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Khozooei S, Veerappan S, Toulany M. YB-1 activating cascades as potential targets in KRAS-mutated tumors. Strahlenther Onkol 2023; 199:1110-1127. [PMID: 37268766 DOI: 10.1007/s00066-023-02092-8] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Y‑box binding protein‑1 (YB-1) is a multifunctional protein that is highly expressed in human solid tumors of various entities. Several cellular processes, e.g. cell cycle progression, cancer stemness and DNA damage signaling that are involved in the response to chemoradiotherapy (CRT) are tightly governed by YB‑1. KRAS gene with about 30% mutations in all cancers, is considered the most commonly mutated oncogene in human cancers. Accumulating evidence indicates that oncogenic KRAS mediates CRT resistance. AKT and p90 ribosomal S6 kinase are downstream of KRAS and are the major kinases that stimulate YB‑1 phosphorylation. Thus, there is a close link between the KRAS mutation status and YB‑1 activity. In this review paper, we highlight the importance of the KRAS/YB‑1 cascade in the response of KRAS-mutated solid tumors to CRT. Likewise, the opportunities to interfere with this pathway to improve CRT outcome are discussed in light of the current literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayan Khozooei
- Division of Radiobiology and Molecular Environmental Research, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Soundaram Veerappan
- Division of Radiobiology and Molecular Environmental Research, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Mahmoud Toulany
- Division of Radiobiology and Molecular Environmental Research, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
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2
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Kichina JV, Maslov A, Kandel ES. PAK1 and Therapy Resistance in Melanoma. Cells 2023; 12:2373. [PMID: 37830586 PMCID: PMC10572217 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192373] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma claims more lives than any other skin malignancy. While primary melanomas are usually cured via surgical excision, the metastatic form of the disease portents a poor prognosis. Decades of intense research has yielded an extensive armamentarium of anti-melanoma therapies, ranging from genotoxic chemo- and radiotherapies to targeted interventions in specific signaling pathways and immune functions. Unfortunately, even the most up-to-date embodiments of these therapies are not curative for the majority of metastatic melanoma patients, and the need to improve their efficacy is widely recognized. Here, we review the reports that implicate p21-regulated kinase 1 (PAK1) and PAK1-related pathways in the response of melanoma to various therapeutic modalities. Ample data suggest that PAK1 may decrease cell sensitivity to programmed cell death, provide additional stimulation to growth-promoting molecular pathways, and contribute to the creation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Accordingly, there is mounting evidence that the concomitant inhibition of PAK1 enhances the potency of various anti-melanoma regimens. Overall, the available information suggests that a safe and effective inhibition of PAK1-dependent molecular processes would enhance the potency of the currently available anti-melanoma treatments, although considerable challenges in implementing such strategies still exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia V. Kichina
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton St., Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Alexei Maslov
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton St., Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Eugene S. Kandel
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton St., Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
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3
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Li CC, Chi XJ, Wang J, Potter AL, Wang XJ, Yang CFJ. Small molecule RAF265 as an antiviral therapy acts against HSV-1 by regulating cytoskeleton rearrangement and cellular translation machinery. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28226. [PMID: 36251738 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Host-targeting antivirals (HTAs) have received increasing attention for their potential as broad-spectrum antivirals that pose relatively low risk of developing drug resistance. The repurposing of pharmaceutical drugs for use as antivirals is emerging as a cost- and time- efficient approach to developing HTAs for the treatment of a variety of viral infections. In this study, we used a virus titer method to screen 30 small molecules for antiviral activity against Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). We found that the small molecule RAF265, an anticancer drug that has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of B-RAF V600E, reduced viral loads of HSV-1 by 4 orders of magnitude in Vero cells and reduced virus proliferation in vivo. RAF265 mediated cytoskeleton rearrangement and targeted the host cell's translation machinery, which suggests that the antiviral activity of RAF265 may be attributed to a dual inhibition strategy. This study offers a starting point for further advances toward clinical development of antivirals against HSV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui-Cui Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Chi
