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Gomez-Gutierrez P, Rubio-Martinez J, Perez JJ. Discovery of Hit Compounds Targeting the P4 Allosteric Site of K-RAS, Identified through Ensemble-Based Virtual Screening. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:6412-6422. [PMID: 37824186 PMCID: PMC10598794 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01212] [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] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Mutants of Ras are oncogenic drivers of a large number of human tumors. Despite being recognized as an attractive target for the treatment of cancer, the high affinity for its substrate tagged the protein as undruggable for a few years. The identification of cryptic pockets on the protein surface gave the opportunity to identify molecules capable of acting as allosteric modulators. Several molecules were disclosed in recent years, with sotorasib and adagrasib already approved for clinical use. The present study makes use of computational methods to characterize eight prospective allosteric pockets (P1-P8) in K-Ras, four of which (P1-P4) were previously characterized in the literature. The present study also describes the results of a virtual screening study focused on the discovery of hit compounds, binders of the P4 site that can be considered as peptidomimetics of a fragment of the SOS αI helix, a guanine exchange factor of Ras. After a detailed description of the computational procedure followed, we disclose five hit compounds, prospective binders of the P4 allosteric site that exhibit an inhibitory capability higher than 30% in a cell proliferation assay at 50 μM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Gomez-Gutierrez
- Department
of Chemical Engineering. ETSEIB, Universitat
Politecnica de Catalunya, Av. Diagonal, 647, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Allinky
Biopharma, Madrid Scientific Park, Faraday, 7, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Jaime Rubio-Martinez
- Department
of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry, University of Barcelona and the Institut de Recerca en Quimica Teorica
i Computacional (IQTCUB), Marti i Franques, 1, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Juan J. Perez
- Department
of Chemical Engineering. ETSEIB, Universitat
Politecnica de Catalunya, Av. Diagonal, 647, Barcelona 08028, Spain
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2
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Berta D, Gehrke S, Nyíri K, Vértessy BG, Rosta E. Mechanism-Based Redesign of GAP to Activate Oncogenic Ras. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:20302-20310. [PMID: 37682266 PMCID: PMC10515638 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c04330] [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] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Ras GTPases play a crucial role in cell signaling pathways. Mutations of the Ras gene occur in about one third of cancerous cell lines and are often associated with detrimental clinical prognosis. Hot spot residues Gly12, Gly13, and Gln61 cover 97% of oncogenic mutations, which impair the enzymatic activity in Ras. Using QM/MM free energy calculations, we present a two-step mechanism for the GTP hydrolysis catalyzed by the wild-type Ras.GAP complex. We found that the deprotonation of the catalytic water takes place via the Gln61 as a transient Brønsted base. We also determined the reaction profiles for key oncogenic Ras mutants G12D and G12C using QM/MM minimizations, matching the experimentally observed loss of catalytic activity, thereby validating our reaction mechanism. Using the optimized reaction paths, we devised a fast and accurate procedure to design GAP mutants that activate G12D Ras. We replaced GAP residues near the active site and determined the activation barrier for 190 single mutants. We furthermore built a machine learning for ultrafast screening, by fast prediction of the barrier heights, tested both on the single and double mutations. This work demonstrates that fast and accurate screening can be accomplished via QM/MM reaction path optimizations to design protein sequences with increased catalytic activity. Several GAP mutations are predicted to re-enable catalysis in oncogenic G12D, offering a promising avenue to overcome aberrant Ras-driven signal transduction by activating enzymatic activity instead of inhibition. The outlined computational screening protocol is readily applicable for designing ligands and cofactors analogously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dénes Berta
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University College
London, Gower Street, London WC1E
6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Sascha Gehrke
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University College
London, Gower Street, London WC1E
6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Kinga Nyíri
- Institute
of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok körútja
2, Budapest 1117, Hungary
- Department
of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budafoki út 6-8, Budapest 1111, Hungary
| | - Beáta G. Vértessy
- Institute
of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Magyar tudósok körútja
2, Budapest 1117, Hungary
- Department
of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budafoki út 6-8, Budapest 1111, Hungary
| | - Edina Rosta
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University College
London, Gower Street, London WC1E
6BT, United Kingdom
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3
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Yang X, Guo J, Li W, Li C, Zhu X, Liu Y, Wu X. PPM1H is down-regulated by ATF6 and dephosphorylates p-RPS6KB1 to inhibit progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 33:164-179. [PMID: 37456776 PMCID: PMC10345229 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
We have shown previously that polymorphism of activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) is associated with susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, genes down-regulated by ATF6 might play a tumor-suppressing role. In the present study, we identified that expression of protein phosphatase magnesium- or manganous-dependent 1H (PPM1H) mRNA and protein can be inhibited by ATF6 in hepatoma cells and mice with liver Atf6 knockdown. Tumor tissues from 134 HCC patients were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, and PPM1H exhibited higher expression levels in adjacent para-cancer tissues than in HCC tissues. Therefore, patients with higher expression of PPM1H had a better prognosis. PPM1H inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of hepatoma cells. In addition, PPM1H inhibited induced HCC nodule formation as well as tumor xenograft growth in diethylnitrosamine/CCl4-induced HCC mouse model and nude mouse tumorigenicity assay, respectively. A 3D model of PPM1H was obtained by homology multi-template modeling, and ribosomal protein S6 kinase B1 (RPS6KB1) in the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)/transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) pathway was screened out as the potential substrate of PPM1H by Rosetta. PPM1H could directly dephosphorylate p-RPS6KB1. To conclude, we discovered RPS6KB1 as a new PPM1H dephosphorylation substrate. PPM1H exhibited a suppressive effect on HCC progression by dephosphorylating p-RPS6KB1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoshuang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, P.R. China
