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Zhang X, Mao T, Xu H, Li S, Yue M, Ma J, Yao J, Wang Y, Zhang X, Ge W, Wang Y, Shentu D, Wang L. Synergistic blocking of RAS downstream signaling and epigenetic pathway in KRAS mutant pancreatic cancer. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:3597-3606. [PMID: 35468095 PMCID: PMC9085242 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly fatal malignancy and lacks effective therapeutic targets. Trametinib is considered to be a promising potential indirectly targeted KRAS inhibitor in PDAC. However, the clinical outcomes were poor. JQ1 displayed a significant synergistic effect when combined with chemotherapy or potential targeted therapy in pancreatic cancer. The impact of Trametinib and JQ1 combination treatment in PDAC remains to be fully elucidated. METHODS The efficacy of trametinib and JQ1 on cell proliferation and cytotoxicity was assayed in 7 KRAS mutant pancreatic cancer cell lines. The cytotoxic effects of drugs either alone or in combination were evaluated using a luminescent cell viability assay. Immunoblot analysis was carried out to investigate changes in p62 and autophagy. RESULTS We found that either trametinib or JQ1 alone inhibited the proliferation of some pancreatic cancer cell lines with KRAS alterations, irrespective of the mutational loci of KRAS and the aberrant status of the other driver genes. The synergistic effects of combination treatment of trametinib and JQ1 were observed in both trametinib-resistant and trametinib-sensitive cells. In trametinib-sensitive PDAC cells, the combined treatment definitely inhibited p62 expression compared with trametinib alone, while LC3 expression at high levels changed little. In trametinib-resistant PDAC cells, the combination of MEK/BET inhibitor dramatically decreased p62 expression compared with single agent, while p62 expression increased after anti-autophagic therapy was added. CONCLUSIONS Blocking RAS downstream signaling and epigenetic pathway synergistically increases the antiproliferative activity in KRAS mutant PDAC cells. Combination therapeutic synergism may induce different cell death modes in different pancreatic cancer subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tiebo Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haiyan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shumin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingyu Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiayu Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongchao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiyu Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Daiyuan Shentu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Lee WK, Cheng SY. Targeting transcriptional regulators for treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer. JOURNAL OF CANCER METASTASIS AND TREATMENT 2021; 7. [PMID: 34761120 PMCID: PMC8577520 DOI: 10.20517/2394-4722.2021.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of genes perpetuates cancer progression. During carcinogenesis, cancer cells acquire dependency of aberrant transcriptional programs (known as “transcription addiction”) to meet the high demands for uncontrolled proliferation. The needs for particular transcription programs for cancer growth could be cancer-type-selective. The dependencies of certain transcription regulators could be exploited for therapeutic benefits. Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is an extremely aggressive human cancer for which new treatment modalities are urgently needed. Its resistance to conventional treatments and the lack of therapeutic options for improving survival might have been attributed to extensive genetic heterogeneity due to subsequent evolving genetic alterations and clonal selections during carcinogenesis. Despite this genetic complexity, mounting evidence has revealed a characteristic transcriptional addiction of ATC cells resulting in evolving diverse oncogenic signaling for cancer cell survival. The transcriptional addiction has presented a huge challenge for effective targeting as shown by the failure of previous targeted therapies. However, an emerging notion is that many different oncogenic signaling pathways activated by multiple upstream driver mutations might ultimately converge on the transcriptional responses, which would provide an opportunity to target transcriptional regulators for treatment of ATC. Here, we review the current understanding of how genetic alterations in cancer distorted the transcription program, leading to acquisition of transcriptional addiction. We also highlight recent findings from studies aiming to exploit the opportunity for targeting transcription regulators as potential therapeutics for ATC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo Kyung Lee
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sheue-Yann Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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BET Proteins as Attractive Targets for Cancer Therapeutics. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222011102. [PMID: 34681760 PMCID: PMC8538173 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional dysregulation is a hallmark of cancer and can be an essential driver of cancer initiation and progression. Loss of transcriptional control can cause cancer cells to become dependent on certain regulators of gene expression. Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins are epigenetic readers that regulate the expression of multiple genes involved in carcinogenesis. BET inhibitors (BETis) disrupt BET protein binding to acetylated lysine residues of chromatin and suppress the transcription of various genes, including oncogenic transcription factors. Phase I and II clinical trials demonstrated BETis’ potential as anticancer drugs against solid tumours and haematological malignancies; however, their clinical success was limited as monotherapies. Emerging treatment-associated toxicities, drug resistance and a lack of predictive biomarkers limited BETis’ clinical progress. The preclinical evaluation demonstrated that BETis synergised with different classes of compounds, including DNA repair inhibitors, thus supporting further clinical development of BETis. The combination of BET and PARP inhibitors triggered synthetic lethality in cells with proficient homologous recombination. Mechanistic studies revealed that BETis targeted multiple essential homologous recombination pathway proteins, including RAD51, BRCA1 and CtIP. The exact mechanism of BETis’ anticancer action remains poorly understood; nevertheless, these agents provide a novel approach to epigenome and transcriptome anticancer therapy.
