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Pennel K, Dutton L, Melissourgou-Syka L, Roxburgh C, Birch J, Edwards J. Novel radiation and targeted therapy combinations for improving rectal cancer outcomes. Expert Rev Mol Med 2024; 26:e14. [PMID: 38623751 PMCID: PMC11140547 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2024.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Neoadjuvant radiotherapy (RT) is commonly used as standard treatment for rectal cancer. However, response rates are variable and survival outcomes remain poor, highlighting the need to develop new therapeutic strategies. Research is focused on identifying novel methods for sensitising rectal tumours to RT to enhance responses and improve patient outcomes. This can be achieved through harnessing tumour promoting effects of radiation or preventing development of radio-resistance in cancer cells. Many of the approaches being investigated involve targeting the recently published new dimensions of cancer hallmarks. This review article will discuss key radiation and targeted therapy combination strategies being investigated in the rectal cancer setting, with a focus on exploitation of mechanisms which target the hallmarks of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Pennel
- School of Cancer Sciences, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Louise Dutton
- School of Cancer Sciences, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Lydia Melissourgou-Syka
- School of Cancer Sciences, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- CRUK Scotland Institute, Glasgow, G611BD, UK
| | - Campbell Roxburgh
- School of Cancer Sciences, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Academic Unit of Surgery, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G4 0SF, UK
| | - Joanna Birch
- School of Cancer Sciences, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Joanne Edwards
- School of Cancer Sciences, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
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2
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Dąbrowska A, Grubba M, Balihodzic A, Szot O, Sobocki BK, Perdyan A. The Role of Regulatory T Cells in Cancer Treatment Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14114. [PMID: 37762416 PMCID: PMC10531820 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite tremendous progress in cancer treatment in recent years, treatment resistance is still a major challenge for a great number of patients. One of the main causes is regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs), which suppress excessive inflammatory responses via the secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines and upregulate the immune checkpoints. Their abundance causes an immunosuppressive reprogramming of the tumor environment, which is ideal for tumor growth and drug inefficiency. Hence, regiments that can regain tumor immunogenicity are a promising strategy to overcome Tregs-mediated drug resistance. However, to develop effective therapeutic regimens, it is essential to understand the molecular mechanisms of Treg-mediated resistance. In this article, we gathered a comprehensive summary of the current knowledge on molecular mechanisms and the role of Tregs in cancer treatment resistance, including cancer immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Dąbrowska
- Student Scientific Circle of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Grubba
- Student Scientific Circle of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Amar Balihodzic
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Olga Szot
- Student Scientific Circle of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Bartosz Kamil Sobocki
- Student Scientific Circle of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Adrian Perdyan
- 3P-Medicine Laboratory, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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3
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Kumar V, Stewart JH. Immunometabolic reprogramming, another cancer hallmark. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1125874. [PMID: 37275901 PMCID: PMC10235624 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1125874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular carcinogenesis is a multistep process that involves acquired abnormalities in key biological processes. The complexity of cancer pathogenesis is best illustrated in the six hallmarks of the cancer: (1) the development of self-sufficient growth signals, (2) the emergence of clones that are resistant to apoptosis, (3) resistance to the antigrowth signals, (4) neo-angiogenesis, (5) the invasion of normal tissue or spread to the distant organs, and (6) limitless replicative potential. It also appears that non-resolving inflammation leads to the dysregulation of immune cell metabolism and subsequent cancer progression. The present article delineates immunometabolic reprogramming as a critical hallmark of cancer by linking chronic inflammation and immunosuppression to cancer growth and metastasis. We propose that targeting tumor immunometabolic reprogramming will lead to the design of novel immunotherapeutic approaches to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Kumar
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - John H. Stewart
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), New Orleans, LA, United States
- Louisiana State University- Louisiana Children’s Medical Center, Stanley S. Scott, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), New Orleans, LA, United States
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4
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Tsuji A, Masuya T, Arichi N, Inuki S, Murai M, Miyoshi H, Ohno H. Discovery of Bis-sulfonamides as Novel Inhibitors of Mitochondrial NADH-Quinone Oxidoreductase (Complex I). ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:211-216. [PMID: 36793437 PMCID: PMC9923842 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is an essential cellular metabolic process that generates ATP. The enzymes involved in OXPHOS are considered to be promising druggable targets. Through screening of an in-house synthetic library with bovine heart submitochondrial particles, we identified a unique symmetric bis-sulfonamide, KPYC01112 (1) as an inhibitor targeting NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (complex I). Structural modifications of KPYC01112 (1) led to the discovery of the more potent inhibitors 32 and 35 possessing long alkyl chains (IC50 = 0.017 and 0.014 μM, respectively). A photoaffinity labeling experiment using a newly synthesized photoreactive bis-sulfonamide ([125I]-43) revealed that it binds to the 49-kDa, PSST, and ND1 subunits which make up the quinone-accessing cavity of complex I.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuhito Tsuji
- Graduate
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto
University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Takahiro Masuya
- Division
of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Norihito Arichi
- Graduate
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto
University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Inuki
- Graduate
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto
University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Murai
- Division
of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Hideto Miyoshi
- Division
of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Ohno
- Graduate
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto
University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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5
