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Hefnawy A, Abdelhamid AS, Abdelaziz MM, Elzoghby AO, Khalil IA. Recent Advances in Nano-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Treatment of Liver Cancer. J Pharm Sci 2024:S0022-3549(24)00313-7. [PMID: 39151795 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2024.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Liver cancer is one of the aggressive primary tumors as evident by high rate of incidence and mortality. Conventional treatments (e.g. chemotherapy) suffer from various drawbacks including wide drug distribution, low localized drug concentration, and severe off-site toxicity. Therefore, they cannot satisfy the mounting need for safe and efficient cancer therapeutics, and alternative novel strategies are needed. Nano-based drug delivery systems (NDDSs) are among these novel approaches that can improve the overall therapeutic outcomes. NDDSs are designed to encapsulate drug molecules and target them specifically to liver cancer. Thus, NDDSs can selectively deliver therapeutic agents to the tumor cells and avoid distribution to off-target sites which should improve the safety profile of the active agents. Nonetheless, NDDSs should be well designed, in terms of the preparing materials, nanocarriers structure, and the targeting strategy, in order to accomplish these objectives. This review discusses the latest advances of NDDSs for cancer therapy with emphasis on the aforementioned essential design components. The review also entails the challenges associated with the clinical translation of NDDSs, and the future perspectives towards next-generation NDDSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr Hefnawy
- Smyth Lab, College of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA.
| | - Ahmed Salah Abdelhamid
- Cancer Nanotechnology Research Laboratory (CNRL), Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt.
| | - Moustafa M Abdelaziz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA.
| | - Ahmed O Elzoghby
- Cancer Nanotechnology Research Laboratory (CNRL), Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt; Department of Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt; Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Islam A Khalil
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Manufacturing, Misr University for Science and Technology, 6th of October City 12582, Giza, Egypt.
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2
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Wang Y, Vandewalle N, De Veirman K, Vanderkerken K, Menu E, De Bruyne E. Targeting mTOR signaling pathways in multiple myeloma: biology and implication for therapy. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:320. [PMID: 38862983 PMCID: PMC11165851 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01699-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple Myeloma (MM), a cancer of terminally differentiated plasma cells, is the second most prevalent hematological malignancy and is incurable due to the inevitable development of drug resistance. Intense protein synthesis is a distinctive trait of MM cells, supporting the massive production of clonal immunoglobulins or free light chains. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase is appreciated as a master regulator of vital cellular processes, including regulation of metabolism and protein synthesis, and can be found in two multiprotein complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2. Dysregulation of these complexes is implicated in several types of cancer, including MM. Since mTOR has been shown to be aberrantly activated in a large portion of MM patients and to play a role in stimulating MM cell survival and resistance to several existing therapies, understanding the regulation and functions of the mTOR complexes is vital for the development of more effective therapeutic strategies. This review provides a general overview of the mTOR pathway, discussing key discoveries and recent insights related to the structure and regulation of mTOR complexes. Additionally, we highlight findings on the mechanisms by which mTOR is involved in protein synthesis and delve into mTOR-mediated processes occurring in MM. Finally, we summarize the progress and current challenges of drugs targeting mTOR complexes in MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanmeng Wang
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC) - Team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Jette, Belgium
| | - Niels Vandewalle
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC) - Team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Jette, Belgium
| | - Kim De Veirman
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC) - Team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Jette, Belgium
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC) - Team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Jette, Belgium
| | - Karin Vanderkerken
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC) - Team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Jette, Belgium
| | - Eline Menu
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC) - Team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Jette, Belgium.
| | - Elke De Bruyne
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC) - Team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Jette, Belgium.