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Alexandra L Potter
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Xiao-Jia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Chi-Fu Jeffrey Yang
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Division of Thoracic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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4
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Bagheri-Yarmand R, Busaidy NL, McBeath E, Danysh BP, Evans KW, Moss TJ, Akcakanat A, Ng PKS, Knippler CM, Golden JA, Williams MD, Multani AS, Cabanillas ME, Shaw KR, Meric-Bernstam F, Shah MH, Ringel MD, Hofmann MC. RAC1 Alterations Induce Acquired Dabrafenib Resistance in Association with Anaplastic Transformation in a Papillary Thyroid Cancer Patient. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4950. [PMID: 34638434 PMCID: PMC8507731 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BRAF-activating mutations are the most frequent driver mutations in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Targeted inhibitors such as dabrafenib have been used in advanced BRAF-mutated PTC; however, acquired resistance to the drug is common and little is known about other effectors that may play integral roles in this resistance. In addition, the induction of PTC dedifferentiation into highly aggressive KRAS-driven anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) has been reported. We detected a novel RAC1 (P34R) mutation acquired during dabrafenib treatment in a progressive metastatic lesion with ATC phenotype. To identify a potential functional link between this novel mutation and tumor dedifferentiation, we developed a cell line derived from the metastatic lesion and compared its behavior to isogenic cell lines and primary tumor samples. Our data demonstrated that RAC1 mutations induce changes in cell morphology, reorganization of F-actin almost exclusively at the cell cortex, and changes in cell adhesion properties. We also established that RAC1 amplification, with or without mutation, is sufficient to drive cell proliferation and resistance to BRAF inhibition. Further, we identified polyploidy of chromosome 7, which harbors RAC1, in both the metastatic lesion and its derived cell line. Copy number amplification and overexpression of other genes located on this chromosome, such as TWIST1, EGFR, and MET were also detected, which might also lead to dabrafenib resistance. Our study suggests that polyploidy leading to increased expression of specific genes, particularly those located on chromosome 7, should be considered when analyzing aggressive thyroid tumor samples and in further treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rozita Bagheri-Yarmand
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.B.-Y.); (N.L.B.); (E.M.); (B.P.D.); (J.A.G.); (M.E.C.)
| | - Naifa L. Busaidy
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.B.-Y.); (N.L.B.); (E.M.); (B.P.D.); (J.A.G.); (M.E.C.)
| | - Elena McBeath
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.B.-Y.); (N.L.B.); (E.M.); (B.P.D.); (J.A.G.); (M.E.C.)
| | - Brian P. Danysh
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.B.-Y.); (N.L.B.); (E.M.); (B.P.D.); (J.A.G.); (M.E.C.)
| | - Kurt W. Evans
- Department of Investigative Cancer Therapeutics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (K.W.E.); (A.A.); (P.K.S.N.); (K.R.S.); (F.M.-B.)
| | - Tyler J. Moss
- Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Argun Akcakanat
- Department of Investigative Cancer Therapeutics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (K.W.E.); (A.A.); (P.K.S.N.); (K.R.S.); (F.M.-B.)
| | - Patrick K. S. Ng
- Department of Investigative Cancer Therapeutics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (K.W.E.); (A.A.); (P.K.S.N.); (K.R.S.); (F.M.-B.)
| | - Christina M. Knippler
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (C.M.K.); (M.D.R.)
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jalyn A. Golden
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.B.-Y.); (N.L.B.); (E.M.); (B.P.D.); (J.A.G.); (M.E.C.)
| | - Michelle D. Williams
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Asha S. Multani
- Department of Genetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Maria E. Cabanillas
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.B.-Y.); (N.L.B.); (E.M.); (B.P.D.); (J.A.G.); (M.E.C.)
| | - Kenna R. Shaw
- Department of Investigative Cancer Therapeutics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (K.W.E.); (A.A.); (P.K.S.N.); (K.R.S.); (F.M.-B.)
| | - Funda Meric-Bernstam
- Department of Investigative Cancer Therapeutics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (K.W.E.); (A.A.); (P.K.S.N.); (K.R.S.); (F.M.-B.)
| | - Manisha H. Shah
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Matthew D. Ringel
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (C.M.K.); (M.D.R.)
