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Liu Y, Jiang N, Chen W, Zhang W, Shen X, Jia B, Chen G. TRIM59-mediated ferroptosis enhances neuroblastoma development and chemosensitivity through p53 ubiquitination and degradation. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26014. [PMID: 38434050 PMCID: PMC10906161 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma, predominantly afflicting young individuals, is characterized as an embryonal tumor, with poor prognosis primarily attributed to chemoresistance. This study delved into the impact of tripartite motif (TRIM) 59, an E3 ligase, on neuroblastoma development and chemosensitivity through mediating ferroptosis and the involvement of the tumor suppressor p53. Clinical samples were assessed for TRIM59 and p53 levels to explore their correlation with neuroblastoma differentiation. In neuroblastoma cells, modulation of TRIM59 expression, either through overexpression or knockdown, was coupled with doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) or ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) therapy. In vivo assessments examined the influence of TRIM59 knockdown on neuroblastoma chemosensitivity to DOX. Co-immunoprecipitation and ubiquitination assays investigated the association between TRIM59 and p53. Proliferation was gauged with Cell Counting Kit-8, lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed via flow cytometry, and protein levels were determined by Western blotting. TRIM59 expression was inversely correlated with neuroblastoma differentiation and positively linked to cell proliferation in response to DOX. Moreover, TRIM59 impeded lipid ROS generation and ferroptosis by directly interacting with p53, promoting its ubiquitination and degradation in DOX-exposed neuroblastoma cells. Fer-1 countered the impact of TRIM59 knockdown on neuroblastoma, while TRIM59 knockdown enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of DOX in xenograph mice. This study underscores TRIM59 as an oncogene in neuroblastoma, fostering growth and chemoresistance by suppressing ferroptosis through p53 ubiquitination and degradation. TRIM59 emerges as a potential strategy for neuroblastoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Weicheng Chen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University. No.399, Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Wenbo Zhang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University. No.399, Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Xiao Shen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University. No.399, Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Bing Jia
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University. No.399, Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Fudan University. No.399, Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 201102, China
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2
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Deciphering the Role of p53 and TAp73 in Neuroblastoma: From Pathogenesis to Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246212. [PMID: 36551697 PMCID: PMC9777536 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246212] [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: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is an embryonic cancer that develops from neural crest stem cells, being one of the most common malignancies in children. The clinical manifestation of this disease is highly variable, ranging from spontaneous regression to increased aggressiveness, which makes it a major therapeutic challenge in pediatric oncology. The p53 family proteins p53 and TAp73 play a key role in protecting cells against genomic instability and malignant transformation. However, in NB, their activities are commonly inhibited by interacting proteins such as murine double minute (MDM)2 and MDMX, mutant p53, ΔNp73, Itch, and Aurora kinase A. The interplay between the p53/TAp73 pathway and N-MYC, a known biomarker of poor prognosis and drug resistance in NB, also proves to be decisive in the pathogenesis of this tumor. More recently, a strong crosstalk between microRNAs (miRNAs) and p53/TAp73 has been established, which has been the focused of great attention because of its potential for developing new therapeutic strategies. Collectively, this review provides an updated overview about the critical role of the p53/TAp73 pathway in the pathogenesis of NB, highlighting encouraging clues for the advance of alternative NB targeted therapies.
