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Coulter DW, Chhonker YS, Kumar D, Kesherwani V, Aldhafiri WN, McIntyre EM, Alexander G, Ray S, Joshi SS, Li R, Murry DJ, Chaturvedi NK. Marinopyrrole derivative MP1 as a novel anti-cancer agent in group 3 MYC-amplified Medulloblastoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:18. [PMID: 38200580 PMCID: PMC10782703 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-02944-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastoma (MB) patients with MYC oncogene amplification or overexpression exhibit extremely poor prognoses and therapy resistance. However, MYC itself has been one of the most challenging targets for cancer treatment. Here, we identify a novel marinopyrrole natural derivative, MP1, that shows desirable anti-MYC and anti-cancer activities in MB. METHODS In this study, using MYC-amplified (Group 3) and non-MYC amplified MB cell lines in vitro and in vivo, we evaluated anti-cancer efficacies and molecular mechanism(s) of MP1. RESULTS MP1 significantly suppressed MB cell growth and sphere counts and induced G2 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a MYC-dependent manner. Mechanistically, MP1 strongly downregulated the expression of MYC protein. Our results with RNA-seq revealed that MP1 significantly modulated global gene expression and inhibited MYC-associated transcriptional targets including translation/mTOR targets. In addition, MP1 inhibited MYC-target metabolism, leading to declined energy levels. The combination of MP1 with an FDA-approved mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus synergistically inhibited MB cell growth/survival by downregulating the expression of MYC and mTOR signaling components. Our results further showed that as single agents, both MP1 and temsirolimus, were able to significantly inhibit tumor growth and MYC expression in subcutaneously or orthotopically MYC-amplified MB bearing mice. In combination, there were further anti-MB effects on the tumor growth and MYC expression in mice. CONCLUSION These preclinical findings highlight the promise of marinopyrrole MP1 as a novel MYC inhibition approach for MYC-amplified MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don W Coulter
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
- Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Yashpal S Chhonker
- Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Devendra Kumar
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Varun Kesherwani
- Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Wafaa N Aldhafiri
- Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Erin M McIntyre
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Gracey Alexander
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Sutapa Ray
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Shantaram S Joshi
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Rongshi Li
- Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Daryl J Murry
- Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
- Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Nagendra K Chaturvedi
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
- Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology Division, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
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Slika H, Alimonti P, Raj D, Caraway C, Alomari S, Jackson EM, Tyler B. The Neurodevelopmental and Molecular Landscape of Medulloblastoma Subgroups: Current Targets and the Potential for Combined Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3889. [PMID: 37568705 PMCID: PMC10417410 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153889] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. Despite the use of multiple therapeutic approaches consisting of surgical resection, craniospinal irradiation, and multiagent chemotherapy, the prognosis of many patients with medulloblastoma remains dismal. Additionally, the high doses of radiation and the chemotherapeutic agents used are associated with significant short- and long-term complications and adverse effects, most notably neurocognitive delay. Hence, there is an urgent need for the development and clinical integration of targeted treatment regimens with greater efficacy and superior safety profiles. Since the adoption of the molecular-based classification of medulloblastoma into wingless (WNT) activated, sonic hedgehog (SHH) activated, group 3, and group 4, research efforts have been directed towards unraveling the genetic, epigenetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic profiles of each subtype. This review aims to delineate the progress that has been made in characterizing the neurodevelopmental and molecular features of each medulloblastoma subtype. It further delves into the implications that these characteristics have on the development of subgroup-specific targeted therapeutic agents. Furthermore, it highlights potential future avenues for combining multiple agents or strategies in order to obtain augmented effects and evade the development of treatment resistance in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Slika
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon;
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Paolo Alimonti
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Divyaansh Raj
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Chad Caraway
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Safwan Alomari
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Eric M. Jackson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Betty Tyler
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
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3
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Rechberger JS, Toll SA, Vanbilloen WJF, Daniels DJ, Khatua S. Exploring the Molecular Complexity of Medulloblastoma: Implications for Diagnosis and Treatment. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2398. [PMID: 37510143 PMCID: PMC10378552 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13142398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Over the last few decades, significant progress has been made in revealing the key molecular underpinnings of this disease, leading to the identification of distinct molecular subgroups with different clinical outcomes. In this review, we provide an update on the molecular landscape of medulloblastoma and treatment strategies. We discuss the four main molecular subgroups (WNT-activated, SHH-activated, and non-WNT/non-SHH groups 3 and 4), highlighting the key genetic alterations and signaling pathways associated with each entity. Furthermore, we explore the emerging role of epigenetic regulation in medulloblastoma and the mechanism of resistance to therapy. We also delve into the latest developments in targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Continuing collaborative efforts are needed to further unravel the complex molecular mechanisms and profile optimal treatment for this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian S Rechberger
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Stephanie A Toll
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Wouter J F Vanbilloen
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Neurology, Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, 5022 Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - David J Daniels
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Soumen Khatua
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Section of Neuro-Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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4
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Lygina E, Morgacheva D, Khadela A, Postwala H, Shah Y, Dinikina Y. Effectiveness of metronomic chemotherapy in a child with medulloblastoma: A case report. Oncol Lett 2023; 25:194. [PMID: 37113402 PMCID: PMC10126878 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.13780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is one of the most common pediatric malignant tumors arising from the central nervous system with an unknown etiology and variable prognosis. Relapsed or refractory MB in pediatric patients after intensive anticancer therapy (chemo-, radiotherapy) is associated with treatment resistance and poor survival prognosis. Metronomic chemotherapy in combination with mTOR inhibitors may have advantages due to an alternate mechanism of cytotoxicity and a favourable adverse effects profile. Furthermore, it is considered to be a prospective anticancer regimen regardless of the presence/absence of molecular targets. The present study reported a successful result of this treatment option with optimal tolerability in relapsed MB in a pediatric male patient and highlighted the advantages for a selected group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Lygina
- Department of Chemotherapy for Hematologic Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation for Children, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St. Petersburg 197341, Russia
| | - Daria Morgacheva
- Department of Chemotherapy for Hematologic Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation for Children, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St. Petersburg 197341, Russia
| | - Avinash Khadela
- Department of Pharmacology, L.M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009, India
| | - Humzah Postwala
- Pharm D Section, L.M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009, India
| | - Yesha Shah
- Pharm D Section, L.M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009, India
| | - Yulia Dinikina
- Department of Chemotherapy for Hematologic Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation for Children, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St. Petersburg 197341, Russia
- Correspondence to: Dr Yulia Dinikina, Department of Chemotherapy for Hematologic Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation for Children, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 2 Akkuratova Street, St. Petersburg 197341, Russia, E-mail:
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Rohrer KA, Song H, Akbar A, Chen Y, Pramanik S, Wilder PJ, McIntyre EM, Chaturvedi NK, Bhakat KK, Rizzino A, Coulter DW, Ray S. STAT3 Inhibition Attenuates MYC Expression by Modulating Co-Activator Recruitment and Suppresses Medulloblastoma Tumor Growth by Augmenting Cisplatin Efficacy In Vivo. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082239. [PMID: 37190167 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082239] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
