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Allsopp RC, Guo Q, Page K, Bhagani S, Kasim A, Badman P, Kenny L, Stebbing J, Shaw JA. Circulating tumour DNA dynamics during alternating chemotherapy and hormonal therapy in metastatic breast cancer: the ALERT study. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2024; 206:377-385. [PMID: 38581534 PMCID: PMC11182849 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-024-07316-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although changes in circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in breast cancer are well described, the kinetics of their fluctuations has not been described over short timescales. We investigated ctDNA dynamics during alternating cycles of chemotherapy and hormonal treatment in pre-treated patients with oestrogen receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer. METHODS Patients received alternating, 9-week cycles of eribulin and aromatase inhibitors (AIs). The clinical primary endpoint, progression-free survival (PFS), was monitored at 3, 6 and 9 months; secondary endpoints, clinical benefit rate (CBR), safety and tolerability profiles, were also assessed. Importantly, ctDNA fluctuations were monitored using the Oncomine™ Breast cfDNA assay to test whether biomarkers may change rapidly between chemotherapy and aromatase inhibitor (AI) treatment in the setting of advanced breast cancer, potentially reflecting disease dynamics. RESULTS The median PFS was 202 days (95% CI: 135-undefined) and 235 days (95% CI: 235-undefined) at 6 and 9 months, respectively, with a 50% CBR at both 6 and 9 months. Dynamic changes in ctDNA were observed in short timescales between chemotherapy and AI treatment and support the clinical benefit (CB) seen in individual patients and, critically, appear informative of acquired resistance in real time. CONCLUSION Changes in ctDNA can occur rapidly and reflect changes in patients' clinical tumour responses (NCT02681523).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C Allsopp
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
| | - Qi Guo
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
| | - Karen Page
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
| | - Shradha Bhagani
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
| | - Anna Kasim
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Philip Badman
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Laura Kenny
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Justin Stebbing
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- Department of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Cambridge, CB1 1PT, UK.
| | - Jacqueline A Shaw
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
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Volta F, La Monica S, Leonetti A, Gnetti L, Bonelli M, Cavazzoni A, Fumarola C, Galetti M, Eltayeb K, Minari R, Petronini PG, Tiseo M, Alfieri R. Intrinsic Resistance to Osimertinib in EGFR Mutated NSCLC Cell Lines Induced by Alteration in Cell-Cycle Regulators. Target Oncol 2023; 18:953-964. [PMID: 37855989 PMCID: PMC10663255 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-023-01005-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cell-cycle regulators are mutated in approximately 40% of all cancer types and have already been linked to worse outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer adenocarcinomas treated with osimertinib. However, their exact role in osimertinib resistance has not been elucidated. OBJECTIVE In this study, we aimed to evaluate how the CDK4/6-Rb axis may affect the sensitivity to osimertinib. METHODS We genetically increased the level of CCND1 (Cyclin D1) and reduced the levels of CDKN2A (p16) in two different adenocarcinoma cell lines, PC9 and HCC827. We also retrospectively evaluated the outcome of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated advanced non-small cell lung cancer depending on their level of Cyclin D1 and p16. RESULTS The modified clones showed higher proliferative capacity, modifications in cell-cycle phases, and higher migratory capacity than the parental cells. Cyclin D1-overexpressing clones were highly resistant to acute osimertinib treatment. CDKN2A knockdown conferred intrinsic resistance as well, although a longer time was required for adaption to the drug. In both cases, the resistant phenotype was epidermal growth factor receptor independent and associated with a higher level of Rb phosphorylation, which was unaffected by osimertinib treatment. Blocking the phosphorylation of Rb using abemaciclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor, exerted an additive effect with osimertinib, increasing sensitivity to this drug and reverting the intrinsic resistant phenotype. In a group of 32 patients with epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated advanced non-small cell lung cancer, assessed for Cyclin D1 and p16 expression, we found that the p16-deleted group presented a lower overall response rate compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that perturbation in cell-cycle regulators leads to intrinsic osimertinib resistance and worse patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Volta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Silvia La Monica
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Letizia Gnetti
- Pathology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Mara Bonelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Cavazzoni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Claudia Fumarola
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Maricla Galetti
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, INAIL-Italian Workers' Compensation Authority, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078, Rome, Italy
| | - Kamal Eltayeb
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Roberta Minari
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Marcello Tiseo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy.
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy.
| | - Roberta Alfieri
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy.
