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Hasham MG, Sargent JK, Warner MA, Farley SR, Hoffmann BR, Stodola TJ, Brunton CJ, Munger SC. Methods to study xenografted human cancer in genetically diverse mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.23.576906. [PMID: 38328145 PMCID: PMC10849620 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.23.576906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Xenografting human cancer tissues into mice to test new cures against cancers is critical for understanding and treating the disease. However, only a few inbred strains of mice are used to study cancers, and derivatives of mainly one strain, mostly NOD/ShiLtJ, are used for therapy efficacy studies. As it has been demonstrated when human cancer cell lines or patient-derived tissues (PDX) are xenografted into mice, the neoplastic cells are human but the supporting cells that comprise the tumor (the stroma) are from the mouse. Therefore, results of studies of xenografted tissues are influenced by the host strain. We previously published that when the same neoplastic cells are xenografted into different mouse strains, the pattern of tumor growth, histology of the tumor, number of immune cells infiltrating the tumor, and types of circulating cytokines differ depending on the strain. Therefore, to better comprehend the behavior of cancer in vivo, one must xenograft multiple mouse strains. Here we describe and report a series of methods that we used to reveal the genes and proteins expressed when the same cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, is xenografted in different hosts. First, using proteomic analysis, we show how to use the same cell line in vivo to reveal the protein changes in the neoplastic cell that help it adapt to its host. Then, we show how different hosts respond molecularly to the same cell line. We also find that using multiple strains can reveal a more suitable host than those traditionally used for a "difficult to xenograft" PDX. In addition, using complex trait genetics, we illustrate a feasible method for uncovering the alleles of the host that support tumor growth. Finally, we demonstrate that Diversity Outbred mice, the epitome of a model of mouse-strain genetic diversity, can be xenografted with human cell lines or PDX using 2-deoxy-D-glucose treatment.
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Jaradat SK, Ayoub NM, Al Sharie AH, Aldaod JM. Targeting Receptor Tyrosine Kinases as a Novel Strategy for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2024; 23:15330338241234780. [PMID: 38389413 PMCID: PMC10894558 DOI: 10.1177/15330338241234780] [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: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) comprises a group of aggressive and heterogeneous breast carcinoma. Chemotherapy is the mainstay for the treatment of triple-negative tumors. Nevertheless, the success of chemotherapeutic treatments is limited by their toxicity and development of acquired resistance leading to therapeutic failure and tumor relapse. Hence, there is an urgent need to explore novel targeted therapies for TNBC. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are a family of transmembrane receptors that are key regulators of intracellular signaling pathways controlling cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and motility. Aberrant activity and/or expression of several types of RTKs have been strongly connected to tumorigenesis. RTKs are frequently overexpressed and/or deregulated in triple-negative breast tumors and are further associated with tumor progression and reduced survival in patients. Therefore, targeting RTKs could be an appealing therapeutic strategy for the treatment of TNBC. This review summarizes the current evidence regarding the antitumor activity of RTK inhibitors in preclinical models of TNBC. The review also provides insights into the clinical trials evaluating the use of RTK inhibitors for the treatment of patients with TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara K. Jaradat
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Irbid, Jordan
| | - Nehad M. Ayoub
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Irbid, Jordan
| | - Ahmed H. Al Sharie
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Irbid, Jordan
| | - Julia M. Aldaod
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Irbid, Jordan
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Myint KZ, Sueca-Comes M, Collier P, Balasubramanian B, Venkatraman S, Gordan J, Zaitoun AM, Mukherjee A, Arora A, Larbcharoensub N, Suriyonplengsaeng C, Wongprasert K, Janvilisri T, Gomez D, Grabowska AM, Tohtong R, Bates DO, Yacqub-Usman K. Preclinical evidence for anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors as novel therapeutic treatments for cholangiocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1184900. [PMID: 38144528 PMCID: PMC10748508 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1184900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma, CCA) has a poor prognosis for patients, and despite recent advances in targeted therapies for other cancer types, it is still treated with standard chemotherapy. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) has been shown to be a primary driver of disease progression in lung cancer, and ALK inhibitors are effective therapeutics in aberrant ALK-expressing tumors. Aberrant ALK expression has been documented in CCA, but the use of ALK inhibitors has not been investigated. Using CCA cell lines and close-to-patient primary cholangiocarcinoma cells, we investigated the potential for ALK inhibitors in CCA. Methods ALK, cMET, and ROS1 expression was determined in CCA patient tissue by immunohistochemistry and digital droplet polymerase chain reaction, and that in cell lines was determined by immunoblot and immunofluorescence. The effect on cell viability and mechanism of action of ALK, cMet, and ROS1 inhibitors was determined in CCA cell lines. To determine whether ceritinib could affect primary CCA cells, tissue was taken from four patients with biliary tract cancer, without ALK rearrangement, mutation, or overexpression, and grown in three-dimensional tumor growth assays in the presence or absence of humanized mesenchymal cells. Results ALK and cMet but not ROS were both upregulated in CCA tissues and cell lines. Cell survival was inhibited by crizotinib, a c-met/ALK/ROS inhibitor. To determine the mechanism of this effect, we tested c-Met-specific and ALK/ROS-specific inhibitors, capmatinib and ceritinib, respectively. Whereas capmatinib did not affect cell survival, ceritinib dose-dependently inhibited survival in all cell lines, with IC50 ranging from 1 to 9 µM and co-treatments with gemcitabine and cisplatin further sensitized cells, with IC50 ranging from IC50 0.60 to 2.32 µM. Ceritinib did not inhibit cMet phosphorylation but did inhibit ALK phosphorylation. ALK was not mutated in any of these cell lines. Only ceritinib inhibited 3D growth of all four patient samples below mean peak serum concentration, in the presence and absence of mesenchymal cells, whereas crizotinib and capmatinib failed to do this. Ceritinib appeared to exert its effect more through autophagy than apoptosis. Discussion These results indicate that ceritinib or other ALK/ROS inhibitors could be therapeutically useful in cholangiocarcinoma even in the absence of aberrant ALK/ROS1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyaw Zwar Myint
- Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Mireia Sueca-Comes
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, Biodiscovery Institute, School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Pamela Collier
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, Biodiscovery Institute, School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Brinda Balasubramanian
- Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Simran Venkatraman
- Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - John Gordan