- School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, P.R. China
| | - Jianting Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, P.R. China
- School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, P.R. China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Chunrui Li
- Beijing Cloud Computing Key Technique and Application Key Laboratory, Beijing Computing Center, Beijing 100094, P.R. China
| | - Xilin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, P.R. China
- School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, P.R. China
| | - Ying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, P.R. China
- School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, P.R. China
| | - Xiaopan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, P.R. China
- School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, P.R. China
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4
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Sampaio JG, Pressete CG, Costa AV, Martins FT, de Almeida Lima GD, Ionta M, Teixeira RR. Methoxylated Cinnamic Esters with Antiproliferative and Antimetastatic Effects on Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1428. [PMID: 37511803 PMCID: PMC10381754 DOI: 10.3390/life13071428] [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: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, and malignant melanomas are highly lethal owing to their elevated metastatic potential. Despite improvements in therapeutic approaches, cancer treatments are not completely effective. Thus, new drug candidates are continuously sought. We synthesized mono- and di-methoxylated cinnamic acid esters and investigated their antitumor potential. A cell viability assay was performed to identify promising substances against A549 (non-small-cell lung cancer) and SK-MEL-147 (melanoma) cells. (E)-2,5-dimethoxybenzyl 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)acrylate (4m), a monomethoxylated cinnamic acid derivative, was identified as the lead antitumor compound, and its antitumor potential was deeply investigated. Various approaches were employed to investigate the antiproliferative (clonogenic assay and cell cycle analysis), proapoptotic (annexin V assay), and antimigratory (wound-healing and adhesion assays) activities of 4m on A549 cells. In addition, western blotting was performed to explore its mechanism of action. We demonstrated that 4m inhibits the proliferation of A549 by promoting cyclin B downregulation and cell cycle arrest at G2/M. Antimigratory and proapoptotic activities of 4m on A549 were also observed. The antitumor potential of 4m involved its ability to modulate the mitogen-activated protein kinases/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathway once phosphorylated-ERK expression was considerably reduced in response to treatment. Our findings demonstrate that 4m is a promising anticancer drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Graciano Sampaio
- Grupo de Síntese e Pesquisa de Compostos Bioativos (GSPCB), Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil
| | - Carolina Girotto Pressete
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-000, MG, Brazil
| | - Adilson Vidal Costa
- Departamento de Química e Física, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Guararema, Alegre 29500-000, ES, Brazil
| | - Felipe Terra Martins
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
| | - Graziela Domingues de Almeida Lima
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-000, MG, Brazil
| | - Marisa Ionta
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-000, MG, Brazil
| | - Róbson Ricardo Teixeira
- Grupo de Síntese e Pesquisa de Compostos Bioativos (GSPCB), Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil
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5
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Feng J, Hu Z, Xia X, Liu X, Lian Z, Wang H, Wang L, Wang C, Zhang X, Pang X. Feedback activation of EGFR/wild-type RAS signaling axis limits KRAS G12D inhibitor efficacy in KRAS G12D-mutated colorectal cancer. Oncogene 2023; 42:1620-1633. [PMID: 37020035 PMCID: PMC10181928 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02676-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC), which shows a high degree of heterogeneity, is the third most deadly cancer worldwide. Mutational activation of KRASG12D occurs in approximately 10-12% of CRC cases, but the susceptibility of KRASG12D-mutated CRC to the recently discovered KRASG12D inhibitor MRTX1133 has not been fully defined. Here, we report that MRTX1133 treatment caused reversible growth arrest in KRASG12D-mutated CRC cells, accompanied by partial reactivation of RAS effector signaling. Through a drug-anchored synthetic lethality screen, we discovered that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition was synthetic lethal with MRTX1133. Mechanistically, MRTX1133 treatment downregulated the expression of ERBB receptor feedback inhibitor 1 (ERRFI1), a crucial negative regulator of EGFR, thereby causing EGFR feedback activation. Notably, wild-type isoforms of RAS, including H-RAS and N-RAS, but not oncogenic K-RAS, mediated signaling downstream of activated EGFR, leading to RAS effector signaling rebound and reduced MRTX1133 efficacy. Blockade of activated EGFR with clinically used antibodies or kinase inhibitors suppressed the EGFR/wild-type RAS signaling axis, sensitized MRTX1133 monotherapy, and caused the regression of KRASG12D-mutant CRC organoids and cell line-derived xenografts. Overall, this study uncovers feedback activation of EGFR as a prominent molecular event that restricts KRASG12D inhibitor efficacy and establishes a potential combination therapy consisting of KRASG12D and EGFR inhibitors for patients with KRASG12D-mutated CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanjuan Feng
- Southern Medical University Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Zhongwei Hu
- Southern Medical University Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China
| | - Xinting Xia
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Xiaogu Liu
- Southern Medical University Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China
| | - Zhengke Lian
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Liren Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Cun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xueli Zhang
- Southern Medical University Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510515, China.