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Wang S, Malebari AM, Greene TF, Kandwal S, Fayne D, Nathwani SM, Zisterer DM, Twamley B, O'Boyle NM, Meegan MJ. Antiproliferative and Tubulin-Destabilising Effects of 3-(Prop-1-en-2-yl)azetidin-2-Ones and Related Compounds in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1000. [PMID: 37513912 PMCID: PMC10385824 DOI: 10.3390/ph16071000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A series of novel 3-(prop-1-en-2-yl)azetidin-2-one, 3-allylazetidin-2-one and 3-(buta-1,3-dien-1-yl)azetidin-2-one analogues of combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) were designed and synthesised as colchicine-binding site inhibitors (CBSI) in which the ethylene bridge of CA-4 was replaced with a β-lactam (2-azetidinone) scaffold. These compounds, together with related prodrugs, were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity, cell cycle effects and ability to inhibit tubulin assembly. The compounds demonstrated significant in vitro antiproliferative activities in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, particularly for compounds 9h, 9q, 9r, 10p, 10r and 11h, with IC50 values in the range 10-33 nM. These compounds were also potent in the triple-negative breast cancer (TBNC) cell line MDA-MB-231, with IC50 values in the range 23-33 nM, and were comparable with the activity of CA-4. The compounds inhibited the polymerisation of tubulin in vitro, with significant reduction in tubulin polymerization, and were shown to interact at the colchicine-binding site on tubulin. Flow cytometry demonstrated that compound 9q arrested MCF-7 cells in the G2/M phase and resulted in cellular apoptosis. The antimitotic properties of 9q in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were also evaluated, and the effect on the organization of microtubules in the cells after treatment with compound 9q was observed using confocal microscopy. The immunofluorescence results confirm that β-lactam 9q is targeting tubulin and resulted in mitotic catastrophe in MCF-7 cells. In silico molecular docking supports the hypothesis that the compounds interact with the colchicine-binding domain of tubulin. Compound 9q is a novel potent microtubule-destabilising agent with potential as a promising lead compound for the development of new antitumour agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Wang
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Azizah M Malebari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Thomas F Greene
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Shubhangi Kandwal
- Molecular Design Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Darren Fayne
- Molecular Design Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Seema M Nathwani
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Daniela M Zisterer
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Brendan Twamley
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Niamh M O'Boyle
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mary J Meegan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
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Zboril EK, Grible JM, Boyd DC, Hairr NS, Leftwich TJ, Esquivel MF, Duong AK, Turner SA, Ferreira-Gonzalez A, Olex AL, Sartorius CA, Dozmorov MG, Harrell JC. Stratification of Tamoxifen Synergistic Combinations for the Treatment of ER+ Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3179. [PMID: 37370789 PMCID: PMC10296623 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer alone accounts for the majority of cancer deaths among women, with the most commonly diagnosed subtype being estrogen receptor positive (ER+). Survival has greatly improved for patients with ER+ breast cancer, due in part to the development of antiestrogen compounds, such as tamoxifen. While treatment of the primary disease is often successful, as many as 30% of patients will experience recurrence and metastasis, mainly due to developed endocrine therapy resistance. In this study, we discovered two tamoxifen combination therapies, with simeprevir and VX-680, that reduce the tumor burden in animal models of ER+ breast cancer more than either compound or tamoxifen alone. Additionally, these tamoxifen combinations reduced the expression of HER2, a hallmark of tamoxifen treatment, which can facilitate acquisition of a treatment-resistant phenotype. These combinations could provide clinical benefit by potentiating tamoxifen treatment in ER+ breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily K. Zboril
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (E.K.Z.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Jacqueline M. Grible
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (E.K.Z.)
| | - David C. Boyd
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (E.K.Z.)
- Integrative Life Sciences Program, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Nicole S. Hairr
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (E.K.Z.)
| | - Tess J. Leftwich
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (E.K.Z.)
| | - Madelyn F. Esquivel
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (E.K.Z.)
| | - Alex K. Duong
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (E.K.Z.)
| | - Scott A. Turner
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (E.K.Z.)
| | | | - Amy L. Olex
- C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Carol A. Sartorius
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Mikhail G. Dozmorov
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - J. Chuck Harrell
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; (E.K.Z.)
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
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Benot-Dominguez R, Cimini A, Barone D, Giordano A, Pentimalli F. The Emerging Role of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitors in Treating Diet-Induced Obesity: New Opportunities for Breast and Ovarian Cancers? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2709. [PMID: 35681689 PMCID: PMC9179653 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112709] [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: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Overweight and obesity constitute the most impactful lifestyle-dependent risk factors for cancer and have been tightly linked to a higher number of tumor-related deaths nowadays. The excessive accumulation of energy can lead to an imbalance in the level of essential cellular biomolecules that may result in inflammation and cell-cycle dysregulation. Nutritional strategies and phytochemicals are gaining interest in the management of obesity-related cancers, with several ongoing and completed clinical studies that support their effectiveness. At the same time, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are becoming an important target in breast and ovarian cancer treatment, with various FDA-approved CDK4/6 inhibitors that have recently received more attention for their potential role in diet-induced obesity (DIO). Here we provide an overview of the most recent studies involving nutraceuticals and other dietary strategies affecting cell-cycle pathways, which might impact the management of breast and ovarian cancers, as well as the repurposing of already commercialized chemotherapeutic options to treat DIO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reyes Benot-Dominguez
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA; (R.B.-D.); (A.G.)
| | - Annamaria Cimini
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
| | - Daniela Barone
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS, Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA; (R.B.-D.); (A.G.)
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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