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Wang YM, Xu X, Tang J, Sun ZY, Fu YJ, Zhao XJ, Ma XM, Ye Q. Apatinib induces endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis and autophagy and potentiates cell sensitivity to paclitaxel via the IRE-1α-AKT-mTOR pathway in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Biosci 2021; 11:124. [PMID: 34229754 PMCID: PMC8261945 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00640-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Apatinib, a novel vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been approved for the treatment of metastatic gastric cancer and other tumors. Apatinib exerts antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects in different kinds of cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms by which apatinib effective against esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have only been partially researched and whether it has a sensitizing effect on paclitaxel remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS The effects of apatinib or paclitaxel on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, autophagy, apoptosis and proliferation of ESCC cell lines were evaluated. Western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses were performed to detect the expression of related genes. The weight and volume of xenograft tumors in mice were measured. RESULTS In the current study, we elucidated the antiproliferative and ER-stress-mediated autophagy-inducing effects of apatinib on ECA-109 and KYSE-150 esophageal squamous cancer cells and identified the underlying mechanisms of its action. We demonstrated that apatinib not only inhibited the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of ESCC cells, but also activated ER stress and triggered protective autophagy. Moreover, inhibiting autophagy by chloroquine (CQ) enhanced the apatinib-induced apoptosis of ESCC cells through the IRE-1α-AKT-mTOR pathway. In addition, we showed, for the first time, the paclitaxel combined with apatinib and CQ exhibited the best antitumor effect on ESCC both in vivo and in vitro via the IRE-1α-AKT-mTOR pathway. CONCLUSIONS Our data showed that apatinib induced ER stress, autophagy and apoptosis in ESCC. Inhibiting autophagy by CQ enhanced apatinib-induced apoptosis. The combination of apatinib and CQ sensitized ESCC cells to paclitaxel to induce apoptosis through the IRE-1α-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway, thus providing the basis for its use in innovative anticancer therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ming Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Xu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Tang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Yong Sun
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Jie Fu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Jing Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiu-Mei Ma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qing Ye
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China.
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Lan T, Xue X, Dunmall LC, Miao J, Wang Y. Patient-derived xenograft: a developing tool for screening biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for human esophageal cancers. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:12273-12293. [PMID: 33903283 PMCID: PMC8109069 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (EC) represents a human malignancy, diagnosed often at the advanced stage of cancer and resulting in high morbidity and mortality. The development of precision medicine allows for the identification of more personalized therapeutic strategies to improve cancer treatment. By implanting primary cancer tissues into immunodeficient mice for expansion, patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models largely maintain similar histological and genetic representations naturally found in patients' tumor cells. PDX models of EC (EC-PDX) provide fine platforms to investigate the tumor microenvironment, tumor genomic heterogeneity, and tumor response to chemoradiotherapy, which are necessary for new drug discovery to combat EC in addition to optimization of current therapeutic strategies for EC. In this review, we summarize the methods used for establishing EC-PDX models and investigate the utilities of EC-PDX in screening predictive biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. The challenge of this promising research tool is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianfeng Lan
- Sino-British Research Center for Molecular Oncology, National Center for the International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, School of Basic Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Xia Xue
- Sino-British Research Center for Molecular Oncology, National Center for the International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, School of Basic Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China
- The Academy of Medical Science, Precision Medicine Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Louisa Chard Dunmall
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeuitcs, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Jinxin Miao
- Sino-British Research Center for Molecular Oncology, National Center for the International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, School of Basic Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China
- Academy of Chinese Medicine Science, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Yaohe Wang