MB is a common childhood malignancy of the central nervous system, with significant morbidity and mortality. Among the four molecular subgroups, MYC-amplified Group 3 MB is the most aggressive type and has the worst prognosis due to therapy resistance. The present study aimed to investigate the role of activated STAT3 in promoting MB pathogenesis and chemoresistance via inducing the cancer hallmark MYC oncogene. Targeting STAT3 function either by inducible genetic knockdown (KD) or with a clinically relevant small molecule inhibitor reduced tumorigenic attributes in MB cells, including survival, proliferation, anti-apoptosis, migration, stemness and expression of MYC and its targets. STAT3 inhibition attenuates MYC expression by affecting recruitment of histone acetyltransferase p300, thereby reducing enrichment of H3K27 acetylation in the MYC promoter. Concomitantly, it also decreases the occupancy of the bromodomain containing protein-4 (BRD4) and phosphoSer2-RNA Pol II (pSer2-RNAPol II) on MYC, resulting in reduced transcription. Importantly, inhibition of STAT3 signaling significantly attenuated MB tumor growth in subcutaneous and intracranial orthotopic xenografts, increased the sensitivity of MB tumors to cisplatin, and improved the survival of mice bearing high-risk MYC-amplified tumors. Together, the results of our study demonstrate that targeting STAT3 may be a promising adjuvant therapy and chemo-sensitizer to augment treatment efficacy, reduce therapy-related toxicity and improve quality of life in high-risk pediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle A Rohrer
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology Division, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Heyu Song
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Anum Akbar
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology Division, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Yingling Chen
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Suravi Pramanik
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Phillip J Wilder
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Erin M McIntyre
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology Division, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Nagendra K Chaturvedi
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology Division, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Kishor K Bhakat
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Angie Rizzino
- Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Don W Coulter
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology Division, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Sutapa Ray
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology Division, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Child Health Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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6
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Asif K, Adeel M, Rahman MM, Caligiuri I, Perin T, Cemazar M, Canzonieri V, Rizzolio F. Iron nitroprusside as a chemodynamic agent and inducer of ferroptosis for ovarian cancer therapy. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:3124-3135. [PMID: 36883303 DOI: 10.1039/d2tb02691k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
ChemoDynamic Therapy (CDT) is a powerful therapeutic modality using Fenton/Fenton-like reactions to produce oxidative stress for cancer treatment. However, the insufficient amount of catalyst ions and ROS scavenging activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX4) limit the application of this approach. Therefore, a tailored strategy to regulate the Fenton reaction more efficiently (utilizing dual metal cations) and inhibit the GPX4 activity, is in great demand. Herein, a CDT system is based on dual (Fe2+ metals) iron pentacyanonitrosylferrate or iron nitroprusside (FeNP) having efficient ability to catalyze the reaction of endogenous H2O2 to form highly toxic ˙OH species in cells. Additionally, FeNP is involved in ferroptosis via GPX4 inhibition. In particular, FeNP was structurally characterized, and it is noted that a minimum dose of FeNP is required to kill cancer cells while a comparable dose shows negligible toxicity on normal cells. Detailed in vitro studies confirmed that FeNP participates in sustaining apoptosis, as determined using the annexin V marker. Cellular uptake results showed that in a short time period, FeNP enters lysosomes and, due to the acidic lysosomal pH, releases Fe2+ ions, which are involved in ROS generation (˙OH species). Western blot analyses confirmed the suppression of GPX4 activity over time. Importantly, FeNP has a therapeutic effect on ovarian cancer organoids derived from High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (HGSOC). Furthermore, FeNP showed biocompatible nature towards normal mouse liver organoids and in vivo. This work presents the effective therapeutic application of FeNP as an efficient Fenton agent along with ferroptosis inducer activity to improve CDT, through disturbing redox homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanwal Asif
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, 30172, Venice, Italy. .,Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (C.R.O.) IRCCS, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Muhammad Adeel
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, 30172, Venice, Italy. .,Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (C.R.O.) IRCCS, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Md Mahbubur Rahman
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea.
| | - Isabella Caligiuri
- Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (C.R.O.) IRCCS, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Tiziana Perin
- Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (C.R.O.) IRCCS, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vincenzo Canzonieri
- Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (C.R.O.) IRCCS, 33081, Aviano, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Flavio Rizzolio
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, 30172, Venice, Italy. .,Pathology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (C.R.O.) IRCCS, 33081, Aviano, Italy
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Zhou Z, Zhu B, Meng Q, Zhang T, Wu Y, Yu R, Gao S. Research progress in molecular pathology markers in medulloblastoma. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2023; 4:139-156. [PMID: 36937322 PMCID: PMC10017192 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2023.00126] [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: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the commonest primary malignant brain cancer. The current treatment of MB is usually surgical resection combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Although great progress has been made in the clinical management of MB, tumor metastasis and recurrence are still the main cause of death. Therefore, definitive and timely diagnosis is of great importance for improving therapeutic effects on MB. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) divided MB into four subtypes: wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus integration site (WNT), sonic hedgehog (SHH), non-WNT/non-SHH group 3, and group 4. Each subtype of MB has a unique profile in copy number variation, DNA alteration, gene transcription, or post-transcriptional/translational modification, all of which are associated with different biological manifestations, clinical features, and prognosis. This article reviewed the research progress of different molecular pathology markers in MB and summarized some targeted drugs against these molecular markers, hoping to stimulate the clinical application of these molecular markers in the classification, diagnosis, and treatment of MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixuan Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bingxin Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuzhou Children’s Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qingming Meng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yihao Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rutong Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuzhou Children’s Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Correspondence: Rutong Yu, Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Xuzhou Children’s Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Shangfeng Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China
- Shangfeng Gao, Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Nervous System Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, Jiangsu, China.
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Kling MJ, Kesherwani V, Mishra NK, Alexander G, McIntyre EM, Ray S, Challagundla KB, Joshi SS, Coulter DW, Chaturvedi NK. A novel dual epigenetic approach targeting BET proteins and HDACs in Group 3 (MYC-driven) Medulloblastoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:321. [DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02530-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Medulloblastoma (MB) patients with MYC oncogene amplification or overexpression exhibit extremely poor clinical outcomes and respond poorly to current therapies. Epigenetic deregulation is very common in MYC-driven MB. The bromodomain extra-terminal (BET) proteins and histone deacetylases (HDACs) are epigenetic regulators of MYC transcription and its associated tumorigenic programs. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of inhibiting the BET proteins and HDACs together in MB.
Methods
Using clinically relevant BET inhibitors (JQ1 or OTX015) and a pan-HDAC inhibitor (panobinostat), we evaluated the effects of combined inhibition on cell growth/survival in MYC-amplified MB cell lines and xenografts and examined underlying molecular mechanism(s).
Results
Co-treatment of JQ1 or OTX015 with panobinostat synergistically suppressed growth/survival of MYC-amplified MB cells by inducing G2 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Mechanistic investigation using RNA-seq revealed that co-treatment of JQ1 with panobinostat synergistically modulated global gene expression including MYC/HDAC targets. SYK and MSI1 oncogenes were among the top 50 genes synergistically downregulated by JQ1 and panobinostat. RT-PCR and western blot analyses confirmed that JQ1 and panobinostat synergistically inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of MSI1/SYK along with MYC expression. Reduced SYK/MSI expression after BET (specifically, BRD4) gene-knockdown further confirmed the epigenetic regulation of SYK and MSI1 genes. In addition, the combination of OTX015 and panobinostat significantly inhibited tumor growth in MYC-amplified MB xenografted mice by downregulating expression of MYC, compared to single-agent therapy.
Conclusions
Together, our findings demonstrated that dual-inhibition of BET and HDAC proteins of the epigenetic pathway can be a novel therapeutic approach against MYC-driven MB.
