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Pung HS, Tye GJ, Leow CH, Ng WK, Lai NS. Generation of peptides using phage display technology for cancer diagnosis and molecular imaging. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:4653-4664. [PMID: 37014570 PMCID: PMC10072011 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08380-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide; nearly 10 million people died from it in 2020. The high mortality rate results from the lack of effective screening approaches where early detection cannot be achieved, reducing the chance of early intervention to prevent cancer development. Non-invasive and deep-tissue imaging is useful in cancer diagnosis, contributing to a visual presentation of anatomy and physiology in a rapid and safe manner. Its sensitivity and specificity can be enhanced with the application of targeting ligands with the conjugation of imaging probes. Phage display is a powerful technology to identify antibody- or peptide-based ligands with effective binding specificity against their target receptor. Tumour-targeting peptides exhibit promising results in molecular imaging, but the application is limited to animals only. Modern nanotechnology facilitates the combination of peptides with various nanoparticles due to their superior characteristics, rendering novel strategies in designing more potent imaging probes for cancer diagnosis and targeting therapy. In the end, a myriad of peptide candidates that aimed for different cancers diagnosis and imaging in various forms of research were reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Shin Pung
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Gee Jun Tye
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Chiuan Herng Leow
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Woei Kean Ng
- Faculty of Medicine, AIMST University, Bedong, Kedah, 08100, Malaysia
| | - Ngit Shin Lai
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
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2
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Selection of Cancer Stem Cell-Targeting Agents Using Bacteriophage Display. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2022; 2394:787-810. [PMID: 35094358 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1811-0_41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
There is a growing need to develop tumor targeting agents for aggressive cancers. Aggressive cancers frequently relapse and are resistant to various therapies. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to be the cause of relapse and the aggressive nature of many cancers. Targeting CSCs could lead to novel diagnostic and treatment options. Bacteriophage (phage) display is a powerful tool developed by George Smith in 1985 to aid in the discovery of CSC targeting agents. Phage display selections are typically performed in vitro against an immobilized target. There are inherent disadvantages with this technique that can be circumvented by performing phage display selections in vivo. However, in vivo phage display selections present new challenges. A combination of both in vitro and in vivo selections, however, can take advantage of both selection methods. In this chapter, we discuss in detail how to isolate a CSC like population of cells from an aggressive cancer cell line, perform in vivo and in vitro phage display selections against the CSCs, and then characterize the resulting phage/peptides for further use as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool.
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Jiwacharoenchai N, Tabtimmai L, Kiriwan D, Suwattanasophon C, Seetaha S, Sinthuvanich C, Choowongkomon K. A novel cyclic NP1 reveals obstruction of EGFR kinase activity and attenuation of EGFR-driven cell lines. J Cell Biochem 2021; 123:248-258. [PMID: 34633106 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Aberrations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), for example, mutations and overexpression, play pivotal roles in various cellular functions, such as proliferation, migration, and cell differentiation. Approved small molecule-based inhibitors, including gefitinib and erlotinib, are used clinically to target the tyrosine kinase domain of EGFR (TK-EGFR). However, the severity of the side effects, off-target effects, and drug resistance is a concern. Cyclic peptides are a well-known peptide format with high stability and are promising molecules for drug development. Herein, the Ph.D.