1
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Novoplansky O, Shnerb AB, Marripati D, Jagadeeshan S, Abu Shareb R, Conde-López C, Zorea J, Prasad M, Ben Lulu T, Yegodayev KM, Benafsha C, Li Y, Kong D, Kuo F, Morris LGT, Kurth I, Hess J, Elkabets M. Activation of the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway limits the efficacy of trametinib treatment in head and neck cancer. Mol Oncol 2023; 17:2618-2636. [PMID: 37501404 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Blocking the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway with the MEK1/2 inhibitor trametinib has produced promising results in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In the current study, we showed that trametinib treatment leads to overexpression and activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in HNSCC cell lines and patient-derived xenografts. Knockdown of EGFR improved trametinib treatment efficacy both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that trametinib-induced EGFR overexpression hyperactivates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway. In vitro, blocking the PI3K pathway with GDC-0941 (pictilisib), or BYL719 (alpelisib), prevented AKT pathway hyperactivation and enhanced the efficacy of trametinib in a synergistic manner. In vivo, a combination of trametinib and BYL719 showed superior antitumor efficacy vs. the single agents, leading to tumor growth arrest. We confirmed our findings in a syngeneic murine head and neck cancer cell line in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our findings show that trametinib treatment induces hyperactivation of EGFR/PI3K/AKT; thus, blocking of the EGFR/PI3K pathway is required to improve trametinib efficacy in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofra Novoplansky
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Avital B Shnerb
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Divyasree Marripati
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Sankar Jagadeeshan
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Raghda Abu Shareb
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Cristina Conde-López
- Division of Radiooncology-Radiobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonathan Zorea
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Manu Prasad
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Talal Ben Lulu
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ksenia M Yegodayev
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Chen Benafsha
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Yushi Li
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Dexin Kong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Fengshen Kuo
- Immunogenomics and Precision Oncology Platform, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Luc G T Morris
- Immunogenomics and Precision Oncology Platform, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ina Kurth
- Division of Radiooncology-Radiobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jochen Hess
- Section Experimental and Translational Head and Neck Oncology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany
- Research Group Molecular Mechanisms of Head and Neck Tumors, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Moshe Elkabets
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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2
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Moghassemi S, Dadashzadeh A, de Azevedo RB, Amorim CA. Secure transplantation by tissue purging using photodynamic therapy to eradicate malignant cells. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY. B, BIOLOGY 2022; 234:112546. [PMID: 36029759 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2022.112546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The field of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for treating various malignant neoplasms has been given researchers' attention due to its ability to be a selective and minimally invasive cancer therapy strategy. The possibility of tumor cell infection and hence high recurrence rates in cancer patients tends to restrict autologous transplantation. So, the photodynamic tissue purging process, which consists of selective photoinactivation of the malignant cells in the graft, is defined as a compromising strategy to purify contaminated tissues before transplantation. In this strategy, the direct malignant cells' death results from the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation through the activation of a photosensitizer (PS) by light exposure in the presence of oxygen. Since new PS generations can effectively penetrate the tissue, PDT could be an ideal ex vivo tissue purging protocol that eradicates cancer cells derived from various malignancies. The challenge is that the applied pharmacologic ex vivo tissue purging should efficiently induce tumor cells with minor influence on normal tissue cells. This review aims to provide an overview of the current status of the most effective PDT strategies and PS development concerning their potential application in ex vivo purging before hematopoietic stem cell or ovarian tissue transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Moghassemi
- Pôle de Recherche en Physiopathologie de la Reproduction, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Arezoo Dadashzadeh
- Pôle de Recherche en Physiopathologie de la Reproduction, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ricardo Bentes de Azevedo
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Department of Genetics and Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília DF, Brazil
| | - Christiani A Amorim
- Pôle de Recherche en Physiopathologie de la Reproduction, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
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3
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Kovach AR, Oristian KM, Kirsch DG, Bentley RC, Cheng C, Chen X, Chen P, Chi JA, Linardic CM. Identification and targeting of a
HES1‐YAP1‐CDKN1C
functional interaction in fusion‐negative rhabdomyosarcoma. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:3587-3605. [PMID: 36037042 PMCID: PMC9580881 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13304] [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: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a cancer characterized by features of skeletal muscle, is the most common soft‐tissue sarcoma of childhood. With 5‐year survival rates among high‐risk groups at < 30%, new therapeutics are desperately needed. Previously, using a myoblast‐based model of fusion‐negative RMS (FN‐RMS), we found that expression of the Hippo pathway effector transcriptional coactivator YAP1 (YAP1) permitted senescence bypass and subsequent transformation to malignant cells, mimicking FN‐RMS. We also found that YAP1 engages in a positive feedback loop with Notch signaling to promote FN‐RMS tumorigenesis. However, we could not identify an immediate downstream impact of this Hippo‐Notch relationship. Here, we identify a HES1‐YAP1‐CDKN1C functional interaction, and show that knockdown of the Notch effector HES1 (Hes family BHLH transcription factor 1) impairs growth of multiple FN‐RMS cell lines, with knockdown resulting in decreased YAP1 and increased CDKN1C expression. In silico mining of published proteomic and transcriptomic profiles of human RMS patient‐derived xenografts revealed the same pattern of HES1‐YAP1‐CDKN1C expression. Treatment of FN‐RMS cells in vitro with the recently described HES1 small‐molecule inhibitor, JI130, limited FN‐RMS cell growth. Inhibition of HES1 in vivo via conditional expression of a HES1‐directed shRNA or JI130 dosing impaired FN‐RMS tumor xenograft growth. Lastly, targeted transcriptomic profiling of FN‐RMS xenografts in the context of HES1 suppression identified associations between HES1 and RAS‐MAPK signaling. In summary, these in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies support the further investigation of HES1 as a therapeutic target in FN‐RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander R Kovach
- Department of Pediatrics Duke University School of Medicine Durham NC USA
| | - Kristianne M Oristian
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology Duke University School of Medicine Durham NC USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology Duke University School of Medicine Durham NC USA
| | - David G Kirsch
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology Duke University School of Medicine Durham NC USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology Duke University School of Medicine Durham NC USA
| | - Rex C Bentley
- Department of Pathology Duke University Durham NC USA
| | - Changde Cheng
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN USA
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis TN USA
| | - Po‐Han Chen
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology Duke University School of Medicine Durham NC USA
| | - Jen‐Tsan Ashley Chi
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology Duke University School of Medicine Durham NC USA
| | - Corinne M Linardic
- Department of Pediatrics Duke University School of Medicine Durham NC USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology Duke University School of Medicine Durham NC USA
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4
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Shim J, Goldsmith KC. A New Player in Neuroblastoma: YAP and Its Role in the Neuroblastoma Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184650. [PMID: 34572875 PMCID: PMC8472533 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extra-cranial pediatric solid tumor that accounts for more than 15% of childhood cancer-related deaths. High risk neuroblastomas that recur during or after intense multimodal therapy have a <5% chance at a second sustained remission or cure. The solid tumor microenvironment (TME) has been increasingly recognized to play a critical role in cancer progression and resistance to therapy, including in neuroblastoma. The Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) in the Hippo pathway can regulate cancer proliferation, tumor initiation, and therapy response in many cancer types and as such, its role in the TME has gained interest. In this review, we focus on YAP and its role in neuroblastoma and further describe its demonstrated and potential effects on the neuroblastoma TME. We also discuss the therapeutic strategies for inhibiting YAP in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Shim
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Kelly C. Goldsmith
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-404-727-2655
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5
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RAS GTPase signalling to alternative effector pathways. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 48:2241-2252. [PMID: 33125484 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RAS GTPases are fundamental regulators of development and drivers of an extraordinary number of human cancers. RAS oncoproteins constitutively signal through downstream effector proteins, triggering cancer initiation, progression and metastasis. In the absence of targeted therapeutics to mutant RAS itself, inhibitors of downstream pathways controlled by the effector kinases RAF and PI3K have become tools in the treatment of RAS-driven tumours. Unfortunately, the efficacy of this approach has been greatly minimized by the prevalence of acquired drug resistance. Decades of research have established that RAS signalling is highly complex, and in addition to RAF and PI3K these small GTPase proteins can interact with an array of alternative effectors that feature RAS binding domains. The consequence of RAS binding to these effectors remains relatively unexplored, but these pathways may provide targets for combinatorial therapeutics. We discuss here three candidate alternative effectors: RALGEFs, RASSF5 and AFDN, detailing their interaction with RAS GTPases and their biological significance. The metastatic nature of RAS-driven cancers suggests more attention should be granted to these alternate pathways, as they are highly implicated in the regulation of cell adhesion, polarity, cell size and cytoskeletal architecture.
