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Fasano M, Della Corte CM, Viscardi G, Di Liello R, Paragliola F, Sparano F, Iacovino ML, Castrichino A, Doria F, Sica A, Morgillo F, Colella G, Tartaro G, Cappabianca S, Testa D, Motta G, Ciardiello F. Head and neck cancer: the role of anti-EGFR agents in the era of immunotherapy. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2021; 13:1758835920949418. [PMID: 33767760 PMCID: PMC7953226 DOI: 10.1177/1758835920949418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancers (HNC) represent the seventh most frequent cancer worldwide, with squamous cell carcinomas as the most frequent histologic subtype. Standard treatment for early stage diseases is represented by single modality surgery or radiotherapy, whereas in the locally advanced and recurrent or metastatic settings a more aggressive multi-modal approach is needed with locoregional intervention and/or systemic therapies. Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) plays an important role in HNC biology and has been studied extensively in preclinical and clinical settings. In this scenario, anti-EGFR targeted agent cetuximab, introduced in clinical practice a decade ago, represents the only approved targeted therapy to date, while the development of immune-checkpoint inhibitors has recently changed the available treatment options. In this review, we focus on the current role of anti-EGFR therapies in HNCs, underlying available clinical data and mechanisms of resistance, and highlight future perspectives regarding their role in the era of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morena Fasano
- Department of Precision Medicine, Medical Oncology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli. Via Sergio Pansini 5, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Carminia Maria Della Corte
- Department of Precision Medicine, Medical Oncology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Viscardi
- Department of Precision Medicine, Medical Oncology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Raimondo Di Liello
- Department of Precision Medicine, Medical Oncology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Fernando Paragliola
- Department of Precision Medicine, Medical Oncology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Sparano
- Department of Precision Medicine, Medical Oncology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Lucia Iacovino
- Department of Precision Medicine, Medical Oncology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Doria
- Centro radiologico Vega, Centro radiologico fisica e terapia fisica Morrone, Caserta, Italy
| | - Antonello Sica
- Department of Precision Medicine, Medical Oncology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Floriana Morgillo
- Department of Precision Medicine, Medical Oncology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Colella
- Maxillo-Facial Surgery Department, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Tartaro
- Maxillo-Facial Surgery Department, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cappabianca
- Department of Precision Medicine, Radiology Unit, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Testa
- Department of Anesthesiology, Surgical and Emergency Science, Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Unit, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Gaetano Motta
- Department of Anesthesiology, Surgical and Emergency Science, Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Unit, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Fortunato Ciardiello
- Department of Precision Medicine, Medical Oncology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
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Zubčić V, Rinčić N, Kurtović M, Trnski D, Musani V, Ozretić P, Levanat S, Leović D, Sabol M. GANT61 and Lithium Chloride Inhibit the Growth of Head and Neck Cancer Cell Lines Through the Regulation of GLI3 Processing by GSK3β. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176410. [PMID: 32899202 PMCID: PMC7504345 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Several signaling pathways are aberrantly activated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), including the Hedgehog-Gli (HH-GLI), WNT, EGFR, and NOTCH pathways. The HH-GLI pathway has mostly been investigated in the context of canonical signal transduction and the inhibition of the membrane components of the pathway. In this work we investigated the role of downstream inhibitors GANT61 and lithium chloride (LiCl) on cell viability, wound closure, and colony forming ability of HNSCC cell lines. Five HNSCC cell lines were treated with HH-GLI pathway inhibitors affecting different levels of signal transduction. GANT61 and LiCl reduce the proliferation and colony formation capabilities of HNSCC cell lines, and LiCl has an additional effect on wound closure. The major effector of the HH-GLI signaling pathway in HNSCC is the GLI3 protein, which is expressed in its full-length form and is functionally regulated by GSK3β. LiCl treatment increases the inhibitory Ser9 phosphorylation of the GSK3β protein, leading to increased processing of GLI3 from full-length to repressor form, thus inhibiting HH-GLI pathway activity. Therefore, downstream inhibition of HH-GLI signaling may be a promising therapeutic strategy for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vedran Zubčić
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Osijek, Ulica Josipa Huttlera 4, Osijek 31000, Croatia;
- School of Medicine, The Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Trg Svetog Trojstva 3, Osijek 31000, Croatia
| | - Nikolina Rinčić
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, Zagreb 10000, Croatia; (N.R.); (M.K.); (D.T.); (V.M.); (P.O.); (S.L.)
