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Avery TY, Köhler N, Zeiser R, Brummer T, Ruess DA. Onco-immunomodulatory properties of pharmacological interference with RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway hyperactivation. Front Oncol 2022; 12:931774. [PMID: 35965494 PMCID: PMC9363660 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.931774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperactivation of the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK cascade - a mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway – has a well-known association with oncogenesis of leading tumor entities, including non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal carcinoma, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Increasing evidence shows that genetic alterations leading to RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway hyperactivation mediate contact- and soluble-dependent crosstalk between tumor, tumor microenvironment (TME) and the immune system resulting in immune escape mechanisms and establishment of a tumor-sustaining environment. Consequently, pharmacological interruption of this pathway not only leads to tumor-cell intrinsic disruptive effects but also modification of the TME and anti-tumor immunomodulation. At the same time, the importance of ERK signaling in immune cell physiology and potentiation of anti-tumor immune responses through ERK signaling inhibition within immune cell subsets has received growing appreciation. Specifically, a strong case was made for targeted MEK inhibition due to promising associated immune cell intrinsic modulatory effects. However, the successful transition of therapeutic agents interrupting RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK hyperactivation is still being hampered by significant limitations regarding durable efficacy, therapy resistance and toxicity. We here collate and summarize the multifaceted role of RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling in physiology and oncoimmunology and outline the rationale and concepts for exploitation of immunomodulatory properties of RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK inhibition while accentuating the role of MEK inhibition in combinatorial and intermittent anticancer therapy. Furthermore, we point out the extensive scientific efforts dedicated to overcoming the challenges encountered during the clinical transition of various therapeutic agents in the search for the most effective and safe patient- and tumor-tailored treatment approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Yul Avery
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Center of Surgery, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Thomas Yul Avery, ; Dietrich Alexander Ruess,
| | - Natalie Köhler
- Department of Medicine I - Medical Center, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Robert Zeiser
- Department of Medicine I - Medical Center, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium Deutsches Konsortium Translationale Krebsforschung (DKTK), partner site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tilman Brummer
- German Cancer Consortium Deutsches Konsortium Translationale Krebsforschung (DKTK), partner site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research (IMMZ), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg (CCCF), Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dietrich Alexander Ruess
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Center of Surgery, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium Deutsches Konsortium Translationale Krebsforschung (DKTK), partner site Freiburg, German Cancer Research Center Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Thomas Yul Avery, ; Dietrich Alexander Ruess,
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HO-1 Limits the Efficacy of Vemurafenib/PLX4032 in BRAF V600E Mutated Melanoma Cells Adapted to Physiological Normoxia or Hypoxia. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11061171. [PMID: 35740068 PMCID: PMC9219655 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11061171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Induction of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) favors immune-escape in BRAFV600 melanoma cells treated with Vemurafenib/PLX4032 under standard cell culture conditions. However, the oxygen tension under standard culture conditions (~18 kPa O2) is significantly higher than the physiological oxygen levels encountered in vivo. In addition, cancer cells in vivo are often modified by hypoxia. In this study, MeOV-1 primary melanoma cells bearing the BRAFV600E mutation, were adapted to either 5 kPa O2 (physiological normoxia) or 1 kPa O2 (hypoxia) and then exposed to 10 μM PLX4032. PLX4032 abolished ERK phosphorylation, reduced Bach1 expression and increased HO-1 levels independent of pericellular O2 tension. Moreover, cell viability was significantly reduced further in cells exposed to PLX4032 plus Tin mesoporphyrin IX, a HO-1 inhibitor. Notably, our findings provide the first evidence that HO-1 inhibition in combination with PLX4032 under physiological oxygen tension and hypoxia restores and increases the expression of the NK ligands ULBP3 and B7H6 compared to cells exposed to PLX4032 alone. Interestingly, although silencing NRF2 prevented PLX4032 induction of HO-1, other NRF2 targeted genes were unaffected, highlighting a pivotal role of HO-1 in melanoma resistance and immune escape. The present findings may enhance translation and highlight the potential of the HO-1 inhibitors in the therapy of BRAFV600 melanomas.