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McSwain LF, Parwani KK, Shahab SW, Hambardzumyan D, MacDonald TJ, Spangle JM, Kenney AM. Medulloblastoma and the DNA Damage Response. Front Oncol 2022; 12:903830. [PMID: 35747808 PMCID: PMC9209741 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.903830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in children with standard of care consisting of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Recent molecular profiling led to the identification of four molecularly distinct MB subgroups – Wingless (WNT), Sonic Hedgehog (SHH), Group 3, and Group 4. Despite genomic MB characterization and subsequent tumor stratification, clinical treatment paradigms are still largely driven by histology, degree of surgical resection, and presence or absence of metastasis rather than molecular profile. Patients usually undergo resection of their tumor followed by craniospinal radiation (CSI) and a 6 month to one-year multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimen. While there is clearly a need for development of targeted agents specific to the molecular alterations of each patient, targeting proteins responsible for DNA damage repair could have a broader impact regardless of molecular subgrouping. DNA damage response (DDR) protein inhibitors have recently emerged as targeted agents with potent activity as monotherapy or in combination in different cancers. Here we discuss the molecular underpinnings of genomic instability in MB and potential avenues for exploitation through DNA damage response inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon F. McSwain
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Kiran K. Parwani
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Shubin W. Shahab
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Dolores Hambardzumyan
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Tobey J. MacDonald
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jennifer M. Spangle
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Anna Marie Kenney
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- *Correspondence: Anna Marie Kenney,
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Chen J, Zhang Q, Zhuang Y, Liu S, Zhou X, Zhang G. Molecular mechanism of GANT61 combined with doxorubicin in the treatment of gliomas based on network pharmacology. ELECTRON J BIOTECHN 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejbt.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Alammar H, Nassani R, Alshehri MM, Aljohani AA, Alrfaei BM. Deficiency in the Treatment Description of mTOR Inhibitor Resistance in Medulloblastoma, a Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010464. [PMID: 35008889 PMCID: PMC8745694 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is a common fatal pediatric brain tumor. More treatment options are required to prolong survival and decrease disability. mTOR proteins play an essential role in the disease pathogenesis, and are an essential target for therapy. Three generations of mTOR inhibitors have been developed and are clinically used for immunosuppression and chemotherapy for multiple cancers. Only a few mTOR inhibitors have been investigated for the treatment of medulloblastoma and other pediatric tumors. The first-generation mTOR, sirolimus, temsirolimus, and everolimus, went through phase I clinical trials. The second-generation mTOR, AZD8055 and sapanisertib, suppressed medulloblastoma cell growth; however, limited studies have investigated possible resistance pathways. No clinical trials have been found to treat medulloblastoma using third-generation mTOR inhibitors. This systematic review highlights the mechanisms of resistance of mTOR inhibitors in medulloblastoma and includes IDO1, T cells, Mnk2, and eIF4E, as they prolong malignant cell survival. The findings promote the importance of combination therapy in medulloblastoma due to its highly resistant nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajar Alammar
- College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia; (H.A.); (A.A.A.)
| | - Rayan Nassani
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Department of Cellular Therapy and Cancer Research, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia; (R.N.); (M.M.A.)
| | - Mana M. Alshehri
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Department of Cellular Therapy and Cancer Research, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia; (R.N.); (M.M.A.)
| | - Alaa A. Aljohani
- College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia; (H.A.); (A.A.A.)
| | - Bahauddeen M. Alrfaei
- College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia; (H.A.); (A.A.A.)
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Department of Cellular Therapy and Cancer Research, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia; (R.N.); (M.M.A.)
- Correspondence:
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12
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EZH2 as a new therapeutic target in brain tumors: Molecular landscape, therapeutic targeting and future prospects. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 146:112532. [PMID: 34906772 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors are responsible for high mortality and morbidity worldwide. The brain tumor treatment depends on identification of molecular pathways involved in progression and malignancy. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) has obtained much attention in recent years in field of cancer therapy due to its aberrant expression and capacity in modulating expression of genes by binding to their promoter and affecting methylation status. The present review focuses on EZH2 signaling in brain tumors including glioma, glioblastoma, astrocytoma, ependymomas, medulloblastoma and brain rhabdoid tumors. EZH2 signaling mainly participates in increasing proliferation and invasion of cancer cells. However, in medulloblastoma, EZH2 demonstrates tumor-suppressor activity. Furthermore, EZH2 can regulate response of brain tumors to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Various molecular pathways can function as upstream mediators of EZH2 in brain tumors including lncRNAs and miRNAs. Owing to its enzymatic activity, EZH2 can bind to promoter of target genes to induce methylation and affects their expression. EZH2 can be considered as an independent prognostic factor in brain tumors that its upregulation provides undesirable prognosis. Both anti-tumor agents and gene therapies such as siRNA have been developed for targeting EZH2 in cancer therapy.
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13
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Frappaz D, Barritault M, Montané L, Laigle-Donadey F, Chinot O, Le Rhun E, Bonneville-Levard A, Hottinger AF, Meyronnet D, Bidaux AS, Garin G, Pérol D. MEVITEM-a phase I/II trial of vismodegib + temozolomide vs temozolomide in patients with recurrent/refractory medulloblastoma with Sonic Hedgehog pathway activation. Neuro Oncol 2021; 23:1949-1960. [PMID: 33825892 PMCID: PMC8563312 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noab087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vismodegib specifically inhibits Sonic Hedgehog (SHH). We report results of a phase I/II evaluating vismodegib + temozolomide (TMZ) in immunohistochemically defined SHH recurrent/refractory adult medulloblastoma. METHODS TMZ-naïve patients were randomized 2:1 to receive vismodegib + TMZ (arm A) or TMZ (arm B). Patients previously treated with TMZ were enrolled in an exploratory cohort of vismodegib (arm C). If the safety run showed no excessive toxicity, a Simon's 2-stage phase II design was planned to explore the 6-month progression-free survival (PFS-6). Stage II was to proceed if arm A PFS-6 was ≥3/9 at the end of stage I. RESULTS A total of 24 patients were included: arm A (10), arm B (5), and arm C (9). Safety analysis showed no excessive toxicity. At the end of stage I, the PFS-6 of arm A was 20% (2/10 patients, 95% unilateral lower confidence limit: 3.7%) and the study was prematurely terminated. The overall response rates (ORR) were 40% (95% CI, 12.2-73.8) and 20% (95% CI, 0.5-71.6) in arm A and B, respectively. In arm C, PFS-6 was 37.5% (95% CI, 8.8-75.5) and ORR was 22.2% (95% CI, 2.8-60.0). Among 11 patients with an expected sensitivity according to new generation sequencing (NGS), 3 had partial response (PR), 4 remained stable disease (SD) while out of 7 potentially resistant patients, 1 had PR and 1 SD. CONCLUSION The addition of vismodegib to TMZ did not add toxicity but failed to improve PFS-6 in SHH recurrent/refractory medulloblastoma. Prediction of sensitivity to vismodegib needs further refinements.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laure Montané
- Clinical Research Platform (DRCI) of Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | | | - Olivier Chinot
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, La Timone Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Emilie Le Rhun
- University of Lille, U-1192, F-59000 Lille, Lille, France
- Inserm, U-1192, F-59000 Lille, Lille, France
- General and Stereotaxic Neurosurgery Service, CHU Lille, Lille, France
- Oscar Lambret Center, Lille, France
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Andreas F Hottinger
- Brain and Spine Tumor Center, Departments of Clinical Neurosciences & Oncology, CHUV Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Gwenaële Garin
- Clinical Research Platform (DRCI) of Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - David Pérol
- Clinical Research Platform (DRCI) of Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
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14
