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Koltai T, Fliegel L. Dichloroacetate for Cancer Treatment: Some Facts and Many Doubts. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:744. [PMID: 38931411 PMCID: PMC11206832 DOI: 10.3390/ph17060744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Rarely has a chemical elicited as much controversy as dichloroacetate (DCA). DCA was initially considered a dangerous toxic industrial waste product, then a potential treatment for lactic acidosis. However, the main controversies started in 2008 when DCA was found to have anti-cancer effects on experimental animals. These publications showed contradictory results in vivo and in vitro such that a thorough consideration of this compound's in cancer is merited. Despite 50 years of experimentation, DCA's future in therapeutics is uncertain. Without adequate clinical trials and health authorities' approval, DCA has been introduced in off-label cancer treatments in alternative medicine clinics in Canada, Germany, and other European countries. The lack of well-planned clinical trials and its use by people without medical training has discouraged consideration by the scientific community. There are few thorough clinical studies of DCA, and many publications are individual case reports. Case reports of DCA's benefits against cancer have been increasing recently. Furthermore, it has been shown that DCA synergizes with conventional treatments and other repurposable drugs. Beyond the classic DCA target, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, new target molecules have also been recently discovered. These findings have renewed interest in DCA. This paper explores whether existing evidence justifies further research on DCA for cancer treatment and it explores the role DCA may play in it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Koltai
- Hospital del Centro Gallego de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 2199, Argentina
| | - Larry Fliegel
- Department of Biochemistry, University Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada;
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2
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Stacpoole PW, McCall CE. The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex: Life's essential, vulnerable and druggable energy homeostat. Mitochondrion 2023; 70:59-102. [PMID: 36863425 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2023.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Found in all organisms, pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes (PDC) are the keystones of prokaryotic and eukaryotic energy metabolism. In eukaryotic organisms these multi-component megacomplexes provide a crucial mechanistic link between cytoplasmic glycolysis and the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. As a consequence, PDCs also influence the metabolism of branched chain amino acids, lipids and, ultimately, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). PDC activity is an essential determinant of the metabolic and bioenergetic flexibility of metazoan organisms in adapting to changes in development, nutrient availability and various stresses that challenge maintenance of homeostasis. This canonical role of the PDC has been extensively probed over the past decades by multidisciplinary investigations into its causal association with diverse physiological and pathological conditions, the latter making the PDC an increasingly viable therapeutic target. Here we review the biology of the remarkable PDC and its emerging importance in the pathobiology and treatment of diverse congenital and acquired disorders of metabolic integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter W Stacpoole
- Department of Medicine (Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes), and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States.
| | - Charles E McCall
- Department of Internal Medicine and Translational Sciences, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
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Lam SK, Yan S, Lam JSM, Feng Y, Khan M, Chen C, Ko FCF, Ho JCM. Disturbance of the Warburg effect by dichloroacetate and niclosamide suppresses the growth of different sub-types of malignant pleural mesothelioma in vitro and in vivo. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1020343. [PMID: 36304150 PMCID: PMC9592830 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1020343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Inhalation of asbestos fibers is the most common cause of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). In 2004, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved a combination of cisplatin with pemetrexed to treat unresectable MPM. Nonetheless novel treatment is urgently needed. The objective of this study is to report the combination effect of dichloroacetate (DCA) or niclosamide (Nic) Nic in MPM. Materials and methods: The effect of a combination of DCA and Nic was studied using a panel of MPM cell lines (H28, MSTO-211H, H226, H2052, and H2452). Cell viability was monitored by MTT assay. Glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, glucose, glycogen, pyruvate, lactate, citrate, succinate and ATP levels were determined by corresponding ELISA. Apoptosis, mitochondrial transmembrane potential, cell cycle analysis, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide were investigated by flow cytometry. Cell migration and colony formation were investigated by transwell migration and colony formation assays respectively. The in vivo effect was confirmed using 211H and H226 nude mice xenograft models. Results and conclusion: Cell viability was reduced. Disturbance of glycolysis and/or oxidative phosphorylation resulted in downregulation of glycogen, citrate and succinate. DCA and/or Nic increased apoptosis, mitochondrial transmembrane depolarization, G2/M arrest and reactive oxygen species. Moreover, DCA and/or Nic suppressed cell migration and colony formation. Furthermore, a better initial tumor suppressive effect was induced by the DCA/Nic combination compared with either drug alone in both 211H and H226 xenograft models. In H226 xenografts, DCA/Nic increased median survival of mice compared with single treatment. Single drug and/or a combination disturbed the Warburg effect and activated apoptosis, and inhibition of migration and proliferation in vivo. In conclusion, dichloroacetate and/or niclosamide showed a tumor suppressive effect in MPM in vitro and in vivo, partially mediated by disturbance of glycolysis/oxidative phosphorylation, apoptosis, ROS production, G2/M arrest, and suppression of migration and proliferation.