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3
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Huang W, Wu Y, Qiao M, Xie Z, Cen X, Huang X, Zhao Z. CircRNA-miRNA networks in regulating bone disease. J Cell Physiol 2021; 237:1225-1244. [PMID: 34796958 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Circular RNA (circRNA) is a class of endogenous noncoding RNA (ncRNA), presenting as a special covalent closed loop without a 5' cap or 3' tail, maintaining resistance to RNA exonuclease and keeping high stability. Although lowly expressed in most situations, circRNA makes an active difference in regulating physiological or pathological processes by modulating gene expression by regulation of transcription, protein, and miRNA functions through various mechanisms in particular tissues. Recent studies have demonstrated the roles of the miRNA-circRNA network in the development of several bone diseases such as osteoporosis, a multiple-mechanism disease resulting from defective bone quality and low bone mass, osteoarthritis, whose main pathomechanism is inflammation and articular cartilage degradation, as well as osteosarcoma, known as one of the most common bone cancers. However, the specific mechanism of how circRNA along with miRNA influences those diseases is not well documented, showing potential for the development of new therapies for those bone diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongyao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - MingXin Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuojun Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Cen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinqi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhihe Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
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4
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Blanco-Luquin I, Lázcoz P, Celay J, Castresana JS, Encío IJ. In Vitro Assessment of the Role of p53 on Chemotherapy Treatments in Neuroblastoma Cell Lines. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14111184. [PMID: 34832966 PMCID: PMC8624165 DOI: 10.3390/ph14111184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most frequent malignant extracranial solid tumor of infancy. The overall objective of this work consists of determining the presence of alterations in the p53/MDM2/p14ARF signaling pathway in neuroblastoma cell lines and deciphering their possible relationship with resistance to known antineoplastic drugs and to differentiation agents. Firstly, we characterized 10 neuroblastoma cell lines for alterations at the p53/MDM2/p14ARF signaling pathway by analysis of TP53 point mutations, MYCN and MDM2 amplification, and p14ARF methylation, homozygous deletions, and expression. Secondly, we chose SK-N-FI (mutated at TP53) and SK-N-Be(2) (wild-type TP53) cell lines, treated them with chemotherapeutic agents (doxorubicin, etoposide, cisplatin, and melphalan) and with two isomers of retinoic acid (RA): (9-cis and all-trans). Finally, we analyzed the distribution of the cell cycle, the induction of apoptosis, and the expression levels of p53, p21, and Bcl-2 in those two cell lines. P14ARF did not present promoter methylation, homozygous deletions, and protein expression in any of the 10 neuroblastoma cell lines. One TP53 point mutation was detected in the SK-N-FI cell line. MYCN amplification was frequent, while most cell lines did not present MDM2 amplification. Treatment of SK-N-FI and SK-N-Be(2) cells with doxorubicin, etoposide, cisplatin, and melphalan increased apoptosis and blocked the cycle in G2/M, while retinoic acid isomers induced apoptosis and decreased the percentage of cells in S phase in TP53 mutated SK-N-FI cells, but not in TP53 wild-type SK-N-Be(2) cells. Treatment with cisplatin, melphalan, or 9-cis RA decreased p53 expression levels in SK-N-FI cells but not in SK-N-Be (2). The expression of p21 was not modified in either of the two cell lines. Bcl-2 levels were reduced only in SK-N-FI cells after treatment with cisplatin. However, treatments with doxorubicin, etoposide, or 9-cis-RA did not modify the levels of this protein in either of the two cell lines. In conclusion, TP53 mutated SK-N-FI cells respond better to the retinoic isomers than TP53 wild-type SK-N-Be(2) cells. Although these are in vitro results, it seems that deciphering the molecular alterations of the p53/MDM2/p14ARF signaling pathway prior to treating patients of neuroblastoma might be useful for standardizing therapies with the aim of improving survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idoia Blanco-Luquin
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra (UPNA), IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (I.B.-L.); (P.L.); (J.C.)
| | - Paula Lázcoz
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra (UPNA), IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (I.B.-L.); (P.L.); (J.C.)
| | - Jon Celay
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra (UPNA), IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (I.B.-L.); (P.L.); (J.C.)
| | - Javier S. Castresana
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra School of Sciences, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.S.C.); (I.J.E.)
| | - Ignacio J. Encío
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra (UPNA), IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (I.B.-L.); (P.L.); (J.C.)
- Correspondence: (J.S.C.); (I.J.E.)