| | - Matea Kurtović
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, Zagreb 10000, Croatia; (N.R.); (M.K.); (D.T.); (V.M.); (P.O.); (S.L.)
| | - Diana Trnski
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, Zagreb 10000, Croatia; (N.R.); (M.K.); (D.T.); (V.M.); (P.O.); (S.L.)
| | - Vesna Musani
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, Zagreb 10000, Croatia; (N.R.); (M.K.); (D.T.); (V.M.); (P.O.); (S.L.)
| | - Petar Ozretić
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, Zagreb 10000, Croatia; (N.R.); (M.K.); (D.T.); (V.M.); (P.O.); (S.L.)
| | - Sonja Levanat
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, Zagreb 10000, Croatia; (N.R.); (M.K.); (D.T.); (V.M.); (P.O.); (S.L.)
| | - Dinko Leović
- School of Medicine, The Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Trg Svetog Trojstva 3, Osijek 31000, Croatia
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva ulica 12, Zagreb 10000, Croatia
- Correspondence: (D.L.); (M.S.); Tel.: +385-1-2388-888 (D.L.); +385-1-4560-997 (M.S.)
| | - Maja Sabol
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, Zagreb 10000, Croatia; (N.R.); (M.K.); (D.T.); (V.M.); (P.O.); (S.L.)
- Correspondence: (D.L.); (M.S.); Tel.: +385-1-2388-888 (D.L.); +385-1-4560-997 (M.S.)
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Echarri MJ, Lopez-Martin A, Hitt R. Targeted Therapy in Locally Advanced and Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (LA-R/M HNSCC). Cancers (Basel) 2016; 8:cancers8030027. [PMID: 26927178 PMCID: PMC4810111 DOI: 10.3390/cancers8030027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Revised: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Surgery and radiotherapy are the standard treatment options for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Chemoradiotherapy is an alternative for patients with locally advanced disease. In recurrent/metastatic disease and after progression to platin-based regimens, no standard treatments other than best supportive care are currently available. Most SCCHN tumours overexpress the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). This receptor is a tyrosine-kinase membrane receptor that has been implicated in angiogenesis, tumour progression and resistance to different cancer treatments. In this review, we analysed the different drugs and pathways under development to treat SCCHN, especially recurrent/metastatic disease. Until now, the EGFR signalling pathway has been considered the most important target with respect to new drugs; however, new drugs, such as immunotherapies, are currently under study. As new treatments for SCCHN are developed, the influence of therapies with respect to overall survival, progression free survival and quality of life in patients with this disease is changing.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José Echarri
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa, Avenida Orellana s/n, Leganés, 28911 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ana Lopez-Martin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa, Avenida Orellana s/n, Leganés, 28911 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ricardo Hitt
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa, Avenida Orellana s/n, Leganés, 28911 Madrid, Spain.
