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Kunihisa T, Inubushi S, Tanino H, Hoffman RM. Induction of the DNA-Repair Gene POLQ only in BRCA1-mutant Breast-Cancer Cells by Methionine Restriction. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2024; 21:399-404. [PMID: 38944428 PMCID: PMC11215430 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20458] [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: 03/23/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM BRCA1/2 mutations in breast cancer cells impair homologous recombination and promote alternative end joining (Alt-EJ) for DNA-damage repair. DNA polymerase theta, encoded by POLQ, plays a crucial role in Alt-EJ, making it a potential therapeutic target, particularly in BRCA1/2-mutant cancers. Methionine restriction is a promising approach to target cancer cells due to their addiction to this amino acid. The present study investigated the expression of POLQ in BRCA1/2 wild-type and BRCA1-mutant breast cancer cells under methionine restriction. MATERIALS AND METHODS POLQ mRNA expression was measured using qRT-PCR in BRCA1/2 wild-type (MDA-MB-231) and BRCA1- mutant (HCC1937 and MDA-MB-436) breast-cancer cells under normal, or serum-restricted, or serum- and methionine-restricted conditions. RESULTS Compared to BRCA1/2 wild-type cells, BRCA1-mutant cells displayed significantly higher basal POLQ expression in normal medium. Methionine restriction further increased POLQ expression in the BRCA1-mutant cells but decreased it in the BRCA1/2 wild-type cells. CONCLUSION The present findings suggest that methionine restriction showed differential effects on POLQ expression, potentially impacting Alt-EJ activity, in BRCA1/2 wild-type and BRCA1-mutant breast-cancer cells. Further investigation is needed to explore the potential of combining methionine restriction with DNA-repair inhibitors, such as PARP inhibitors, to overcome drug resistance in BRCA1/2 mutant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomonari Kunihisa
- Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Sachiko Inubushi
- Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Tanino
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Robert M Hoffman
- AntiCancer Inc, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.;
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
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Mizuta K, Mori R, Han Q, Morinaga S, Sato M, Kang BM, Bouvet M, Tome Y, Nishida K, Hoffman RM. The Combination of Methionine Restriction and Docetaxel Synergistically Arrests Androgen-independent Prostate Cancer But Not Normal Cells. CANCER DIAGNOSIS & PROGNOSIS 2024; 4:402-407. [PMID: 38962551 PMCID: PMC11215443 DOI: 10.21873/cdp.10339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Background/Aim Androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC) is resistant to androgen-depletion therapy and is a recalcitrant disease. Docetaxel is the first-line treatment for AIPC, but has limited efficacy and severe side-effects. All cancers are methionine-addicted, which is termed the Hoffman effect. Recombinant methioninase (rMETase) targets methionine addiction. The purpose of the present study was to determine if the combination of docetaxel and rMETase is effective for AIPC. Materials and Methods The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of docetaxel and rMETase alone were determined for the human AIPC cell line PC-3 and Hs27 normal human fibroblasts in vitro. The synergistic efficacy for PC-3 and Hs27 using the combination of docetaxel and rMETase at their IC50s for PC-3 was determined. Results The IC50 of docetaxel for PC-3 and for Hs27 was 0.72 nM and 0.94 nM, respectively. The IC50 of rMETase for PC-3 and for Hs27 was 0.67 U/ml and 0.76 U/ml, respectively. The combination of docetaxel and rMETase was synergistic for PC-3 but not Hs27 cells. Conclusion The combination of a relatively low concentration of docetaxel and rMETase was synergistic and effective for AIPC. The present results also suggest that the effective concentration of docetaxel can be reduced by using rMETase, which may reduce toxicity. The present results also suggest the future clinical potential of the combination of docetaxel and rMETase for AIPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Mizuta
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | | | | | - Sei Morinaga
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Motokazu Sato
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Byung Mo Kang
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Michael Bouvet
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Yasunori Tome
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Kotaro Nishida
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Robert M Hoffman
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
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Ardjmand D, Sato M, Han Q, Kubota Y, Mizuta K, Morinaga S, Hoffman RM. Synergy of Rapamycin and Methioninase on Colorectal Cancer Cells Requires Simultaneous and Not Sequential Administration: Implications for mTOR Inhibition. CANCER DIAGNOSIS & PROGNOSIS 2024; 4:396-401. [PMID: 38962555 PMCID: PMC11215436 DOI: 10.21873/cdp.10338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Background/Aim Rapamycin inhibits the mTOR protein kinase. Methioninase (rMETase), by degrading methionine, targets the methionine addiction of cancer cells and has been shown to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs, reducing their effective doses. Our previous study demonstrated that rapamycin and rMETase work synergistically against colorectal-cancer cells, but not on normal cells, when administered simultaneously in vitro. In the present study, we aimed to further our previous findings by exploring whether