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Zerfaoui M, Toraih E, Ruiz E, Errami Y, Attia AS, Krzysztof M, Abd Elmageed ZY, Kandil E. Nuclear Localization of BRAF V600E Is Associated with HMOX-1 Upregulation and Aggressive Behavior of Melanoma Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020311. [PMID: 35053476 PMCID: PMC8773521 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite some successes of selective anti-BRAFV600E inhibitors, resistance remains a major challenge. The aim of our study is to determine the role of nuclear BRAFV600E and its newly identified partner, HMOX1, in melanoma aggressiveness and drug resistance. We identified the mechanism by which drug resistance is developed via the nuclear localization of BRAFV600E and its partner HMOX1 in melanoma tissues and cell lines. According to our studies, the outcomes of our manuscript have a direct clinical impact on establishing novel prognostic markers and therapeutic intervention strategies in metastatic melanoma. This study provides new information on the ability to selectively classify patients with cytosolic BRAF for selective BRAF inhibitors and offers an alternative treatment to patients with nuclear BRAFV600E and high HMOX1 expressions. Abstract Background: Previously, we have demonstrated that nuclear BRAFV600E is associated with melanoma aggressiveness and vemurafenib resistance. However, the underlying mechanisms of how nuclear localization of BRAFV600E promotes cell aggressiveness have not yet been investigated. Despite therapeutic advancements targeting cutaneous melanoma, unknown cellular processes prevent effective treatment for this malignancy, prompting an urgent need to identify new biological targets. This study aims to explore the association of inducible heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX-1) with nuclear BRAFV600E in promoting melanoma aggressiveness. Methods: Proteomics analysis was performed to identify the interacting partner(s) of nuclear BRAFV600E. Immunohistochemistry was applied to evaluate the levels of HMOX-1 and nuclear BRAFV600E expression in melanoma and adjacent healthy tissues. Immunofluorescence assessed the nuclear localization of BRAFV600E in vemurafenib-resistant A375R melanoma cells. Further study of HMOX-1 knockdown or BRAFV600E overexpression in melanoma cells suggested a role for HMOX-1 in the regulation of cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro. Finally, Western blot analysis was performed to confirm the pathway by which HMOX-1 mediates Akt signaling. Results: Proteomics results showed that HMOX-1 protein expression was 10-fold higher in resistant A375R cells compared to parental counterpart cells. In vitro and in vivo results illustrate that nuclear BRAFV600E promotes HMOX-1 overexpression, whereas HMOX-1 reduction represses melanoma cell proliferation and tumor growth. Mechanistic studies revealed that HMOX-1 was associated with nuclear BRAFV600E localization, thus promoting melanoma proliferation via a persistent activation of the AKT pathway. Conclusions: Our results highlight a previously unknown mechanism in which the nuclear BRAFV600E/HMOX-1/AKT axis plays an essential role in melanoma cell proliferation. Targeting HMOX-1 could be a novel method for treating melanoma patients who develop BRAF inhibitor resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mourad Zerfaoui
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (E.T.); (E.R.); (Y.E.); (A.S.A.); (Z.Y.A.E.); (E.K.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Eman Toraih
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (E.T.); (E.R.); (Y.E.); (A.S.A.); (Z.Y.A.E.); (E.K.)
| | - Emmanuelle Ruiz
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (E.T.); (E.R.); (Y.E.); (A.S.A.); (Z.Y.A.E.); (E.K.)
| | - Youssef Errami
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (E.T.); (E.R.); (Y.E.); (A.S.A.); (Z.Y.A.E.); (E.K.)
| | - Abdallah S. Attia
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (E.T.); (E.R.); (Y.E.); (A.S.A.); (Z.Y.A.E.); (E.K.)
| | - Moroz Krzysztof
- Department of Pathology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Zakaria Y. Abd Elmageed
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (E.T.); (E.R.); (Y.E.); (A.S.A.); (Z.Y.A.E.); (E.K.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Louisiana, Monroe, LA 71203, USA
| | - Emad Kandil
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (E.T.); (E.R.); (Y.E.); (A.S.A.); (Z.Y.A.E.); (E.K.)
