|
1
|
Bekric D, Tornesello ML, Ocker M, Mayr C, Kiesslich T, Neureiter D. Editorial: Novel therapeutic approaches for biliary tract cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1320084. [PMID: 38020902 PMCID: PMC10656678 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1320084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dino Bekric
- Center of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biophysics, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Maria Lina Tornesello
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy
| | - Matthias Ocker
- Medical Department, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Cancer Immunology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Germany and Tacalyx GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Mayr
- Center of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biophysics, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Tobias Kiesslich
- Center of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biophysics, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Daniel Neureiter
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Institute of Pathology, University Clinics Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Entezari M, Taheriazam A, Paskeh MDA, Sabouni E, Zandieh MA, Aboutalebi M, Kakavand A, Rezaei S, Hejazi ES, Saebfar H, Salimimoghadam S, Mirzaei S, Hashemi M, Samarghandian S. The pharmacological and biological importance of EZH2 signaling in lung cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 160:114313. [PMID: 36738498 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Up to 18% of cancer-related deaths worldwide are attributed to lung tumor and global burden of this type of cancer is ascending. Different factors are responsible for development of lung cancer such as smoking, environmental factors and genetic mutations. EZH2 is a vital protein with catalytic activity and belongs to PCR2 family. EZH2 has been implicated in regulating gene expression by binding to promoter of targets. The importance of EZH2 in lung cancer is discussed in current manuscript. Activation of EZH2 significantly elevates the proliferation rate of lung cancer. Furthermore, metastasis and associated molecular mechanisms including EMT undergo activation by EZH2 in enhancing the lung cancer progression. The response of lung cancer to therapy can be significantly diminished due to EZH2 upregulation. Since EZH2 increases tumor progression, anti-cancer agents suppressing its expression reduce malignancy. In spite of significant effort in understanding modulatory function of EZH2 on other pathways, it appears that EZH2 can be also regulated and controlled by other factors that are described in current review. Therefore, translating current findings to clinic can improve treatment and management of lung cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maliheh Entezari
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Afshin Taheriazam
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahshid Deldar Abad Paskeh
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Eisa Sabouni
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Arad Zandieh
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Aboutalebi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirabbas Kakavand
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shamin Rezaei
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elahe Sadat Hejazi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Saebfar
- European University Association, League of European Research Universities, university of milan, Italy
| | - Shokooh Salimimoghadam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Sepideh Mirzaei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Saeed Samarghandian
- Healthy Ageing Research Centre, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
|
3
|
Evaluation of Tazemetostat as a Therapeutically Relevant Substance in Biliary Tract Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15051569. [PMID: 36900361 PMCID: PMC10000745 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is a gastrointestinal malignancy associated with a poor survival rate. Current therapies encompass palliative and chemotherapeutic treatment as well as radiation therapy, which results in a median survival of only one year due to standard therapeutic ineffectiveness or resistance. Tazemetostat is an FDA-approved inhibitor of enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a methyltransferase involved in BTC tumorigenesis via trimethylation of histone 3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3), an epigenetic mark associated with silencing of tumor suppressor genes. Up to now, there are no data available regarding tazemetostat as a possible treatment option against BTC. Therefore, the aim of our study is a first-time investigation of tazemetostat as a potential anti-BTC substance in vitro. In this study, we demonstrate that tazemetostat affects cell viability and the clonogenic growth of BTC cells in a cell line-dependent manner. Furthermore, we found a strong epigenetic effect at low concentrations of tazemetostat, which was independent of the cytotoxic effect. We also observed in one BTC cell line that tazemetostat increases the mRNA levels and protein expression of the tumor suppressor gene Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase 1 (FBP1). Interestingly, the observed cytotoxic and epigenetic effects were independent of the mutation status of EZH2. To conclude, our study shows that tazemetostat is a potential anti-tumorigenic substance in BTC with a strong epigenetic effect.
