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Inkoom A, Ndemazie NB, Smith T, Frimpong E, Bulusu R, Poku R, Zhu X, Han B, Trevino J, Agyare E. Biological evaluation of novel gemcitabine analog in patient-derived xenograft models of pancreatic cancer. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:435. [PMID: 37179357 PMCID: PMC10182601 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10928-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Gemcitabine (Gem) has been a standard first-line drug for pancreatic cancer (PCa) treatment; however, Gem's rapid metabolism and systemic instability (short half-life) limit its clinical outcome. The objective of this study was to modify Gem into a more stable form called 4-(N)-stearoyl-gemcitabine (4NSG) and evaluate its therapeutic efficacy in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models from PCa of Black and White patients.Methods 4NSG was synthesized and characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), elemental analysis, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). 4NSG-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (4NSG-SLN) were developed using the cold homogenization technique and characterized. Patient-derived pancreatic cancer cell lines labeled Black (PPCL-192, PPCL-135) and White (PPCL-46, PPCL-68) were used to assess the in vitro anticancer activity of 4NSG-SLN. Pharmacokinetics (PK) and tumor efficacy studies were conducted using PDX mouse models bearing tumors from Black and White PCa patients.Results 4NSG was significantly stable in liver microsomal solution. The effective mean particle size (hydrodynamic diameter) of 4NSG-SLN was 82 ± 6.7 nm, and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 4NSG-SLN treated PPCL-192 cells (9 ± 1.1 µM); PPCL-135 (11 ± 1.3 µM); PPCL-46 (12 ± 2.1) and PPCL-68 equaled to 22 ± 2.6 were found to be significantly lower compared to Gem treated PPCL-192 (57 ± 1.5 µM); PPCL-135 (56 ± 1.5 µM); PPCL-46 (56 ± 1.8 µM) and PPCL-68 (57 ± 2.4 µM) cells. The area under the curve (AUC), half-life, and pharmacokinetic clearance parameters for 4NSG-SLN were 3-fourfold higher than that of GemHCl. For in-vivo studies, 4NSG-SLN exhibited a two-fold decrease in tumor growth compared with GemHCl in PDX mice bearing Black and White PCa tumors.Conclusion 4NSG-SLN significantly improved the Gem's pharmacokinetic profile, enhanced Gem's systemic stability increased its antitumor efficacy in PCa PDX mice bearing Black and White patient tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andriana Inkoom
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, 1415 South Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tallahassee, FL, 32307, USA
| | - Nkafu Bechem Ndemazie
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, 1415 South Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tallahassee, FL, 32307, USA
| | - Taylor Smith
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, 1415 South Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tallahassee, FL, 32307, USA
| | - Esther Frimpong
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, 1415 South Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tallahassee, FL, 32307, USA
| | - Raviteja Bulusu
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, 1415 South Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tallahassee, FL, 32307, USA
| | - Rosemary Poku
- College of Medicine, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859, USA
| | - Xue Zhu
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, 1415 South Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tallahassee, FL, 32307, USA
| | - Bo Han
- Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, 90033, USA
| | - Jose Trevino
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Edward Agyare
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, 1415 South Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tallahassee, FL, 32307, USA.