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Radhakrishnan A, Nanjappa V, Raja R, Sathe G, Chavan S, Nirujogi RS, Patil AH, Solanki H, Renuse S, Sahasrabuddhe NA, Mathur PP, Prasad TSK, Kumar P, Califano JA, Sidransky D, Pandey A, Gowda H, Chatterjee A. Dysregulation of splicing proteins in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Biol Ther 2016; 17:219-29. [PMID: 26853621 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2016.1139234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Signaling plays an important role in regulating all cellular pathways. Altered signaling is one of the hallmarks of cancers. Phosphoproteomics enables interrogation of kinase mediated signaling pathways in biological systems. In cancers, this approach can be utilized to identify aberrantly activated pathways that potentially drive proliferation and tumorigenesis. To identify signaling alterations in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), we carried out proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis of HNSCC cell lines using a combination of tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling approach and titanium dioxide-based enrichment. We identified 4,920 phosphosites corresponding to 2,212 proteins in six HNSCC cell lines compared to a normal oral cell line. Our data indicated significant enrichment of proteins associated with splicing. We observed hyperphosphorylation of SRSF protein kinase 2 (SRPK2) and its downstream substrates in HNSCC cell lines. SRPK2 is a splicing kinase, known to phosphorylate serine/arginine (SR) rich domain proteins and regulate splicing process in eukaryotes. Although genome-wide studies have reported the contribution of alternative splicing events of several genes in the progression of cancer, the involvement of splicing kinases in HNSCC is not known. In this study, we studied the role of SRPK2 in HNSCC. Inhibition of SRPK2 resulted in significant decrease in colony forming and invasive ability in a panel of HNSCC cell lines. Our results indicate that phosphorylation of SRPK2 plays a crucial role in the regulation of splicing process in HNSCC and that splicing kinases can be developed as a new class of therapeutic target in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneesha Radhakrishnan
- a Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park , Bangalore , India.,b Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , Pondicherry University , Puducherry , India
| | - Vishalakshi Nanjappa
- a Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park , Bangalore , India.,c Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita University , Kollam , India
| | - Remya Raja
- a Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park , Bangalore , India
| | - Gajanan Sathe
- a Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park , Bangalore , India.,d Manipal University , Madhav Nagar, Manipal , India
| | - Sandip Chavan
- a Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park , Bangalore , India.,d Manipal University , Madhav Nagar, Manipal , India
| | - Raja Sekhar Nirujogi
- a Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park , Bangalore , India.,e Centre of Excellence in Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University , Puducherry , India
| | - Arun H Patil
- a Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park , Bangalore , India.,f School of Biotechnology, KIIT University , Bhubaneswar , India
| | - Hitendra Solanki
- a Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park , Bangalore , India.,f School of Biotechnology, KIIT University , Bhubaneswar , India
| | - Santosh Renuse
- a Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park , Bangalore , India.,c Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita University , Kollam , India
| | | | - Premendu P Mathur
- b Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , Pondicherry University , Puducherry , India.,f School of Biotechnology, KIIT University , Bhubaneswar , India
| | - T S Keshava Prasad
- a Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park , Bangalore , India.,c Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita University , Kollam , India.,e Centre of Excellence in Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University , Puducherry , India.,g YU-IOB Center for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya University , Mangalore , India
| | - Prashant Kumar
- a Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park , Bangalore , India
| | - Joseph A Califano
- h Milton J Dance Head and Neck Center, Greater Baltimore Medical Center , Baltimore , MD , USA.,i Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery , Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - David Sidransky
- i Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery , Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Akhilesh Pandey
- j McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA.,k Departments of Biological Chemistry , Baltimore , MD , USA.,l Oncology and Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA.,m Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Harsha Gowda
- a Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park , Bangalore , India.,g YU-IOB Center for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya University , Mangalore , India
| | - Aditi Chatterjee
- a Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park , Bangalore , India.,g YU-IOB Center for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya University , Mangalore , India
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Cytotoxic Effect of Coscinium fenestratum on Human Head and Neck Cancer Cell Line (HN31). EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2015; 2015:701939. [PMID: 26074999 PMCID: PMC4449908 DOI: 10.1155/2015/701939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2015] [Revised: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Coscinium fenestratum is widely used as a medicinal plant in many Asian countries. This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effect of a crude water extract of C. fenestratum (CF extract) compared to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on human HN31 cell line, a metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx. The results revealed that cell morphology visualized under inverted light microscopy was changed from flat with a polygonal appearance to round appearance after CF extract application. The cell viability assay (MTT test) showed that the concentration producing 50% growth inhibition (IC50) at 48-hour incubation of CF extract on HN31 was 0.12 mg/mL, while the IC50 of 5-FU was 6.6 mg/mL, indicating that CF extract has a higher potency. However, combining various concentrations of 5-FU and CF extract at IC50 did not show synergistic effect. The CF extract dose dependently increased cell apoptosis determined by Annexin-V and propidium iodide staining. It decreased the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and pAkt, while it increased the tumor suppressor protein p53. In conclusion, the cytotoxicity of CF extract was associated with the modulation of p38 MAPK, pAkt, and p53 signal molecules, leading to inhibiting cell survival and increasing apoptosis. No synergistic effects of CF extract and 5-FU were observed.
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