™-C7C phage display library was used to screen cyclic peptides against TK-EGFR. Biopanning, both with and without propagation methods, was performed to assess the highest capacity peptides using the enzymatic activity of TK-EGFR. Interestingly, NP1, a peptide selected during biopanning without propagation demonstrated an inhibitory effect against TK-EGFR at IC50 within the nanomolar range; this effect was better than that of P1 obtained using biopanning with propagation. Moreover, NP1 elicited EGFR with an affinity binding (KD ) value of 18.40 ± 5.50 µM by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Introducing cell-penetrating peptides or Arginine-9 (Arg9) at the N-terminus of NP1 thus improves cell-penetrability and can lead to the inhibition of EGFR-driven cancer cell lines; however, it exhibits no hepatotoxicity. Furthermore, NP1 caused a decrease in phosphorylated EGFR after activation within cells. A docking model shows that NP1 interacted primarily with TK-EGFR via hydrogen bonding. Together, this suggests that NP1 is a novel EGFR peptide inhibitor candidate with specificity and selectivity toward TK-EGFR, and may be applied to targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nattanan Jiwacharoenchai
- Genetic Engineering Interdisciplinary Program, Graduate School, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Lueacha Tabtimmai
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Science, King Mongkut University of North Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Duangnapa Kiriwan
- Genetic Engineering Interdisciplinary Program, Graduate School, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Supaphorn Seetaha
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chomdao Sinthuvanich
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kiattawee Choowongkomon
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Center for Advanced Studies in Nanotechnology for Chemical Food and Agricultural Industries, KU Institute for Advanced Studies, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
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4
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Khan F, Gurung S, Gunassekaran GR, Vadevoo SMP, Chi L, Permpoon U, Haque ME, Lee YK, Lee SW, Kim S, Lee B. Identification of novel CD44v6-binding peptides that block CD44v6 and deliver a pro-apoptotic peptide to tumors to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis in mice. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:1326-1344. [PMID: 33391537 PMCID: PMC7738880 DOI: 10.7150/thno.50564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
CD44v6, a splice variant of the cell surface glycoprotein CD44, acts as a co-receptor for c-Met and is upregulated in tumors with high metastatic potential. Methods: We screened a phage-displayed peptide library for peptides that selectively bind to CD44v6-overexpressing cells and exploited them to block CD44v6 and deliver a pro-apoptotic peptide to tumors for cancer therapy. Results: CNLNTIDTC (NLN) and CNEWQLKSC (NEW) peptides bound preferentially to CD44v6-high cells than to CD44v6-low cells. The binding affinities of NLN and NEW to CD44v6 protein were 253 ± 79 and 85 ± 18 nM, respectively. Peptide binding to CD44v6-high cells was inhibited by the knockdown of CD44v6 gene expression and competition with an anti-CD44v6 antibody. A pull-down assay with biotin-labeled peptides enriched CD44v6 from cell lysates. NLN and NEW induced CD44v6 internalization and inhibited hepatocyte growth factor-induced c-Met internalization, c-Met and Erk phosphorylation, and cell migration and invasion. In mice harboring tumors, intravenously administered NLN and NEW homed to the tumors and inhibited metastasis to the lungs. When combined with crizotinib, a c-Met inhibitor, treatment with each peptide inhibited metastatic growth more efficiently than each peptide or crizotinib alone. In addition, KLAKLAKKLAKLAK pro-apoptotic peptide guided by NLN (NLN-KLA) or NEW (NEW-KLA) killed tumor cells and inhibited tumor growth and metastasis. No significant systemic side effects were observed after treatments. Conclusions: These results suggest that NLN and NEW are promising metastasis-inhibiting peptide therapeutics and targeting moieties for CD44v6-expressing metastases.