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3
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Cao R, Guo S, Min L, Li P. Roles of Rictor alterations in gastrointestinal tumors (Review). Oncol Rep 2024; 51:37. [PMID: 38186315 PMCID: PMC10807360 DOI: 10.3892/or.2024.8696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal tumors account for five of the top 10 causes of mortality from all cancers (colorectal, liver, stomach, esophageal and pancreatic cancer). Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is commonly dysregulated in various human cancers. As a core component of the mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2), Rictor is a key effector molecule of the PI3K/Akt pathway. A high alteration rate of Rictor has been observed in gastrointestinal tumors, and such Rictor alterations are often associated with resistance to chemotherapy and related adverse clinical outcomes. However, the exact roles of Rictor in gastrointestinal tumors remain elusive. The aim of the present study was to critically discuss the following: i) Mutation and biological characteristics of Rictor in tumors with a detailed overview of Rictor in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, autophagy and drug resistance; ii) the role of Rictor in tumors of the digestive system, particularly colorectal, hepatobiliary, gastric, esophageal and pancreatic cancer and cholangiocarcinoma; and iii) the current status and prospects of targeted therapy for Rictor by inhibiting Akt activation. Despite the growing realization of the importance of Rictor/mTORC2 in cancer, the underlying mechanistic details remain poorly understood; this needs to change in order for the development of efficient targeted therapies and re‑sensitization of therapy‑resistant cancers to be made possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruizhen Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing Digestive Disease Center, Beijing Key Laboratory for Precancerous Lesion of Digestive Disease, Beijing 100050, P.R. China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ordos Central Hospital, Ordos School of Clinical Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Ordos, Inner Mongolia 017000, P.R. China
| | - Shuilong Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing Digestive Disease Center, Beijing Key Laboratory for Precancerous Lesion of Digestive Disease, Beijing 100050, P.R. China
| | - Li Min
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing Digestive Disease Center, Beijing Key Laboratory for Precancerous Lesion of Digestive Disease, Beijing 100050, P.R. China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing Digestive Disease Center, Beijing Key Laboratory for Precancerous Lesion of Digestive Disease, Beijing 100050, P.R. China
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4
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Panwar V, Singh A, Bhatt M, Tonk RK, Azizov S, Raza AS, Sengupta S, Kumar D, Garg M. Multifaceted role of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling pathway in human health and disease. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:375. [PMID: 37779156 PMCID: PMC10543444 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01608-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 81.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein kinase that controls cellular metabolism, catabolism, immune responses, autophagy, survival, proliferation, and migration, to maintain cellular homeostasis. The mTOR signaling cascade consists of two distinct multi-subunit complexes named mTOR complex 1/2 (mTORC1/2). mTOR catalyzes the phosphorylation of several critical proteins like AKT, protein kinase C, insulin growth factor receptor (IGF-1R), 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K), transcription factor EB (TFEB), sterol-responsive element-binding proteins (SREBPs), Lipin-1, and Unc-51-like autophagy-activating kinases. mTOR signaling plays a central role in regulating translation, lipid synthesis, nucleotide synthesis, biogenesis of lysosomes, nutrient sensing, and growth factor signaling. The emerging pieces of evidence have revealed that the constitutive activation of the mTOR pathway due to mutations/amplification/deletion in either mTOR and its complexes (mTORC1 and mTORC2) or upstream targets is responsible for aging, neurological diseases, and human malignancies. Here, we provide the detailed structure of mTOR, its complexes, and the comprehensive role of upstream regulators, as well as downstream effectors of mTOR signaling cascades in the metabolism, biogenesis of biomolecules, immune responses, and autophagy. Additionally, we summarize the potential of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) as an important modulator of mTOR signaling. Importantly, we have highlighted the potential of mTOR signaling in aging, neurological disorders, human cancers, cancer stem cells, and drug resistance. Here, we discuss the developments for the therapeutic targeting of mTOR signaling with improved anticancer efficacy for the benefit of cancer patients in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Panwar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 173229, India
| | - Aishwarya Singh
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Sector-125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201313, India
| | - Manini Bhatt
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar, Punjab, 140001, India
| | - Rajiv K Tonk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DPSRU), New Delhi, 110017, India
| | - Shavkatjon Azizov
- Laboratory of Biological Active Macromolecular Systems, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Academy of Sciences Uzbekistan, Tashkent, 100125, Uzbekistan
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Technical University, 100084, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Agha Saquib Raza
- Rajive Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Tahirpur, New Delhi, 110093, India
| | - Shinjinee Sengupta
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Sector-125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201313, India.
| | - Deepak Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 173229, India.
| | - Manoj Garg
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Sector-125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201313, India.