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Wang P, Kuang Y, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Gao H, Ma Q. Levels of plasma Quaking and cyclooxygenase-2 predict in-stent restenosis in patients with coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention. ZHONG NAN DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF CENTRAL SOUTH UNIVERSITY. MEDICAL SCIENCES 2022; 47:739-747. [PMID: 35837773 PMCID: PMC10930024 DOI: 10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2022.210716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is one of the important methods for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). In-sent restenosis (ISR) after PCI for patients suffered from CAD is considered to be an essential factor affecting long-term outcomes and prognosis of this disease. This study aims to investigate the correlation between plasma Quaking (QKI) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) levels and ISR in patients with CAD. METHODS A total of 218 consecutive CAD patients who underwent coronary angiography and coronary arterial stenting from September 2019 to September 2020 in the Department of Cardiology of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were enrolled in this study, and 35 matched individuals from the physical examination center were served as a control group. After admission, clinical data of these 2 groups were collected. Plasma QKI and COX-2 levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Follow-up angiography was performed 12 months after PCI. CAD patients were divided into a NISR group (n=160) and an ISR group (n=58) according to the occurrence of ISR based on the coronary angiography. The clinical data, coronary angiography, and stent features between the NISR group and the ISR group were compared, and multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the factors influencing ISR. The occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) 1 year after operation was recorded. Fifty-eight patients with ISR were divided into an MACE group (n=24) and a non-MACE group (n=34), classified according to the occurrence of MACE, and the plasma levels of QKI and COX-2 were compared between the 2 groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were utilized to analyze the diagnostic value of plamsa levels of QKI and COX-2 for ISR and MACE occurrences in patients after PCI. RESULTS Compared with control group, plasma levels of QKI and COX-2 in the CAD group decreased significantly (all P<0.001). Compared with the NISR group, the plasma levels of QKI and COX-2 also decreased obviously in the ISR group (all P<0.001), while the levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc) significantly increased (all P<0.001). The level of COX-2 was negatively correlated with hs-CRP (r=-0.385, P=0.003). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high level of plasma QKI and COX-2 were protective factors for in-stent restenosis after PCI, while hs-CRP was a risk factor. ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity and specificity of plasma QKI for evaluating the predictive value of ISR were 77.5% and 66.5%, respectively, and the sensitivity and specificity of plasma COX-2 for evaluating the predictive value of ISR were 80.0% and 70.7%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of plasma QKI combined with COX-2 for evaluating the predictive value of ISR were 81.3% and 74.1%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of plasma QKI for evaluating the prognosis of ISR were 75.0% and 64.7%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of plasma COX-2 for evaluating the prognosis of ISR were 75.0% and 70.6%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of plasma QKI combined with COX-2 for prognostic evaluation of ISR were 81.7% and 79.4%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of plasma COX-2 combined with QKI for evaluating ISR and MACE occurrences in patients after PCI were better than those of COX-2 or QKI alone (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS High level of plasma QKI and COX-2 might be a protective factor for ISR, which can also predict ISR patient's prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha 410008.
| | - Yuanyuan Kuang
- Department of Cardiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha 410008
| | - Yubo Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha 410008
| | - Yinzhuang Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, First Hospital of Changsha, Changsha 410005, China
| | - Haodong Gao
- Department of Cardiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha 410008
| | - Qilin Ma
- Department of Cardiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha 410008.
