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Hwang G, Kwon M, Seo D, Kim DH, Lee D, Lee K, Kim E, Kang M, Ryu JH. ASOptimizer: Optimizing antisense oligonucleotides through deep learning for IDO1 gene regulation. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102186. [PMID: 38706632 PMCID: PMC11066473 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Recent studies have highlighted the effectiveness of using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) for cellular RNA regulation, including targets that are considered undruggable; however, manually designing optimal ASO sequences can be labor intensive and time consuming, which potentially limits their broader application. To address this challenge, we introduce a platform, the ASOptimizer, a deep-learning-based framework that efficiently designs ASOs at a low cost. This platform not only selects the most efficient mRNA target sites but also optimizes the chemical modifications for enhanced performance. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) promotes cancer survival by depleting tryptophan and producing kynurenine, leading to immunosuppression through the aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) pathway within the tumor microenvironment. We used ASOptimizer to identify ASOs that target IDO1 mRNA as potential cancer therapeutics. Our methodology consists of two stages: sequence engineering and chemical engineering. During the sequence-engineering stage, we optimized and predicted ASO sequences that could target IDO1 mRNA efficiently. In the chemical-engineering stage, we further refined these ASOs to enhance their inhibitory activity while reducing their potential cytotoxicity. In conclusion, our research demonstrates the potential of ASOptimizer for identifying ASOs with improved efficacy and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyeongjo Hwang
- Spidercore Inc, 17, Techno 4-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34013, South Korea
| | - Mincheol Kwon
- BIORCHESTRA Co., Ltd., 17, Techno 4-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34013, South Korea
| | - Dongjin Seo
- Spidercore Inc, 17, Techno 4-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34013, South Korea
| | - Dae Hoon Kim
- BIORCHESTRA Co., Ltd., 17, Techno 4-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34013, South Korea
| | - Daehwan Lee
- Spidercore Inc, 17, Techno 4-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34013, South Korea
| | - Kiwon Lee
- Spidercore Inc, 17, Techno 4-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34013, South Korea
| | - Eunyoung Kim
- BIORCHESTRA Co., Ltd., 17, Techno 4-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34013, South Korea
| | - Mingeun Kang
- Spidercore Inc, 17, Techno 4-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34013, South Korea
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Jin-Hyeob Ryu
- BIORCHESTRA Co., Ltd., 17, Techno 4-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34013, South Korea
- BIORCHESTRA US., Inc., 1 Kendall Square, Building 200, Suite 2-103, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Aboomar NM, Essam O, Hassan A, Bassiouny AR, Arafa RK. Exploring a repurposed candidate with dual hIDO1/hTDO2 inhibitory potential for anticancer efficacy identified through pharmacophore-based virtual screening and in vitro evaluation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9386. [PMID: 38653790 PMCID: PMC11039737 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59353-4] [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: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Discovering effective anti-cancer agents poses a formidable challenge given the limited efficacy of current therapeutic modalities against various cancer types due to intrinsic resistance mechanisms. Cancer immunochemotherapy is an alternative strategy for breast cancer treatment and overcoming cancer resistance. Human Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (hIDO1) and human Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase 2 (hTDO2) play pivotal roles in tryptophan metabolism, leading to the generation of kynurenine and other bioactive metabolites. This process facilitates the de novo synthesis of Nicotinamide Dinucleotide (NAD), promoting cancer resistance. This study identified a new dual hIDO1/hTDO2 inhibitor using a drug repurposing strategy of FDA-approved drugs. Herein, we delineate the development of a ligand-based pharmacophore model based on a training set of 12 compounds with reported hIDO1/hTDO2 inhibitory activity. We conducted a pharmacophore search followed by high-throughput virtual screening of 2568 FDA-approved drugs against both enzymes, resulting in ten hits, four of them with high potential of dual inhibitory activity. For further in silico and in vitro biological investigation, the anti-hypercholesterolemic drug Pitavastatin deemed the drug of choice in this study. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations demonstrated that Pitavastatin forms stable complexes with both hIDO1 and hTDO2 receptors, providing a structural basis for its potential therapeutic efficacy. At nanomolar (nM) concentration, it exhibited remarkable in vitro enzyme inhibitory activity against both examined enzymes. Additionally, Pitavastatin demonstrated potent cytotoxic activity against BT-549, MCF-7, and HepG2 cell lines (IC50 = 16.82, 9.52, and 1.84 µM, respectively). Its anticancer activity was primarily due to the induction of G1/S phase arrest as discovered through cell cycle analysis of HepG2 cancer cells. Ultimately, treating HepG2 cancer cells with Pitavastatin affected significant activation of caspase-3 accompanied by down-regulation of cellular apoptotic biomarkers such as IDO, TDO, STAT3, P21, P27, IL-6, and AhR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nourhan M Aboomar