synergy exists between rapamycin and rMETase when used sequentially against HCT-116 colorectal-carcinoma cells, compared to simultaneous administration, in vitro. Materials and Methods The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of rapamycin alone and rMETase alone against the HCT-116 human colorectal-cancer cell line were previously determined using the CCK-8 cell viability assay (11). We then examined the efficacy of rapamycin and rMETase, both at their IC50, administered simultaneously or sequentially on the HCT-116 cell line, with rapamycin administered before rMETase and vice versa. Results The IC50 for rapamycin and rMETase, determined from previous experiments (11), was 1.38 nM and 0.39 U/ml, respectively, of HCT-116 cells. When rMETase was administered four days before rapamycin, both at the IC50, there was a 30.46% inhibition of HCT-116 cells. When rapamycin was administered four days before rMETase, both at the IC50, there was an inhibition of 41.13%. When both rapamycin and rMETase were simultaneously administered, both at the IC50, there was a 71.03% inhibition. Conclusion Rapamycin and rMETase have synergistic efficacy against colorectal-cancer cells in vitro when administered simultaneously, but not sequentially.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Motokazu Sato
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | | | - Yutaro Kubota
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Kohei Mizuta
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Sei Morinaga
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Robert M Hoffman
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
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Sato M, Han Q, Mizuta K, Mori R, Kang BM, Morinaga S, Kobayashi N, Ichikawa Y, Nakajima A, Hoffman RM. Extensive Shrinkage and Long-term Stable Disease in a Teenage Female Patient With High-grade Glioma Treated With Temozolomide and Radiation in Combination With Oral Recombinant Methioninase and a Low-methionine Diet. In Vivo 2024; 38:1459-1464. [PMID: 38688589 PMCID: PMC11059867 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13591] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Gliomas are the most common and recalcitrant malignant primary brain tumors. All cancer types are addicted to methionine, which is a fundamental and general hallmark of cancer known as the Hoffman effect. Particularly glioma cells exhibit methionine addiction. Because of methionine addiction, [11C]-methionine positron emission tomography (MET-PET) is widely used for glioma imaging in clinical practice, which can monitor the extent of methionine addiction. Methionine restriction including recombinant methioninase (rMETase) and a low-methionine diet, has shown high efficacy in preclinical models of gliomas, especially in combination with chemotherapy. The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of methionine restriction with oral rMETase (o-rMETase) and a low-methionine diet, combined with radiation and temozolomide (TMZ), on a teenage female patient with high-grade glioma. CASE REPORT A 16-year-old girl was diagnosed with high-grade glioma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a left temporal-lobe tumor with compression to the left lateral ventricle and narrowing of sulci in the left temporal lobe. After the start of methionine restriction with o-rMETase and a low-methionine diet, along with TMZ combined with radiotherapy, the tumor size shrunk at least 60%, with improvement in the left lateral ventricle and sulci. The patient's condition remains stable for 19 months without severe adverse effects. CONCLUSION Methionine restriction consisting of o-rMETase and a low-methionine diet, in combination with radiation and TMZ as first-line chemotherapy, were highly effective in a patient with high-grade glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motokazu Sato
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Oncology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | | | - Kohei Mizuta
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | | | - Byung Mo Kang
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Sei Morinaga
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Noritoshi Kobayashi
- Department of Oncology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yasushi Ichikawa
- Department of Oncology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nakajima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Robert M Hoffman
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A.;
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
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Bin P, Wang C, Zhang H, Yan Y, Ren W. Targeting methionine metabolism in cancer: opportunities and challenges. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2024; 45:395-405. [PMID: 38580603 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2024.03.002] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Reprogramming of methionine metabolism is a conserved hallmark of tumorigenesis. Recent studies have revealed mechanisms regulating methionine metabolism within the tumor microenvironment (TME) that drive both cancer development and antitumor immunity evasion. In this review article we summarize advancements in our understanding of tumor regulation of methionine metabolism and therapies in development that target tumor methionine metabolism. We also delineate the challenges of methionine blockade therapies in cancer and discuss emerging strategies to address them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Bin
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Henry Fok School of Biology and Agriculture, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan 512005, China
