 5-FU. The combination of AZD1775 with irinotecan/SN38 or capecitabine/5-FU showed anti-tumor effects in vivo and in vitro in PDAC models. These results support further investigation for these combination strategies to enhance outcomes for PDAC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Hartman
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Stacey M Bagby
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Betelehem W Yacob
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Dennis M Simmons
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Morgan MacBeth
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Christopher H Lieu
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - S Lindsey Davis
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Alexis D Leal
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - John J Tentler
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Jennifer R Diamond
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - S Gail Eckhardt
- Department of Oncology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Wells A Messersmith
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Todd M Pitts
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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12
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Ryabaya OO, Abramov IS, Khochenkov DA, Akasov R, Sholina NV, Prokofieva AA. Rapamycin synergizes the cytotoxic effects of MEK inhibitor binimetinib and overcomes acquired resistance to therapy in melanoma cell lines in vitro. Invest New Drugs 2021; 39:987-1000. [PMID: 33683500 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-021-01089-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Objective The problem of drug resistance to BRAF-targeted therapy often occurs in melanoma treatment. Activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is one of the mechanisms of acquired resistance and a potential target for treatment. In the current research, we investigated that dual inhibition of mTOR and MEK synergistically reduced the viability of melanoma cells in vitro. Methods A combination of rapamycin (a macrolide immunosuppressant, mTOR inhibitor) and binimetinib (an anti-cancer small molecule, selective inhibitor of MEK) was studied using a panel of melanoma cell lines, including patient-derived cells. Results It was found, that combinatorial therapy of rapamycin (250 nM) and binimetinib (2 μM) resulted in 25% of cell viability compared to either rapamycin (85%) or binimetinib alone (50%) for A375 and vemurafenib-resistant Mel IL/R cells. The suppressed activation of mTOR and MEK by combined rapamycin and binimetinib treatment was confirmed using Western blot assay. Cell death occured via the apoptosis pathway; however, the combination treatment significantly increased the apoptosis only for Mel IL/R cells. The enhanced cytotoxic effect was also associated with enhanced cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. Conclusion In general, we provide the evidence that dual inhibition of mTOR and MEK could be promising for further preclinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oxana O Ryabaya
- Department of the Experimental Diagnostic and Tumor Therapy N.N., Bloknin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 24 Kashirskoe Shosse, Moscow, 115478, Russia.
| | - Ivan S Abramov
- Center of Strategical Planning, Moscow, Russia, 10-1 Pogodinskaya Street, Moscow, 119121, Russia
| | - Dmitry A Khochenkov
- Department of the Experimental Diagnostic and Tumor Therapy N.N., Bloknin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 24 Kashirskoe Shosse, Moscow, 115478, Russia.,Togliatti State University, Belorusskaya str. 14, Togliatti, 445020, Russia
| | - Roman Akasov
- Institute of Molecular Medicine Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 8-2 Trubetskaya Street, Moscow, 119991, Russia.,Department of Biomaterials and Biotechnologies, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997, Russia.,Federal Scientific Research Center «Crystallography and Photonics», Russian Academy of Sciences, 17a Butlerova st, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Nataly V Sholina
- Department of the Experimental Diagnostic and Tumor Therapy N.N., Bloknin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 24 Kashirskoe Shosse, Moscow, 115478, Russia.,Institute of Molecular Medicine Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 8-2 Trubetskaya Street, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Anastasia A Prokofieva
- Department of the Experimental Diagnostic and Tumor Therapy N.N., Bloknin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 24 Kashirskoe Shosse, Moscow, 115478, Russia
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13
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Role of NEU3 Overexpression in the Prediction of Efficacy of EGFR-Targeted Therapies in Colon Cancer Cell Lines. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228805. [PMID: 33233823 PMCID: PMC7699864 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), through the MAP kinase and PI3K-Akt-mTOR axis, plays a pivotal role in colorectal cancer (CRC) pathogenesis. The membrane-associated NEU3 sialidase interacts with and desialylates EGFR by promoting its dimerization and downstream effectors’ activation. Among the targeted therapies against EGFR, the monoclonal antibody cetuximab is active only in a subgroup of patients not carrying mutations in the MAP kinase pathway. In order to better understand the EGFR-NEU3 interplay and the mechanisms of pharmacological resistance, we investigated the role of NEU3 deregulation in cetuximab-treated CRC cell lines transiently transfected with NEU3 using Western blot analysis. Our results indicate that NEU3 overexpression can enhance EGFR activation only if EGFR is overexpressed, indicating the existence of a threshold for NEU3-mediated EGFR activation. This enhancement mainly leads to the constitutive activation of the MAP kinase pathway. Consequently, we suggest that the evaluation of NEU3 expression cannot entirely substitute the evaluation of EGFR because EGFR-negative cases cannot be stimulated by NEU3. Furthermore, NEU3-mediated hyperactivation of EGFR is counterbalanced by the administration of cetuximab, hypothesizing that a combined treatment of NEU3- and EGFR-targeted therapies may represent a valid option for CRC patients, which must be investigated in the future.
