1
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Lalli E. Immune checkpoint molecules in adrenocortical carcinoma: hope for immunotherapy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024:dgae311. [PMID: 38739542 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgae311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Enzo Lalli
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire CNRS UMR7275; Inserm U1323; Université Côte d'Azur, 05650 Valbonne, France
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2
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Ababneh O, Ghazou A, Alawajneh M, Alhaj Mohammad S, Bani-Hani A, Alrabadi N, Shreenivas A. The Efficacy and Safety of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Adrenocortical Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:900. [PMID: 38473262 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16050900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of different malignancies. However, their efficacy in advanced adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) remains uncertain. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the efficacy and tolerability of ICIs in patients with advanced ACC. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and CENTRAL for studies that used ICIs in ACC. Studies with more than five patients were included in the meta-analysis of the objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and grade 3/4 adverse events. Twenty studies with 23 treatment arms and 250 patients were included. Single-agent anti-PD1 or anti-PD-L1 treatment was utilized in 13 treatment arms, whereas an anti-PD1 or anti-PD-L1 and anti-CTLA4 combination was used in 4 treatment arms. Other anti-PD1- or anti-PD-L1-based combinations were used in five treatment arms. The ORR was 14% (95% CI = 10-19%, I2 = 0%), and the DCR was 43% (95% CI = 37-50%, I2 = 13%). The combination anti-PD1- or anti-PD-L1-based treatment strategies did not correlate with higher responses compared with monotherapy. The median OS was 13.9 months (95% CI = 7.85-23.05), and the median PFS was 2.8 months (95% CI = 1.8-5.4). ICIs have a modest efficacy in advanced ACC but a good OS. Further studies are needed to investigate predictive biomarkers for ICI response and to compare ICI-based strategies with the current standard of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Obada Ababneh
- Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
| | - Alina Ghazou
- Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
| | - Mohmmad Alawajneh
- Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
| | - Saleh Alhaj Mohammad
- Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
| | - Abdullah Bani-Hani
- Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
| | - Nasr Alrabadi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
| | - Aditya Shreenivas
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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3
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Ruggiero C, Tamburello M, Rossini E, Zini S, Durand N, Cantini G, Cioppi F, Hantel C, Kiseljak-Vassiliades K, Wierman ME, Landwehr LS, Weigand I, Kurlbaum M, Zizioli D, Turtoi A, Yang S, Berruti A, Luconi M, Sigala S, Lalli E. FSCN1 as a new druggable target in adrenocortical carcinoma. Int J Cancer 2023; 153:210-223. [PMID: 36971100 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy with a high risk of relapse and metastatic spread. The actin-bundling protein fascin (FSCN1) is overexpressed in aggressive ACC and represents a reliable prognostic indicator. FSCN1 has been shown to synergize with VAV2, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the Rho/Rac GTPase family, to enhance the invasion properties of ACC cancer cells. Based on those results, we investigated the effects of FSCN1 inactivation by CRISPR/Cas9 or pharmacological blockade on the invasive properties of ACC cells, both in vitro and in an in vivo metastatic ACC zebrafish model. Here, we showed that FSCN1 is a transcriptional target for β-catenin in H295R ACC cells and that its inactivation resulted in defects in cell attachment and proliferation. FSCN1 knock-out modulated the expression of genes involved in cytoskeleton dynamics and cell adhesion. When Steroidogenic Factor-1 (SF-1) dosage was upregulated in H295R cells, activating their invasive capacities, FSCN1 knock-out reduced the number of filopodia, lamellipodia/ruffles and focal adhesions, while decreasing cell invasion in Matrigel. Similar effects were produced by the FSCN1 inhibitor G2-044, which also diminished the invasion of other ACC cell lines expressing lower levels of FSCN1 than H295R. In the zebrafish model, metastases formation was significantly reduced in FSCN1 knock-out cells and G2-044 significantly reduced the number of metastases formed by ACC cells. Our results indicate that FSCN1 is a new druggable target for ACC and provide the rationale for future clinical trials with FSCN1 inhibitors in patients with ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Ruggiero
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire CNRS UMR 7275, 06560, Valbonne, France
- Université Côte d'Azur, 06560, Valbonne, France
| | - Mariangela Tamburello
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elisa Rossini
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvia Zini
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Nelly Durand
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire CNRS UMR 7275, 06560, Valbonne, France
- Université Côte d'Azur, 06560, Valbonne, France
| | - Giulia Cantini
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
- Centro di Ricerca e Innovazione sulle Patologie Surrenaliche, AOU Careggi, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Cioppi