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Secreted Factors by Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Cells Induce Tumor-Promoting M2-like Macrophage Polarization through a TIM3-Dependent Mechanism. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194821. [PMID: 34638305 PMCID: PMC8507981 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Among the different types of thyroid cancer, anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is one of the most aggressive tumors. Characterized for its undifferentiated cells, it spreads quickly to distant organs and does not respond well to standardized therapy. Therefore, there is a critical need to identify new targets that can be translated into therapeutic approaches. ATCs are heavily infiltrated by Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAMs), and its infiltration density is associated with decreased survival. However, the functional role of TAMs in ATC is still unclear. Our results provide valuable insights into the processes in which soluble factors produced by ATC cells induce M2-like polarization of human monocytes through T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing protein-3 (TIM3). TIM3 in TAMs should now be further evaluated as a possible potential novel target for treating ATC. Abstract Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a highly aggressive type of thyroid cancer (TC). Currently, no effective target treatments are available that can improve overall survival, with ATC representing a major clinical challenge because of its remarkable lethality. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most evident cells in ATCs, and their high density is correlated with a poor prognosis. However, the mechanisms of how TAMs promote ATC progression remain poorly characterized. Here, we demonstrated that the treatment of human monocytes (THP-1 cells) with ATC cell-derived conditioned media (CM) promoted macrophage polarization, showing high levels of M2 markers. Furthermore, we found that STAT3 was activated, and this was correlated with an increased expression and secretion of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6. Remarkably, the M2-like macrophages obtained revealed tumor-promoting activity. A cytokine array analysis demonstrated that M2-like macrophage-derived CM contained high levels of TIM3, which is an important immune regulatory molecule. Consistently, TIM3 expression was up-regulated in THP-1 cells cultured with ATC cell-derived CM. Moreover, TIM3 blockade significantly reversed the polarization of THP-1 cells induced by ATC cell-secreted soluble factors. We validated the clinical significance of the TIM3 in human TC by analyzing public datasets and found that the expression of TIM3 and its ligand galectin 9 was significantly higher in human TC tissue samples than in normal thyroid tissues. Taken together, our findings identified a new mechanism by which TIM3 induces tumor-promoting M2-like macrophage polarization in TC. Furthermore, TIM3 interference might be a potential tool for treatment of patients with ATC.
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Chew D, Green V, Riley A, England RJ, Greenman J. The Changing Face of in vitro Culture Models for Thyroid Cancer Research: A Systematic Literature Review. Front Surg 2020; 7:43. [PMID: 32766274 PMCID: PMC7378741 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2020.00043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy worldwide. Primary treatment with surgery and radioactive iodine is usually successful, however, there remains a small proportion of thyroid cancers that are resistant to these treatments, and often represent aggressive forms of the disease. Since the 1950s, in vitro thyroid culture systems have been used in thyroid cancer research. In vitro culture models have evolved from 2-dimensional thyrocyte monolayers into physiologically functional 3-dimensional organoids. Recently, research groups have utilized in vitro thyroid cancer models to identify numerous genetic and epigenetic factors that are involved with tumorigenesis as well as test the efficacy of cytotoxic drugs on thyroid cancer cells and identify cancer stem cells within thyroid tumors. Objective of Review: The objective of this literature review is to summarize how thyroid in vitro culture models have evolved and highlight how in vitro models have been fundamental to thyroid cancer research. Type of Review: Systematic literature review. Search Strategy: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Healthcare and Databases Advanced Search (HDAS) tool was used to search EMBASE, Medline and PubMed databases. The following terms were included in the search: “in vitro” AND “thyroid cancer”. The search period was confined from January 2008 until June 2019. A manual search of the references of review articles and other key articles was also performed using Google Scholar. Evaluation Method: All experimental studies and review articles that explicitly mentioned the use of in vitro models for thyroid cancer research in the title and/or abstract were considered. Full-text versions of all selected articles were evaluated. Experimental studies were reviewed and grouped according to topic: genetics/epigenetics, drug testing/cancer treatment, and side populations (SP)/tumor microenvironment (TME). Results: Three thousand three hundred and seventy three articles were identified through database and manual searches. One thousand two hundred and sixteen articles remained after duplicates were removed. Five hundred and eighty nine articles were excluded based on title and/or abstract. Of the remaining 627 full-text articles: 24 were review articles, 332 related to genetic/epigenetics, 240 related to drug testing/treatments, and 31 related to SP/TME. Conclusion:In vitro cell culture models have been fundamental in thyroid cancer research. There have been many advances in culture techniques- developing complex cellular architecture that more closely resemble tumors in vivo. Genetic and epigenetic factors that have been identified using in vitro culture models can be used as targets for novel drug therapies. In the future, in vitro systems will facilitate personalized medicine, offering bespoke treatments to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan Chew