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Bernal L, Pinzi L, Rastelli G. Identification of Promising Drug Candidates against Prostate Cancer through Computationally-Driven Drug Repurposing. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043135. [PMID: 36834548 PMCID: PMC9964599 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common types of cancer in males. Although early stages of PC are generally associated with favorable outcomes, advanced phases of the disease present a significantly poorer prognosis. Moreover, currently available therapeutic options for the treatment of PC are still limited, being mainly focused on androgen deprivation therapies and being characterized by low efficacy in patients. As a consequence, there is a pressing need to identify alternative and more effective therapeutics. In this study, we performed large-scale 2D and 3D similarity analyses between compounds reported in the DrugBank database and ChEMBL molecules with reported anti-proliferative activity on various PC cell lines. The analyses included also the identification of biological targets of ligands with potent activity on PC cells, as well as investigations on the activity annotations and clinical data associated with the more relevant compounds emerging from the ligand-based similarity results. The results led to the prioritization of a set of drugs and/or clinically tested candidates potentially useful in drug repurposing against PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Bernal
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Luca Pinzi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Giulio Rastelli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-059-2058564
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6
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The Role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metabolism. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032652. [PMID: 36768977 PMCID: PMC9916527 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the world. Metabolic reprogramming is considered a new hallmark of cancer, but it remains unclearly described in HCC. The dysregulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is common in HCC and is, therefore, a topic of further research and the concern of developing a novel target for liver cancer therapy. In this review, we illustrate mechanisms by which this signaling network is accountable for regulating HCC cellular metabolism, including glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, and oxidative metabolism, and summarize the ongoing clinical trials based on the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in HCC.
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7
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An mTOR and DNA-PK dual inhibitor CC-115 hinders non-small cell lung cancer cell growth. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:293. [PMID: 35717530 PMCID: PMC9206683 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01082-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Molecularly-targeted agents are still urgently needed for better non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapy. CC-115 is a potent DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) dual blocker. We evaluated its activity in different human NSCLC cells. In various primary human NSCLC cells and A549 cells, CC-115 potently inhibited viability, cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and hindered cell migration/invasion. Apoptosis was provoked in CC-115-stimulated NSCLC cells. The dual inhibitor, however, was unable to induce significant cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic activity in the lung epithelial cells. In primary NSCLC cells, CC-115 blocked activation of mTORC1/2 and DNA-PK. Yet, CC-115-induced primary NSCLC cell death was more potent than combined inhibition of DNA-PK plus mTOR. Further studies found that CC-115 provoked robust oxidative injury in primary NSCLC cells, which appeared independent of mTOR-DNA-PK dual blockage. In vivo studies showed that CC-115 oral administration in nude mice remarkably suppressed primary NSCLC cell xenograft growth. In CC-115-treated NSCLC xenograft tissues, mTOR-DNA-PK dual inhibition and oxidative injury were detected. Together, CC-115 potently inhibits NSCLC cell growth.