- Centro di Ricerca e Innovazione sulle Patologie Surrenaliche, AOU Careggi, 50134, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Constanze Hantel
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091, Zürich, Switzerland
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katja Kiseljak-Vassiliades
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 80045, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 80045, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Margaret E Wierman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 80045, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 80045, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Laura-Sophie Landwehr
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology-Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Isabel Weigand
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology-Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Medicine IV, University Hospital Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Max Kurlbaum
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology-Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Zizioli
- Section of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrei Turtoi
- Tumor Microenvironment and Resistance to Therapy Laboratory, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier-INSERM U1194, 34090, Montpellier, France
- Platform for Translational Oncometabolomics, Biocampus, CNRS-INSERM-Université de Montpellier, 34090, Montpellier, France
| | - Shengyu Yang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Penn State University College of Medicine, 17033, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alfredo Berruti
- Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Michaela Luconi
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
- Centro di Ricerca e Innovazione sulle Patologie Surrenaliche, AOU Careggi, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Sandra Sigala
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Enzo Lalli
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire CNRS UMR 7275, 06560, Valbonne, France
- Université Côte d'Azur, 06560, Valbonne, France
- Inserm, 06560, Valbonne, France
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4
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Tamburello M, Abate A, Rossini E, Basnet RM, Zizioli D, Cosentini D, Hantel C, Laganà M, Tiberio GAM, Grisanti S, Memo M, Berruti A, Sigala S. Preclinical Evidence of Progesterone as a New Pharmacological Strategy in Human Adrenocortical Carcinoma Cell Lines. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076829. [PMID: 37047801 PMCID: PMC10095539 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Adrenocortical cancer (ACC) is a rare malignancy with a dismal prognosis. The treatment includes mitotane and EDP chemotherapy (etoposide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin). However, new therapeutic approaches for advanced ACC are needed, particularly targeting the metastatic process. Here, we deepen the role of progesterone as a new potential drug for ACC, in line with its antitumoral effect in other cancers. Methods: NCI-H295R, MUC-1, and TVBF-7 cell lines were used and xenografted in zebrafish embryos. Migration and invasion were studied using transwell assays, and MMP2 activity was studied using zymography. Apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: Progesterone significantly reduced xenograft tumor area and metastasis formation in embryos injected with metastatic lines, MUC-1 and TVBF-7. These results were confirmed in vitro, where the reduction of invasion was mediated, at least in part, by the decrease in MMP2 levels. Progesterone exerted a long-lasting effect in metastaticcells. Progesterone caused apoptosis in NCI-H295R and MUC-1, inducing changes in the cell-cycle distribution, while autophagy was predominantly activated in TVBF-7 cells. Conclusion: Our results give support to the role of progesterone in ACC. The involvement of its analog (megestrol acetate) in reducing ACC progression in ACC patients undergoing EDP-M therapy is now under investigation in the PESETA phase II clinical study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariangela Tamburello
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Abate
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Elisa Rossini
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Ram Manohar Basnet
- Section of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Daniela Zizioli
- Section of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Deborah Cosentini
- Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Constanze Hantel
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091 Zürich, Switzerland
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Marta Laganà
- Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Guido Alberto Massimo Tiberio
- Surgical Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Salvatore Grisanti
- Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alfredo Berruti
- Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Sandra Sigala
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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5
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Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Special Issue. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14204994. [DOI: 10.3390/cancers14204994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocrine and neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) represent a group of heterogeneous malignancies that have endocrine cell onset as a common denominator [...]