| | - Chuanlong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Hangchao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yuqi Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wenkai Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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Sato M, Mizuta K, Han Q, Morinaga S, Kang BM, Kubota Y, Mori R, Baranov A, Kobayashi K, Ardjmand D, Kobayashi N, Bouvet M, Ichikawa Y, Nakajima A, Hoffman RM. Targeting Methionine Addiction Combined With Low-dose Irinotecan Arrested Colon Cancer in Contrast to High-dose Irinotecan Alone, Which Was Ineffective, in a Nude-mouse Model. In Vivo 2024; 38:1058-1063. [PMID: 38688611 PMCID: PMC11059914 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13539] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third-leading cause of death in the world. Although the prognosis has improved due to improvement of chemotherapy, metastatic CRC is still a recalcitrant disease, with a 5-year survival of only 13%. Irinotecan (IRN) is used as first-line chemotherapy for patients with unresectable CRC. However, there are severe side effects, such as neutropenia and diarrhea, which are dose-limiting. We have previously shown that methionine restriction (MR), effected by recombinant methioninase (rMETase), lowered the effective dose of IRN of colon-cancer cells in vitro. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the combination of low-dose IRN and MR on colon-cancer in nude mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS HCT-116 colon-cancer cells were cultured and subcutaneously injected into the flank of nude mice. After the tumor size reached approximately 100 mm3, 18 mice were randomized into three groups; Group 1: untreated control on a normal diet; Group 2: high-dose IRN on a normal diet (2 mg/kg, i.p.); Group 3: low-dose IRN (1 mg/kg i.p.) on MR effected by a methionine-depleted diet. RESULTS There was no significant difference between the control mice and the mice treated with high-dose IRN, without MR. However, low-dose IRN combined with MR was significantly more effective than the control and arrested colon-cancer growth (p=0.03). Body weight loss was reversible in the mice treated by low-dose IRN combined with MR. CONCLUSION The combination of low-dose IRN and MR acted synergistically in arresting HCT-116 colon-cancer grown in nude mice. The present study indicates the MR has the potential to reduce the effective dose of IRN in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motokazu Sato
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Oncology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kohei Mizuta
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | | | - Sei Morinaga
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Byung Mo Kang
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Yutaro Kubota
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | | | | | | | | | - Noritoshi Kobayashi
- Department of Oncology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Michael Bouvet
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Yasushi Ichikawa
- Department of Oncology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nakajima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Robert M Hoffman
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A.;
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
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Li J, Wang R, Li M, Zhang Z, Jin S, Ma H. APIP regulated by YAP propels methionine cycle and metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216756. [PMID: 38423248 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
The Yes-associated protein (YAP) plays a vital role in tumor progression and metabolic regulation. However, the involvement of YAP in metabolic reprogramming of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma remains unclear. Using RNA sequencing and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we observed that YAP increased the levels of the main metabolites and enzymes involved in methionine metabolism. APIP, an enzyme involved in the methionine salvage pathway, was transcriptionally activated by YAP. Further experiments showed that APIP promotes HNSCC cells migration and invasion in vitro and tumor metastasis in adjacent lymph nodes and distant organs in vivo. APIP also increases the levels of metabolites in the methionine cycle. We further found that methionine reversed the inhibition of HNSCC migration and invasion by APIP knockdown. In vivo experiments demonstrated that methionine addition promoted tumor metastasis. Mechanistically, the methionine cycle phosphorylated and inactivated GSK3β, then induced the epithelial mesenchymal transition pathway. Increased APIP expression was detected in patients with HNSCC, especially in tumors with lymph node metastasis. Metabolites of methionine cycle were also elevated in HNSCC patients. Our findings revealed that APIP, a novel target of YAP, promotes the methionine cycle and HNSCC metastasis through GSK3β phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Li
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology & Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruijie Wang
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology & Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingyu Li
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology & Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyuan Zhang
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology & Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Shufang Jin
- Department of Second Dental Center, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology & Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hailong Ma
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology & Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China.