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5
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Chen YL, Zhang ZM, Li XL, Tao YF, Wu SY, Fang F, Xie Y, Liao XM, Li G, Wu D, Wang HR, Zuo R, Cao HB, Pan JJ, Yu JJ, Zhang Z, Chu XR, Zhang YP, Feng CX, Wang JW, Lu J, Hu SY, Li ZH, Pan J. MI-773, a breaker of the MDM2/p53 axis, exhibits anticancer effects in neuroblastoma via downregulation of INSM1. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:838. [PMID: 34712362 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.13099] [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] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a common pediatric malignancy associated with poor outcomes. Recent studies have shown that murine double minute2 homolog (MDM2) protein inhibitors are promising anticancer agents. MI-773 is a novel and specific antagonist of MDM2, however, the molecular mechanism of its anti-NB activity remains unclear. NB cell viability was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay following MI-773 treatment. Cell cycle progression was analyzed using PI staining and apoptosis was assessed using Annexin V/PI staining. The molecular mechanisms by which MI-773 exerted its effects were investigated using a microarray. The results showed that disturbance of the MDM2/p53 axis by MI-773 resulted in potent suppression of proliferation, induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in NB cells. In addition, microarray analysis showed that MI-773 led to significant downregulation of genes involved in the G2/M phase checkpoint and upregulation of hallmark gene associated with the p53 pathway. Meanwhile, knockdown of insulinoma-associated 1 decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis of NB cells. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that MI-773 exhibited high selectivity and blockade affinity for the interaction between MDM2 and TP53 and may serve as a novel strategy for the treatment of NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ling Chen
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China.,Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Zi-Mu Zhang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Lu Li
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Yan-Fang Tao
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Shui-Yan Wu
- Intensive Care Unit, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Fang Fang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Yi Xie
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Xin-Mei Liao
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Gen Li
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Di Wu
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Hai-Rong Wang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Ran Zuo
- School of Basic Medicine and Biological Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China.,Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Hai-Bo Cao
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Jing-Jing Pan
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Juan-Juan Yu
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Xin-Ran Chu
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Yong-Ping Zhang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Chen-Xi Feng
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Jian-Wei Wang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Jun Lu
- Department of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Shao-Yan Hu
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China.,Department of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Heng Li
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Jian Pan
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
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6
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Gomes S, Raimundo L, Soares J, Loureiro JB, Leão M, Ramos H, Monteiro MN, Lemos A, Moreira J, Pinto M, Chlapek P, Veselska R, Sousa E, Saraiva L. New inhibitor of the TAp73 interaction with MDM2 and mutant p53 with promising antitumor activity against neuroblastoma. Cancer Lett 2019; 446:90-102. [PMID: 30664963 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
TAp73 is a key tumor suppressor protein, regulating the transcription of unique and shared p53 target genes with crucial roles in tumorigenesis and therapeutic response. As such, in tumors with impaired p53 signaling, like neuroblastoma, TAp73 activation represents an encouraging strategy, alternative to p53 activation, to suppress tumor growth and chemoresistance. In this work, we report a new TAp73-activating agent, the 1-carbaldehyde-3,4-dimethoxyxanthone (LEM2), with potent antitumor activity. Notably, LEM2 was able to release TAp73 from its interaction with both MDM2 and mutant p53, enhancing TAp73 transcriptional activity, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in p53-null and mutant p53-expressing tumor cells. Importantly, LEM2 displayed potent antitumor activity against patient-derived neuroblastoma cells, consistent with an activation of the TAp73 pathway. Additionally, potent synergistic effects were obtained for the combination of LEM2 with doxorubicin and cisplatin in patient-derived neuroblastoma cells. Collectively, besides its relevant contribution to the advance of TAp73 pharmacology, LEM2 may pave the way to improved therapeutic alternatives against neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Gomes
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.° 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Liliana Raimundo
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.° 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Soares
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.° 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana B Loureiro
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.° 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana Leão
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.° 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Helena Ramos
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.° 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Madalena N Monteiro
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.° 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Agostinho Lemos
- CIIMAR, Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.° 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Moreira
- CIIMAR, Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.° 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Madalena Pinto
- CIIMAR, Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.° 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Petr Chlapek