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Turla A, Laganà M, Grisanti S, Abate A, Ferrari VD, Cremaschi V, Sigala S, Consoli F, Cosentini D, Berruti A. Supportive therapies in patients with advanced adrenocortical carcinoma submitted to standard EDP-M regimen. Endocrine 2022; 77:438-443. [PMID: 35567656 PMCID: PMC9385801 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-022-03075-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The management of patients with advanced/metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is challenging, EDP-M (etoposide, doxorubicin, cisplatin combined with mitotane) is the standard regimen. However, it is quite toxic, so an adequate supportive therapy is crucial to reduce as much as possible the side effects and maintain the dose intensity of cytotoxic agents. METHODS We describe the main side effects of the EDP-M scheme and the best way to manage them based on the experience of the Medical Oncology Unit of the Spedali Civili of Brescia. We also deal with the administration of EDP-M in specific frail patients, such as those with huge disease extent and poor performance status (PS) and those with mild renal insufficiency. RESULTS In patients with hormone secreting ACC the rapid control of Cushing syndrome using adrenal steroidogenesis inhibitors such as metyrapone or osilodrostat is mandatory before starting EDP-M. Primary prophylaxis of neutropenia with Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factors is crucial and should be introduced at the first chemotherapy cycle. Possible mitotane induced hypoadrenalism should be always considered in case of persistent nausea and vomiting and asthenia in the interval between one cycle to another. In case of poor PS. A 24 h continuous infusion schedule of cisplatin could be an initial option in patients with poor PS as well as to reduce the risk of nefrotoxocity in patients with mild renal impairment. CONCLUSION A careful and accurate supportive care is essential to mitigate EDP-M side effects as much as possible and avoid that, due to toxicity, patients have to reduce doses and or postpone cytotoxic treatment with a negative impact on efficacy of this chemotherapy regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Turla
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marta Laganà
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Salvatore Grisanti
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Abate
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Vittorio Domenico Ferrari
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Valentina Cremaschi
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Sandra Sigala
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca Consoli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Deborah Cosentini
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alfredo Berruti
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy.
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7
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Laganà M, Grisanti S, Ambrosini R, Cosentini D, Abate A, Zamparini M, Ferrari VD, Gianoncelli A, Turla A, Canu L, Terzolo M, Tiberio GAM, Sigala S, Berruti A. Phase II study of cabazitaxel as second-third line treatment in patients with metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma. ESMO Open 2022; 7:100422. [PMID: 35272132 PMCID: PMC9058897 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. No efficacious treatment options are currently available for patients with advanced metastatic disease with disease progression to standard etoposide, doxorubicin, cisplatin and mitotane (EDP-M) therapy. We assessed the activity and tolerability of cabazitaxel as a second/third-line approach in metastatic ACC. Patients and methods Patients included in this single-center, phase II study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03257891) had disease progression to a cisplatin-containing regimen (such as EDP) plus mitotane, plus/minus a further chemotherapy line. Cabazitaxel was administered intravenously at 25 mg/m2 on day 1 of a 21-day cycle, for a maximum of six cycles. The primary endpoint was a disease control rate after 4 months. Results From March 2018 to September 2019, 25 eligible patients were enrolled. A disease control rate after 4 months was obtained in six patients (24%). No patients attained a disease response according to RECIST 1.1, 9 patients (36%) had stable disease and 16 patients (64%) progressive disease. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 1.5 months (range 0.3-7 months) and 6 months (range 1-22.2 months), respectively. Cabazitaxel therapy was well tolerated and only three (12%) patients developed grade 3 toxicity which were nausea in one patient (4%) and anemia in two patients (8%). Conclusions Cabazitaxel has a manageable toxicity profile but is poorly active as second/third-line treatment in advanced ACC patients. These results do not support further evaluation of cabazitaxel in this setting. Cabazitaxel is well tolerated but poorly active as second/third-line treatment in patients with advanced ACC. Combining RECIST and Choi criteria could be of value in the assessment of disease response to chemotherapy in ACC patients. Older age, elevated cortisol and LDH blood level correlate with a greater risk of death in multivariate analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Laganà
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - S Grisanti
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - R Ambrosini
- Radiology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - D Cosentini
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - A Abate
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - M Zamparini
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - V D Ferrari
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - A Gianoncelli
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - A Turla
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - L Canu
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - M Terzolo
- Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, San Luigi Hospital, University of Turin, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - G A M Tiberio
- Surgical Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - S Sigala
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - A Berruti
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy.