- Department of ENT, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Castle Hill Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Green
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Riley
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
| | - Richard James England
- Department of ENT, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Castle Hill Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
| | - John Greenman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
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Laetitia G, Sven S, Fabrice J. Combinatorial Therapies in Thyroid Cancer: An Overview of Preclinical and Clinical Progresses. Cells 2020; 9:E830. [PMID: 32235612 PMCID: PMC7226736 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Accounting for about 2% of cancers diagnosed worldwide, thyroid cancer has caused about 41,000 deaths in 2018. Despite significant progresses made in recent decades in the treatment of thyroid cancer, many resistances to current monotherapies are observed. In our complete review, we report all treatments that were tested in combination against thyroid cancer. Many preclinical studies investigating the effects of inhibitors of the MAPK and PI3K pathways highlighted the importance of mutations in such signaling pathways and their impacts on the subsequent efficacy of targeted therapies, thus reinforcing the need of more personalized therapeutic strategies. Our review also points out the multiple possibilities of combinatory strategies, particularly using therapies targeting proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, and in combination with conventional treatments such as chemotherapies. In any case, resistances to anticancer therapies always develop through the activation of alternative signaling pathways. Combinatory treatments aim to blockade such mechanisms, which are gradually decrypted, thus offering new perspectives for the future. The preclinical and clinical aspects of our review allow us to have a global opinion of the different therapeutic options currently evaluated in combination and to be aware about new perspectives of treatment of thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gheysen Laetitia
- Laboratory of Human Anatomy and Experimental Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Mons University, Avenue du Champ de Mars, 8, B7000 Mons, Belgium; (S.S.); (J.F.)
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Maggisano V, Celano M, Malivindi R, Barone I, Cosco D, Mio C, Mignogna C, Panza S, Damante G, Fresta M, Andò S, Russo D, Catalano S, Bulotta S. Nanoparticles Loaded with the BET Inhibitor JQ1 Block the Growth of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Vivo. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 12:cancers12010091. [PMID: 31905936 PMCID: PMC7016573 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of bromo-and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins, epigenetic regulators of genes involved in cell viability, has been efficiently tested in preclinical models of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the use of the selective BET-inhibitor JQ1 on humans is limited by its very short half-life. Herein, we developed, characterized and tested a novel formulation of nanoparticles containing JQ1 (N-JQ1) against TNBC in vitro and in vivo. N-JQ1, prepared using the nanoprecipitation method of preformedpoly-lactid-co-glycolic acid in an aqueous solution containing JQ1 and poloxamer-188 as a stabilizer, presented a high physico-chemical stability. Treatment of MDA-MB 157 and MDA-MB 231 TNBC cells with N-JQ1 determined a significant decrease in cell viability, adhesion and migration. Intra-peritoneal administration (5 days/week for two weeks) of N-JQ1 in nude mice hosting a xenograft TNBC after flank injection of MDA-MB-231 cells determined a great reduction in the growth and vascularity of the neoplasm. Moreover, the treatment resulted in a minimal infiltration of nearby tissues. Finally, the encapsulation of JQ1 in nanoparticles improved the anticancer efficacy of this epigenetic compound against TNBC in vitro and in vivo, opening the way to test it in the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Maggisano
- Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (V.M.); (M.C.); (D.C.); (M.F.); (S.B.)
| | - Marilena Celano
- Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (V.M.); (M.C.); (D.C.); (M.F.); (S.B.)
| | - Rocco Malivindi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (R.M.); (I.B.); (S.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Ines Barone
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (R.M.); (I.B.); (S.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Donato Cosco
- Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (V.M.); (M.C.); (D.C.); (M.F.); (S.B.)
| | - Catia Mio
- Department of Medical Area, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy; (C.M.); (G.D.)
| | - Chiara Mignogna
- Interdepartmental Service Center, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Salvatore Panza
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (R.M.); (I.B.); (S.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Giuseppe Damante
- Department of Medical Area, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy; (C.M.); (G.D.)
| | - Massimo Fresta
- Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (V.M.); (M.C.); (D.C.); (M.F.); (S.B.)
| | - Sebastiano Andò
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (R.M.); (I.B.); (S.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Diego Russo
- Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (V.M.); (M.C.); (D.C.); (M.F.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence: (D.R.); (S.C.); Tel.: +39-09613694224 (D.R.); +39-0984496207 (S.C.)
| | - Stefania Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (R.M.); (I.B.); (S.P.); (S.A.)