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14
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Shahi Thakuri P, Lamichhane A, Singh S, Gupta M, Luker GD, Tavana H. Modeling Adaptive Resistance of KRAS Mutant Colorectal Cancer to MAPK Pathway Inhibitors with a Three-Dimensional Tumor Model. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2020; 3:1176-1187. [PMID: 33344895 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Single-agent drug treatment of KRASmut colorectal cancers is often ineffective because the activation of compensatory signaling pathways leads to drug resistance. To mimic cyclic chemotherapy treatments of patients, we showed that intermittent treatments of 3D tumor spheroids of KRASmut colorectal cancer cells with inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway temporarily suppressed growth of spheroids. However, the efficacy of successive single-agent treatments was significantly reduced. Molecular analysis showed compensatory activation of PI3K/AKT and STAT kinases and EGFR family proteins. To overcome the adaptation of cancer cells to MAPK pathway inhibitors, we treated tumor spheroids with a combination of MEK and EGFR inhibitors. This approach significantly blocked signaling of MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways and prevented the growth of spheroids, but it was not effective against STAT signaling. Although the combination treatment blocked the matrix invasion of DLD1 cells, additional treatments with STAT inhibitors were necessary to prevent invasiveness of HCT116 cells. Overall, our drug resistance model elucidated the mechanisms of treatment-induced growth and invasiveness of cancer cells and allowed design-driven testing and identifying of effective treatments to suppress these phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradip Shahi Thakuri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Astha Lamichhane
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Sunil Singh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Megha Gupta
- Department of Arts and Sciences, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Gary D Luker
- Department of Radiology, Microbiology and Immunology, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, United States.,Department of Radiology, Microbiology and Immunology, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, United States.,Department of Radiology, Microbiology and Immunology, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, United States
| | - Hossein Tavana
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
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15
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Hassan G, Du J, Afify SM, Seno A, Seno M. Cancer stem cell generation by silenced MAPK enhancing PI3K/AKT signaling. Med Hypotheses 2020; 141:109742. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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16
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Hu F, Wang Q, Yang Z, Zhang Z, Liu X. Network-based identification of biomarkers for colon adenocarcinoma. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:668. [PMID: 32680494 PMCID: PMC7367377 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07157-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As one of the most common cancers with high mortality in the world, we are still facing a huge challenge in the prevention and treatment of colon cancer. With the rapid development of high throughput technologies, new biomarkers identification for colon cancer has been confronted with the new opportunities and challenges. Methods We firstly constructed functional networks for each sample of colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) by using a sample-specific network (SSN) method which can construct individual-specific networks based on gene expression profiles of a single sample. The functional genes and interactions were identified from the functional networks, respectively. Results Classification and subtyping were used to test the function of the functional genes and interactions. The results of classification showed that the functional genes could be used as diagnostic biomarkers. The subtypes displayed different mechanisms, which were shown by the functional and pathway enrichment analysis for the representative genes of each subtype. Besides, subtype-specific molecular patterns were also detected, such as subtype-specific clinical and mutation features. Finally, 12 functional genes and 13 functional edges could serve as prognosis biomarkers since they were associated with the survival rate of COAD. Conclusions In conclusion, the functional genes and interactions in the constructed functional network could be used as new biomarkers for COAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuyan Hu
- Department of Statistics, School of Science, Wuhan University of Technology, 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Wuhan Puren Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Benxi Street 1#, Qingshan District, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Zhiyuan Yang
- College of Life Information Science & Instrument Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zeng Zhang
- Department of Statistics, School of Science, Wuhan University of Technology, 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoping Liu
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Shandong University, Weihai, 264209, China.
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17
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Mossenta M, Busato D, Dal Bo M, Toffoli G. Glucose Metabolism and Oxidative Stress in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Role and Possible Implications in Novel Therapeutic Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1668. [PMID: 32585931 PMCID: PMC7352479 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metabolism is redirected to glycolysis to enhance the production of metabolic compounds employed by cancer cells to produce proteins, lipids, and nucleotides in order to maintain a high proliferative rate. This mechanism drives towards uncontrolled growth and causes a further increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), which could lead to cell death. HCC overcomes the problem generated by ROS increase by increasing the antioxidant machinery, in which key mechanisms involve glutathione, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and hypoxia-inducible transcription factor (HIF-1α). These mechanisms could represent optimal targets for innovative therapies. The tumor microenvironment (TME) exerts a key role in HCC pathogenesis and progression. Various metabolic machineries modulate the activity of immune cells in the TME. The deregulated metabolic activity of tumor cells could impair antitumor response. Lactic acid-lactate, derived from the anaerobic glycolytic rate of tumor cells, as well as adenosine, derived from the catabolism of ATP, have an immunosuppressive activity. Metabolic reprogramming of the TME via targeted therapies could enhance the treatment efficacy of anti-cancer immunotherapy. This review describes the metabolic pathways mainly involved in the HCC pathogenesis and progression. The potential targets for HCC treatment involved in these pathways are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Mossenta
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano (PN), Italy; (M.M.); (D.B.); (G.T.)
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Davide Busato
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano (PN), Italy; (M.M.); (D.B.); (G.T.)
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Michele Dal Bo
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano (PN), Italy; (M.M.); (D.B.); (G.T.)
| | - Giuseppe Toffoli
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081 Aviano (PN), Italy; (M.M.); (D.B.); (G.T.)
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18
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Tao Q, Fang F, Li J, Wang Y, Zhao C, Liang J, Ma X, Wang H. A conjugated mTOR/MEK bifunctional inhibitor as potential polypharmacological anticancer agent: the prototype compound discovery. Med Chem Res 2020; 29:519-527. [PMID: 32435126 PMCID: PMC7223898 DOI: 10.1007/s00044-020-02502-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
mTOR/MEK bifunctional inhibitors have the potential to surmount the drug resistance aroused from cross talk between PI3K/Akt/mTOR (PAM) and Ras/MEK/ERK pathways. Herein, we report the discovery of a conjugated dual-targeted molecule, compound 13, as the prototype mTOR/MEK bifunctional inhibitor. It exhibited moderately high inhibitory activity against mTOR and MEK1 with IC50 values of 0.19 μM and 0.98 μM, respectively. In particular, it displayed attractive antiproliferative activity against both A549 (GI50 = 4.66 μM) and HCT116 (GI50 = 5.47 μM) cell lines. To our knowledge, it has been the first example of a conjugated mTOR/MEK bifunctional inhibitor. In addition, from this proof-of-principle study, it has become evident that the single-agent dual inhibition of mTOR and MEK can be fulfilled via covalently attaching mTOR kinase inhibitor to an allosteric MEK inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiangqiang Tao
- 1School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012 China
| | - Fang Fang
- 1School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012 China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012 China
| | - Jiaming Li
- 1School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012 China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012 China
| | - Yong Wang
- 1School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012 China
| | - Can Zhao
- 1School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012 China
| | - Jingtai Liang
- 1School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012 China
| | - Xiaodong Ma
- 1School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012 China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012 China
| | - Hao Wang
- 3Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001 China
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19
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Li C, Zhan Y, Ma X, Fang H, Gai X. B7-H4 facilitates proliferation and metastasis of colorectal carcinoma cell through PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Clin Exp Med 2020; 20:79-86. [PMID: 31664539 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-019-00590-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
