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Wang D, Deng X, Wang J, Che S, Ma X, Zhang S, Dong Q, Huang C, Chen J, Shi C, Zhang MR, Hu K, Luo L, Xiao Z. Environmentally responsive hydrogel promotes vascular normalization to enhance STING anti-tumor immunity. J Control Release 2024; 372:403-416. [PMID: 38914207 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.06.052] [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: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
The immunosuppressive microenvironment of malignant tumors severely hampers the effectiveness of anti-tumor therapy. Moreover, abnormal tumor vasculature interacts with immune cells, forming a vicious cycle that further interferes with anti-tumor immunity and promotes tumor progression. Our pre-basic found excellent anti-tumor effects of c-di-AMP and RRx-001, respectively, and we further explored whether they could be combined synergistically for anti-tumor immunotherapy. We chose to load these two drugs on PVA-TSPBA hydrogel scaffolds that expressly release drugs within the tumor microenvironment by in situ injection. Studies have shown that c-di-AMP activates the STING pathway, enhances immune cell infiltration, and reverses tumor immunosuppression. Meanwhile, RRx-001 releases nitric oxide, which increases oxidative stress injury in tumor cells and promotes apoptosis. Moreover, the combination of the two presented more powerful pro-vascular normalization and reversed tumor immunosuppression than the drug alone. This study demonstrates a new design option for anti-tumor combination therapy and the potential of tumor environmentally responsive hydrogel scaffolds in combination with anti-tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duo Wang
- The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging for Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiujiao Deng
- The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging for Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Department of Pharmacy, The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Chronic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Jinghao Wang
- The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging for Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Department of Pharmacy, The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Chronic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Shuang Che
- The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging for Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiaocong Ma
- The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging for Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Department of Radiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University (Shenhe People's Hospital), Heyuan 517000, China
| | - Siqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Qiu Dong
- The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging for Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Cuiqing Huang
- The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging for Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jifeng Chen
- The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging for Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Changzheng Shi
- The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging for Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Ming-Rong Zhang
- Department of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, Institute of Quantum Medical, Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 2638555, Japan
| | - Kuan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Liangping Luo
- The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging for Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Department of Radiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University (Shenhe People's Hospital), Heyuan 517000, China.
| | - Zeyu Xiao
- The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging for Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
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2
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Gu X, Mu C, Zheng R, Zhang Z, Zhang Q, Liang T. The Cancer Antioxidant Regulation System in Therapeutic Resistance. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:778. [PMID: 39061847 PMCID: PMC11274344 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13070778] [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: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Antioxidants play a pivotal role in neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are known to induce oxidative stress. In the context of cancer development, cancer cells adeptly maintain elevated levels of both ROS and antioxidants through a process termed "redox reprogramming". This balance optimizes the proliferative influence of ROS while simultaneously reducing the potential for ROS to cause damage to the cell. In some cases, the adapted antioxidant machinery can hamper the efficacy of treatments for neoplastic diseases, representing a significant facet of the resistance mechanisms observed in cancer therapy. In this review, we outline the contribution of antioxidant systems to therapeutic resistance. We detail the fundamental constituents of these systems, encompassing the central regulatory mechanisms involving transcription factors (of particular importance is the KEAP1/NRF2 signaling axis), the molecular effectors of antioxidants, and the auxiliary systems responsible for NADPH generation. Furthermore, we present recent clinical trials based on targeted antioxidant systems for the treatment of cancer, assessing the potential as well as challenges of this strategy in cancer therapy. Additionally, we summarize the pressing issues in the field, with the aim of illuminating a path toward the emergence of novel anticancer therapeutic approaches by orchestrating redox signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanhao Gu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (X.G.); (C.M.); (Z.Z.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China;
| | - Chunyang Mu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (X.G.); (C.M.); (Z.Z.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China;
| | - Rujia Zheng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China;
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (X.G.); (C.M.); (Z.Z.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China;
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, China
- The Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou 310003, China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (X.G.); (C.M.); (Z.Z.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China;
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, China
- The Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou 310003, China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (X.G.); (C.M.); (Z.Z.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China;
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, China
- The Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou 310003, China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
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3
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Toledo B, Zhu Chen L, Paniagua-Sancho M, Marchal JA, Perán M, Giovannetti E. Deciphering the performance of macrophages in tumour microenvironment: a call for precision immunotherapy. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:44. [PMID: 38863020 PMCID: PMC11167803 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01559-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Macrophages infiltrating tumour tissues or residing in the microenvironment of solid tumours are known as tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs). These specialized immune cells play crucial roles in tumour growth, angiogenesis, immune regulation, metastasis, and chemoresistance. TAMs encompass various subpopulations, primarily classified into M1 and M2 subtypes based on their differentiation and activities. M1 macrophages, characterized by a pro-inflammatory phenotype, exert anti-tumoural effects, while M2 macrophages, with an anti-inflammatory phenotype, function as protumoural regulators. These highly versatile cells respond to stimuli from tumour cells and other constituents within the tumour microenvironment (TME), such as growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, and enzymes. These stimuli induce their polarization towards one phenotype or another, leading to complex interactions with TME components and influencing both pro-tumour and anti-tumour processes.This review comprehensively and deeply covers the literature on macrophages, their origin and function as well as the intricate interplay between macrophages and the TME, influencing the dual nature of TAMs in promoting both pro- and anti-tumour processes. Moreover, the review delves into the primary pathways implicated in macrophage polarization, examining the diverse stimuli that regulate this process. These stimuli play a crucial role in shaping the phenotype and functions of macrophages. In addition, the advantages and limitations of current macrophage based clinical interventions are reviewed, including enhancing TAM phagocytosis, inducing TAM exhaustion, inhibiting TAM recruitment, and polarizing TAMs towards an M1-like phenotype. In conclusion, while the treatment strategies targeting macrophages in precision medicine show promise, overcoming several obstacles is still necessary to achieve an accessible and efficient immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Toledo
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Campus Lagunillas, Jaén, E-23071, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Linrui Zhu Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - María Paniagua-Sancho
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Granada, E-18100, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Hospitales Universitarios de Granada-Universidad de Granada, Granada, E-18071, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, E-18016, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, E-18016, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Marchal
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Granada, E-18100, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Hospitales Universitarios de Granada-Universidad de Granada, Granada, E-18071, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, E-18016, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, E-18016, Spain
| | - Macarena Perán
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Campus Lagunillas, Jaén, E-23071, Spain.
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Granada, E-18100, Spain.
- Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, E-18016, Spain.
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, San Giuliano, Pisa, 56017, Italy.