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 61137, Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, 65691, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Renata Veselska
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 61137, Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, 65691, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Emília Sousa
- CIIMAR, Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.° 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Lucília Saraiva
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.° 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
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7
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Lu J, Guan S, Zhao Y, Yu Y, Wang Y, Shi Y, Mao X, Yang KL, Sun W, Xu X, Yi JS, Yang T, Yang J, Nuchtern JG. Novel MDM2 inhibitor SAR405838 (MI-773) induces p53-mediated apoptosis in neuroblastoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:82757-82769. [PMID: 27764791 PMCID: PMC5347730 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB), which accounts for about 15% of cancer-related mortality in children, is the most common childhood extracranial malignant tumor. In NB, somatic mutations of the tumor suppressor, p53, are exceedingly rare. Unlike in adult tumors, the majority of p53 downstream functions are still intact in NB cells with wild-type p53. Thus, restoring p53 function by blocking its interaction with p53 suppressors such as MDM2 is a viable therapeutic strategy for NB treatment. Herein, we show that MDM2 inhibitor SAR405838 is a potent therapeutic drug for NB. SAR405838 caused significantly decreased cell viability of p53 wild-type NB cells and induced p53-mediated apoptosis, as well as augmenting the cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin (Dox). In an in vivo orthotopic NB mouse model, SAR405838 induced apoptosis in NB tumor cells. In summary, our data strongly suggest that MDM2-specific inhibitors like SAR405838 may serve not only as a stand-alone therapy, but also as an effective adjunct to current chemotherapeutic regimens for treating NB with an intact MDM2-p53 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxiong Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China.,Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shan Guan
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yanling Zhao
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yang Yu
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Division of Pediatric Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Yongfeng Wang
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yonghua Shi
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Pathology, Basic Medicine College of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830011, China
| | - Xinfang Mao
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830046, China
| | - Kristine L Yang
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wenjing Sun
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Xin Xu
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Joanna S Yi
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Tianshu Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Jianhua Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China.,Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jed G Nuchtern
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Division of Pediatric Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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8
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Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common solid childhood tumor outside the brain and causes 15% of childhood cancer-related mortality. The main drivers of NB formation are neural crest cell-derived sympathoadrenal cells that undergo abnormal genetic arrangements. Moreover, NB is a complex disease that has high heterogeneity and is therefore difficult to target for successful therapy. Thus, a better understanding of NB development helps to improve treatment and increase the survival rate. One of the major causes of sporadic NB is known to be MYCN amplification and mutations in ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) are responsible for familial NB. Many other genetic abnormalities can be found; however, they are not considered as driver mutations, rather they support tumor aggressiveness. Tumor cell elimination via cell death is widely accepted as a successful technique. Therefore, in this review, we provide a thorough overview of how different modes of cell death and treatment strategies, such as immunotherapy or spontaneous regression, are or can be applied for NB elimination. In addition, several currently used and innovative approaches and their suitability for clinical testing and usage will be discussed. Moreover, significant attention will be given to combined therapies that show more effective results with fewer side effects than drugs targeting only one specific protein or pathway.
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9
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Pirou C, Montazer-Torbati F, Jah N, Delmas E, Lasbleiz C, Mignotte B, Renaud F. FGF1 protects neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells from p53-dependent apoptosis through an intracrine pathway regulated by FGF1 phosphorylation. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e3023. [PMID: 29048426 PMCID: PMC5596585 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Revised: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma, a sympathetic nervous system tumor, accounts for 15% of cancer deaths in children. In contrast to most human tumors, p53 is rarely mutated in human primary neuroblastoma, suggesting impaired p53 activation in neuroblastoma. Various studies have shown correlations between fgf1 expression levels and both prognosis severity and tumor chemoresistance. As we previously showed that fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) inhibited p53-dependent apoptosis in neuron-like PC12 cells, we initiated the study of the interaction between the FGF1 and p53 pathways in neuroblastoma. We focused on the activity of either extracellular FGF1 by adding recombinant rFGF1 in media, or of intracellular FGF1 by overexpression in human SH-SY5Y and mouse N2a neuroblastoma cell lines. In both cell lines, the genotoxic drug etoposide induced a classical mitochondrial p53-dependent apoptosis. FGF1 was able to inhibit p53-dependent apoptosis upstream of mitochondrial events in SH-SY5Y cells by both extracellular and intracellular pathways. Both rFGF1 addition and etoposide treatment increased fgf1 expression in SH-SY5Y cells. Conversely, rFGF1 or overexpressed FGF1 had no effect on p53-dependent apoptosis and fgf1 expression in neuroblastoma N2a cells. Using different FGF1 mutants (that is, FGF1K132E, FGF1S130A and FGF1S130D), we further showed that the C-terminal domain and phosphorylation of FGF1 regulate its intracrine anti-apoptotic activity in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. This study provides the first evidence for a role of an intracrine growth factor pathway on p53-dependent apoptosis in neuroblastoma, and could lead to the identification of key regulators involved in neuroblastoma tumor progression and chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Pirou