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Abed M. Zaitoun
- Department of Pathology, Nottingham Universities National Health Service (NHS) Hospital Trust, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Abhik Mukherjee
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, Biodiscovery Institute, School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Pathology, Nottingham Universities National Health Service (NHS) Hospital Trust, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Arvind Arora
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, Biodiscovery Institute, School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Medical Oncology, Nottingham Universities National Health Service (NHS) Hospital Trust, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Noppadol Larbcharoensub
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Kanokpan Wongprasert
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tavan Janvilisri
- Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Dhanny Gomez
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, and National Institute of Health Care Research (NIHR) Nottingham Digestive Disease Biomedical Research Unit, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Anna M. Grabowska
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, Biodiscovery Institute, School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rutaiwan Tohtong
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - David O. Bates
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, Biodiscovery Institute, School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Kiren Yacqub-Usman
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, Biodiscovery Institute, School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Daoui O, Nour H, Abchir O, Elkhattabi S, Bakhouch M, Chtita S. A computer-aided drug design approach to explore novel type II inhibitors of c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase for cancer therapy: QSAR, molecular docking, ADMET and molecular dynamics simulations. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:7768-7785. [PMID: 36120976 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2124456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Small molecules such as 4-phenoxypyridine derivatives have remarkable inhibitory activity against c-Met enzymatic activity and proliferation of cancer cell lines. Since there is a relationship between structure and biological activity of these molecules, these little compounds may have great potential for clinical pharmaceutical use against various types of cancer caused by c-Met activity. The purpose of this study was to remodel the structures of 4-phenoxypyridine derivatives to achieve strong inhibitory activity against c-Met and provide favorable pharmacokinetic properties for drug design and discovery. Therefore, this paper describes the structure-activity relationship and the rationalization of appropriate pharmacophore sites to improve the biological activity of the investigated molecules, based on bioinformatics techniques represented by a computer-aided drug design approach. Accordingly, robust and reliable 3D-QSAR models were developed based on CoMFA and CoMSIA techniques. As a result, 46 lead molecules were designed and their biological and pharmacokinetic activities were predicted in silico. Screening filters by 3D-QSAR, Molecular Docking, drug-like and ADME-Tox identified the computer-designed compounds P54 and P55 as the best candidates to achieve high inhibition of c-Met enzymatic activity compared to the synthesized template compound T14. Finally, through molecular dynamics simulations, the structural properties and dynamics of c-Met free and complex (PDB code: 3LQ8) in the presence of 4-phenoxypyridine-derived compounds in an aqueous environment are discussed. Overall, the rectosynthesis of the designed drug inhibitors (P54 and P55) and their in vitro and in vivo bioactivity evaluation may be attractive for design and discovery of novel drug effective to inhibit c-Met enzymatic activity.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ossama Daoui
- Laboratory of Engineering, Systems and Applications, National School of Applied Sciences, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah-Fez University, Fez, Morocco
| | - Hassan Nour
- Laboratory of Analytical and Molecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Oussama Abchir
- Laboratory of Analytical and Molecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Souad Elkhattabi
- Laboratory of Engineering, Systems and Applications, National School of Applied Sciences, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah-Fez University, Fez, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Bakhouch
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaïb Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco
| | - Samir Chtita
- Laboratory of Analytical and Molecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
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Maslov DV, Sember Q, Cham J, Bhangoo M. A review of treatments targeting DNA-repair gene defects in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1150777. [PMID: 36998466 PMCID: PMC10046303 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1150777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. About 6% of those diagnosed will develop metastatic disease. Unfortunately, metastatic prostate cancer is fatal. Prostate cancer can be castration sensitive or castration resistant. Many treatments have been shown to improve progression free survival and overall survival in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). In recent years, studies have been exploring targeting mutations in the DNA Damage Repair (DDR) response that may amplify oncogenes. In this paper, we aim to discuss DDR, new approved targeted therapies, and the most recent clinical trials in the setting of metastatic CRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana V. Maslov
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Scripps Health System, San Diego, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Diana V. Maslov,
| | - Quinne Sember
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Scripps Health System, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Jason Cham
- Scripps Clinic/Green Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Munveer Bhangoo
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Scripps Health System, San Diego, CA, United States
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ASGARD is A Single-cell Guided Pipeline to Aid Repurposing of Drugs. Nat Commun 2023; 14:993. [PMID: 36813801 PMCID: PMC9945835 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36637-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-cell RNA sequencing technology has enabled in-depth analysis of intercellular heterogeneity in various diseases. However, its full potential for precision medicine has yet to be reached. Towards this, we propose A Single-cell Guided Pipeline to Aid Repurposing of Drugs (ASGARD) that defines a drug score to recommend drugs by considering all cell clusters to address the intercellular heterogeneity within each patient. ASGARD shows significantly better average accuracy on single-drug therapy compared to two bulk-cell-based drug repurposing methods. We also demonstrated that it performs considerably better than other cell cluster-level predicting methods. In addition, we validate ASGARD using the drug response prediction method TRANSACT with Triple-Negative-Breast-Cancer patient samples. We find that many top-ranked drugs are either approved by the Food and Drug Administration or in clinical trials treating corresponding diseases. In conclusion, ASGARD is a promising drug repurposing recommendation tool guided by single-cell RNA-seq for personalized medicine. ASGARD is free for educational use at https://github.com/lanagarmire/ASGARD .