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8
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Abate A, Rossini E, Tamburello M, Laganà M, Cosentini D, Grisanti S, Fiorentini C, Tiberio GAM, Scatolini M, Grosso E, Hantel C, Memo M, Berruti A, Sigala S. Ribociclib Cytotoxicity Alone or Combined With Progesterone and/or Mitotane in in Vitro Adrenocortical Carcinoma Cells. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6455501. [PMID: 34875044 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Mitotane is the only approved drug for treating adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). The regimen added to mitotane is chemotherapy with etoposide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin. This pharmacological approach, however, has a limited efficacy and significant toxicity. Target-therapy agents represent a new promising approach to cancer therapy. Among these, a preeminent role is played by agents that interfere with cell-cycle progression, such as CDK4/6-inhibitors. Here, we investigate whether ribociclib could induce a cytotoxic effect both in ACC cell line and patient-derived primary cell cultures, alone or in combined settings. Cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazol)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay, whereas cell proliferation was evaluated by direct count. Binary combination experiments were performed using Chou and Talalay method. Gene expression was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR, whereas protein expression was evaluated by immunofluorescence. A double staining assay revealed that ribociclib induced a prevalent apoptotic cell death. Cell-cycle analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of ribociclib treatment on cell-cycle progression in ACC cell models. Our results indicate that ribociclib was cytotoxic and reduced the cell proliferation rate. The effect on cell viability was enhanced when ribociclib was combined with progesterone and/or mitotane. The effect of ribociclib on cell-cycle progression revealed a drug-induced cell accumulation in G2 phase. The positive relationship underlined by our results between ribociclib, progesterone, and mitotane strengthen the clinical potential of this combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Abate
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Elisa Rossini
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Mariangela Tamburello
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Marta Laganà
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Deborah Cosentini
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Salvatore Grisanti
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Chiara Fiorentini
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Guido A M Tiberio
- Surgical Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Maria Scatolini
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, "Edo ed Elvo Tempia" Foundation, Ponderano, 13875, Biella, Italy
| | - Enrico Grosso
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, "Edo ed Elvo Tempia" Foundation, Ponderano, 13875, Biella, Italy
| | - Constanze Hantel
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Alfredo Berruti
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Sandra Sigala
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
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9
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Petrelli F, Consoli F, Ghidini A, Perego G, Luciani A, Mercurio P, Berruti A, Grisanti S. Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Rare Tumours: A Systematic Review. Front Immunol 2021; 12:720748. [PMID: 34616395 PMCID: PMC8488393 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.720748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rare cancers, as defined by the European Union, occur in fewer than 15 out of 100,000 people each year. The International Rare Cancer Consortium defines rare cancer incidence as less than six per 100,000 per year. There is a growing number of reports of the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy in patients with rare tumours, and hence, we conducted a comprehensive review to summarise and analyse the available literature. Methods A literature search of PubMed was performed on January 31, 2021, using the following ICI names as keywords: ipilimumab, tremelimumab, cemiplimab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab, avelumab, atezolizumab, and durvalumab. Studies on patients with rare tumours who were being treated with ICIs were included. We plotted the overall response rate against the corresponding median survival across a variety of cancer types using linear regression. Results From 1,255 publications retrieved during the primary search, 62 publications were selected (with a total of 4,620 patients). Only four were randomised trials. A minority were first-line studies, while the remaining were studies in which ICIs were delivered as salvage therapy in pretreated patients. There was a good correlation between response rate and overall survival (Spearman R2 >0.9) in skin cancers, mesothelioma, and sarcomas. Conclusions Treatment of advanced-stage rare tumours with ICI therapy was found to be associated with significant activity in some orphan diseases (e.g., Merkel cell carcinoma) and hepatocellular carcinoma. Several ongoing prospective clinical trials will expand the knowledge on the safety and efficacy of ICI therapy in patients with these rare cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fausto Petrelli
- Oncology Unit, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Bergamo Ovest, Treviglio, Italy
| | - Francesca Consoli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | | | - Andrea Luciani
- Oncology Unit, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Bergamo Ovest, Treviglio, Italy
| | - Paola Mercurio
- Pathology Unit, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Bergamo Ovest, Treviglio, Italy