| | - Xiufeng Pang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
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6
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Zhang J, Liu P, Chen J, Yao D, Liu Q, Zhang J, Zhang HW, Leung ELH, Yao XJ, Liu L. Upgrade of chrysomycin A as a novel topoisomerase II inhibitor to curb KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinoma progression. Pharmacol Res 2023; 187:106565. [PMID: 36414124 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A primary strategy employed in cancer therapy is the inhibition of topoisomerase II (Topo II), implicated in cell survival. However, side effects and adverse reactions restrict the utilization of Topo II inhibitors. Thus, investigations focus on the discovery of novel compounds that are capable of inhibiting the Topo II enzyme and feature safer toxicological profiles. Herein, we upgrade an old antibiotic chrysomycin A from Streptomyces sp. 891 as a compelling Topo II enzyme inhibitor. Our results show that chrysomycin A is a new chemical entity. Notably, chrysomycin A targets the DNA-unwinding enzyme Topo II with an efficient binding potency and a significant inhibition of intracellular enzyme levels. Intriguingly, chrysomycin A kills KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinoma cells and is negligible cytotoxic to normal cells at the cellular level, thus indicating a capability of potential treatment. Furthermore, mechanism studies demonstrate that chrysomycin A inhibits the Topo II enzyme and stimulates the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, thereby inducing DNA damage-mediated cancer cell apoptosis. Importantly, chrysomycin A exhibits excellent control of cancer progression and excellent safety in tumor-bearing models. Our results provide a chemical scaffold for the synthesis of new types of Topo II inhibitors and reveal a novel target for chrysomycin A to meet its further application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junmin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau; School of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Pei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau
| | - Jianwei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Dahong Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau
| | - Qing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau
| | - Juanhong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau; School of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; College of Life Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Hua-Wei Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Elaine Lai-Han Leung
- Cancer Center, Faculty of Health Science, and MOE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Macau.
| | - Xiao-Jun Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau.
| | - Liang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau.
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7
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Caliskan A, Crouch SAW, Giddins S, Dandekar T, Dangwal S. Progeria and Aging-Omics Based Comparative Analysis. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2440. [PMID: 36289702 PMCID: PMC9599154 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Since ancient times aging has also been regarded as a disease, and humankind has always strived to extend the natural lifespan. Analyzing the genes involved in aging and disease allows for finding important indicators and biological markers for pathologies and possible therapeutic targets. An example of the use of omics technologies is the research regarding aging and the rare and fatal premature aging syndrome progeria (Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, HGPS). In our study, we focused on the in silico analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in progeria and aging, using a publicly available RNA-Seq dataset (GEO dataset GSE113957) and a variety of bioinformatics tools. Despite the GSE113957 RNA-Seq dataset being well-known and frequently analyzed, the RNA-Seq data shared by Fleischer et al. is far from exhausted and reusing and repurposing the data still reveals new insights. By analyzing the literature citing the use of the dataset and subsequently conducting a comparative analysis comparing the RNA-Seq data analyses of different subsets of the dataset (healthy children, nonagenarians and progeria patients), we identified several genes involved in both natural aging and progeria (KRT8, KRT18, ACKR4, CCL2, UCP2, ADAMTS15, ACTN4P1, WNT16, IGFBP2). Further analyzing these genes and the pathways involved indicated their possible roles in aging, suggesting the need for further in vitro and in vivo research. In this paper, we (1) compare "normal aging" (nonagenarians vs. healthy children) and progeria (HGPS patients vs. healthy children), (2) enlist genes possibly involved in both the natural aging process and progeria, including the first mention of IGFBP2 in progeria, (3) predict miRNAs and interactomes for WNT16 (hsa-mir-181a-5p), UCP2 (hsa-mir-26a-5p and hsa-mir-124-3p), and IGFBP2 (hsa-mir-124-3p, hsa-mir-126-3p, and hsa-mir-27b-3p), (4) demonstrate the compatibility of well-established R packages for RNA-Seq analysis for researchers interested but not yet familiar with this kind of analysis, and (5) present comparative proteomics analyses to show an association between our RNA-Seq data analyses and corresponding changes in protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aylin Caliskan
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Samantha A. W. Crouch
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sara Giddins
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Dandekar
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Seema Dangwal
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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8
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Colorectal cancer-derived exosomes and modulation KRAS signaling. CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF SPANISH ONCOLOGY SOCIETIES AND OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE OF MEXICO 2022; 24:2074-2080. [PMID: 35789981 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-022-02877-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and one of the main causes of cancer-associated mortality. At the period of diagnosis, metastases to other tissues will be present in around 30% of CRC individuals. Individuals with CRC continue to have a poor prognosis despite advances in medication. There is a growing body of literature that CRC develops as a result of the aggregation of various mutations in tumor oncogenes or suppressor genes and that diagnosing cancer in its initial phases may assist in increasing the overall lifespan of individuals with the illness. On the other hand, tumor cells may discharge exosomes in response to oncogenic mutations. By Inhibiting signaling pathways, including the Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) mechanism, which is important in a variety of cell activities, exosomes have been shown to cause colorectal cancer in animal studies. The purpose of this review was to summarize the latest discoveries on the modulation of KRAS signaling by exosomes extracted from colorectal cancer.