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Biologie Cellulaire, EA4589, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Université Paris-Saclay, École Pratique des Hautes Etudes (EPHE), PSL Research University, 2 Avenue de la Source de la Bièvre, Montigny-Le-Bretonneux 78180, France
| | - Fatemeh Montazer-Torbati
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Biologie Cellulaire, EA4589, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Université Paris-Saclay, École Pratique des Hautes Etudes (EPHE), PSL Research University, 2 Avenue de la Source de la Bièvre, Montigny-Le-Bretonneux 78180, France
| | - Nadège Jah
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Biologie Cellulaire, EA4589, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Université Paris-Saclay, École Pratique des Hautes Etudes (EPHE), PSL Research University, 2 Avenue de la Source de la Bièvre, Montigny-Le-Bretonneux 78180, France
| | - Elisabeth Delmas
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Biologie Cellulaire, EA4589, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Université Paris-Saclay, École Pratique des Hautes Etudes (EPHE), PSL Research University, 2 Avenue de la Source de la Bièvre, Montigny-Le-Bretonneux 78180, France
| | - Christelle Lasbleiz
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Biologie Cellulaire, EA4589, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Université Paris-Saclay, École Pratique des Hautes Etudes (EPHE), PSL Research University, 2 Avenue de la Source de la Bièvre, Montigny-Le-Bretonneux 78180, France
| | - Bernard Mignotte
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Biologie Cellulaire, EA4589, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Université Paris-Saclay, École Pratique des Hautes Etudes (EPHE), PSL Research University, 2 Avenue de la Source de la Bièvre, Montigny-Le-Bretonneux 78180, France
| | - Flore Renaud
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Biologie Cellulaire, EA4589, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), Université Paris-Saclay, École Pratique des Hautes Etudes (EPHE), PSL Research University, 2 Avenue de la Source de la Bièvre, Montigny-Le-Bretonneux 78180, France
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10
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MYCN induces neuroblastoma in primary neural crest cells. Oncogene 2017; 36:5075-5082. [PMID: 28459463 PMCID: PMC5582212 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NBL) is an embryonal cancer of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), which causes 15% of pediatric cancer deaths. High-risk NBL is characterized by N-Myc amplification and segmental chromosomal gains and losses. Owing to limited disease models, the etiology of NBL is largely unknown, including both the cell of origin and the majority of oncogenic drivers. We have established a novel system for studying NBL based on the transformation of neural crest cells (NCCs), the progenitor cells of the SNS, isolated from mouse embryonic day 9.5 trunk neural tube explants. Based on pathology and gene expression analysis, we report the first successful transformation of wild-type NCCs into NBL by enforced expression of N-Myc, to generate phenotypically and molecularly accurate tumors that closely model human MYCN-amplified NBL. Using comparative genomic hybridization, we found that NCC-derived NBL tumors acquired copy number gains and losses that are syntenic to those observed in human MYCN-amplified NBL including 17q gain, 2p gain and loss of 1p36. When p53-compromised NCCs were transformed with N-Myc, we generated primitive neuroectodermal tumors with divergent differentiation including osteosarcoma. These subcutaneous tumors were metastatic to regional lymph nodes, liver and lung. Our novel experimental approach accurately models human NBL and establishes a new system with potential to study early stages of NBL oncogenesis, to functionally assess NBL oncogenic drivers and to characterize NBL metastasis.
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11
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Esposito MR, Aveic S, Seydel A, Tonini GP. Neuroblastoma treatment in the post-genomic era. J Biomed Sci 2017; 24:14. [PMID: 28178969 PMCID: PMC5299732 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-017-0319-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is an embryonic malignancy of early childhood originating from neural crest cells and showing heterogeneous biological, morphological, genetic and clinical characteristics. The correct stratification of neuroblastoma patients within risk groups (low, intermediate, high and ultra-high) is critical for the adequate treatment of the patients. High-throughput technologies in the Omics disciplines are leading to significant insights into the molecular pathogenesis of neuroblastoma. Nonetheless, further study of Omics data is necessary to better characterise neuroblastoma tumour biology. In the present review, we report an update of compounds that are used in preclinical tests and/or in Phase I-II trials for neuroblastoma. Furthermore, we recapitulate a number of compounds targeting proteins associated to neuroblastoma: MYCN (direct and indirect inhibitors) and downstream targets, Trk, ALK and its downstream signalling pathways. In particular, for the latter, given the frequency of ALK gene deregulation in neuroblastoma patients, we discuss on second-generation ALK inhibitors in preclinical or clinical phases developed for the treatment of neuroblastoma patients resistant to crizotinib. We summarise how Omics drive clinical trials for neuroblastoma treatment and how much the research of biological targets is useful for personalised medicine. Finally, we give an overview of the most recent druggable targets selected by Omics investigation and discuss how the Omics results can provide us additional advantages for overcoming tumour drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosaria Esposito
- Paediatric Research Institute, Fondazione Città della Speranza, Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Corso Stati Uniti, 4, Padua, 35127, Italy.