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Pająk B. Looking for the Holy Grail—Drug Candidates for Glioblastoma Multiforme Chemotherapy. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051001. [PMID: 35625738 PMCID: PMC9138518 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the deadliest and the most heterogeneous brain cancer. The median survival time of GBM patients is approximately 8 to 15 months after initial diagnosis. GBM development is determined by numerous signaling pathways and is considered one of the most challenging and complicated-to-treat cancer types. Standard GBM therapy consist of surgery followed by radiotherapy or chemotherapy, and combined treatment. Current standard of care (SOC) does not offer a significant chance for GBM patients to combat cancer, and the selection of available drugs is limited. For almost 20 years, there has been only one drug, Temozolomide (TMZ), approved as a first-line GBM treatment. Due to the limited efficacy of TMZ and the high rate of resistant patients, the implementation of new chemotherapeutics is highly desired. However, due to the unique properties of GBM, many challenges still need to be overcome before reaching a ‘breakthrough’. This review article describes the most recent compounds introduced into clinical trials as drug candidates for GBM chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Pająk
- Independent Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Kaczkowski Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Kozielska 4, 01-163 Warsaw, Poland
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6
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Al-Azawi A, Sulaiman S, Arafat K, Yasin J, Nemmar A, Attoub S. Impact of Sodium Dichloroacetate Alone and in Combination Therapies on Lung Tumor Growth and Metastasis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212553. [PMID: 34830434 PMCID: PMC8624089 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming has been recognized as an essential emerging cancer hallmark. Dichloroacetate (DCA), an inhibitor of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK), has been reported to have anti-cancer effects by reversing tumor-associated glycolysis. This study was performed to explore the anti-cancer potential of DCA in lung cancer alone and in combination with chemo- and targeted therapies using two non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines, namely, A549 and LNM35. DCA markedly caused a concentration- and time-dependent decrease in the viability and colony growth of A549 and LNM35 cells in vitro. DCA also reduced the growth of tumor xenografts in both a chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane and nude mice models in vivo. Furthermore, DCA decreased the angiogenic capacity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro. On the other hand, DCA did not inhibit the in vitro cellular migration and invasion and the in vivo incidence and growth of axillary lymph nodes metastases in nude mice. Treatment with DCA did not show any toxicity in chick embryos and nude mice. Finally, we demonstrated that DCA significantly enhanced the anti-cancer effect of cisplatin in LNM35. In addition, the combination of DCA with gefitinib or erlotinib leads to additive effects on the inhibition of LNM35 colony growth after seven days of treatment and to synergistic effects on the inhibition of A549 colony growth after 14 days of treatment. Collectively, this study demonstrates that DCA is a safe and promising therapeutic agent for lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Al-Azawi
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 17666, United Arab Emirates; (A.A.-A.); (S.S.); (K.A.)
| | - Shahrazad Sulaiman
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 17666, United Arab Emirates; (A.A.-A.); (S.S.); (K.A.)
| | - Kholoud Arafat
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 17666, United Arab Emirates; (A.A.-A.); (S.S.); (K.A.)
| | - Javed Yasin
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 17666, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Abderrahim Nemmar
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 17666, United Arab Emirates;
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 17666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Samir Attoub
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 17666, United Arab Emirates; (A.A.-A.); (S.S.); (K.A.)