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4
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Cheng T, Xie J, Yuan X, Guo M, Wu J, Wang M, Huang Z, Zhang J. Site-specific Antibody-Nitric Oxide Conjugate HN02 Possesses Improved Antineoplastic and Safety Properties. J Immunother 2024; 47:149-159. [PMID: 38557756 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000507] [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: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) combine the high specificity of antibodies with the cytotoxicity of payloads and have great potential in pan-cancer immunotherapy. However, the current payloads for clinical uses have limited the therapeutic window due to their uncontrollable off-site toxicity. There is unmet needs to develop more potent ADC payloads with better safety and efficacy profiles. Nitric oxide (NO) is a special molecule that has low toxicity itself, which can kill tumor cells effectively when highly concentrated, has broad application prospects. Previously, we prepared for the first time an antibody-nitric oxide conjugate (ANC)-HN01, which showed inhibitory activity against hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the random conjugation method made HN01 highly heterogeneous and unstable. Here, we used site-specific conjugation-based engineered cysteine sites (CL-V211C) of anti-CD24 antibody to prepare a second-generation ANC with a drug-to-antibody ratio of 2. The homogeneous ANC, HN02 was stable in human plasma, shown in vitro bystander effect to neighboring cells and antiproliferative activity to CD24-targeted tumor cells. Compared with HN01, HN02 significantly prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing mice. In summary, we developed a stable and homogeneous site-specific conjugated ANC, which showed good antitumor activity and improved safety profile both in vitro and in vivo. This study provides new insight into the development of next generation of ADC candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyue Cheng
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, School of Life Science & Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiajun Xie
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, School of Life Science & Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xun Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Minji Guo
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, School of Life Science & Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianbing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Wang
- School Infirmary, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhangjian Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Juan Zhang
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, School of Life Science & Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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5
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Xu Z, Kombe Kombe AJ, Deng S, Zhang H, Wu S, Ruan J, Zhou Y, Jin T. NLRP inflammasomes in health and disease. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2024; 5:14. [PMID: 38644450 PMCID: PMC11033252 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-024-00179-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
NLRP inflammasomes are a group of cytosolic multiprotein oligomer pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) involved in the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) produced by infected cells. They regulate innate immunity by triggering a protective inflammatory response. However, despite their protective role, aberrant NLPR inflammasome activation and gain-of-function mutations in NLRP sensor proteins are involved in occurrence and enhancement of non-communicating autoimmune, auto-inflammatory, and neurodegenerative diseases. In the last few years, significant advances have been achieved in the understanding of the NLRP inflammasome physiological functions and their molecular mechanisms of activation, as well as therapeutics that target NLRP inflammasome activity in inflammatory diseases. Here, we provide the latest research progress on NLRP inflammasomes, including NLRP1, CARD8, NLRP3, NLRP6, NLRP7, NLRP2, NLRP9, NLRP10, and NLRP12 regarding their structural and assembling features, signaling transduction and molecular activation mechanisms. Importantly, we highlight the mechanisms associated with NLRP inflammasome dysregulation involved in numerous human auto-inflammatory, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative diseases. Overall, we summarize the latest discoveries in NLRP biology, their forming inflammasomes, and their role in health and diseases, and provide therapeutic strategies and perspectives for future studies about NLRP inflammasomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Xu
- Center of Disease Immunity and Intervention, College of Medicine, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, China
| | - Arnaud John Kombe Kombe
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Shasha Deng
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Hongliang Zhang
- Center of Disease Immunity and Intervention, College of Medicine, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, China
| | - Songquan Wu
- Center of Disease Immunity and Intervention, College of Medicine, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, China
| | - Jianbin Ruan
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, 06030, USA.
| | - Ying Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Core Facility Center, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
| | - Tengchuan Jin
- Center of Disease Immunity and Intervention, College of Medicine, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, China.
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Core Facility Center, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, China.
- Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, Anhui, China.
- Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Clinical Research Hospital of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Hefei), University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China.
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6
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O’Neill CE, Sun K, Sundararaman S, Chang JC, Glynn SA. The impact of nitric oxide on HER family post-translational modification and downstream signaling in cancer. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1358850. [PMID: 38601214 PMCID: PMC11004480 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1358850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family consists of four members, activated by two families of ligands. They are known for mediating cell-cell interactions in organogenesis, and their deregulation has been associated with various cancers, including breast and esophageal cancers. In particular, aberrant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and HER2 signaling drive disease progression and result in poorer patient outcomes. Nitric oxide (NO) has been proposed as an alternative activator of the HER family and may play a role in this aberrant activation due to its ability to induce s-nitrosation and phosphorylation of the EGFR. This review discusses the potential impact of NO on HER family activation and downstream signaling, along with its role in the efficacy of therapeutics targeting the family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciara E. O’Neill
- Lambe Institute for Translational Research, Discipline of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Kai Sun
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
- Dr Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Jenny C. Chang
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
- Dr Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sharon A. Glynn
- Lambe Institute for Translational Research, Discipline of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
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7
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Ravichandran KA, Heneka MT. Inflammasomes in neurological disorders - mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Nat Rev Neurol 2024; 20:67-83. [PMID: 38195712 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00915-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Inflammasomes are molecular scaffolds that are activated by damage-associated and pathogen-associated molecular patterns and form a key element of innate immune responses. Consequently, the involvement of inflammasomes in several diseases that are characterized by inflammatory processes, such as multiple sclerosis, is widely appreciated. However, many other neurological conditions, including Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stroke, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, sepsis-associated encephalopathy and neurological sequelae of COVID-19, all involve persistent inflammation in the brain, and increasing evidence suggests that inflammasome activation contributes to disease progression in these conditions. Understanding the biology and mechanisms of inflammasome activation is, therefore, crucial for the development of inflammasome-targeted therapies for neurological conditions. In this Review, we present the current evidence for and understanding of inflammasome activation in neurological diseases and discuss current and potential interventional strategies that target inflammasome activation to mitigate its pathological consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kishore Aravind Ravichandran
- Department of Neuroinflammation, Institute of innate immunity, University of Bonn Medical Center Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael T Heneka
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, North Worcester, MA, USA.
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8
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Ma ZY, Jiang C, Xu LL. Protein-protein interactions and related inhibitors involved in the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2023; 74:14-28. [PMID: 37758629 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3) receptor serves as the central node of immune sensing in the innate immune system, and plays an important role in the initiation and progression of chronic diseases. Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has provided insights into the conformation of various oligomers within the NLRP3 activation pathway, significantly advancing our understanding of the mechanisms underlying NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Despite the extensive network of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) involved in the assembly and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, the utilization of protein-protein interactions has been relatively overlooked in the development of NLRP3 inhibitors. This review focuses on summarizing PPIs within the NLRP3 inflammasome activation pathway and small molecule inhibitors capable of interfering with PPIs to counteract the NLRP3 overactivation. Small molecule NLRP3 inhibitors have been gained significant attention owing to their remarkable efficacy, excellent safety profiles, and unique mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Yu Ma
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Cheng Jiang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Li-Li Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Ministry of Education, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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9
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Oronsky B, Cabrales P, Alizadeh B, Caroen S, Stirn M, Williams J, Reid TR. TGF-β: the apex predator of immune checkpoints. Future Oncol 2023; 19:2013-2015. [PMID: 37503560 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2023-0491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Oronsky
- Department of Research and Development, EpicentRx, Inc. Torrey Pines, CA 92037, USA
| | - Pedro Cabrales
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California at San Diego (UCSD) La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Babak Alizadeh
- Department of Research and Development, EpicentRx, Inc. Torrey Pines, CA 92037, USA
| | - Scott Caroen
- Department of Research and Development, EpicentRx, Inc. Torrey Pines, CA 92037, USA
| | - Meaghan Stirn
- Department of Research and Development, EpicentRx, Inc. Torrey Pines, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jeannie Williams
- Department of Research and Development, EpicentRx, Inc. Torrey Pines, CA 92037, USA
| | - Tony R Reid
- Department of Research and Development, EpicentRx, Inc. Torrey Pines, CA 92037, USA
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10