- Drug Design and Discovery Lab, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Ahmed Zewail Road, October Gardens, Cairo, 12578, Giza, Egypt
- Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Science and Technology, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Cairo, 12578, Egypt
| | - Omar Essam
- Drug Design and Discovery Lab, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Ahmed Zewail Road, October Gardens, Cairo, 12578, Giza, Egypt
- Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Science and Technology, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Cairo, 12578, Egypt
| | - Afnan Hassan
- Drug Design and Discovery Lab, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Ahmed Zewail Road, October Gardens, Cairo, 12578, Giza, Egypt
- Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Science and Technology, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Cairo, 12578, Egypt
- Euro-Mediterranean Master in Neuroscience and Biotechnology Program, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21511, Egypt
| | - Ahmad R Bassiouny
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21511, Egypt
| | - Reem K Arafa
- Drug Design and Discovery Lab, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Ahmed Zewail Road, October Gardens, Cairo, 12578, Giza, Egypt.
- Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Science and Technology, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Cairo, 12578, Egypt.
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3
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Gabrawy MM, Westbrook R, King A, Khosravian N, Ochaney N, DeCarvalho T, Wang Q, Yu Y, Huang Q, Said A, Abadir M, Zhang C, Khare P, Fairman JE, Le A, Milne GL, Vonhoff FJ, Walston JD, Abadir PM. Dual treatment with kynurenine pathway inhibitors and NAD + precursors synergistically extends life span in Drosophila. Aging Cell 2024; 23:e14102. [PMID: 38481042 PMCID: PMC11019140 DOI: 10.1111/acel.14102] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Tryptophan catabolism is highly conserved and generates important bioactive metabolites, including kynurenines, and in some animals, NAD+. Aging and inflammation are associated with increased levels of kynurenine pathway (KP) metabolites and depleted NAD+, factors which are implicated as contributors to frailty and morbidity. Contrastingly, KP suppression and NAD+ supplementation are associated with increased life span in some animals. Here, we used DGRP_229 Drosophila to elucidate the effects of KP elevation, KP suppression, and NAD+ supplementation on physical performance and survivorship. Flies were chronically fed kynurenines, KP inhibitors, NAD+ precursors, or a combination of KP inhibitors with NAD+ precursors. Flies with elevated kynurenines had reduced climbing speed, endurance, and life span. Treatment with a combination of KP inhibitors and NAD+ precursors preserved physical function and synergistically increased maximum life span. We conclude that KP flux can regulate health span and life span in Drosophila and that targeting KP and NAD+ metabolism can synergistically increase life span.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariann M. Gabrawy
- School of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Biology of Healthy Aging ProgramJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Reyhan Westbrook
- School of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Biology of Healthy Aging ProgramJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Austin King
- School of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Biology of Healthy Aging ProgramJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore CountyBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Nick Khosravian
- School of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Biology of Healthy Aging ProgramJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore CountyBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Neeraj Ochaney
- School of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Biology of Healthy Aging ProgramJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore CountyBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Tagide DeCarvalho
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore CountyBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Qinchuan Wang
- School of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Biology of Healthy Aging ProgramJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Yuqiong Yu
- School of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Biology of Healthy Aging ProgramJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Qiao Huang
- School of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Biology of Healthy Aging ProgramJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Adam Said
- School of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Biology of Healthy Aging ProgramJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Emory UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Michael Abadir
- School of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Biology of Healthy Aging ProgramJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- University of Maryland, College ParkCollege ParkMarylandUSA
| | | | | | - Jennifer E. Fairman
- Department of Arts as Applied to MedicineJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Anne Le
- Gigantest Inc.BaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Ginger L. Milne
- Vanderbilt UniversityVanderbilt Brain Institute, Neurochemistry CoreNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Fernando J. Vonhoff
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore CountyBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Jeremy D. Walston