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9
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Small-Molecule RAS Inhibitors as Anticancer Agents: Discovery, Development, and Mechanistic Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073706. [PMID: 35409064 PMCID: PMC8999084 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations of RAS oncogenes are responsible for about 30% of all human cancer types, including pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancers. While KRAS1 is a pseudogene, mutation of KRAS2 (commonly known as KRAS oncogene) is directly or indirectly associated with human cancers. Among the RAS family, KRAS is the most abundant oncogene related to uncontrolled cellular proliferation to generate solid tumors in many types of cancer such as pancreatic carcinoma (over 80%), colon carcinoma (40-50%), lung carcinoma (30-50%), and other types of cancer. Once described as 'undruggable', RAS proteins have become 'druggable', at least to a certain extent, due to the continuous efforts made during the past four decades. In this account, we discuss the chemistry and biology (wherever available) of the small-molecule inhibitors (synthetic, semi-synthetic, and natural) of KRAS proteins that were published in the past decades. Commercial drugs, as well as investigational molecules from preliminary stages to clinical trials, are categorized and discussed in this study. In summary, this study presents an in-depth discussion of RAS proteins, classifies the RAS superfamily, and describes the molecular mechanism of small-molecule RAS inhibitors.
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c-Myc Protein Level Affected by Unsymmetrical Bisacridines Influences Apoptosis and Senescence Induced in HCT116 Colorectal and H460 Lung Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063061. [PMID: 35328482 PMCID: PMC8955938 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063061] [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: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Unsymmetrical bisacridines (UAs) are highly active antitumor compounds. They contain in their structure the drugs previously synthesized in our Department: C-1311 and C-1748. UAs exhibit different properties than their monomer components. They do not intercalate to dsDNA but stabilize the G-quadruplex structures, particularly those of the MYC and KRAS genes. Since MYC and KRAS are often mutated and constitutively expressed in cancer cells, they can be used as therapeutic targets. Herein, we investigate whether UAs can affect the expression and protein level of c-Myc and K-Ras in HCT116 and H460 cancer cells, and if so, what are the consequences for the UAs-induced cellular response. UAs did not affect K-Ras, but they strongly influenced the expression and translation of the c-Myc protein, and in H460 cells, they caused its full inhibition. UAs treatment resulted in apoptosis, as confirmed by the morphological changes, the presence of sub-G1 population and active caspase-3, cleaved PARP, annexin-V/PI staining and a decrease in mitochondrial potential. Importantly, apoptosis was induced earlier and to a greater extent in H460 compared to HCT116 cells. Moreover, accelerated senescence occurred only in H460 cells. In conclusion, the strong inhibition of c-Myc by UAs in H460 cells may participate in the final cellular response (apoptosis, senescence).
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11
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Li Y, Hu L, Xu C. Kirsten rat sarcoma inhibitors in clinical development against nonsmall cell lung cancer. Curr Opin Oncol 2022; 34:66-76. [PMID: 34690284 DOI: 10.1097/cco.0000000000000808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The unique structure made Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) 'undruggable' for quite an extended period. The functional mechanism of this small protein is well illustrated. However, there is no precision medicine for nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients burden with KRAS mutation. The attempts made by scientists to make challenge history against KRAS mutation and their druggable targets are worth elucidating. RECENT FINDINGS The appearance of orphan drug AMG510 in the market specifically targeting KRASG12C is a tremendous breakthrough. Several KRAS inhibitors are under development now. More studies focus on combo treatment of KRAS inhibition and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Recent preclinical and clinical investigations have been reported that NSCLC patients with KRAS mutation can benefit from ICIs. SUMMARY The current review elucidates the development of KRAS inhibitors from basic research to clinical precision medicines. We retrospectively analyze the development of KRAS mutation targeting drugs and discuss the investigations for future development of KRAS inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunchang Li
- Integrative Cancer Center and Cancer Clinical Research Center, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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12
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Zhang J, Zhang J, Liu Q, Fan XX, Leung ELH, Yao XJ, Liu L. Resistance looms for KRAS G12C inhibitors and rational tackling strategies. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 229:108050. [PMID: 34864132 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.108050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
KRAS mutations are one of the most frequent activating alterations in carcinoma. Recent efforts have witnessed a revolutionary strategy for KRAS G12C inhibitors with exhibiting conspicuous clinical responses across multiple tumor types, providing new impetus for renewed drug development and culminating in sotorasib with approximately 6-month median progression-free survival in KRAS G12C-driven lung cancer. However, diverse genomic and histological mechanisms conferring resistance to KRAS G12C inhibitors may limit their clinical efficacy. Herein, we first briefly discuss the recent resistance looms for KRAS G12C inhibitors, focusing on their clinical trials. We then comprehensively interrogate and underscore our current understanding of resistance mechanisms and the necessity of incorporating genomic analyses into the clinical investigation to further decipher resistance mechanisms. Finally, we highlight the future role of novel treatment strategies especially rational identification of targeted combinatorial approaches in tackling drug resistance, and propose our views on including the application of robust biomarkers to precisely guide combination medication regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junmin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China; School of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Juanhong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China; School of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; College of Life Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Qing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China
| | - Xing-Xing Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China
| | - Elaine Lai-Han Leung
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China.
| | - Xiao-Jun Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China.
| | - Liang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China.