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Oronsky B, Burbano E, Stirn M, Brechlin J, Abrouk N, Caroen S, Coyle A, Williams J, Cabrales P, Reid TR. Data Management 101 for drug developers: A peek behind the curtain. Clin Transl Sci 2023; 16:1497-1509. [PMID: 37382299 PMCID: PMC10499417 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13582] [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: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In drug development a frequently used phrase is "data-driven". Just as high-test gas fuels a car, so drug development "runs on" high-quality data; hence, good data management practices, which involve case report form design, data entry, data capture, data validation, medical coding, database closure, and database locking, are critically important. This review covers the essentials of clinical data management (CDM) for the United States. It is intended to demystify CDM, which means nothing more esoteric than the collection, organization, maintenance, and analysis of data for clinical trials. The review is written with those who are new to drug development in mind and assumes only a passing familiarity with the terms and concepts that are introduced. However, its relevance may also extend to experienced professionals that feel the need to brush up on the basics. For added color and context, the review includes real-world examples with RRx-001, a new molecular entity in phase III and with fast-track status in head and neck cancer, and AdAPT-001, an oncolytic adenovirus armed with a transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) trap in a phase I/II clinical trial with which the authors, as employees of the biopharmaceutical company, EpicentRx, are closely involved. An alphabetized glossary of key terms and acronyms used throughout this review is also included for easy reference.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Nacer Abrouk
- Clinical Trial InnovationsMountain ViewCaliforniaUSA
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Deng H, Wang G, Zhao S, Tao Y, Zhang Z, Yang J, Lei Y. New hope for tumor immunotherapy: the macrophage-related "do not eat me" signaling pathway. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1228962. [PMID: 37484024 PMCID: PMC10358856 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1228962] [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: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The "do not eat me" signaling pathway is extremely active in tumor cells, providing a means for these cells to elude macrophage phagocytosis and escape immune surveillance. Representative markers of this pathway, such as CD47 and CD24, are highly expressed in numerous tumors. The interaction of SIRPα with CD47 reduces the accumulation of non-myosin ⅡA on the cell membrane. The combination of CD24 and Siglec10 ultimately leads to the recruitment of SHP-1 or SHP-2 to reduce signal transduction. Both of them weaken the ability of macrophages to engulf tumor cells. Blocking the mutual recognition between CD47-SIRPα or CD24-Siglec10 using large molecular proteins or small molecular drugs represents a promising avenue for tumor immunotherapy. Doing so can inhibit signal transduction and enhance macrophage clearance rates of cancer cells. In this paper, we summarize the characteristics of the drugs that affect the "do not eat me" signaling pathway via classical large molecular proteins and small molecule drugs, which target the CD47-SIRPα and CD24-Siglec10 signaling pathways, which target the CD47-SIRPα and CD24-Siglec10 signaling pathways. We expect it will offer insight into the development of new drugs centered on blocking the "do not eat me" signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Deng
- General Practice Ward/International Medical Center, General Practice Medical Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Guan Wang
- General Practice Ward/International Medical Center, General Practice Medical Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shengyan Zhao
- General Practice Ward/International Medical Center, General Practice Medical Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yiran Tao
- West China-California Research Center for Predictive Intervention Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhixiong Zhang
- General Practice Ward/International Medical Center, General Practice Medical Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jinliang Yang
- General Practice Ward/International Medical Center, General Practice Medical Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yi Lei
- General Practice Ward/International Medical Center, General Practice Medical Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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12
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Oronsky B, Takahashi L, Gordon R, Cabrales P, Caroen S, Reid T. RRx-001: a chimeric triple action NLRP3 inhibitor, Nrf2 inducer, and nitric oxide superagonist. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1204143. [PMID: 37313460 PMCID: PMC10258348 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1204143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
RRx-001 is a shape shifting small molecule with Fast Track designation for the prevention/amelioration of chemoradiation-induced severe oral mucositis (SOM) in newly diagnosed Head and Neck cancer. It has been intentionally developed or "engineered" as a chimeric single molecular entity that targets multiple redox-based mechanisms. Like an antibody drug conjugate (ADC), RRx-001 contains, at one end a "targeting" moiety, which binds to the NLRP3 inflammasome and inhibits it as well as Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), the negative regulator of Nrf2, and, at the other end, a conformationally constrained, dinitro containing 4 membered ring, which fragments under conditions of hypoxia and reduction to release therapeutically active metabolites i.e., the payload. This "payload", which is delivered specifically to hypoperfused and inflamed areas, includes nitric oxide, nitric oxide related species and carbon-centered radicals. As observed with ADCs, RRx-001 contains a backbone amide "linker" attached to a binding site, which correlates with the Fab region of an antibody, and to the dinitroazetidine payload, which is microenvironmentally activated. However, unlike ADCs, whose large size impacts their pharmacokinetic properties, RRx-001 is a nonpolar small molecule that easily crosses cell membranes and the blood brain barrier (BBB) and distributes systemically. This short review is organized around the de novo design and in vivo pro-oxidant/pro-inflammatory and antioxidant/anti-inflammatory activity of RRx-001, which, in turn, depends on the reduced to oxidized glutathione ratio and the oxygenation status of tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Oronsky
- Drug Development, EpicentRx, Torrey Pines, CA, United States
| | - Lori Takahashi
- Drug Development, EpicentRx, Torrey Pines, CA, United States
| | - Richard Gordon
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Pedro Cabrales
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Scott Caroen
- Drug Development, EpicentRx, Torrey Pines, CA, United States
| | - Tony Reid
- Drug Development, EpicentRx, Torrey Pines, CA, United States
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Hammond TC, Lee RC, Oronsky B, Reid TR, Caroen S, Juarez TM, Gill J, Heng A, Kesari S. Clinical Course of Two Patients with COVID-19 Respiratory Failure After Administration of the Anticancer Small Molecule, RRx-001. Int Med Case Rep J 2022; 15:735-738. [PMID: 36545548 PMCID: PMC9762260 DOI: 10.2147/imcrj.s389690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Two critically ill COVID-19 infected patients, who had exhausted all available treatment options, were treated with the small-molecule RRx-001 with subsequent improvement. RRx-001, a first-in-class small molecule with anti-inflammatory, vascular normalizing and macrophage-repolarizing properties, has been safely administered 300+ patients in clinical trials. This is the first report of RRx-001 treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terese Catherine Hammond
- Providence St. Johns Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA,John Wayne Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Raymond C Lee
- Providence St. Johns Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA,Cardiovascular Thoracic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bryan Oronsky
- EpicentRx, Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA,Correspondence: Bryan Oronsky, EpicentRx, Inc, 11099 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA, Tel +1 858 947-6635, Fax +1 858 724-3080, Email
| | | | | | | | - Jaya Gill
- Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Annie Heng
- John Wayne Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Santosh Kesari
- Providence St. Johns Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA,John Wayne Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, CA, USA,Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Santa Monica, CA, USA
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14
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Repurposing of Commercially Existing Molecular Target Therapies to Boost the Clinical Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Blockade. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246150. [PMID: 36551637 PMCID: PMC9776741 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is now standard of care for several metastatic epithelial cancers and prolongs life expectancy for a significant fraction of patients. A hostile tumor microenvironment (TME) induced by intrinsic oncogenic signaling induces an immunosuppressive niche that protects the tumor cells, limiting the durability and efficacy of ICB therapies. Addition of receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (RTKi) as potential modulators of an unfavorable local immune environment has resulted in moderate life expectancy improvement. Though the combination strategy of ICB and RTKi has shown significantly better results compared to individual treatment, the benefits and adverse events are additive whereas synergy of benefit would be preferable. There is therefore a need to investigate the potential of inhibitors other than RTKs to reduce malignant cell survival while enhancing anti-tumor immunity. In the last five years, preclinical studies have focused on using small molecule inhibitors targeting cell cycle and DNA damage regulators such as CDK4/6, CHK1 and poly ADP ribosyl polymerase (PARP) to selectively kill tumor cells and enhance cytotoxic immune responses. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the available drugs that attenuate immunosuppression and overcome hostile TME that could be used to boost FDA-approved ICB efficacy in the near future.
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Oronsky B, Caroen S, Abrouk N, Reid TR. RRx-001 and the "Right stuff": Protection and treatment in outer space. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2022; 35:69-75. [PMID: 36336372 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
From antibiotics to aspirin to antimalarials and to anticancer agents, about half of the world's best-selling drugs are derived from nature. However, accelerating climatic disruption, habitat destruction, pollution, and biodiversity loss all negatively impact the potential of natural sources to continue to serve as repositories of novel pharmaceuticals. On that basis, the final frontier for drug development is perhaps not the rainforests, coral reefs, and other natural habitats but rather the aerospace industry with its virtually unlimited and inexhaustible man-made 'library' of potentially bioactive compounds. The first aerospace-sourced therapeutic to reach the clinic is RRx-001, an inhibitor of the NOD-like receptor - Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain with Leucine rich Repeat and Pyrin domain (NLRP3) inflammasome in a Phase 3 trial for the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and in a soon-to-start Phase 3 trial for protection against chemoradiotherapy-induced severe oral mucositis in first line head and neck cancer. As manned missions to the Moon, Mars, and asteroids as well as space tourism beckon, it is perhaps fitting that a compound like RRx-001, which is derived from 1,3,3-Trinitroazetidine (TNAZ), an explosive propellant for rockets, is a potential "all purpose" option to mitigate the major biomedical effects of space radiation exposures including cancer development and other tissue degenerations both within mission and after mission. This article highlights the promise of RRx-001 to attenuate the acute and late effects of radiation exposure on astronauts including the development of cancer.