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Xu G, Li C, Di Z, Yang Y, Liang L, Yuan Q, Yang Q, Dong X, Xu S, Wu G. Development of the expression and prognostic significance of
m
5
C
‐related
LncRNAs
in breast cancer. Cancer Med 2022; 12:7667-7681. [PMID: 36464884 PMCID: PMC10067052 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND 5-Methylcytosine (m5C) methylation is a major epigenetic RNA modification and is closely related to tumorigenesis in various cancers. This study aimed to explore the prognostic value of m5C-related lncRNAs in breast cancer. METHODS Clinical characteristics and RNA-seq expression data from TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) were used in the study. First, we performed differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis and constructed a PPI network for the 12 m5C regulators. Then, we identified the m5C-related LncRNAs by the "cor. test." An m5C-related lncRNA prognostic risk signature was developed using univariate Cox regression and Lasso-penalized Cox regression analyses. The model's performance was determined using Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival analysis and ROC curves. Finally, a nomogram was constructed for clinical application in evaluating patients with BRCA. We also researched the drug sensitivity of signature lncRNAs and immune cell infiltration. Finally, we validated the expression of the signature lncRNAs through qRT-PCR in a breast cancer cell line and a breast epithelial cell line. RESULTS Overall, we constructed an 11-lncRNA risk score signature based on the lncRNAs associated with m5C regulators. According to the median risk score, we divided BRCA patients into high- and low-risk groups. The prognostic risk signature displayed excellent accuracy and demonstrated sufficient independence from other clinical characteristics. The immune cell infiltration analysis showed that the prognostic risk signature was related to the infiltration of immune cell subtypes. Drug sensitivity proved that our prognostic risk signature potentially has therapeutic value. CONCLUSIONS The m5C-related lncRNA signature reliably predicted the prognosis of breast cancer patients and may provide new insight into the breast cancer tumor immune microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaoran Xu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Chengxin Li
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Ziyang Di
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery and Department of Gastric and Colorectal Surgical Oncology Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Yalong Yang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Leilei Liang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Beijing China
| | - Qianqian Yuan
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Xingxing Dong
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Siguang Xu
- Xinxiang Medical College Xinxiang Medical University Xinxiang China
| | - Gaosong Wu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan China
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Alqudah MA, Al-Samman R, Azaizeh M, Alzoubi KH. Amlodipine inhibits proliferation, invasion, and colony formation of breast cancer cells. Biomed Rep 2022; 16:50. [PMID: 35620309 PMCID: PMC9112375 DOI: 10.3892/br.2022.1533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcium channel upregulation has been implicated in cancer cell proliferation and progression including in breast cancer. Fortunately, the function of calcium channels can be manipulated pharmacologically using calcium channel blockers (CCBs). Amlodipine, a dihydropyridine CCB, has been demonstrated to exert cytotoxic effects in several types of cancers. The present study evaluated the effects of amlodipine on proliferation, caspase activation, colony formation, and invasion of human breast cancer cells. Cell viability was assessed using a colorimetric MTT assay. An Apo-ONE® caspase-3/7 assay was used to measure caspase-3/7 levels. Cell invasion was evaluated using Matrigel invasion chambers. The expression of phospho-(p-)ERK1/2, Bcl-2, and integrin β1 proteins were analyzed using western blotting. A one-way ANOVA with a post-hoc Tukey's multiple comparison tests was used for statistical analysis. Amlodipine significantly inhibited the growth of both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner and inhibited colony formation of MCF-7 cells, and this was accompanied by the downregulation of p-ERK1/2 in MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, treatment with amlodipine resulted in increased caspase-3/7 levels in MDA-MB-231 cells, which was accompanied by the downregulation of the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2. Moreover, amlodipine impaired the invasive abilities of MDA-MB-231 cells, and integrin β1 expression was concurrently downregulated. The present study illustrates the anticancer effects of amlodipine on breast cancer proliferation, colony formation, and invasion in vitro and highlights the potential value of amlodipine as an anticancer agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad A.Y. Alqudah
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, The University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
| | - Raneem Al-Samman
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
| | - Marwah Azaizeh
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
| | - Karem H. Alzoubi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, The University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