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6
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Wang GH, Shen HP, Chu ZM, Shen J. Adult rhabdomyosarcoma originating in the temporal muscle, invading the skull and meninges: A case report. World J Clin Cases 2021; 9:4866-4872. [PMID: 34222460 PMCID: PMC8223841 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i18.4866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare malignant tumor of mesenchymal origin that mainly affects children. Spindle cell/sclerosing RMS (SSRMS) is even rarer. It is a new subtype that was added to the World Health Organization disease classification in 2013. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of adult SSRMS disease classification originating in the temporal muscle.
CASE SUMMARY SSRMS originating in the temporal muscle of a male adult enlarged rapidly, destroyed the skull, and invaded the meninges. The tumor was completely removed, and the postoperative pathological diagnosis was SSRMS. Postoperative recovery was good and chemotherapy and radiotherapy were given after the operation. Followed up for 3 mo, no tumor recurred.
CONCLUSION RMS is one of the differential diagnoses for head soft tissue tumors with short-term enlargement and skull infiltration. Preoperative computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is necessary for early detection of tumor invasion of the skull and brain tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geng-Huan Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing 314000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - He-Ping Shen
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing 314000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zheng-Min Chu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing 314000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jian Shen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing 314000, Zhejiang Province, China
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7
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Ito T, Igaki T. Yorkie drives Ras-induced tumor progression by microRNA-mediated inhibition of cellular senescence. Sci Signal 2021; 14:14/685/eaaz3578. [PMID: 34074704 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aaz3578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The activation of Ras signaling is a major early event of oncogenesis in many contexts, yet paradoxically, Ras signaling induces cellular senescence, which prevents tumorigenesis. Thus, Ras-activated cells must overcome senescence to develop into cancer. Through a genetic screen in Drosophila melanogaster, we found that the ETS family transcriptional activator Pointed (Pnt) was necessary and sufficient to trigger cellular senescence upon Ras activation and blocked Ras-induced tumor growth in eye-antennal discs. Through analyses of mosaic discs using various genetic tools, we identified a mechanism of tumor progression in which loss of cell polarity, a common driver of epithelial oncogenesis, abrogated Ras-induced cellular senescence through microRNA-mediated inhibition of Pnt. Mechanistically, polarity defects in Ras-activated cells caused activation of the Hippo effector Yorkie (Yki), which induced the expression of the microRNA bantam bantam-mediated repression of the E3 ligase-associated protein Tribbles (Trbl) relieved Ras- and Akt-dependent inhibition of the transcription factor FoxO. The restoration of FoxO activity in Ras-activated cells induced the expression of the microRNAs miR-9c and miR-79, which led to reduced pnt expression, thereby abrogating cellular senescence and promoting tumor progression. Our findings provide a mechanistic explanation for how Ras-activated tumors progress toward malignancy by overcoming cellular senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takao Ito
- Laboratory of Genetics, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Tatsushi Igaki
- Laboratory of Genetics, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
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8
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Desai C, Thomason J, Kohlmeyer JL, Reisetter AC, Ahirwar P, Jahanseir K, Leidinger M, Ofori-Amanfo G, Fritchie K, Velu SE, Breheny P, Quelle DE, Tanas MR. Prognostic and therapeutic value of the Hippo pathway, RABL6A, and p53-MDM2 axes in sarcomas. Oncotarget 2021; 12:740-755. [PMID: 33889298 PMCID: PMC8057271 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Additional prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers effective across different histological types of sarcoma are needed. Herein we evaluate expression of TAZ and YAP, the p53-MDM2 axis, and RABL6A, a novel oncoprotein with potential ties to both pathways, in sarcomas of different histological types. Immunohistochemical staining of a tissue microarray including 163 sarcomas and correlation with clinical data showed that elevated YAP and TAZ independently predict worse overall and progression-free survival, respectively. In the absence of p53 expression, combined TAZ and YAP expression adversely affect overall, progression free, and metastasis free survival more than TAZ or YAP activation alone. RABL6A independently predicted shorter time to metastasis and was positively correlated with p53, MDM2 and YAP expression, supporting a possible functional relationship between the biomarkers. Network analysis further showed that TAZ is positively correlated with MDM2 expression. The data implicate all five proteins as clinically relevant downstream players in the Hippo pathway. Finally, a novel inhibitor of MDM2 (MA242), effectively suppressed the survival of sarcoma cell lines from different histological types regardless of p53 status. These findings suggest both independent and cooperative roles for all five biomarkers across different histological types of sarcoma in predicting patient outcomes and potentially guiding future therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandni Desai
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Jon Thomason
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Jordan L Kohlmeyer
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Anna C Reisetter
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Parmanand Ahirwar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Khadijeh Jahanseir
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | - Karen Fritchie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Sadanandan E Velu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Patrick Breheny
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Dawn E Quelle
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Munir R Tanas
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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9
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Preclinical In Vivo Modeling of Pediatric Sarcoma-Promises and Limitations. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10081578. [PMID: 33918045 PMCID: PMC8069549 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10081578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric sarcomas are an extremely heterogeneous group of genetically distinct diseases. Despite the increasing knowledge on their molecular makeup in recent years, true therapeutic advancements are largely lacking and prognosis often remains dim, particularly for relapsed and metastasized patients. Since this is largely due to the lack of suitable model systems as a prerequisite to develop and assess novel therapeutics, we here review the available approaches to model sarcoma in vivo. We focused on genetically engineered and patient-derived mouse models, compared strengths and weaknesses, and finally explored possibilities and limitations to utilize these models to advance both biological understanding as well as clinical diagnosis and therapy.