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Damele L, Ottonello S, Mingari MC, Pietra G, Vitale C. Targeted Therapies: Friends or Foes for Patient's NK Cell-Mediated Tumor Immune-Surveillance? Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12040774. [PMID: 32218226 PMCID: PMC7226262 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last 20 years there has been a huge increase in the number of novel drugs for cancer treatment. Most of them exploit their ability to target specific oncogenic mutations in the tumors (targeted therapies–TT), while others target the immune-checkpoint inhibitor molecules (ICI) or the epigenetic DNA modifications. Among them, TT are the longest established drugs exploited against a wide spectrum of both solid and hematological tumors, often with reasonable costs and good efficacy as compared to other innovative therapies (i.e., ICI). Although they have greatly improved the treatment of cancer patients and their survival, patients often relapse or develop drug-resistance, leading to the impossibility to eradicate the disease. The outcome of TT has been often correlated with their ability to affect not only tumor cells, but also the repertoire of immune cells and their ability to interact with cancer cells. Thus, the possibility to create novel synergies among drugs an immunotherapy prompted scientists and physicians to deeply characterize the effects of TT on immune cells both by in-vitro and by ex-vivo analyses. In this context, NK cells may represent a key issue, since they have been shown to exert a potent anti-tumor activity, both against hematological malignancies and solid tumors. In the present review we will discuss most recent ex-vivo analyses that clarify the effect of TT treatment on patient’s NK cells comparing them with clinical outcome and previous in-vitro data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Damele
- UO Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (L.D.); (S.O.); (M.C.M.); (G.P.)
| | - Selene Ottonello
- UO Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (L.D.); (S.O.); (M.C.M.); (G.P.)
| | - Maria Cristina Mingari
- UO Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (L.D.); (S.O.); (M.C.M.); (G.P.)
- Dipartimento Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), Università degli Studi di Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), Università degli Studi di Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pietra
- UO Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (L.D.); (S.O.); (M.C.M.); (G.P.)
- Dipartimento Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), Università degli Studi di Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Chiara Vitale
- UO Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (L.D.); (S.O.); (M.C.M.); (G.P.)
- Dipartimento Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), Università degli Studi di Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Correspondence:
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5
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Furfaro AL, Ottonello S, Loi G, Cossu I, Piras S, Spagnolo F, Queirolo P, Marinari UM, Moretta L, Pronzato MA, Mingari MC, Pietra G, Nitti M. HO-1 downregulation favors BRAF V600 melanoma cell death induced by Vemurafenib/PLX4032 and increases NK recognition. Int J Cancer 2019; 146:1950-1962. [PMID: 31376303 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) plays a pivotal role in preventing cell damage. Indeed, through the antioxidant, antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties of its metabolic products, it favors cell adaptation against different stressors. However, HO-1 induction has also been related to the gain of resistance to therapy in different types of cancers and its involvement in cancer immune-escape has been hypothesized. We have investigated the role of HO-1 expression in Vemurafenib-treated BRAFV600 melanoma cells in modulating their susceptibility to NK cell-mediated recognition. Different cell lines, isolated in house from melanoma patients, have been exposed to 1-10 μM PLX4032, which efficiently reduced ERK phosphorylation. In three lines, Vemurafenib was able to induce only a limited decrease in cell viability, while HO-1 expression was upregulated. HO-1 silencing/inhibition was able to induce a further significant reduction of Vemurafenib-treated melanoma viability. Moreover, while NK cell degranulation and killing activity were decreased upon interaction with melanoma exposed to Vemurafenib, HO-1 silencing was able to completely restore NK cell ability to degranulate and kill. Furthermore, melanoma cell treatment with Vemurafenib downregulated the expression of ligands of NKp30 and NKG2D activating receptors, and HO-1 silencing/inhibition was able to restore their expression. Our results indicate that HO-1 downregulation can both improve the efficacy of Vemurafenib on melanoma cells and favor melanoma susceptibility to NK cell-mediated recognition and killing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Furfaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Selene Ottonello
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,UOC Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,CEBR, Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giulia Loi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Irene Cossu
- UOC Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sabrina Piras
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesco Spagnolo
- UO Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paola Queirolo
- UO Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | | | | | - Maria A Pronzato
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria C Mingari
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,UOC Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.,CEBR, Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pietra
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,UOC Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mariapaola Nitti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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6