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Cao Y, Liang Q, Lan Y, Liu Y. The therapeutic efficacy and safety improvements of crizotinib prodrug micelles on breast cancer treatment. Pharm Dev Technol 2022; 27:469-478. [PMID: 35579888 DOI: 10.1080/10837450.2022.2078984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, breast cancer has become a major killer threatening women health. MET is a receptor tyrosine kinase that upon binding of its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor, activates downstream pathways with diverse cellular functions which are important in occurrence and development of breast cancer. Crizotinib (Cro) is multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting ALK gene recombination, MET gene amplification and ROS gene. Although, Cro has ideal treatment of breast cancer, Cro has stronger hepatotoxicity and lacks targeting capacity to tumor cell, which limited Cro to effectively therapy breast cancer. In this study, we develop a novel prodrug micelle through polymerization reaction polymerizing Cro onto the chain to form POEG-b-PCro prodrug micelles, which the drug loading capacity of Cro was significantly increased to improve cumulant of tumor. Pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies illustrated POEG-b-PCro prodrug micelles had significant effect through improving Cro content in tumor. Meanwhile, antitumor mechanism of POEG-b-PCro prodrug micelles proved POEG-b-PCro prodrug micelles had stronger effect through reducing negative regulatory proteins. POEG-b-PCro prodrug micelles had splendid safety through safety study in vivo to account for POEG-b-PCro prodrug micelles. Therefore, POEG-b-PCro prodrug micelles are a promising drug delivery strategy for reducing toxicity and enhancing efficacy of Cro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjing Cao
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Qiangwei Liang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Yang Lan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Yanhua Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Yinchuan, 750004, China.,Key Laboratory of Hui Ethnic Medicine Modernization, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
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Li M, Li S, Li Y, Li X, Yang G, Li M, Xie Y, Su W, Wu J, Jia L, Li S, Ma W, Li H, Guo N, Yu P. Cationic liposomes co-deliver chemotherapeutics and siRNA for the treatment of breast cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 233:114198. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Popescu VB, Kanhaiya K, Năstac DI, Czeizler E, Petre I. Network controllability solutions for computational drug repurposing using genetic algorithms. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1437. [PMID: 35082323 PMCID: PMC8791995 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05335-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Control theory has seen recently impactful applications in network science, especially in connections with applications in network medicine. A key topic of research is that of finding minimal external interventions that offer control over the dynamics of a given network, a problem known as network controllability. We propose in this article a new solution for this problem based on genetic algorithms. We tailor our solution for applications in computational drug repurposing, seeking to maximize its use of FDA-approved drug targets in a given disease-specific protein-protein interaction network. We demonstrate our algorithm on several cancer networks and on several random networks with their edges distributed according to the Erdős-Rényi, the Scale-Free, and the Small World properties. Overall, we show that our new algorithm is more efficient in identifying relevant drug targets in a disease network, advancing the computational solutions needed for new therapeutic and drug repurposing approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dumitru Iulian Năstac
- POLITEHNICA University of Bucharest, Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology, 061071, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Eugen Czeizler
- Computer Science, Åbo Akademi University, 20500, Turku, Finland
- National Institute for Research and Development in Biological Sciences, 060031, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ion Petre
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Turku, 20014, Turku, Finland.
- National Institute for Research and Development in Biological Sciences, 060031, Bucharest, Romania.
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Raj S, Kesari KK, Kumar A, Rathi B, Sharma A, Gupta PK, Jha SK, Jha NK, Slama P, Roychoudhury S, Kumar D. Molecular mechanism(s) of regulation(s) of c-MET/HGF signaling in head and neck cancer. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:31. [PMID: 35081970 PMCID: PMC8790852 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01503-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractHead and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer across the globe. This is generally associated with tobacco and alcohol consumption. Cancer in the pharynx majorly arises through human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, thus classifying head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) into HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCCs. Aberrant, mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-MET) signal transduction favors HNSCC progression by stimulating proliferation, motility, invasiveness, morphogenesis, and angiogenesis. c-MET upregulation can be found in the majority of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. c-MET pathway acts on several downstream effectors including phospholipase C gamma (PLCγ), cellular Src kinase (c-Src), phosphotidylinsitol-3-OH kinase (PI3K), alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (Akt), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and wingless-related integration site (Wnt) pathways. c-MET also establishes a crosstalk pathway with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and contributes towards chemoresistance in HNSCC. In recent years, the signaling communications of c-MET/HGF in metabolic dysregulation, tumor-microenvironment and immune modulation in HNSCC have emerged. Several clinical trials have been established against c-MET/ hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signaling network to bring up targeted and effective therapeutic strategies against HNSCC. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanism(s) and current understanding of c-MET/HGF signaling and its effect on HNSCC.