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Behrens LM, van den Berg TK, van Egmond M. Targeting the CD47-SIRPα Innate Immune Checkpoint to Potentiate Antibody Therapy in Cancer by Neutrophils. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143366. [PMID: 35884427 PMCID: PMC9319280 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Immunotherapy aims to engage various immune cells in the elimination of cancer cells. Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes in the circulation and have unique mechanisms by which they can kill cancer cells opsonized by antibodies. However, neutrophil effector functions are limited by the inhibitory receptor SIRPα, when it interacts with CD47. The CD47 protein is expressed on all cells in the body and acts as a ‘don’t eat me’ signal to prevent tissue damage. Cancer cells can express high levels of CD47 to circumvent tumor elimination. Thus, blocking the interaction between CD47 and SIRPα may enhance anti-tumor effects by neutrophils in the presence of tumor-targeting monoclonal antibodies. In this review, we discuss CD47-SIRPα as an innate immune checkpoint on neutrophils and explore the preliminary results of clinical trials using CD47-SIRPα blocking agents. Abstract In the past 25 years, a considerable number of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against a variety of tumor-associated antigens (TAA) have become available for the targeted treatment of hematologic and solid cancers. Such antibodies opsonize cancer cells and can trigger cytotoxic responses mediated by Fc-receptor expressing immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Although frequently ignored, neutrophils, which are abundantly present in the circulation and many cancers, have demonstrated to constitute bona fide effector cells for antibody-mediated tumor elimination in vivo. It has now also been established that neutrophils exert a unique mechanism of cytotoxicity towards antibody-opsonized tumor cells, known as trogoptosis, which involves Fc-receptor (FcR)-mediated trogocytosis of cancer cell plasma membrane leading to a lytic/necrotic type of cell death. However, neutrophils prominently express the myeloid inhibitory receptor SIRPα, which upon interaction with the ‘don’t eat me’ signal CD47 on cancer cells, limits cytotoxicity, forming a mechanism of resistance towards anti-cancer antibody therapeutics. In fact, tumor cells often overexpress CD47, thereby even more strongly restricting neutrophil-mediated tumor killing. Blocking the CD47-SIRPα interaction may therefore potentiate neutrophil-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) towards cancer cells, and various inhibitors of the CD47-SIRPα axis are now in clinical studies. Here, we review the role of neutrophils in antibody therapy in cancer and their regulation by the CD47-SIRPα innate immune checkpoint. Moreover, initial results of CD47-SIRPα blockade in clinical trials are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie M. Behrens
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (T.K.v.d.B.); (M.v.E.)
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology Program, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology Program, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
| | - Timo K. van den Berg
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (T.K.v.d.B.); (M.v.E.)
- Byondis B.V., 6545 CM Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marjolein van Egmond
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (T.K.v.d.B.); (M.v.E.)
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology Program, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology Program, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Diver S, Brightling CE, Greening NJ. Novel Therapeutic Strategies in Asthma-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am 2022; 42:671-690. [DOI: 10.1016/j.iac.2022.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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18
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Alausa A, Lawal KA, Babatunde OA, Obiwulu ENO, Oladokun OC, Fadahunsi OS, Celestine UO, Moses EU, Rejoice AI, Adegbola PI. Overcoming Immunotherapeutic Resistance in PDAC: SIRPα-CD47 blockade. Pharmacol Res 2022; 181:106264. [PMID: 35597384 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A daily increase in the number of new cases of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains an issue of contention in cancer research. The data revealed that a global cumulated case of about 500, 000 have been reported. This has made PDAC the fourteenth most occurring tumor case in cancer research. Furthermore, PDAC is responsible for about 466,003 deaths annually, representing the seventh prevalent type of cancer mortality. PDAC has no salient symptoms in its early stages. This has exasperated several attempts to produce a perfect therapeutic agent against PDAC. Recently, immunotherapeutic research has shifted focus to the blockade of checkpoint proteins in the management and of some cancers. Investigations have centrally focused on developing therapeutic agents that could at least to a significant extent block the SIRPα-CD47 signaling cascade (a cascade which prevent phagocytosis of tumors by dendritic cells, via the deactivation of innate immunity and subsequently resulting in tumor regression) with minimal side effects. The concept on the blockade of this interaction as a possible mechanism for inhibiting the progression of PDAC is currently being debated. This review examined the structure--function activity of SIRPα-CD47 interaction while discussing in detail the mechanism of tumor resistance in PDAC. Further, this review details how the blockade of SIRPα-CD47 interaction serve as a therapeutic option in the management of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullahi Alausa
- Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo state.
| | - Khadijat Ayodeji Lawal
- Heamtalogy and Blood Transfusion Unit, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
| | | | - E N O Obiwulu
- Department of Chemical Science, University of Delta, Agbor, Delta State
| | | | | | - Ugwu Obiora Celestine
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology
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19
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Qu T, Li B, Wang Y. Targeting CD47/SIRPα as a therapeutic strategy, where we are and where we are headed. Biomark Res 2022; 10:20. [PMID: 35418166 PMCID: PMC9009010 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-022-00373-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy using PD-1 and CTLA4 inhibitors to stimulate T cell immunity has achieved significant clinical success. However, only a portion of patients benefit from T cell-based immunotherapy. Macrophages, the most abundant type of innate immune cells in the body, play an important role in eliminating tumor cells and infectious microbes. The phagocytic check point protein CD47 inhibits the phagocytic activity of macrophages through binding to SIRPα expressed on macrophages. Blockade of the interaction between CD47 and SIRPα could restore phagocytic activity and eliminate tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. In this manuscript, we review the mechanism of action and development status of agents (antibodies targeting CD47 and SIRPα, SIRPα-Fc fusion proteins, and bi-specific antibodies) that block CD47/SIRPα interaction in preclinical studies and in the clinical setting. In addition, small molecules, mRNA, and CAR-T/M that target the CD47/SIRPα axis are also reviewed in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tailong Qu
- College of life Science and Technology, Jinan University, No.601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632 People’s Republic of China
- Department of Antibody Discovery, Akeso Biopharma, No.6 of Shennong Road, Torch Development District, Zhongshan, 528437 People’s Republic of China
| | - Baiyong Li
- Department of Antibody Discovery, Akeso Biopharma, No.6 of Shennong Road, Torch Development District, Zhongshan, 528437 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yifei Wang
- College of life Science and Technology, Jinan University, No.601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632 People’s Republic of China
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Lv Y, Lv X, Zhang J, Cao G, Xu C, Zhang B, Lin W. BRD4 Targets the KEAP1-Nrf2-G6PD Axis and Suppresses Redox Metabolism in Small Cell Lung Cancer. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11040661. [PMID: 35453346 PMCID: PMC9029261 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11040661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence has witnessed the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(KEAP1)- nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) axis is the main regulatory factor of cell resistance to endogenous and exogenous oxidative assaults. However, there are few studies addressing the upstream regulatory factors of KEAP1. Herein, bioinformatic analysis suggests bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) as a potential top transcriptional regulator of KEAP1 in lung cancer. Using molecular and pharmacological approaches, we then discovered that BRD4 can directly bind to the promoter of KEAP1 to activate its transcription and down-regulate the stability of Nrf2 which in turn transcriptionally suppresses glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a highly proliferative and aggressive disease with limited treatment options. In addition, BRD4 could associate with the Nrf2 protein in a non-KEAP1-dependent manner to inhibit Nrf2 activity. Furthermore, simultaneous application of JQ1 and ATRA or RRx-001 yielded synergistic inhibition both in vitro and in vivo. These data suggest metabolic reprogramming by JQ1 treatment improves cell resistance to oxidative stress and might be a resistance mechanism to bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) inhibition therapy. Altogether, our findings provide novel insight into the transcriptional regulatory network of BRD4 and KEAP1 and transcriptional regulation of the pentose phosphate pathway in SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Lv
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China; (Y.L.); (X.L.); (J.Z.); (G.C.)
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Xiaotong Lv
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China; (Y.L.); (X.L.); (J.Z.); (G.C.)