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 17666, United Arab Emirates
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), 75013 Paris, France
- Correspondence:
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7
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Luo Y, Li Y, Ge P, Zhang K, Liu H, Jiang N. QKI-Regulated Alternative Splicing Events in Cervical Cancer: Pivotal Mechanism and Potential Therapeutic Strategy. DNA Cell Biol 2021; 40:1261-1277. [PMID: 34551268 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2021.0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
QKI is a vital regulator in RNA splicing and maturation, but its role in cervical cancer (CC) is little known. In this study, we found that QKI is decreased in human CC, and overexpression of QKI inhibits HeLa cell proliferation and promotes the apoptosis of cancer cells. We identified hundreds of endogenous QKI-regulated alternative splicing events (ASEs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in QKI-overexpressed HeLa cells by RNA-seq and selectively validated their expression by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed that QKI-regulated ASEs and DEGs were closely related to cancer, apoptosis, and transcriptional regulatory functions. In short, QKI may affect the occurrence and development of CC by regulating gene expression through AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Luo
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Institute (College) of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yuyuan Li
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Peng Ge
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Institute (College) of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Kaina Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Central Hospital of Zhuanghe City, Zhuanghe, China
| | - Huanhuan Liu
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Institute (College) of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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Tran PHL, Lee BJ, Tran TTD. Current Studies of Aspirin as an Anticancer Agent and Strategies to Strengthen its Therapeutic Application in Cancer. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:2209-2220. [PMID: 33138752 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666201102101758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Aspirin has emerged as a promising intervention in cancer in the past decade. However, there are existing controversies regarding the anticancer properties of aspirin as its mechanism of action has not been clearly defined. In addition, the risk of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract from aspirin is another consideration that requires medical and pharmaceutical scientists to work together to develop more potent and safe aspirin therapy in cancer. This review presents the most recent studies of aspirin with regard to its role in cancer prevention and treatment demonstrated by highlighted clinical trials, mechanisms of action as well as approaches to develop aspirin therapy best beneficial to cancer patients. Hence, this review provides readers with an overview of aspirin research in cancer that covers not only the unique features of aspirin, which differentiate aspirin from other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), but also strategies that can be used in the development of drug delivery systems carrying aspirin for cancer management. These studies convey optimistic messages on the continuing efforts of the scientist on the way of developing an effective therapy for patients with a low response to current cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong H L Tran
- Deakin University, School of Medicine, IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, Geelong, Australia
| | - Beom-Jin Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea
| | - Thao T D Tran
- Department for Management of Science and Technology Development, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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9
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Feuerecker B, Biechl P, Veltkamp C, Saur D, Eisenreich W. Metabolic Response of Pancreatic Carcinoma Cells under Treatment with Dichloroacetate. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11060350. [PMID: 34070873 PMCID: PMC8228235 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11060350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In modern oncology, the analysis and evaluation of treatment response are still challenging. Hence, we used a 13C-guided approach to study the impacts of the small molecule dichloroacetate (DCA) upon the metabolic response of pancreatic cancer cells. Two different oncogenic PI3K-driven pancreatic cancer cell lines, 9580 and 10,158, respectively, were treated with 75 mM DCA for 18 h. In the presence of [U-13C6]glucose, the effects of DCA treatment in the core carbon metabolism were analyzed in these cells using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). 13C-enrichments and isotopologue profiles of key amino acids revealed considerable effects of the DCA treatment upon glucose metabolism. The DCA treatment of the two pancreatic cell lines resulted in a significantly decreased incorporation of [U-13C6]glucose into the amino acids alanine, aspartate, glutamate, glycine, proline and serine in treated, but not in untreated, cancer cells. For both cell lines, the data indicated some activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase with increased carbon flux via the TCA cycle, but also massive inhibition of glycolytic flux and amino acid biosynthesis presumably by inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTORC axis. Together, it appears worthwhile to study the early treatment response in DCA-guided or accompanied cancer therapy in more detail, since it could open new avenues for improved diagnosis and therapeutic protocols of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Feuerecker
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site München, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany
- Correspondence: (B.F.); (W.E.)
| | - Philipp Biechl
- Bavarian NMR Center—Structural Membrane Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität München, 85748 Garching, Germany;
| | - Christian Veltkamp
- Department of Internal Medicine II, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany; (C.V.); (D.S.)
| | - Dieter Saur
- Department of Internal Medicine II, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany; (C.V.); (D.S.)
| | - Wolfgang Eisenreich
- Bavarian NMR Center—Structural Membrane Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität München, 85748 Garching, Germany;
- Correspondence: (B.F.); (W.E.)