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Marie Claude Hofmann
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.B.-Y.); (N.L.B.); (E.M.); (B.P.D.); (J.A.G.); (M.E.C.)
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5
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Novel and Potent Small Molecules against Melanoma Harboring BRAF Class I/II/III Mutants for Overcoming Drug Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073783. [PMID: 33917428 PMCID: PMC8038755 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma accounts for the majority of skin cancer deaths. About 50% of all melanomas are associated with BRAF mutations. BRAF mutations are classified into three classes with regard to dependency on RAF dimerization and RAS signaling. The most frequently occurring class I BRAF V600 mutations are sensitive to vemurafenib whereas class II and class III mutants, non-V600 BRAF mutants are resistant to vemurafenib. Herein we report six pyrimido[4,5-d]pyrimidin-2-one derivatives possessing highly potent anti-proliferative activities on melanoma cells harboring BRAF class I/II/III mutants. Novel and most potent derivative, SIJ1777, possesses not only two-digit nanomolar potency but also 2 to 14-fold enhanced anti-proliferative activities compared with reference compound, GNF-7 against melanoma cells (SK-MEL-2, SK-MEL-28, A375, WM3670, WM3629). Moreover, SIJ1777 substantially inhibits the activation of MEK, ERK, and AKT and remarkably induces apoptosis and significantly blocks migration, invasion, and anchorage-independent growth of melanoma cells harboring BRAF class I/II/II mutations while both vemurafenib and PLX8394 have little to no effects on melanoma cells expressing BRAF class II/III mutations. Taken together, our six GNF-7 derivatives exhibit highly potent activities against melanoma cells harboring class I/II/III BRAF mutations compared with vemurafenib as well as PLX8394.
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Rajan N, Khanal T, Ringel MD. Progression and dormancy in metastatic thyroid cancer: concepts and clinical implications. Endocrine 2020; 70:24-35. [PMID: 32779092 PMCID: PMC7530083 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-020-02453-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Distant metastasis classically has been defined as a late-stage event in cancer progression. However, it has become clear that metastases also may occur early in the "lifetime" of a cancer and that they may remain stable at distant sites. This stability of metastatic cancer deposits has been termed "metastatic dormancy" or, as we term it, "metastatic progression dormancy" as the progression either may reflect growth of already existing metastases or new cancer spread. Biologically, dormancy is the presence of nongrowing, static metastatic cells that survive over time. Clinically, dormancy is defined by stability in tumor markers, imaging, and clinical course. Metastatic well-differentiated thyroid cancer offers an excellent tumor type to understand these processes for several reasons: (1) primary therapy often includes removal of the entire gland with ablation of residual normal tissue thereby removing one source for new metastases; (2) the presence of a sensitive biochemical and radiographic monitoring tests enabling monitoring of metastasis throughout the progression process; and (3) its tendency toward prolonged clinical dormancy that can last for years or decades be followed by progression. This latter factor provides opportunities to define therapeutic targets and/or markers of progression. In this review, we will discuss concepts of metastatic progression dormancy and the factors that drive both long-term stability and loss of dormancy with a focus on thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neel Rajan
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Arthur G. James Comprehensive Center, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Tilak Khanal
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Arthur G. James Comprehensive Center, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Matthew D Ringel
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Arthur G. James Comprehensive Center, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
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7
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Bautista L, Knippler CM, Ringel MD. p21-Activated Kinases in Thyroid Cancer. Endocrinology 2020; 161:bqaa105. [PMID: 32609833 PMCID: PMC7417880 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The family of p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are oncogenic proteins that regulate critical cellular functions. PAKs play central signaling roles in the integrin/CDC42/Rho, ERK/MAPK, PI3K/AKT, NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, functioning both as kinases and scaffolds to regulate cell motility, mitosis and proliferation, cytoskeletal rearrangement, and other cellular activities. PAKs have been implicated in both the development and progression of a wide range of cancers, including breast cancer, pancreatic melanoma, thyroid cancer, and others. Here we will discuss the current knowledge on the structure and biological functions of both group I and group II PAKs, as well as the roles that PAKs play in oncogenesis and progression, with a focus on thyroid cancer and emerging data regarding BRAF/PAK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Bautista
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, and Cancer Biology Program, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Christina M Knippler
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, and Cancer Biology Program, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University and Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Matthew D Ringel