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Garcia N, Ulin M, Ali M, Al-Hendy A, Carvalho KC, Yang Q. Evaluation of Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitors as a Therapeutic Option for Uterine Leiomyosarcoma Using the Xenograft Model. Reprod Sci 2021; 29:781-790. [PMID: 34642915 PMCID: PMC8863774 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00731-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) contributes to a significant proportion of uterine cancer deaths. It is a rare and high-risk gynecological cancer. LMS is challenging to the treatment due to the resistance of several therapies. The activation of the Hedgehog (HH) pathway has been reported in several types of female cancers. Uterine LMS presents an upregulation of the crucial HH signaling pathway members such as SMO and GLI1. Although targeting the HH pathway exhibited a potent inhibitory effect on the phenotype of uterine LMS in vitro, the effect of the HH inhibitors on LMS growth in vivo has not been identified. The present study aimed to assess the effect of Hedgehog pathway inhibitors (SMO-LDE225 and GLI-Gant61) as a therapeutic option in the xenograft model of uterine LMS. The results demonstrated that LDE225 treatment did not show any inhibitory effect on LMS tumor growth; however, treatment with GLI inhibitor (Gant61) induced a remarkable tumor regression with a significant decrease in Ki67 expression, compared to control (p < 0.01). Moreover, administration of Gant61 decreased the expression of GLI1, GLI target genes BMP4 and c-MYC (p < 0.05), indicating that the HH pathway is implicated in the LMS experimental model. In conclusion, our studies demonstrate for the first time that GLI inhibitor (Gant61), but not SMO inhibitor (LDE225), shows a potent inhibitory effect on LMS tumor growth and concomitantly suppresses the expression of GLI1- and GLI-targeted genes using the xenograft model of uterine LMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Garcia
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Laboratório de Ginecologia Estrutural e Molecular - LIM 58, Disciplina de Ginecologia, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, HCFMUSP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mara Ulin
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mohamed Ali
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Katia Candido Carvalho
- Laboratório de Ginecologia Estrutural e Molecular - LIM 58, Disciplina de Ginecologia, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, HCFMUSP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Qiwei Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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15
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Kumar V, Wang Q, Sethi B, Lin F, Kumar V, Coulter DW, Dong Y, Mahato RI. Polymeric nanomedicine for overcoming resistance mechanisms in hedgehog and Myc-amplified medulloblastoma. Biomaterials 2021; 278:121138. [PMID: 34634662 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chemoresistance and inadequate therapeutics transport across the blood brain barrier (BBB) remain the major barriers to treating medulloblastoma (MB). Hedgehog (Hh) and IGF/PI3K pathways regulate tumor cell proliferation and resistance in MB. Current Hh inhibitors are effective initially to treat SHH-MB but acquire resistance. Herein, we showed that Hh inhibitor MDB5 and BRD4/PI3K dual inhibitor SF2523 synergistically inhibited the proliferation of DAOY and HD-MB03 cells when used in combination. Treatment of these MB cells with the combination of MDB5 and SF2523 significantly decreased colony formation and expression of MYCN, p-AKT, and cyclin D1 but significantly increased in Bax expression, compared to individual drugs. We used our previously reported copolymer mPEG-b-PCC-g-DC copolymer, which showed 8.7 ± 1.0 and 6.5 ± 0.1% loading for MDB5 and SF2523 when formulated into nanoparticles (NPs). There was sustained drug release from NPs, wherein 100% of MDB5 was released in 50 h, but only 60% of SF2523 was released in 80 h. Targeted NPs prepared by mixing 30:70 ratio of COG-133-PEG-b-PBC and mPEG-b-PCC-g-DC copolymer delivered a significantly higher drug concentration in the cerebellum at 6 and 24h after intravenous injection into orthotopic SHH-MB tumor-bearing NSG mice. Moreover, systemic administration of COG-133-NPs loaded with MDB5 and SF2523 resulted in decreased tumor burden compared to non-targeted drug-loaded NPs, without any hepatic toxicity. In conclusion, our nanomedicine of MDB5 and SF2523 offers a novel therapeutic strategy to treat chemoresistant MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virender Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Qiyue Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Bharti Sethi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Feng Lin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Vinod Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Donald W Coulter
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Yuxiang Dong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ram I Mahato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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16
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Lukoseviciute M, Maier H, Poulou-Sidiropoulou E, Rosendahl E, Holzhauser S, Dalianis T, Kostopoulou ON. Targeting PI3K, FGFR, CDK4/6 Signaling Pathways Together With Cytostatics and Radiotherapy in Two Medulloblastoma Cell Lines. Front Oncol 2021; 11:748657. [PMID: 34631586 PMCID: PMC8497987 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.748657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Medulloblastoma (MB) is treated with surgery and chemotherapy, with or without irradiation, but unfortunately >20% of the patients are not cured, and treatment comes with serious long-term side effects, so novel treatments are urgently needed. Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K), fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR), and cyclin-D kinases (CDK) play critical roles in cancer, and especially PI3K is crucial in MB, so here targeted therapies against them were explored. Methods MB cell lines DAOY and UW228-3 were exposed to PI3K (BYL719), FGFR (JNJ-42756493), and CDK4/6 (PD-0332991) inhibitors, as single or combined treatments, and their viability, cell confluence, apoptosis, and cytotoxicity were examined. Moreover, the inhibitors were combined with cisplatin, vincristine, or irradiation. Results Single treatments with FGFR, PI3K, or CDK4/6 inhibitors decreased viability and proliferation slightly; however, when combining two inhibitors, or the inhibitors with irradiation, sensitivity was enhanced and lower doses could be used. A more complex pattern was obtained when combining the inhibitors with cisplatin and vincristine. Conclusions The data suggest that combination treatments with PI3K, FGFR, and CDK4/6 inhibitors for MB could be beneficial and their use should be pursued further. Likewise, their combination with irradiation gave positive effects, while the addition of cisplatin and vincristine resulted in more complex patterns, which need to be investigated further.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henrietta Maier
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Erika Rosendahl
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefan Holzhauser
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tina Dalianis
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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17
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Audi ZF, Saker Z, Rizk M, Harati H, Fares Y, Bahmad HF, Nabha SM. Immunosuppression in Medulloblastoma: Insights into Cancer Immunity and Immunotherapy. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2021; 22:83. [PMID: 34328587 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-021-00874-9] [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] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common pediatric brain malignancy, with a 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of around 65%. The conventional MB treatment, comprising surgical resection followed by irradiation and adjuvant chemotherapy, often leads to impairment in normal body functions and poor quality of life, especially with the increased risk of recurrence and subsequent development of secondary malignancies. The development and progression of MB are facilitated by a variety of immune-evading mechanisms such as the secretion of immunosuppressive molecules, activation of immunosuppressive cells, inhibition of immune checkpoint molecules, impairment of adhesive molecules, downregulation of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, protection against apoptosis, and activation of immunosuppressive pathways. Understanding the tumor-immune relationship in MB is crucial for effective development of immune-based therapeutic strategies. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the immunological aspect of the brain, focusing on the current knowledge tackling the mechanisms of MB immune suppression and evasion. We also highlight several key immunotherapeutic approaches developed to date for the treatment of MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahraa F Audi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Zahraa Saker
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mahdi Rizk
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hayat Harati
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Youssef Fares
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.,Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hisham F Bahmad
- Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL, USA.