- School of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Biology of Healthy Aging ProgramJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Peter M. Abadir
- School of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Biology of Healthy Aging ProgramJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
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Li D, Cao D, Sun Y, Cui Y, Zhang Y, Jiang J, Cao X. The roles of epigallocatechin gallate in the tumor microenvironment, metabolic reprogramming, and immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1331641. [PMID: 38348027 PMCID: PMC10859531 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1331641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer, a disease that modern medicine has not fully understood and conquered, with its high incidence and mortality, deprives countless patients of health and even life. According to global cancer statistics, there were an estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases and nearly 10 million cancer deaths in 2020, with the age-standardized incidence and mortality rates of 201.0 and 100.7 per 100,000, respectively. Although remarkable advancements have been made in therapeutic strategies recently, the overall prognosis of cancer patients remains not optimistic. Consequently, there are still many severe challenges to be faced and difficult problems to be solved in cancer therapy today. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a natural polyphenol extracted from tea leaves, has received much attention for its antitumor effects. Accumulating investigations have confirmed that EGCG can inhibit tumorigenesis and progression by triggering apoptosis, suppressing proliferation, invasion, and migration, altering tumor epigenetic modification, and overcoming chemotherapy resistance. Nevertheless, its regulatory roles and biomolecular mechanisms in the immune microenvironment, metabolic microenvironment, and immunotherapy remain obscure. In this article, we summarized the most recent updates about the effects of EGCG on tumor microenvironment (TME), metabolic reprogramming, and anti-cancer immunotherapy. The results demonstrated EGCG can promote the anti-cancer immune response of cytotoxic lymphocytes and dendritic cells (DCs), attenuate the immunosuppression of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs), and inhibit the tumor-promoting functions of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs), and various stromal cells including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), endothelial cells (ECs), stellate cells, and mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs). Additionally, EGCG can suppress multiple metabolic reprogramming pathways, including glucose uptake, aerobic glycolysis, glutamine metabolism, fatty acid anabolism, and nucleotide synthesis. Finally, EGCG, as an immunomodulator and immune checkpoint blockade, can enhance immunotherapeutic efficacy and may be a promising candidate for antitumor immunotherapy. In conclusion, EGCG plays versatile regulatory roles in TME and metabolic reprogramming, which provides novel insights and combined therapeutic strategies for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongming Li
- Department of Gastric and Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Donghui Cao
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuanlin Sun
- Department of Gastric and Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yingnan Cui
- Department of Gastric and Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yangyu Zhang
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jing Jiang
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xueyuan Cao
- Department of Gastric and Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Yang YT, Engleberg AI, Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan V. Establishment and Characterization of Cell Lines from Canine Metastatic Osteosarcoma. Cells 2023; 13:25. [PMID: 38201229 PMCID: PMC10778184 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010025] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the advancements in treatments for other cancers, the outcomes for osteosarcoma (OSA) patients have not improved in the past forty years, especially in metastatic patients. Moreover, the major cause of death in OSA patients is due to metastatic lesions. In the current study, we report on the establishment of three cell lines derived from metastatic canine OSA patients and their transcriptome as compared to normal canine osteoblasts. All the OSA cell lines displayed significant upregulation of genes in the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway, and upregulation of key cytokines such as CXCL8, CXCL10 and IL6. The two most upregulated genes are MX1 and ISG15. Interestingly, ISG15 has recently been identified as a potential therapeutic target for OSA. In addition, there is notable downregulation of cell cycle control genes, including CDKN2A, CDKN2B and THBS1. At the protein level, p16INK4A, coded by CDKN2A, was undetectable in all the canine OSA cell lines, while expression of the tumor suppressor PTEN was variable, with one cell line showing complete absence and others showing low levels of expression. In addition, the cells express a variety of actionable genes, including KIT, ERBB2, VEGF and immune checkpoint genes. These findings, similar to those reported in human OSA, point to some genes that can be used for prognosis, targeted therapies and novel drug development for both canine and human OSA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ting Yang
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (Y.-T.Y.); (A.I.E.)
| | - Alexander I. Engleberg
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (Y.-T.Y.); (A.I.E.)
| | - Vilma Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (Y.-T.Y.); (A.I.E.)
