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Zhao SJ, Prior D, Heske CM, Vasquez JC. Therapeutic Targeting of DNA Repair Pathways in Pediatric Extracranial Solid Tumors: Current State and Implications for Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1648. [PMID: 38730598 PMCID: PMC11083679 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA damage is fundamental to tumorigenesis, and the inability to repair DNA damage is a hallmark of many human cancers. DNA is repaired via the DNA damage repair (DDR) apparatus, which includes five major pathways. DDR deficiencies in cancers give rise to potential therapeutic targets, as cancers harboring DDR deficiencies become increasingly dependent on alternative DDR pathways for survival. In this review, we summarize the DDR apparatus, and examine the current state of research efforts focused on identifying vulnerabilities in DDR pathways that can be therapeutically exploited in pediatric extracranial solid tumors. We assess the potential for synergistic combinations of different DDR inhibitors as well as combinations of DDR inhibitors with chemotherapy. Lastly, we discuss the immunomodulatory implications of targeting DDR pathways and the potential for using DDR inhibitors to enhance tumor immunogenicity, with the goal of improving the response to immune checkpoint blockade in pediatric solid tumors. We review the ongoing and future research into DDR in pediatric tumors and the subsequent pediatric clinical trials that will be critical to further elucidate the efficacy of the approaches targeting DDR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia J. Zhao
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; (S.J.Z.); (D.P.)
| | - Daniel Prior
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; (S.J.Z.); (D.P.)
| | - Christine M. Heske
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Juan C. Vasquez
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; (S.J.Z.); (D.P.)
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Honoki K, Tsujiuchi T, Kishi S, Kuniyasu H. Revisiting 'Hallmarks of Cancer' In Sarcomas. J Cancer 2024; 15:1786-1804. [PMID: 38434982 PMCID: PMC10905407 DOI: 10.7150/jca.92844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
There is no doubt that anyone who has participated in cancer care or research has once read the 'Hallmarks of Cancer' papers published by Hanahan and Weinberg in 2001 and 2011. They initially defined the six qualities of cancer cells as cancer hallmarks in 2001, but expanded that to 11 as a next generation in 2011. In their papers, they discussed the potential treatment strategies against cancer corresponding to each of the 11 hallmarks, and to date, proposed therapies that target genes and signaling pathways associated with each of these hallmarks have guided a trail that cancer treatments should take, some of which are now used as standard in clinical practice and some of which have yet to progress that far. Along with the recent advances in cancer research such as genomic analysis with next generation sequencing, they can be reconverged to an alternative six categories defined as selective proliferative advantages, altered stress response, deregulated cellular metabolism, immune modulation and inflammation, tumor microenvironment, tissue invasion and metastasis. In this paper, we will overview the current state of these alternative hallmarks and their corresponding treatments in the current sarcoma practice, then discuss the future direction of sarcoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanya Honoki
- Dept. Of Orthopedic Oncology & Reconstructive Medicine, Nara Medical University, Japan
| | | | - Shingo Kishi
- Dept. of Clinical Pathology, Nozaki Tokushukai Hospital, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kuniyasu
- Dept. of Molecular Pathology, Nara Medical University, Japan
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Croushore EE, Koppenhafer SL, Goss KL, Geary EL, Gordon DJ. Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) Signaling Inhibits the Growth of Ewing Sarcoma Cells in Response to DNA Replication Stress. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:1580-1593. [PMID: 37599787 PMCID: PMC10434289 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of deoxyribonucleosides and is required for DNA replication. Multiple types of cancer, including Ewing sarcoma tumors, are sensitive to RNR inhibitors or a reduction in the levels of either the RRM1 or RRM2 subunits of RNR. However, the polypharmacology and off-target effects of RNR inhibitors have complicated the identification of the mechanisms that regulate sensitivity and resistance to this class of drugs. Consequently, we used a conditional knockout (CRISPR/Cas9) and rescue approach to target RRM1 in Ewing sarcoma cells and identified that loss of the RRM1 protein results in the upregulation of the expression of multiple members of the activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor complex, including c-Jun and c-Fos, and downregulation of c-Myc. Notably, overexpression of c-Jun and c-Fos in Ewing sarcoma cells is sufficient to inhibit cell growth and downregulate the expression of the c-Myc oncogene. We also identified that the upregulation of AP-1 is mediated, in part, by SLFN11, which is a replication stress response protein that is expressed at high levels in Ewing sarcoma. In addition, small-molecule inhibitors of RNR, including gemcitabine, and histone deacetylase inhibitors, which reduce the level of the RRM1 protein, also activate AP-1 signaling and downregulate the level of c-Myc in Ewing sarcoma. Overall, these results provide novel insight into the critical pathways activated by loss of RNR activity and the mechanisms of action of inhibitors of RNR. Significance RNR is the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of deoxyribonucleotides. Although RNR is the target of multiple chemotherapy drugs, polypharmacology and off-target effects have complicated the identification of the precise mechanism of action of these drugs. In this work, using a knockout-rescue approach, we identified that inhibition of RNR upregulates AP-1 signaling and downregulates the level of c-Myc in Ewing sarcoma tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma E. Croushore
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Stacia L. Koppenhafer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Kelli L. Goss
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Elizabeth L. Geary
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - David J. Gordon
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