| | - Alfredo Berruti
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Salvatore Grisanti
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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10
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Cosentini D, Turla A, Carminati O, Grisanti S, Ferrari VD, Laganà M, Rosti G, Sigala S, Berruti A. Case Report: Exceptional Response to Second Line Temozolomide Therapy in a Patient With Metastatic Adrenocortical Carcinoma. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:674039. [PMID: 33967965 PMCID: PMC8101262 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.674039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a recently published retrospective case series, Temozolomide was found active as second line approach in advanced ACC patients. The disease control rate obtained, however, was short-lived. We report here an ACC patient with extensive metastatic disease who obtained a remarkable long lasting response with this alkylating agent. CASE PRESENTATION a 22-year-old female patient with ACC presented at our Medical Oncology Department in poor general condition due the presence of extensive metastatic pulmonary involvement. The disease had progressed to etoposide, doxorubicin and cisplatin plus mitotane therapy. Second line temozolomide therapy was prescribed leading to a progressive improvement of patient general conditions. The disease restaging after 12 cycles revealed a complete response of lung lesions and the patient was free from progression for 14+ months. CONCLUSION Temozolomide therapy could be exceptionally efficacious in the management of ACC patients. The molecular mechanisms of sensitivity and resistance to this drug should be carefully studied, in order to select the patients destined to obtain a significant clinical benefit to the drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Cosentini
- Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonella Turla
- Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Ornella Carminati
- Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (AUSL), Romagna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Salvatore Grisanti
- Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Vittorio Domenico Ferrari
- Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marta Laganà
- Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Rosti
- Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Sandra Sigala
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alfredo Berruti
- Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- *Correspondence: Alfredo Berruti,
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11
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Rossini E, Tamburello M, Abate A, Beretta S, Fragni M, Cominelli M, Cosentini D, Hantel C, Bono F, Grisanti S, Poliani PL, Tiberio GAM, Memo M, Sigala S, Berruti A. Cytotoxic Effect of Progesterone, Tamoxifen and Their Combination in Experimental Cell Models of Human Adrenocortical Cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:669426. [PMID: 33981288 PMCID: PMC8108132 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.669426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone (Pg) and estrogen (E) receptors (PgRs and ERs) are expressed in normal and neoplastic adrenal cortex, but their role is not fully understood. In literature, Pg demonstrated cytotoxic activity on AdrenoCortical Carcinoma (ACC) cells, while tamoxifen is cytotoxic in NCI-H295R cells. Here, we demonstrated that in ACC cell models, ERs were expressed in NCI-H295R cells with a prevalence of ER-β over the ER-α.Metastasis-derived MUC-1 and ACC115m cells displayed a very weak ER-α/β signal, while PgR cells were expressed, although at low level. Accordingly, these latter were resistant to the SERM tamoxifen and scarcely sensitive to Pg, as we observed a lower potency compared to NCI-H295R cells in cytotoxicity (IC50: MUC-1 cells: 67.58 µM (95%CI: 63.22-73.04), ACC115m cells: 51.76 µM (95%CI: 46.45-57.67) and cell proliferation rate. Exposure of NCI-H295R cells to tamoxifen induced cytotoxicity (IC50: 5.43 µM (95%CI: 5.18-5.69 µM) mainly involving ER-β, as their nuclear localization increased after tamoxifen: Δ A.U. treated vs untreated: 12 h: +27.04% (p < 0.01); 24 h: +36.46% (p < 0.0001). This effect involved the SF-1 protein reduction: Pg: -36.34 ± 9.26%; tamoxifen: -46.25 ± 15.68% (p < 0.01). Finally, in a cohort of 36 ACC samples, immunohistochemistry showed undetectable/low level of ERs, while PgR demonstrated a higher expression. In conclusion, ACC experimental cell models expressed PgR and low levels of ER in line with data obtained in patient tissues, thus limiting the possibility of a clinical approach targeting ER. Interestingly, Pg exerted cytotoxicity also in metastatic ACC cells, although with low potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Rossini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mariangela Tamburello
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Abate
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvia Beretta
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Martina Fragni
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Manuela Cominelli
- Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Deborah Cosentini
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Constanze Hantel
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Federica Bono
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Salvatore Grisanti
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Pietro Luigi Poliani
- Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Guido A. M. Tiberio
- Surgical Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Sandra Sigala
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- *Correspondence: Sandra Sigala,
| | - Alfredo Berruti
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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