- Correspondence: (D.R.); (S.C.); Tel.: +39-09613694224 (D.R.); +39-0984496207 (S.C.)
| | - Stefania Bulotta
- Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (V.M.); (M.C.); (D.C.); (M.F.); (S.B.)
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Carrà G, Nicoli P, Lingua MF, Maffeo B, Cartellà A, Circosta P, Brancaccio M, Parvis G, Gaidano V, Guerrasio A, Saglio G, Taulli R, Morotti A. Inhibition of bromodomain and extra-terminal proteins increases sensitivity to venetoclax in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 24:1650-1657. [PMID: 31821686 PMCID: PMC6991693 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of drugs able to target BTK, PI3k‐delta and BCL2 has dramatically improved chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) therapies. However, drug resistance to these therapies has already been reported due to non‐recurrent changes in oncogenic pathways and genes expression signatures. In this study, we investigated the cooperative role of the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax and the BRD4 inhibitor JQ1. In particular, we found that JQ1 shows additional activity with venetoclax, in CLL cell lines and in ex vivo isolated primary CD19+ lymphocytes, arguing in favour of combination strategies. Lastly, JQ1 is also effective in venetoclax‐resistant CLL cell lines. Together, our findings indicated that the BET inhibitor JQ1 could be a promising therapy in CLL, both as first‐line therapy in combination with venetoclax and as second‐line therapy, after the emergence of venetoclax‐resistant clones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Carrà
- Dept. of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Paolo Nicoli
- Dept. of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
| | | | - Beatrice Maffeo
- Dept. of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Antonio Cartellà
- Dept. of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Paola Circosta
- Dept. of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Mara Brancaccio
- Dept. of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Guido Parvis
- Division of Hematology, Ospedale Mauriziano, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Angelo Guerrasio
- Dept. of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Saglio
- Dept. of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy.,Division of Hematology, Ospedale Mauriziano, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Morotti
- Dept. of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
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Zhu X, Park S, Lee WK, Cheng SY. Potentiated anti-tumor effects of BETi by MEKi in anaplastic thyroid cancer. Endocr Relat Cancer 2019; 26:739-750. [PMID: 31272080 PMCID: PMC6938575 DOI: 10.1530/erc-19-0107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is an aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options. We explored novel treatment modalities by targeting epigenetic modifications using inhibitors of BET (e.g. BRD4) activity. We evaluated the efficacy in the treatment of ATC of a novel BET inhibitor, PLX51107 (PLX), currently in clinical trials for other solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, alone or combined with a MEK inhibitor, PD0325901(PD). To elucidate the effects of these inhibitors on growth of ATC, we treated ATC cells derived from patient tumors (THJ-11T and THJ-16T cells) and mouse xenograft tumors with inhibitors. We found PLX and PD inhibitors singly inhibited proliferation of both human ATC cells lines, but together exhibited stronger inhibition of proliferation. In mouse xenografts, the combination treatment almost totally blocked growth in xenograft tumors derived from both ATC cells. PD effectively attenuated MEK-ERK signaling, which was further enhanced by PLX in the combined treatment in cultured cells and tumors. Importantly, the combination of PLX and PD acted synergistically to suppress MYC transcription to increase p27 in decreasing tumor cell proliferation. PLX and PD cooperated to upregulate pro-apoptotic proteins to promote apoptosis. These two inhibitors converged to reduce the binding of BRD4 to the MYC promoter to suppress the MYC expression. These findings indicate that combined treatment of BET and MEK-ERK inhibitors was more effective to treat ATC than single targeted treatment. Synergistic suppression of MYC transcription via collaborative actions on chromatin modifications suggested that targeting epigenetic modifications could provide novel treatment opportunities for ATC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuguang Zhu
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Sunmi Park
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Woo Kyung Lee
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Sheue-yann Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
- Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Sheue-yann Cheng, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, 37 Convent Dr, Room 5128, Bethesda, MD 20892-4264, Tel: 240-760-7828; Fax: 240-541-4498,
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Nucera C. A novel combined targeted therapy with bromodomain antagonist and MEK inhibitor in anaplastic thyroid cancer. Oncotarget 2019; 10:686-687. [PMID: 30774767 PMCID: PMC6366830 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Nucera
- Carmelo Nucera: Human Thyroid Cancers Preclinical and Translational Research Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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