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8
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Ribrag V, Chavez JC, Boccomini C, Kaplan J, Chandler JC, Santoro A, Corradini P, Flinn IW, Advani R, Cassier PA, Sangha R, Kenkre VP, Isufi I, Uttamsingh S, Hagner PR, Gandhi AK, Shen F, Michelliza S, Haeske H, Hege K, Pourdehnad M, Kuruvilla J. Phase Ib study of combinations of avadomide (CC-122), CC-223, CC-292, and rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. EJHAEM 2022; 3:139-153. [PMID: 35846221 PMCID: PMC9176062 DOI: 10.1002/jha2.375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
There is a need for additional treatment options for patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who do not benefit from available therapies. We examined combinations of the cereblon E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD) agent avadomide (CC-122), the selective, ATP-competitive mammalian target of rapamycin kinase inhibitor CC-223, and the potent, selective, covalent Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor CC-292 in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) DLBCL. In the multicenter, phase Ib CC-122-DLBCL-001 study (NCT02031419), the dose-escalation portion explored combinations of CC-122, CC-223, and CC-292 administered as doublets or triplets with rituximab in patients with chemorefractory DLBCL. Primary endpoints were safety, tolerability, and dose-limiting toxicities; additional endpoints included pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, biomarkers, and preliminary efficacy. As of December 1, 2017, 106 patients were enrolled across four cohorts. The median age was 65 years (range 24-84 years), and patients had a median of 3 (range 1-10) prior to regimens. A total of 101 patients (95.3%) discontinued, most commonly due to disease progression (49.1%). The most common any-grade adverse events (AEs) across treatment arms were gastrointestinal and hematologic; the most common grade 3/4 AEs were hematologic. CC-122 was well tolerated, with no unexpected safety concerns. Preliminary efficacy was observed in three of four treatment arms. CC-122 plus rituximab was considered suitable for dose expansion, whereas CC-223 and CC-292 combinations were associated with enhanced toxicity and/or insufficient improvement in responses. CC-122 plus rituximab was well tolerated, with preliminary antitumor activity in patients with R/R DLBCL. This innovative study demonstrates the feasibility of assessing the tolerability and preliminary efficacy of novel combinations utilizing a multi-arm dose-finding design.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julio C. Chavez
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research InstituteTampaFloridaUSA
| | | | - Jason Kaplan
- Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | | | - Armando Santoro
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center IRCCSHumanitas UniversityRozzano‐MilanoItaly
| | - Paolo Corradini
- IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei TumoriUniversity of MilanoMilanoItaly
| | - Ian W. Flinn
- Sarah Cannon Research InstituteNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | | | | | | | | | - Iris Isufi
- Yale Cancer CenterNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | | | | | | | - Frank Shen
- Bristol Myers SquibbPrincetonNew JerseyUSA
| | | | | | | | | | - John Kuruvilla
- Division of Medical Oncology and HematologyPrincess Margaret Cancer CentreUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
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Wang H, Chen X, Calvisi DF. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): the most promising therapeutic targets in the preclinical arena based on tumor biology characteristics. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2021; 25:645-658. [PMID: 34477018 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2021.1976142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION : Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant liver tumor characterized by high molecular heterogeneity, which has hampered the development of effective targeted therapies severely. Recent experimental data have unraveled novel promising targets for HCC treatment. AREAS COVERED : Eligible articles were retrieved from PubMed and Web of Science databases up to July 2021. This review summarizes the established targeted therapies for advanced HCC, focusing on the strategies to overcome drug resistance and the search for combinational treatments. In addition, conventional biomarkers holding the promises for HCC treatments and novel therapeutic targets from the research field are discussed. EXPERT OPINION : HCC is a molecularly complex disease, with several and distinct pathways playing critical roles in different tumor subtypes. Experimental models recapitulating the features of each tumor subset would be highly beneficial to design novel and more effective therapies against this disease. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of combinatorial drug synergism and the role of the tumor microenvironment in HCC will lead to improved therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haichuan Wang
- Liver Transplantation Division, Department of Liver Surgery and Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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10