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Sturm MJ, Henao-Restrepo JA, Becker S, Proquitté H, Beck JF, Sonnemann J. Synergistic anticancer activity of combined ATR and ribonucleotide reductase inhibition in Ewing's sarcoma cells. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023:10.1007/s00432-023-04804-0. [PMID: 37097390 PMCID: PMC10374484 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04804-0] [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: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ewing's sarcoma is a highly malignant childhood tumour whose outcome has hardly changed over the past two decades despite numerous attempts at chemotherapy intensification. It is therefore essential to identify new treatment options. The present study was conducted to explore the effectiveness of combined inhibition of two promising targets, ATR and ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), in Ewing's sarcoma cells. METHODS Effects of the ATR inhibitor VE821 in combination with the RNR inhibitors triapine and didox were assessed in three Ewing's sarcoma cell lines with different TP53 status (WE-68, SK-ES-1, A673) by flow cytometric analysis of cell death, mitochondrial depolarisation and cell cycle distribution as well as by caspase 3/7 activity determination, by immunoblotting and by real-time RT-PCR. Interactions between inhibitors were evaluated by combination index analysis. RESULTS Single ATR or RNR inhibitor treatment produced small to moderate effects, while their combined treatment produced strong synergistic ones. ATR and RNR inhibitors elicited synergistic cell death and cooperated in inducing mitochondrial depolarisation, caspase 3/7 activity and DNA fragmentation, evidencing an apoptotic form of cell death. All effects were independent of functional p53. In addition, VE821 in combination with triapine increased p53 level and induced p53 target gene expression (CDKN1A, BBC3) in p53 wild-type Ewing's sarcoma cells. CONCLUSION Our study reveals that combined targeting of ATR and RNR was effective against Ewing's sarcoma in vitro and thus rationalises an in vivo exploration into the potential of combining ATR and RNR inhibitors as a new strategy for the treatment of this challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max-Johann Sturm
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
- Research Centre Lobeda, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Julián Andrés Henao-Restrepo
- Placenta Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Sabine Becker
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
- Research Centre Lobeda, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Hans Proquitté
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - James F Beck
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Jürgen Sonnemann
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany.
- Research Centre Lobeda, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.
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Soni UK, Wang Y, Pandey RN, Roberts R, Pressey JG, Hegde RS. Molecularly Defined Subsets of Ewing Sarcoma Tumors Differ in Their Responses to IGF1R and WEE1 Inhibition. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:458-471. [PMID: 36394520 PMCID: PMC9843438 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-2587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Targeted cancer therapeutics have not significantly benefited patients with Ewing sarcoma with metastatic or relapsed disease. Understanding the molecular underpinnings of drug resistance can lead to biomarker-driven treatment selection. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) pathway activation was analyzed in tumor cells derived from a panel of Ewing sarcoma tumors, including primary and metastatic tumors from the same patient. Phospho-RTK arrays, Western blots, and IHC were used. Protein localization and the levels of key markers were determined using immunofluorescence. DNA damage tolerance was measured through PCNA ubiquitination levels and the DNA fiber assay. Effects of pharmacologic inhibition were assessed in vitro and key results validated in vivo using patient-derived xenografts. RESULTS Ewing sarcoma tumors fell into two groups. In one, IGF1R was predominantly nuclear (nIGF1R), DNA damage tolerance pathway was upregulated, and cells had low replication stress and RRM2B levels and high levels of WEE1 and RAD21. These tumors were relatively insensitive to IGF1R inhibition. The second group had high replication stress and RRM2B, low levels of WEE1 and RAD21, membrane-associated IGF1R (mIGF1R) signaling, and sensitivity to IGF1R or WEE1-targeted inhibitors. Moreover, the matched primary and metastatic tumors differed in IGF1R localization, levels of replication stress, and inhibitor sensitivity. In all instances, combined IGF1R and WEE1 inhibition led to tumor regression. CONCLUSIONS IGF1R signaling mechanisms and replication stress levels can vary among Ewing sarcoma tumors (including in the same patient), influencing the effects of IGF1R and WEE1 treatment. These findings make the case for using biopsy-derived predictive biomarkers at multiple stages of Ewing sarcoma disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Upendra Kumar Soni
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Yuhua Wang
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Ram Naresh Pandey
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Ryan Roberts
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Division of Oncology, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Joseph G. Pressey
- Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Research II, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Rashmi S. Hegde