Collapse
|
|
4
|
Mayr C, Kiesslich T, Erber S, Bekric D, Dobias H, Beyreis M, Ritter M, Jäger T, Neumayer B, Winkelmann P, Klieser E, Neureiter D. HDAC Screening Identifies the HDAC Class I Inhibitor Romidepsin as a Promising Epigenetic Drug for Biliary Tract Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13153862. [PMID: 34359763 PMCID: PMC8345689 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153862] [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: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is a rare disease with dismal outcomes. Therefore, the investigation of new therapeutic targets is urgently required. In this study, we demonstrate that histone deacetylases (HDACs) are expressed in BTC cell lines and that treatment of BTC cells with different HDAC class inhibitors reduces cell viability. Specifically, we found that BTC cells are vulnerable to the HDAC class I inhibitor romidepsin. Treatment with romidepsin resulted in apoptotic cell death of BTC cells and reduced HDAC activity. Furthermore, romidepsin augmented the cytotoxic effect of the standard chemotherapeutic cisplatin. HDAC class I proteins were also expressed in BTC patient samples. We detected that BTC patients with high HDAC-2-expressing tumors showed a significantly shorter survival. In summary, we were able to demonstrate that BTC cells are vulnerable to HDAC inhibition and that the HDAC class I inhibitor romidepsin might be a promising anti-BTC substance. Abstract Inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs) is a promising anti-cancer approach. For biliary tract cancer (BTC), only limited therapeutic options are currently available. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive investigation of HDAC expression and pharmacological HDAC inhibition into a panel of eight established BTC cell lines. The screening results indicate a heterogeneous expression of HDACs across the studied cell lines. We next tested the effect of six established HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) covering pan- and class-specific HDACis on cell viability of BTC cells and found that the effect (i) is dose- and cell-line-dependent, (ii) does not correlate with HDAC isoform expression, and (iii) is most pronounced for romidepsin (a class I HDACi), showing the highest reduction in cell viability with IC50 values in the low-nM range. Further analyses demonstrated that romidepsin induces apoptosis in BTC cells, reduces HDAC activity, and increases acetylation of histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9Ac). Similar to BTC cell lines, HDAC 1/2 proteins were heterogeneously expressed in a cohort of resected BTC specimens (n = 78), and their expression increased with tumor grading. The survival of BTC patients with high HDAC-2-expressing tumors was significantly shorter. In conclusion, HDAC class I inhibition in BTC cells by romidepsin is highly effective in vitro and encourages further in vivo evaluation in BTC. In situ assessment of HDAC 2 expression in BTC specimens indicates its importance for oncogenesis and/or progression of BTC as well as for the prognosis of BTC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Mayr
- Center for Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biophysics-Salzburg and Nuremberg, Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology-Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 22, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.K.); (S.E.); (D.B.); (H.D.); (M.B.); (M.R.)
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Clinics Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstrasse 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Correspondence:
| | - Tobias Kiesslich
- Center for Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biophysics-Salzburg and Nuremberg, Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology-Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 22, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.K.); (S.E.); (D.B.); (H.D.); (M.B.); (M.R.)
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Clinics Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstrasse 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Sara Erber
- Center for Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biophysics-Salzburg and Nuremberg, Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology-Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 22, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.K.); (S.E.); (D.B.); (H.D.); (M.B.); (M.R.)
| | - Dino Bekric
- Center for Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biophysics-Salzburg and Nuremberg, Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology-Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 22, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.K.); (S.E.); (D.B.); (H.D.); (M.B.); (M.R.)
| | - Heidemarie Dobias
- Center for Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biophysics-Salzburg and Nuremberg, Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology-Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 22, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.K.); (S.E.); (D.B.); (H.D.); (M.B.); (M.R.)
| | - Marlena Beyreis
- Center for Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biophysics-Salzburg and Nuremberg, Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology-Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 22, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.K.); (S.E.); (D.B.); (H.D.); (M.B.); (M.R.)
| | - Markus Ritter
- Center for Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biophysics-Salzburg and Nuremberg, Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology-Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 22, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (T.K.); (S.E.); (D.B.); (H.D.); (M.B.); (M.R.)
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Arthritis und Rehabilitation, Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 22, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- School of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu University, Kavreplanchowk, Dhulikhel 45200, Nepal
| | - Tarkan Jäger
- Department of Surgery, University Clinics Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstrasse 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Bettina Neumayer
- Institute of Pathology, University Clinics Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstrasse 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (B.N.); (P.W.); (E.K.); (D.N.)
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Paul Winkelmann
- Institute of Pathology, University Clinics Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstrasse 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (B.N.); (P.W.); (E.K.); (D.N.)
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Eckhard Klieser
- Institute of Pathology, University Clinics Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstrasse 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (B.N.); (P.W.); (E.K.); (D.N.)