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, and Cancer Biology Program, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
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Yao D, Li C, Rajoka MSR, He Z, Huang J, Wang J, Zhang J. P21-Activated Kinase 1: Emerging biological functions and potential therapeutic targets in Cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:9741-9766. [PMID: 32863957 PMCID: PMC7449905 DOI: 10.7150/thno.46913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The p21-Activated kinase 1 (PAK1), a member of serine-threonine kinases family, was initially identified as an interactor of the Rho GTPases RAC1 and CDC42, which affect a wide range of processes associated with cell motility, survival, metabolism, cell cycle, proliferation, transformation, stress, inflammation, and gene expression. Recently, the PAK1 has emerged as a potential therapeutic target in cancer due to its role in many oncogenic signaling pathways. Many PAK1 inhibitors have been developed as potential preclinical agents for cancer therapy. Here, we provide an overview of essential roles that PAK1 plays in cancer, including its structure and autoactivation mechanism, its crucial function from onset to progression to metastasis, metabolism, immune escape and even drug resistance in cancer; endogenous regulators; and cancer-related pathways. We also summarize the reported PAK1 small-molecule inhibitors based on their structure types and their potential application in cancer. In addition, we provide overviews on current progress and future challenges of PAK1 in cancer, hoping to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
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9
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Knippler CM, Saji M, Rajan N, Porter K, La Perle KMD, Ringel MD. MAPK- and AKT-activated thyroid cancers are sensitive to group I PAK inhibition. Endocr Relat Cancer 2019; 26:699-712. [PMID: 31146260 PMCID: PMC7062234 DOI: 10.1530/erc-19-0188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The number of individuals who succumb to thyroid cancer has been increasing and those who are refractory to standard care have limited therapeutic options, highlighting the importance of developing new treatments for patients with aggressive forms of the disease. Mutational activation of MAPK signaling, through BRAF and RAS mutations and/or gene rearrangements, and activation of PI3K signaling, through mutational activation of PIK3CA or loss of PTEN, are well described in aggressive thyroid cancer. We previously reported overactivation and overexpression of p21-activated kinases (PAKs) in aggressive human thyroid cancer invasive fronts and determined that PAK1 functionally regulated thyroid cancer cell migration. We reported mechanistic crosstalk between the MAPK and PAK pathways that are BRAF-dependent but MEK independent, suggesting that PAK and MEK inhibition might be synergistic. In the present study, we tested this hypothesis. Pharmacologic inhibition of group I PAKs using two PAK kinase inhibitors, G-5555 or FRAX1036, reduced thyroid cancer cell viability, cell cycle progression and migration and invasion, with greater potency for G-5555. Combination of G-5555 with vemurafenib was synergistic in BRAFV600E-mutated thyroid cancer cell lines. Finally, G-5555 restrained thyroid size of BRAFV600E-driven murine papillary thyroid cancer by >50% (P < 0.0001) and reduced carcinoma formation (P = 0.0167), despite maintenance of MAPK activity. Taken together, these findings suggest both that group I PAKs may be a new therapeutic target for thyroid cancer and that PAK activation is functionally important for BRAFV600E-mediated thyroid cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M. Knippler
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Motoyasu Saji
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Neel Rajan
- College of Arts and Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Kyle Porter
- Center for Biostatistics, Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Krista M. D. La Perle
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Comparative Pathology & Mouse Phenotyping Shared Resource, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Matthew D. Ringel
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- To whom correspondence should be addressed: Matthew D. Ringel, MD, Ralph W. Kurtz Professor of Medicine, Director, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University College of Medicine & Comprehensive Cancer Center, McCampbell Hall, Room 565, 1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, Tel: 614-685-3333,
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10
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Valvo V, Nucera C. Coding Molecular Determinants of Thyroid Cancer Development and Progression. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am 2019; 48:37-59. [PMID: 30717910 PMCID: PMC6366338 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecl.2018.10.003] [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] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. Its incidence and mortality rates have increased for patients with advanced-stage papillary thyroid cancer. The characterization of the molecular pathways essential in thyroid cancer initiation and progression has made huge progress, underlining the role of intracellular signaling to promote clonal evolution, dedifferentiation, metastasis, and drug resistance. The discovery of genetic alterations that include mutations (BRAF, hTERT), translocations, deletions (eg, 9p), and copy-number gain (eg, 1q) has provided new biological insights with clinical applications. Understanding how molecular pathways interplay is one of the key strategies to develop new therapeutic treatments and improve prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Valvo