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Martin JC, Sims JR, Gupta A, Bakin AV, Ohm JE. WEE1 inhibition augments CDC7 (DDK) inhibitor-induced cell death in Ewing sarcoma by forcing premature mitotic entry and mitotic catastrophe. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:471-482. [PMID: 36338546 PMCID: PMC9635308 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive childhood cancer for which treatment options remain limited and toxic. There is an urgent need for the identification of novel therapeutic strategies. Our group has recently shown that Ewing cells rely on the S-phase kinase CDC7 (DDK) to maintain replication rates and cell viability and that DDK inhibition causes an increase in the phosphorylation of CDK1 and a significant delay in mitotic entry. Here, we expand on our previous findings and show that DDK inhibitor-induced mitotic entry delay is dependent upon WEE1 kinase. Specifically, WEE1 phosphorylates CDK1 and prevents mitotic entry upon DDK inhibition due to the presence of under-replicated DNA, potentially limiting the cytotoxic effects of DDK inhibition. To overcome this, we combined the inhibition of DDK with the inhibition of WEE1 and found that this results in elevated levels of premature mitotic entry, mitotic catastrophe, and apoptosis. Importantly, we have found that DDK and WEE1 inhibitors display a synergistic relationship with regards to reducing cell viability of Ewing sarcoma cells. Interestingly, the cytotoxic nature of this combination can be suppressed by the inhibition of CDK1 or microtubule polymerization, indicating that mitotic progression is required to elicit the cytotoxic effects. This is the first study to display the potential of utilizing the combined inhibition of DDK and WEE1 for the treatment of cancer. We believe this will offer a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of Ewing sarcoma as well as other tumor types that display sensitivity to DDK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey C. Martin
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Jennie R. Sims
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Ajay Gupta
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, New York
| | - Andrei V. Bakin
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Joyce Ellen Ohm
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
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Fayzullina D, Tsibulnikov S, Stempen M, Schroeder BA, Kumar N, Kharwar RK, Acharya A, Timashev P, Ulasov I. Novel Targeted Therapeutic Strategies for Ewing Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14081988. [PMID: 35454895 PMCID: PMC9032664 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Ewing sarcoma is an uncommon cancer that arises in mesenchymal tissues and represents the second most widespread malignant bone neoplasm after osteosarcoma in children. Therapy has increased the 5-year survival rate in the last 40 years, although the recurrence rate has remained high. There is an immediate and unmet need for the development of novel Ewing sarcoma therapies. We offer new prospective targets for the therapy of Ewing sarcoma. The EWSR1/FLI1 fusion protein, which is identified in 85–90% of Ewing sarcoma tumors, and its direct targets are given special focus in this study. Experimantal therapy that targets multiple signaling pathways activated during ES progression, alone or in combination with existing regimens, may become the new standard of care for Ewing sarcoma patients, improving patient survival. Abstract Ewing sarcoma (ES) is an uncommon cancer that arises in mesenchymal tissues and represents the second most widespread malignant bone neoplasm after osteosarcoma in children. Amplifications in genomic, proteomic, and metabolism are characteristics of sarcoma, and targeting altered cancer cell molecular processes has been proposed as the latest promising strategy to fight cancer. Recent technological advancements have elucidated some of the underlying oncogenic characteristics of Ewing sarcoma. Offering new insights into the physiological basis for this phenomenon, our current review examines the dynamics of ES signaling as it related to both ES and the microenvironment by integrating genomic and proteomic analyses. An extensive survey of the literature was performed to compile the findings. We have also highlighted recent and ongoing studies integrating metabolomics and genomics aimed at better understanding the complex interactions as to how ES adapts to changing biochemical changes within the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Fayzullina
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostic, Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.F.); (S.T.); (M.S.); (P.T.)
| | - Sergey Tsibulnikov
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostic, Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.F.); (S.T.); (M.S.); (P.T.)
| | - Mikhail Stempen
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostic, Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.F.); (S.T.); (M.S.); (P.T.)
| | - Brett A. Schroeder
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA;
| | - Naveen Kumar
- Tumor Immunology Lab, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India; (N.K.); (A.A.)
| | - Rajesh Kumar Kharwar
- Endocrine Research Lab, Department of Zoology, Kutir Post Graduate College, Chakkey, Jaunpur 222146, India;
| | - Arbind Acharya
- Tumor Immunology Lab, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India; (N.K.); (A.A.)
| | - Peter Timashev
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.F.); (S.T.); (M.S.); (P.T.)
- Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Ilya Ulasov
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostic, Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.F.); (S.T.); (M.S.); (P.T.)
- Correspondence:
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Inhibitor of DNA binding 2 (ID2) regulates the expression of developmental genes and tumorigenesis in ewing sarcoma. Oncogene 2022; 41:2873-2884. [PMID: 35422476 PMCID: PMC9107507 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02310-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Sarcomas are difficult to treat and the therapy, even when effective, is associated with long-term and life-threatening side effects. In addition, the treatment regimens for many sarcomas, including Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and osteosarcoma, are relatively unchanged over the past two decades, indicating a critical lack of progress. Although differentiation-based therapies are used for the treatment of some cancers, the application of this approach to sarcomas has proven challenging. Here, using a CRISPR-mediated gene knockout approach, we show that Inhibitor of DNA Binding 2 (ID2) is a critical regulator of developmental-related genes and tumor growth in vitro and in vivo in Ewing sarcoma tumors. We also identified that homoharringtonine, which is an inhibitor of protein translation and FDA-approved for the treatment of leukemia, decreases the level of the ID2 protein and significantly reduces tumor growth and prolongs mouse survival in an Ewing sarcoma xenograft model. Furthermore, in addition to targeting ID2, homoharringtonine also reduces the protein levels of ID1 and ID3, which are additional members of the ID family of proteins with well-described roles in tumorigenesis, in multiple types of cancer. Overall, these results provide insight into developmental regulation in Ewing sarcoma tumors and identify a novel, therapeutic approach to target the ID family of proteins using an FDA-approved drug.