| | - Sanja Aveic
- Paediatric Research Institute, Fondazione Città della Speranza, Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Corso Stati Uniti, 4, Padua, 35127, Italy
| | - Anke Seydel
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Gian Paolo Tonini
- Paediatric Research Institute, Fondazione Città della Speranza, Neuroblastoma Laboratory, Corso Stati Uniti, 4, Padua, 35127, Italy
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12
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Liu L, Li Y, Xiong X, Qi K, Zhang C, Fang J, Guo H. Low dose of arsenic trioxide inhibits multidrug resistant-related P-glycoprotein expression in human neuroblastoma cell line. Int J Oncol 2016; 49:2319-2330. [PMID: 27840903 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated arsenic trioxide (As2O3), cisplatin (DDP) and etoposide (Vp16) on the anticancer effects and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression in neuroblastoma (NB) SK-N-SH cells. The potential influence of As2O3, DDP and Vp16 currently included in NB routine treatment protocols on cytotoxicity in SK-N-SH cells was measured by flow cytometry and drug half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was established. Moreover, chemotherapeutic agent-mediated changes of cellular expression levels of resistant-related P-gp, was monitored using western blotting. The data showed that As2O3, DDP and Vp16 significantly inhibited the growth and survival of the SK-N-SH cells at different concentration. Notably, the levels of apoptosis were upregulated in SK-N-SH cells with an acceleration of the exposure time and the concentration of As2O3, DDP and Vp16. As2O3, DDP and Vp16 were observed with their IC50 values on SK-N-SH cells being 3 µM, 8 and 100 µg/ml, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis showed that As2O3 at low concentrations in SK-N-SH cells led to enhanced accumulation of cell populations in G2/M phase with increasing the exposure time, and increased levels of apoptosis. In contrast, we observed that SK-N-SH cell populations arrested in S phase by DDP and Vp16. In vitro examination revealed that following pretreatment of SK-N-SH cells with As2O3, the expression of P-gp was not increased. The expression of P-gp downregulation were noted following the group treated by As2O3 at 2 and 3 µM. Exposed to As2O3 at 3 µM for 72 h, SK-N-SH cells exhibited lower expression of P-gp than 2 µM As2O3 for 72 h. In contrast, the expression of P-gp was upregulated by DDP and VP16. In summary, SK-N-SH cells were responsive to chemotherapeutic agent-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. In particular, ours findings showed that low dose of As2O3 markedly reduced the P-gp expression and increased apoptotic cell death in human NB cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Liu
- Department of Pediatric, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhan Jiang, Guangdong 524000, P.R. China
| | - Yang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
| | - Xilin Xiong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
| | - Kai Qi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
| | - Jianpei Fang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
| | - Haixia Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
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13
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Wolter JK, Wolter NE, Blanch A, Partridge T, Cheng L, Morgenstern DA, Podkowa M, Kaplan DR, Irwin MS. Anti-tumor activity of the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol in neuroblastoma. Oncotarget 2014; 5:161-72. [PMID: 24389287 PMCID: PMC3960198 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric tumor of the sympathetic nervous system, which is often associated with elevated catecholamines. More than half of patients with metastatic NB relapse and survival is extremely poor with current therapies. In a high-throughput screen of FDA-approved drugs we identified anti-NB activity for the nonselective β-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol hydrochloride. Propranolol inhibited growth of a panel of fifteen NB cell lines irrespective of MYCN status, and treatment induced apoptosis and decreased proliferation. Activity was dependent on inhibition of the β2, and not β1, adrenergic receptor, and treatment resulted in activation of p53 and p73 signaling in vitro. The majority of NB cell lines and primary tumors express β2 adrenergic receptor and higher mRNA levels correlate with improved patient survival, but expression levels did not correlate with in vitro sensitivity to propranolol. Furthermore, propranolol is synergistic with the topoisomerase I inhibitor SN-38 and propranolol inhibits growth of NB xenografts in vivo at doses similar to those used to treat infants with hemangiomas and hypertension. Taken together, our results suggest that propranolol has activity against NB and thus should be considered in combination treatments for patients with relapsed and refractory NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer K Wolter