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Niu M, Yi M, Li N, Wu K, Wu K. Advances of Targeted Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:719896. [PMID: 34381735 PMCID: PMC8350567 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.719896] [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: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the common and fatal malignancies, which is a significant global health problem. The clinical applicability of traditional surgery and other locoregional therapies is limited, and these therapeutic strategies are far from satisfactory in improving the outcomes of advanced HCC. In the past decade, targeted therapy had made a ground-breaking progress in advanced HCC. Those targeted therapies exert antitumor effects through specific signals, including anti-angiogenesis or cell cycle progression. As a standard systemic therapy option, it tremendously improves the survival of this devastating disease. Moreover, the combination of targeted therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) has demonstrated more potent anticancer effects and becomes the hot topic in clinical studies. The combining medications bring about a paradigm shift in the treatment of advanced HCC. In this review, we presented all approved targeted agents for advanced HCC with an emphasis on their clinical efficacy, summarized the advances of multi-target drugs in research for HCC and potential therapeutic targets for drug development. We also discussed the exciting results of the combination between targeted therapy and ICI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengke Niu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ming Yi
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Kongju Wu
- Department of Nursing, Medical School of Pingdingshan University, Pingdingshan, China
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
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11
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Singh P, Kumar V, Gupta SK, Kumari G, Verma M. Combating TKI resistance in CML by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in combination with TKIs: a review. Med Oncol 2021; 38:10. [PMID: 33452624 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-021-01462-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a myeloproliferative hematopoietic cancer, is caused by a genetic translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22. This translocation produces a small Philadelphia chromosome, which contains the Bcr-Abl oncogene. The Bcr-Abl oncogene encodes the BCR-ABL protein, upregulates various signaling pathways (JAK-STAT, MAPK/ERK, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR), and out of which the specifically highly active pathway is the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Among early treatments for CML, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) were found to be the most effective, but drug resistance against kinase inhibitors led to the discovery of novel alternative therapies. At this point, the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway components became new targets due to stimulation of this pathway in TKIs-resistant CML patients. The current review article deals with reviewing the scientific literature on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway inhibitors listed in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) drug dictionary and proved effective against multiple cancers. And out of those enlisted inhibitors, the US FDA has also approved some PI3K inhibitors (Idelalisib, Copanlisib, and Duvelisib) and mTOR inhibitors (Everolimus, Sirolimus, and Temsirolimus) for cancer therapy. So far, several inhibitors have been tested, and further investigations are still ongoing. Even in Imatinib, Nilotinib, and Ponatinib-resistant CML cells, a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, BEZ235, showed antiproliferative activity. Therefore, by considering the literature data of these reviews and further examining some of the reported inhibitors, which proved effective against the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in multiple cancers, may improve the therapeutic approaches towards TKI-resistant CML cells where the respective signaling pathway gets upregulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic & Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151001, India
| | - Veerandra Kumar
- School of Biotechnology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India
| | - Sonu Kumar Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic & Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151001, India
| | - Gudia Kumari
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic & Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151001, India
| | - Malkhey Verma
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic & Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151001, India. .,School of Biotechnology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India.
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12
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Lu X, Paliogiannis P, Calvisi DF, Chen X. Role of the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Pathway in Liver Cancer: From Molecular Genetics to Targeted Therapies. Hepatology 2021; 73 Suppl 1:49-61. [PMID: 32394479 PMCID: PMC7655627 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Primary liver cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), are highly lethal tumors, with high worldwide frequency and few effective treatment options. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex is a central regulator of cell growth and metabolism that integrates inputs from amino acids, nutrients, and extracellular signals. The mTOR protein is incorporated into two distinct complexes: mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2). Specifically, mTORC1 regulates protein synthesis, glucose and lipid metabolism, and autophagy, whereas mTORC2 promotes liver tumorigenesis through modulating the adenine/cytosine/guanine family of serine/threonine kinases, especially the protein kinase B proteins. In human HCC and iCCA samples, genomics analyses have revealed the frequent deregulation of the mTOR complexes. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the key role of mTORC1 and mTORC2 in liver-tumor development and progression. The first-generation mTOR inhibitors have been evaluated for effectiveness in liver-tumor treatment and have provided unsatisfactory results. Current research efforts are devoted to generating more efficacious mTOR inhibitors and identifying biomarkers for patient selection as well as for combination therapies. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the mechanisms leading to a deregulated mTOR signaling cascade in liver cancers, the mechanisms whereby the mTOR pathway contributes to HCC and iCCA molecular pathogenesis, the therapeutic strategies, and the challenges to effectively inhibit mTOR in liver-cancer treatment. Conclusion: Deregulated mTOR signaling significantly contributes to HCC and iCCA molecular pathogenesis. mTOR inhibitors, presumably administered in association with other drugs, might be effective against subsets of human liver tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjun Lu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Panagiotis Paliogiannis