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9
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Martin JC, Sims JR, Gupta A, Hagoel TJ, Gao L, Lynch ML, Woloszynska A, Melendy T, Kane JF, Kuechle J, Ohm JE. CDC7 kinase (DDK) inhibition disrupts DNA replication leading to mitotic catastrophe in Ewing sarcoma. Cell Death Discov 2022; 8:85. [PMID: 35220396 PMCID: PMC8882187 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-00877-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is the second most common bone malignancy in children and adolescents. In recent years, a large body of evidence has emerged that suggests Ewing tumors harbor large amounts of replication stress (RS). CDC7, also known as DDK (DBF4-dependent kinase), is a serine/threonine kinase that is involved in a diverse array of cellular functions including the regulation of DNA replication initiation and activation of the RS response. Due to DDK's diverse roles during replication, coupled with the fact that there is an increased level of RS within Ewing tumors, we hypothesized that Ewing sarcoma cells would be particularly vulnerable to DDK inhibition. Here, we report that DDK inhibition resulted a significant reduction in cell viability and the induction of apoptosis, specifically in Ewing sarcoma cells. Treatment with DDK inhibitors dramatically reduced the rate of replication, prolonged S-phase, and led to a pronounced increase in phospho-CDC2 (Y15), indicating delay of mitotic entry. The induction of cell death corresponded to mitotic exit and G1 entry, suggesting improper mitotic progression. In accordance with this, we find that DDK inhibition caused premature mitotic entry resulting in mitotic abnormalities such as anaphase bridges, lagging chromosomes, and cells with >2 poles in Ewing sarcoma cells. This abnormal progression through mitosis resulted in mitotic catastrophe as evidenced by the formation of micronuclei and induction of DNA damage. Together, these findings suggest that DDK activity is required for the faithful and timely completion of DNA replication in Ewing cells and that DDK inhibition may present a viable therapeutic strategy for the treatment of Ewing sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey C. Martin
- grid.240614.50000 0001 2181 8635Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Jennie R. Sims
- grid.240614.50000 0001 2181 8635Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Ajay Gupta
- grid.273335.30000 0004 1936 9887Division of Pediatric Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Tamara J. Hagoel
- grid.273335.30000 0004 1936 9887Division of Pediatric Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Lingqiu Gao
- grid.240614.50000 0001 2181 8635Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Miranda L. Lynch
- grid.249447.80000 0004 0422 1994Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Anna Woloszynska
- grid.240614.50000 0001 2181 8635Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Thomas Melendy
- grid.273335.30000 0004 1936 9887Department of Microbiology and Immunology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Jeremy F. Kane
- grid.240614.50000 0001 2181 8635Department of Surgery, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Joseph Kuechle
- grid.240614.50000 0001 2181 8635Department of Surgery, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Joyce E. Ohm
- grid.240614.50000 0001 2181 8635Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY USA
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10
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Keller KM, Krausert S, Gopisetty A, Luedtke D, Koster J, Schubert NA, Rodríguez A, van Hooff SR, Stichel D, Dolman MEM, Vassal G, Pfister SM, Caron HN, Stancato LF, Molenaar JJ, Jäger N, Kool M. Target Actionability Review: a systematic evaluation of replication stress as a therapeutic target for paediatric solid malignancies. Eur J Cancer 2021; 162:107-117. [PMID: 34963094 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Owing to the high numbers of paediatric cancer-related deaths, advances in therapeutic options for childhood cancer is a heavily studied field, especially over the past decade. Classical chemotherapy offers some therapeutic benefit but has proven long-term complications in survivors, and there is an urgent need to identify novel target-driven therapies. Replication stress is a major cause of genomic instability in cancer, triggering the stalling of the replication fork. Failure of molecular response by DNA damage checkpoints, DNA repair mechanisms and restarting the replication forks can exacerbate replication stress and initiate cell death pathways, thus presenting as a novel therapeutic target. To bridge the gap between preclinical evidence and clinical utility thereof, we apply the literature-driven systematic target actionability review methodology to published proof-of-concept (PoC) data related to the process of replication stress. METHODS A meticulous PubMed literature search was performed to gather replication stress-related articles (published between 2014 and 2021) across 16 different paediatric solid tumour types. Articles that fulfilled inclusion criteria were uploaded into the R2 informatics platform [r2.amc.nl] and assessed by critical appraisal. Key evidence based on nine pre-established PoC modules was summarised, and scores based on the quality and outcome of each study were assigned by two separate reviewers. Articles with discordant modules/scores were re-scored by a third independent reviewer, and a final consensus score was agreed upon by adjudication between all three reviewers. To visualise the final scores, an interactive heatmap summarising the evidence and scores associated with each PoC module across all, including paediatric tumour types, were generated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS 145 publications related to targeting replication stress in paediatric tumours were systematically reviewed with an emphasis on DNA repair pathways and cell cycle checkpoint control. Although various targets in these pathways have been studied in these diseases to different extents, the results of this extensive literature search show that ATR, CHK1, PARP or WEE1 are the most promising targets using either single agents or in combination with chemotherapy or radiotherapy in neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, high-grade glioma or medulloblastoma. Targeting these pathways in other paediatric malignancies may work as well, but here, the evidence was more limited. The evidence for other targets (such as ATM and DNA-PK) was also limited but showed promising results in some malignancies and requires more studies in other tumour types. Overall, we have created an extensive overview of targeting replication stress across 16 paediatric tumour types, which can be explored using the interactive heatmap on the R2 target actionability review platform [https://hgserver1.amc.nl/cgi-bin/r2/main.cgi?option=imi2_targetmap_v1].
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaylee M Keller
- Princess Máxima Center for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sonja Krausert
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Paediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Apurva Gopisetty
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Paediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dan Luedtke
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jan Koster
- Department of Oncogenomics, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nil A Schubert
- Princess Máxima Center for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Sander R van Hooff
- Princess Máxima Center for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Damian Stichel
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - M Emmy M Dolman
- Princess Máxima Center for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia; School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Gilles Vassal
- Department of Clinical Research, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Paediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | - Jan J Molenaar
- Princess Máxima Center for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Natalie Jäger
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Paediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcel Kool
- Princess Máxima Center for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Paediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.