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Jiahui Zhang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China; (Y.L.); (X.L.); (J.Z.); (G.C.)
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Guozhen Cao
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China; (Y.L.); (X.L.); (J.Z.); (G.C.)
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Changzhi Xu
- Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China; (C.X.); (B.Z.)
| | - Buchang Zhang
- Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China; (C.X.); (B.Z.)
| | - Wenchu Lin
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China; (Y.L.); (X.L.); (J.Z.); (G.C.)
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-551-6559-3499
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21
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Lin H, Yang M, Li C, Lin B, Deng X, He H, Zhou R. An RRx-001 Analogue With Potent Anti-NLRP3 Inflammasome Activity but Without High-Energy Nitro Functional Groups. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:822833. [PMID: 35250572 PMCID: PMC8892206 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.822833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in the pathology of multiple human inflammatory diseases but there are still no clinically available medications targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome. We have previously identified RRx-001 as a highly selective and potent NLRP3 inhibitor, however, it contains high-energy nitro functional groups and may cause potential processing problems and generates highly toxic oxidants. Here, we show that compound 149-01, an RRx-001 analogue without high-energy nitro functional groups, is a potent, specific and covalent NLRP3 inhibitor. Mechanistically, 149-01 binds directly to cysteine 409 of NLRP3 to block the NEK7-NLRP3 interaction, thereby preventing NLRP3 inflammasome complex assembly and activation. Furthermore, treatment with 149-01 effectively alleviate the severity of several inflammatory diseases in mice, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced systemic inflammation, monosodium urate crystals (MSU)-induced peritonitis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Thus, our results indicate that 149-01 is a potential lead for developing therapeutic agent for NLRP3-related inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hualong Lin
- Department of Geriatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Centre for Excellence in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Mingyang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Cong Li
- Department of Geriatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Centre for Excellence in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Bolong Lin
- Department of Geriatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Centre for Excellence in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xianming Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- *Correspondence: Xianming Deng, ; Hongbin He, ; Rongbin Zhou,
| | - Hongbin He
- Department of Geriatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Centre for Excellence in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Xianming Deng, ; Hongbin He, ; Rongbin Zhou,
| | - Rongbin Zhou
- Department of Geriatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Centre for Excellence in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Xianming Deng, ; Hongbin He, ; Rongbin Zhou,
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22
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Tian L, Shao M, Gong Y, Wei T, Zhu Y, Chao Y, Liu Z. Epigenetic Platinum Complexes Breaking the "Eat Me/Don't Eat Me" Balance for Enhanced Cancer Chemoimmunotherapy. Bioconjug Chem 2022; 33:343-352. [PMID: 35040313 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Platinum complexes, despite being the most successful organometallic anticancer chemotherapy drugs, still suffer from serious side effects and therapy resistance. Inspired by the immunomodulation effect of platinum drugs, an epigenetic platinum(IV) complex was synthesized for enhanced cancer chemoimmunotherapy by conjugating oxidized oxaliplatin (OXA) with 2-bromo-1-(3,3-dinitro-1-azetidinyl)ethenone (RRx-001), the latter of which as a nitric oxide (NO) donor is also an epigenetic agent. The obtained complex (named OXA-NO) could significantly increase the level of "eat me" signal CRT expression and decrease the level of "don't eat me" signal CD47 expression on cancer cell membranes to promote their phagocytosis by macrophages. In addition, OXA-NO could release nitric oxide to trigger the transformation of pro-tumorigenic M2-type macrophages into antitumor M1-type macrophages within the tumor to reverse the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Compared to commercial OXA, OXA-NO exhibited much stronger tumor growth inhibition ability and was much better tolerated, with obviously weakened side effects observed in spleen, lung, and kidneys. Therefore, this epigenetic platinum(IV) complex that exhibits excellent therapeutic efficacy and safety has great potential in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longlong Tian
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.,Frontiers Science Center for Rare Isotopes, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.,Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Ming Shao
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Yimou Gong
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Ting Wei
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Yujie Zhu
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Yu Chao
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Zhuang Liu
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
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23
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Du J, Zhang Y, Dong Y, Duan J, Bai H, Wang J, Xu J, Wang Z. Reporting quality of randomized, controlled trials evaluating immunotherapy in lung cancer. Thorac Cancer 2021; 12:2732-2739. [PMID: 34432361 PMCID: PMC8520800 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.14114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the improvement of therapeutic strategies from cytotoxic chemotherapy to immunotherapy, the possibility of achieving timely intervention for lung cancer has dramatically increased. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the reporting quality of randomized controlled trials (RCT) on immunotherapy in lung cancer. METHODS The RCTs evaluating the efficacy of immunotherapy in lung cancer published up to 2021 were searched and collected from PUBMED and EMBASE by two investigators. The 2010 Consolidated Standards for Test Reports (CONSORT) statement-based 28-point overall quality score (OQS) and the 2001 CONSORT statement-based 19-point OQS was utilized for assessing the overall quality of each report. RESULTS One hundred and fifty-two related RCTs were retrieved in this study, including 81,931 patients. The average OQS in 2010 was 17.89 (range, 7.5-24.5). Overall, studies have sufficiently reported the eligibility criteria (143/152; 94.07%), described the scientific background (150/152; 98.7%) and discussed interventions (147/152; 96.7%). However, the RCTs did not consistently report the changes to trial after commencement (48/152; 31.6%), allocation, enrollment and assignment personnel (34/152; 22.4%), blinding (48/152; 31.6%), or randomization method (58/152; 38.2%). CONCLUSIONS The overall reporting quality of RCTs on immunotherapy in lung cancer was found to be unsatisfactory despite the fact that the CONSORT statement was issued more than a decade ago. Furthermore, there was virtual selectivity and heterogeneity in reporting some key issues in these trials. This is the first study to enlighten lung cancer researchers especially focusing on immunotherapy, and also to remind editors and peer reviewers to strengthen their due diligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Du
- Office of Academic Research, National Cancer Center/ National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yundi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/ National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yiting Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/ National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jianchun Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/ National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/ National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/ National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jiachen Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/ National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhijie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/ National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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24
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Chen Y, He H, Lin B, Chen Y, Deng X, Jiang W, Zhou R. RRx-001 ameliorates inflammatory diseases by acting as a potent covalent NLRP3 inhibitor. Cell Mol Immunol 2021; 18:1425-1436. [PMID: 33972740 PMCID: PMC8166941 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-021-00683-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The NLRP3 inflammasome plays a crucial role in innate immune-mediated inflammation and contributes to the pathogenesis of multiple autoinflammatory, metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases, but medications targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome are not available for clinical use. RRx-001 is a well-tolerated anticancer agent currently being investigated in phase III clinical trials, but its effects on inflammatory diseases are not known. Here, we show that RRx-001 is a highly selective and potent NLRP3 inhibitor that has strong beneficial effects on NLRP3-driven inflammatory diseases. RRx-001 inhibits the activation of the canonical, noncanonical, and alternative NLRP3 inflammasomes but not the AIM2, NLRC4 or Pyrin inflammasomes. Mechanistically, RRx-001 covalently binds to cysteine 409 of NLRP3 via its bromoacetyl group and therefore blocks the NLRP3-NEK7 interaction, which is critical for the assembly and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. More importantly, RRx-001 treatment attenuates the symptoms of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced systemic inflammation, dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice. Thus, our study identifies RRx-001 as a new potential therapeutic agent for NLRP3-driven diseases.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Azetidines/chemistry
- Azetidines/pharmacology
- Azetidines/therapeutic use
- CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins/metabolism
- Colitis/chemically induced
- Colitis/immunology
- Colitis/pathology
- Cysteine/metabolism
- Dextran Sulfate
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/chemically induced
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/immunology
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/pathology
- Inflammasomes/antagonists & inhibitors
- Inflammasomes/metabolism
- Inflammation/drug therapy
- Inflammation/immunology
- Inflammation/pathology
- Lipopolysaccharides