B7-H4 is over-expressed in various tumors and may affect many aspects of cancer biology. Our previous studies have reported that the over-expressed B7-H4 in serum or tumor tissue of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) patients was closely related to CRC progression. However, B7-H4 in cell biological characteristics of CRC is not well studied. Here, we investigate the effect of the B7-H4 on cell proliferation, migration and its expression regulated by PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in CRC. Firstly, pSilencer 4.1-B7-H4-shRNA vector was constructed and stable transfection was performed on HT-29 cells. Secondly, cell proliferation, cell cycle, cell apoptosis and cell migration were evaluated after B7-H4 silencing, and the expression of Bcl-2, caspase-3, MMP-2 and MMP-9 was also measured. Finally, the regulation of B7-H4 by PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway was measured followed by treatment with or without PI3K/Akt and mTOR inhibitor. The results showed that the viability of HT-29 cells was significantly decreased after B7-H4 silencing (P < 0.05). B7-H4 silencing significantly increased the apoptosis rate and caspase-3 protein expression while decreased Bcl-2 protein expression (P all < 0.05). B7-H4 silencing also significantly reduced the migration of HT-29 cells (P < 0.01) and the secretion of MMP-2 or MMP-9 (P all < 0.05). Following treatment with PI3K/Akt and mTOR inhibitor in HT-29 cells, the expression of B7-H4 was significantly downregulated compared with untreated group (P all < 0.05). Our results strongly suggest that B7-H4 may be involved in cell proliferation and migration by PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Therefore, blocking B7-H4 signaling might be a novel treatment strategy for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Li
- Department of Pathology, Beihua University Faculty of Medicine, No. 3999 Binjiang East Road, Jilin, 132013, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yudong Zhan
- Department of Pathology, Beihua University Faculty of Medicine, No. 3999 Binjiang East Road, Jilin, 132013, Jilin, People's Republic of China
- Department of Pathology, Jingmen No. 1 People's Hospital, Jingmen, 448000, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuzhe Ma
- Department of Pathology, Beihua University Faculty of Medicine, No. 3999 Binjiang East Road, Jilin, 132013, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Fang
- Department of Pathology, Beihua University Faculty of Medicine, No. 3999 Binjiang East Road, Jilin, 132013, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaodong Gai
- Department of Pathology, Beihua University Faculty of Medicine, No. 3999 Binjiang East Road, Jilin, 132013, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
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20
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Wang B, Li H, Wang X, Zhu X. The association of aberrant expression of NLRP3 and p-S6K1 in colorectal cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2019; 216:152737. [PMID: 31757663 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2019.152737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, and except for surgery, treatments effects are limited. Recently, NLRP3 has been reported as an activator in the tumorigenesis of CRC. However, the function and mechanism of NLRP3 in CRC remains elusive. In this study, we revealed that NLRP3 was elevated in CRC tissues and related to clinical factors, such as lymph node invasion and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage. Moreover, NLRP3-positive patients had a poor prognosis. Furthermore, univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that NLRP3 expression was an independent prognostic factor for the survival of CRC patients. We investigated whether NLRP3 linked with the mTOR-S6K1 pathway. The expression of p-S6K1 was upregulated in CRC tissues and NLRP3 expression level was positively associated with the p-S6K1 level. Thus, targeting NLRP3 may be promising for targeted therapy of CRC, especially for mTORC1-targeted resistant patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xuchao Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinguo Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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21
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Park SM, Jeon SK, Kim OH, Ahn JY, Kim CH, Park SD, Lee JH. Anti-tumor effects of the ethanolic extract of Trichosanthes kirilowii seeds in colorectal cancer. Chin Med 2019; 14:43. [PMID: 31624493 PMCID: PMC6781338 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-019-0263-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Trichosanthis semen, the seeds of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. or Trichosanthes rosthornii Harms, has long been used in Korean medicine to loosen bowels and relieve chronic constipation. Although the fruits and radixes of this medicinal herb and their constituents have been reported to exhibit therapeutic effects in various cancers, the anti-cancer effects of its seeds have been relatively less studied. In this study, we investigated the effects of an ethanolic extract of T. kirilowii seeds (TKSE) against colorectal cancer and its mechanism. Methods The anti-tumor effects of the TKSE were evaluated in HT-29 and CT-26 colorectal cancer cells and in a CT-26 tumor-bearing mouse model. Results TKSE suppressed the growth of HT-29 and CT-26 cells (both colorectal cancer cell lines) and the cytotoxic effect of TKSE was greater than that of 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) in HT-29 cells. TKSE significantly induced mitochondrial membrane potential loss in HT-29 and CT-26 cells and dose-dependently inhibited Bcl-2 expression and induced the cleavages of caspase-3 and PARP. In particular, TKSE at 300 µg/mL induced nuclear condensation and fragmentation in HT-29 cells. Furthermore, TKSE dose-dependently inhibited activations of the Akt/mTOR and ERK pathways, and markedly induced the phosphorylation of AMPK. An AMPKα inhibitor (compound C) effectively blocked the TKSE-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, TKSE attenuated the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α/vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway in HT-29 cells under hypoxic-mimic conditions and inhibited migration and invasion. Oral administration of TKSE (100 or 300 mg/kg) inhibited tumor growth in a mouse CT-26 allograft model but was not as effective as 5-Fu (the positive control), which was administered intraperitoneally. In the same model, 5-Fu caused significant body weight loss, but no such loss was observed in TKSE-treated mice. Conclusion Taken together, these results suggest TKSE has potent anti-tumor effects which might be partly due to the activation of AMPK, and the induction mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. These findings provide scientific evidence supporting the potential use of TKSE as a complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Mi Park
- 1Department of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Goyang, 10326 Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Kyu Jeon
- 1Department of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Goyang, 10326 Republic of Korea
| | - Ok Hyeon Kim
- 1Department of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Goyang, 10326 Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Yun Ahn
- 1Department of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Goyang, 10326 Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Hyun Kim
- 2Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Goyang, 10326 Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Dong Park
- 1Department of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Goyang, 10326 Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Hee Lee
- 1Department of Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Goyang, 10326 Republic of Korea
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Shahi Thakuri P, Luker GD, Tavana H. Cyclical Treatment of Colorectal Tumor Spheroids Induces Resistance to MEK Inhibitors. Transl Oncol 2018; 12:404-416. [PMID: 30550927 PMCID: PMC6299152 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2018.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptive drug resistance is a major obstacle to successful treatment of colorectal cancers. Physiologic tumor models of drug resistance are crucial to understand mechanisms of treatment failure and improve therapy by developing new therapeutics and treatment strategies. Using our aqueous two-phase system microtechnology, we developed colorectal tumor spheroids and periodically treated them with sub-lethal concentrations of three Mitogen Activated Kinase inhibitors (MEKi) used in clinical trials. We used long-term, periodic treatment and recovery of spheroids to mimic cycles of clinical chemotherapy and implemented a growth rate metric to quantitatively assess efficacy of the MEKi during treatment. Our results showed that efficacy of the MEKi significantly reduced with increased treatment cycles. Using a comprehensive molecular analysis, we established that resistance of colorectal tumor spheroids to the MEKi developed through activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. We also showed that other potential feedback mechanisms, such as STAT3 activation or amplified B-RAF, did not account for resistance to the MEKi. We combined each of the three MEKi with a PI3K/mTOR inhibitor and showed that the combination treatments synergistically blocked resistance to the MEKi. Importantly, and unlike the individual inhibitors, we demonstrated that synergistic concentrations of combinations of MEK and PI3K/mTOR inhibitors effectively inhibited growth of colorectal tumor spheroids in long-term treatments. This proof-of-concept study to model treatment-induced drug resistance of cancer cells using 3D cultures offers a unique approach to identify underlying molecular mechanisms and develop effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradip Shahi Thakuri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA
| | - Gary D Luker
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Hossein Tavana
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA.