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10
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LeBlanc L, Ramirez N, Kim J. Context-dependent roles of YAP/TAZ in stem cell fates and cancer. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:4201-4219. [PMID: 33582842 PMCID: PMC8164607 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03781-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hippo effectors YAP and TAZ control cell fate and survival through various mechanisms, including transcriptional regulation of key genes. However, much of this research has been marked by conflicting results, as well as controversy over whether YAP and TAZ are redundant. A substantial portion of the discordance stems from their contradictory roles in stem cell self-renewal vs. differentiation and cancer cell survival vs. apoptosis. In this review, we present an overview of the multiple context-dependent functions of YAP and TAZ in regulating cell fate decisions in stem cells and organoids, as well as their mechanisms of controlling programmed cell death pathways in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy LeBlanc
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA. .,Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
| | - Nereida Ramirez
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.,Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jonghwan Kim
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA. .,Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA. .,Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
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11
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Fransson S, Martinez-Monleon A, Johansson M, Sjöberg RM, Björklund C, Ljungman G, Ek T, Kogner P, Martinsson T. Whole-genome sequencing of recurrent neuroblastoma reveals somatic mutations that affect key players in cancer progression and telomere maintenance. Sci Rep 2020; 10:22432. [PMID: 33384420 PMCID: PMC7775426 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78370-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common and deadly childhood tumor. Relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma has a very poor prognosis despite recent treatment advances. To investigate genomic alterations associated with relapse and therapy resistance, whole-genome sequencing was performed on diagnostic and relapsed lesions together with constitutional DNA from seven children. Sequencing of relapsed tumors indicates somatic alterations in diverse genes, including those involved in RAS-MAPK signaling, promoting cell cycle progression or function in telomere maintenance and immortalization. Among recurrent alterations, CCND1-gain, TERT-rearrangements, and point mutations in POLR2A, CDK5RAP, and MUC16 were shown in ≥ 2 individuals. Our cohort contained examples of converging genomic alterations in primary-relapse tumor pairs, indicating dependencies related to specific genetic lesions. We also detected rare genetic germline variants in DNA repair genes (e.g., BARD1, BRCA2, CHEK2, and WRN) that might cooperate with somatically acquired variants in these patients with highly aggressive recurrent neuroblastoma. Our data indicate the importance of monitoring recurrent neuroblastoma through sequential genomic characterization and that new therapeutic approaches combining the targeting of MAPK signaling, cell cycle progression, and telomere activity are required for this challenging patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Fransson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Box 445, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Angela Martinez-Monleon
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Box 445, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Rose-Marie Sjöberg
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Box 445, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Gustaf Ljungman
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Children's University Hospital, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Torben Ek
- Children's Cancer Center, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Per Kogner
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tommy Martinsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Box 445, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
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12
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Shim J, Lee JY, Jonus HC, Arnold A, Schnepp RW, Janssen KM, Maximov V, Goldsmith KC. YAP-Mediated Repression of HRK Regulates Tumor Growth, Therapy Response, and Survival Under Tumor Environmental Stress in Neuroblastoma. Cancer Res 2020; 80:4741-4753. [PMID: 32900773 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Following chemotherapy and relapse, high-risk neuroblastoma tumors harbor more genomic alterations than at diagnosis, including increased transcriptional activity of the Yes-associated protein (YAP), a key downstream component of the Hippo signaling network. Although YAP has been implicated in many cancer types, its functional role in the aggressive pediatric cancer neuroblastoma is not well-characterized. In this study, we performed genetic manipulation of YAP in human-derived neuroblastoma cell lines to investigate YAP function in key aspects of the malignant phenotype, including mesenchymal properties, tumor growth, chemotherapy response, and MEK inhibitor response. Standard cytotoxic therapy induced YAP expression and transcriptional activity in patient-derived xenografts treated in vivo, which may contribute to neuroblastoma recurrence. Moreover, YAP promoted a mesenchymal phenotype in high-risk neuroblastoma that modulated tumor growth and therapy resistance in vivo. Finally, the BH3-only protein, Harakiri (HRK), was identified as a novel target inhibited by YAP, which, when suppressed, prevented apoptosis in response to nutrient deprivation in vitro and promoted tumor aggression, chemotherapy resistance, and MEK inhibitor resistance in vivo. Collectively, these findings suggest that YAP inhibition may improve chemotherapy response in patients with neuroblastoma via its regulation of HRK, thus providing a critical strategic complement to MEK inhibitor therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: This study identifies HRK as a novel tumor suppressor in neuroblastoma and suggests dual MEK and YAP inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy in RAS-hyperactivated neuroblastomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Shim
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.,Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jasmine Y Lee
- Cancer Biology Program, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Hunter C Jonus
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Amanda Arnold
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Robert W Schnepp
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.,Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia.,Cancer Biology Program, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Victor Maximov
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Kelly C Goldsmith
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia. .,Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia.,Cancer Biology Program, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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13
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Slemmons KK, Yeung C, Baumgart JT, Juarez JOM, McCalla A, Helman LJ. Targeting Hippo-Dependent and Hippo-Independent YAP1 Signaling for the Treatment of Childhood Rhabdomyosarcoma. Cancer Res 2020; 80:3046-3056. [PMID: 32354737 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-3853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common childhood soft-tissue sarcoma, yet patients with metastatic or recurrent disease continue to do poorly, indicating a need for new treatments. The SRC family tyrosine kinase YES1 is upregulated in rhabdomyosarcoma and is necessary for growth, but clinical trials using single agent dasatinib, a SRC family kinase inhibitor, have failed in sarcomas. YAP1 (YES-associated protein) is highly expressed in rhabdomyosarcoma, driving growth and survival when the upstream Hippo tumor suppressor pathway is silenced, but efforts to pharmacologically inhibit YAP1 have been unsuccessful. Here we demonstrate that treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma with DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (DNMTi) upregulates Hippo activators RASSF1 and RASSF5 by promoter demethylation, activating canonical Hippo signaling and increasing inactivation of YAP1 by phosphorylation. Treatment with DNMTi decreased rhabdomyosarcoma cell growth and increased apoptosis and differentiation, an effect partially rescued by expression of constitutively active YAP (S127A), suggesting the effects of DNMTi treatment are, in part, due to Hippo-dependent inhibition of YAP1. In addition, YES1 and YAP1 interacted in the nucleus of rhabdomyosarcoma cells, and genetic or pharmacologic suppression of YES1 resulted in cytoplasmic retention of YAP1 and decreased YAP1 target gene expression, suggesting YES1 regulates YAP1 in a Hippo-independent manner. Combined treatment with DNMTi and dasatinib targeted both Hippo-dependent and Hippo-independent regulation of YAP1, ablating rhabdomyosarcoma cell growth in vitro and trending toward decreased tumor growth in vivo. These results show that the mechanisms regulating YAP1 in rhabdomyosarcoma can be inhibited by combinatorial therapy of DNMTi and dasatinib, laying the groundwork for future clinical investigations. SIGNIFICANCE: This study elucidates the signaling pathways that regulate the oncogenic protein YAP1 and identifies a combination therapy to target these pathways in the childhood tumor rhabdomyosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine K Slemmons
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Choh Yeung
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Joshua T Baumgart
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - Amy McCalla
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lee J Helman
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. .,Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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14
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Coggins GE, Farrel A, Rathi KS, Hayes CM, Scolaro L, Rokita JL, Maris JM. YAP1 Mediates Resistance to MEK1/2 Inhibition in Neuroblastomas with Hyperactivated RAS Signaling. Cancer Res 2019; 79:6204-6214. [PMID: 31672841 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-1415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Relapsed neuroblastomas are enriched with activating mutations of the RAS-MAPK signaling pathway. The MEK1/2 inhibitor trametinib delays tumor growth but does not sustain regression in neuroblastoma preclinical models. Recent studies have implicated the Hippo pathway transcriptional coactivator protein YAP1 as an additional driver of relapsed neuroblastomas, as well as a mediator of trametinib resistance in other cancers. Here, we used a highly annotated set of high-risk neuroblastoma cellular models to modulate YAP1 expression and RAS pathway activation to test whether increased YAP1 transcriptional activity is a mechanism of MEK1/2 inhibition resistance in RAS-driven neuroblastomas. In NLF (biallelic NF1 inactivation) and SK-N-AS (NRAS Q61K) cell lines, trametinib caused a near-complete translocation of YAP1 protein into the nucleus. YAP1 depletion sensitized neuroblastoma cells to trametinib, while overexpression of constitutively active YAP1 protein induced trametinib resistance. Mechanistically, significant enhancement of G1-S cell-cycle arrest, mediated by depletion of MYC/MYCN and E2F transcriptional output, sensitized RAS-driven neuroblastomas to trametinib following YAP1 deletion. These findings underscore the importance of YAP activity in response to trametinib in RAS-driven neuroblastomas, as well as the potential for targeting YAP in a trametinib combination. SIGNIFICANCE: High-risk neuroblastomas with hyperactivated RAS signaling escape the selective pressure of MEK inhibition via YAP1-mediated transcriptional reprogramming and may be sensitive to combination therapies targeting both YAP1 and MEK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace E Coggins
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Alvin Farrel
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Komal S Rathi
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Colin M Hayes
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Laura Scolaro
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jo Lynne Rokita
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - John M Maris
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. .,Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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15
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Choo Z, Loh AHP, Chen ZX. Destined to Die: Apoptosis and Pediatric Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11111623. [PMID: 31652776 PMCID: PMC6893512 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11111623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis (programmed cell death) is a systematic and coordinated cellular process that occurs in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Sidestepping or resisting apoptosis is a distinct characteristic of human cancers including childhood malignancies. This review dissects the apoptosis pathways implicated in pediatric tumors. Understanding these pathways not only unraveled key molecules that may serve as potential targets for drug discovery, but also molecular nodes that integrate with other signaling networks involved in processes such as development. This review presents current knowledge of the complex regulatory system that governs apoptosis with respect to other processes in pediatric cancers, so that fresh insights may be derived regarding treatment resistance or for more effective treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang'e Choo
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore.
| | - Amos Hong Pheng Loh
- VIVA-KKH Pediatric Brain and Solid Tumor Program, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore.