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Tsolou A, Koparanis D, Lamprou I, Giatromanolaki A, Koukourakis MI. Increased glucose influx and glycogenesis in lung cancer cells surviving after irradiation. Int J Radiat Biol 2023; 99:692-701. [PMID: 35976051 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2022.2113837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Lung cancer is considered as one of the most frequent malignancies worldwide. Radiotherapy is the main treatment modality applied for locally advanced disease, but remnant surviving cancer tissue results in disease progression in the majority of irradiated lung carcinomas. Metabolic reprogramming is regarded as a cancer hallmark and is associated with resistance to radiation therapy. Here, we explored metabolic alterations possibly related to cancer cell radioresistance. MATERIALS AND METHODS We compared the expression of metabolism-related enzymes in the parental A549 lung cancer cell line along with two new cell lines derived from A549 cells after recovery from three (A549-IR3) and six (A549-IR6) irradiation doses with 4 Gy. Differential GLUT1 and GYS1 expression on proliferation and radioresistance were also comparatively investigated. RESULTS A549-IR cells displayed increased extracellular glucose absorption, and enhanced mRNA and protein levels of the GLUT1 glucose transporter. GLUT1 inhibition with BAY-876, suppressed cell proliferation and the effect was significantly more profound on A549-IR3 cells. Protein levels of molecules associated with aerobic or anaerobic glycolysis, or the phosphate pentose pathway were similar in all three cell lines. However, glycogen synthase 1 (GYS1) was upregulated, especially in the A549-IR3 cell line, suggestive of glycogen accumulation in cells surviving post irradiation. GYS1-gene silencing repressed the proliferation capacity of A549, but this increased their radioresistance. The radio-protective effect of the suppression of proliferative activity induced by GYS1 silencing did not protect A549-IR3 cells against further irradiation. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that GYS1 activity is a critical component of the metabolism of lung cancer cells surviving after fractionated radiotherapy. Targeting the glycogen metabolic reprogramming after irradiation may be a valuable approach to pursue eradication of the post-radiotherapy remnant of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avgi Tsolou
- Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, Democritus University of Thrace and University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Koparanis
- Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, Democritus University of Thrace and University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Ioannis Lamprou
- Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, Democritus University of Thrace and University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Alexandra Giatromanolaki
- Department of Pathology, Democritus University of Thrace and University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Michael I Koukourakis
- Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, Democritus University of Thrace and University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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6
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Dhawan A, Pifer PM, Sandulache VC, Skinner HD. Metabolic targeting, immunotherapy and radiation in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer: Where do we go from here? Front Oncol 2022; 12:1016217. [PMID: 36591457 PMCID: PMC9794617 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1016217] [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: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In the US, there are ~250,000 new lung cancer diagnoses and ~130,000 deaths per year, and worldwide there are an estimated 1.6 million deaths per year from this deadly disease. Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death worldwide, and it accounts for roughly a quarter of all cancer deaths in the US. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents 80-85% of these cases. Due to an enormous tobacco cessation effort, NSCLC rates in the US are decreasing, and the implementation of lung cancer screening guidelines and other programs have resulted in a higher percentage of patients presenting with potentially curable locoregional disease, instead of distant disease. Exciting developments in molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy have resulted in dramatic improvement in patients' survival, in combination with new surgical, pathological, radiographical, and radiation techniques. Concurrent platinum-based doublet chemoradiation therapy followed by immunotherapy has set the benchmark for survival in these patients. However, despite these advances, ~50% of patients diagnosed with locally advanced NSCLC (LA-NSCLC) survive long-term. In patients with local and/or locoregional disease, chemoradiation is a critical component of curative therapy. However, there remains a significant clinical gap in improving the efficacy of this combined therapy, and the development of non-overlapping treatment approaches to improve treatment outcomes is needed. One potential promising avenue of research is targeting cancer metabolism. In this review, we will initially provide a brief general overview of tumor metabolism as it relates to therapeutic targeting. We will then focus on the intersection of metabolism on both oxidative stress and anti-tumor immunity. This will be followed by discussion of both tumor- and patient-specific opportunities for metabolic targeting in NSCLC. We will then conclude with a discussion of additional agents currently in development that may be advantageous to combine with chemo-immuno-radiation in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Dhawan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Phillip M. Pifer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Vlad C. Sandulache
- Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Heath D. Skinner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States,*Correspondence: Heath D. Skinner,
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7
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Read GH, Bailleul J, Vlashi E, Kesarwala AH. Metabolic response to radiation therapy in cancer. Mol Carcinog 2022; 61:200-224. [PMID: 34961986 PMCID: PMC10187995 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Tumor metabolism has emerged as a hallmark of cancer and is involved in carcinogenesis and tumor growth. Reprogramming of tumor metabolism is necessary for cancer cells to sustain high proliferation rates and enhanced demands for nutrients. Recent studies suggest that metabolic plasticity in cancer cells can decrease the efficacy of anticancer therapies by enhancing antioxidant defenses and DNA repair mechanisms. Studying radiation-induced metabolic changes will lead to a better understanding of radiation response mechanisms as well as the identification of new therapeutic targets, but there are few robust studies characterizing the metabolic changes induced by radiation therapy in cancer. In this review, we will highlight studies that provide information on the metabolic changes induced by radiation and oxidative stress in cancer cells and the associated underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham H. Read
- Department of Radiation Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Justine Bailleul
- Department of Radiation Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Erina Vlashi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Aparna H. Kesarwala
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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