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13
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Hyun S, Shin D. Small-Molecule Inhibitors and Degraders Targeting KRAS-Driven Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212142. [PMID: 34830024 PMCID: PMC8621880 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance continues to be a major problem associated with cancer treatment. One of the primary causes of anticancer drug resistance is the frequently mutated RAS gene. In particular, considerable efforts have been made to treat KRAS-induced cancers by directly and indirectly controlling the activity of KRAS. However, the RAS protein is still one of the most prominent targets for drugs in cancer treatment. Recently, novel targeted protein degradation (TPD) strategies, such as proteolysis-targeting chimeras, have been developed to render "undruggable" targets druggable and overcome drug resistance and mutation problems. In this study, we discuss small-molecule inhibitors, TPD-based small-molecule chemicals for targeting RAS pathway proteins, and their potential applications for treating KRAS-mutant cancers. Novel TPD strategies are expected to serve as promising therapeutic methods for treating tumor patients with KRAS mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soonsil Hyun
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, 194-21 Osongsaengmyeong 1-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si 28160, Korea;
| | - Dongyun Shin
- Gachon Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, 191 Hambakmoe-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21936, Korea
- Correspondence:
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14
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Computational investigation to identify potent inhibitors of the GTPase-Kirsten RAt sarcoma virus (K-Ras) mutants G12C and G12D. Comput Biol Med 2021; 139:104946. [PMID: 34715554 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2021.104946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
K-Ras mutations are frequent in various cancer types, and according to recent research, K-Ras possesses four-drug targeting sites. This increased our interest in finding potential small molecule inhibitors with anticancer activity to treat K-Ras-driven cancers. We utilized integrated bioinformatic strategies, such as XP docking, MM-GBSA, cell-line cytotoxicity prediction, ADMET, and molecular simulation, to discover potential inhibitors of G12C and G12D mutants compared to sotorasib, which is a recent FDA-approved inhibitor of G12C. We identified compounds, such as flupentixol, amlodipine, and fluvoxamine, for the G12C mutant and paroxetine, flupentixol, and zuclopenthixol for the G12D mutant with significant inhibitory functions. All five compounds bound to the H95 cryptic groove of mutant K-Ras with high efficiency and, like sotorasib, retained a novel binding mechanism with additional hydrophobic interactions at the molecular level. Furthermore, the simulation studies suggested that the binding of flupentixol and amlodipine to G12C stabilizes switch I and switch II. In contrast, paroxetine and flupentixol to G12D showed a similar trend compared to sotorasib complexes. Thus, despite the very dynamic functionality of K-Ras switches I and II, the binding of shortlisted compounds is highly stable. Therefore, the reported study provides potential drug candidates for K-Ras inhibition that can be further developed with in vitro and in vivo evidence for targeted therapy.
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15
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Chatzigoulas A, Cournia Z. Rational design of allosteric modulators: Challenges and successes. WIRES COMPUTATIONAL MOLECULAR SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/wcms.1529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexios Chatzigoulas
- Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens Athens Greece
- Department of Informatics and Telecommunications National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Athens Greece
| | - Zoe Cournia
- Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens Athens Greece
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16
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Elbatanony RS, Parvathaneni V, Kulkarni NS, Shukla SK, Chauhan G, Kunda NK, Gupta V. Afatinib-loaded inhalable PLGA nanoparticles for localized therapy of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)-development and in-vitro efficacy. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2021; 11:927-943. [PMID: 32557351 PMCID: PMC7738377 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-020-00802-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Afatinib (AFA) is a potent aniline-quinazoline derivative, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2013, as a first-line treatment for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, its clinical application is highly limited by its poor solubility, and consequently low bioavailability. We hypothesize that loading of AFA into biodegradable PLGA nanoparticles for localized inhalational drug delivery will be instrumental in improving therapeutic outcomes in NSCLC patients. Formulated AFA nanoparticles (AFA-NP) were evaluated for physicochemical properties (particle size: 180.2 ± 15.6 nm, zeta potential: - 23.1 ± 0.2 mV, % entrapment efficiency: 34.4 ± 2.3%), formulation stability, in-vitro aerosol deposition behavior, and anticancer efficacy. Stability studies revealed the physicochemical stability of AFA-NP. Moreover, AFA-NP exhibited excellent inhalable properties (mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD): 4.7 ± 0.1 μm; fine particle fraction (FPF): 77.8 ± 4.3%), indicating efficient particle deposition in deep lung regions. With respect to in-vitro drug release, AFA-NP showed sustained drug release with cumulative release of 56.8 ± 6.4% after 48 h. Cytotoxic studies revealed that encapsulation of AFA into PLGA nanoparticles significantly enhanced its cytotoxic potential in KRAS-mutated NSCLC cell lines (A549, H460). Cellular uptake studies revealed enhanced internalization of coumarin-loaded nanoparticles compared to plain coumarin in A549. In addition, 3D tumor spheroid studies demonstrated superior efficacy of AFA-NP in tumor penetration and growth inhibition. To conclude, we have established in-vitro efficacy of afatinib-loaded PLGA nanoparticles as inhalable NSCLC therapy, which will be of great significance when designing preclinical and clinical studies. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasha S Elbatanony
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway,, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Industries, Future University in Egypt, Cairo, 11835, Egypt
| | - Vineela Parvathaneni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway,, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Nishant S Kulkarni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway,, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Snehal K Shukla
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway,, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Gautam Chauhan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway,, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Nitesh K Kunda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway,, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Vivek Gupta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway,, Queens, NY, 11439, USA.