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Rosenberg A, Mahalingam D. Immunotherapy in pancreatic adenocarcinoma-overcoming barriers to response. J Gastrointest Oncol 2018; 9:143-159. [PMID: 29564181 PMCID: PMC5848027 DOI: 10.21037/jgo.2018.01.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. Despite multiple advances in targeted and immune therapies, the 5-year survival in advanced PAC remains poor. In this review, we discuss some of the unique aspects of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in PAC that may contribute to its resistance to immune therapies, as well as opportunities to potentially overcome some of these inherent barriers. Furthermore, we discuss strategies to enable immune therapies in PAC such as cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiation therapy, cancer vaccines, cytokine based therapy, oncolytic viruses, and adoptive T-cell therapy. Finally, we address a variety of targeted therapies as a strategy to further amplify immune responses in PAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ari Rosenberg
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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3
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Tsiaousidou A, Tsaroucha AK, Lambropoulou M, Pitiakoudis M, Polychronidis A, Chatzitheoklitos E, Romanidis K, Simopoulos C. Increased B7H4 tissue expression correlates with high CA19.9 serum levels and a worse prognosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Clin Exp Med 2015; 16:351-6. [DOI: 10.1007/s10238-015-0352-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Accepted: 04/19/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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B7H4, HSP27 and DJ-1 molecular markers as prognostic factors in pancreatic cancer. Pancreatology 2013; 13:564-9. [PMID: 24280570 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2013.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2013] [Revised: 09/01/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most lethal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. The ability to predict which patients would benefit most from surgical intervention and chemotherapy would be a great clinical tool. A large number of potential markers have been identified lately in pancreatic cancer and their clinical utilities as prognostic tools are under investigation. METHODS We recruited 41 patients who had undergone radical surgical resection for PC between 2003 and 2010. To investigate the prognostic factors, we evaluated 3 possible markers: B7H4, HSP27 and DJ-1 protein expressions in the tissue specimens of these 41 patients by immunohistochemistry and analyzed the clinical and pathological features of these specimens. RESULTS The expression of the three antigens was independently associated with a negative impact of chemotherapy with gemcitabine on patient's survival. Moreover, patients who overexpressed B7H4 had worse prognosis than the ones who did not. CONCLUSIONS B7H4, DJ-1 and HSP27 may be used in the future as prognostic markers that express resistance of pancreatic cancer patients to chemotherapy with gemcitabine.
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Wang J, Zhang X, Ma D, Lee WNP, Xiao J, Zhao Y, Go VL, Wang Q, Yen Y, Recker R, Xiao GG. Inhibition of transketolase by oxythiamine altered dynamics of protein signals in pancreatic cancer cells. Exp Hematol Oncol 2013; 2:18. [PMID: 23890079 PMCID: PMC3733980 DOI: 10.1186/2162-3619-2-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Accepted: 07/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxythiamine (OT), an analogue of anti-metabolite, can suppress the nonoxidative synthesis of ribose and induce cell apoptosis by causing a G1 phase arrest in vitro and in vivo. However, the molecular mechanism remains unclear yet. In the present study, a quantitative proteomic analysis using the modified SILAC method (mSILAC) was performed to determine the effect of metabolic inhibition on dynamic changes of protein expression in MIA PaCa-2 cancer cells treated with OT at various doses (0 μM, 5 μM, 50 μM and 500 μM) and time points (0 h, 12 h and 48 h). A total of 52 differential proteins in MIA PaCa-2 cells treated with OT were identified, including 14 phosphorylated proteins. Based on the dynamic expression pattern, these proteins were categorized in three clusters, straight down-regulation (cluster 1, 37% of total proteins), upright "V" shape expression pattern (cluster 2, 47.8% total), and downright "V" shape pattern (cluster 3, 15.2% total). Among them, Annexin A1 expression was significantly down-regulated by OT treatment in time-dependent manner, while no change of this protein was observed in OT dose-dependent fashion. Pathway analysis suggested that inhibition of transketolase resulted in changes of multiple cellular signaling pathways associated with cell apoptosis. The temporal expression patterns of proteins revealed that OT altered dynamics of protein expression in time-dependent fashion by suppressing phosphor kinase expression, resulting in cancer cell apoptosis. Results from this study suggest that interference of single metabolic enzyme activity altered multiple cellular signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarui Wang
- Genomics & Functional Proteomics Laboratories, Osteoporosis Research Center, Creighton University Medical Center, 601 N 30th ST, Suite 6730, Omaha, NE 68131, USA
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fifth Hospital of Dalian, Dalian 116027, China
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- The Medical College of Dalian University, Dalian Economic & Technological Development Zone, Dalian 116622, China
| | - Danjun Ma
- Genomics & Functional Proteomics Laboratories, Osteoporosis Research Center, Creighton University Medical Center, 601 N 30th ST, Suite 6730, Omaha, NE 68131, USA