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Daniel Neureiter
- Institute of Pathology, University Clinics Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstrasse 48, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (B.N.); (P.W.); (E.K.); (D.N.)
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
|
5
|
Bekric D, Neureiter D, Ritter M, Jakab M, Gaisberger M, Pichler M, Kiesslich T, Mayr C. Long Non-Coding RNAs in Biliary Tract Cancer-An Up-to-Date Review. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9041200. [PMID: 32331331 PMCID: PMC7231154 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9041200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The term long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) describes non protein-coding transcripts with a length greater than 200 base pairs. The ongoing discovery, characterization and functional categorization of lncRNAs has led to a better understanding of the involvement of lncRNAs in diverse biological and pathological processes including cancer. Aberrant expression of specific lncRNA species was demonstrated in various cancer types and associated with unfavorable clinical characteristics. Recent studies suggest that lncRNAs are also involved in the development and progression of biliary tract cancer, a rare disease with high mortality and limited therapeutic options. In this review, we summarize current findings regarding the manifold roles of lncRNAs in biliary tract cancer and give an overview of the clinical and molecular consequences of aberrant lncRNA expression as well as of underlying regulatory functions of selected lncRNA species in the context of biliary tract cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dino Bekric
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (D.B.); (M.R.); (M.J.); (M.G.); (T.K.)
| | - Daniel Neureiter
- Institute of Pathology, Paracelsus Medical University/Salzburger Landeskliniken (SALK), 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Markus Ritter
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (D.B.); (M.R.); (M.J.); (M.G.); (T.K.)
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Arthritis and Rehabilitation, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Gastein Research Institute, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Martin Jakab
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (D.B.); (M.R.); (M.J.); (M.G.); (T.K.)
| | - Martin Gaisberger
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (D.B.); (M.R.); (M.J.); (M.G.); (T.K.)
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Arthritis and Rehabilitation, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Gastein Research Institute, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Martin Pichler
- Research Unit of Non-Coding RNAs and Genome Editing, Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria;
| | - Tobias Kiesslich
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (D.B.); (M.R.); (M.J.); (M.G.); (T.K.)
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Paracelsus Medical University/Salzburger Landeskliniken (SALK), 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Christian Mayr
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (D.B.); (M.R.); (M.J.); (M.G.); (T.K.)
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Paracelsus Medical University/Salzburger Landeskliniken (SALK), 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
|
6
|
Yokoyama Y, Arai MA, Hara Y, Ishibashi M. Identification of BMI1 promoter inhibitors from Streptomyces sp. IFM-11958. Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 27:2998-3003. [PMID: 31079965 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
B-cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus region 1 (BMI1) is a central component of polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1), which maintains epigenetic repression of genes expression via chromatin condensation. BMI1 overexpression downregulates the expression of tumor suppressor genes, such as p16Ink4a and PTEN. BMI1 expression is upregulated in cancer stem cells (CSCs). Therefore, inhibitors of BMI1 expression have potential as therapeutic agents for cancer. This study aimed to identify BMI1 promoter inhibitors from actinomycetes. Using a recently constructed BMI1 promoter assay, we isolated three known compounds, elaiophylin (1), 2-methylelaiophylin (2), and nocardamin (3), from Streptomyces sp. IFM-11958 that inhibited BMI1 promoter activity with IC50 values of 30 nM, 447 nM, 22 µM, respectively. Elaiophylin (1) was the most potent. Western blot and PCR analyses revealed that elaiophylin (1) inhibited BMI1 expression at the mRNA level in human prostate cancer cells (DU145). Elaiophylin (1) also inhibited the sphere-forming activity of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (Huh7), indicating that elaiophylin (1) suppresses the self-renewal capacity of CSCs. Elaiophylin (1) is the first BMI1 promoter inhibitor isolated from actinomycete metabolites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Yokoyama
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Midori A Arai
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan.