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11
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Ohmura S, Marchetto A, Orth MF, Li J, Jabar S, Ranft A, Vinca E, Ceranski K, Carreño-Gonzalez MJ, Romero-Pérez L, Wehweck FS, Musa J, Bestvater F, Knott MML, Hölting TLB, Hartmann W, Dirksen U, Kirchner T, Cidre-Aranaz F, Grünewald TGP. Translational evidence for RRM2 as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in Ewing sarcoma. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:97. [PMID: 34315482 PMCID: PMC8314608 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01393-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shunya Ohmura
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research (B410), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) & Hopp-Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69210, Heidelberg, Germany.,Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Aruna Marchetto
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin F Orth
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jing Li
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research (B410), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) & Hopp-Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69210, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Susanne Jabar
- Pediatrics III, West German Cancer Centre, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Andreas Ranft
- Pediatrics III, West German Cancer Centre, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Endrit Vinca
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research (B410), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) & Hopp-Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69210, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katharina Ceranski
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research (B410), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) & Hopp-Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69210, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martha J Carreño-Gonzalez
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research (B410), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) & Hopp-Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69210, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Laura Romero-Pérez
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research (B410), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) & Hopp-Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69210, Heidelberg, Germany.,Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Fabienne S Wehweck
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Julian Musa
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research (B410), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) & Hopp-Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69210, Heidelberg, Germany.,Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felix Bestvater
- Light Microscopy Facility, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maximilian M L Knott
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tilman L B Hölting
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hartmann
- Division of Translational Pathology, Gerhard-Domagk-Institute for Pathology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Uta Dirksen
- Pediatrics III, West German Cancer Centre, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kirchner
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Florencia Cidre-Aranaz
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research (B410), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) & Hopp-Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69210, Heidelberg, Germany.,Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas G P Grünewald
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany. .,Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research (B410), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) & Hopp-Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69210, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany. .,Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
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12
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Ostergaard J, Jonart LM, Ebadi M, Koppenhafer SL, Gordon DJ, Gordon PM. Preclinical efficacy of prexasertib in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Br J Haematol 2021; 194:1094-1098. [PMID: 34096630 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.17610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jason Ostergaard
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Leslie M Jonart
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Maryam Ebadi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Stacia L Koppenhafer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - David J Gordon
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Peter M Gordon
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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13
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Waters T, Goss KL, Koppenhafer SL, Terry WW, Gordon DJ. Eltrombopag inhibits the proliferation of Ewing sarcoma cells via iron chelation and impaired DNA replication. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:1171. [PMID: 33256675 PMCID: PMC7706234 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07668-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The treatment of Ewing sarcoma, an aggressive bone and soft tissue sarcoma, is associated with suboptimal outcomes and significant side-effects. Consequently, there is an urgent need to identify novel therapies that will improve outcomes for children and adults with Ewing sarcoma tumors while also decreasing treatment-related toxicities. Methods We analyzed data from the PRISM drug repurposing screen, which tested the activity of 4518 drugs across 578 cancer cell lines, to identify drugs that selectively inhibit the growth of Ewing sarcoma cell lines. We then tested the effects of a top hit from the screen on cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and activation of the DNA damage pathway using Ewing sarcoma cell lines. We also used a CRISPR/Cas9 gene knockout approach to investigate the role of Schlafen 11 (SLFN11), a restriction factor for DNA replication stress that is overexpressed in Ewing sarcoma tumors, in mediating the sensitivity of Ewing sarcoma cells to the drug. Results We found that eltrombopag, an FDA-approved thrombopoietin-receptor agonist (TPO-RA) that is currently being evaluated as a treatment for chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, inhibits the growth of Ewing sarcoma cell lines in vitro in proliferation and colony formation assays. However, from a mechanistic standpoint, the thrombopoietin receptor is not expressed in Ewing sarcoma cells and we show that eltrombopag impairs DNA replication and causes DNA damage in Ewing sarcoma cells by chelating iron, a known “off-target” effect of the drug. We also found that the sensitivity of Ewing sarcoma cells to eltrombopag is mediated, in part, by SLFN11, which regulates the cellular response to DNA replication stress. Conclusions Ewing sarcoma cell lines are sensitive to eltrombopag and this drug could improve outcomes for patients with Ewing sarcoma tumors by both targeting the tumor, via chelation of iron and inhibition of DNA replication, and reducing chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, via stimulation of the thrombopoietin receptor. Supplementary Information Supplementary information accompanies this paper at 10.1186/s12885-020-07668-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torin Waters
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, 25 S Grand Avenue, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA
| | - Kelli L Goss
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, 25 S Grand Avenue, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA
| | - Stacia L Koppenhafer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, 25 S Grand Avenue, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA
| | - William W Terry
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, 25 S Grand Avenue, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA
| | - David J Gordon
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, 25 S Grand Avenue, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA.