| | - Wai-Nang Paul Lee
- Metabolomics Core, UCLA Center of Excellence in Pancreatic Diseases, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Jing Xiao
- Genomics & Functional Proteomics Laboratories, Osteoporosis Research Center, Creighton University Medical Center, 601 N 30th ST, Suite 6730, Omaha, NE 68131, USA
| | - Yingchun Zhao
- Genomics & Functional Proteomics Laboratories, Osteoporosis Research Center, Creighton University Medical Center, 601 N 30th ST, Suite 6730, Omaha, NE 68131, USA
| | - Vay Liang Go
- Metabolomics Core, UCLA Center of Excellence in Pancreatic Diseases, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116027, China
| | - Yun Yen
- Molecular Clinical Pharmacology, City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 90101, USA
| | - Robert Recker
- Genomics & Functional Proteomics Laboratories, Osteoporosis Research Center, Creighton University Medical Center, 601 N 30th ST, Suite 6730, Omaha, NE 68131, USA
| | - Gary Guishan Xiao
- Genomics & Functional Proteomics Laboratories, Osteoporosis Research Center, Creighton University Medical Center, 601 N 30th ST, Suite 6730, Omaha, NE 68131, USA
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Yalcin M, Lin HY, Sudha T, Bharali DJ, Meng R, Tang HY, Davis FB, Stain SC, Davis PJ, Mousa SA. Response of Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell Xenografts to Tetraiodothyroacetic Acid Nanoparticles. Discov Oncol 2013; 4:176-85. [DOI: 10.1007/s12672-013-0137-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2012] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
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Tinoco G, Warsch S, Glück S, Avancha K, Montero AJ. Treating breast cancer in the 21st century: emerging biological therapies. J Cancer 2013; 4:117-32. [PMID: 23386910 PMCID: PMC3563073 DOI: 10.7150/jca.4925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2012] [Accepted: 11/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
For many years, the medical treatment of breast cancer was reliant solely on cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, over the past twenty years, treatment has evolved to a more target-directed approach. We now employ tailored therapy based on the presence or absence of receptors for estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2). We expect this trend to continue, as agents that use novel approaches to target HER2, as well as targeting different portions of the HER signaling pathway, are in various stages of development. Notably, pertuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to a different domain of the extracellular portion of the HER2 receptor than trastuzumab, was recently approved for use, as was lapatinib, a small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Patients with triple negative breast cancer, particularly those with the BRCA mutation, have more limited treatment options and carry a worse prognosis than those who are hormone receptor positive. However, recent data has shown that PARP inhibitors may have significant anti-tumor effect in those with this subtype of breast cancer. Novel agents that inhibit mTOR, PI3K, the insulin-like growth factor, heat shock protein 90, and histone deacetylase have shown promise in phase I-III trials and offer exciting new possibilities for the treatment of this often fatal disease. As we are presented with an ever increasing number of treatment options, the timing and combinations of therapeutic agents used becomes ever more complex in the age of personalized care, but we are hopeful that ultimately this will lead to improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Tinoco
- 1. Department of Medicine, Division of Hospital Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Sean Warsch
- 2. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Stefan Glück
- 3. Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Kiran Avancha
- 4. Office of Research, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Alberto J. Montero
- 3. Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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Ying JE, Zhu LM, Liu BX. Developments in metastatic pancreatic cancer: is gemcitabine still the standard? World J Gastroenterol 2012; 18:736-45. [PMID: 22371633 PMCID: PMC3286136 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i8.736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2011] [Revised: 08/26/2011] [Accepted: 09/03/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the past 15 years, we have seen few therapeutic advances for patients with pancreatic cancer, which is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Currently, only about 6% of patients with advanced disease respond to standard gemcitabine therapy, and median survival is only about 6 mo. Moreover, phase III trials have shown that adding various cytotoxic and targeted chemotherapeutic agents to gemcitabine has failed to improve overall survival, except in cases in which gemcitabine combined with erlotinib show minimal survival benefit. Several meta-analyses have shown that the combination of gemcitabine with either a platinum analog or capecitabine may lead to clinically relevant survival prolongation, especially for patients with good performance status. Meanwhile, many studies have focused on the pharmacokinetic modulation of gemcitabine by fixed-dose administration, and metabolic or transport enzymes related to the response and toxicity of gemcitabine. Strikingly, a phase III trial in 2010 showed that, in comparison to gemcitabine alone, the FOLFIRINOX regimen in patients with advanced disease and good performance status, produced better median overall survival, median progression-free survival, and objective response rates. This regimen also resulted in greater, albeit manageable toxicity.