| | - Yasumasa Hara
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Masami Ishibashi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
|
7
|
Barbosa K, Deshpande A, Chen BR, Ghosh A, Sun Y, Dutta S, Weetall M, Dixon J, Armstrong SA, Bohlander SK, Deshpande AJ. Acute myeloid leukemia driven by the CALM-AF10 fusion gene is dependent on BMI1. Exp Hematol 2019; 74:42-51.e3. [PMID: 31022428 PMCID: PMC10586237 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
A subset of acute myeloid and lymphoid leukemia cases harbor a t(10;11)(p13;q14) translocation resulting in the CALM-AF10 fusion gene. Standard chemotherapeutic strategies are often ineffective in treating patients with CALM-AF10 fusions. Hence, there is an urgent need to identify molecular pathways dysregulated in CALM-AF10-positive leukemias which may lay the foundation for novel targeted therapies. Here we demonstrate that the Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 gene BMI1 is consistently overexpressed in adult and pediatric CALM-AF10-positive leukemias. We demonstrate that genetic Bmi1 depletion abrogates CALM-AF10-mediated transformation of murine hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Furthermore, CALM-AF10-positive murine and human AML cells are sensitive to the small-molecule BMI1 inhibitor PTC-209 as well as to PTC-596, a compound in clinical development that has been shown to result in downstream degradation of BMI1 protein. PTC-596 significantly prolongs survival of mice injected with a human CALM-AF10 cell line in a xenograft assay. In summary, these results validate BMI1 as a bona fide candidate for therapeutic targeting in AML with CALM-AF10 rearrangements.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring/pharmacology
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy
- Neoplasms, Experimental/genetics
- Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism
- Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/metabolism
- Polycomb Repressive Complex 1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Polycomb Repressive Complex 1/genetics
- Polycomb Repressive Complex 1/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism
- Thiazoles/pharmacology
- U937 Cells
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karina Barbosa
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Anagha Deshpande
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Bo-Rui Chen
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Anwesha Ghosh
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Younguk Sun
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - Sayantanee Dutta
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Jesse Dixon
- Peptide Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA
| | - Scott A Armstrong
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Stefan K Bohlander
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Aniruddha J Deshpande
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA.
| |
Collapse
|
|
8
|
Neureiter D, Kiesslich T, Ritter M, Mayr C. Update on the role and therapeutic potential of polycomb repressive complexes in (biliary tract) cancer. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2017; 22:1-3. [PMID: 29148857 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2018.1406923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Neureiter
- a Institute of Pathology , Paracelsus Medical University/Salzburger Landeskliniken , Salzburg , Austria
| | - Tobias Kiesslich
- b Department of Internal Medicine I, Paracelsus Medical University/Salzburger Landeskliniken and Laboratory for Tumour Biology and Experimental Therapies, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology , Paracelsus Medical University , Salzburg , Austria
| | - Markus Ritter
- c Laboratory for Tumour Biology and Experimental Therapies & Laboratory for Functional and Molecular Membrane Physiology, Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology , Paracelsus Medical University , Salzburg , Austria.,d Department for Radon Therapy Research , Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster for Arthritis and Rehabilitation , Salzburg , Austria
| | - Christian Mayr
- b Department of Internal Medicine I, Paracelsus Medical University/Salzburger Landeskliniken and Laboratory for Tumour Biology and Experimental Therapies, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology , Paracelsus Medical University , Salzburg , Austria
| |
Collapse
|
|
9
|
Kaneta Y, Arai MA, Ishikawa N, Toume K, Koyano T, Kowithayakorn T, Chiba T, Iwama A, Ishibashi M. Identification of BMI1 Promoter Inhibitors from Beaumontia murtonii and Eugenia operculata. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2017; 80:1853-1859. [PMID: 28598616 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.7b00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
B-Cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus insertion region 1 (BMI1) is a core component of the polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1). Abnormal expression of BMI1 is associated with a number of human malignances and cancer stem cells (CSCs), which cause chemotherapy resistance. Therefore, small molecules that inhibit BMI1 expression are potential candidates for cancer therapy. In this study, a cell-based reporter gene assay was developed that allowed BMI1 promoter activity to be measured in 293T human embryonic kidney cells based on luciferase expression levels. Using this screening assay, the methanol-soluble extracts of Beaumontia murtonii and Eugenia operculata were selected as leads. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the extracts led to the isolation of three known cardenolides (1-3) and one new compound (4) from B. murtonii and two known triterpenoids (5 and 6) and one new compound (7) from E. operculata. These seven compounds inhibited BMI1 promoter activity (IC50 range 0.093-23.0 μM), and the most active compound, wallichoside (1), was further evaluated. Western blot analysis revealed that wallichoside (1) decreases BMI1 protein levels in HCT116 human colon carcinoma cells, and flow cytometry analysis showed that it significantly reduced levels of the CSC biomarker epithelial cell adhesion molecule. Wallichoside (1) also inhibited sphere formation of Huh7 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, indicating that it diminished the self-renewal capability of CSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yui Kaneta