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Wang Y, Cui L, Georgiev P, Singh L, Zheng Y, Yu Y, Grein J, Zhang C, Muise ES, Sloman DL, Ferguson H, Yu H, Pierre CS, Dakle PJ, Pucci V, Baker J, Loboda A, Linn D, Brynczka C, Wilson D, Haines BB, Long B, Wnek R, Sadekova S, Rosenzweig M, Haidle A, Han Y, Ranganath SH. Combination of EP 4 antagonist MF-766 and anti-PD-1 promotes anti-tumor efficacy by modulating both lymphocytes and myeloid cells. Oncoimmunology 2021; 10:1896643. [PMID: 33796403 PMCID: PMC7993229 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.1896643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), an arachidonic acid pathway metabolite produced by cyclooxygenase (COX)-1/2, has been shown to impair anti-tumor immunity through engagement with one or more E-type prostanoid receptors (EP1-4). Specific targeting of EP receptors, as opposed to COX-1/2 inhibition, has been proposed to achieve preferential antagonism of PGE2–mediated immune suppression. Here we describe the anti-tumor activity of MF-766, a potent and highly selective small-molecule inhibitor of the EP4 receptor. EP4 inhibition by MF-766 synergistically improved the efficacy of anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) therapy in CT26 and EMT6 syngeneic tumor mouse models. Multiparameter flow cytometry analysis revealed that treatment with MF-766 promoted the infiltration of CD8+ T cells, natural killer (NK) cells and conventional dendritic cells (cDCs), induced M1-like macrophage reprogramming, and reduced granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In vitro experiments demonstrated that MF-766 restored PGE2-mediated inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production in THP-1 cells and human blood, and PGE2-mediated inhibition of interleukin (IL)-2-induced interferon (IFN)-γ production in human NK cells. MF-766 reversed the inhibition of IFN-γ in CD8+ T-cells by PGE2 and impaired suppression of CD8+ T-cells induced by myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC)/PGE2. In translational studies using primary human tumors, MF-766 enhanced anti-CD3-stimulated IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α production in primary histoculture and synergized with pembrolizumab in a PGE2 high TME. Our studies demonstrate that the combination of EP4 blockade with anti-PD-1 therapy enhances antitumor activity by differentially modulating myeloid cell, NK cell, cDC and T-cell infiltration profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Wang
- Department of Oncology Early Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Long Cui
- Department of Quantitative Biosciences, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Peter Georgiev
- Department of Oncology Early Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Latika Singh
- Department of Oncology Early Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yanyan Zheng
- Department of Oncology Early Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ying Yu
- Department of Oncology Early Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jeff Grein
- Department of Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chunsheng Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eric S Muise
- Department of Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David L Sloman
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Heidi Ferguson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hongshi Yu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Cristina St Pierre
- Department of Oncology Early Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pranal J Dakle
- Department of Oncology Early Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Vincenzo Pucci
- Department of Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics & Drug Metabolism, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James Baker
- Department of Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics & Drug Metabolism, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrey Loboda
- Department of Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Doug Linn
- Department of Quantitative Biosciences, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christopher Brynczka
- Dept. Safety and Exploratory Pharmacology, Safety Assessment and Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Doug Wilson
- Department of Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brian B Haines
- Department of Quantitative Biosciences, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brian Long
- Department of Quantitative Biosciences, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Richard Wnek
- Department of Translational Biomarkers, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Svetlana Sadekova
- Department of Oncology Early Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael Rosenzweig
- Department of Oncology Early Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrew Haidle
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yongxin Han
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sheila H Ranganath
- Department of Oncology Early Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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11
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Tan PY, Wen LJ, Li HN, Chai SW. MiR-548c-3p inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of human breast cancer cell by targeting E2F3. Cytotechnology 2020; 72:751-761. [PMID: 32902720 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-020-00418-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MiR-548 has been reported to be involved in a variety of tumor processes, but its function in breast cancer remains unclear. In this study, we found that miR-548 was low expressed in breast cancer tissues and cells compared with normal control. We then examined whether up-regulation of miR-548 could improve the progression of breast cancer. Our results indicate that up-regulation of miR-548 significantly inhibits cell proliferation, migration andinvasion, and induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Further studies showed that miR-548 could specifically inhibit E2F3 expression. Moreover, rescue test showed that up-regulation of E2F2 could reverse the effect of miR-548 on proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of breast cancer cells. In general, miR-548 could improve the progression of breast cancer. By targeting E2F2, which may make a potential target for the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Yi Tan
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China
| | - Liu-Jing Wen
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Hua-Nan Li
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China
| | - Shi-Wei Chai
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China.
