1
|
Zhou J, Xie Z, Wang J, Zeng Z, Hu Z, Zhong L, Yang Q, Shi W, Qian H. Design, synthesis and bioactivity evaluation of novel fusion peptides and their CPT conjugates inducing effective anti-tumor responses on HER2 positive tumors. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 264:116032. [PMID: 38104378 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116032] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) represents an ideal target for antibody drug development, abnormal expression of the HER2 gene is associated with multiple tumor types. Pertuzumab, as the first monoclonal antibody inhibitor of HER2 dimerization, has been FDA-approved for HER2-positive patients. In order to enhance the activity of HER2-targeted peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) developed based on pertuzumab, a novel class of conjugates 1-9 was designed and synthesized by fusing the N-terminal peptide sequence of the second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (SMAC) with P1, followed by conjugation with CPT molecules. Compound 4 exhibited excellent in vitro anti-tumor activity across the three HER2-positive cell lines, comparable to the activity of CPT. Apoptosis induction assays indicated that the synergistic effect of the SMAC sequence enhanced the pro-apoptotic activity of the conjugate. Western Blot analysis and Caspase activity studies validated the mechanism through which SMAC peptides, in synergy with CPT, enhance the activity of PDCs. In vivo studies demonstrated that compound 4 possesses superior anti-tumor activity compared to CPT and can effectively mitigate potential renal toxicity associated with free SMAC peptides. In conclusion, conjugate 4 exhibited excellent anti-tumor activity both in vitro and in vivo, offering potential for further development as a novel peptide-conjugated drug.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Zhou
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Zhancheng Xie
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Jialing Wang
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Zeqi Zeng
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Zhipeng Hu
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Li Zhong
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Qimeng Yang
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Wei Shi
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China.
| | - Hai Qian
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Disease, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Salmani-Javan E, Farhoudi Sefidan Jadid M, Zarghami N. Recent advances in molecular targeted therapy of lung cancer: Possible application in translation medicine. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2024; 27:122-133. [PMID: 38234663 PMCID: PMC10790298 DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2023.72407.15749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death among all cancer deaths. This cancer is classified into two different histological subtypes: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is the most common subtype, and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), which is the most aggressive subtype. Understanding the molecular characteristics of lung cancer has expanded our knowledge of the cellular origins and molecular pathways affected by each of these subtypes and has contributed to the development of new therapies. Traditional treatments for lung cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Advances in understanding the nature and specificity of lung cancer have led to the development of immunotherapy, which is the newest and most specialized treatment in the treatment of lung cancer. Each of these treatments has advantages and disadvantages and causes side effects. Today, combination therapy for lung cancer reduces side effects and increases the speed of recovery. Despite the significant progress that has been made in the treatment of lung cancer in the last decade, further research into new drugs and combination therapies is needed to extend the clinical benefits and improve outcomes in lung cancer. In this review article, we discussed common lung cancer treatments and their combinations from the most advanced to the newest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elnaz Salmani-Javan
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahdi Farhoudi Sefidan Jadid
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nosratollah Zarghami
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Aydin University, Istanbul, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Loeffler E, Ancel J, Dalstein V, Deslée G, Polette M, Nawrocki-Raby B. HER2 Alterations in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Biologico-Clinical Consequences and Interest in Therapeutic Strategies. Life (Basel) 2023; 14:64. [PMID: 38255679 PMCID: PMC10820545 DOI: 10.3390/life14010064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer stands as the first cause of death by cancer in the world. Despite the improvement in patients' outcomes in the past decades through the development of personalized medicine approaches, a substantial portion of patients remains ineligible for targeted therapies due to the lack of a "druggable" molecular target. HER2, a receptor tyrosine kinase member of the EGFR/ErbB family, is known to show oncogenic properties. In this review, we focus on the different HER2 dysregulation mechanisms that have been observed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): gene mutation, gene amplification, protein overexpression and protein hyper-phosphorylation, the latter suggesting that HER2 dysregulation can occur independently of any molecular aberration. These HER2 alterations inevitably have consequences on tumor biology. Here, we discuss how they are not only involved in abnormal proliferation and survival of cancer cells but also potentially in increased angiogenic properties, mesenchymal features and tumor immune escape. Finally, we review the impact of these HER2 alterations in various therapeutic approaches. While standard chemotherapy and groundbreaking immunotherapy seem rather ineffective for HER2-altered NSCLCs, the development of HER2-targeted therapies such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, anti-HER2 antibodies and especially antibody-drug conjugates could provide new hopes for patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Loeffler
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Inserm, UMR-S 1250 P3Cell, SFR CAP Santé, 51092 Reims, France; (E.L.); (J.A.); (V.D.); (G.D.); (M.P.)
| | - Julien Ancel
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Inserm, UMR-S 1250 P3Cell, SFR CAP Santé, 51092 Reims, France; (E.L.); (J.A.); (V.D.); (G.D.); (M.P.)