| | - Sanaa M Nabha
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
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18
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Ceccarelli M, D'Andrea G, Micheli L, Gentile G, Cavallaro S, Merlino G, Papoff G, Tirone F. Tumor Growth in the High Frequency Medulloblastoma Mouse Model Ptch1 +/-/Tis21 KO Has a Specific Activation Signature of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway and Is Counteracted by the PI3K Inhibitor MEN1611. Front Oncol 2021; 11:692053. [PMID: 34395258 PMCID: PMC8362831 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.692053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously generated a mouse model (Ptch1+/−/Tis21KO), which displays high frequency spontaneous medulloblastoma, a pediatric tumor of the cerebellum. Early postnatal cerebellar granule cell precursors (GCPs) of this model show, in consequence of the deletion of Tis21, a defect of the Cxcl3-dependent migration. We asked whether this migration defect, which forces GCPs to remain in the proliferative area at the cerebellar surface, would be the only inducer of their high frequency transformation. In this report we show, by further bioinformatic analysis of our microarray data of Ptch1+/−/Tis21KO GCPs, that, in addition to the migration defect, they show activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, as the mRNA levels of several activators of this pathway (e.g., Lars, Rraga, Dgkq, Pdgfd) are up-regulated, while some inhibitors (e.g. Smg1) are down-regulated. No such change is observed in the Ptch1+/− or Tis21KO background alone, indicating a peculiar synergy between these two genotypes. Thus we investigated, by mRNA and protein analysis, the role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in MBs and in nodules from primary Ptch1+/−/Tis21KO MB allografted in the flanks of immunosuppressed mice. Activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is seen in full-blown Ptch1+/−/Tis21KO MBs, relative to Ptch1+/−/Tis21WT MBs. In Ptch1+/−/Tis21KO MBs we observe that the proliferation of neoplastic GCPs increases while apoptosis decreases, in parallel with hyper-phosphorylation of the mTOR target S6, and, to a lower extent, of AKT. In nodules derived from primary Ptch1+/−/Tis21KO MBs, treatment with MEN1611, a novel PI3K inhibitor, causes a dramatic reduction of tumor growth, inhibiting proliferation and, conversely, increasing apoptosis, also of tumor CD15+ stem cells, responsible for long-term relapses. Additionally, the phosphorylation of AKT, S6 and 4EBP1 was significantly inhibited, indicating inactivation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Thus, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activation contributes to Ptch1+/−/Tis21KO MB development and to high frequency tumorigenesis, observed when the Tis21 gene is down-regulated. MEN1611 could provide a promising therapy for MB, especially for patient with down-regulation of Btg2 (human ortholog of the murine Tis21 gene), which is frequently deregulated in Shh-type MBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Ceccarelli
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio D'Andrea
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Micheli
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Gentile
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Catania, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Cavallaro
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Catania, Italy
| | | | - Giuliana Papoff
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Felice Tirone
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (IBBC-CNR), Rome, Italy
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Sriramulu S, Sun XF, Malayaperumal S, Ganesan H, Zhang H, Ramachandran M, Banerjee A, Pathak S. Emerging Role and Clinicopathological Significance of AEG-1 in Different Cancer Types: A Concise Review. Cells 2021; 10:1497. [PMID: 34203598 PMCID: PMC8232086 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor breakthrough is driven by genetic or epigenetic variations which assist in initiation, migration, invasion and metastasis of tumors. Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) protein has risen recently as the crucial factor in malignancies and plays a potential role in diverse complex oncogenic signaling cascades. AEG-1 has multiple roles in tumor growth and development and is found to be involved in various signaling pathways of: (i) Ha-ras and PI3K/AKT; (ii) the NF-κB; (iii) the ERK or mitogen-activated protein kinase and Wnt or β-catenin and (iv) the Aurora-A kinase. Recent studies have confirmed that in all the hallmarks of cancers, AEG-1 plays a key functionality including progression, transformation, sustained angiogenesis, evading apoptosis, and invasion and metastasis. Clinical studies have supported that AEG-1 is actively intricated in tumor growth and progression which includes esophageal squamous cell, gastric, colorectal, hepatocellular, gallbladder, breast, prostate and non-small cell lung cancers, as well as renal cell carcinomas, melanoma, glioma, neuroblastoma and osteosarcoma. Existing studies have reported that AEG-1 expression has been induced by Ha-ras through intrication of PI3K/AKT signaling. Conversely, AEG-1 also activates PI3K/AKT pathway and modulates the defined subset of downstream target proteins via crosstalk between the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Hedgehog signaling cascade which further plays a crucial role in metastasis. Thus, AEG-1 may be employed as a biomarker to discern the patients of those who are likely to get aid from AEG-1-targeted medication. AEG-1 may play as an effective target to repress tumor development, occlude metastasis, and magnify the effectiveness of treatments. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanism of AEG-1 in the process of carcinogenesis and its involvement in regulation of crosstalk between the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Hedgehog signaling. We also highlight the multifaceted functions, expression, clinicopathological significance and molecular inhibitors of AEG-1 in various cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushmitha Sriramulu
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Kelambakkam, Chennai 603103, India; (S.S.); (S.M.); (H.G.); (M.R.); (A.B.)
| | - Xiao-Feng Sun
- Department of Oncology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Sarubala Malayaperumal
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Kelambakkam, Chennai 603103, India; (S.S.); (S.M.); (H.G.); (M.R.); (A.B.)
| | - Harsha Ganesan
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Kelambakkam, Chennai 603103, India; (S.S.); (S.M.); (H.G.); (M.R.); (A.B.)
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Orebro University, SE-701 82 Orebro, Sweden;
| | - Murugesan Ramachandran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Kelambakkam, Chennai 603103, India; (S.S.); (S.M.); (H.G.); (M.R.); (A.B.)
| | - Antara Banerjee
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Kelambakkam, Chennai 603103, India; (S.S.); (S.M.); (H.G.); (M.R.); (A.B.)
| | - Surajit Pathak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Kelambakkam, Chennai 603103, India; (S.S.); (S.M.); (H.G.); (M.R.); (A.B.)
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20
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Eibl T, Hammer A, Yakubov E, Blechschmidt C, Kalisch A, Steiner HH. Medulloblastoma in adults - reviewing the literature from a surgeon's point of view. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:3146-3160. [PMID: 33497354 PMCID: PMC7880386 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is a common primary brain tumor in children but it is a rare cancer in adult patients. We reviewed the literature, searching PubMed for articles on this rare tumor entity, with a focus on tumor biology, advanced neurosurgical opportunities for safe tumor resection, and multimodal treatment options. Adult medulloblastoma occurs at a rate of 0.6 per one million people per year. There is a slight disparity between male and female patients, and patients with a fair skin tone are more likely to have a medulloblastoma. Patients present with cerebellar signs and signs of elevated intracranial pressure. Diagnostic efforts should consist of cerebral MRI and MRI of the spinal axis. Cerebrospinal fluid should be investigated to look for tumor dissemination. Medulloblastoma tumors can be classified as classic, desmoplastic, anaplastic, and large cell, according to the WHO tumor classification. Molecular subgroups include WNT, SHH, group 3, and group 4 tumors. Further molecular analyses suggest that there are several subgroups within the four existing subgroups, with significant differences in patient age, frequency of metastatic spread, and patient survival. As molecular markers have started to play an increasing role in determining treatment strategies and prognosis, their importance has increased rapidly. Treatment options include microsurgical tumor resection and radiotherapy and, in addition, chemotherapy that respects the tumor biology of individual patients offers targeted therapeutic approaches. For neurosurgeons, intraoperative imaging and tumor fluorescence may improve resection rates. Disseminated disease, residual tumor after surgery, lower radiation dose, and low Karnofsky performance status are all suggestive of a poor outcome. Extraneural spread occurs only in very few cases. The reported 5-year-survival rates range between 60% and 80% for all adult medulloblastoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Eibl
- Department of Neurosurgery, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg 90471, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Alexander Hammer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg 90471, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Eduard Yakubov
- Department of Neurosurgery, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg 90471, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Cristiane Blechschmidt
- Department of Neuropathology, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg 90471, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Alexander Kalisch
- Department of Oncology, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg 90471, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Hans-Herbert Steiner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg 90471, Bavaria, Germany
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21