Graphical abstract
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Balsa LM, Rodriguez MR, Parajón-Costa BS, González-Baró AC, Lavecchia MJ, León IE. Anticancer Activity and Mechanism of Action Evaluation of an Acylhydrazone Cu(II) Complex toward Breast Cancer Cells, Spheroids, and Mammospheres. ChemMedChem 2021; 17:e202100520. [PMID: 34750978 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this work was to screen the anticancer activity and mechanisms of action of Cu(II)-acylhydrazone complex [Cu(HL)(H2 O)](NO3 )⋅H2 O, (CuHL), to find a potential novel agent for breast chemotherapies. Cytotoxicity studies on MCF7 cells demonstrated that CuHL has stronger anticancer properties than cisplatin over breast cancer cell models. Computational simulations showed that CuHL could interact in the minor groove of the DNA dodecamer, inducing a significant genotoxic effect on both cancer cells from 0.5 to 1 μM. In this sense, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations showed that the compound could interact with 20S proteasome subunits. Also, cell proteasome experiments using breast cancer cells revealed that the complex can inhibit proteasomal activity. Moreover, CuHL induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells at very low micromolar concentrations (0.5-2.5 μM) and displayed relevant anticancer activity over spheroids derived from MCF7 cells. Ultimately, CuHL diminished the number of mammospheres formed, disturbing their morphology and size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia M Balsa
- Centro de Química Inorgánica (CEQUINOR, CONICET-UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Bvd. 120 N°1465, B1900AVV, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Maria R Rodriguez
- Centro de Química Inorgánica (CEQUINOR, CONICET-UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Bvd. 120 N°1465, B1900AVV, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Beatriz S Parajón-Costa
- Centro de Química Inorgánica (CEQUINOR, CONICET-UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Bvd. 120 N°1465, B1900AVV, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Ana C González-Baró
- Centro de Química Inorgánica (CEQUINOR, CONICET-UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Bvd. 120 N°1465, B1900AVV, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Martin J Lavecchia
- Centro de Química Inorgánica (CEQUINOR, CONICET-UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Bvd. 120 N°1465, B1900AVV, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Ignacio E León
- Centro de Química Inorgánica (CEQUINOR, CONICET-UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Bvd. 120 N°1465, B1900AVV, La Plata, Argentina
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Repurposing of the ALK Inhibitor Crizotinib for Acute Leukemia and Multiple Myeloma Cells. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14111126. [PMID: 34832908 PMCID: PMC8617756 DOI: 10.3390/ph14111126] [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: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Crizotinib was a first generation of ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of ALK-positive non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients. COMPARE and cluster analyses of transcriptomic data of the NCI cell line panel indicated that genes with different cellular functions regulated the sensitivity or resistance of cancer cells to crizotinib. Transcription factor binding motif analyses in gene promoters divulged two transcription factors possibly regulating the expression of these genes, i.e., RXRA and GATA1, which are important for leukemia and erythroid development, respectively. COMPARE analyses also implied that cell lines of various cancer types displayed varying degrees of sensitivity to crizotinib. Unexpectedly, leukemia but not lung cancer cells were the most sensitive cells among the different types of NCI cancer cell lines. Re-examining this result in another panel of cell lines indeed revealed that crizotinib exhibited potent cytotoxicity towards acute myeloid leukemia and multiple myeloma cells. P-glycoprotein-overexpressing CEM/ADR5000 leukemia cells were cross-resistant to crizotinib. NCI-H929 multiple myeloma cells were the most sensitive cells. Hence, we evaluated the mode of action of crizotinib on these cells. Although crizotinib is a TKI, it showed highest correlation rates with DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors and tubulin inhibitors. The altered gene expression profiles after crizotinib treatment predicted several networks, where TOP2A and genes related to cell cycle were downregulated. Cell cycle analyses showed that cells incubated with crizotinib for 24 h accumulated in the G2M phase. Crizotinib also increased the number of p-H3(Ser10)-positive NCI-H929 cells illustrating crizotinib's ability to prevent mitotic exit. However, cells accumulated in the sub-G0G1 fraction with longer incubation periods, indicating apoptosis induction. Additionally, crizotinib disassembled the tubulin network of U2OS cells expressing an α-tubulin-GFP fusion protein, preventing migration of cancer cells. This result was verified by in vitro tubulin polymerization assays. In silico molecular docking also revealed a strong binding affinity of crizotinib to the colchicine and Vinca alkaloid binding sites. Taken together, these results demonstrate that crizotinib destabilized microtubules. Additionally, the decatenation assay showed that crizotinib partwise inhibited the catalytic activity of DNA topoisomerase II. In conclusion, crizotinib exerted kinase-independent cytotoxic effects through the dual inhibition of tubulin polymerization and topoisomerase II and might be used to treat not only NSCLC but also multiple myeloma.