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Wu H, Ye J, Zhang M, Luo H. A concise review of the regulatory, diagnostic, and prognostic implications of HOXB-AS3 in tumors. J Cancer 2024; 15:714-728. [PMID: 38213732 PMCID: PMC10777036 DOI: 10.7150/jca.91033] [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: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have reported that HOXB-AS3 (HOXB Cluster Antisense RNA 3) is an intriguing molecule with dual functionality as a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and putative coding peptide in tumorigenesis and progression. The significant expression alterations of HOXB-AS3 were detected in diverse cancer types and closely correlated with clinical stage and patient survival. Furthermore, HOXB-AS3 was involved in a spectrum of biological processes in solid tumors and hematological malignancies, such as stemness, lipid metabolism, migration, invasion, and tumor growth. This review comprehensively analyzes its clinical relevance for diagnosis and prognosis across human tumors and summarizes its functional role and regulatory mechanisms in different malignant tumors, including liver cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, endometrial carcinoma, colon cancer, and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Overall, HOXB-AS3 emerges as a promising biomarker and novel therapeutic target in multiple human tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongze Wu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330000, Jiangxi, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiujiang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiujiang 332007, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jiarong Ye
- Nanchang University Queen Mary School, Nanchang 330038, Jiangxi, China
| | - Mengqi Zhang
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330038, Jiangxi, China
| | - Hongliang Luo
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330000, Jiangxi, China
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Liang JW, Gao ZC, Yang LL, Zhang W, Chen MZ, Meng FH. Development of Acridone Derivatives: Targeting c-MYC Transcription in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer with Inhibitory Potential. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 13:11. [PMID: 38275631 PMCID: PMC10812579 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13010011] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer, especially the aggressive triple-negative subtype, poses a serious health threat to women. Unfortunately, effective targets are lacking, leading to a grim prognosis. Research highlights the crucial role of c-MYC overexpression in this form of cancer. Current inhibitors targeting c-MYC focus on stabilizing its G-quadruplex (G4) structure in the promoter region. They can inhibit the expression of c-MYC, which is highly expressed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and then regulate the apoptosis of breast cancer cells induced by intracellular ROS. However, the clinical prospects for the application of such inhibitors are not promising. In this research, we designed and synthesized 29 acridone derivatives. These compounds were assessed for their impact on intracellular ROS levels and cell activity, followed by comprehensive QSAR analysis and molecular docking. Compound N8 stood out, significantly increasing ROS levels and demonstrating potent anti-tumor activity in the TNBC cell line, with excellent selectivity shown in the docking results. This study suggests that acridone derivatives could stabilize the c-MYC G4 structure. Among these compounds, the small molecule N8 shows promising effects and deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Wei Liang
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China; (J.-W.L.); (Z.-C.G.); (L.-L.Y.); (W.Z.)
- School of Pharmacy, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Zhi-Chao Gao
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China; (J.-W.L.); (Z.-C.G.); (L.-L.Y.); (W.Z.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110044, China
| | - Lu-Lu Yang
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China; (J.-W.L.); (Z.-C.G.); (L.-L.Y.); (W.Z.)
| | - Wei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China; (J.-W.L.); (Z.-C.G.); (L.-L.Y.); (W.Z.)
| | - Ming-Zhe Chen
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China; (J.-W.L.); (Z.-C.G.); (L.-L.Y.); (W.Z.)
| | - Fan-Hao Meng
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110000, China; (J.-W.L.); (Z.-C.G.); (L.-L.Y.); (W.Z.)
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10
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Aoki Y, Kubota Y, Han Q, Masaki N, Obara K, Bouvet M, Chawla SP, Tome Y, Nishida K, Hoffman RM. The Combination of Methioninase and Ethionine Exploits Methionine Addiction to Selectively Eradicate Osteosarcoma Cells and Not Normal Cells and Synergistically Down-regulates the Expression of C-MYC. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2023; 20:679-685. [PMID: 38035708 PMCID: PMC10687729 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20415] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM The fundamental and general hallmark of cancer cells, methionine addiction, termed the Hoffman effect, is due to overuse of methionine for highly-increased transmethylation reactions. In the present study, we tested if the combination efficacy of recombinant methioninase (rMETase) and a methionine analogue, ethionine, could eradicate osteosarcoma cells and down-regulate the expression of c-MYC. MATERIALS AND METHODS 143B osteosarcoma cells and Hs27 normal human fibroblasts were tested. The efficacy of rMETase alone and ethionine, alone and in their combination, on cell viability was determined with the WST-8 assay on 143B cells and Hs27 cells. c-MYC expression was examined with western immunoblotting and compared in 143B cells treated with/without rMETase, ethionine, or the combination of both rMETase and ethionine. RESULTS 143B cells were more sensitive to both rMETase and ethionine than Hs 27 cells, with the following IC50s: rMETase (143B: 0.22 U/ml; Hs27: 0.82 U/ml); ethionine (143B: 0.24 mg/ml; Hs27: 0.42 mg/ml). The combination of rMETase and ethionine synergistically eradicated 143B cells, lowering the IC50 for ethionine 14-fold compared to ethionine alone (p<0.001). In contrast, Hs27 fibroblasts were relatively resistant to the combination. The expression of c-MYC was significantly down-regulated only by the combination of rMETase and ethionine in 143B cells (p<0.001). CONCLUSION In the present study, we showed, for the first time, the synergistic combination efficacy of rMETase and ethionine on osteosarcoma cells in contrast to normal fibroblasts, which were relatively resistant. The combination of rMETase and ethionine down-regulated c-MYC expression in the cancer cells. The present results indicate the combination of rMETase and ethionine may reduce the malignancy of osteosarcoma cells and can be a potential future clinical strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Aoki
- AntiCancer Inc, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.;
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Yutaro Kubota
- AntiCancer Inc, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | | | - Noriyuki Masaki
- AntiCancer Inc, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Koya Obara
- AntiCancer Inc, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Michael Bouvet
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | | | - Yasunori Tome
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan;
| | - Kotaro Nishida
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Robert M Hoffman
- AntiCancer Inc, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.;
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
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