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17
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Marshall CB, KleinJan F, Gebregiworgis T, Lee KY, Fang Z, Eves BJ, Liu NF, Gasmi-Seabrook GMC, Enomoto M, Ikura M. NMR in integrated biophysical drug discovery for RAS: past, present, and future. JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR NMR 2020; 74:531-554. [PMID: 32804298 DOI: 10.1007/s10858-020-00338-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in RAS oncogenes occur in ~ 30% of human cancers, with KRAS being the most frequently altered isoform. RAS proteins comprise a conserved GTPase domain and a C-terminal lipid-modified tail that is unique to each isoform. The GTPase domain is a 'switch' that regulates multiple signaling cascades that drive cell growth and proliferation when activated by binding GTP, and the signal is terminated by GTP hydrolysis. Oncogenic RAS mutations disrupt the GTPase cycle, leading to accumulation of the activated GTP-bound state and promoting proliferation. RAS is a key target in oncology, however it lacks classic druggable pockets and has been extremely challenging to target. RAS signaling has thus been targeted indirectly, by harnessing key downstream effectors as well as upstream regulators, or disrupting the proper membrane localization required for signaling, by inhibiting either lipid modification or 'carrier' proteins. As a small (20 kDa) protein with multiple conformers in dynamic equilibrium, RAS is an excellent candidate for NMR-driven characterization and screening for direct inhibitors. Several molecules have been discovered that bind RAS and stabilize shallow pockets through conformational selection, and recent compounds have achieved substantial improvements in affinity. NMR-derived insight into targeting the RAS-membrane interface has revealed a new strategy to enhance the potency of small molecules, while another approach has been development of peptidyl inhibitors that bind through large interfaces rather than deep pockets. Remarkable progress has been made with mutation-specific covalent inhibitors that target the thiol of a G12C mutant, and these are now in clinical trials. Here we review the history of RAS inhibitor development and highlight the utility of NMR and integrated biophysical approaches in RAS drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher B Marshall
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada.
| | - Fenneke KleinJan
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Teklab Gebregiworgis
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Ki-Young Lee
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Zhenhao Fang
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Ben J Eves
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Ningdi F Liu
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | | | - Masahiro Enomoto
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Mitsuhiko Ikura
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada.
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada.
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18
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Marquevielle J, Robert C, Lagrabette O, Wahid M, Bourdoncle A, Xodo LE, Mergny JL, Salgado GF. Structure of two G-quadruplexes in equilibrium in the KRAS promoter. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:9336-9345. [PMID: 32432667 PMCID: PMC7498360 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
KRAS is one of the most mutated oncogenes and still considered an undruggable target. An alternative strategy would consist in targeting its gene rather than the protein, specifically the formation of G-quadruplexes (G4) in its promoter. G4 are secondary structures implicated in biological processes, which can be formed among G-rich DNA (or RNA) sequences. Here we have studied the major conformations of the commonly known KRAS 32R, or simply 32R, a 32 residue sequence within the KRAS Nuclease Hypersensitive Element (NHE) region. We have determined the structure of the two major stable conformers that 32R can adopt and which display slow equilibrium (>ms) with each other. By using different biophysical methods, we found that the nucleotides G9, G25, G28 and G32 are particularly implicated in the exchange between these two conformations. We also showed that a triad at the 3' end further stabilizes one of the G4 conformations, while the second conformer remains more flexible and less stable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Marquevielle
- European Institute of Chemistry and Biology (IECB), ARNA laboratory, INSERM U1212 - CNRS UMR 5320, University of Bordeaux, France
| | - Coralie Robert
- European Institute of Chemistry and Biology (IECB), ARNA laboratory, INSERM U1212 - CNRS UMR 5320, University of Bordeaux, France
| | - Olivier Lagrabette
- European Institute of Chemistry and Biology (IECB), ARNA laboratory, INSERM U1212 - CNRS UMR 5320, University of Bordeaux, France
| | - Mona Wahid
- European Institute of Chemistry and Biology (IECB), ARNA laboratory, INSERM U1212 - CNRS UMR 5320, University of Bordeaux, France
| | - Anne Bourdoncle
- European Institute of Chemistry and Biology (IECB), ARNA laboratory, INSERM U1212 - CNRS UMR 5320, University of Bordeaux, France
| | - Luigi E Xodo
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Biochemistry, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Jean-Louis Mergny
- European Institute of Chemistry and Biology (IECB), ARNA laboratory, INSERM U1212 - CNRS UMR 5320, University of Bordeaux, France
| | - Gilmar F Salgado
- European Institute of Chemistry and Biology (IECB), ARNA laboratory, INSERM U1212 - CNRS UMR 5320, University of Bordeaux, France
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19
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Shi W, Huang Q, Xie J, Wang H, Yu X, Zhou Y. CKS1B as Drug Resistance-Inducing Gene-A Potential Target to Improve Cancer Therapy. Front Oncol 2020; 10:582451. [PMID: 33102238 PMCID: PMC7545642 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.582451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a threat to human health and life. Although previously centered on chemical drug treatments, cancer treatment has entered an era of precision targeted therapy. Targeted therapy entails precise guidance, allowing the selective killing of cancer cells and thereby reducing damage to healthy tissues. Therefore, the need to explore potential targets for tumor treatment is vital. Cyclin-dependent kinase regulatory subunit 1B (CKS1B), a member of the conserved cyclin kinase subunit 1 (CKS1) protein family, plays an essential role in cell cycling. A large number of studies have shown that CKS1B is associated with the pathogenesis of many human cancers and closely related to drug resistance. Here, we describe the current understanding of the cellular functions of CKS1B and its underlying mechanisms, summarize a recent study of CKS1B as a target for cancer treatment and discuss the potential of CKS1B as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Shi
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Target and Clinical Pharmacology, The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiudi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Target and Clinical Pharmacology, The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiacui Xie