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Burmi RS, Maginn EN, Gabra H, Stronach EA, Wasan HS. Combined inhibition of the PI3K/mTOR/MEK pathway induces Bim/Mcl-1-regulated apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. Cancer Biol Ther 2018; 20:21-30. [PMID: 30261145 PMCID: PMC6343713 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2018.1504718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression and chemotherapy insensitivity have been associated with aberrant PI3K/mTOR/MEK signalling. However, cell death responses activated by inhibitors of these pathways can differ – contextually varying with tumour genetic background. Here, we demonstrate that combining the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor PF5212384 (PF384) and MEK inhibitor PD325901 (PD901) more effectively induces apoptosis compared with either agent alone, independent of KRAS mutational status in PDAC cell lines. Additionally, a non-caspase dependent decrease in cell viability upon PF384 treatment was observed, and may be attributed to autophagy and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. Using reverse phase protein arrays, we identify key molecular events associated with the conversion of cytostatic responses (elicited by single inhibitor treatments) into a complete cell death response when PF384 and PD901 are combined. This response was also independent of KRAS mutation, occurring in both BxPC3 (KRAS wildtype) and MIA-PaCa-2 (KRASG12C mutated) cells. In both cell lines, Bim expression increased in response to PF384/PD901 treatment (by 60% and 48%, respectively), while siRNA-mediated silencing of Bim attenuated the apoptosis induced by combination treatment. In parallel, Mcl-1 levels decreased by 36% in BxPC3, and 30% in MIA-PaCa-2 cells. This is consistent with a functional role for Mcl-1, and siRNA-mediated silencing enhanced apoptosis in PF384/PD901-treated MIA-PaCa-2 cells, whilst Mcl-1 overexpression decreased apoptosis induction by 24%. Moreover, a novel role was identified for PDCD4 loss in driving the apoptotic response to PF384/PD901 in BxPC3 and MIA-PaCa-2 cell lines. Overall, our data indicates PF384/PD901 co-treatment activates the same apoptotic mechanism in wild-type or KRAS mutant PDAC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajpal S Burmi
- a Department of Surgery and Cancer , Imperial College London , London , United Kingdom
| | - Elaina N Maginn
- a Department of Surgery and Cancer , Imperial College London , London , United Kingdom
| | - Hani Gabra
- a Department of Surgery and Cancer , Imperial College London , London , United Kingdom.,b Clinical Discovery Unit , Early Clinical Development, AstraZeneca , Cambridge , United Kingdom
| | - Euan A Stronach
- a Department of Surgery and Cancer , Imperial College London , London , United Kingdom
| | - Harpreet S Wasan
- a Department of Surgery and Cancer , Imperial College London , London , United Kingdom
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24
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A Multi-Arm Phase I Study of the PI3K/mTOR Inhibitors PF-04691502 and Gedatolisib (PF-05212384) plus Irinotecan or the MEK Inhibitor PD-0325901 in Advanced Cancer. Target Oncol 2018; 12:775-785. [PMID: 29067643 PMCID: PMC5700209 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-017-0530-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Background This phase I, four-arm, open-label study (NCT01347866) evaluated the PI3K/mTOR inhibitors PF-04691502 (arms A, B) and gedatolisib (PF-05212384; arms C, D) in combination with the MEK inhibitor PD-0325901 (arm A, D) or irinotecan (arm B, C) in patients with advanced solid tumors. Objectives Primary endpoint was dose-limiting toxicity with each combination. Secondary endpoints included safety, pharmacokinetics and preliminary antitumor activity. Patients and Methods Dose escalation followed a 3 + 3 design in arm C and a zone-based design in arm D. Results The PF-04691502 combination arms were closed prematurely due to low tolerability, and the maximum tolerated doses (MTDs) were not determined for either arm. The MTD for the combination of gedatolisib with irinotecan 180 mg/m2 was estimated to be 110 mg weekly and for the combination with PD-0325901 was not reached at the highest dose evaluated (gedatolisib 154 mg weekly). Plasma concentrations of gedatolisib were generally similar across dose groups in arm C (with irinotecan) and arm D (with PD-0325901). Frequent dose delays or dose reductions were required for both combinations, potentially preventing sustained therapeutic drug concentrations. Gedatolisib plus irinotecan produced a response rate of ~5% and clinical benefit in 16% of patients with advanced colorectal cancer (progression-free survival, 2.8 months). Preliminary evidence of clinical activity was observed with gedatolisib plus PD-0325901 in patients with ovarian cancer (three partial responses, n = 5) or endometrial cancer (one partial response, n = 1) and KRAS mutations. Conclusions Further evaluations of gedatolisib are warranted in patients with advanced solid malignancies.![]() Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s11523-017-0530-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Beadnell TC, Nassar KW, Rose MM, Clark EG, Danysh BP, Hofmann MC, Pozdeyev N, Schweppe RE. Src-mediated regulation of the PI3K pathway in advanced papillary and anaplastic thyroid cancer. Oncogenesis 2018; 7:23. [PMID: 29487290 PMCID: PMC5833015 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-017-0015-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Advanced stages of papillary and anaplastic thyroid cancer continue to be plagued by a dismal prognosis, which is a result of limited effective therapies for these cancers. Due to the high proportion of thyroid cancers harboring mutations in the MAPK pathway, the MAPK pathway has become a focal point for therapeutic intervention in thyroid cancer. Unfortunately, unlike melanoma, a similar responsiveness to MAPK pathway inhibition has yet to be observed in thyroid cancer patients. To address this issue, we have focused on targeting the non-receptor tyrosine kinase, Src, and we and others have demonstrated that targeting Src results in inhibition of growth, invasion, and migration both in vitro and in vivo, which can be enhanced through the combined inhibition of Src and the MAPK pathway. Therefore, we examined the efficacy of the combination therapy across a panel of thyroid cancer cell lines representing common oncogenic drivers (BRAF, RAS, and PIK3CA). Interestingly, combined inhibition of Src and the MAPK pathway overcomes intrinsic dasatinib resistance in cell lines where both the MAPK and PI3K pathways are inhibited, which we show is likely due to the regulation of the PI3K pathway by Src in these responsive cells. Interestingly, we have mapped downstream phosphorylation of rpS6 as a key biomarker of response, and cells that maintain rpS6 phosphorylation likely represent drug tolerant persisters. Altogether, the combined inhibition of Src and the MAPK pathway holds great promise for improving the overall survival of advanced thyroid cancer patients with BRAF and RAS mutations, and activation of the PI3K pathway and rpS6 phosphorylation represent important biomarkers of response for patients treated with this therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C Beadnell
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Kelsey W Nassar
- Medical Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Madison M Rose
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Erin G Clark
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Brian P Danysh
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Marie-Claude Hofmann
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nikita Pozdeyev
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Rebecca E Schweppe