- CHU de Reims, Hôpital Maison-Blanche, Service de Pneumologie, 51092 Reims, France
| | - Véronique Dalstein
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Inserm, UMR-S 1250 P3Cell, SFR CAP Santé, 51092 Reims, France; (E.L.); (J.A.); (V.D.); (G.D.); (M.P.)
- CHU de Reims, Pôle de Biologie Territoriale, Service de Pathologie, 51092 Reims, France
| | - Gaëtan Deslée
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Inserm, UMR-S 1250 P3Cell, SFR CAP Santé, 51092 Reims, France; (E.L.); (J.A.); (V.D.); (G.D.); (M.P.)
- CHU de Reims, Hôpital Maison-Blanche, Service de Pneumologie, 51092 Reims, France
| | - Myriam Polette
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Inserm, UMR-S 1250 P3Cell, SFR CAP Santé, 51092 Reims, France; (E.L.); (J.A.); (V.D.); (G.D.); (M.P.)
- CHU de Reims, Pôle de Biologie Territoriale, Service de Pathologie, 51092 Reims, France
| | - Béatrice Nawrocki-Raby
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Inserm, UMR-S 1250 P3Cell, SFR CAP Santé, 51092 Reims, France; (E.L.); (J.A.); (V.D.); (G.D.); (M.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Abu Al Karsaneh O, Al Anber A, ALQudah M, Al-Mustafa S, AlMa'aitah H, Sughayer M. Prevalence and clinicopathological associations of HER2 expression in non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective study in Jordanian patients. Diagn Pathol 2023; 18:75. [PMID: 37340403 DOI: 10.1186/s13000-023-01364-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), a promising therapeutic target, can be mutated, amplified, or overexpressed in different malignancies, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although these alterations showed adverse prognostic effects in many cancers, their clinical significance in NSCLC is controversial. This study primarily assessed the prevalence of HER2 protein expression in NSCLC among Jordanian patients. In addition, the possible association between HER2 protein expression and clinicopathological variables was evaluated. METHODS A total of 100 surgically resected NSCLC cases treated at King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) between 2009 and 2021 were examined for HER2 protein expression using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) guidelines for breast cancer were applied to interpret the results with a final score ranging from 0 to 3+, considering a score of 3 + as overexpression. Additionally, a separate subset of patients was tested for HER2 gene mutation. Fisher's exact test was used to assess the association between HER2 scores and the other variables. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival. RESULTS Of the 100 cases, Her2 overexpression (score 3+) was detected in 2 cases (2%), score 2 + in 10 cases (10%), score 1 + in 12 cases (12%), and score 0 in 76 cases (76%). The two positive cases were one adenocarcinoma and one squamous cell carcinoma; both patients were elderly male smokers. No significant association was identified between Her2 expression and age, gender, smoking, histological subtype, grade, stage, tumor size, and lymph node status. Our findings also showed no association between Her2 expression and survival; however, advanced tumor stages and positive lymph node metastasis were significantly associated with poor overall survival. All cases tested for the Her2 mutation were negative. CONCLUSIONS Her2 overexpression is uncommon in NSCLC among the Jordanian population. However, when the same scoring criteria are used, the rates are similar to other results found in Asian cohorts. Due to our study's relatively small sample size, a larger one is required to investigate the prognostic value and the molecular associations between the different Her2 alterations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ola Abu Al Karsaneh
- Department of Microbiology, Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
| | - Arwa Al Anber
- Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
| | - Mohammad ALQudah
- Department of Microbiology, Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
| | - Sahar Al-Mustafa
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Hussien AlMa'aitah
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Maher Sughayer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang M, Zhu L, Yang X, Li J, Liu Y, Tang Y. Targeting immune cell types of tumor microenvironment to overcome resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in lung cancer. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1132158. [PMID: 36874015 PMCID: PMC9974851 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1132158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the common malignant tumor with the highest mortality rate. Lung cancer patients have achieved benefits from immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) therapy. Unfortunately, cancer patients acquire adaptive immune resistance, leading to poor prognosis. Tumor microenvironment (TME) has been demonstrated to play a critical role in participating in acquired adaptive immune resistance. TME is associated with molecular heterogeneity of immunotherapy efficacy in lung cancer. In this article, we discuss how immune cell types of TME are correlated with immunotherapy in lung cancer. Moreover, we describe the efficacy of immunotherapy in driven gene mutations in lung cancer, including KRAS, TP53, EGFR, ALK, ROS1, KEAP1, ZFHX3, PTCH1, PAK7, UBE3A, TNF-α, NOTCH, LRP1B, FBXW7, and STK11. We also emphasize that modulation of immune cell types of TME could be a promising strategy for improving adaptive immune resistance in lung cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Man Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Lijie Zhu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaoxu Yang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jiahui Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yu'e Liu
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Tang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
A pharmacological exploration of targeted drug therapy in non-small cell lung cancer. MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (NORTHWOOD, LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 39:147. [PMID: 35834033 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01744-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the prime cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with a contribution of 85% from non-small cell lung cancer. Before a few decades back, conventional chemotherapy was the most chosen treatment option for NSCLC but with side effects. Now, the treatment approaches have shifted to a new trend, targeted therapy, and a better treatment strategy with minimal side effects compared to chemotherapy. Advances in technologies and understanding the pathways lead to the discovery of new targets and through which it is possible to improve treatment outcomes and patient compliance. Unlike chemotherapy, targeted therapy focuses on the tumor cells and does not produce toxicity to healthy cells. The last two decades were very crucial in the development of many small molecules with the capability to target-specific proteins or genes in the disease progression pathway. Although the targeted therapy approach was a gemstone with many successful drugs for the treatment of NSCLC, various resistance mechanisms and activation of bypass signaling pathways put many of these drugs in the trash. In this review, we will discuss the major targeted proteins involved in NSCLC as well as the inhibitor drugs developed to target them for now and along with the future directions.