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Target and Clinical Pharmacology, The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - He Wang
- Center of Cancer Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiyong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Target and Clinical Pharmacology, The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Target and Clinical Pharmacology, The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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20
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Luo S, Xu J, Jiang Z, Liu L, Wu Q, Leung ELH, Leung AP. Artificial intelligence-based collaborative filtering method with ensemble learning for personalized lung cancer medicine without genetic sequencing. Pharmacol Res 2020; 160:105037. [PMID: 32590103 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In personalized medicine, many factors influence the choice of compounds. Hence, the selection of suitable medicine for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is expensive. To shorten the decision-making process for compounds, we propose a computationally efficient and cost-effective collaborative filtering method with ensemble learning. The ensemble learning is used to handle small-sample sizes in drug response datasets as the typical number of patients in a cancer dataset is very small. Moreover, the proposed method can be used to identify the most suitable compounds for patients without genetic data. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first method to provide effective recommendations without genetic data. We also constructed a reliable dataset that includes eight NSCLC cell lines and ten compounds that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. With the new dataset, the experimental results demonstrated that the dataset shift phenomenon that commonly occurs in practical biomedical data does not occur in this problem. The experimental results demonstrated that our proposed method can outperform two state-of-the-art recommender system techniques on both the NCI60 dataset and our new dataset. Our model can be applied to the prediction of drug sensitivity with less labor-intensive experiments in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengda Luo
- Faculty of Information Technology, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China
| | - Jiahui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine/Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China
| | - Zebo Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine/Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China
| | - Lei Liu
- Faculty of Information Technology, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China
| | - Qibiao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine/Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China.
| | - Elaine Lai-Han Leung
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine/Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China.
| | - Alex Po Leung
- Faculty of Information Technology, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China.
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21
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Wu HZ, Xiao JQ, Xiao SS, Cheng Y. KRAS: A Promising Therapeutic Target for Cancer Treatment. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:2081-2097. [PMID: 31486755 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190905164144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Kirsten rat sarcoma 2 viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) is the most commonly mutated oncogene in human cancer. The developments of many cancers depend on sustained expression and signaling of KRAS, which makes KRAS a high-priority therapeutic target. Scientists have not successfully developed drugs that target KRAS, although efforts have been made last three decades. In this review, we highlight the emerging experimental strategies of impairing KRAS membrane localization and the direct targeting of KRAS. We also conclude the combinatorial therapies and RNA interference technology for the treatment of KRAS mutant cancers. Moreover, the virtual screening approach to discover novel KRAS inhibitors and synthetic lethality interactors of KRAS are discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Zhou Wu
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Jia-Qi Xiao
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Song-Shu Xiao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Yan Cheng
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
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22
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Abdel-Wahab AF, Mahmoud W, Al-Harizy RM. Targeting glucose metabolism to suppress cancer progression: prospective of anti-glycolytic cancer therapy. Pharmacol Res 2019; 150:104511. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Revised: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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23
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Chen F, Alphonse MP, Liu Y, Liu Q. Targeting Mutant KRAS for Anticancer Therapy. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:2098-2113. [DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190902151307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
:Over the past decades, designing therapeutic strategies to target KRAS-mutant cancers, which is one of the most frequent mutant oncogenes among all cancer types, have proven unsuccessful regardless of many concerted attempts. There are key challenges for KRAS-mutant anticancer therapy, as the complex cellular processes involved in KRAS signaling has present. Herein, we highlight the emerging therapeutic approaches for inhibiting KRAS signaling and blocking KRAS functions, in hope to serve as a more effective guideline for future development of therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengqian Chen
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH), Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79416, United States
| | - Martin P. Alphonse
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Cancer Research Building II, Suite 216, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
| | - Yan Liu
- Western University of Health Sciences, 309 E. Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766, United States
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Cancer Research Building II, Suite 216, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, United States
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24
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Mörchen B, Shkura O, Stoll R, Helfrich I. Targeting the "undruggable" RAS - new strategies - new hope? CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2019; 2:813-826. [PMID: 35582595 PMCID: PMC8992515 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2019.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