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Solanki AK, Arif E, Srivastava P, Furcht CM, Rahman B, Wen P, Singh A, Holzman LB, Fitzgibbon WR, Budisavljevic MN, Lobo GP, Kwon SH, Han Z, Lazzara MJ, Lipschutz JH, Nihalani D. Phosphorylation of slit diaphragm proteins NEPHRIN and NEPH1 upon binding of HGF promotes podocyte repair. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101079. [PMID: 34391780 PMCID: PMC8429977 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylation (activation) and dephosphorylation (deactivation) of the slit diaphragm proteins NEPHRIN and NEPH1 are critical for maintaining the kidney epithelial podocyte actin cytoskeleton and, therefore, proper glomerular filtration. However, the mechanisms underlying these events remain largely unknown. Here we show that NEPHRIN and NEPH1 are novel receptor proteins for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and can be phosphorylated independently of the mesenchymal epithelial transition receptor in a ligand-dependent fashion through engagement of their extracellular domains by HGF. Furthermore, we demonstrate SH2 domain–containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-2–dependent dephosphorylation of these proteins. To establish HGF as a ligand, purified baculovirus-expressed NEPHRIN and NEPH1 recombinant proteins were used in surface plasma resonance binding experiments. We report high-affinity interactions of NEPHRIN and NEPH1 with HGF, although NEPHRIN binding was 20-fold higher than that of NEPH1. In addition, using molecular modeling we constructed peptides that were used to map specific HGF-binding regions in the extracellular domains of NEPHRIN and NEPH1. Finally, using an in vitro model of cultured podocytes and an ex vivo model of Drosophila nephrocytes, as well as chemically induced injury models, we demonstrated that HGF-induced phosphorylation of NEPHRIN and NEPH1 is centrally involved in podocyte repair. Taken together, this is the first study demonstrating a receptor-based function for NEPHRIN and NEPH1. This has important biological and clinical implications for the repair of injured podocytes and the maintenance of podocyte integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish K Solanki
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Ehtesham Arif
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Pankaj Srivastava
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Christopher M Furcht
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bushra Rahman
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Pei Wen
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Avinash Singh
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Lawrence B Holzman
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Wayne R Fitzgibbon
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Milos N Budisavljevic
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Glenn P Lobo
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Sang-Ho Kwon
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Zhe Han
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Matthew J Lazzara
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Joshua H Lipschutz
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA; Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
| | - Deepak Nihalani
- Division of Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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16
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Higher cMET dependence of sacral compared to clival chordoma cells: contributing to a better understanding of cMET in chordoma. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12466. [PMID: 34127734 PMCID: PMC8203686 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92018-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chordomas are rare slow growing, malignant bone tumors of the axial skeleton with no approved medical treatment. As the majority of chordomas express cMET and its ligand, HGF, and crosstalks between EGFR and MET-signaling exist, we aimed to explore cMET activity in chordoma cell lines and clinical samples. We investigated nine chordoma patients and four chordoma cell lines for cMET expression. Two clival and two sacral chordoma cell lines were tested for chromosomal abnormalities of the MET gene locus; we studied the influence of HGF on the autocrine secretion and migration behavior, as well as protein expression and phosphorylation. Two MET/ALK inhibitors were investigated for their effects on cell viability, cell cycle, cyclin alterations, apoptosis, and downstream signaling pathways. Moderate and strong expression of membrane and cytoplasmic cMET in chordoma patients and cell lines used, as well as concentration-dependent increase in phospho cMET expression after HGF stimulation in all four chordoma cell lines was shown. U-CH2, MUG-Chor1, and UM-Chor1 are polysomic for MET. Chordoma cell lines secreted EGF, VEGF, IL-6, and MMP9 upon HGF-stimulation. Sacral cell lines showed a distinct HGF-induced migration. Both inhibitors dose-dependently inhibited cell growth, induce apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest, and suppress downstream pathways. Heterogeneous responses obtained in our in vitro setting indicate that cMET inhibitors alone or in combination with other drugs might particularly benefit patients with sacral chordomas.
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17
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Jiang W, Xing XL, Zhang C, Yi L, Xu W, Ou J, Zhu N. MET and FASN as Prognostic Biomarkers of Triple Negative Breast Cancer: A Systematic Evidence Landscape of Clinical Study. Front Oncol 2021; 11:604801. [PMID: 34123778 PMCID: PMC8190390 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.604801] [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: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To know the expression of Mesenchymal–Epithelial Transition factor (MET) and Fatty Acid Synthase (FASN) in Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) patients, as well as its relationship with clinical pathological characteristic and prognosis. Methods we used immunohistochemistry staining to detect the expression of MET and FASN for those 218 TNBC patients, and analyze their relationship with the clinical pathological characteristic and prognosis. Results 130 and 65 out of 218 TNBC patients were positive for MET in the cancer and adjacent tissues respectively. 142 and 30 out of 218 TNBC patients were positive for FASN in the cancer and adjacent tissues respectively. Positive expression of MET and FASN were significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis, pathological TNM, and pathological Stage. In addition, the positive expression of MET and FASN were correlated with recurrence and metastasis. The combined use of MET and FASN can better predict the survival condition. Conclusions Our results indicated that MET and FASN showed good predictive ability for TNBC. Combined use of MET and FASN were recommended in order to make a more accurate prognosis for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihua Jiang