Collapse
|
7
|
Kauffmann-Guerrero D, Tufman A. Rare driver alterations in nonsmall cell lung cancer: novel targeted drugs. Curr Opin Oncol 2022; 34:77-82. [PMID: 34812192 DOI: 10.1097/cco.0000000000000806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The current review presents clinically relevant driver alterations in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the targeted treatments currently available for clinical use as well as those in clinical trials and advanced stages of drug development. RECENT FINDINGS Mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, proto-oncogene B-RAF (BRAF), proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase ROS (ROS1), rearranged during transfection (RET) and neurotrophic tyrosine kinase are rare genetic driver alterations, each present in a small subset of patients with NSCLC. Treatments targeting BRAF, ROS1, RET and neurotrophic tyrosine kinase are approved in Europe, and promising treatments targeting mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 are available in clinical trials and compassionate use programs. The response rates, duration of response and tolerability observed in trials of targeted drugs in this setting are presented in detail here. SUMMARY While rare driver alterations are, by definition, rare, their recognition can change the course of NSCLC for those patients affected. Targeted treatments for many rare driver alterations are well tolerated and effective. Screening for molecular changes in advanced NSCLC should include screening for rare drivers, and patients should be directed to clinical trials in setting where treatment of the driver alterations is not otherwise available.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego Kauffmann-Guerrero
- Department of Medicine V, Thoracic Oncology Centre Munich (TOM), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bashiri Dezfouli A, Yazdi M, Pockley AG, Khosravi M, Kobold S, Wagner E, Multhoff G. NK Cells Armed with Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CAR): Roadblocks to Successful Development. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123390. [PMID: 34943898 PMCID: PMC8699535 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, cell-based immunotherapies have demonstrated promising results in the treatment of cancer. Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) arm effector cells with a weapon for targeting tumor antigens, licensing engineered cells to recognize and kill cancer cells. The quality of the CAR-antigen interaction strongly depends on the selected tumor antigen and its expression density on cancer cells. CD19 CAR-engineered T cells approved by the Food and Drug Administration have been most frequently applied in the treatment of hematological malignancies. Clinical challenges in their application primarily include cytokine release syndrome, neurological symptoms, severe inflammatory responses, and/or other off-target effects most likely mediated by cytotoxic T cells. As a consequence, there remains a significant medical need for more potent technology platforms leveraging cell-based approaches with enhanced safety profiles. A promising population that has been advanced is the natural killer (NK) cell, which can also be engineered with CARs. NK cells which belong to the innate arm of the immune system recognize and kill virally infected cells as well as (stressed) cancer cells in a major histocompatibility complex I independent manner. NK cells play an important role in the host’s immune defense against cancer due to their specialized lytic mechanisms which include death receptor (i.e., Fas)/death receptor ligand (i.e., Fas ligand) and granzyme B/perforin-mediated apoptosis, and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, as well as their immunoregulatory potential via cytokine/chemokine release. To develop and implement a highly effective CAR NK cell-based therapy with low side effects, the following three principles which are specifically addressed in this review have to be considered: unique target selection, well-designed CAR, and optimized gene delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Bashiri Dezfouli
- Central Institute for Translational Cancer Research Technische Universität München (TranslaTUM), Department of Radiation Oncology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Einstein Str. 25, 81675 Munich, Germany;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-89-4140-6013
| | - Mina Yazdi
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU), 81377 Munich, Germany; (M.Y.); (E.W.)
| | - Alan Graham Pockley
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK;
| | - Mohammad Khosravi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz 61357-831351, Iran;
| | - Sebastian Kobold
- Center of Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPS-M) and Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 80337 Munich, Germany;
- German Center for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU), 81377 Munich, Germany; (M.Y.); (E.W.)
| | - Gabriele Multhoff
- Central Institute for Translational Cancer Research Technische Universität München (TranslaTUM), Department of Radiation Oncology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Einstein Str. 25, 81675 Munich, Germany;
| |
Collapse
|