- Macrophages/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- NIMA-Related Kinases/metabolism
- NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/antagonists & inhibitors
- NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/chemistry
- NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism
- Nitro Compounds/chemistry
- Nitro Compounds/pharmacology
- Nitro Compounds/therapeutic use
- Protein Domains
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Chen
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Hongbin He
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Department of Geriatrics, Gerontology Institute of Anhui Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Bolong Lin
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xianming Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
| | - Rongbin Zhou
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
- CAS Centre for Excellence in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
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25
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Oronsky B, Guo X, Wang X, Cabrales P, Sher D, Cannizzo L, Wardle B, Abrouk N, Lybeck M, Caroen S, Oronsky A, Reid TR. Discovery of RRx-001, a Myc and CD47 Downregulating Small Molecule with Tumor Targeted Cytotoxicity and Healthy Tissue Cytoprotective Properties in Clinical Development. J Med Chem 2021; 64:7261-7271. [PMID: 34043360 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
After extensive screening of aerospace compounds in an effort to source a novel anticancer agent, RRx-001, a first-in-class dinitroazetidine small molecule, was selected for advancement into preclinical and clinical development. RRx-001 is a minimally toxic small molecule with a distinct chemical structure and mechanism of action. The paradox of RRx-001 is that it mediates both antitumor cytotoxicity and normal tissue protection. The question of exactly how RRx-001 does this, and by means of what mechanism(s), depending on the route of delivery, intravenous or intratumoral, are explored. RRx-001 is currently in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials for the treatment of multiple solid tumor malignancies and as a supportive care drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Oronsky
- EpicentRx Inc., 11099 North Torrey Pines Road, Suite 160, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - XiaoNing Guo
- SciClone Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., 22 Floor, Shanghai Central Plaza, No. 381 Middle Huaihai Road, Huangpu, Shanghai 200020, China
| | - XiaoHui Wang
- SciClone Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., 22 Floor, Shanghai Central Plaza, No. 381 Middle Huaihai Road, Huangpu, Shanghai 200020, China
| | - Pedro Cabrales
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - David Sher
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 2280 Inwood Road, Dallas, Texas 75390, United States
| | - Lou Cannizzo
- Department of Space Systems, Northrop Grumman Corporation, 2980 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church, Virginia 22042, United States
| | - Bob Wardle
- Department of Space Systems, Northrop Grumman Corporation, 2980 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church, Virginia 22042, United States
| | - Nacer Abrouk
- EpicentRx Inc., 11099 North Torrey Pines Road, Suite 160, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Michelle Lybeck
- EpicentRx Inc., 11099 North Torrey Pines Road, Suite 160, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Scott Caroen
- EpicentRx Inc., 11099 North Torrey Pines Road, Suite 160, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Arnold Oronsky
- InterWest Partners, 467 First Street, Suite 201, Los Altos, California 94022, United States
| | - Tony R Reid
- EpicentRx Inc., 11099 North Torrey Pines Road, Suite 160, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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26
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Oronsky B, Reid T, Cabrales P. Vascular priming with RRx-001 to increase the uptake and accumulation of temozolomide and irinotecan in orthotopically implanted gliomas. J Drug Target 2021; 29:998-1003. [PMID: 34016002 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2021.1904248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Vascular normalisation refers to a 'remodeling' of the dysfunctional tumour capillary network, which regresses under the influence of anti-VEGF treatment, resulting in improved blood flow and oxygenation. RRx-001 is an anti-CD47-SIRPα small molecule with vascular normalising properties under investigation in clinical trials for the treatment of glioblastoma, brain metastases, lung cancer and colorectal cancer, with FDA Orphan Drug Designation in glioblastoma and other tumour types. This study investigated whether the improved oxygenation and perfusion that has been previously observed with RRx-001 both preclinically and clinically in the context of a brain metastasis trial was correlated with increased penetration and accumulation of the cytotoxic chemotherapies, irinotecan and temozolomide, in orthotopically implanted gliomas, priming tumours for improved response. The experiments demonstrate that administration of RRx-001 prior to temozolomide or irinotecan results in significantly increased uptake of irinotecan and temozolomide in orthotopic glioma tumours. Since the success of chemotherapy in the brain (and outside of it) is limited by subtherapeutic tumoral drug concentrations, vascular normalisation-enhanced delivery of standard cytotoxics as demonstrated with RRx-001 may mitigate or reverse clinical drug resistance and thereby improve the outcome of cancer therapy, particularly in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pedro Cabrales
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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27
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Jani VP, Asaro R, Oronsky B, Cabrales P. RRx-001 Increases Erythrocyte Preferential Adhesion to the Tumor Vasculature. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094713. [PMID: 33946824 PMCID: PMC8124275 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Red blood cells (RBCs) serve a variety of functions beyond mere oxygen transport both in health and pathology. Notably, RRx-001, a minimally toxic pleiotropic anticancer agent with macrophage activating and vascular normalization properties currently in Phase III trials, induces modification to RBCs which could promote vascular adhesion similar to sickle cells. This study assessed whether RBCs exposed to RRx-001 adhere to the tumor microvasculature and whether this adhesion alters tumor viability. We next investigated the biomechanics of RBC adhesion in the context of local inflammatory cytokines after treatment with RRx-001 as a potential mechanism for preferential tumor aggregation. Human HEP-G2 and HT-29 tumor cells were subcutaneously implanted into nu/nu mice and were infused with RRx-001-treated and Technetium-99m (99mTc)-labeled blood. RBC adhesion was quantified in an in vitro human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) assay under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions with administration of either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or Tumor necrosis alpha (TNFα) to mimic the known inflammation in the tumor microenvironment. One hour following administration of 99mTc labeled RBCs treated with 10 mg/kg RRx-001, we observed an approximate 2.0-fold and 1.5-fold increase in 99mTc-labeled RBCs compared to vehicle control in HEPG2 and HT-29 tumor models, respectively. Furthermore, we observed an approximate 40% and 36% decrease in HEP-G2 and HT-29 tumor weight, respectively, following treatment with RRx-001. To quantify RBC adhesive potential, we determined τ50, or the shear stress required for 50% disassociation of RBCs from HUVECs. After administration of TNF-α under normoxia, τ50 was determined to be 4.5 dynes/cm2 (95% CI: 4.3-4.7 dynes/cm2) for RBCs treated with 10 μM RRx-001, which was significantly different (p < 0.05) from τ50 in the absence of treatment. Under hypoxic conditions, the difference of τ50 with (4.8 dynes/cm2; 95% CI: 4.6-5.1 dynes/cm2) and without (2.6 dynes/cm2; 95% CI: 2.4-2.8 dynes/cm2) 10 μM RRx-001 treatment was exacerbated (p = 0.05). In conclusion, we demonstrated that RBCs treated with RRx-001 preferentially aggregate in HEP-G2 and HT-29 tumors, likely due to interactions between RRx-001 and cysteine residues within RBCs. Furthermore, RRx-001 treated RBCs demonstrated increased adhesive potential to endothelial cells upon introduction of TNF-α and hypoxia suggesting that RRx-001 may induce preferential adhesion in the tumor but not in other tissues with endothelial dysfunction due to conditions prevalent in older cancer patients such as heart disease or diabetic vasculopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinay P. Jani
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA;
| | - Robert Asaro
- Department of Structural Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA;
| | - Bryan Oronsky
- EpicentRx Inc., 4445 Eastgate Mall, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92121, USA;
| | - Pedro Cabrales
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-858-534-5847
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28
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Cendrowicz E, Sas Z, Bremer E, Rygiel TP. The Role of Macrophages in Cancer Development and Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1946. [PMID: 33919517 PMCID: PMC8073377 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are critical mediators of tissue homeostasis and influence various aspects of immunity. Tumor-associated macrophages are one of the main cellular components of the tumor microenvironment. Depending on their activation status, macrophages can exert a dual influence on tumorigenesis by either antagonizing the cytotoxic activity of immune cells or, less frequently, by enhancing antitumor responses. In most situations, TAMs suppress T cell recruitment and function or regulate other aspects of tumor immunity. The importance of TAMs targeting in cancer therapy is derived from the strong association between the high infiltration of TAMs in the tumor tissue with poor patient prognosis. Several macrophage-targeting approaches in anticancer therapy are developed, including TAM depletion, inhibition of new TAM differentiation, or re-education of TAM activation for cancer cell phagocytosis. In this review, we will describe the role of TAMs in tumor development, including such aspects as protumorigenic inflammation, immune suppression, neoangiogenesis, and enhancement of tissue invasion and distant metastasis. Furthermore, we will discuss therapeutic approaches that aim to deplete TAMs or, on the contrary, re-educate TAMs for cancer cell phagocytosis and antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Cendrowicz
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands; (E.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Zuzanna Sas
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Nielubowicza 5 Street, Building F, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Edwin Bremer