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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Klauck PJ, Bagby SM, Capasso A, Bradshaw-Pierce EL, Selby HM, Spreafico A, Tentler JJ, Tan AC, Kim J, Arcaroli JJ, Purkey A, Messersmith WA, Kuida K, Gail Eckhardt S, Pitts TM. Antitumor activity of the polo-like kinase inhibitor, TAK-960, against preclinical models of colorectal cancer. BMC Cancer 2018; 18:136. [PMID: 29402316 PMCID: PMC5800287 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-018-4036-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is a serine/threonine kinase that is a key regulator of multiple stages of mitotic progression. Plk1 is upregulated in many tumor types including colorectal cancer (CRC) and portends a poor prognosis. TAK-960 is an ATP-competitive Plk1 inhibitor that has demonstrated efficacy across a broad range of cancer cell lines, including CRC. In this study, we investigated the activity of TAK-960 against a large collection of CRC models including 55 cell lines and 18 patient-derived xenografts. METHODS Fifty-five CRC cell lines and 18 PDX models were exposed to TAK-960 and evaluated for proliferation (IC50) and Tumor Growth Inhibition Index, respectively. Additionally, 2 KRAS wild type and 2 KRAS mutant PDX models were treated with TAK-960 as single agent or in combination with cetuximab or irinotecan. TAK-960 mechanism of action was elucidated through immunoblotting and cell cycle analysis. RESULTS CRC cell lines demonstrated a variable anti-proliferative response to TAK-960 with IC50 values ranging from 0.001 to > 0.75 μmol/L. Anti-proliferative effects were sustained after removal of drug. Following TAK-960 treatment a highly variable accumulation of mitotic (indicating cell cycle arrest) and apoptotic markers was observed. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated that TAK-960 treatment induced G2/M arrest and polyploidy. Six out of the eighteen PDX models responded to single agent TAK-960 therapy (TGII< 20). The addition of TAK-960 to standard of care chemotherapy resulted in largely additive antitumor effects. CONCLUSION TAK-960 is an active anti-proliferative agent against CRC cell lines and PDX models. Collectively, these data suggest that TAK-960 may be of therapeutic benefit alone or in combination with other agents, although future work should focus on the development of predictive biomarkers and hypothesis-driven rational combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J. Klauck
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Stacey M. Bagby
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Anna Capasso
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Erica L. Bradshaw-Pierce
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
- Takeda California, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Heather M. Selby
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Anna Spreafico
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - John J. Tentler
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Aik Choon Tan
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Jihye Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - John J. Arcaroli
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Alicia Purkey
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Wells A. Messersmith
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Keisuke Kuida
- Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - S. Gail Eckhardt
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Todd M. Pitts
- Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
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Synergistic anti-proliferative effects of mTOR and MEK inhibitors in high-grade chondrosarcoma cell line OUMS-27. Acta Histochem 2018; 120:142-150. [PMID: 29397960 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chondrosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor that produces cartilaginous neoplastic tissue. Owing to the absence of an effective adjuvant therapy, high-grade chondrosarcoma has a poor prognosis. Therefore, it is important to develop an effective adjuvant therapy to prevent the recurrence and metastasis. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a central regulator of cell growth, metabolism, proliferation, and survival, is considered an important target for anticancer drug development. The mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is another highly implicated cellular pathway in cancer and is thought to have compensatory effects in response to the inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. We investigated the mechanism of anti-proliferative effect of the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin and MAPK/ERK (MEK) inhibitor PD 0325901, and the combined effect of rapamycin and PD 0325901 on human chondrosarcoma cell line (OUMS-27). Combination therapy with rapamycin and PD 0325901 showed a stronger anti-proliferative effect on OUMS-27 cells than rapamycin monotherapy. We confirmed that the dual inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathways had synergistic anti-proliferative effects in OUMS-27. Our results suggest that combination therapy of mTOR and MEK inhibitor could be an effective therapeutic approach against chondrosarcoma.
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Fernandes MS, Sanches JM, Seruca R. Targeting the PI3K Signalling as a Therapeutic Strategy in Colorectal Cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1110:35-53. [PMID: 30623365 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-02771-1_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide. Regarded as a heterogeneous disease, a number of biomarkers have been proposed to help in the stratification of CRC patients and to enable the selection of the best therapy for each patient towards personalized therapy. However, although the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of CRC have been elucidated, the therapeutic strategies available for these patients are still quite limited. Thus, over the last few years, a multitude of novel targets and therapeutic strategies have emerged focusing on deregulated molecules and pathways that are implicated in cell growth and survival. Particularly relevant in CRC are the activating mutations in the oncogene PIK3CA that frequently occur in concomitancy with KRAS and BRAF mutations and that lead to deregulation of the major signalling pathways PI3K and MAPK, downstream of EGFR. This review focus on the importance of the PI3K signalling in CRC development, on the current knowledge of PI3K inhibition as a therapeutic approach in CRC and on the implications PI3K signalling molecules may have as potential biomarkers and as new targets for directed therapies in CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Sofia Fernandes
- Institute for Systems and Robotics (ISR), Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - João Miguel Sanches
- Institute for Systems and Robotics (ISR), Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Raquel Seruca
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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Ma X, Lv X, Zhang J. Exploiting polypharmacology for improving therapeutic outcome of kinase inhibitors (KIs): An update of recent medicinal chemistry efforts. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 143:449-463. [PMID: 29202407 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.11.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Polypharmacology has been increasingly advocated for the therapeutic intervention in complex pathological conditions, exemplified by cancer. Although kinase inhibitors (KIs) have revolutionized the treatment for certain types of malignancies, some major medical needs remain unmet due to the relentless advance of drug resistance and insufficient efficacy of mono-target KIs. Hence, "multiple targets, multi-dimensional activities" represents an emerging paradigm for innovative anti-cancer drug discovery. Over recent years, considerable leaps have been made in pursuit of kinase-centric polypharmacological anti-cancer therapeutics, providing avenues to tackling the limitation of mono-target KIs. In the review, we summarize the clinically important mechanisms inducing KI resistance and depict a landscape of recent medicinal chemistry efforts on exploring kinase-centric polypharmacological anti-cancer agents that targeting multiple cancer-related processes. In parallel, some inevitable challenges are emphasized for the sake of more accurate and efficient drug discovery in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Ma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Xiaoqing Lv
- College of Medicine, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing 314001, China.
| | - Jiankang Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Preparation, Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, Hangzhou 310023, China.