- Laboratory of Human Thyroid Cancers Preclinical and Translational Research, Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, Cancer Research Institute (CRI), Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 99 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Pathology, Center for Vascular Biology Research (CVBR), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 99 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Carmelo Nucera
- Laboratory of Human Thyroid Cancers Preclinical and Translational Research, Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, Cancer Research Institute (CRI), Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 99 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Pathology, Center for Vascular Biology Research (CVBR), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 99 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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11
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Gu Y, Yang N, Yin L, Feng C, Liu T. Inhibitory roles of miR‑9 on papillary thyroid cancer through targeting BRAF. Mol Med Rep 2018; 18:965-972. [PMID: 29767243 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.9010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA‑9 (miR‑9) is reported to be underexpressed in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tissues; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying the implication of miR‑9 in PTC have yet to be elucidated. The present study aimed to explore the potential roles of miR‑9 in PTC. PTC tissue samples and paired non‑cancerous adjacent tissues were collected from 60 patients with PTC. The human TPC‑1 thyroid gland papillary carcinoma cell line was used to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the roles of miR‑9 in PTC. The levels of miR‑9 and its downstream target gene BRAF were detected through reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction. MTT assay and flow cytometry were performed to evaluate cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. A mouse xenograft tumor model was established to observe the effects of miR‑9 on thyroid gland tumorigenesis in vivo. The present study revealed that the expression of miR‑9 was significantly reduced in PTC tissues compared with paired normal tissues. In addition, miR‑9 upregulation suppressed the expression of BRAF in TPC‑1 cells in vitro. Luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that BRAF may be a direct target gene of miR‑9 in TPC‑1 cells. In addition, following transfection with miR‑9 mimics, the viability of TPC‑1 cells was suppressed and their apoptosis was enhanced; conversely, transfection with miR‑9 inhibitor exerted the opposite effects in vitro. miR‑9 overexpression or downregulation also affected in vivo PTC tumorigenesis in athymic mice. The present findings suggested that miR‑9 may suppress the viability of PTC cells and inhibit tumor growth through directly targeting the expression of BRAF in PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Gu
- Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Nan Yang
- College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, P.R. China
| | - Leping Yin
- Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Chao Feng
- Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Tong Liu
- Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
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12
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Anelli V, Villefranc JA, Chhangawala S, Martinez-McFaline R, Riva E, Nguyen A, Verma A, Bareja R, Chen Z, Scognamiglio T, Elemento O, Houvras Y. Oncogenic BRAF disrupts thyroid morphogenesis and function via twist expression. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28350298 PMCID: PMC5389860 DOI: 10.7554/elife.20728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is common, yet the sequence of alterations that promote tumor formation are incompletely understood. Here, we describe a novel model of thyroid carcinoma in zebrafish that reveals temporal changes due to BRAFV600E. Through the use of real-time in vivo imaging, we observe disruption in thyroid follicle structure that occurs early in thyroid development. Combinatorial treatment using BRAF and MEK inhibitors reversed the developmental effects induced by BRAFV600E. Adult zebrafish expressing BRAFV600E in thyrocytes developed invasive carcinoma. We identified a gene expression signature from zebrafish thyroid cancer that is predictive of disease-free survival in patients with papillary thyroid cancer. Gene expression studies nominated TWIST2 as a key effector downstream of BRAF. Using CRISPR/Cas9 to genetically inactivate a TWIST2 orthologue, we suppressed the effects of BRAFV600E and restored thyroid morphology and hormone synthesis. These data suggest that expression of TWIST2 plays a role in an early step of BRAFV600E-mediated transformation. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.20728.001
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Anelli
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York City, United States
| | - Jacques A Villefranc
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York City, United States
| | - Sagar Chhangawala
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York City, United States
| | - Raul Martinez-McFaline
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York City, United States
| | - Eleonora Riva
- Section of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Science, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Anvy Nguyen