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12
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Dichloroacetate (DCA) and Cancer: An Overview towards Clinical Applications. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:8201079. [PMID: 31827705 PMCID: PMC6885244 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8201079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
An extensive body of literature describes anticancer property of dichloroacetate (DCA), but its effective clinical administration in cancer therapy is still limited to clinical trials. The occurrence of side effects such as neurotoxicity as well as the suspicion of DCA carcinogenicity still restricts the clinical use of DCA. However, in the last years, the number of reports supporting DCA employment against cancer increased also because of the great interest in targeting metabolism of tumour cells. Dissecting DCA mechanism of action helped to understand the bases of its selective efficacy against cancer cells. A successful coadministration of DCA with conventional chemotherapy, radiotherapy, other drugs, or natural compounds has been tested in several cancer models. New drug delivery systems and multiaction compounds containing DCA and other drugs seem to ameliorate bioavailability and appear more efficient thanks to a synergistic action of multiple agents. The spread of reports supporting the efficiency of DCA in cancer therapy has prompted additional studies that let to find other potential molecular targets of DCA. Interestingly, DCA could significantly affect cancer stem cell fraction and contribute to cancer eradication. Collectively, these findings provide a strong rationale towards novel clinical translational studies of DCA in cancer therapy.
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13
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Fang Q, Zhu Y, Wang Q, Song M, Gao G, Zhou Z. Suppression of cyclooxygenase 2 increases chemosensitivity to sesamin through the Akt‑PI3K signaling pathway in lung cancer cells. Int J Mol Med 2018; 43:507-516. [PMID: 30365050 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.3939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Safe, affordable and efficacious agents are urgently required for cancer prevention. Sesamin, a lipid‑soluble lignan from sesame (Sesamum indicum) displays anticancer activities through an unknown mechanism. In the present study, the anticancer activity of sesamin via cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) was investigated in lung cancer. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine the mRNA expression levels of COX2 in cells, while western blot analysis was used to determine its protein expression levels. Cell proliferation was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay, while apoptosis and cell cycle analyses were conducted by flow cytometry. The results indicated that COX2 expression was upregulated in lung cancer cell lines compared with human normal lung epithelial cell line BEAS‑2B and sesamin was demonstrated to decrease the levels of COX2, inhibit the proliferation of lung cancer cells and promote their apoptosis in a concentration‑dependent manner. Furthermore, decreased COX2 expression potentiated sesamin‑induced apoptosis and G1‑phase arrest, which was correlated with the suppression of gene products associated with cell apoptosis (Bcl‑2 and Bax) and the cell cycle (cyclin E1). In addition, cotreatment with the COX2 inhibitor CAY10404 and sesamin downregulated the expression of downstream molecules of COX2 [including interleukin (IL)1β, IL6 and tumor necrosis factor α] compared with CAY10404 or sesamin alone. Furthermore, cotreatment with sesamin and CAY10404 markedly reduced the levels of phosphorylated protein kinase B (pAkt) and phosoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) in three lung cancer cell lines. PI3K expression was observed to be under the control of COX2, possibly forming a negative feedback loop. In addition, PI3K depletion induced apoptosis and G1‑phase arrest in A549 cells. These results suggested that sesamin blocked the pAkt‑PI3K signaling pathway by downregulating the expression of COX2, therefore resulting in cell cycle arrest and increased apoptosis in vitro. In conclusion, inhibition of COX2 increased the sensitivity of lung cancer cells to sesamin by modulating pAkt‑PI3K signaling. These results may aid the development of more selective agents to overcome cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Fang
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315000, P.R. China
| | - Yuyin Zhu
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315000, P.R. China
| | - Qilai Wang
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315000, P.R. China
| | - Meijun Song
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315000, P.R. China
| | - Guosheng Gao
- Department of Laboratory, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315000, P.R. China
| | - Zhiming Zhou
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315000, P.R. China
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