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Liu J, Zhang M, Kan Y, Wang W, Liu J, Gong J, Yang J. Nuclear Factor-κB Activating Protein Plays an Oncogenic Role in Neuroblastoma Tumorigenesis and Recurrence Through the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Protein Kinase B Signaling Pathway. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:622793. [PMID: 33553160 PMCID: PMC7859273 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.622793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor-κB activating protein (NKAP) is a conserved nuclear protein that acts as an oncogene in various cancers and is associated with a poor prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the role of NKAP in neuroblastoma (NB) progression and recurrence. We compared NKAP gene expression between 89 recurrence and 134 non-recurrence patients with NB by utilizing the ArrayExpress database. The relationship between NKAP expression and clinicopathological features was evaluated by correlation analysis. We knocked down NKAP expression in NB1 and SK-N-SH cells by small interfering RNA transfection to verify its role in tumor proliferation, apoptosis, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway. NKAP gene expression in NB tissues was significantly overexpressed in the recurrence group compared with the non-recurrence group, and NKAP was enriched in the PI3K/AKT pathway. Correlation analysis revealed NKAP expression was correlated with chromosome 11q deletion in patients with NB. Knockdown of NKAP expression significantly inhibited the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of NB1 and SK-N-SH cells. Moreover, we found that small interfering NKAP significantly reduced p-PI3K and p-AKT expression. NKAP knockdown played an oncogenic role in NB by inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activations both in vitro and in vivo. Our research revealed that NKAP mediates NB cells by inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis through activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, and the expression of NKAP may act as a novel biomarker for predicting recurrence and chromosome 11q deletion in patients with NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Mingyu Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Kan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianhua Gong
- Oncology Department, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jigang Yang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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22
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Abstract
Background: The hedgehog pathway (HH) is one of the key regulators involved in many biological events. Malfunction of this pathway is associated with a variety of diseases including several types of cancers. Methods: We collected data from public databases and conducted a comprehensive search linking the HH pathway with female cancers. In addition, we overviewed clinical trials of targeting HH pathway in female cancers. Results: The activation of HH pathway and its role in female cancers, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, and uterine leiomyosarcoma were summarized. Treatment options targeting SMO and GLI in HH pathway were reviewed and discussed. Conclusions: The hedgehog pathway was shown to be activated in several types of female cancers. Therefore, targeting HH pathway may be considered as a therapeutic option to be acknowledged in the treatment of female cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Qiwei Yang
- Corresponding Author: Dr. Qiwei Yang, Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA, Tel: 312-996-5689;
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23
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Vriend J, Rastegar M. Ubiquitin ligases and medulloblastoma: genetic markers of the four consensus subgroups identified through transcriptome datasets. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1866:165839. [PMID: 32445667 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2020.165839] [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: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitin proteasome system regulates key cellular processes in normal and in cancer cells. Herein, we review published data on the role of ubiquitin ligases in the four major subgroups of medulloblastoma (MB). While conventional literature serves as an initial source of information on cellular pathways in MB, large publicly available datasets of gene expression can be used to add information not previously identified in the literature. By analysing the publicly available Cavalli dataset, we show that increased expression of ZNRF3 characterizes the WNT subgroup of MB. The ZNRF3 gene codes for an E3 ligase associated with WNT receptors. Loss of a copy of chromosome 6 in a subtype of the WNT group was associated with decreased expression of the gene encoding the E3 ligase RNF146. While the E3 ligase SMURF regulates SHH receptors, increased expression of the gene encoding the Cullin Ring E3 adaptor PPP2R2C was statistically a better genetic marker of the SHH group. Genes whose expression was statistically strongly related to Group 3 included the E3 ligase gene TRIM58, and the gene for the E3 ligase adaptor, PPP2R2B. Group 4 MB was associated with expression of genes encoding several E3 ligases and E3 ligase adaptors involved in ribosome biogenesis. Increased expression of the genes encoding the E3 ligase adaptors and transcription repressors ZBTB18 and ZBTB38 were also noted in subgroup 4. These data suggest that several E3 ligases and their adaptors should be investigated as therapeutic targets for subgroup specific MB brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Vriend
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
| | - Mojgan Rastegar
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics and Regenerative Medicine Program, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada
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24
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Lospinoso Severini L, Ghirga F, Bufalieri F, Quaglio D, Infante P, Di Marcotullio L. The SHH/GLI signaling pathway: a therapeutic target for medulloblastoma. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:1159-1181. [PMID: 32990091 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1823967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Medulloblastoma (MB) is a heterogeneous tumor of the cerebellum that is divided into four main subgroups with distinct molecular and clinical features. Sonic Hedgehog MB (SHH-MB) is the most genetically understood and occurs predominantly in childhood. Current therapies consist of aggressive and non-targeted multimodal approaches that are often ineffective and cause long-term complications. These problems intensify the need to develop molecularly targeted therapies to improve outcome and reduce treatment-related morbidities. In this scenario, Hedgehog (HH) signaling, a developmental pathway whose deregulation is involved in the pathogenesis of several malignancies, has emerged as an attractive druggable pathway for SHH-MB therapy. AREAS COVERED This review provides an overview of the advancements in the HH antagonist research field. We place an emphasis on Smoothened (SMO) and glioma-associated oncogene homolog (GLI) inhibitors and immunotherapy approaches that are validated in preclinical SHH-MB models and that have therapeutic potential for MB patients. Literature from Pubmed and data reported on ClinicalTrial.gov up to August 2020 were considered. EXPERT OPINION Extensive-omics analysis has enhanced our knowledge and has transformed the way that MB is studied and managed. The clinical use of SMO antagonists has yet to be determined, however, future GLI inhibitors and multitargeting approaches are promising.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Ghirga
- Center for Life NanoScience@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Bufalieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza , 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Deborah Quaglio
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00185 , Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Center for Life NanoScience@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza , 00161, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome La Sapienza , 00161, Rome, Italy
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25
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Gronseth E, Gupta A, Koceja C, Kumar S, Kutty RG, Rarick K, Wang L, Ramchandran R. Astrocytes influence medulloblastoma phenotypes and CD133 surface expression. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235852. [PMID: 32628717 PMCID: PMC7337293 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The medulloblastoma (MB) microenvironment is diverse, and cell-cell interactions within this milieu is of prime importance. Astrocytes, a major component of the microenvironment, have been shown to impact primary tumor cell phenotypes and metastasis. Based on proximity of MB cells and astrocytes in the brain microenvironment, we investigated whether astrocytes may influence MB cell phenotypes directly. Astrocyte conditioned media (ACM) increased Daoy MB cell invasion, adhesion, and in vivo cellular protrusion formation. ACM conditioning of MB cells also increased CD133 surface expression, a key cancer stem cell marker of MB. Additional neural stem cell markers, Nestin and Oct-4A, were also increased by ACM conditioning, as well as neurosphere formation. By knocking down CD133 using short interfering RNA (siRNA), we showed that ACM upregulated CD133 expression in MB plays an important role in invasion, adhesion and neurosphere formation. Collectively, our data suggests that astrocytes influence MB cell phenotypes by regulating CD133 expression, a key protein with defined roles in MB tumorgenicity and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Gronseth
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Developmental Vascular Biology Program, Children’s Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Ankan Gupta
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Developmental Vascular Biology Program, Children’s Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Chris Koceja
- Versiti, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Suresh Kumar
- Division of Pediatric Pathology, Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Raman G. Kutty
- Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, Acsension St. Joseph Hospital, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Kevin Rarick
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Ramani Ramchandran
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Developmental Vascular Biology Program, Children’s Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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26