- Department of Medical, Surgical, and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Diego F. Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
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13
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Chen Y, Zhou X. Research progress of mTOR inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 208:112820. [PMID: 32966896 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a highly conserved Serine/Threonine (Ser/Thr) protein kinase, which belongs to phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-related kinase (PIKK) protein family. mTOR exists as two types of protein complex: mTORC1 and mTORC2, which act as central controller regulating processes of cell metabolism, growth, proliferation, survival and autophagy. The mTOR inhibitors block mTOR signaling pathway, producing anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, autophagy and apoptosis induction effects, thus mTOR inhibitors are mainly used in cancer therapy. At present, mTOR inhibitors are divided into four categories: Antibiotic allosteric mTOR inhibitors (first generation), ATP-competitive mTOR inhibitors (second generation), mTOR/PI3K dual inhibitors (second generation) and other new mTOR inhibitors (third generation). In this article, these four categories of mTOR inhibitors and their structures, properties and some clinical researches will be introduced. Among them, we focus on the structure of mTOR inhibitors and try to analyze the structure-activity relationship. mTOR inhibitors are classified according to their chemical structure and their contents are introduced systematically. Moreover, some natural products that have direct or indirect mTOR inhibitory activities are introduced together. In this article, we analyzed the target, binding mode and structure-activity relationship of each generation of mTOR inhibitors and proposed two hypothetic scaffolds (the inverted-Y-shape scaffold and the C-shape scaffold) for the second generation of mTOR inhibitors. These findings may provide some help or reference for drug designing, drug modification or the future development of mTOR inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Xiaoping Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
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Bonora M, Patergnani S, Ramaccini D, Morciano G, Pedriali G, Kahsay AE, Bouhamida E, Giorgi C, Wieckowski MR, Pinton P. Physiopathology of the Permeability Transition Pore: Molecular Mechanisms in Human Pathology. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10070998. [PMID: 32635556 PMCID: PMC7408088 DOI: 10.3390/biom10070998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) is the sudden loss in the permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) to low-molecular-weight solutes. Due to osmotic forces, MPT is paralleled by a massive influx of water into the mitochondrial matrix, eventually leading to the structural collapse of the organelle. Thus, MPT can initiate outer-mitochondrial-membrane permeabilization (MOMP), promoting the activation of the apoptotic caspase cascade and caspase-independent cell-death mechanisms. The induction of MPT is mostly dependent on mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca2+, but is also dependent on the metabolic stage of the affected cell and signaling events. Therefore, since its discovery in the late 1970s, the role of MPT in human pathology has been heavily investigated. Here, we summarize the most significant findings corroborating a role for MPT in the etiology of a spectrum of human diseases, including diseases characterized by acute or chronic loss of adult cells and those characterized by neoplastic initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Bonora
- Department of Medical Sciences, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (D.R.); (G.M.); (G.P.); (A.E.K.); (E.B.); (C.G.)
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (P.P.)
| | - Simone Patergnani
- Department of Medical Sciences, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (D.R.); (G.M.); (G.P.); (A.E.K.); (E.B.); (C.G.)
| | - Daniela Ramaccini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (D.R.); (G.M.); (G.P.); (A.E.K.); (E.B.); (C.G.)
| | - Giampaolo Morciano
- Department of Medical Sciences, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (D.R.); (G.M.); (G.P.); (A.E.K.); (E.B.); (C.G.)
- Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, Via Corriera 1, Cotignola, 48033 Ravenna, Italy
| | - Gaia Pedriali
- Department of Medical Sciences, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (D.R.); (G.M.); (G.P.); (A.E.K.); (E.B.); (C.G.)
- Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, Via Corriera 1, Cotignola, 48033 Ravenna, Italy
| | - Asrat Endrias Kahsay
- Department of Medical Sciences, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (D.R.); (G.M.); (G.P.); (A.E.K.); (E.B.); (C.G.)
| | - Esmaa Bouhamida
- Department of Medical Sciences, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (D.R.); (G.M.); (G.P.); (A.E.K.); (E.B.); (C.G.)
| | - Carlotta Giorgi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (D.R.); (G.M.); (G.P.); (A.E.K.); (E.B.); (C.G.)
| | - Mariusz R. Wieckowski
- Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biology and Metabolism, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Str., 02-093 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Paolo Pinton
- Department of Medical Sciences, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (D.R.); (G.M.); (G.P.); (A.E.K.); (E.B.); (C.G.)
- Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, Via Corriera 1, Cotignola, 48033 Ravenna, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (P.P.)