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Zhang S, Gao Y, Wang P, Wang S, Wang Y, Li M, Wang A, Zhao K, Zhang Z, Sun J, Guo D, Liang Z. Tryptophan metabolism enzymes are potential targets in ovarian clear cell carcinoma. Cancer Med 2023; 12:21996-22005. [PMID: 38062922 PMCID: PMC10757115 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6778] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/31/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM As the second most prevalent subtype of epithelial ovarian cancers, ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is known for its chemoresistance to conventional platinum-based therapy. In this work, we examined the tryptophan (Trp) metabolism enzymes' differential expression in patients with OCCC to assess the potential for personalised treatment. METHODS A total of 127 OCCC tissues were used to construct tissue microarrays, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of the Trp enzymes IDO1, IDO2, TDO2 and IL4I1 was performed. The correlations between Trp enzyme expression and clinical characteristics were analysed. RESULTS Positive IDO1, IDO2, TDO2 and IL4I1 staining was identified in 26.8%, 94.5%, 75.6% and 82.7% of OCCC respectively. IDO1-positive samples were more common in the chemoresistant group than in the platinum-sensitive group (46.7% vs. 19.8%). Moreover, positive expression of IDO1, TDO2 and IL4I1 was related to advanced stage, metastasis, bilateral tumours, endometriosis and tumour rupture (p < 0.05) respectively. Univariate analysis revealed a significant association between bilateral tumours, lymph node metastasis, advanced stage, distant metastasis and aberrant cytology with a poor prognosis for OCCC, while the absence of residual tumour was correlated with a favourable outcome (p < 0.05). However, only bilateral tumours and lymph node metastases were related to a poor prognosis after multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION This is the first study to investigate the expression of the Trp enzymes IDO1, IDO2, TDO2 and IL4I1 in OCCC tissues. IDO2, TDO2 and IL4I1 were detected in the majority of OCCC. Clinical traits were correlated with IDO1, IDO2, TDO2 and IL4I1 expression. IDO1 may be used as a therapeutic target given the large percentage of chemoresistant cases with IDO1 expression. These results will aid the development of personalised therapies for OCCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumei Zhang
- Clinical Biobank, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
- Department of Medical Research Centre, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Yike Gao
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Pathology Research Centre, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Pan Wang
- Department of PathologyAffiliated Hospital of Hebei UniversityBaodingHebei ProvinceChina
| | - Shu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH)Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
- National Clinical Research Centre for Obstetric & Gynaecologic DiseasesBeijingChina
| | - Yuming Wang
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Pathology Research Centre, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Mei Li
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Pathology Research Centre, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Anqi Wang
- Clinical Biobank, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
- Department of Medical Research Centre, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Kun Zhao
- Clinical Biobank, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
- Department of Medical Research Centre, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Zixin Zhang
- Clinical Biobank, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
- Department of Medical Research Centre, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Jian Sun
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Pathology Research Centre, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Dan Guo
- Clinical Biobank, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
- Department of Medical Research Centre, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Zhiyong Liang
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Pathology Research Centre, Peking Union Medical College HospitalChinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
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Luo Z, Eichinger KM, Zhang A, Li S. Targeting cancer metabolic pathways for improving chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Cancer Lett 2023; 575:216396. [PMID: 37739209 PMCID: PMC10591810 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Recent discoveries in cancer metabolism have revealed promising metabolic targets to modulate cancer progression, drug response, and anti-cancer immunity. Combination therapy, consisting of metabolic inhibitors and chemotherapeutic or immunotherapeutic agents, offers new opportunities for improved cancer therapy. However, it also presents challenges due to the complexity of cancer metabolic pathways and the metabolic interactions between tumor cells and immune cells. Many studies have been published demonstrating potential synergy between novel inhibitors of metabolism and chemo/immunotherapy, yet our understanding of the underlying mechanisms remains limited. Here, we review the current strategies of altering the metabolic pathways of cancer to improve the anti-cancer effects of chemo/immunotherapy. We also note the need to differentiate the effect of metabolic inhibition on cancer cells and immune cells and highlight nanotechnology as an emerging solution. Improving our understanding of the complexity of the metabolic pathways in different cell populations and the anti-cancer effects of chemo/immunotherapy will aid in the discovery of novel strategies that effectively restrict cancer growth and augment the anti-cancer effects of chemo/immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangyi Luo
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Anju Zhang
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Song Li
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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8