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Marconcini R, Spagnolo F, Stucci LS, Ribero S, Marra E, Rosa FD, Picasso V, Di Guardo L, Cimminiello C, Cavalieri S, Orgiano L, Tanda E, Spano L, Falcone A, Queirolo P. Current status and perspectives in immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma. Oncotarget 2018; 9:12452-12470. [PMID: 29552325 PMCID: PMC5844761 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma was the first malignancy in which immune checkpoint inhibitors demonstrated their successful efficacy. Currently, the knowledge on the interaction between the immune system and malignant disease is steadily increasing and new drugs and therapeutic strategies are overlooking in the clinical scenario. To provide a comprehensive overview of immune modulating drugs currently available in the treatment of melanoma as well as to discuss of possible future strategies in the metastatic melanoma setting, the present review aims at analyzing controversial aspects about the optimal immunomodulating treatment sequences, the search for biomarkers of efficacy of immunocheckpoint inhibitors, and innovative combinations of drugs currently under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Marconcini
- Unit of Medical Oncology 2, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria
Pisana, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and
Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Spagnolo
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS AOU San Martino-Istituto
Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy
| | - Luigia Stefania Stucci
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and
Clinical Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Simone Ribero
- Dermatologic Clinic, Department of Medical Sciences,
University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Elena Marra
- Dermatologic Clinic, Department of Medical Sciences,
University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco De Rosa
- Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei
Tumori, IRST IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Virginia Picasso
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS AOU San Martino-Istituto
Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Laura Orgiano
- AOU Cagliari, Department of Medical Oncology, University of
Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Enrica Tanda
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS AOU San Martino-Istituto
Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy
| | - Laura Spano
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS AOU San Martino-Istituto
Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy
| | - Alfredo Falcone
- Unit of Medical Oncology 2, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria
Pisana, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and
Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Queirolo
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS AOU San Martino-Istituto
Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy
| | - for the Italian Melanoma Intergroup (IMI)
- Unit of Medical Oncology 2, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria
Pisana, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and
Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS AOU San Martino-Istituto
Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and
Clinical Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
- Dermatologic Clinic, Department of Medical Sciences,
University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei
Tumori, IRST IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan,
Italy
- AOU Cagliari, Department of Medical Oncology, University of
Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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7
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Tripathi M, Nandana S, Billet S, Cavassani KA, Mishra R, Chung LW, Posadas EM, Bhowmick NA. Modulation of cabozantinib efficacy by the prostate tumor microenvironment. Oncotarget 2017; 8:87891-87902. [PMID: 29152128 PMCID: PMC5675680 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is increasingly recognized as the arbiter of metastatic progression and drug resistance in advanced prostate cancer (PCa). Cabozantinib is a potent tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with reported biological activity in the PCa epithelia, but failed to provide an overall survival benefit in phase 3 clinical trials. However, the promising biologic efficacy of the drug in early trials warranted a better understanding of the mechanism of action, with the goal of improving patient selection for TKI-based therapy such as cabozantinib. We found a 100-fold lower cabozantinib IC50 in macrophages, PCa associated fibroblasts, and bone marrow fibroblasts compared to PCa epithelia. In PCa mouse models, pre-treatment with cabozantinib potentiated osseous and visceral tumor engraftment, suggesting a pro-tumorigenic host response to the drug. We further found that the host effects of cabozantinib impacted bone turnover, but not necessarily tumor expansion. Cabozantinib affected M1 macrophage polarization in mice. Analogously, circulating monocytes from PCa patients treated with cabozantinib, demonstrated a striking correlation of monocyte reprograming with therapeutic bone responsivity, to support patient selection at early stages of treatment. Thus, a re-evaluation of TKI-based therapeutic strategies in PCa can be considered for suitable patient populations based on TME responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manisha Tripathi
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA
| | - Srinivas Nandana
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA
| | - Sandrine Billet
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA
| | - Karen A. Cavassani
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA
| | - Rajeev Mishra
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA
| | - Leland W.K. Chung
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA
| | - Edwin M. Posadas
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA
| | - Neil A. Bhowmick
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA
- Department of Research, Greater Los Angeles Veterans Administration, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA
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8