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15
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Zhao D, Jiang M, Zhang X, Hou H. The role of RICTOR amplification in targeted therapy and drug resistance. Mol Med 2020; 26:20. [PMID: 32041519 PMCID: PMC7011243 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-020-0146-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has changed the current treatment paradigm and achieved good results in recent decades. However, an increasing number of studies have indicated that the complex network of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) co-activation could influence the characteristic phenotypes of cancer and the tumor response to targeted treatments. One of strategies to blocking RTK co-activation is targeting the downstream factors of RTK, such as PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway. RICTOR, a core component of mTORC2, acts as a key effector molecule of the PI3K-AKT pathway; its amplification is often associated with poor clinical outcomes and resistance to TKIs. Here, we discuss the biology of RICTOR in tumor and the prospects of targeting RICTOR as a complementary therapy to inhibit RTK co-activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deze Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266005, China
| | - Man Jiang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266005, China
| | - Xiaochun Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266005, China
| | - Helei Hou
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266005, China.
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16
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Hefnawy A, Khalil IH, Arafa K, Emara M, El-Sherbiny IM. Dual-Ligand Functionalized Core-Shell Chitosan-Based Nanocarrier for Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Targeted Drug Delivery. Int J Nanomedicine 2020; 15:821-837. [PMID: 32103939 PMCID: PMC7015065 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s240359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma represents a major health problem with the related death numbers still increasing. Active targeting is considered an attractive choice for the development of selective therapeutics with limited side effects and improved efficiency. In this study, we report the design, development and evaluation of a novel dual-ligand functionalized core-shell chitosan-based nanocarrier for the selective delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Following factorial design experiments, DOX was initially complexed with negatively charged carboxymethyl chitosan-g-poly(acrylate) and then the complex was coated with a positively charged dual-ligand (lactobionic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid)-conjugated chitosan. The developed active targeting system was then tested in vitro on Hep-G2 cells using flow cytometry and fluorescence imaging. Results The obtained results proved the ability of the dual-ligand system to enhance the intracellular uptake of the drug by 4-fold and 8-fold after 4 hrs and 24 hrs of incubation, respectively. The efficiency of the dual-ligand functionalized nanoparticles was also tested in vivo on Wistar rats with induced liver tumors. Testing of serum biomarkers (albumin, creatinine, urea, alpha fetoprotein, ALT, AST and ALP) in addition to histopathological microscopic examination of liver, kidney and heart tissues confirmed the enhanced safety of the developed targeted nanocarrier system compared to the conventional DOX. Discussion The developed targeted system showed improved intracellular drug delivery and uptake as well as enhanced safety profile. The nanoparticles were formed based on electrostatic interactions providing the flexibility that allows their use as a model for delivery of other drugs and other targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr Hefnawy
- Nanomaterials Lab, Center of Material Science (CMS), Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza 12578, Egypt
| | - Islam H Khalil
- Nanomaterials Lab, Center of Material Science (CMS), Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza 12578, Egypt.,Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy and Drug Manufacturing, Misr University of Science and Technology (MUST), Giza 12566, Egypt
| | - Kholoud Arafa
- Center for Aging and Associated Diseases, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza 12578, Egypt
| | - Marwan Emara
- Center for Aging and Associated Diseases, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza 12578, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim M El-Sherbiny
- Nanomaterials Lab, Center of Material Science (CMS), Zewail City of Science and Technology, Giza 12578, Egypt