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York City, United States
| | - Akanksha Verma
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, United States.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, United States
| | - Rohan Bareja
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, United States.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, United States
| | - Zhengming Chen
- Department of Healthcare Policy & Research, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, United States
| | - Theresa Scognamiglio
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York City, United States
| | - Olivier Elemento
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, United States.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, United States
| | - Yariv Houvras
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York City, United States.,Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York City, United States.,Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York City, United States
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13
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Babagana M, Johnson S, Slabodkin H, Bshara W, Morrison C, Kandel ES. P21-activated kinase 1 regulates resistance to BRAF inhibition in human cancer cells. Mol Carcinog 2017; 56:1515-1525. [PMID: 28052407 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BRAF is a commonly mutated oncogene in various human malignancies and a target of a new class of anti-cancer agents, BRAF-inhibitors (BRAFi). The initial enthusiasm for these agents, based on the early successes in the management of metastatic melanoma, is now challenged by the mounting evidence of intrinsic BRAFi-insensitivity in many BRAF-mutated tumors, by the scarcity of complete responses, and by the inevitable emergence of drug resistance in initially responsive cases. These setbacks put an emphasis on discovering the means to increase the efficacy of BRAFi and to prevent or overcome BRAFi-resistance. We explored the role of p21-activated kinases (PAKs), in particular PAK1, in BRAFi response. BRAFi lowered the levels of active PAK1 in treated cells. An activated form of PAK1 conferred BRAFi-resistance on otherwise sensitive cells, while genetic or pharmacologic suppression of PAK1 had a sensitizing effect. While activation of AKT1 and RAC1 proto-oncogenes increased BRAFi-tolerance, the protective effect was negated in the presence of PAK inhibitors. Furthermore, combining otherwise ineffective doses of PAK- and BRAF-inhibitors synergistically affected intrinsically BRAFi-resistant cells. Considering the high incidence of PAK1 activation in cancers, our findings suggests PAK inhibition as a strategy to augment BRAFi therapy and overcome some of the well-known resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahamat Babagana
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, New York
| | - Sydney Johnson
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, New York
| | - Hannah Slabodkin
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, New York
| | - Wiam Bshara
- Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, New York
| | - Carl Morrison
- Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, New York
| | - Eugene S Kandel
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, New York
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14
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Kumar R, Li DQ. PAKs in Human Cancer Progression: From Inception to Cancer Therapeutic to Future Oncobiology. Adv Cancer Res 2016; 130:137-209. [PMID: 27037753 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2016.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Since the initial recognition of a mechanistic role of p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) in breast cancer invasion, PAK1 has emerged as one of the widely overexpressed or hyperactivated kinases in human cancer at-large, allowing the PAK family to make in-roads in cancer biology, tumorigenesis, and cancer therapeutics. Much of our current understanding of the PAK family in cancer progression relates to a central role of the PAK family in the integration of cancer-promoting signals from cell membrane receptors as well as function as a key nexus-modifier of complex, cytoplasmic signaling network. Another core aspect of PAK signaling that highlights its importance in cancer progression is through PAK's central role in the cross talk with signaling and interacting proteins, as well as PAK's position as a key player in the phosphorylation of effector substrates to engage downstream components that ultimately leads to the development cancerous phenotypes. Here we provide a comprehensive review of the recent advances in PAK cancer research and its downstream substrates in the context of invasion, nuclear signaling and localization, gene expression, and DNA damage response. We discuss how a deeper understanding of PAK1's pathobiology over the years has widened research interest to the PAK family and human cancer, and positioning the PAK family as a promising cancer therapeutic target either alone or in combination with other therapies. With many landmark findings and leaps in the progress of PAK cancer research since the infancy of this field nearly 20 years ago, we also discuss postulated advances in the coming decade as the PAK family continues to shape the future of oncobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Kumar
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States; Rajiv Gandhi Center of Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India.
| | - D-Q Li
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Epigenetics in Shanghai, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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