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands; (E.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Tomasz P. Rygiel
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Nielubowicza 5 Street, Building F, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
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29
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Chen P, Guo H, Liu Y, Chen B, Zhao S, Wu S, Li W, Wang L, Jia K, Wang H, Jiang M, Tang X, Qi H, Dai C, Ye J, He Y. Aberrant methylation modifications reflect specific drug responses in small cell lung cancer. Genomics 2021; 113:1114-1126. [PMID: 33705885 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2020.12.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In the study, Methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing, RNA sequencing, and whole-exome sequencing were employed to clinical small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients. Then, we verified the therapeutic predictive effects of differentially methylated genes (DMGs) in 62 SCLC cell lines. Of 4552 DMGs between chemo-sensitive and chemo-insensitive group, coding genes constituted the largest percentage (85.08%), followed by lncRNAs (10.52%) and miRNAs (3.56%). Both two groups demonstrated two methylation peaks near transcription start site and transcription end site. Two lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks suggested the extensive genome connection between chemotherapy efficacy-related non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and mRNAs. Combing miRNAs and lncRNAs could effectively predict chemotherapy response in SCLC. In addition, we also verified the predictive values of mutated genes in SCLC cell lines. This study was the first to evaluate multiple drugs efficacy-related ncRNAs and mRNAs which were modified by methylation in SCLC. DMGs identified in our research might serve as promising therapeutic targets to reverse drugs-insensitivity by complex lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA mechanisms in SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peixin Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai 200433, China; Medical School, Tongji University, No 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Haoyue Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai 200433, China; Medical School, Tongji University, No 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai 200433, China; Medical School, Tongji University, No 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Sha Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Shengyu Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai 200433, China; Medical School, Tongji University, No 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Keyi Jia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai 200433, China; Medical School, Tongji University, No 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai 200433, China; Medical School, Tongji University, No 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Minlin Jiang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai 200433, China; Medical School, Tongji University, No 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xuzhen Tang
- Oncology and Immunology BU, Research Service Division, WuXi Apptec, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Qi
- Oncology and Immunology BU, Research Service Division, WuXi Apptec, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunlei Dai
- Oncology and Immunology BU, Research Service Division, WuXi Apptec, Shanghai, China
| | - Junyan Ye
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yayi He
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, No 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai 200433, China.
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30
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Vivarelli S, Falzone L, Basile MS, Candido S, Libra M. Nitric Oxide in Hematological Cancers: Partner or Rival? Antioxid Redox Signal 2021; 34:383-401. [PMID: 32027171 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2019.7958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Significance: Hematological malignancies represent the fourth most diagnosed cancer. Relapse and acquired resistance to anticancer therapy constitute two actual issues that need to be overcome. Nitric oxide (NO) plays a pivotal role in regulating cancer progression. At present, many studies are attempting to uncover the potentials of modulating NO levels to improve the efficacy of currently available treatments against lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma. Recent Advances: It is becoming progressively clear that NO modulation may help hematological cancer management, either by targeting directly tumor cells or by driving the immune system to eliminate cancer cells. Critical Issues: NO is a dual molecule that can have a tumor-protecting or stimulating effect, depending on its local concentration. Moreover, NO is able to target a wide range of molecules involved in both cancer genesis and evolution. In this review, an overview of the recent findings regarding the pivotal role played by NO and nitric oxide synthase in cancer progression and anticancer therapy is presented, with particular focus on hematological malignancies. Future Directions: It is critical to establish the cancer-specific function of NO and critically drive its modulation to improve cancer management toward a personalized approach. This has a special importance in hematological tumors, where the urgency of finding eradicative therapies is constant. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 34, 383-401.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Vivarelli
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Luca Falzone
- Epidemiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", Napoli, Italy
| | - Maria Sofia Basile
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Saverio Candido
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Research Centre for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Massimo Libra
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Research Centre for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Oronsky B, Cabrales P, Caroen S, Guo X, Scribner C, Oronsky A, Reid TR. RRx-001, a downregulator of the CD47- SIRPα checkpoint pathway, does not cause anemia or thrombocytopenia. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2021; 17:355-357. [PMID: 33432831 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2021.1876025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The CD47 and SIRPα checkpoint pathway has garnered much interest within the anti-cancer research community, with multiple experimental checkpoint inhibitors targeting CD47 and SIRPα in development. The use of such checkpoint inhibitors may however be limited by hematologic toxicity.Areas covered: We report on RRx-001, the first known small molecule downregulator of CD47 and SIRPα, which has shown a lack of hematologic toxicity in clinical trials.Expert opinion: RRx-001 is the first reported small molecule downregulator of CD47 and SIRPα and lacks any notable hematologic or systemic toxicity as demonstrated in clinical trials to date. Small molecule RRx-001 could be used in combination with or in place of CD47 targeting antibodies for anti-cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Oronsky
- Clinical Department, EpicentRx, Inc, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Pedro Cabrales
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Scott Caroen
- Clinical Department, EpicentRx, Inc, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Xiaoning Guo
- Clinical Department, SciClone Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | | | | | - Tony R Reid
- Clinical Department, EpicentRx, Inc, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Tomita Y, Oronsky B, Abrouk N, Cabrales P, Reid TR, Lee MJ, Yuno A, Baker J, Lee S, Trepel JB. In small cell lung cancer patients treated with RRx-001, a downregulator of CD47, decreased expression of PD-L1 on circulating tumor cells significantly correlates with clinical benefit. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2021; 10:274-278. [PMID: 33569311 PMCID: PMC7867783 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-20-359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most aggressive lung tumor, characterized by a rapid doubling time and the development of widespread metastases, for which immune checkpoint inhibitors have been approved to overcome T cell anergy. In light of its dismal prognosis, and lack of curative options, new therapies for extensive-disease SCLC are desperately needed. Methods RRx-001 is a small molecule Myc inhibitor and down-regulates CD47 expression on tumor cells. We evaluated the programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) status of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) pre and post RRx-001 treatment in a phase 2 clinical trial, called QUADRUPLE THREAT, where patients with previously treated SCLC received RRx-001 in combination with a platinum doublet. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02489903. Fourteen patients with SCLC were analyzed to investigate the association between clinical outcome and PD-L1 expression on CTCs pre and post RRx-001. The correlation between the binary clinical outcome (clinical benefit vs. progressive disease) and the change of PD-L1 expression on CTCs after RRx-001 was analyzed using a logistic regression adjusting for baseline PD-L1 expression. Results The logistic model McFadden goodness of fit score was 0.477. The logistic model analyzing the association between decreased PD-L1 expression on CTCs after RRx-001 and response to reintroduced platinum doublet had an approximate 92.8% accuracy in its prediction of clinical benefit. The estimated receiver operating characteristic (ROC) displayed a ROC area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93 (95% confidence interval, 0.78–0.99). Conclusions These results suggest that PD-L1 expression on CTCs decreased after RRx-001 was significantly correlated with response to reintroduced platinum-based doublet therapy. Monitoring PD-L1 expression on CTCs during RRx-001 treatment may serve as a biomarker to predict response to RRx-001-based cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Tomita
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Nacer Abrouk
- Clinical Trials Innovations, Mountain View, CA, USA
| | - Pedro Cabrales
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Min-Jung Lee
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Akira Yuno
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jonathan Baker
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sunmin Lee
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jane B Trepel