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University , 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Midori A Arai
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University , 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Naoki Ishikawa
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University , 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Kazufumi Toume
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University , 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Takashi Koyano
- Temko Corporation , 4-27-4 Honcho, Nakano, Tokyo 164-0012, Japan
| | | | - Tetsuhiro Chiba
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University , 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Atsushi Iwama
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University , 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Masami Ishibashi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University , 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
|
10
|
EZH2 in Cancer Progression and Potential Application in Cancer Therapy: A Friend or Foe? Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18061172. [PMID: 28561778 PMCID: PMC5485996 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18061172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase, catalyzes tri-methylation of histone H3 at Lys 27 (H3K27me3) to regulate gene expression through epigenetic machinery. EZH2 functions as a double-facet molecule in regulation of gene expression via repression or activation mechanisms, depending on the different cellular contexts. EZH2 interacts with both histone and non-histone proteins to modulate diverse physiological functions including cancer progression and malignancy. In this review article, we focused on the updated information regarding microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in regulation of EZH2, the oncogenic and tumor suppressive roles of EZH2 in cancer progression and malignancy, as well as current pre-clinical and clinical trials of EZH2 inhibitors.
Collapse
|
|
11
|
Mayr C, Ocker M, Ritter M, Pichler M, Neureiter D, Kiesslich T. Biliary tract cancer stem cells - translational options and challenges. World J Gastroenterol 2017; 23:2470-2482. [PMID: 28465631 PMCID: PMC5394510 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i14.2470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Management of biliary tract cancer remains challenging. Tumors show high recurrence rates and therapeutic resistance, leading to dismal prognosis and short survival. The cancer stem cell model states that a tumor is a heterogeneous conglomerate of cells, in which a certain subpopulation of cells - the cancer stem cells - possesses stem cell properties. Cancer stem cells have high clinical relevance due to their potential contributions to development, progression and aggressiveness as well as recurrence and metastasis of malignant tumors. Consequently, reliable identification of as well as pharmacological intervention with cancer stem cells is an intensively investigated and promising research field. The involvement of cancer stem cells in biliary tract cancer is likely as a number of studies demonstrated their existence and the obvious clinical relevance of several established cancer stem cell markers in biliary tract cancer models and tissues. In the present article, we review and discuss the currently available literature addressing the role of putative cancer stem cells in biliary tract cancer as well as the connection between known contributors of biliary tract tumorigenesis such as oncogenic signaling pathways, micro-RNAs and the tumor microenvironment with cancer stem cells.
Collapse
|
|
12
|
Relevance of MicroRNA200 Family and MicroRNA205 for Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Clinical Outcome in Biliary Tract Cancer Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17122053. [PMID: 27941621 PMCID: PMC5187853 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17122053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive stromal interaction is one reason for the dismal outcome of biliary tract cancer (BTC) patients. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in tumor invasion and metastasis and is partly regulated by microRNAs (miRs). This study explores the expression of anti-EMT miR200 family (miR141, −200a/b/c, −429) and miR205 as well as the EMT-related proteins E-cadherin and vimentin in a panel of BTC cell lines and clinical specimens by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and immunohistochemistry, respectively. MicroRNA expression was correlated to (i) the expression patterns of E-cadherin and vimentin; (ii) clinicopathological characteristics; and (iii) survival data. MicroRNA-200 family and miR205 were expressed in all BTC cells and clinical specimens. E-cadherin and vimentin showed a mutually exclusive expression pattern in both, in vitro and in vivo. Expression of miR200 family members positively correlated with E-cadherin and negatively with vimentin expression in BTC cells and specimens. High expression of miR200 family members (but not miR205) and E-cadherin was associated with longer survival, while low miR200 family and high vimentin expression was a predictor of unfavorable survival. Overall, the current study demonstrates the relevance of the miR200 family in EMT of BTC tumors and suggests these miRs as predictors for positive outcome.