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore.
| | - Zhi Xiong Chen
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore.
- VIVA-KKH Pediatric Brain and Solid Tumor Program, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore.
- National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, Singapore 119074, Singapore.
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16
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Yun MR, Choi HM, Lee YW, Joo HS, Park CW, Choi JW, Kim DH, Kang HN, Pyo KH, Shin EJ, Shim HS, Soo RA, Yang JCH, Lee SS, Chang H, Kim MH, Hong MH, Kim HR, Cho BC. Targeting YAP to overcome acquired resistance to ALK inhibitors in ALK-rearranged lung cancer. EMBO Mol Med 2019; 11:e10581. [PMID: 31633304 PMCID: PMC6895608 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201910581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical benefit of ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK‐TKIs) in ALK‐rearranged lung cancer has been limited by the inevitable development of acquired resistance, and bypass‐molecular resistance mechanisms remain poorly understood. We investigated a novel therapeutic target through screening FDA‐approved drugs in ALK‐TKI‐resistant models. Cerivastatin, the rate‐limiting enzyme inhibitor of the mevalonate pathway, showed anti‐cancer activity against ALK‐TKI resistance in vitro/in vivo, accompanied by cytoplasmic retention and subsequent inactivation of transcriptional co‐regulator YAP. The marked induction of YAP‐targeted oncogenes (EGFR, AXL, CYR61, and TGFβR2) in resistant cells was abolished by cerivastatin. YAP silencing suppressed tumor growth in resistant cells, patient‐derived xenografts, and EML4‐ALK transgenic mice, whereas YAP overexpression decreased the responsiveness of parental cells to ALK inhibitor. In matched patient samples before/after ALK inhibitor treatment, nuclear accumulation of YAP was mainly detected in post‐treatment samples. High expression of YAP in pretreatment samples was correlated with poor response to ALK‐TKIs. Our findings highlight a crucial role of YAP in ALK‐TKI resistance and provide a rationale for targeting YAP as a potential treatment option for ALK‐rearranged patients with acquired resistance to ALK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Ran Yun
- JEUK Institute for Cancer Research, JEUK Co., Ltd., Gumi-City, Korea.,Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hun Mi Choi
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - You Won Lee
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyeong Seok Joo
- JEUK Institute for Cancer Research, JEUK Co., Ltd., Gumi-City, Korea
| | - Chae Won Park
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Woo Choi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong Hwi Kim
- JEUK Institute for Cancer Research, JEUK Co., Ltd., Gumi-City, Korea
| | - Han Na Kang
- JEUK Institute for Cancer Research, JEUK Co., Ltd., Gumi-City, Korea.,Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyoung-Ho Pyo
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Joo Shin
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyo Sup Shim
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ross A Soo
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - James Chih-Hsin Yang
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sung Sook Lee
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea
| | - Hyun Chang
- International St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, Incheon, Korea
| | - Min Hwan Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Min Hee Hong
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye Ryun Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Byoung Chul Cho
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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17
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Clinical and biological implications of Hippo pathway dysregulation in sarcomas. FORUM OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.2478/fco-2018-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Sarcomas are mesenchymal malignant tumors with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Hippo pathway is a recently discovered pathway normally involved in organ development and wound healing. Hippo signaling is often altered in solid tumors. The molecular elements of Hippo signaling include MST1/2 and LATS1/2 kinases which phosphorylate and regulate the activity of YAP and TAZ co-transcriptional activators. Hippo pathway cross-talks with several molecular pathways with known oncogenic function. In sarcomas Hippo signaling plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, evolution and resistance in chemotherapy regimens. Targeting Hippo pathway could potentially improve prognosis and outcome of sarcoma patients.
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18
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Figeac N, Mohamed AD, Sun C, Schönfelder M, Matallanas D, Garcia-Munoz A, Missiaglia E, Collie-Duguid E, De Mello V, Pobbati AV, Pruller J, Jaka O, Harridge SDR, Hong W, Shipley J, Vargesson N, Zammit PS, Wackerhage H. VGLL3 operates via TEAD1, TEAD3 and TEAD4 to influence myogenesis in skeletal muscle. J Cell Sci 2019; 132:jcs.225946. [PMID: 31138678 PMCID: PMC6633393 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.225946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
VGLL proteins are transcriptional co-factors that bind TEAD family transcription factors to regulate events ranging from wing development in fly, to muscle fibre composition and immune function in mice. Here, we characterise Vgll3 in skeletal muscle. We found that mouse Vgll3 was expressed at low levels in healthy muscle but that its levels increased during hypertrophy or regeneration; in humans, VGLL3 was highly expressed in tissues from patients with various muscle diseases, such as in dystrophic muscle and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Interaction proteomics revealed that VGLL3 bound TEAD1, TEAD3 and TEAD4 in myoblasts and/or myotubes. However, there was no interaction with proteins from major regulatory systems such as the Hippo kinase cascade, unlike what is found for the TEAD co-factors YAP (encoded by YAP1) and TAZ (encoded by WWTR1). Vgll3 overexpression reduced the activity of the Hippo negative-feedback loop, affecting expression of muscle-regulating genes including Myf5, Pitx2 and Pitx3, and genes encoding certain Wnts and IGFBPs. VGLL3 mainly repressed gene expression, regulating similar genes to those regulated by YAP and TAZ. siRNA-mediated Vgll3 knockdown suppressed myoblast proliferation, whereas Vgll3 overexpression strongly promoted myogenic differentiation. However, skeletal muscle was overtly normal in Vgll3-null mice, presumably due to feedback signalling and/or redundancy. This work identifies VGLL3 as a transcriptional co-factor operating with the Hippo signal transduction network to control myogenesis. Summary: VGLL3 interacts with TEAD transcription factors to direct expression of crucial muscle regulatory genes and contribute to the control of skeletal myogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Figeac
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Abdalla D Mohamed
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.,Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environment and Health, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, D-85764 Munich/Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Congshan Sun
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK.,Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Martin Schönfelder
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60, 80992 Munich, Germany
| | - David Matallanas
- Systems Biology Ireland, Conway Institute, Belfield; Dublin 4, Ireland
| | | | - Edoardo Missiaglia
- Institute of Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elaina Collie-Duguid
- University of Aberdeen, Centre for Genome Enabled Biology and Medicine, 23 St Machar Drive, Aberdeen AB24 3RY, UK
| | - Vanessa De Mello
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Ajaybabu V Pobbati
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A-STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Johanna Pruller
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Oihane Jaka
- Centre for Human and Applied Physiological Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Stephen D R Harridge
- Centre for Human and Applied Physiological Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Wanjin Hong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A-STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Janet Shipley
- Sarcoma Molecular Pathology Team, Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, Surrey, SM2 5NG, UK
| | - Neil Vargesson
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Peter S Zammit
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Henning Wackerhage
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK .,Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60, 80992 Munich, Germany
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19
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Pal A, Chiu HY, Taneja R. Genetics, epigenetics and redox homeostasis in rhabdomyosarcoma: Emerging targets and therapeutics. Redox Biol 2019; 25:101124. [PMID: 30709791 PMCID: PMC6859585 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2019.101124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 01/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma accounting for 5-8% of malignant tumours in children and adolescents. Children with high risk disease have poor prognosis. Anti-RMS therapies include surgery, radiation and combination chemotherapy. While these strategies improved survival rates, they have plateaued since 1990s as drugs that target differentiation and self-renewal of tumours cells have not been identified. Moreover, prevailing treatments are aggressive with drug resistance and metastasis causing failure of several treatment regimes. Significant advances have been made recently in understanding the genetic and epigenetic landscape in RMS. These studies have identified novel diagnostic and prognostic markers and opened new avenues for treatment. An important target identified in high throughput drug screening studies is reactive oxygen species (ROS). Indeed, many drugs in clinical trials for RMS impact tumour progression through ROS. In light of such emerging evidence, we discuss recent findings highlighting key pathways, epigenetic alterations and their impacts on ROS that form the basis of developing novel molecularly targeted therapies in RMS. Such targeted therapies in combination with conventional therapy could reduce adverse side effects in young survivors and lead to a decline in long-term morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananya Pal
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore
| | - Hsin Yao Chiu
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore
| | - Reshma Taneja
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore.