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14
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Goss KL, Koppenhafer SL, Waters T, Terry WW, Wen KK, Wu M, Ostergaard J, Gordon PM, Gordon DJ. The translational repressor 4E-BP1 regulates RRM2 levels and functions as a tumor suppressor in Ewing sarcoma tumors. Oncogene 2020; 40:564-577. [PMID: 33191406 PMCID: PMC7856031 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01552-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), which is a heterodimeric tetramer composed of RRM1 and RRM2 subunits, is the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) and essential for both DNA replication and the repair of DNA damage. The activity of RNR is coordinated with the cell cycle and regulated by fluctuations in the level of the RRM2 subunit. Multiple cancer types, including Ewing sarcoma tumors, are sensitive to inhibitors of RNR or a reduction in the levels of either the RRM1 or RRM2 subunits of RNR. Here, we show that the expression of the RRM2 protein is dependent on active protein synthesis and that 4E-BP1, a repressor of cap-dependent protein translation, specifically regulates the level of the RRM2 protein. Furthermore, inhibition of mTORC1/2, but not mTORC1, activates 4E-BP1, inhibits protein synthesis, and reduces the level of the RRM2 protein in multiple sarcoma cell lines. This effect of mTORC1/2 inhibitors on protein synthesis and RRM2 levels was rescued in cell lines with the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of 4E-BP1. In addition, the inducible expression of a mutant 4E-BP1 protein that cannot be phosphorylated by mTOR blocked protein synthesis and inhibited the growth of Ewing sarcoma cells in vitro and in vivo in a xenograft. Overall, these results provide insight into the multifaceted regulation of RRM2 protein levels and identify a regulatory link between protein translation and DNA replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelli L Goss
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Stacia L Koppenhafer
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Torin Waters
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - William W Terry
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Kuo-Kuang Wen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Meng Wu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Jason Ostergaard
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Peter M Gordon
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - David J Gordon
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
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15
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Martin JC, Hoegel TJ, Lynch ML, Woloszynska A, Melendy T, Ohm JE. Exploiting Replication Stress as a Novel Therapeutic Intervention. Mol Cancer Res 2020; 19:192-206. [PMID: 33020173 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive pediatric tumor of the bone and soft tissue. The current standard of care is radiation and chemotherapy, and patients generally lack targeted therapies. One of the defining molecular features of this tumor type is the presence of significantly elevated levels of replication stress as compared with both normal cells and many other types of cancers, but the source of this stress is poorly understood. Tumors that harbor elevated levels of replication stress rely on the replication stress and DNA damage response pathways to retain viability. Understanding the source of the replication stress in Ewing sarcoma may reveal novel therapeutic targets. Ewing sarcomagenesis is complex, and in this review, we discuss the current state of our knowledge regarding elevated replication stress and the DNA damage response in Ewing sarcoma, one contributor to the disease process. We will also describe how these pathways are being successfully targeted therapeutically in other tumor types, and discuss possible novel, evidence-based therapeutic interventions in Ewing sarcoma. We hope that this consolidation will spark investigations that uncover new therapeutic targets and lead to the development of better treatment options for patients with Ewing sarcoma. IMPLICATIONS: This review uncovers new therapeutic targets in Ewing sarcoma and highlights replication stress as an exploitable vulnerability across multiple cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey C Martin
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Tamara J Hoegel
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Miranda L Lynch
- Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, Buffalo, New York
| | - Anna Woloszynska
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Thomas Melendy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Joyce E Ohm
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York.
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16
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Koppenhafer SL, Goss KL, Terry WW, Gordon DJ. Inhibition of the ATR-CHK1 Pathway in Ewing Sarcoma Cells Causes DNA Damage and Apoptosis via the CDK2-Mediated Degradation of RRM2. Mol Cancer Res 2020; 18:91-104. [PMID: 31649026 PMCID: PMC6942212 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-19-0585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of deoxyribonucleotides, causes DNA replication stress and activates the ataxia telangiectasia and rad3-related protein (ATR)-checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) pathway. Notably, a number of different cancers, including Ewing sarcoma tumors, are sensitive to the combination of RNR and ATR-CHK1 inhibitors. However, multiple, overlapping mechanisms are reported to underlie the toxicity of ATR-CHK1 inhibitors, both as single agents and in combination with RNR inhibitors, toward cancer cells. Here, we identified a feedback loop in Ewing sarcoma cells in which inhibition of the ATR-CHK1 pathway depletes RRM2, the small subunit of RNR, and exacerbates the DNA replication stress and DNA damage caused by RNR inhibitors. Mechanistically, we identified that the inhibition of ATR-CHK1 activates CDK2, which targets RRM2 for degradation via the proteasome. Similarly, activation of CDK2 by inhibition or knockdown of the WEE1 kinase also depletes RRM2 and causes DNA damage and apoptosis. Moreover, we show that the concurrent inhibition of ATR and WEE1 has a synergistic effect in Ewing sarcoma cells. Overall, our results provide novel insight into the response to DNA replication stress, as well as a rationale for targeting the ATR, CHK1, and WEE1 pathways, in Ewing sarcoma tumors. IMPLICATIONS: Targeting the ATR, CHK1, and WEE1 kinases in Ewing sarcoma cells activates CDK2 and increases DNA replication stress by promoting the proteasome-mediated degradation of RRM2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacia L Koppenhafer
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Kelli L Goss
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - William W Terry
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - David J Gordon
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.
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17
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Wilsker DF, Barrett AM, Dull AB, Lawrence SM, Hollingshead MG, Chen A, Kummar S, Parchment RE, Doroshow JH, Kinders RJ. Evaluation of Pharmacodynamic Responses to Cancer Therapeutic Agents Using DNA Damage Markers. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:3084-3095. [PMID: 30792217 PMCID: PMC6522288 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-2523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We sought to examine the pharmacodynamic activation of the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway in tumors following anticancer treatment for confirmation of target engagement. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We evaluated the time course and spatial activation of 3 protein biomarkers of DNA damage recognition and repair (γH2AX, pS343-Nbs1, and Rad51) simultaneously in a quantitative multiplex immunofluorescence assay (IFA) to assess DDR pathway activation in tumor tissues following exposure to DNA-damaging agents. RESULTS Because of inherent biological variability, baseline DDR biomarker levels were evaluated in a colorectal cancer microarray to establish clinically relevant thresholds for pharmacodynamic activation. Xenograft-bearing mice and clinical colorectal tumor biopsies obtained from subjects exposed to DNA-damaging therapeutic regimens demonstrated marked intratumor heterogeneity in the timing and extent of DDR biomarker activation due, in part, to the cell-cycle dependency of DNA damage biomarker expression. CONCLUSIONS We have demonstrated the clinical utility of this DDR multiplex IFA in preclinical models and clinical specimens following exposure to multiple classes of cytotoxic agents, DNA repair protein inhibitors, and molecularly targeted agents, in both homologous recombination-proficient and -deficient contexts. Levels exceeding 4% nuclear area positive (NAP) γH2AX, 4% NAP pS343-Nbs1, and 5% cells with ≥5 Rad51 nuclear foci indicate a DDR activation response to treatment in human colorectal cancer tissue. Determination of effect-level cutoffs allows for robust interpretation of biomarkers with significant interpatient and intratumor heterogeneity; simultaneous assessment of biomarkers induced at different phases of the DDR guards against the risk of false negatives due to an ill-timed biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah F Wilsker
- Clinical Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers Program, Applied/Developmental Research Directorate, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland.