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Kashiwaya K, Nakagawa H, Hosokawa M, Mochizuki Y, Ueda K, Piao L, Chung S, Hamamoto R, Eguchi H, Ohigashi H, Ishikawa O, Janke C, Shinomura Y, Nakamura Y. Involvement of the tubulin tyrosine ligase-like family member 4 polyglutamylase in PELP1 polyglutamylation and chromatin remodeling in pancreatic cancer cells. Cancer Res 2010; 70:4024-33. [PMID: 20442285 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-09-4444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Polyglutamylation is a new class of posttranslational modification in which glutamate side chains are formed in proteins, although its biological significance is not well known. Through our genome-wide gene expression profile analyses of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells, we identified the overexpression of tubulin tyrosine ligase-like family member 4 (TTLL4) in PDAC cells. Subsequent reverse transcription-PCR and Northern blot analyses confirmed its upregulation in several PDACs. TTLL4 belongs to the TTLL family which was reported to have polyglutamylase activity. Knockdown of TTLL4 by short hairpin RNA in PDAC cells attenuated the growth of PDAC cells and exogenous introduction of TTLL4 enhanced cell growth. We also found that TTLL4 expression was correlated with polyglutamylation levels of a glutamate stretch region of the proline, glutamate, and leucine-rich protein 1 (PELP1) that was shown to interact with various proteins such as histone H3, and was involved in several signaling pathways through its function as a scaffold protein. PELP1 polyglutamylation could influence its interaction with histone H3 and affect histone H3 acetylation. We also identified the interaction of PELP1 with LAS1L and SENP3, components of the MLL1-WDR5 supercomplex involving chromatin remodeling. Our findings imply that TTLL4 could play important roles in pancreatic carcinogenesis through its polyglutamylase activity and subsequent coordination of chromatin remodeling, and might be a good molecular candidate for the development of new therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotoe Kashiwaya
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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10
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Zhang H, Cao R, Lee WNP, Deng C, Zhao Y, Lappe J, Recker R, Yen Y, Wang Q, Tsai MY, Go VL, Xiao GG. Inhibition of protein phosphorylation in MIA pancreatic cancer cells: confluence of metabolic and signaling pathways. J Proteome Res 2010; 9:980-9. [PMID: 20035555 DOI: 10.1021/pr9008805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Oxythiamine (OT), a transketolase inhibitor, is known to inhibit pancreatic cancer cell proliferation. In this study, we investigated the effect of inhibition of the transketolase pathway on signaling pathways in MIA PaCa cancer cells using in-house proteomic techniques. We hypothesized that OT alter protein phosphorylation thus affecting cell cycle arrest and cell proliferation. MIA PaCa-2 cells were cultured in media containing an algal (15)N amino acid mixture at 50% enrichment, with and without OT, to determine protein expression and synthesis. Analysis of cell lysates using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis matrix assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (2-DE-MALDI-TOF/TOF MS) identified 12 phosphor proteins that were significantly suppressed by OT treatment. Many of these proteins are involved in regulation of cycle activities and apoptosis. Among the proteins identified, expression of the phosphor heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) was dramatically inhibited by OT treatment while the level of its total protein remained unchanged. Hsp27 expression and phosphorylation is known to be associated with drug resistance and cancer cell survival. The changes in phosphorylation of key proteins of cancer proliferation and survival suggest that protein phosphorylation is the confluence of the effects of OT on metabolic and signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengwei Zhang
- Genomics and Functional Proteomics Laboratories, Osteoporosis Research Center and Department of Pathology, Creighton University Medical Center, 601 North 30th Street, Suite 6730, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, USA
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Abstract
Metastatic pancreatic cancer is often one of the most challenging malignancies a medical oncologist faces. Although the primary endpoint of many studies remains overall survival, palliation and quality of life are now more commonly being addressed. The author discusses the most common chemotherapeutic modalities for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer, such as single agent chemotherapy, combination therapy, targeted therapy, and second line treatment.