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20
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Nakagawa N, Kikuchi K, Yagyu S, Miyachi M, Iehara T, Tajiri T, Sakai T, Hosoi H. Mutations in the RAS pathway as potential precision medicine targets in treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 512:524-530. [PMID: 30904164 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Precision medicine strategies for treating rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a childhood malignancy, have not been developed. We examined the effect of CH5126766, a potent selective dual RAF/MEK inhibitor, on RMS cell lines. Among the eleven cell lines studied, one NRAS and two HRAS mutated cell lines were detected. CH5126766 inhibited the proliferation and growth in all of the RAS-mutated RMS cell lines, while it induced G1 cell cycle arrest in two of them. G1 cell cycle arrest was accompanied by p21 up-regulation and RB dephosphorylation. CH5126766 also suppressed the in vivo growth of RAS-mutated RMS tumor, and the mice showed improved survival. Thus, our results demonstrate that CH5126766 is an effective RAF/MEK inhibitor in RAS-mutated RMS. This study not only shows that in RMS, mutations in the RAS pathway can be a target for precision medicine, but also demonstrates that the evaluation of the gene mutation status is important in childhood malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norio Nakagawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ken Kikuchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Uji Takeda Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shigeki Yagyu
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Miyachi
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomoko Iehara
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Tatsuro Tajiri
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Sakai
- Department of Molecular-Targeting Cancer Prevention, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hajime Hosoi
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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21
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Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children and represents a high-grade neoplasm of skeletal myoblast-like cells. Decades of clinical and basic research have gradually improved our understanding of the pathophysiology of RMS and helped to optimize clinical care. The two major subtypes of RMS, originally characterized on the basis of light microscopic features, are driven by fundamentally different molecular mechanisms and pose distinct clinical challenges. Curative therapy depends on control of the primary tumour, which can arise at many distinct anatomical sites, as well as controlling disseminated disease that is known or assumed to be present in every case. Sophisticated risk stratification for children with RMS incorporates various clinical, pathological and molecular features, and that information is used to guide the application of multifaceted therapy. Such therapy has historically included cytotoxic chemotherapy as well as surgery, ionizing radiation or both. This Primer describes our current understanding of RMS epidemiology, disease susceptibility factors, disease mechanisms and elements of clinical care, including diagnostics, risk-based care of newly diagnosed and relapsed disease and the prevention and management of late effects in survivors. We also outline potential opportunities to further translate new biological insights into improved clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen X Skapek
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Andrea Ferrari
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Abha A Gupta
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Philip J Lupo
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Erin Butler
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Janet Shipley
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, Belmont, UK
| | - Frederic G Barr
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Douglas S Hawkins
- Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
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22
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Lui JW, Xiao S, Ogomori K, Hammarstedt JE, Little EC, Lang D. The Efficiency of Verteporfin as a Therapeutic Option in Pre-Clinical Models of Melanoma. J Cancer 2019; 10:1-10. [PMID: 30662519 PMCID: PMC6329844 DOI: 10.7150/jca.27472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Yes Associated Protein 1 (YAP) and Transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-Binding Motif (TAZ) have gained notoriety for their ability to drive tumor initiation and progression in a wide variety of cancers, including melanoma. YAP and TAZ act as drivers of melanoma through its interaction with the TEAD family of transcription factors. Verteporfin is a benzoporphyrin derivative that is used clinically for photodynamic treatment of macular degeneration. Recently it has emerged as a potential inhibitor of YAP/TAZ-TEAD interaction independent of light activation. In this study we determine if verteporfin has clinical potential by testing this compound on human melanoma cell cultures and in a clinically significant mouse model, BrafCA; Tyr-CreERT2; Ptenf/f, which parallels human melanoma in terms of disease progression, genetics, and histopathology. In culture, Verteporfin treatment induces a rapid drop in YAP and TAZ protein levels and cell numbers. In the transgenic model, utilizing drug levels that correspond to previously determined safe doses in human patients and with a dosing regimen calculated in this study, Verteporfin did not inhibit melanoma initiation or progression in comparison to mock treated controls. Taken together, our study suggests that although Verteporfin induces YAP/TAZ degradation in melanoma cell lines, Verteporfin was not effective as a YAP/TAZ-TEAD specific inhibitor of melanoma in our studies that aimed to mimic conditions found in clinic in terms of treatment regimen and disease model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason W Lui
- Committee on Development, Regeneration, and Stem Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.,Section of Dermatology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.,Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Sixia Xiao
- Section of Dermatology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
| | - Kelsey Ogomori
- Section of Dermatology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
| | - Jon E Hammarstedt
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
| | | | - Deborah Lang
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
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23
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Mulder CL, Eijkenboom LL, Beerendonk CCM, Braat DDM, Peek R. Enhancing the safety of ovarian cortex autotransplantation: cancer cells are purged completely from human ovarian tissue fragments by pharmacological inhibition of YAP/TAZ oncoproteins. Hum Reprod 2018; 34:506-518. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Callista L Mulder
- Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lotte L Eijkenboom
- Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Catharina C M Beerendonk
- Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Didi D M Braat
- Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald Peek
- Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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24
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The Ambivalent Function of YAP in Apoptosis and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19123770. [PMID: 30486435 PMCID: PMC6321280 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19123770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Yes-associated protein, a core regulator of the Hippo-YAP signaling pathway, plays a vital role in inhibiting apoptosis. Thus, several studies and reviews suggest that yes-associated protein is a good target for treating cancer. Unfortunately, more and more evidence demonstrates that this protein is also an essential contributor of p73-mediated apoptosis. This questions the concept that yes-associated protein is always a good target for developing novel anti-cancer drugs. Thus, the aim of this review was to evaluate the clinical relevance of yes-associated protein for cancer pathophysiology. This review also summarized the molecules, processes and drugs, which regulate Hippo-YAP signaling and discusses their effect on apoptosis. In addition, issues are defined, which should be addressed in the future in order to provide a solid basis for targeting the Hippo-YAP signaling pathway in clinical trials.
