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Pradhan AK, Bhoopathi P, Maji S, Kumar A, Guo C, Mannangatti P, Li J, Wang XY, Sarkar D, Emdad L, Das SK, Fisher PB. Enhanced Cancer Therapy Using an Engineered Designer Cytokine Alone and in Combination With an Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor. Front Oncol 2022; 12:812560. [PMID: 35402258 PMCID: PMC8988683 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.812560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
melanoma differentiation associated gene-7 or Interleukin-24 (mda-7, IL-24) displays expansive anti-tumor activity without harming corresponding normal cells/tissues. This anticancer activity has been documented in vitro and in vivo in multiple preclinical animal models, as well as in patients with advanced cancers in a phase I clinical trial. To enhance the therapeutic efficacy of MDA-7 (IL-24), we engineered a designer cytokine (a "Superkine"; IL-24S; referred to as M7S) with enhanced secretion and increased stability to engender improved "bystander" antitumor effects. M7S was engineered in a two-step process by first replacing the endogenous secretory motif with an alternate secretory motif to boost secretion. Among four different signaling peptides, the insulin secretory motif significantly enhanced the secretion of MDA-7 (IL-24) protein and was chosen for M7S. The second modification engineered in M7S was designed to enhance the stability of MDA-7 (IL-24), which was accomplished by replacing lysine at position K122 with arginine. This engineered "M7S Superkine" with increased secretion and stability retained cancer specificity. Compared to parental MDA-7 (IL-24), M7S (IL-24S) was superior in promoting anti-tumor and bystander effects leading to improved outcomes in multiple cancer xenograft models. Additionally, combinatorial therapy using MDA-7 (IL-24) or M7S (IL-24S) with an immune checkpoint inhibitor, anti-PD-L1, dramatically reduced tumor progression in murine B16 melanoma cells. These results portend that M7S (IL-24S) promotes the re-emergence of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, providing a solid rationale for prospective translational applications of this therapeutic designer cytokine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjan K. Pradhan
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Praveen Bhoopathi
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Santanu Maji
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Amit Kumar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Chunqing Guo
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Padmanabhan Mannangatti
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Jiong Li
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Pharmacy, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Xiang-Yang Wang
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Devanand Sarkar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Luni Emdad
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Swadesh K. Das
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,*Correspondence: Swadesh K. Das, ; Paul B. Fisher,
| | - Paul B. Fisher
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States,*Correspondence: Swadesh K. Das, ; Paul B. Fisher,
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Pradhan AK, Talukdar S, Bhoopathi P, Shen XN, Emdad L, Das SK, Sarkar D, Fisher PB. mda-7/IL-24 Mediates Cancer Cell-Specific Death via Regulation of miR-221 and the Beclin-1 Axis. Cancer Res 2016; 77:949-959. [PMID: 27940575 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-1731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Revised: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7/IL-24 (mda-7/IL-24) displays broad-spectrum anticancer activity in vitro, in vivo in preclinical animal models, and in a phase I/II clinical trial in patients with advanced cancers without harming normal cells or tissues. Here we demonstrate that mda-7/IL-24 regulates a specific subset of miRNAs, including cancer-associated miR-221. Either ectopic expression of mda-7/IL-24 or treatment with recombinant His-MDA-7 protein resulted in downregulation of miR-221 and upregulation of p27 and PUMA in a panel of cancer cells, culminating in cell death. Mda-7/IL-24-induced cancer cell death was dependent on reactive oxygen species induction and was rescued by overexpression of miR-221. Beclin-1 was identified as a new transcriptional target of miR-221, and mda-7/IL-24 regulated autophagy through a miR-221/beclin-1 feedback loop. In a human breast cancer xenograft model, miR-221-overexpressing MDA-MB-231 clones were more aggressive and resistant to mda-7/IL-24-mediated cell death than parental clones. This is the first demonstration that mda-7/IL-24 directly regulates miRNA expression in cancer cells and highlights the novelty of the mda-7/IL-24-miR-221-beclin-1 loop in mediating cancer cell-specific death. Cancer Res; 77(4); 949-59. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjan K Pradhan