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Patra CR, Bhattacharya R, Mukhopadhyay D, Mukherjee P. Fabrication of gold nanoparticles for targeted therapy in pancreatic cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2010; 62:346-61. [PMID: 19914317 PMCID: PMC2827658 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2009.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 238] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2009] [Accepted: 10/17/2009] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The targeted delivery of a drug should result in enhanced therapeutic efficacy with low to minimal side effects. This is a widely accepted concept, but limited in application due to lack of available technologies and process of validation. Biomedical nanotechnology can play an important role in this respect. Biomedical nanotechnology is a burgeoning field with myriads of opportunities and possibilities for advancing medical science and disease treatment. Cancer nanotechnology (1-100 nm size range) is expected to change the very foundations of cancer treatment, diagnosis and detection. Nanomaterials, especially gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have unique physico-chemical properties, such as ultra small size, large surface area to mass ratio, and high surface reactivity, presence of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) bands, biocompatibility and ease of surface functionalization. In this review, we will discuss how the unique physico-chemical properties of gold nanoparticles may be utilized for targeted drug delivery in pancreatic cancer leading to increased efficacy of traditional chemotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chitta Ranjan Patra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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Mahalingam D, Kelly KR, Swords RT, Carew J, Nawrocki ST, Giles FJ. Emerging drugs in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2009; 14:311-28. [PMID: 19466902 DOI: 10.1517/14728210902972502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the US. However, there is a growing belief that novel biological agents could improve survival of patients with this cancer. Gemcitabine-based chemotherapy remains the cornerstone treatment for advanced pancreatic cancers. So far, the current targeted agents that have been used in combination with gemcitabine have failed to improve clinical outcomes. This failure may stem from the heterogeneous molecular pathogenesis of pancreatic cancers, which involves several oncogenic pathways and defined genetic mutations. OBJECTIVE The aims of this review are: i) to define the existing treatments available at present for patients with pancreatic cancers in the neo-adjuvant, adjuvant, locally advanced and metastatic settings; ii) to highlight the molecular heterogeneity of the cancers and the rationale for targeting specific oncogenic pathways; iii) to give an overview of targeted agents that may potentially have an impact in the treatment of pancreatic cancers. CONCLUSIONS Molecular pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer involves several pathways and defined genetic mutations. Targeting these complex molecular pathways with a combination of novel biological and chemotherapeutic agents could potentially improve patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devalingam Mahalingam
- Institute of Drug Development, Division of Cancer Research and Therapy Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA.
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Mahalingam D, Sankhala K, Mita A, Giles FJ, Mita MM. Targeting the mTOR pathway using deforolimus in cancer therapy. Future Oncol 2009; 5:291-303. [PMID: 19374536 DOI: 10.2217/fon.09.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is an intracellular protein with a key role in cellular protein synthesis and energy balance that influences many aspects of cell growth and proliferation, including differentiation, cell-cycle progression, angiogenesis, protein degradation and apoptosis. mTOR can be activated by numerous oncogenic signals, such as growth factor activation through the EGF, IGF and VEGF receptors, mutation and silencing of the PTEN tumor suppressor gene, activating mutations in the PI3K catalytic subunit, Akt amplification and the Ras-Raf-MEK pathway. Once activated, the cellular functions of mTOR are achieved through its downstream targets, 4E-BP1 and p70S6K1. The mTOR pathway can be further regulated through a negative feedback loop, which may lead to resistance to specific inhibitors of mTOR. This review will outline the mTOR signaling pathway, which is often activated in cancers and account for tumor proliferation and growth, highlight the rationale in targeting mTOR with a focus on the preclinical and clinical development of one of these inhibitors, deforolimus (AP23573, MK-8669), and discuss potential benefit and barriers to these agents being introduced in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devalingam Mahalingam
- Institute for Drug Development, Cancer Research and Therapy Center, University of Texas Health Science Centre San Antonio, TX, USA.
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