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25
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Wang L, Zhang Z, Yu X, Huang X, Liu Z, Chai Y, Yang L, Wang Q, Li M, Zhao J, Hou J, Li F. Unbalanced YAP-SOX9 circuit drives stemness and malignant progression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Oncogene 2018; 38:2042-2055. [PMID: 30401982 PMCID: PMC6756096 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0476-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Yes-associated protein (YAP) has been identified as a key regulator of tissue homeostasis. However, the precise role and regulatory mechanism of YAP in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. Here we report that the genetic or pharmacological inhibition of YAP repressed cancer stem cell (CSC)-like properties, including tumorsphere-forming potential, cell motility, and chemoresistance in vitro, and was sufficient to attenuate tumor growth and CSC marker expression in ESCC xenografts. Mechanistically, YAP transcriptionally activated its downstream target SOX9 via TEAD1-mediated binding. We also observed a positive correlation between YAP signaling and SOX9 expression in two independent clinical cohorts. Intriguingly, YAP-targeting microRNAs, including miR-506-3p, which were induced by SOX9, post-transcriptionally repressed YAP expression, contributing to a negative feedback mechanism. Dual inhibition of YAP and SOX9 robustly suppressed malignant phenotypes. Notably, ESCC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset had frequent (44%) instances of YAP gene amplification and genetic inactivation of Hippo pathway regulators. Nuclear YAP expression was elevated in 197 ESCC tissues from a Chinese cohort. Together, our findings provide evidence that genetic hyperactivation of YAP unbalances the YAP–SOX9 feedback loop and confers CSC-like features in ESCC, suggesting that this YAP–SOX9 circuit represents a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianghai Wang
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Zhiyu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.,Department of Pathology and Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaodan Yu
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.,Department of Stomatology, First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, China
| | - Xuan Huang
- Department of Pathology and Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Pathology and Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhang Chai
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Department of Pathology and Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Man Li
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Jin Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Jun Hou
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China. .,Department of Pathology and Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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26
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Mohamed AD, Shah N, Hettmer S, Vargesson N, Wackerhage H. Analysis of the relationship between the KRAS G12V oncogene and the Hippo effector YAP1 in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15674. [PMID: 30353028 PMCID: PMC6199242 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33852-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent hyperactivity of the Hippo effector YAP in activated satellite cells is sufficient to cause embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) in mice. In humans, YAP is abundant and nuclear in the majority of ERMS cases, and high YAP expression is associated with poor survival. However, YAP1 is rarely mutated in human ERMS. Instead, the most common mutations in ERMS are oncogenic RAS mutations. First, to compare YAP1 S127A and KRAS G12V-driven rhabdomyosarcomas, we re-analysed gene expression microarray datasets from mouse rhabdomyosarcomas caused by these genes. This revealed that only 20% of the up or downregulated genes are identical, suggesting substantial differences in gene expression between YAP and KRAS-driven rhabdomyosarcomas. As oncogenic RAS has been linked to YAP in other types of cancer, we also tested whether KRAS G12V alone or in combination with loss of p53 and p16 activates YAP in myoblasts. We found that neither KRAS G12V alone nor KRAS G12V combined with loss of p53 and p16 activated Yap or Yap/Taz-Tead1-4 transcriptional activity in C2C12 myoblasts or U57810 cells. In conclusion, whilst oncogenic KRAS mutation might activate Yap in other cell types, we could find no evidence for this in myoblasts because the expression of KRAS G12V expression did not change Yap/Taz activity in myoblasts and there was a limited overlap in gene expression between KRAS G12V and YAP1 S127A-driven tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdalla D Mohamed
- University of Aberdeen, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, Scotland.
- Institute of Developmental Genetics Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environment and Health Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, D-85764, Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Nupur Shah
- University of Aberdeen, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, Scotland
| | - Simone Hettmer
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Neil Vargesson
- University of Aberdeen, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, Scotland
| | - Henning Wackerhage
- University of Aberdeen, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, Scotland
- Technical University of Munich, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Georg-Brauchle Ring 60-62, 80992, Munich, Germany
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27
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Ahmed AA, Habeebu SS, Sherman AK, Ye SQ, Wood N, Chastain KM, Tsokos MG. Potential Value of YAP Staining in Rhabdomyosarcoma. J Histochem Cytochem 2018; 66:577-584. [PMID: 29596030 PMCID: PMC6071181 DOI: 10.1369/0022155418766515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a common malignancy of soft tissue, subclassified as alveolar (ARMS), pleomorphic (PRMS), spindle cell/sclerosing (SRMS), and embryonal (ERMS) types. The Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a member of the Hippo pathway and a transcriptional regulator that controls cell proliferation. We have studied the immunohistochemical expression of YAP in different RMSs, arranged in tissue microarray (TMA) and whole slide formats. Pertinent clinical data including patient age, gender, tumor location, and clinical stage were collected. Out of 96 TMA cases, 30 cases (31%) were pleomorphic, 27 (28%) were embryonal, 24 (25%) alveolar, and 15 (16%) spindle cell. Positive nuclear YAP staining was seen in the PRMS (17/30, 56.7%), SRMS (7/15, 46.7%), ERMS (19/27 or 70%), and less in ARMS (37.5%). YAP nuclear staining was significantly more prevalent in ERMS than ARMS ( p=0.02). Of the 41 whole slide cases, nuclear staining was detected in all ARMS but was restricted in distribution to <30% of the cells, in contrast to ERMS and SRMS, which had diffuse or >30% staining. These results highlight the role of YAP in RMS tumorigenesis, a fact that can be useful in engineering targeted therapy. Restricted nuclear YAP staining (<30% of cells) may be of value in the diagnosis of ARMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atif A. Ahmed
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Children’s Mercy
Hospital, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Sultan S. Habeebu
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Children’s Mercy
Hospital, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Ashley K. Sherman
- Division of Health Services and Outcomes
Research, Children’s Mercy Hospital, University of Missouri–Kansas City,
Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Shui Q. Ye
- Division of Experimental and Translational
Genetics, Children’s Mercy Hospital, University of Missouri–Kansas City,
Kansas City, Missouri
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics,
School of Medicine, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Kansas City,
Missouri
| | - Nicole Wood
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Children’s
Mercy Hospital, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Kansas City,
Missouri
| | - Katherine M. Chastain
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Children’s
Mercy Hospital, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Kansas City,
Missouri
| | - Maria G. Tsokos
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess
Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
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28
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Lamar JM, Motilal Nehru V, Weinberg G. Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma as a Model of YAP/TAZ-Driven Cancer: Insights from a Rare Fusion Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10070229. [PMID: 29996478 PMCID: PMC6070876 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10070229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare soft-tissue sarcoma involving cells with histologic markers that suggest an endothelial origin. Around 90% of EHEs are caused by the fusion of Transcriptional Co-activator with a PDZ-motif (TAZ) with Calmodulin Binding Transcription Activator 1 (CAMTA1), a central nervous system-specific transcription activator. The 10% of EHEs that lack the TAZ–CAMTA1 fusion instead have a fusion of Yes-associated Protein (YAP) and Transcription Factor E3 (TFE3) genes (YAP-TFE3). YAP and TAZ are well-defined downstream effectors in the Hippo pathway that promote cell growth when translocated to the nucleus. The TAZ–CAMTA1 fusion transcript is insensitive to the Hippo inhibitory signals that normally prevent this process and thus constitutively activates the TAZ transcriptome. In EHE, this causes tumors to form in a variety of organs and tissue types, most commonly the liver, lung, and bone. Its clinical course is unpredictable and highly variable. TAZ activation is known to contribute to key aspects of the cancer phenotype, including metastasis and fibrosis, and increased expression of TAZ is thought to be causally related to the progression of many cancers, including breast, lung, and liver. Therefore, understanding TAZ biology and the molecular mechanisms by which it promotes unregulated cell proliferation will yield insights and possibly improved treatments for both EHE as well as much more common cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Lamar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
| | | | - Guy Weinberg
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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29