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PI-273, a Substrate-Competitive, Specific Small-Molecule Inhibitor of PI4KIIα, Inhibits the Growth of Breast Cancer Cells. Cancer Res 2017; 77:6253-6266. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-17-0484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Wu YL, Maachani UB, Schweitzer M, Singh R, Wang M, Chang R, Souweidane MM. Dual Inhibition of PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK Pathways Induces Synergistic Antitumor Effects in Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma Cells. Transl Oncol 2017; 10:221-228. [PMID: 28189993 PMCID: PMC5302185 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2016.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2016] [Revised: 12/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a devastating disease with an extremely poor prognosis. Recent studies have shown that platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) and its downstream effector pathway, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, are frequently amplified in DIPG, and potential therapies targeting this pathway have emerged. However, the addition of targeted single agents has not been found to improve clinical outcomes in DIPG, and targeting this pathway alone has produced insufficient clinical responses in multiple malignancies investigated, including lung, endometrial, and bladder cancers. Acquired resistance also seems inevitable. Activation of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway, which shares many nodes of cross talk with the PI3K/AKT pathway, has been implicated in the development of resistance. In the present study, perifosine, a PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor, and trametinib, a MEK inhibitor, were combined, and their therapeutic efficacy on DIPG cells was assessed. Growth delay assays were performed with each drug individually or in combination. Here, we show that dual inhibition of PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways synergistically reduced cell viability. We also reveal that trametinib induced AKT phosphorylation in DIPG cells that could not be effectively attenuated by the addition of perifosine, likely due to the activation of other compensatory mechanisms. The synergistic reduction in cell viability was through the pronounced induction of apoptosis, with some effect from cell cycle arrest. We conclude that the concurrent inhibition of the PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways may be a potential therapeutic strategy for DIPG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Linda Wu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Uday Bhanu Maachani
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Melanie Schweitzer
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Ranjodh Singh
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Melinda Wang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Raymond Chang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Mark M Souweidane
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY.
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Takiar V, Ip CKM, Gao M, Mills GB, Cheung LWT. Neomorphic mutations create therapeutic challenges in cancer. Oncogene 2016; 36:1607-1618. [PMID: 27841866 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Revised: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Oncogenesis is a pathologic process driven by genomic aberrations, including changes in nucleotide sequences. The majority of these mutational events fall into two broad categories: inactivation of tumor suppressor genes (hypomorph, antimorph or amorph) or activation of oncogenes (hypermorph). The recent surge in genome sequence data and functional genomics research has ushered in the discovery of aberrations in a third category: gain-of-novel-function mutation (neomorph). These neomorphic mutations, which can be found in both tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes, produce proteins with entirely different functions from their respective wild-type (WT) proteins and the other morphs. The unanticipated phenotypic outcomes elicited by neomorphic mutations imply that tumors with the neomorphic mutations may not respond to therapies designed to target the WT protein. Therefore, understanding the functional activities of each genomic aberration to be targeted is crucial in devising effective treatment strategies that will benefit specific cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Takiar
- Departments of Radiation Oncology and Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, UC Barrett Cancer Center, OH, USA
| | - C K M Ip
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - M Gao
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - G B Mills
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - L W T Cheung
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR
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Haagensen EJ, Thomas HD, Schmalix WA, Payne AC, Kevorkian L, Allen RA, Bevan P, Maxwell RJ, Newell DR. Enhanced anti-tumour activity of the combination of the novel MEK inhibitor WX-554 and the novel PI3K inhibitor WX-037. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2016; 78:1269-1281. [PMID: 27837257 PMCID: PMC5114336 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-016-3186-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Tumours frequently have defects in multiple oncogenic pathways, e.g. MAPK and PI3K signalling pathways, and combinations of targeted therapies may be required for optimal activity. This study evaluated the novel MEK inhibitor WX-554 and the novel PI3K inhibitor WX-037, as single agents and in combination, in colorectal carcinoma cell lines and tumour xenograft-bearing mice. METHODS In vitro growth inhibition, survival and signal transduction were measured using the Sulforhodamine B, clonogenic and Western blotting assays, respectively, in HCT116 and HT29 cell lines. In vivo anti-tumour efficacy and pharmacokinetic properties were assessed in HCT116 and HT29 human colorectal cancer xenograft tumour-bearing mice. RESULTS The combination of WX-554 and WX-037 exhibited marked synergistic growth inhibition in vitro, which was associated with increased cytotoxicity and enhanced inhibition of ERK and S6 phosphorylation, compared to either agent alone. Pharmacokinetic analyses indicated that there was no PK interaction between the two drugs at low doses, but that at higher doses, WX-037 may delay the tumour uptake of WX-554. In vivo efficacy studies revealed that the combination of WX-037 and WX-554 was non-toxic and exhibited marked tumour growth inhibition greater than observed with either agent alone. CONCLUSION These studies show for the first time that combination treatment with the novel MEK inhibitor WX-554 and the novel PI3K inhibitor WX-037 can induce synergistic growth inhibition in vitro, which translates into enhanced anti-tumour efficacy in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J Haagensen
- Newcastle Cancer Centre, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Paul O'Gorman Building, Medical School, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Huw D Thomas
- Newcastle Cancer Centre, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Paul O'Gorman Building, Medical School, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Paul Bevan
- Wilex AG, Grillparzerstrasse 18, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Ross J Maxwell
- Newcastle Cancer Centre, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Paul O'Gorman Building, Medical School, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - David R Newell
- Newcastle Cancer Centre, Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Paul O'Gorman Building, Medical School, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.