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Activating NRAS mutations occur in approximately 15-20% of melanomas and are the second most common oncogenic driver mutation in this disease, after BRAF mutations. There is an unmet medical need for new targeted therapy opportunities in metastatic patients whose tumors harbor an NRAS mutation. Binimetinib, a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor, has shown clinical activity in this group of patients. Areas covered: The purpose of this paper was to review the safety, activity and efficacy of the MEK inhibitor binimetinib for the treatment of NRAS-mutant melanoma, as well as to discuss future therapeutic perspectives such as multiple pathways, targeted therapy, and combinations with immunotherapy. Expert commentary: Only a modest progression-free survival (PFS) benefit was observed in NRAS-mutated patients who received binimetinib compared with dacarbazine in a randomized phase 3 clinical trial, with no improvement in overall survival. Nevertheless, binimetinib represents another promising treatment option for advanced melanoma and the first molecularly targeted therapy for the NRAS-mutant population. Binimetinib may also have a role in treating NRAS-mutated melanoma patients after failure of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Queirolo
- a Department of Medical Oncology , Ospedale Policlinico San Martino , Genova , Italy
| | - Francesco Spagnolo
- a Department of Medical Oncology , Ospedale Policlinico San Martino , Genova , Italy
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9
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Patnaik A, Swanson KD, Csizmadia E, Solanki A, Landon-Brace N, Gehring MP, Helenius K, Olson BM, Pyzer AR, Wang LC, Elemento O, Novak J, Thornley TB, Asara JM, Montaser L, Timmons JJ, Morgan TM, Wang Y, Levantini E, Clohessy JG, Kelly K, Pandolfi PP, Rosenblatt JM, Avigan DE, Ye H, Karp JM, Signoretti S, Balk SP, Cantley LC. Cabozantinib Eradicates Advanced Murine Prostate Cancer by Activating Antitumor Innate Immunity. Cancer Discov 2017; 7:750-765. [PMID: 28274958 PMCID: PMC5501767 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-16-0778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Several kinase inhibitors that target aberrant signaling pathways in tumor cells have been deployed in cancer therapy. However, their impact on the tumor immune microenvironment remains poorly understood. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor cabozantinib showed striking responses in cancer clinical trial patients across several malignancies. Here, we show that cabozantinib rapidly eradicates invasive, poorly differentiated PTEN/p53-deficient murine prostate cancer. This was associated with enhanced release of neutrophil chemotactic factors from tumor cells, including CXCL12 and HMGB1, resulting in robust infiltration of neutrophils into the tumor. Critically, cabozantinib-induced tumor clearance in mice was abolished by antibody-mediated granulocyte depletion or HMGB1 neutralization or blockade of neutrophil chemotaxis with the CXCR4 inhibitor plerixafor. Collectively, these data demonstrate that cabozantinib triggers a neutrophil-mediated anticancer innate immune response, resulting in tumor clearance.Significance: This study is the first to demonstrate that a tyrosine kinase inhibitor can activate neutrophil-mediated antitumor innate immunity, resulting in invasive cancer clearance. Cancer Discov; 7(7); 750-65. ©2017 AACR.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 653.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash Patnaik
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Beth Israel Deaconess Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- The University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kenneth D Swanson
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Eva Csizmadia
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Aniruddh Solanki
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Natalie Landon-Brace
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Marina P Gehring
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Aplicada, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Katja Helenius
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Brian M Olson
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- The University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Athalia R Pyzer
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lily C Wang
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Olivier Elemento
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Jesse Novak
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Thomas B Thornley
- Transplant Institute and Immunology Program, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - John M Asara
- Division of Signal Transduction, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Laleh Montaser
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joshua J Timmons
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Todd M Morgan
- Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Yugang Wang
- Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Elena Levantini
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - John G Clohessy
- Beth Israel Deaconess Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Preclinical Murine Pharmacogenetics Facility, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kathleen Kelly
- Laboratory of Genitourinary Cancer Pathogenesis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Pier Paolo Pandolfi
- Beth Israel Deaconess Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jacalyn M Rosenblatt
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Beth Israel Deaconess Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David E Avigan
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Beth Israel Deaconess Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Huihui Ye
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jeffrey M Karp
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sabina Signoretti
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Steven P Balk
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Beth Israel Deaconess Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lewis C Cantley