- The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Wulumuqi, China
| | | | - Chenguang Zhang
- The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Wulumuqi, China
| | - Lina Yi
- The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Wulumuqi, China
| | - Wenting Xu
- The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Wulumuqi, China
| | - Jianghua Ou
- The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Wulumuqi, China
| | - Ning Zhu
- Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua, China
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18
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Combined crizotinib and endocrine drugs inhibit proliferation, migration, and colony formation of breast cancer cells via downregulation of MET and estrogen receptor. Med Oncol 2021; 38:8. [DOI: 10.1007/s12032-021-01458-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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19
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Balsa LM, Ferraresi-Curotto V, Lavecchia MJ, Echeverría GA, Piro OE, García-Tojal J, Pis-Diez R, González-Baró AC, León IE. Anticancer activity of a new copper(II) complex with a hydrazone ligand. Structural and spectroscopic characterization, computational simulations and cell mechanistic studies on 2D and 3D breast cancer cell models. Dalton Trans 2021; 50:9812-9826. [PMID: 34190268 DOI: 10.1039/d1dt00869b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We report here the synthesis, crystal structure, characterization and anticancer activity of a copper(ii)-hydrazone complex, [Cu(MeBHoVa)(H2O)2](NO3) (for short, CuHL), against human breast cancer cells on monolayer (2D) and spheroids/mammospheres (3D). The solid-state molecular structure of the complex has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The conformational space was searched and geometries were optimized both in the gas phase and including solvent effects by computational methods based on DFT. The compound has been characterized in the solid state and in solution by spectroscopic (FTIR, Raman, UV-vis) methods. The results were compared with those obtained for the hydrazone ligand and complemented with DFT calculations. Cell viability assays on MCF7 (IC50(CuHL) = 1.7 ± 0.1 μM, IC50(CDDP) = 42.0 ± 3.2 μM) and MDA-MB-231 (IC50(CuHL) = 1.6 ± 0.1 μM, IC50(CDDP) = 131.0 ± 18 μM) demonstrated that the complex displays higher antitumor activity than cisplatin (CDDP) on 2D and 3D human breast cancer cell models. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations showed that CuHL could interacts with DNA, inducing a significant genotoxic effect on both breast cancer cells from 0.5 to 1 μM. On the other hand, CuHL increases the ROS production and induces cell programmed death on breast cancer cells at very low micromolar concentrations (0.5-1.0 μM). Moreover, the compound decreased the amount of breast CSCs on MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells reducing the percentage of CD44+/CD24-/low cells from 0.5 to 1.5 μM. In addition, CuHL overcame CDDP with an IC50 value 65-fold lower against breast multicellular spheroids ((IC50(CuHL) = 2.2 ± 0.3 μM, IC50(CDDP) = 125 ± 4.5 μM)). Finally, CuHL reduced mammosphere formation capacity, hence affecting the size and number of mammospheres and showing that the complex exhibits antitumor properties on monolayer (2D) and spheroids (3D) derived from human breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia M Balsa
- Centro de Química Inorgánica (CEQUINOR, CONICET-UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Bv 120 1465, 1900 La Plata, Argentina.
| | | | - Martin J Lavecchia
- Centro de Química Inorgánica (CEQUINOR, CONICET-UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Bv 120 1465, 1900 La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Gustavo A Echeverría
- Instituto de Física La Plata (IFLP, CONICET-UNLP), CC 67, B1900AVV, La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Oscar E Piro
- Instituto de Física La Plata (IFLP, CONICET-UNLP), CC 67, B1900AVV, La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Javier García-Tojal
- Departamento de Química, Universidad de Burgos, Plaza Misael Bañuelos s/n, 09001 Burgos, Spain
| | - Reinaldo Pis-Diez
- Centro de Química Inorgánica (CEQUINOR, CONICET-UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Bv 120 1465, 1900 La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Ana C González-Baró
- Centro de Química Inorgánica (CEQUINOR, CONICET-UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Bv 120 1465, 1900 La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Ignacio E León
- Centro de Química Inorgánica (CEQUINOR, CONICET-UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Bv 120 1465, 1900 La Plata, Argentina.
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20
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AXL Receptor in Breast Cancer: Molecular Involvement and Therapeutic Limitations. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228419. [PMID: 33182542 PMCID: PMC7696061 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer was one of the first malignancies to benefit from targeted therapy, i.e., treatments directed against specific markers. Inhibitors against HER2 are a significant example and they improved the life expectancy of a large cohort of patients. Research on new biomarkers, therefore, is always current and important. AXL, a member of the TYRO-3, AXL and MER (TAM) subfamily, is, today, considered a predictive and prognostic biomarker in many tumor contexts, primarily breast cancer. Its oncogenic implications make it an ideal target for the development of new pharmacological agents; moreover, its recent role as immune-modulator makes AXL particularly attractive to researchers involved in the study of interactions between cancer and the tumor microenvironment (TME). All these peculiarities characterize AXL as compared to other members of the TAM family. In this review, we will illustrate the biological role played by AXL in breast tumor cells, highlighting its molecular and biological features, its involvement in tumor progression and its implication as a target in ongoing clinical trials.