Collapse
|
|
13
|
Deregulated MicroRNAs in Biliary Tract Cancer: Functional Targets and Potential Biomarkers. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:4805270. [PMID: 27957497 PMCID: PMC5120202 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4805270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is still a fatal disease with very poor prognosis. The lack of reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis and of effective therapeutic targets is a major demanding problem in diagnosis and management of BTC. Due to the clinically silent and asymptomatic characteristics of the tumor, most patients are diagnosed at an already advanced stage allowing only for a palliative therapeutic approach. MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs well known to regulate various cellular functions and pathologic events including the formation and progression of cancer. Over the last years, several studies have shed light on the role of microRNAs in BTC, making them potentially attractive therapeutic targets and candidates as biomarkers. In this review, we will focus on the role of oncogenic and tumor suppressor microRNAs and their direct targets in BTC. Furthermore, we summarize and discuss data that evaluate the diagnostic power of deregulated microRNAs as possible future biomarkers for BTC.
Collapse
|
|
14
|
Klieser E, Swierczynski S, Mayr C, Jäger T, Schmidt J, Neureiter D, Kiesslich T, Illig R. Differential role of Hedgehog signaling in human pancreatic (patho-) physiology: An up to date review. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol 2016; 7:199-210. [PMID: 27190692 PMCID: PMC4867399 DOI: 10.4291/wjgp.v7.i2.199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway in drosophila melanogaster, our knowledge of the role of Hh in embryonic development, inflammation, and cancerogenesis in humans has dramatically increased over the last decades. This is the case especially concerning the pancreas, however, real therapeutic breakthroughs are missing until now. In general, Hh signaling is essential for pancreatic organogenesis, development, and tissue maturation. In the case of acute pancreatitis, Hh has a protective role, whereas in chronic pancreatitis, Hh interacts with pancreatic stellate cells, leading to destructive parenchym fibrosis and atrophy, as well as to irregular tissue remodeling with potency of initiating cancerogenesis. In vitro and in situ analysis of Hh in pancreatic cancer revealed that the Hh pathway participates in the development of pancreatic precursor lesions and ductal adenocarcinoma including critical interactions with the tumor microenvironment. The application of specific inhibitors of components of the Hh pathway is currently subject of ongoing clinical trials (phases 1 and 2). Furthermore, a combination of Hh pathway inhibitors and established chemotherapeutic drugs could also represent a promising therapeutic approach. In this review, we give a structured survey of the role of the Hh pathway in pancreatic development, pancreatitis, pancreatic carcinogenesis and pancreatic cancer as well as an overview of current clinical trials concerning Hh pathway inhibitors and pancreas cancer.
Collapse
|
|
15
|
Mayr C, Wagner A, Loeffelberger M, Bruckner D, Jakab M, Berr F, Di Fazio P, Ocker M, Neureiter D, Pichler M, Kiesslich T. The BMI1 inhibitor PTC-209 is a potential compound to halt cellular growth in biliary tract cancer cells. Oncotarget 2016; 7:745-58. [PMID: 26623561 PMCID: PMC4808030 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BMI1 is a core component of the polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) and is up-regulated in biliary tract cancer (BTC), contributing to aggressive clinical features. In this study we investigated the cytotoxic effects of PTC-209, a recently developed inhibitor of BMI1, in BTC cells. PTC-209 reduced overall viability in BTC cell lines in a dose-dependent fashion (0.04 - 20 µM). Treatment with PTC-209 led to slightly enhanced caspase activity and stop of cell proliferation. Cell cycle analysis revealed that PTC-209 caused cell cycle arrest at the G1/S checkpoint. A comprehensive investigation of expression changes of cell cycle-related genes showed that PTC-209 caused significant down-regulation of cell cycle-promoting genes as well as of genes that contribute to DNA synthesis initiation and DNA repair, respectively. This was accompanied by significantly elevated mRNA levels of cell cycle inhibitors. In addition, PTC-209 reduced sphere formation and, in a cell line-dependent manner, aldehyde dehydrogease-1 positive cells. We conclude that PTC-209 might be a promising drug for future in vitro and in vivo studies in BTC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Mayr
- 1 Department of Internal Medicine I, Salzburger Landeskliniken – SALK, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- 2 Laboratory for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapies, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Andrej Wagner
- 1 Department of Internal Medicine I, Salzburger Landeskliniken – SALK, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Magdalena Loeffelberger
- 2 Laboratory for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapies, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Daniela Bruckner
- 3 Research Program for Experimental Ophthalmology and Glaucoma Research, University Clinic of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Salzburger Landeskliniken – SALK, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Martin Jakab
- 4 Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Membrane Physiology, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Frieder Berr
- 2 Laboratory for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapies, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Pietro Di Fazio