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Yu WB, Ye ZH, Chen X, Shi JJ, Lu JJ. The development of small-molecule inhibitors targeting CD47. Drug Discov Today 2020; 26:561-568. [PMID: 33197622 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has become an indispensable part of cancer treatment. A pivotal phagocytosis checkpoint, named cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47), which functions as 'don't eat me' signal to protect cells from phagocytosis upon interaction with signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) on macrophages, has recently attracted much attention. Numerous antibodies targeting the CD47/SIRPα axis have shown encouraging efficacy in clinical trials. Meanwhile, studies on small-molecule inhibitors that interfere with CD47/SIRPα interaction or regulate CD47 expression are also in full swing. In this review, we summarize the small-molecule inhibitors interrupting the binding of CD47/SIRPα and regulating CD47 at the transcriptional, translational, and post-translational modification (PTM) levels. We provide perspectives and strategies for targeting the CD47/SIRPα phagocytosis checkpoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Bang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Zi-Han Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Xiuping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Jia-Jie Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
| | - Jin-Jian Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
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Oronsky B, Knox S, Cabrales P, Oronsky A, Reid TR. Desperate Times, Desperate Measures: The Case for RRx-001 in the Treatment of COVID-19. Semin Oncol 2020; 47:305-308. [PMID: 32718560 PMCID: PMC7341953 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2020.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
This article summarizes the likely attenuation properties of RRx-001 in COVID-19 based on its mechanism of action and the putative pathogenesis of the disease, which appears to activate inflammatory, oxidative, and immune cascades with the potential to culminate in acute respiratory distress syndrome, cytokine storm and death. An ongoing pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), COVID-19 appears to present with 3 major patterns of clinical symptomatology: (1) mild upper respiratory tract infection, (2) non–life-threatening pneumonia, and (3) severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome that initially manifest as a mild prodrome lasting for 7–8 days before rapid clinical and radiological deterioration requiring ICU transfer. RRx-001 is a targeted nitric oxide donor. This small molecule, which has been evaluated in multiple Phase 1–2 clinical trials for cancer as well as a Phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of small cell lung cancer called REPLATINUM (NCT03699956), is minimally toxic and demonstrates clear evidence of antitumor activity. During the course of these clinical trials it was noted that the rate of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation and pneumonia in actively smoking small cell lung cancer patients treated with RRx-001 is less than 1%. Due to extensive history of tobacco use, 40%–70% of patients with lung cancer have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the expected rate of pulmonary infection in this population is 50%–70%, which was not observed in RRx-001 clinical trials. Moreover, in preclinical studies of pulmonary hypertension, RRx-001 was found to be comparable with or more effective than the FDA approved agent, Bosentan. The potential pulmonary protective effects of RRx-001 in patients with recurrent lung infections coupled with preclinical models demonstrating RRx-001-mediated reversal of pulmonary hypertension suggests RRx-001 may have therapeutic activity in patients with acute respiratory symptoms due to COVID 19. Clinical trials have been initiated to confirm the hypothesis that RRx-001 may be repurposed to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Chen P, Kuang P, Wang L, Li W, Chen B, Liu Y, Wang H, Zhao S, Ye L, Yu F, He Y, Zhou C. Mechanisms of drugs-resistance in small cell lung cancer: DNA-related, RNA-related, apoptosis-related, drug accumulation and metabolism procedure. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2020; 9:768-786. [PMID: 32676338 PMCID: PMC7354133 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-19-547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), the highest malignant cancer amongst different types of lung cancer, has the feature of lower differentiation, rapid growth, and poor survival rate. Despite the dramatically initial sensitivity of SCLC to various types of treatment methods, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy, the emergence of drugs-resistance is still a grandly clinical challenge. Therefore, in order to improve the prognosis and develop new therapeutic approaches, having a better understanding of the complex mechanisms of resistance in SCLC is of great clinical significance. This review summarized recent advances in understanding of multiple mechanisms which are involved in the resistance during SCLC treatment, including DNA-related process, RNA-related process, apoptosis-related mechanism, and the process of drug accumulation and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peixin Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Medical School, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Kuang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital Of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Medical School, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Medical School, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sha Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingyun Ye
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Yu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital Of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yayi He
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Caicun Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Dillon KM, Carrazzone RJ, Matson JB, Kashfi K. The evolving landscape for cellular nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide delivery systems: A new era of customized medications. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 176:113931. [PMID: 32224139 PMCID: PMC7263970 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are industrial toxins or pollutants; however, both are produced endogenously and have important biological roles in most mammalian tissues. The recognition that these gasotransmitters have a role in physiological and pathophysiological processes has presented opportunities to harness their intracellular effects either through inhibition of their production; or more commonly, through inducing their levels and or delivering them by various modalities. In this review article, we have focused on an array of NO and H2S donors, their hybrids with other established classes of drugs, and the various engineered delivery platforms such a fibers, polymers, nanoparticles, hydrogels, and others. In each case, we have reviewed the rationale for their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kearsley M Dillon
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Ryan J Carrazzone
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - John B Matson
- Department of Chemistry and Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| | - Khosrow Kashfi
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, City University of New York School of Medicine, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA; Graduate Program in Biology, City University of New York Graduate Center, NY, USA.
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Oronsky B, Carter C, Reid T, Brinkhaus F, Knox SJ. Just eat it: A review of CD47 and SIRP-α antagonism. Semin Oncol 2020; 47:117-124. [PMID: 32517874 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2020.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian immune system consists of two distinct arms, nonspecific innate and more specific adaptive, with the innate immune response as the first line of defense and protection, which primes and amplifies subsequent adaptive responses. On the basis of this binary immune interplay, stimulation of T cells through checkpoint inhibitors (CIs), which bypasses innate involvement, seems likely to engender suboptimal or incomplete anticancer immunity, given that the successful induction of effect or responses depends on two-way innate/adaptive coordination. Indeed, the majority of patients-70%-80%, do not respond to CIs, which is potentially problematic if access to more optimal standard therapies is withheld or delayed in favor of ineffective or only marginally effective anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment. Therefore, stimulation of the innate immune response in combination with CIs (or other inducers of T cell cytotoxicity) has the potential to make the immune system "whole" and thereby to enhance and broaden the anti-tumor activity of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for example, in relatively nonimmunogenic or "cold" tumor types. A critical innate macrophage immune checkpoint and druggable target is the antiphagocytic and "marker of self" CD47-SIRPα pathway, which is co-opted by cancer cells to mediate escape from immune-mediated clearance and checkpoint inhibition. This review summarizes the status of key CD47 antagonists in clinical trials, including the biologics, Hu5F9-G4 (5F9), TTI-621, and ALX148, as well as the small molecule, RRx-001, now in a Phase 3 clinical trial, which has not been previously included in CD47-SIRPα reviews focused on biologics. Hu5F9-G4 (5F9), TTI-621, ALX148, and RRx-001 are chosen as compounds with potentially promising data that have advanced the farthest in clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tony Reid
- Department of Medical Oncology, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California
| | | | - Susan J Knox
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.
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Caroen S, Oronsky B, Carter C, Lybeck M, Oronsky A, Reid T. Rationale and necessity for delivery of RRx-001, a Myc and CD47 antagonist, by intravenous blood mix. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2020; 17:741-742. [DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2020.1761787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Scott Caroen
- Clinical Department, EpicentRx, Inc, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Bryan Oronsky
- Clinical Department, EpicentRx, Inc, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Corey Carter
- Clinical Department, EpicentRx, Inc, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Arnold Oronsky
- Clinical Department, InterWest Partners, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Tony Reid
- Clinical Department, EpicentRx, Inc, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive malignancy and carries a poor prognosis with limited effective treatments in the advanced setting. SCLC is characterized by a high tumor mutation burden and alterations in Notch signaling and DNA damage repair pathways, providing rationale for the use of immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Immunotherapies have led to the most significant advances in treating SCLC in decades, and several promising targeted approaches have emerged from the increased understanding of the biology of SCLC. However, responses to these novel approaches are far from universal, and efforts to refine these therapies are ongoing.
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