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Warren JSA, Xiao Y, Lamar JM. YAP/TAZ Activation as a Target for Treating Metastatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10040115. [PMID: 29642615 PMCID: PMC5923370 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10040115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) and Transcriptional Co-activator with PDZ-binding Motif (TAZ) have both emerged as important drivers of cancer progression and metastasis. YAP and TAZ are often upregulated or nuclear localized in aggressive human cancers. There is abundant experimental evidence demonstrating that YAP or TAZ activation promotes cancer formation, tumor progression, and metastasis. In this review we summarize the evidence linking YAP/TAZ activation to metastasis, and discuss the roles of YAP and TAZ during each step of the metastatic cascade. Collectively, this evidence strongly suggests that inappropriate YAP or TAZ activity plays a causal role in cancer, and that targeting aberrant YAP/TAZ activation is a promising strategy for the treatment of metastatic disease. To this end, we also discuss several potential strategies for inhibiting YAP/TAZ activation in cancer and the challenges each strategy poses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine S A Warren
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
| | - Yuxuan Xiao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
| | - John M Lamar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
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30
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Deel MD, Slemmons KK, Hinson AR, Genadry KC, Burgess BA, Crose LES, Kuprasertkul N, Oristian KM, Bentley RC, Linardic CM. The Transcriptional Coactivator TAZ Is a Potent Mediator of Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma Tumorigenesis. Clin Cancer Res 2018. [PMID: 29514840 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-1207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (aRMS) is a childhood soft tissue sarcoma driven by the signature PAX3-FOXO1 (P3F) fusion gene. Five-year survival for aRMS is <50%, with no improvement in over 4 decades. Although the transcriptional coactivator TAZ is oncogenic in carcinomas, the role of TAZ in sarcomas is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of TAZ in P3F-aRMS tumorigenesis.Experimental Design: After determining from publicly available datasets that TAZ is upregulated in human aRMS transcriptomes, we evaluated whether TAZ is also upregulated in our myoblast-based model of P3F-initiated tumorigenesis, and performed IHC staining of 63 human aRMS samples from tissue microarrays. Using constitutive and inducible RNAi, we examined the impact of TAZ loss of function on aRMS oncogenic phenotypes in vitro and tumorigenesis in vivo Finally, we performed pharmacologic studies in aRMS cell lines using porphyrin compounds, which interfere with TAZ-TEAD transcriptional activity.Results: TAZ is upregulated in our P3F-initiated aRMS model, and aRMS cells and tumors have high nuclear TAZ expression. In vitro, TAZ suppression inhibits aRMS cell proliferation, induces apoptosis, supports myogenic differentiation, and reduces aRMS cell stemness. TAZ-deficient aRMS cells are enriched in G2-M phase of the cell cycle. In vivo, TAZ suppression attenuates aRMS xenograft tumor growth. Preclinical studies show decreased aRMS xenograft tumor growth with porphyrin compounds alone and in combination with vincristine.Conclusions: TAZ is oncogenic in aRMS sarcomagenesis. While P3F is currently not therapeutically tractable, targeting TAZ could be a promising novel approach in aRMS. Clin Cancer Res; 24(11); 2616-30. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Deel
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Katherine K Slemmons
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Ashley R Hinson
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Katia C Genadry
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Breanne A Burgess
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Lisa E S Crose
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Kristianne M Oristian
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Rex C Bentley
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Corinne M Linardic
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. .,Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
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31
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The Hippo pathway as a drug target in gastric cancer. Cancer Lett 2018; 420:14-25. [PMID: 29408652 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.01.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The Hippo tumor suppressor pathway is critical for balancing cellular differentiation and proliferation in response to cell-cell contact, mechanical signals and diffusible signals such as lysophosphatidic acid. Hippo pathway signaling is frequently dysregulated in gastric cancer (GC), as well as many other kinds of solid tumors, contributing to multiple aspects of malignant progression including unchecked cell division and metastasis. Considering the importance of this Hippo pathway in cancer, its pharmacological disruption may be of huge benefit in the fight against this disease. In this review, we summarize the components of the Hippo pathway, its crosstalk with other major oncogenic signaling pathways, common mechanisms of its dysregulation, as well as potential therapeutic approaches of targeting this pathway for cancer treatment, specifically in a GC context.
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32
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Functional genomics screen identifies YAP1 as a key determinant to enhance treatment sensitivity in lung cancer cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:28976-88. [PMID: 26716514 PMCID: PMC5045371 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 11/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Survival for lung cancer patients remains dismal and is largely attributed to treatment resistance. To identify novel target genes the modulation of which could modify platinum resistance, we performed a high-throughput RNAi screen and identified Yes-associated protein (YAP1), a transcription coactivator and a known oncogene, as a potential actionable candidate. YAP1 ablation significantly improved sensitivities not only to cisplatin but also to ionizing radiation, both of which are DNA-damaging interventions, in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Overall YAP1 was expressed in 75% of NSCLC specimens, whereas nuclear YAP1 which is the active form was present in 45% of 124 resected NSCLC. Interestingly, EGFR-mutated or KRAS-mutated NSCLC were associated with higher nuclear YAP1 staining in comparison to EGFR/KRAS wild-type. Relevantly, YAP1 downregulation improved sensitivity to erlotinib, an EGFR inhibitor. A pharmacological inhibitor of YAP1 signaling, verteporfin also synergized with cisplatin, radiation and erlotinib in NSCLC cells by potentiating cisplatin and radiation-related double-stranded breaks and decreasing expression of YAP1 and EGFR. Taken together, our study is the first to indicate the potential role of YAP1 as a common modulator of resistance mechanisms and a potential novel, actionable target that can improve responses to platinum, radiation and EGFR-targeted therapy in lung cancer.
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33
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Fisher ML, Grun D, Adhikary G, Xu W, Eckert RL. Inhibition of YAP function overcomes BRAF inhibitor resistance in melanoma cancer stem cells. Oncotarget 2017; 8:110257-110272. [PMID: 29299145 PMCID: PMC5746380 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Treating BRAF inhibitor-resistant melanoma is an important therapeutic goal. Thus, it is important to identify and target mechanisms of resistance to improve therapy. The YAP1 and TAZ proteins of the Hippo signaling pathway are important drivers of cancer cell survival, and are BRAF inhibitor resistant factors in melanoma. We examine the role of YAP1/TAZ in melanoma cancer stem cells (MCS cells). We demonstrate that YAP1, TAZ and TEAD (TEA domain transcription factor) levels are elevated in BRAF inhibitor resistant MCS cells and enhance cell survival, spheroid formation, matrigel invasion and tumor formation. Moreover, increased YAP1, TAZ and TEAD are associated with sustained ERK1/2 activity that is not suppressed by BRAF inhibitor. Xenograft studies show that treating BRAF inhibitor-resistant tumors with verteporfin, an agent that interferes with YAP1 function, reduces YAP1/TAZ level, restores BRAF inhibitor suppression of ERK1/2 signaling and reduces tumor growth. Verteporfin is highly effective as concentrations of verteporfin that do not impact tumor formation restore BRAF inhibitor suppression of tumor formation, suggesting that co-treatment with agents that inhibit YAP1 and BRAF(V600E) may be a viable therapy for cancer stem cell-derived BRAF inhibitor-resistant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L Fisher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA
| | - Daniel Grun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA
| | - Wen Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA
| | - Richard L Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA.,Department of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA.,Department of Reproductive Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA.,The Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA
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34
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Andrade D, Mehta M, Griffith J, Panneerselvam J, Srivastava A, Kim TD, Janknecht R, Herman T, Ramesh R, Munshi A. YAP1 inhibition radiosensitizes triple negative breast cancer cells by targeting the DNA damage response and cell survival pathways. Oncotarget 2017; 8:98495-98508. [PMID: 29228705 PMCID: PMC5716745 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is an evolutionarily conserved signaling pathway that regulates proliferation and apoptosis to control organ size during developmental growth. Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), the terminal effector of the Hippo pathway, is a transcriptional co-activator and a potent growth promoter that has emerged as a critical oncogene. Overexpression of YAP1 has been implicated in promoting resistance to chemo-, radiation and targeted therapy in various cancers. However, the role of YAP1 in radioresistance in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is currently unknown. We evaluated the role of YAP1 in radioresistance in TNBC in vitro, using two approaches to inhibit YAP1: 1) genetic inhibition by YAP1 specific shRNA or siRNA, and 2) pharmacological inhibition by using the small molecule inhibitor, verteporfin that prevents YAP1 transcriptional activity. Our findings demonstrate that both genetic and pharmacological inhibition of YAP1 sensitizes TNBC cells to radiation by inhibiting the EGFR/PI3K/AKT signaling axis and causing an increased accumulation of DNA damage. Our results reveal that YAP1 activation exerts a protective role for TNBC cells in radiotherapy and represents a pharmacological target to enhance the anti-tumor effects of DNA damaging modalities in the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Andrade