- 5 Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Ocker
- 6 Institute for Surgical Research, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- 7 Present address: Experimental Medicine Oncology, Bayer Pharma AG, Berlin, Germany
- 8 Present address: Department of Gastroenterology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Neureiter
- 9 Institute of Pathology, Salzburger Landeskliniken – SALK, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Martin Pichler
- 10 Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz (MUG), Graz, Austria
| | - Tobias Kiesslich
- 1 Department of Internal Medicine I, Salzburger Landeskliniken – SALK, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- 2 Laboratory for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapies, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
|
16
|
Wang W, Qin JJ, Voruganti S, Nag S, Zhou J, Zhang R. Polycomb Group (PcG) Proteins and Human Cancers: Multifaceted Functions and Therapeutic Implications. Med Res Rev 2015; 35:1220-67. [PMID: 26227500 DOI: 10.1002/med.21358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are transcriptional repressors that regulate several crucial developmental and physiological processes in the cell. More recently, they have been found to play important roles in human carcinogenesis and cancer development and progression. The deregulation and dysfunction of PcG proteins often lead to blocking or inappropriate activation of developmental pathways, enhancing cellular proliferation, inhibiting apoptosis, and increasing the cancer stem cell population. Genetic and molecular investigations of PcG proteins have long been focused on their PcG functions. However, PcG proteins have recently been shown to exert non-classical-Pc-functions, contributing to the regulation of diverse cellular functions. We and others have demonstrated that PcG proteins regulate the expression and function of several oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in a PcG-independent manner, and PcG proteins are associated with the survival of patients with cancer. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the research on PcG proteins, including both the Pc-repressive and non-classical-Pc-functions. We specifically focus on the mechanisms by which PcG proteins play roles in cancer initiation, development, and progression. Finally, we discuss the potential value of PcG proteins as molecular biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer, and as molecular targets for cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106.,Center for Cancer Biology and Therapy, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106
| | - Jiang-Jiang Qin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106
| | - Sukesh Voruganti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106
| | - Subhasree Nag
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106
| | - Jianwei Zhou
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Toxicology, Cancer Center, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, P. R. China
| | - Ruiwen Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106.,Center for Cancer Biology and Therapy, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106
| |
Collapse
|
|
17
|
Mayr C, Wagner A, Neureiter D, Pichler M, Jakab M, Illig R, Berr F, Kiesslich T. The green tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate induces cell cycle arrest and shows potential synergism with cisplatin in biliary tract cancer cells. Altern Ther Health Med 2015; 15:194. [PMID: 26100134 PMCID: PMC4477611 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-015-0721-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background The green tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was shown to effectively inhibit tumor growth in various types of cancer including biliary tract cancer (BTC). For most BTC patients only palliative therapy is possible, leading to a median survival of about one year. Chemoresistance is a major problem that contributes to the high mortality rates of BTC. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effect of EGCG alone or in combination with cisplatin on eight BTC cell lines and to investigate the cellular anti-cancer mechanisms of EGCG. Methods The effect of EGCG treatment alone or in combination with the standard chemotherapeutic cisplatin on cell viability was analyzed in eight BTC cell lines. Additionally, we analyzed the effects of EGCG on caspase activity, cell cycle distribution and gene expression in the BTC cell line TFK-1. Results EGCG significantly reduced cell viability in all eight BTC cell lines (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01, respectively, for most cell lines and EGCG concentrations > 5 μM). Combined EGCG and cisplatin treatment showed a synergistic cytotoxic effect in five cell lines and an antagonistic effect in two cell lines. Furthermore, EGCG reduced the mRNA levels of various cell cycle-related genes, while increasing the expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p21 and the apoptosis-related death receptor 5 (p < 0.05). This observation was accompanied by an increase in caspase activity and cells in the sub-G1 phase of the cell cycle, indicating induction of apoptosis. EGCG also induced a down-regulation of expression of stem cell-related genes and genes that are associated with an aggressive clinical character of the tumor, such as cd133 and abcg2. Conclusions EGCG shows various anti-cancer effects in BTC cell lines and might therefore be a potential anticancer drug for future studies in BTC. Additionally, EGCG displays a synergistic cytotoxic effect with cisplatin in most tested BTC cell lines. Summary illustration ![]()
Collapse
|