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Scheidt T, Alka O, Gonczarowska-Jorge H, Gruber W, Rathje F, Dell’Aica M, Rurik M, Kohlbacher O, Zahedi RP, Aberger F, Huber CG. Phosphoproteomics of short-term hedgehog signaling in human medulloblastoma cells. Cell Commun Signal 2020; 18:99. [PMID: 32576205 PMCID: PMC7310537 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-020-00591-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrant hedgehog (HH) signaling is implicated in the development of various cancer entities such as medulloblastoma. Activation of GLI transcription factors was revealed as the driving force upon pathway activation. Increased phosphorylation of essential effectors such as Smoothened (SMO) and GLI proteins by kinases including Protein Kinase A, Casein Kinase 1, and Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 β controls effector activity, stability and processing. However, a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of phosphorylation in the signal transduction remains unclear, particularly during early response processes involved in SMO activation and preceding GLI target gene regulation. METHODS We applied temporal quantitative phosphoproteomics to reveal phosphorylation dynamics underlying the short-term chemical activation and inhibition of early hedgehog signaling in HH responsive human medulloblastoma cells. Medulloblastoma cells were treated for 5.0 and 15 min with Smoothened Agonist (SAG) to induce and with vismodegib to inhibit the HH pathway. RESULTS Our phosphoproteomic profiling resulted in the quantification of 7700 and 10,000 phosphosites after 5.0 and 15 min treatment, respectively. The data suggest a central role of phosphorylation in the regulation of ciliary assembly, trafficking, and signal transduction already after 5.0 min treatment. ERK/MAPK signaling, besides Protein Kinase A signaling and mTOR signaling, were differentially regulated after short-term treatment. Activation of Polo-like Kinase 1 and inhibition of Casein Kinase 2A1 were characteristic for vismodegib treatment, while SAG treatment induced Aurora Kinase A activity. Distinctive phosphorylation of central players of HH signaling such as SMO, SUFU, GLI2 and GLI3 was observed only after 15 min treatment. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that phosphorylation triggered in response to SMO modulation dictates the localization of hedgehog pathway components within the primary cilium and affects the regulation of the SMO-SUFU-GLI axis. The data are relevant for the development of targeted therapies of HH-associated cancers including sonic HH-type medulloblastoma. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms of action of SMO inhibitors such as vismodegib may lead to the development of compounds causing fewer adverse effects and lower frequencies of drug resistance. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Scheidt
- Department of Biosciences, Bioanalytical Research Laboratories and Molecular Cancer Research and Tumor Immunology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Oliver Alka
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, University of Tübingen, Sand 14, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Humberto Gonczarowska-Jorge
- Leibniz-Institute of Analytical Sciences- ISAS - e.V, Dortmund, Germany
- Present address: CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília, DF 70040-020 Brazil
| | - Wolfgang Gruber
- Department of Biosciences, Bioanalytical Research Laboratories and Molecular Cancer Research and Tumor Immunology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Present address: EVER Valinject GmbH, 4866 Unterach am Attersee, Austria
| | - Florian Rathje
- Department of Biosciences, Bioanalytical Research Laboratories and Molecular Cancer Research and Tumor Immunology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Marc Rurik
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, University of Tübingen, Sand 14, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Kohlbacher
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, University of Tübingen, Sand 14, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Biomolecular Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Max-Planck-Ring 5, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Institute for Translational Bioinformatics, University Hospital Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 9, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Applied Bioinformatics, Center for Bioinformatics, University of Tübingen, Sand 14, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - René P. Zahedi
- Leibniz-Institute of Analytical Sciences- ISAS - e.V, Dortmund, Germany
- Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Segal Cancer Proteomics Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Fritz Aberger
- Department of Biosciences, Bioanalytical Research Laboratories and Molecular Cancer Research and Tumor Immunology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Christian G. Huber
- Department of Biosciences, Bioanalytical Research Laboratories and Molecular Cancer Research and Tumor Immunology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
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27
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Chaturvedi NK, Kling MJ, Griggs CN, Kesherwani V, Shukla M, McIntyre EM, Ray S, Liu Y, McGuire TR, Sharp JG, Band H, Joshi SS, Coulter DW. A Novel Combination Approach Targeting an Enhanced Protein Synthesis Pathway in MYC-driven (Group 3) Medulloblastoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2020; 19:1351-1362. [PMID: 32371591 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-19-0996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The MYC oncogene is frequently amplified in patients with medulloblastoma, particularly in group 3 patients, who have the worst prognosis. mTOR signaling-driven deregulated protein synthesis is very common in various cancers, including medulloblastoma, that can promote MYC stabilization. As a transcription factor, MYC itself is further known to regulate transcription of several components of protein synthesis machinery, leading to an enhanced protein synthesis rate and proliferation. Thus, inhibiting enhanced protein synthesis by targeting the MYC and mTOR pathways together may represent a highly relevant strategy for the treatment of MYC-driven medulloblastoma. Here, using siRNA and small-molecule inhibitor approaches, we evaluated the effects of combined inhibition of MYC transcription and mTOR signaling on medulloblastoma cell growth/survival and associated molecular mechanism(s) in MYC-amplified (group 3) medulloblastoma cell lines and xenografts. Combined inhibition of MYC and mTOR synergistically suppressed medulloblastoma cell growth and induced G1 cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. Mechanistically, the combined inhibition significantly downregulated the expression levels of key target proteins of MYC and mTOR signaling. Our results with RNA-sequencing revealed that combined inhibition synergistically modulated global gene expression including MYC/mTOR components. In addition, the combination treatment significantly delayed tumor growth and prolonged survival of MYC-amplified medulloblastoma xenografted mice by downregulating expression of MYC and the key downstream components of mTOR signaling, compared with single-agent therapy. Together, our findings demonstrated that dual inhibition of MYC (transcription) and mTOR (translation) of the protein synthesis pathway can be a novel therapeutic approach against MYC-driven medulloblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew J Kling
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Connor N Griggs
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Varun Kesherwani
- Child Health Research Institute Cancer, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Mamta Shukla
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Erin M McIntyre
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Sutapa Ray
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Yutong Liu
- Department of Radiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Timothy R McGuire
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - J Graham Sharp
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Hamid Band
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Shantaram S Joshi
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Don W Coulter
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
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28
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Niesen J, Ohli J, Sedlacik J, Dührsen L, Hellwig M, Spohn M, Holsten T, Schüller U. Pik3ca mutations significantly enhance the growth of SHH medulloblastoma and lead to metastatic tumour growth in a novel mouse model. Cancer Lett 2020; 477:10-18. [PMID: 32112900 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most frequent malignant brain tumour in children with a poor outcome. Divided into four molecular subgroups, MB of the Sonic hedgehog (SHH) subgroup accounts for approximately 25% of the cases and is driven by mutations within components of the SHH pathway, such as its receptors PTCH1 or SMO. A fraction of these cases additionally harbour PIK3CA mutations, the relevance of which is so far unknown. To unravel the role of Pik3ca mutations alone or in combination with a constitutively activated SHH signalling pathway, transgenic mice were used. These mice show mutated variants within Smo, Ptch1 or Pik3ca genes in cerebellar granule neuron precursors, which represent the cellular origin of SHH MB. Our results show that Pik3ca mutations alone are insufficient to cause developmental alterations or to initiate MB. However, they significantly accelerate the growth of Shh MB, induce tumour spread throughout the cerebrospinal fluid, and result in lower survival rates of mice with a double Pik3caH1047R/SmoM2 or Pik3caH1047R/Ptch1 mutation. Therefore, PIK3CA mutations in SHH MB may represent a therapeutic target for first and second line combination treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Niesen
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Research Institute Children's Cancer Centre Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jasmin Ohli
- Centre for Neuropathology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jan Sedlacik
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lasse Dührsen
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Malte Hellwig
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Research Institute Children's Cancer Centre Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Spohn
- Research Institute Children's Cancer Centre Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Till Holsten
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Research Institute Children's Cancer Centre Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Research Institute Children's Cancer Centre Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany; Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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29
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Wijaya J, Vo BT, Liu J, Xu B, Wu G, Wang Y, Peng J, Zhang J, Janke LJ, Orr BA, Yu J, Roussel MF, Schuetz JD. An ABC Transporter Drives Medulloblastoma Pathogenesis by Regulating Sonic Hedgehog Signaling. Cancer Res 2020; 80:1524-1537. [PMID: 31948942 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-2054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling promote aberrant proliferation and tumor growth. SHH-medulloblastoma (MB) is among the most frequent brain tumors in children less than 3 years of age. Although key components of the SHH pathway are well-known, we hypothesized that new disease-modifying targets of SHH-MB might be identified from large-scale bioinformatics and systems biology analyses. Using a data-driven systems biology approach, we built a MB-specific interactome. The ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCC4 was identified as a modulator of SHH-MB. Accordingly, increased ABCC4 expression correlated with poor overall survival in patients with SHH-MB. Knockdown of ABCC4 expression markedly blunted the constitutive activation of the SHH pathway secondary to Ptch1 or Sufu insufficiency. In human tumor cell lines, ABCC4 knockdown and inhibition reduced full-length GLI3 levels. In a clinically relevant murine SHH-MB model, targeted ablation of Abcc4 in primary tumors significantly reduced tumor burden and extended the lifespan of tumor-bearing mice. These studies reveal ABCC4 as a potent SHH pathway regulator and a new candidate to target with the potential to improve SHH-MB therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings identify ABCC4 transporter as a new target in SHH-MB, prompting the development of inhibitors or the repurporsing of existing drugs to target ABCC4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juwina Wijaya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - BaoHan T Vo