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, USA
| | - Meghna Mehta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, USA
| | - James Griffith
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, USA
| | - Janani Panneerselvam
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, USA
| | - Akhil Srivastava
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, USA
| | - Tae-Dong Kim
- Department of Cell Biology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, USA
| | - Ralf Janknecht
- Department of Cell Biology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, USA
| | - Terence Herman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, USA
| | - Rajagopal Ramesh
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, USA
| | - Anupama Munshi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, USA
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35
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Slemmons KK, Crose LES, Riedel S, Sushnitha M, Belyea B, Linardic CM. A Novel Notch-YAP Circuit Drives Stemness and Tumorigenesis in Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma. Mol Cancer Res 2017; 15:1777-1791. [PMID: 28923841 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-17-0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a cancer characterized by skeletal muscle features, is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma of childhood. While low- and intermediate-risk groups have seen improved outcomes, high-risk patients still face a 5-year survival rate of <30%, a statistic that has not changed in over 40 years. Understanding the biologic underpinnings of RMS is critical. The developmental pathways of Notch and YAP have been identified as potent but independent oncogenic signals that support the embryonal variant of RMS (eRMS). Here, the cross-talk between these pathways and the impact on eRMS tumorigenesis is reported. Using human eRMS cells grown as three-dimensional (3D) rhabdospheres, which enriches in stem cells, it was found that Notch signaling transcriptionally upregulates YAP1 gene expression and YAP activity. Reciprocally, YAP transcriptionally upregulates the Notch ligand genes JAG1 and DLL1 and the core Notch transcription factor RBPJ This bidirectional circuit boosts expression of key stem cell genes, including SOX2, which is functionally required for eRMS spheres. Silencing this circuit for therapeutic purposes may be challenging, because the inhibition of one node (e.g., pharmacologic Notch blockade) can be rescued by upregulation of another (constitutive YAP expression). Instead, dual inhibition of Notch and YAP is necessary. Finally, supporting the existence of this circuit beyond a model system, nuclear Notch and YAP protein expression are correlated in human eRMS tumors, and YAP suppression in vivo decreases Notch signaling and SOX2 expression.Implications: This study identifies a novel oncogenic signaling circuit driving eRMS stemness and tumorigenesis, and provides evidence and rationale for combination therapies co-targeting Notch and YAP. Mol Cancer Res; 15(12); 1777-91. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine K Slemmons
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Lisa E S Crose
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Stefan Riedel
- Duke Summer Research Opportunity Program, Duke University Graduate School, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Manuela Sushnitha
- Summer Undergraduate Research in Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Brian Belyea
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Corinne M Linardic
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
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Ahmed AA, Mohamed AD, Gener M, Li W, Taboada E. YAP and the Hippo pathway in pediatric cancer. Mol Cell Oncol 2017; 4:e1295127. [PMID: 28616573 DOI: 10.1080/23723556.2017.1295127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Revised: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is an important signaling pathway that controls cell proliferation and apoptosis. It is evolutionarily conserved in mammals and is stimulated by cell-cell contact, inhibiting cell proliferation in response to increased cell density. During early embryonic development, the Hippo signaling pathway regulates organ development and size, and its functions result in the coordinated balance between proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Its principal effectors, YAP and TAZ, regulate signaling by the embryonic stem cells and determine cell fate and histogenesis. Dysfunction of this pathway contributes to cancer development in adults and children. Emerging studies have shed light on the upregulation of Hippo pathway members in several pediatric cancers and may offer prognostic information on rhabdomyosarcoma, osteosarcoma, Wilms tumor, neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, and other brain gliomas. We review the results of such published studies and highlight the potential clinical application of this pathway in pediatric oncologic and pathologic studies. These studies support targeting this pathway as a novel treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atif A Ahmed
- Department of Pathology, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | | | - Melissa Gener
- Department of Pathology, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Weijie Li
- Department of Pathology, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Eugenio Taboada
- Department of Pathology, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, USA
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Chen M, Zhong L, Yao SF, Zhao Y, Liu L, Li LW, Xu T, Gan LG, Xiao CL, Shan ZL, Liu BZ. Verteporfin Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Human Leukemia NB4 Cells without Light Activation. Int J Med Sci 2017; 14:1031-1039. [PMID: 28924376 PMCID: PMC5599928 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.19682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims: Verteporfin (VP), clinically used in photodynamic therapy for neovascular macular degeneration, has recently been proven a suppressor of yes-associated protein (YAP) and has shown potential in anticancer treatment. However, its anti-human leukemia effects in NB4 cells remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of VP on proliferation and apoptosis in human leukemia NB4 cells. Methods: NB4 cells were treated with VP for 24 h. The effects of VP on cell proliferation were determined using a Cell-Counting Kit-8 assay (CCK-8) assay and colony forming assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle were evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM). The protein levels were detected by western blot. Results: We found that VP inhibited the proliferation of NB4 cells in a concentration and time-dependent manner. FCM analysis showed that VP induced apoptosis in a concentration dependent manner and that VP treatment led to cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase. Moreover, VP significantly decreased the protein expression of YAP, p-YAP, Survivin, c-Myc, cyclinD1, p-ERK, and p-AKT. In addition, VP increased the protein expression of cleaved caspase3, cleaved PARP, Bax, and p-p38 MAPK. Conclusions: VP inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis in NB4 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Chen
- Central Laboratory of Yong-chuan Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 402160, China.,Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Liang Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Shi-Fei Yao
- Central Laboratory of Yong-chuan Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 402160, China.,Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yi Zhao
- Central Laboratory of Yong-chuan Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 402160, China.,Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Lian-Wen Li
- Central Laboratory of Yong-chuan Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 402160, China.,Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Central Laboratory of Yong-chuan Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 402160, China.,Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Liu-Gen Gan
- Central Laboratory of Yong-chuan Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 402160, China.,Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Chun-Lan Xiao
- Central Laboratory of Yong-chuan Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 402160, China.,Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Zhi-Ling Shan
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Bei-Zhong Liu
- Central Laboratory of Yong-chuan Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 402160, China.,Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
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Ma YW, Liu YZ, Pan JX. Verteporfin induces apoptosis and eliminates cancer stem-like cells in uveal melanoma in the absence of light activation. Am J Cancer Res 2016; 6:2816-2830. [PMID: 28042502 PMCID: PMC5199756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary ocular malignancy in adults. Currently, no beneficial systemic therapy is available; therefore, there is an urgent need for effective targeted therapeutic drugs. As verteporfin has shown anti-neoplastic activity in several types of cancers, here we hypothesized and investigated the efficacy of verteporfin against UM cells without light activation. MTS assay, flow cytometry analysis of apoptosis, Western blotting of relevant proteins, transwell migration and invasion assay, melanosphere culture, and measurement of ALDH+ populations, were used to evaluate the effects of verteporfin on UM cells. We found that verteporfin disrupted the interaction between YAP and TEAD4 in UM cells and decreased the expression of YAP targeted downstream genes. Verteporfin treatment decreased the cytoplasmic and nuclear levels of YAP and induced lysosome-dependent degradation of YAP protein. Verteporfin exhibited distinct inhibitory effect on the proliferation of four lines of UM cells (e.g., 92.1, Mel 270, Omm 1 and Omm 2.3), and induced apoptosis through the intrinsic pathway. Additionally, verteporfin suppressed migration and invasion of UM cells, impaired the traits of cancer stem-like cells (e.g., melanosphere formation capacity, and ALDH+ cell population). This study demonstrated the anti-neoplastic activity of verteporfin against UM cells in vitro, providing a rationale for evaluating this agent in clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Wen Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi-Zhi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing-Xuan Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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