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Liu Q, Gu J, Zhang E, He L, Yuan ZX. Targeted Delivery of Therapeutics to Urological Cancer Stem Cells. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 26:2038-2056. [PMID: 32250210 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200403131514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Urological cancer refers to cancer in organs of the urinary system and the male reproductive system. It mainly includes prostate cancer, bladder cancer, renal cancer, etc., seriously threatening patients' survival. Although there are many advances in the treatment of urological cancer, approved targeted therapies often result in tumor recurrence and therapy failure. An increasing amount of evidence indicated that cancer stem cells (CSCs) with tumor-initiating ability were the source of treatment failure in urological cancer. The development of CSCstargeted strategy can provide a possibility for the complete elimination of urological cancer. This review is based on a search of PubMed, Google scholar and NIH database (http://ClinicalTrials.gov/) for English language articles containing the terms: "biomarkers", "cancer stem cells", "targeting/targeted therapy", "prostate cancer", bladder cancer" and "kidney cancer". We summarized the biomarkers and stem cell features of the prostate, bladder and renal CSCs, outlined the targeted strategies for urological CSCs from signaling pathways, cytokines, angiogenesis, surface markers, elimination therapy, differentiation therapy, immunotherapy, microRNA, nanomedicine, etc., and highlighted the prospects and future challenges in this research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Liu
- Yaopharma Co., Ltd. Chongqing, China
| | - Jian Gu
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - E Zhang
- Officers college of PAP, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lili He
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhi-Xiang Yuan
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Smith GP. Phage Display: Simple Evolution in a Petri Dish (Nobel Lecture). Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:14428-14437. [PMID: 31529666 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201908308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Playing with evolution: In his Nobel lecture, George P. Smith reconstructs the story of the phage-display idea as he personally experienced it. The development of this technique is a case study in how a scientific advance emerges gradually in incremental steps within overlapping global scientific communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- George P Smith
- University of Missouri, Division of Biological Sciences, Tucker Hall, Columbia, MO, 65211-7400, USA
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7
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Smith GP. Phagen‐Display: Einfache Evolution in der Petrischale (Nobel‐Vortrag). Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201908308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- George P. Smith
- University of Missouri Division of Biological Sciences Tucker Hall Columbia MO 65211-7400 USA
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8
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Vaddi PK, Stamnes MA, Cao H, Chen S. Elimination of SOX2/OCT4-Associated Prostate Cancer Stem Cells Blocks Tumor Development and Enhances Therapeutic Response. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11091331. [PMID: 31500347 PMCID: PMC6769476 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11091331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
SOX2 and OCT4 are key regulators of embryonic stem cell pluripotency. They are overexpressed in prostate cancers and have been associated with cancer stem cell (CSC) properties. However, reliable tools for detecting and targeting SOX2/OCT4-overexpressing cells are lacking, limiting our understanding of their roles in prostate cancer initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance. Here, we show that a fluorescent reporter called SORE6 can identify SOX2/OCT4-overexpressing prostate cancer cells. Among tumor cells, the SORE6 reporter identified a small fraction with CSC hallmarks: rapid self-renewal, the capability to form tumors and metastasize, and resistance to chemotherapies. Transcriptome and biochemical analyses identified PI3K/AKT signaling as critical for maintaining the SORE6+ population. Moreover, a SORE6-driven herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (TK) expression construct could selectively ablate SORE6+ cells in tumors, blocking tumor initiation and progression, and sensitizing tumors to chemotherapy. This study demonstrates a key role of SOX2/OCT4-associated prostate cancer stem cells in tumor development and therapeutic resistance, and identifies the SORE6 reporter system as a useful tool for characterizing CSCs functions in a native tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanna Kumar Vaddi
- The Department of Pharmacology, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
| | - Mark A Stamnes
- The Department of Molecular Physiology and Physics, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
| | - Huojun Cao
- The Department of Endodontics, College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
| | - Songhai Chen
- The Department of Pharmacology, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
- The Department of Internal Medicine, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
- The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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Skvortsov S, Skvortsova II, Tang DG, Dubrovska A. Concise Review: Prostate Cancer Stem Cells: Current Understanding. Stem Cells 2018; 36:1457-1474. [PMID: 29845679 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is heterogeneous, harboring phenotypically diverse cancer cell types. PCa cell heterogeneity is caused by genomic instability that leads to the clonal competition and evolution of the cancer genome and by epigenetic mechanisms that result in subclonal cellular differentiation. The process of tumor cell differentiation is initiated from a population of prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) that possess many phenotypic and functional properties of normal stem cells. Since the initial reports on PCSCs in 2005, there has been much effort to elucidate their biological properties, including unique metabolic characteristics. In this Review, we discuss the current methods for PCSC enrichment and analysis, the hallmarks of PCSC metabolism, and the role of PCSCs in tumor progression. Stem Cells 2018;36:1457-1474.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergej Skvortsov
- Laboratory for Experimental and Translational Research on Radiation Oncology (EXTRO-Lab), Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.,Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ira-Ida Skvortsova
- Laboratory for Experimental and Translational Research on Radiation Oncology (EXTRO-Lab), Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.,Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dean G Tang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, USA.,Cancer Stem Cell Institute, Research Center for Translational Medicine, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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