- Departments of Pediatrics and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto
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14
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Burmakin M, Shi Y, Hedström E, Kogner P, Selivanova G. Dual targeting of wild-type and mutant p53 by small molecule RITA results in the inhibition of N-Myc and key survival oncogenes and kills neuroblastoma cells in vivo and in vitro. Clin Cancer Res 2013; 19:5092-103. [PMID: 23864164 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-12-2211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Restoration of the p53 function in tumors is a promising therapeutic strategy due to the high potential of p53 as tumor suppressor and the fact that established tumors depend on p53 inactivation for their survival. Here, we addressed the question whether small molecule RITA can reactivate p53 in neuroblastoma and suppress the growth of neuroblastoma cells in vitro and in vivo. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The ability of RITA to inhibit growth and to induce apoptosis was shown in seven neuroblastoma cell lines. Mechanistic studies were carried out to determine the p53 dependence and the molecular mechanism of RITA-induced apoptosis in neuroblastoma, using cell viability assays, RNAi silencing, co-immunoprecipitation, qPCR, and Western blotting analysis. In vivo experiments were conducted to study the effect of RITA on human neuroblastoma xenografts in mice. RESULTS RITA induced p53-dependent apoptosis in a set of seven neuroblastoma cell lines, carrying wild-type or mutant p53; it activated p53 and triggered the expression of proapoptotic p53 target genes. Importantly, p53 activated by RITA inhibited several key oncogenes that are high-priority targets for pharmacologic anticancer strategies in neuroblastoma, including N-Myc, Aurora kinase, Mcl-1, Bcl-2, Wip-1, MDM2, and MDMX. Moreover, RITA had a strong antitumor effect in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Reactivation of wild-type and mutant p53 resulting in the induction of proapoptotic factors along with ablation of key oncogenes by compounds such as RITA may be a highly effective strategy to treat neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Burmakin
- Authors' Affiliations: Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell biology (MTC); and Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Arsenite-induced apoptosis of human neuroblastoma cells requires p53 but occurs independently of c-Jun. Neuroscience 2012; 206:25-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2011] [Revised: 12/21/2011] [Accepted: 01/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Verissimo CS, Molenaar JJ, Fitzsimons CP, Vreugdenhil E. Neuroblastoma therapy: what is in the pipeline? Endocr Relat Cancer 2011; 18:R213-31. [PMID: 21971288 DOI: 10.1530/erc-11-0251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite the expansion of knowledge about neuroblastoma (NB) in recent years, the therapeutic outcome for children with a high-risk NB has not significantly improved. Therefore, more effective therapies are needed. This might be achieved by aiming future efforts at recently proposed but not yet developed targets for NB therapy. In this review, we discuss the recently proposed molecular targets that are in clinical trials and, in particular, those that are not yet explored in the clinic. We focus on the selection of these molecular targets for which promising in vitro and in vivo results have been obtained by silencing/inhibiting them. In addition, these selected targets are involved at least in one of the NB tumorigenic processes: proliferation, anti-apoptosis, angiogenesis and/or metastasis. In particular, we will review a recently proposed target, the microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) encoded by doublecortin-like kinase gene (DCLK1). DCLK1-derived MAPs are crucial for proliferation and survival of neuroblasts and are highly expressed not only in NB but also in other tumours such as gliomas. Additionally, we will discuss neuropeptide Y, its Y2 receptor and cathepsin L as examples of targets to decrease angiogenesis and metastasis of NB. Furthermore, we will review the micro-RNAs that have been proposed as therapeutic targets for NB. Detailed investigation of these not yet developed targets as well as exploration of multi-target approaches might be the key to a more effective NB therapy, i.e. increasing specificity, reducing toxicity and avoiding long-term side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla S Verissimo
- Division of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden University Medical Center, Gorlaeus Laboratories, The Netherlands
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