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Long MP, Wang HL, Luo YB, Yang JH. Targeting ROR1 inhibits epithelial to mesenchymal transition in human lung adenocarcinoma via mTOR signaling pathway. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2018; 11:4759-4770. [PMID: 31949551 PMCID: PMC6962910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) is a type I surface transmembrane protein that contributes to progression of tumor-cell growth and metastasis. We and others have shown that the roles of ROR1 include inhibiting apoptosis, potentiating EGFR signaling, and inducing proliferation in lung cancer, but the roles and mechanisms of ROR1 in lung adenocarcinoma metastasis have not been elucidated. Here we chose four lung adenocarcinoma cell lines, PC9 (erlotinib-sensitive), PC9erlo (acquired erlotinib-resistant), NCI-H358 (partial erlotinib-resistant), and NCI-H1975 (erlotinib-resistant) as cell models to simulate the clinical situation. We found that ROR1 prompted epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) by increasing the expression level of a key epithelial gene, E-cadherin, while decreasing the expression level of the key mesenchymal gene vimentin. Silencing ROR1 by siRNA significantly reduced the migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro and also significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt (Ser473), mTOR (Ser2448), Raptor (Ser792) and p70S6K (Thr389) in all four cell lines. This strongly supports our proposal that ROR1 may play a central role in tumor progression and metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma through mTOR signaling, regardless of its EGFR-TKI sensitivity status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Peng Long
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Hui-Li Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yong-Bin Luo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First People’s Hospital of KunmingKunming, Yunnan, PR China
| | - Jia-Hui Yang
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengdu, Sichuan, PR China
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18
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Liu HX, Xu MQ, Li SP, Tian S, Guo MX, Qi JY, He CJ, Zhao XS. Jujube leaf green tea extracts inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cells by activating AMPK. Oncotarget 2017; 8:110566-110575. [PMID: 29299169 PMCID: PMC5746404 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we evaluated the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity by the Jujube leaf green tea extracts (JLGTE). We showed that JLGTE exerted anti-proliferative, cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic activities against HepG2 and primary human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. It was however non-cytotoxic to the normal hepatocytes. JLGTE activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling, which was required for its cytotoxicity against hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Silence of AMPKα1, via targeted short hairpin RNAs or CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, inhibited JLGTE-induced AMPK activation and HepG2 cell apoptosis. Further, in-activation of AMPK by a dominant negative AMPKα1 (T172A) also alleviated JLGTE's cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells. On the other hand, forced-activation of AMPK by introduction of a constitutively-active AMPKα1 (T172D) mimicked JLGTE's actions and led to HepG2 cell apoptosis. These results suggest that JLGTE inhibits human hepatocellular carcinoma cells possibly via activating AMPK.
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Affiliation(s)
- H X Liu
- Jujube Scientific Research and Applied Center, Life Science College, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang, China
| | - M Q Xu
- Jujube Scientific Research and Applied Center, Life Science College, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang, China
| | - S P Li
- Jujube Scientific Research and Applied Center, Life Science College, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang, China
| | - S Tian
- Jujube Scientific Research and Applied Center, Life Science College, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang, China
| | - M X Guo
- Jujube Scientific Research and Applied Center, Life Science College, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang, China
| | - J Y Qi
- Jujube Scientific Research and Applied Center, Life Science College, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang, China
| | - C J He
- Jujube Scientific Research and Applied Center, Life Science College, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang, China
| | - X S Zhao
- Jujube Scientific Research and Applied Center, Life Science College, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang, China
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Kaempferol induces autophagic cell death of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via activating AMPK signaling. Oncotarget 2017; 8:86227-86239. [PMID: 29156790 PMCID: PMC5689680 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we demonstrate that Kaempferol inhibited survival and proliferation of established human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines (HepG2, Huh-7, BEL7402, and SMMC) and primary human HCC cells. Kaempferol treatment in HCC cells induced profound AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation, which led to Ulk1 phosphorylation, mTOR complex 1 inhibition and cell autophagy. Autophagy induction was reflected by Beclin-1/autophagy gene 5 upregulation and p62 degradation as well as light chain 3B (LC3B)-I to LC3B-II conversion and LC3B puncta formation. Inhibition of AMPK, via AMPKα1 shRNA or dominant negative mutation, reversed above signaling changes. AMPK inhibition also largely inhibited Kaempferol-induced cytotoxicity in HCC cells. Autophagy inhibition, by 3-methyaldenine or Beclin-1 shRNA, also protected HCC cells from Kaempferol. Kaempferol downregulated melanoma antigen 6, the AMPK ubiquitin ligase, causing AMPKα1 stabilization and accumulation. We conclude that Kaempferol inhibits human HCC cells via activating AMPK signaling.
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