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Sarmistha Talukdar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Praveen Bhoopathi
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Xue-Ning Shen
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Luni Emdad
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia.,VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia.,VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Swadesh K Das
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia.,VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia.,VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Devanand Sarkar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia.,VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia.,VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Paul B Fisher
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia. .,VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia.,VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
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Therapy of prostate cancer using a novel cancer terminator virus and a small molecule BH-3 mimetic. Oncotarget 2016; 6:10712-27. [PMID: 25926554 PMCID: PMC4484414 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances, treatment options for advanced prostate cancer (CaP) remain limited. We are pioneering approaches to treat advanced CaP that employ conditionally replication-competent oncolytic adenoviruses that simultaneously produce a systemically active cancer-specific therapeutic cytokine, mda-7/IL-24, Cancer Terminator Viruses (CTV). A truncated version of the CCN1/CYR61 gene promoter, tCCN1-Prom, was more active than progression elevated gene-3 promoter (PEG-Prom) in regulating transformation-selective transgene expression in CaP and oncogene-transformed rat embryo cells. Accordingly, we developed a new CTV, Ad.tCCN1-CTV-m7, which displayed dose-dependent killing of CaP without harming normal prostate epithelial cells in vitro with significant anti-cancer activity in vivo in both nude mouse CaP xenograft and transgenic Hi-Myc mice (using ultrasound-targeted microbubble (MB)-destruction, UTMD, with decorated MBs). Resistance to mda-7/IL-24-induced cell deathcorrelated with overexpression of Bcl-2 family proteins. Inhibiting Mcl-1 using an enhanced BH3 mimetic, BI-97D6, sensitized CaP cell lines to mda-7/IL-24-induced apoptosis. Combining BI-97D6 with Ads expressing mda-7/IL-24promoted ER stress, decreased anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 expression and enhanced mda-7/IL-24expression through mRNA stabilization selectively in CaP cells. In Hi-myc mice, the combination induced enhanced apoptosis and tumor growth suppression. These studies highlight therapeutic efficacy of combining a BH3 mimetic with a novel CTV, supporting potential clinical applications for treating advanced CaP.
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Sarkar S, Quinn BA, Shen X, Dent P, Das SK, Emdad L, Sarkar D, Fisher PB. Reversing translational suppression and induction of toxicity in pancreatic cancer cells using a chemoprevention gene therapy approach. Mol Pharmacol 2014; 87:286-95. [PMID: 25452327 DOI: 10.1124/mol.114.094375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive disease with limited therapeutic options. Melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7/interleukin-24 (mda-7/IL-24), a potent antitumor cytokine, shows cancer-specific toxicity in a vast array of human cancers, inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis, toxic autophagy, an antitumor immune response, an antiangiogenic effect, and a significant "bystander" anticancer effect that leads to enhanced production of this cytokine through autocrine and paracrine loops. Unfortunately, mda-7/IL-24 application in pancreatic cancer has been restricted because of a "translational block" occurring after Ad.5-mda-7 gene delivery. Our previous research focused on developing approaches to overcome this block and increase the translation of the MDA-7/IL-24 protein, thereby promoting its subsequent toxic effects in pancreatic cancer cells. We demonstrated that inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) after adenoviral infection of mda-7/IL-24 leads to greater translation into MDA-7/IL-24 protein and results in toxicity in pancreatic cancer cells. In this study we demonstrate that a novel chimeric serotype adenovirus, Ad.5/3-mda-7, displays greater efficacy in delivering mda-7/IL-24 compared with Ad.5-mda-7, although overall translation of the protein still remains low. We additionally show that d-limonene, a dietary monoterpene known to induce ROS, is capable of overcoming the translational block when used in combination with adenoviral gene delivery. This novel combination results in increased polysome association of mda-7/IL-24 mRNA, activation of the preinitiation complex of the translational machinery in pancreatic cancer cells, and culminates in mda-7/IL-24-mediated toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddik Sarkar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics (S.S., B.A.Q., X.S., S.K.D., L.E., D.S., P.B.F.), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (P.D.), VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine (P.D., S.K.D., L.E., D.S., P.B.F.), and VCU Massey Cancer Center (P.D., L.E., D.S. P.B.F.), Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Bridget A Quinn