- Sino-British Research Center for Molecular Oncology, National Center for the International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, School of Basic Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeuitcs, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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Zhen H, Li G, Zhao P, Zhang Y, Wang J, Yu J, Cao B. Raltitrexed Enhances the Antitumor Effect of Apatinib in Human Esophageal Squamous Carcinoma Cells via Akt and Erk Pathways. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:12325-12339. [PMID: 33293826 PMCID: PMC7719348 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s276125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Apatinib has been proved effective in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer and a variety of solid tumors. Raltitrexed is emerging as a promising alternative for treating advanced colorectal cancer in China. This work aims to study the combinatory antitumor effect of apatinib and raltitrexed on human esophageal squamous carcinoma cells (ESCC). Materials and Methods Two VEGFR-2-positive human ESCC lines, KYSE-30 and TE-1, were treated with apatinib or raltitrexed, or both, then the cell proliferation rate was measured by MTS assay; cell migration and invasion were studied by transwell assays; cell apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry; cellular autophagy level affected was analyzed by Western blot analysis; finally, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to monitor transcription and Western blot was performed to check phosphorylation of apoptotic proteins after treatment. Results Both apatinib and raltitrexed significantly inhibited KYSE-30 and TE-1 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with both drugs showed enhanced inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, migration, and invasiveness compared with apatinib monotherapy. Apoptosis percentages in both cell lines were also remarkably increased by the combined treatment. Moreover, the combination of apatinib and raltitrexed down-regulated mRNA level of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, while up-regulated pro-apoptotic protein PARP, Bax, and caspase-3 transcription. Western blot analysis showed that phosphorylation levels of Erk, Akt, and invasiveness-associated protein matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) were decreased in the combination group. Conclusion Taken together, these results indicate that raltitrexed enhances the antitumor effects of apatinib on human ESCC cells by down-regulating phosphorylation of Akt and Erk, implying a combination of raltitrexed and apatinib might be an effective option for treating esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongchao Zhen
- Cancer Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangxin Li
- Radiation Oncology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengfei Zhao
- Cancer Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Cancer Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Wang
- Cancer Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, People's Republic of China
| | - Junxian Yu
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, People's Republic of China
| | - Bangwei Cao
- Cancer Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, People's Republic of China
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Yanwei L, Feng H, Ren P, Yue J, Zhang W, Tang P, Shang X, Pang Q, Liu D, Chen C, Pan Z, Tao YZ. Safety and Efficacy of Apatinib Monotherapy for Unresectable, Metastatic Esophageal Cancer: A Single-Arm, Open-Label, Phase II Study. Oncologist 2020; 25:e1464-e1472. [PMID: 32342599 DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2020-0310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
LESSONS LEARNED Patient compliance with the oral dosage treatment was good, with no need for hospitalization. Patients with tracheal and esophageal fistulas can take crushed apatinib by nutrient tube, with the same bioavailability and efficacy. Apatinib may be an effective and safe second- or further-line treatment for advanced esophageal cancer. BACKGROUND Apatinib is an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2), which is thought to play a role in esophageal cancer progression. Our goal was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of apatinib in patients with unresectable esophageal cancer and to examine whether VEGFR2 expression influenced the clinical response. METHODS This single-arm, open-label, investigator-initiated phase II study enrolled patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or adenocarcinoma of the esophagus or esophagogastric junction who were admitted to Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital between August 2017 and January 2019. Apatinib monotherapy (500 mg/day) was given orally or via an enteral tube until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal, or death. Patients were followed until treatment was discontinued or death. The main endpoints were tumor response, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS Among 32 patients screened for inclusion, 30 were included in the safety and survival analyses (i.e., received apatinib), and 26 were included in the efficacy analysis (at least one imaging follow-up). Median follow-up time and exposure to apatinib were 5.34 months and 72 days, respectively. Among 26 patients included in the efficacy analysis, 2 had a partial response (PR; 7.7%) and 14 had stable disease (SD; 53.8%). The overall response rate (ORR) was 7.7%, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 61.5%. Median PFS and OS were 4.63 months (95% confidence interval, 2.11-7.16 months) and 6.57 months (4.90 months to not estimable), respectively. Fifteen patients (50.0%) experienced treatment-related AEs, most commonly hypertension (26.7%), diarrhea (20.0%), and hand-foot-skin reaction (10.0%). No patients had grade ≥4 treatment-related AEs. CONCLUSION Apatinib was effective as second- or further-line treatment for advanced esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yanwei
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neural Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital and Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - He Feng
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neural Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Ren
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital and Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Yue
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital and Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Wencheng Zhang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital and Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Tang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital and Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaobin Shang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital and Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingsong Pang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital and Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongying Liu