| | - Allison M Barrett
- Clinical Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers Program, Applied/Developmental Research Directorate, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Angie B Dull
- Clinical Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers Program, Applied/Developmental Research Directorate, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Scott M Lawrence
- Clinical Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers Program, Applied/Developmental Research Directorate, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | | | - Alice Chen
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Shivaani Kummar
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Ralph E Parchment
- Clinical Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers Program, Applied/Developmental Research Directorate, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - James H Doroshow
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Robert J Kinders
- Clinical Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers Program, Applied/Developmental Research Directorate, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland.
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18
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Moeglin E, Desplancq D, Conic S, Oulad-Abdelghani M, Stoessel A, Chiper M, Vigneron M, Didier P, Tora L, Weiss E. Uniform Widespread Nuclear Phosphorylation of Histone H2AX Is an Indicator of Lethal DNA Replication Stress. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E355. [PMID: 30871194 PMCID: PMC6468890 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11030355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX), a central player in the DNA damage response (DDR), serves as a biomarker of DNA double-strand break repair. Although DNA damage is generally visualized by the formation of γ-H2AX foci in injured nuclei, it is unclear whether the widespread uniform nuclear γ-H2AX (called pan-nuclear) pattern occurring upon intense replication stress (RS) is linked to DDR. Using a novel monoclonal antibody that binds exclusively to the phosphorylated C-terminus of H2AX, we demonstrate that H2AX phosphorylation is systematically pan-nuclear in cancer cells stressed with RS-inducing drugs just before they die. The pan-nuclear γ-H2AX pattern is abolished by inhibition of the DNA-PK kinase. Cell death induction of cancer cells treated with increasing combinations of replication and kinase (ATR and Chk1) inhibitory drugs was proportional to the appearance of pan-nuclear γ-H2AX pattern. Delivery of labeled anti-γ-H2AX Fabs in stressed cells demonstrated at a single cell level that pan-nuclear γ-H2AX formation precedes irreversible cell death. Moreover, we show that H2AX is not required for RS-induced cell death in HeLa cells. Thus, the nuclear-wide formation of γ-H2AX is an incident of RS-induced cell death and, thus, the pan nuclear H2AX pattern should be regarded as an indicator of lethal RS-inducing drug efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Moeglin
- Biotechnologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, UMR 7242, CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, Boulevard S. Brant, 67412 Illlkirch, France.
| | - Dominique Desplancq
- Biotechnologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, UMR 7242, CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, Boulevard S. Brant, 67412 Illlkirch, France.
| | - Sascha Conic
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 67404 Illkirch, France.
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7104, 67404 Illkirch, France.
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U964, 67404 Illkirch, France.
- Université de Strasbourg, UMR 7104, 67404 Illkirch, France.
| | - Mustapha Oulad-Abdelghani
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 67404 Illkirch, France.
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7104, 67404 Illkirch, France.
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U964, 67404 Illkirch, France.
- Université de Strasbourg, UMR 7104, 67404 Illkirch, France.
| | - Audrey Stoessel
- Biotechnologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, UMR 7242, CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, Boulevard S. Brant, 67412 Illlkirch, France.
| | - Manuela Chiper
- Biotechnologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, UMR 7242, CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, Boulevard S. Brant, 67412 Illlkirch, France.
| | - Marc Vigneron
- Biotechnologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, UMR 7242, CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, Boulevard S. Brant, 67412 Illlkirch, France.
| | - Pascal Didier
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies, UMR 7213, CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, Route du Rhin, 67401 Illkirch, France.
| | - Laszlo Tora
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 67404 Illkirch, France.
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7104, 67404 Illkirch, France.
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U964, 67404 Illkirch, France.
- Université de Strasbourg, UMR 7104, 67404 Illkirch, France.
| | - Etienne Weiss
- Biotechnologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, UMR 7242, CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, Boulevard S. Brant, 67412 Illlkirch, France.