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics (S.S., B.A.Q., X.S., S.K.D., L.E., D.S., P.B.F.), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (P.D.), VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine (P.D., S.K.D., L.E., D.S., P.B.F.), and VCU Massey Cancer Center (P.D., L.E., D.S. P.B.F.), Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Xuening Shen
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics (S.S., B.A.Q., X.S., S.K.D., L.E., D.S., P.B.F.), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (P.D.), VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine (P.D., S.K.D., L.E., D.S., P.B.F.), and VCU Massey Cancer Center (P.D., L.E., D.S. P.B.F.), Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Paul Dent
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics (S.S., B.A.Q., X.S., S.K.D., L.E., D.S., P.B.F.), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (P.D.), VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine (P.D., S.K.D., L.E., D.S., P.B.F.), and VCU Massey Cancer Center (P.D., L.E., D.S. P.B.F.), Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Swadesh K Das
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics (S.S., B.A.Q., X.S., S.K.D., L.E., D.S., P.B.F.), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (P.D.), VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine (P.D., S.K.D., L.E., D.S., P.B.F.), and VCU Massey Cancer Center (P.D., L.E., D.S. P.B.F.), Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Luni Emdad
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics (S.S., B.A.Q., X.S., S.K.D., L.E., D.S., P.B.F.), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (P.D.), VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine (P.D., S.K.D., L.E., D.S., P.B.F.), and VCU Massey Cancer Center (P.D., L.E., D.S. P.B.F.), Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Devanand Sarkar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics (S.S., B.A.Q., X.S., S.K.D., L.E., D.S., P.B.F.), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (P.D.), VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine (P.D., S.K.D., L.E., D.S., P.B.F.), and VCU Massey Cancer Center (P.D., L.E., D.S. P.B.F.), Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Paul B Fisher
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics (S.S., B.A.Q., X.S., S.K.D., L.E., D.S., P.B.F.), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (P.D.), VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine (P.D., S.K.D., L.E., D.S., P.B.F.), and VCU Massey Cancer Center (P.D., L.E., D.S. P.B.F.), Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
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Ren H, Jia L, Zhao T, Zhang H, Chen J, Yang S, Liu J, Yu M, Hao J. Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α directly activates leptin receptor (Ob-R) in pancreatic cancer cells. Cancer Lett 2014; 354:172-80. [PMID: 25130171 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2014.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Revised: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the regulatory mechanism of leptin receptors (Ob-R) in pancreatic cancer. We found that the over-expression of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1)α and hypoxia up-regulated the expression of Ob-R in pancreatic cancer cells. When HIF-1α gene was silenced in vitro, the expression of Ob-R was significantly decreased. Xenograft mouse models showed that the inhibition of HIF-1α resulted in the concomitant decrease of Ob-R in vivo. In addition, HIF-1α expression was correlated with Ob-R in pancreatic cancer tissues by immunohistochemical staining. Clinical data showed that over-expression of HIF-1 was associated with pathological tumor node metastasis stage, lymph node metastasis and overall survival. HIF-1α directly bound to the hypoxia-responsive element (HRE) located in Ob-R gene promoter (-828/-832) and activated the transcription. Finally, we demonstrated that the silence of HIF-1α gene reversed the inhibitory effect of leptin/Ob-R in pancreatic cancer cells. Taken together, our results indicate that HIF-1α directly regulated Ob-R expression in pancreatic cancer, which might be a valuable therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Ren
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Lingling Jia
- School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Tiansuo Zhao
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jing Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Shaoguang Yang
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingcheng Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ming Yu
- School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jihui Hao
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.