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital and Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuangui Chen
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital and Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhanyu Pan
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital and Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Zhen Tao
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital and Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
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Song M, Yoon G, Choi JS, Kim E, Liu X, Oh HN, Chae JI, Lee MH, Shim JH. Janus kinase 2 inhibition by Licochalcone B suppresses esophageal squamous cell carcinoma growth. Phytother Res 2020; 34:2032-2043. [PMID: 32144852 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the leading causes to cancer death in the worldwide and major population of EC is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Still, ESCC-targeted therapy has not been covered yet. In the present study we have identified that Licochalcone B (Lico B) inhibited the ESCC growth by directly blocking the Janus kinase (JAK) 2 activity and its downstream signaling pathway. Lico B suppressed KYSE450 and KYSE510 ESCC cell growth, arrested cell cycle at G2/M phase and induced apoptosis. Direct target of Lico B was identified by kinase assay and verified with in vitro and ex vivo binding. Computational docking model predicted for Lico B interaction to ATP-binding pocket of JAK2. Furthermore, treatment of JAK2 clinical medicine AZD1480 to ESCC cells showed similar tendency with Lico B. Thus, JAK2 downstream signaling proteins phosphorylation of STAT3 at Y705 and S727 as well as STAT3 target protein Mcl-1 expression was decreased with treatment of Lico B. Our results suggest that Lico B inhibits ESCC cell growth, arrests cell cycle and induces apoptosis, revealing the underlying mechanism involved in JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways after Lico B treatment. It might provide potential role of Lico B in the treatment of ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqiu Song
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Goo Yoon
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan-gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Seok Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Daegu Catholic University, Gyeongsan-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunae Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Xuejiao Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ha-Na Oh
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan-gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Il Chae
- Department of Dental Pharmacology, School of Dentistry, BK21 Plus, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Mee-Hyun Lee
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, China.,College of Korean Medicine, Dongshin University, 85 Geonjae-ro, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do 58245, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hyun Shim
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan-gun, Republic of Korea
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Xia P, Huang M, Zhang Y, Xiong X, Yan M, Xiong X, Yu W, Song E. NCK1 promotes the angiogenesis of cervical squamous carcinoma via Rac1/PAK1/MMP2 signal pathway. Gynecol Oncol 2018; 152:387-395. [PMID: 30442385 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2018.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The study was to explore the roles of Nck1 in the angiogenesis of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). METHODS mRNA and protein levels were evaluated with real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemisty/western blotting respectively. The cancer microvessel density (MVD) was assayed with CD34 endothelial labeling. Nck1 gene knock-in (SiHa-Nck1+) and knock-down (SiHa-Nck1-) were achieved by gene transfection and siRNA respectively. Protein level from cellular supernatant was measured with ELISA. Proliferation, migration and tube formation of the Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial cells (HUVECs) were evaluated by CCK-8 cell viability assay, transwell chamber assay and in vitro Matrigel tubulation assay respectively. RESULTS Nck1 level gradually increased from normal cervical epithelia to high-grade CIN, overexpressed in CSCC and was associated with cancer MVD. The ability of proliferation, migration and tube formation of HUVECs was enhanced in SiHa-Nck1+-treated while decreased in SiHa-NcK1--treated cells compared to SiHa-control-treated cells. Mechanistically, RAC1-GTP, p-PAK1 and MMP2 were increased in SiHa-NCK1+ cells and pretreatment with the Rac1 inhibitor (NSC23766) significantly decreased their levels. Furthermore, inhibition of PAK1 reduced MMP2 level in SiHa-Nck1+ cells whereas the level of Rac1-GTP was unaltered. Also, inhibition of Rac1 or PAK1 impaired angiogenesis-inducing capacity of cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS Nck1 promotes the angiogenesis-inducing capacity of CSCC via the Rac1/PAK1/MMP2 signal pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Xia
- Department of Pathology, Basic Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Bayi Road, 330006, China
| | - Mingchuan Huang
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Yong Wai zheng Road, 330006, China
| | - Yuting Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Basic Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Bayi Road, 330006, China
| | - Xiujuan Xiong
- Department of Pathology, Basic Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Bayi Road, 330006, China
| | - Min Yan
- Department of Pathology, Basic Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Bayi Road, 330006, China
| | - Xiaoliang Xiong
- Department of Pathology, Basic Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Bayi Road, 330006, China
| | - Weiwei Yu
- Department of Pathology, Basic Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Bayi Road, 330006, China
| | - Enlin Song
- Department of Pathology, Basic Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Bayi Road, 330006, China.
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