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
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10
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Messaoudene M, Frazao A, Gavlovsky PJ, Toubert A, Dulphy N, Caignard A. Patient's Natural Killer Cells in the Era of Targeted Therapies: Role for Tumor Killers. Front Immunol 2017; 8:683. [PMID: 28659921 PMCID: PMC5466965 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are potent antitumor effectors, involved in hematological malignancies and solid tumor immunosurveillance. They infiltrate various solid tumors, and their numbers are correlated with good outcome. The function of NK cells extends their lytic capacities toward tumor cells expressing stress-induced ligands, through secretion of immunoregulatory cytokines, and interactions with other immune cells. Altered NK cell function due to tumor immune escape is frequent in advanced tumors; however, strategies to release the function of NK infiltrating tumors are emerging. Recent therapies targeting specific oncogenic mutations improved the treatment of cancer patients, but patients often relapse. The actual development consists in combined therapeutic strategies including agents targeting the proliferation of tumor cells and others restorating functional antitumor immune effectors for efficient and durable efficacy of anticancer treatment. In that context, we discuss the recent results of the literature to propose hypotheses concerning the potential use of NK cells, potent antitumor cytotoxic effectors, to design novel antitumor strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meriem Messaoudene
- INSERM U1015, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France.,Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Alexandra Frazao
- INSERM U1160, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Jean Gavlovsky
- INSERM U1160, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France
| | - Antoine Toubert
- INSERM U1160, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Dulphy
- INSERM U1160, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France
| | - Anne Caignard
- INSERM U1160, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France
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11
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Frazao A, Colombo M, Fourmentraux-Neves E, Messaoudene M, Rusakiewicz S, Zitvogel L, Vivier E, Vély F, Faure F, Dréno B, Benlalam H, Bouquet F, Savina A, Pasmant E, Toubert A, Avril MF, Caignard A. Shifting the Balance of Activating and Inhibitory Natural Killer Receptor Ligands on BRAFV600E Melanoma Lines with Vemurafenib. Cancer Immunol Res 2017; 5:582-593. [PMID: 28576831 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-16-0380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Over 60% of human melanoma tumors bear a mutation in the BRAF gene. The most frequent mutation is a substitution at codon 600 (V600E), leading to a constitutively active BRAF and overactivation of the MAPK pathway. Patients harboring mutated BRAF respond to kinase inhibitors such as vemurafenib. However, these responses are transient, and relapses are frequent. Melanoma cells are efficiently lysed by activated natural killer (NK) cells. Melanoma cells express several stress-induced ligands that are recognized by activating NK-cell receptors. We have investigated the effect of vemurafenib on the immunogenicity of seven BRAF-mutated melanoma cells to NK cells and on their growth and sensitivity to NK-cell-mediated lysis. We showed that vemurafenib treatment modulated expression of ligands for two activating NK receptors, increasing expression of B7-H6, a ligand for NKp30, and decreasing expression of MICA and ULBP2, ligands for NKG2D. Vemurafenib also increased expression of HLA class I and HLA-E molecules, likely leading to higher engagement of inhibitory receptors (KIRs and NKG2A, respectively), and decreased lysis of vemurafenib-treated melanoma cell lines by cytokine-activated NK cells. Finally, we showed that whereas batimastat (a broad-spectrum matrix metalloprotease inhibitor) increased cell surface ULBP2 by reducing its shedding, vemurafenib lowered soluble ULBP2, indicating that BRAF signal inhibition diminished expression of both cell-surface and soluble forms of NKG2D ligands. Vemurafenib, inhibiting BRAF signaling, shifted the balance of activatory and inhibitory NK ligands on melanoma cells and displayed immunoregulatory effects on NK-cell functional activities. Cancer Immunol Res; 5(7); 582-93. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Frazao
- INSERM UMRS1160, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Paris, France
| | - Marina Colombo
- INSERM UMRS1160, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Eric Vivier
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, INSERM, CIML, Marseille, France.,Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Hôpital de la Conception, Service d'Immunologie, Marseille, France
| | - Frédéric Vély
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, INSERM, CIML, Marseille, France.,Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Hôpital de la Conception, Service d'Immunologie, Marseille, France
| | | | - Brigitte Dréno
- UMR 892-CRCNA, Institut de Recherche Thérapeutique de l'Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Houssem Benlalam
- UMR 892-CRCNA, Institut de Recherche Thérapeutique de l'Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | | | | | - Eric Pasmant
- Service de Biochimie et Génétique Moléculaire, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Antoine Toubert
- INSERM UMRS1160, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Paris, France
| | | | - Anne Caignard
- INSERM UMRS1160, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Paris, France.
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12
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Queirolo P, Spagnolo F. BRAF plus MEK-targeted drugs: a new standard of treatment for BRAF-mutant advanced melanoma. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2017; 36:35-42. [DOI: 10.1007/s10555-017-9660-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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