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Bagby S, Messersmith WA, Pitts TM, Capasso A, Varella-Garcia M, Klauck PJ, Kim J, Tan AC, Eckhardt SG, Tentler JJ, Arcaroli J. Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies. J Vis Exp 2016. [PMID: 27768028 DOI: 10.3791/54393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Patient derived tumor xenograft (PDTX) models provide a necessary platform in facilitating anti-cancer drug development prior to human trials. Human tumor pieces are injected subcutaneously into athymic nude mice (immunocompromised, T cell deficient) to create a bank of tumors and subsequently are passaged into different generations of mice in order to maintain these tumors from patients. Importantly, cellular heterogeneity of the original tumor is closely emulated in this model, which provides a more clinically relevant model for evaluation of drug efficacy studies (single agent and combination), biomarker analysis, resistant pathways and cancer stem cell biology. Some limitations of the PDTX model include the replacement of the human stroma with mouse stroma after the first generation in mice, inability to investigate treatment effects on metastasis due to the subcutaneous injections of the tumors, and the lack of evaluation of immunotherapies due to the use of immunocompromised mice. However, even with these limitations, the PDTX model provides a powerful preclinical platform in the drug discovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey Bagby
- Medicine, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus
| | | | - Todd M Pitts
- Medicine, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus
| | - Anna Capasso
- Medicine, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus
| | | | - Peter J Klauck
- Medicine, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus
| | - Jihye Kim
- Medicine, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus
| | - Aik-Choon Tan
- Medicine, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus
| | - S Gail Eckhardt
- Medicine, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus
| | - John J Tentler
- Medicine, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus
| | - John Arcaroli
- Medicine, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus;
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Lieu CH, Klauck PJ, Henthorn PK, Tentler JJ, Tan AC, Spreafico A, Selby HM, Britt BC, Bagby SM, Arcaroli JJ, Messersmith WA, Pitts TM, Eckhardt SG. Antitumor activity of a potent MEK inhibitor, TAK-733, against colorectal cancer cell lines and patient derived xenografts. Oncotarget 2016; 6:34561-72. [PMID: 26439693 PMCID: PMC4741473 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2015] [Accepted: 09/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CRC is a significant cause of cancer mortality, and new therapies are needed for patients with advanced disease. TAK-733 is a highly potent and selective investigational novel MEK allosteric site inhibitor. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a preclinical study of TAK-733, a panel of CRC cell lines were exposed to varying concentrations of the agent for 72 hours followed by a sulforhodamine B assay. Twenty patient-derived colorectal cancer xenografts were then treated with TAK-733 in vivo. Tumor growth inhibition index (TGII) was assessed to evaluate the sensitivity of the CRC explants to TAK-733 while linear regression was utilized to investigate the predictive effects of genotype on the TGII of explants. RESULTS Fifty-four CRC cell lines were exposed to TAK-733, while 42 cell lines were deemed sensitive across a broad range of mutations. Eighty-two percent of the cell lines within the sensitive subset were BRAF or KRAS/NRAS mutant, whereas 80% of the cell lines within the sensitive subset were PIK3CA WT. Twenty patient-derived human tumor CRC explants were then treated with TAK-733. In total, 15 primary human tumor explants were found to be sensitive to TAK-733 (TGII ≤ 20%), including 9 primary human tumor explants that exhibited tumor regression (TGII > 100%). Explants with a BRAF/KRAS/NRAS mutant and PIK3CA wild-type genotype demonstrated increased sensitivity to TAK-733 with a median TGII of -6%. MEK-response gene signatures also correlated with responsiveness to TAK-733 in KRAS-mutant CRC. CONCLUSIONS The MEK inhibitor TAK-733 demonstrated robust antitumor activity against CRC cell lines and patient-derived tumor explants. While the preclinical activity observed in this study was considerable, single-agent efficacy in the clinic has been limited in CRC, supporting the use of these models in an iterative manner to elucidate resistance mechanisms that can guide rational combination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher H Lieu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Peter J Klauck
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Patrick K Henthorn
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - John J Tentler
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Aik-Choon Tan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Anna Spreafico
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Heather M Selby
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Blair C Britt
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Stacey M Bagby
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - John J Arcaroli
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Wells A Messersmith
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Todd M Pitts
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - S Gail Eckhardt
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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Toren P, Kim S, Johnson F, Zoubeidi A. Combined AKT and MEK Pathway Blockade in Pre-Clinical Models of Enzalutamide-Resistant Prostate Cancer. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152861. [PMID: 27046225 PMCID: PMC4821639 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite recent improvements in patient outcomes using newer androgen receptor (AR) pathway inhibitors, treatment resistance in castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) continues to remain a clinical problem. Co-targeting alternate resistance pathways are of significant interest to treat CRPC and delay the onset of resistance. Both the AKT and MEK signaling pathways become activated as prostate cancer develops resistance to AR-targeted therapies. This pre-clinical study explores co-targeting these pathways in AR-positive prostate cancer models. Using various in vitro models of prostate cancer disease states including androgen dependent (LNCaP), CRPC (V16D and 22RV1) and ENZ-resistant prostate cancer (MR49C and MR49F), we evaluate the relevance of targeting both AKT and MEK pathways. Our data reveal that AKT inhibition induces apoptosis and inhibits cell growth in PTEN null cell lines independently of their sensitivity to hormone therapy; however, AKT inhibition had no effect on the PTEN positive 22RV1 cell line. Interestingly, we found that MEK inhibition had greater effect on 22RV1 cells compared to LNCaP, V16D or ENZ-resistant cells MR49C and MR49F cells. In vitro, combination AKT and MEK blockade had evidence of synergy observed in some cell lines and assays, but this was not consistent across all results. In vivo, the combination of AKT and MEK inhibition resulted in more consistent tumor growth inhibition of MR49F xenografts and longer disease specific survival compared to AKT inhibitor monotherapy. As in our in vitro study, 22RV1 xenografts were more resistant to AKT inhibition while they were more sensitive to MEK inhibition. Our results suggest that targeting AKT and MEK in combination may be a valuable strategy in prostate cancer when both pathways are activated and further support the importance of characterizing the dominant oncogenic pathway in each patient's tumor in order to select optimal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Toren
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Soojin Kim
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Fraser Johnson
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Amina Zoubeidi
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Dual Inhibition of MEK and PI3K Pathway in KRAS and BRAF Mutated Colorectal Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:22976-88. [PMID: 26404261 PMCID: PMC4613347 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160922976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Revised: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease with multiple underlying causative genetic mutations. Genetic mutations in the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways are frequently implicated in CRC. Targeting the downstream substrate MEK in these mutated tumors stands out as a potential target in CRC. Several selective inhibitors of MEK have entered clinical trial evaluation; however, clinical activity with single MEK inhibitors has been rarely observed and acquired resistance seems to be inevitable. Amplification of the driving oncogene KRAS(13D), which increases signaling through the ERK1/2 pathway, upregulation of the noncanonical wingless/calcium signaling pathway (Wnt), and coexisting PIK3CA mutations have all been implicated with resistance against MEK inhibitor therapy in KRAS mutated CRC. The Wnt pathway and amplification of the oncogene have also been associated with resistance to MEK inhibitors in CRCs harboring BRAF mutations. Thus, dual targeted inhibition of MEK and PI3K pathway effectors (mTOR, PI3K, AKT, IGF-1R or PI3K/mTOR inhibitors) presents a potential strategy to overcome resistance to MEK inhibitor therapy. Many clinical trials are underway to evaluate multiple combinations of these pathway inhibitors in solid tumors.