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Sultana S, Elengickal A, Bensreti H, de Chantemèle EB, McGee-Lawrence ME, Hamrick MW. The kynurenine pathway in HIV, frailty and inflammaging. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1244622. [PMID: 37744363 PMCID: PMC10514395 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1244622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Kynurenine (Kyn) is a circulating tryptophan (Trp) catabolite generated by enzymes including IDO1 that are induced by inflammatory cytokines such as interferon-gamma. Kyn levels in circulation increase with age and Kyn is implicated in several age-related disorders including neurodegeneration, osteoporosis, and sarcopenia. Importantly, Kyn increases with progressive disease in HIV patients, and antiretroviral therapy does not normalize IDO1 activity in these subjects. Kyn is now recognized as an endogenous agonist of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, and AhR activation itself has been found to induce muscle atrophy, increase the activity of bone-resorbing osteoclasts, decrease matrix formation by osteoblasts, and lead to senescence of bone marrow stem cells. Several IDO1 and AhR inhibitors are now in clinical trials as potential cancer therapies. We propose that some of these drugs may be repurposed to improve musculoskeletal health in older adults living with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Mark W. Hamrick
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
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9
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de Ruiter Swain J, Michalopoulou E, Noch EK, Lukey MJ, Van Aelst L. Metabolic partitioning in the brain and its hijacking by glioblastoma. Genes Dev 2023; 37:681-702. [PMID: 37648371 PMCID: PMC10546978 DOI: 10.1101/gad.350693.123] [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] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
The different cell types in the brain have highly specialized roles with unique metabolic requirements. Normal brain function requires the coordinated partitioning of metabolic pathways between these cells, such as in the neuron-astrocyte glutamate-glutamine cycle. An emerging theme in glioblastoma (GBM) biology is that malignant cells integrate into or "hijack" brain metabolism, co-opting neurons and glia for the supply of nutrients and recycling of waste products. Moreover, GBM cells communicate via signaling metabolites in the tumor microenvironment to promote tumor growth and induce immune suppression. Recent findings in this field point toward new therapeutic strategies to target the metabolic exchange processes that fuel tumorigenesis and suppress the anticancer immune response in GBM. Here, we provide an overview of the intercellular division of metabolic labor that occurs in both the normal brain and the GBM tumor microenvironment and then discuss the implications of these interactions for GBM therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jed de Ruiter Swain
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
| | | | - Evan K Noch
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuro-oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021, USA
| | - Michael J Lukey
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA;
| | - Linda Van Aelst
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA;
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10
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Xiang D, Han X, Li J, Zhang J, Xiao H, Li T, Zhao X, Xiong H, Xu M, Bi W. Combination of IDO inhibitors and platinum(IV) prodrugs reverses low immune responses to enhance cancer chemotherapy and immunotherapy for osteosarcoma. Mater Today Bio 2023; 20:100675. [PMID: 37304579 PMCID: PMC10250924 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100675] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs) have made great progress in the treatment of cancer. However, most ICBs have not yet been observed to be satisfactory in the treatment of osteosarcoma. Herein, we designed composite nanoparticles (NP-Pt-IDOi) from a reactive oxygen species (ROS) sensitive amphiphilic polymer (PHPM) with thiol-ketal bonds in the main chain to encapsulate a Pt(IV) prodrug (Pt(IV)-C12) and an indoleamine-(2/3)-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitor (IDOi, NLG919). Once NP-Pt-IDOi enter the cancer cells, the polymeric nanoparticles could dissociate due to the intracellular ROS, and release Pt(IV)-C12 and NLG919. Pt(IV)-C12 induces DNA damage and activates the cGAS-STING pathway, increasing infiltration of CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment. In addition, NLG919 inhibits tryptophan metabolism and enhances CD8+ T cell activity, ultimately activating anti-tumor immunity and enhancing the anti-tumor effects of platinum-based drugs. NP-Pt-IDOi were shown to have superior anti-cancer activity in vitro and in vivo in mouse models of osteosarcoma, providing a new clinical paradigm for combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy for osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongquan Xiang
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, PR China
- Senior Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, PR China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China
| | - Xinli Han
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300074, PR China
| | - Jianxiong Li
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, PR China
- Senior Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, PR China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China
| | - Jiabing Zhang
- Xidian University, Xi'an, 710071, PR China
- Graduate School of Medical School of Chinese PLA Hospital, Beijing, 100853, PR China
| | - Haihua Xiao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China
| | - Ting Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Xuelin Zhao
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, PR China
- Senior Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, PR China
| | - Hejian Xiong
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Meng Xu
- Senior Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, PR China
| | - Wenzhi Bi
- Senior Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, PR China
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