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21
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Huelse J, Fridlyand D, Earp S, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. MERTK in cancer therapy: Targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase in tumor cells and the immune system. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 213:107577. [PMID: 32417270 PMCID: PMC9847360 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase MERTK is aberrantly expressed in numerous human malignancies, and is a novel target in cancer therapeutics. Physiologic roles of MERTK include regulation of tissue homeostasis and repair, innate immune control, and platelet aggregation. However, aberrant expression in a wide range of liquid and solid malignancies promotes neoplasia via growth factor independence, cell cycle progression, proliferation and tumor growth, resistance to apoptosis, and promotion of tumor metastases. Additionally, MERTK signaling contributes to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment via induction of an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile and regulation of the PD-1 axis, as well as regulation of macrophage, myeloid-derived suppressor cell, natural killer cell and T cell functions. Various MERTK-directed therapies are in preclinical development, and clinical trials are underway. In this review we discuss MERTK inhibition as an emerging strategy for cancer therapy, focusing on MERTK expression and function in neoplasia and its role in mediating resistance to cytotoxic and targeted therapies as well as in suppressing anti-tumor immunity. Additionally, we review preclinical and clinical pharmacological strategies to target MERTK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justus Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Diana Fridlyand
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Shelton Earp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Douglas K. Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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22
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Huelse JM, Fridlyand DM, Earp S, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. MERTK in cancer therapy: Targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase in tumor cells and the immune system. Pharmacol Ther 2020. [PMID: 32417270 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107577107577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase MERTK is aberrantly expressed in numerous human malignancies, and is a novel target in cancer therapeutics. Physiologic roles of MERTK include regulation of tissue homeostasis and repair, innate immune control, and platelet aggregation. However, aberrant expression in a wide range of liquid and solid malignancies promotes neoplasia via growth factor independence, cell cycle progression, proliferation and tumor growth, resistance to apoptosis, and promotion of tumor metastases. Additionally, MERTK signaling contributes to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment via induction of an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile and regulation of the PD-1 axis, as well as regulation of macrophage, myeloid-derived suppressor cell, natural killer cell and T cell functions. Various MERTK-directed therapies are in preclinical development, and clinical trials are underway. In this review we discuss MERTK inhibition as an emerging strategy for cancer therapy, focusing on MERTK expression and function in neoplasia and its role in mediating resistance to cytotoxic and targeted therapies as well as in suppressing anti-tumor immunity. Additionally, we review preclinical and clinical pharmacological strategies to target MERTK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justus M Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Diana M Fridlyand
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shelton Earp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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23
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Crizotinib induced antitumor activity and synergized with chemotherapy and hormonal drugs in breast cancer cells via downregulating MET and estrogen receptor levels. Invest New Drugs 2020; 39:77-88. [PMID: 32833135 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-020-00989-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
MET is a receptor tyrosine kinase known to drive neoplastic transformation and aggressive tumor phenotypes. Crizotinib is an oral multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor of MET, ALK, RON, and ROS1 kinases. In this study, the anticancer effects of crizotinib on breast cancer cells were investigated in vitro along with the molecular mechanisms associated with these effects. Besides, the antiproliferative effects of crizotinib in combination with chemotherapy, hormonal drugs, and targeted agents were examined. Results showed that crizotinib produced dose-dependent antiproliferative effects in BT-474 and SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells with IC50 values of 1.7 μM and 5.2 μM, respectively. Crizotinib inhibited colony formation of BT-474 cells at low micromolar concentrations (1-5 μM). Immunofluorescence and Western blotting indicated that crizotinib reduced total levels of MET and estrogen receptor (ERα) in BT-474 cells. Also, crizotinib reduced the levels of phosphorylated (active) MET and HER2 in BT-474 cells. The combined treatment of crizotinib with doxorubicin and paclitaxel resulted in synergistic growth inhibition of BT-474 cells with combination index values of 0.46 and 0.35, respectively. Synergy was also observed with the combination of crizotinib with the hormonal drugs 4-hydroxytamoxifen and fulvestrant in BT-474 cells. Alternatively, the combination of crizotinib with lapatinib produced antagonistic antiproliferative effects in both BT-474 and SK-BR-3 cells. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the anticancer effects of crizotinib in breast cancer cells and reveal ERα as a potential therapeutic target of the drug apart from its classical kinase inhibitory activity. Crizotinib could be an appealing option in combination with chemotherapy or hormonal drugs for the management of breast cancer.
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24
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Al Shahrani M, Balasubramaniam M, Alshahrani MY, Saif A, Dera AA, Alasmari S, Abohassan M, Makkawi M, Radhakrishnan S, Rajagopalan P. Computational and in vitro characterization of ICY-5: A potential candidate promoting mitochondrial apoptosis via the c-MET and STAT3 pathways. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:146-156. [PMID: 32484605 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29830] [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: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Targeted chemotherapy remains the primary choice in controlling various forms of breast cancer (BC) due to its heterogenous gene expressions in various subtypes. In silico and in vitro evaluation of ICY-5, a novel arylidene analogue against c-MET, was performed. ICY-5 exhibited a docking score of -9.6 kcal/mol in inactive conformation and, - 8.6 kcal/mol in active conformation for c-MET. ICY-5 inhibited c-MET enzyme with an IC50 of 34.34 nM. The compound effectively inhibited MDA-MB 231 and MCF-7 cell proliferation, with GI50 values of 62.61 and 75.31 nM, respectively, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/R c-MET phosphorylation with IC50 s of 71.41 and 83.77 nM, respectively. ICY-5 dose-dependently inhibited HGF-induced transmigration, cell scattering, invasion and altered cell cycle. An increase in apoptotic populations of these cells, with a dose-dependent decease in phosphorylation of STAT3 protein was observed. Furthermore, ICY-5 upregulated the caspase-3, caspase-9, Bcl-2-associated X and survivin, and downregulated Bcl-2, vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and MMP-9 in both BC cell lines. In summary, ICY-5 exhibited excellent efficacy in BC cells, targeting c-MET/SAT-3-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis. Further research will be required to ascertain ICY-5 suitability as a targeted chemotherapeutic against multiple forms of BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mesfer Al Shahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.,Central Research Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Mohammad Y Alshahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.,Central Research Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Saif
- Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayed A Dera
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.,Central Research Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sultan Alasmari
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.,Central Research Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Abohassan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.,Central Research Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Makkawi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.,Central Research Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suresh Radhakrishnan
- Postgraduation and Research Department of Chemistry, Presidency College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Prasanna Rajagopalan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.,Central Research Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
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