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Bhoopathi P, Quinn BA, Gui Q, Shen XN, Grossman SR, Das SK, Sarkar D, Fisher PB, Emdad L. Pancreatic cancer-specific cell death induced in vivo by cytoplasmic-delivered polyinosine-polycytidylic acid. Cancer Res 2014; 74:6224-35. [PMID: 25205107 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-0819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Polyinosine-polycytidylic acid [pIC] is a synthetic dsRNA that acts as an immune agonist of TLR3 and RLR to activate dendritic and natural killer cells that can kill tumor cells. pIC can also trigger apoptosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells (PDAC) but its mechanism of action is obscure. In this study, we investigated the potential therapeutic activity of a formulation of pIC with polyethylenimine ([pIC](PEI)) in PDAC and investigated its mechanism of action. [pIC](PEI) stimulated apoptosis in PDAC cells without affecting normal pancreatic epithelial cells. Mechanistically, [pIC](PEI) repressed XIAP and survivin expression and activated an immune response by inducing MDA-5, RIG-I, and NOXA. Phosphorylation of AKT was inhibited by [pIC](PEI) in PDAC, and this event was critical for stimulating apoptosis through XIAP and survivin degradation. In vivo administration of [pIC](PEI) inhibited tumor growth via AKT-mediated XIAP degradation in both subcutaneous and quasi-orthotopic models of PDAC. Taken together, these results offer a preclinical proof-of-concept for the evaluation of [pIC](PEI) as an immunochemotherapy to treat pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Bhoopathi
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Bridget A Quinn
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Qin Gui
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Xue-Ning Shen
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Steven R Grossman
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia. Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia. VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Swadesh K Das
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia. VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Devanand Sarkar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia. VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia. VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Paul B Fisher
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia. VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia. VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia.
| | - Luni Emdad
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia. VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia. VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia.
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MDA-7/IL-24: multifunctional cancer killing cytokine. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2014; 818:127-53. [PMID: 25001534 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4471-6458-6_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
First identified almost two decades ago as a novel gene differentially expressed in human melanoma cells induced to terminally differentiate, MDA-7/IL-24 has since shown great potential as an anti-cancer gene. MDA-7/IL24, a secreted protein of the IL-10 family, functions as a cytokine at normal physiological levels and is expressed in tissues of the immune system. At supra-physiological levels, MDA-7/IL-24 plays a prominent role in inhibiting tumor growth, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis and was recently shown to target tumor stem/initiating cells for death. Much of the attention focused on MDA-7/IL-24 originated from the fact that it can selectively induce cell death in cancer cells without affecting normal cells. Thus, this gene originally shown to be associated with melanoma cell differentiation has now proven to be a multi-functional protein affecting a broad array of cancers. Moreover, MDA-7/IL-24 has proven efficacious in a Phase I/II clinical trial in humans with multiple advanced cancers. As research in the field progresses, we will unravel more of the functions of MDA-7/IL-24 and define novel ways to utilize MDA-7/IL-24 in the treatment of cancer.
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Dash R, Bhoopathi P, Das SK, Sarkar S, Emdad L, Dasgupta S, Sarkar D, Fisher PB. Novel mechanism of MDA-7/IL-24 cancer-specific apoptosis through SARI induction. Cancer Res 2013; 74:563-74. [PMID: 24282278 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-1062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Subtraction hybridization combined with induction of cancer cell terminal differentiation in human melanoma cells identified melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7/interleukin-24 (mda-7/IL-24) and SARI (suppressor of AP-1, induced by IFN) that display potent antitumor activity. These genes are not constitutively expressed in cancer cells and forced expression of mda-7/IL-24 (Ad.mda-7) or SARI (Ad.SARI) promotes cancer-specific cell death. Ectopic expression of mda-7/IL-24 induces SARI mRNA and protein in a panel of different cancer cells, leading to cell death, without harming corresponding normal cells. Simultaneous inhibition of K-ras downstream extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling in pancreatic cancer cells reverses the translational block of MDA-7/IL-24 and induces SARI expression and cell death. Using SARI-antisense-based approaches, we demonstrate that SARI expression is necessary for mda-7/IL-24 antitumor effects. Secreted MDA-7/IL-24 protein induces antitumor "bystander" effects by promoting its own expression. Recombinant MDA-7/IL-24 (His-MDA-7) induces SARI expression, supporting the involvement of SARI in the MDA-7/IL-24-driven autocrine loop, culminating in antitumor effects. Moreover, His-MDA-7, after binding to its cognate receptors (IL-20R1/IL-20R2 or IL-22R/IL-20R2), induces intracellular signaling by phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, leading to transcription of a family of growth arrest and DNA damage inducible (GADD) genes, culminating in apoptosis. Inhibition of p38 MAPK fails to induce SARI following Ad.mda-7 infection. These findings reveal the significance of the mda-7/IL-24-SARI axis in cancer-specific killing and provide a potential strategy for treating both local and metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupesh Dash
- Authors' Affiliations: Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneshwar, Orissa, India; Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, and VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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