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Jingjing Liu
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Beisi Xu
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Gang Wu
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Yao Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Junmin Peng
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.,Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Laura J Janke
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Brent A Orr
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Jiyang Yu
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Martine F Roussel
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - John D Schuetz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
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Eckerdt F, Clymer J, Bell JB, Beauchamp EM, Blyth GT, Goldman S, Platanias LC. Pharmacological mTOR targeting enhances the antineoplastic effects of selective PI3Kα inhibition in medulloblastoma. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12822. [PMID: 31492956 PMCID: PMC6731286 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49299-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances in the treatment of medulloblastoma, patients in high-risk categories still face very poor outcomes. Evidence indicates that a subpopulation of cancer stem cells contributes to therapy resistance and tumour relapse in these patients. To prevent resistance and relapse, the development of treatment strategies tailored to target subgroup specific signalling circuits in high-risk medulloblastomas might be similarly important as targeting the cancer stem cell population. We have previously demonstrated potent antineoplastic effects for the PI3Kα selective inhibitor alpelisib in medulloblastoma. Here, we performed studies aimed to enhance the anti-medulloblastoma effects of alpelisib by simultaneous catalytic targeting of the mTOR kinase. Pharmacological mTOR inhibition potently enhanced the suppressive effects of alpelisib on cancer cell proliferation, colony formation and apoptosis and additionally blocked sphere-forming ability of medulloblastoma stem-like cancer cells in vitro. We identified the HH effector GLI1 as a target for dual PI3Kα and mTOR inhibition in SHH-type medulloblastoma and confirmed these results in HH-driven Ewing sarcoma cells. Importantly, pharmacologic mTOR inhibition greatly enhanced the inhibitory effects of alpelisib on medulloblastoma tumour growth in vivo. In summary, these findings highlight a key role for PI3K/mTOR signalling in GLI1 regulation in HH-driven cancers and suggest that combined PI3Kα/mTOR inhibition may be particularly interesting for the development of effective treatment strategies in high-risk medulloblastomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Eckerdt
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA. .,Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Jessica Clymer
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.,Division of Hematology/Oncology/Neuro Oncology/Stem Cell Transplantation, Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan B Bell
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Elspeth M Beauchamp
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.,Medicine Service, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gavin T Blyth
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Stewart Goldman
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.,Division of Hematology/Oncology/Neuro Oncology/Stem Cell Transplantation, Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Leonidas C Platanias
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.,Medicine Service, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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Li Z, Gao W, Fei Y, Gao P, Xie Q, Xie J, Xu Z. NLGN3 promotes neuroblastoma cell proliferation and growth through activating PI3K/AKT pathway. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 857:172423. [PMID: 31150649 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.172423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood, previous studies show synaptic protein neuroligin-3 (NLGN3) promotes glioma proliferation and growth, However, no investigation about the role of NLGN3 in neuroblastoma was reported. Here, we found NGLGN3 was significantly upregulated in neuroblastoma cells and tissues, its overexpression significantly promoted neuroblastoma cell proliferation and growth determined by MTT analysis, colony formation assay, cell cycle progression analysis, BrdU incorporation assay and animal model, while its knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and growth. Then we found NLGN3 could increase the phosphorylation level of AKT and the transcription activity of FOXO family, suggesting NLGN3 activated PI3K/AKT pathway, inhibition of PI3K/AKT pathway in NLGN3 overexpressing cells inhibited cell proliferation, confirming NLGN3 promoted neuroblastoma proliferation through activating PI3K/AKT pathway. In summary, we found NLGN3 promoted neuroblastoma cell proliferation and growth through activating PI3K/AKT pathway and providing a new target for neuroblastoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuoqing Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenzong Gao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingchun Fei
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengfei Gao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Qigen Xie
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Juntao Xie
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhe Xu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.
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Peer E, Tesanovic S, Aberger F. Next-Generation Hedgehog/GLI Pathway Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040538. [PMID: 30991683 PMCID: PMC6520835 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog/Glioma-associated oncogene homolog (HH/GLI) signaling pathway regulates self-renewal of rare and highly malignant cancer stem cells (CSC), which have been shown to account for the initiation and maintenance of tumor growth as well as for drug resistance, metastatic spread and relapse. Efficacious therapeutic approaches targeting CSC pathways, such as HH/GLI signaling in combination with chemo, radiation or immunotherapy are, therefore, of high medical need. Pharmacological inhibition of HH/GLI pathway activity represents a promising approach to eliminate malignant CSC. Clinically approved HH/GLI pathway inhibitors target the essential pathway effector Smoothened (SMO) with striking therapeutic efficacy in skin and brain cancer patients. However, multiple genetic and molecular mechanisms resulting in de novo and acquired resistance to SMO inhibitors pose major limitations to anti-HH/GLI therapies and, thus, the eradication of CSC. In this review, we summarize reasons for clinical failure of SMO inhibitors, including mechanisms caused by genetic alterations in HH pathway effectors or triggered by additional oncogenic signals activating GLI transcription factors in a noncanonical manner. We then discuss emerging novel and rationale-based approaches to overcome SMO-inhibitor resistance, focusing on pharmacological perturbations of enzymatic modifiers of GLI activity and on compounds either directly targeting oncogenic GLI factors or interfering with synergistic crosstalk signals known to boost the oncogenicity of HH/GLI signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Peer
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Hellbrunner Strasse 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Suzana Tesanovic
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Hellbrunner Strasse 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Fritz Aberger
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Hellbrunner Strasse 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
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Zeng X, Ju D. Hedgehog Signaling Pathway and Autophagy in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E2279. [PMID: 30081498 PMCID: PMC6121518 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19082279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 07/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) pathway controls complex developmental processes in vertebrates. Abnormal activation of Hh pathway is responsible for tumorigenesis and maintenance of multiple cancers, and thus addressing this represents promising therapeutic opportunities. In recent years, two Hh inhibitors have been approved for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) treatment and show extraordinary clinical outcomes. Meanwhile, a series of novel agents are being developed for the treatment of several cancers, including lung cancer, leukemia, and pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, Hh inhibition fails to show satisfactory benefits in these cancer types compared with the success stories in BCC, highlighting the need for better understanding of Hh signaling in cancer. Autophagy, a conserved biological process for cellular component elimination, plays critical roles in the initiation, progression, and drug resistance of cancer, and therefore, implied potential to be targeted. Recent evidence demonstrated that Hh signaling interplays with autophagy in multiple cancers. Importantly, modulating this crosstalk exhibited noteworthy capability to sensitize primary and drug-resistant cancer cells to Hh inhibitors, representing an emerging opportunity to reboot the efficacy of Hh inhibition in those insensitive tumors, and to tackle drug resistance challenges. This review will highlight recent advances of Hh pathway and autophagy in cancers, and focus on their crosstalk and the implied therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Zeng
- Department of Microbiological and Biochemical Pharmacy & The Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery MOE, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
| | - Dianwen Ju
- Department of Microbiological and Biochemical Pharmacy & The Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery MOE, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
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