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Lowery CD, Dowless M, Renschler M, Blosser W, VanWye AB, Stephens JR, Iversen PW, Lin AB, Beckmann RP, Krytska K, Cole KA, Maris JM, Hawkins DS, Rubin BP, Kurmasheva RT, Houghton PJ, Gorlick R, Kolb EA, Kang MH, Reynolds CP, Erickson SW, Teicher BA, Smith MA, Stancato LF. Broad Spectrum Activity of the Checkpoint Kinase 1 Inhibitor Prexasertib as a Single Agent or Chemopotentiator Across a Range of Preclinical Pediatric Tumor Models. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 25:2278-2289. [PMID: 30563935 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-2728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) inhibitors potentiate the DNA-damaging effects of cytotoxic therapies and/or promote elevated levels of replication stress, leading to tumor cell death. Prexasertib (LY2606368) is a CHK1 small-molecule inhibitor under clinical evaluation in multiple adult and pediatric cancers. In this study, prexasertib was tested in a large panel of preclinical models of pediatric solid malignancies alone or in combination with chemotherapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN DNA damage and changes in cell signaling following in vitro prexasertib treatment in pediatric sarcoma cell lines were analyzed by Western blot and high content imaging. Antitumor activity of prexasertib as a single agent or in combination with different chemotherapies was explored in cell line-derived (CDX) and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models representing nine different pediatric cancer histologies. RESULTS Pediatric sarcoma cell lines were highly sensitive to prexasertib treatment in vitro, resulting in activation of the DNA damage response. Two PDX models of desmoplastic small round cell tumor and one malignant rhabdoid tumor CDX model responded to prexasertib with complete regression. Prexasertib monotherapy also elicited robust responses in mouse models of rhabdomyosarcoma. Concurrent administration with chemotherapy was sufficient to overcome innate resistance or prevent acquired resistance to prexasertib in preclinical models of neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, and Ewing sarcoma, or alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Prexasertib has significant antitumor effects as a monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy in multiple preclinical models of pediatric cancer. These findings support further investigation of prexasertib in pediatric malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin D Lowery
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Michele Dowless
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Matthew Renschler
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Wayne Blosser
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Alle B VanWye
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | - Philip W Iversen
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Aimee Bence Lin
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | - Kateryna Krytska
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kristina A Cole
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - John M Maris
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Douglas S Hawkins
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington
| | - Brian P Rubin
- Departments of Pathology and Cancer Biology, Robert J Tomsich Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute and Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | | | - Peter J Houghton
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas
| | | | - E Anders Kolb
- Nemours Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Wilmington, Delaware
| | - Min H Kang
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | | | | | | | | | - Louis F Stancato
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana.
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20
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Lee J, Nguyen PT, Shim HS, Hyeon SJ, Im H, Choi MH, Chung S, Kowall NW, Lee SB, Ryu H. EWSR1, a multifunctional protein, regulates cellular function and aging via genetic and epigenetic pathways. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2018; 1865:1938-1945. [PMID: 30481590 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2018.10.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ewing's sarcoma (EWS) is a bone cancer arising predominantly in young children. EWSR1 (Ewing Sarcoma breakpoint region 1/EWS RNA binding protein 1) gene is ubiquitously expressed in most cell types, indicating it has diverse roles in various cellular processes and organ development. Recently, several studies have shown that missense mutations of EWSR1 genes are known to be associated with central nervous system disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Otherwise, EWSR1 plays epigenetic roles in gene expression, RNA processing, and cellular signal transduction. Interestingly, EWSR1 controls micro RNA (miRNA) levels via Drosha, leading to autophagy dysfunction and impaired dermal development. Ewsr1 deficiency also leads to premature senescence of blood cells and gamete cells with a high rate of apoptosis due to the abnormal meiosis. Despite these roles of EWSR1 in various cellular functions, the exact mechanisms are not yet understood. In this context, the current review overviews a large body of evidence and discusses on what EWSR1 genetic mutations are associated with brain diseases and on how EWSR1 modulates cellular function via the epigenetic pathway. This will provide a better understanding of bona fide roles of EWSR1 in aging and its association with brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junghee Lee
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and Departments of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, United States of America; Veteran's Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA
| | - Phuong T Nguyen
- Centers for Neuromedicine and Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Hyun Soo Shim
- Centers for Neuromedicine and Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Seung Jae Hyeon
- Centers for Neuromedicine and Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Hyeonjoo Im
- Centers for Neuromedicine and Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Mi-Hyun Choi
- Centers for Neuromedicine and Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Sooyoung Chung
- Centers for Neuromedicine and Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea
| | - Neil W Kowall
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and Departments of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, United States of America; Veteran's Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA
| | - Sean Bong Lee
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
| | - Hoon Ryu
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and Departments of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, United States of America; Veteran's Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA; Centers for Neuromedicine and Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea.
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21
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Koppenhafer SL, Goss KL, Terry WW, Gordon DJ. mTORC1/2 and Protein Translation Regulate Levels of CHK1 and the Sensitivity to CHK1 Inhibitors in Ewing Sarcoma Cells. Mol Cancer Ther 2018; 17:2676-2688. [PMID: 30282812 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-18-0260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The treatment of Ewing sarcoma has changed very little in the past two decades and novel treatment approaches are needed. We recently identified that Ewing sarcoma cells are uniquely vulnerable to inhibitors of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of deoxyribonucleotides. We subsequently found that the inhibition of checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) increases the sensitivity of Ewing sarcoma cells to inhibitors of RNR, such as gemcitabine. However, Ewing sarcoma cells exhibit high levels of the CHK1 protein, which may represent an adaptive response to elevated levels of endogenous DNA replication stress. Consequently, we began this work with the aim of determining the impact of CHK1 levels on drug sensitivity, as well as identifying the mechanisms and pathways that regulate CHK1 levels in Ewing sarcoma cells. In this report, we show that the high levels of the CHK1 protein in Ewing sarcoma cells limit the efficacy of CHK1 inhibitors. However, inhibition of mTORC1/2 activates the translational repressor 4E-BP1, reduces protein synthesis, and decreases levels of the CHK1 protein in Ewing sarcoma cells. Similarly, we identified that the CHK1 inhibitor prexasertib also activates 4E-BP1, inhibits protein synthesis, and reduces CHK1 protein levels in Ewing sarcoma cells. Moreover, the combination of prexasertib and gemcitabine was synergistic in vitro, caused tumor regression in vivo, and significantly prolonged mouse survival in a Ewing sarcoma xenograft experiment. Overall, our results provide insight into Ewing sarcoma biology and support further investigation of the CHK1 pathway as a therapeutic target in Ewing sarcoma tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacia L Koppenhafer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Kelli L Goss
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - William W Terry
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - David J Gordon
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.
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