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Mohan S, Vander Broek R, Shah S, Eytan DF, Pierce ML, Carlson SG, Coupar JF, Zhang J, Cheng H, Chen Z, Van Waes C. MEK Inhibitor PD-0325901 Overcomes Resistance to PI3K/mTOR Inhibitor PF-5212384 and Potentiates Antitumor Effects in Human Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2015; 21:3946-56. [PMID: 25977343 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-3377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas exhibit variable sensitivity to inhibitors of the PI3K/mTOR pathway, an important target of genomic alterations in this cancer type. The mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/ERK/activator protein 1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathways are also frequently co-activated, but their roles in resistance mechanisms to PI3K/mTOR inhibitors and as therapeutic targets in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are not well defined. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We determined the IC50s of dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor PF-05212384 (PF-384) by XTT assays in 14 HNSCC lines with PI3K/Akt/mTOR cascade alterations. In two resistant models, we further characterized the molecular, cellular, and in vivo attributes and effects of combining PF-384 with MEK inhibitor PD-0325901 (PD-901). RESULTS PF-384 IC50s varied between 0.75 and 133 nmol/L in 14 HNSCC lines with overexpression or mutations of PIK3CA, and sensitivity correlated with increased phospho-AKT(T308/S473). In resistant UMSCC-1 and -46 models, PF-384 increased G0-/G1-phase accumulation but weakly induced sub-G0 cell death. PF-384 inhibited direct targets of PI3K/mTOR, but incompletely attenuated co-activated ERK and UMSCC-1 xenograft growth in vivo. PD-901 strongly inhibited MEK/ERK targets, and the combination of PF-384 and PD-901 inhibited downstream NF-κB and AP-1 transactivation, and IL8 and VEGF production in vitro. PD-901 potently inhibited tumor growth alone and with PF384, enhanced antiproliferative, apoptotic, and anti-angiogenesis activity in vivo. CONCLUSIONS PI3K/mTOR inhibitor PF-384 exhibits variable activity in a panel of HNSCC cell lines with differing PIK3CA expression and mutation status. MEK inhibitor PD-901 overcomes resistance and enhances antitumor effects observed with PF-384 in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh Mohan
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, NIDCD/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland. NIH Medical Research Scholars Program, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Robert Vander Broek
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, NIDCD/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland. NIH Medical Research Scholars Program, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Sujay Shah
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, NIDCD/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Danielle F Eytan
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, NIDCD/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland. NIH Medical Research Scholars Program, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Matthew L Pierce
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, NIDCD/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Sophie G Carlson
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, NIDCD/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jamie F Coupar
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, NIDCD/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jialing Zhang
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, NIDCD/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Hui Cheng
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, NIDCD/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Zhong Chen
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, NIDCD/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.
| | - Carter Van Waes
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, NIDCD/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.
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Bian Y, Han J, Kannabiran V, Mohan S, Cheng H, Friedman J, Zhang L, VanWaes C, Chen Z. MEK inhibitor PD-0325901 overcomes resistance to CK2 inhibitor CX-4945 and exhibits anti-tumor activity in head and neck cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2015; 11:411-22. [PMID: 25798061 PMCID: PMC4366640 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.10745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The serine-threonine kinase CK2 exhibits genomic alterations and aberrant overexpression in human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Here, we investigated the effects of CK2 inhibitor CX-4945 in human HNSCC cell lines and xenograft models. The IC50's of CX-4945 for 9 UM-SCC cell lines measured by MTT assay ranged from 3.4-11.9 μM. CX-4945 induced cell cycle arrest and cell death measured by DNA flow cytometry, and inhibited prosurvival mediators phospho-AKT and p-S6 in UM-SCC1 and UM-SCC46 cells. CX-4945 decreased NF-κB and Bcl-XL reporter gene activities in both cell lines, but upregulated proapoptotic TP53 and p21 reporter activities, and induced phospho-ERK, AP-1, and IL-8 activity in UM-SCC1 cells. CX-4945 exhibited modest anti-tumor activity in UM-SCC1 xenografts. Tumor immunostaining revealed significant inhibition of PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway and increased apoptosis marker TUNEL, but also induced p-ERK, c-JUN, JUNB, FOSL1 and proliferation (Ki67) markers, as a possible resistance mechanism. To overcome the drug resistance, we tested MEK inhibitor PD-0325901 (PD-901), which inhibited ERK-AP-1 activation alone and in combination with CX-4945. PD-901 alone displayed significant anti-tumor effects in vivo, and the combination of PD-901 and CX-4945 slightly enhanced anti-tumor activity when compared with PD-901 alone. Immunostaining of tumor specimens after treatment revealed inhibition of p-AKT S129 and p-AKT T308 by CX-4945, and inhibition of p-ERK T202/204 and AP-1 family member FOSL-1 by PD-901. Our study reveals a drug resistance mechanism mediated by the MEK-ERK-AP-1 pathway in HNSCC. MEK inhibitor PD-0325901 is active in HNSCC resistant to CX-4945, meriting further clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yansong Bian
- 1. Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jiawei Han
- 1. Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA; ; 2. Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, National Key Discipline, Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Vishnu Kannabiran
- 1. Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA; ; 3. NIH Clinical Research Training Program-NIH Medical Research Scholars Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Suresh Mohan
- 1. Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA; ; 3. NIH Clinical Research Training Program-NIH Medical Research Scholars Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hui Cheng
- 1. Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jay Friedman
- 1. Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Luo Zhang
- 2. Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, National Key Discipline, Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Carter VanWaes
- 1. Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zhong Chen
- 1. Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
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