K-RAS is the most frequently mutated oncogene in solid tumors, such as pancreatic, colon or lung cancer. The GTPase K-RAS can either be in an active (GTP-loaded) or inactive (GDP-loaded) form. In its active form K-RAS forwards signals from growth factors, cytokines or hormones to the nucleus, regulating essential pathways, such as cell proliferation and differentiation. In turn, activating somatic mutations of this proto-oncogene deregulate the complex interplay between GAP (GTPase-activating) - and GEF (Guanine nucleotide exchange factor) - proteins, driving neoplastic transformation. Due to a rather shallow surface, K-RAS lacks proper binding pockets for small molecules, hindering drug development over the past thirty years. This review summarizes recent progress in the development of low molecular antagonists and further shows insights of a newly described interaction between mutant K-RAS signaling and PD-L1 induced immunosuppression, giving new hope for future treatments of K-RAS mutated cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta Mörchen
- Skin Cancer Unit of the Dermatology Department, Medical Faculty, University Duisburg-Essen, West German Cancer Center, Essen 45147, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Düsseldorf/Essen, Essen 45147, Germany
| | - Oleksandr Shkura
- Biomolecular NMR, Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University of Bochum, Bochum D-44780, Germany
| | - Raphael Stoll
- Biomolecular NMR, Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University of Bochum, Bochum D-44780, Germany
- Both authors contribute equally
| | - Iris Helfrich
- Skin Cancer Unit of the Dermatology Department, Medical Faculty, University Duisburg-Essen, West German Cancer Center, Essen 45147, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Düsseldorf/Essen, Essen 45147, Germany
- Both authors contribute equally
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25
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Indarte M, Puentes R, Maruggi M, Ihle NT, Grandjean G, Scott M, Ahmed Z, Meuillet EJ, Zang S, Lemos R, Du-Cuny L, Layng FIAL, Correa RG, Bankston LA, Liddington RC, Kirkpatrick L, Powis G. An Inhibitor of the Pleckstrin Homology Domain of CNK1 Selectively Blocks the Growth of Mutant KRAS Cells and Tumors. Cancer Res 2019; 79:3100-3111. [PMID: 31040156 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-2372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cnk1 (connector enhancer of kinase suppressor of Ras 1) is a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain-containing scaffold protein that increases the efficiency of Ras signaling pathways, imparting efficiency and specificity to the response of cell proliferation, survival, and migration. Mutated KRAS (mut-KRAS) is the most common proto-oncogenic event, occurring in approximately 25% of human cancers and has no effective treatment. In this study, we show that selective inhibition of Cnk1 blocks growth and Raf/Mek/Erk, Rho and RalA/B signaling in mut-KRAS lung and colon cancer cells with little effect on wild-type (wt)-KRAS cells. Cnk1 inhibition decreased anchorage-independent mut-KRas cell growth more so than growth on plastic, without the partial "addiction" to mut-KRAS seen on plastic. The PH domain of Cnk1 bound with greater affinity to PtdIns(4,5)P2 than PtdIns(3,4,5)P3, and Cnk1 localized to areas of the plasma membranes rich in PtdIns, suggesting a role for the PH domain in the biological activity of Cnk1. Through molecular modeling and structural modification, we identified a compound PHT-7.3 that bound selectively to the PH domain of Cnk1, preventing plasma membrane colocalization with mut-KRas. PHT-7.3 inhibited mut-KRas, but not wild-type KRas cancer cell and tumor growth and signaling. Thus, the PH domain of Cnk1 is a druggable target whose inhibition selectively blocks mutant KRas activation, making Cnk1 an attractive therapeutic target in patients with mut-KRAS-driven cancer. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings identify a therapeutic strategy to selectively block oncogenic KRas activity through the PH domain of Cnk1, which reduces its cell membrane binding, decreasing the efficiency of Ras signaling and tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roisin Puentes
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Cancer Center, La Jolla, California
| | - Marco Maruggi
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Cancer Center, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Geoffrey Grandjean
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Cancer Center, La Jolla, California
| | | | | | | | | | - Robert Lemos
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Cancer Center, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Fabiana I A L Layng
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Cancer Center, La Jolla, California
| | - Ricardo G Correa
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Cancer Center, La Jolla, California
| | - Laurie A Bankston
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Cancer Center, La Jolla, California
| | - Robert C Liddington
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Cancer Center, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Garth Powis
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Cancer Center, La Jolla, California.
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26
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Wei C, Yao X, Jiang Z, Wang Y, Zhang D, Chen X, Fan X, Xie C, Cheng J, Fu J, Leung ELH. Cordycepin Inhibits Drug-resistance Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Progression by Activating AMPK Signaling Pathway. Pharmacol Res 2019; 144:79-89. [PMID: 30974169 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide and it is also the most leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Although multiple generations of targeted therapeutic drugs such as gefitinib and afatinib specifically targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway are currently available for lung cancer treatment, none of them can escape their eventual drug-resistance. As a key component of Cordyceps Sinensis and widely used in traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), cordycepin (CD) has attracted increasing attention to both scientists and clinicians. We aimed to explore the potential in developing cordycepin (CD) as an anti-lung cancer drug. A systematic analysis was conducted on a panel of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines to identify the cells sensitive to CD. We found that CD can affect different aspects of lung cancer development including proliferation, migration, invasion, cell cycle, and apoptosis. We then explored the underlying molecular mechanisms of CD-mediated NSCLC cell apoptosis by conducting a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments. We found that in addition to affecting different stages of NSCLC development including tumor growth, migration, and invasion, the CD is capable of inhibiting NSCLC cell cycle progression and inducing cancer cell apoptosis without apparent adverse effect on normal lung cells. Furthermore, we found that the cells containing EGFR mutations are more sensitive to CD treatment than those without. Mechanistically, CD induces NSCLC cell apoptosis by interacting with and activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). More importantly, we found that the potency of CD's anticancer effect both in vitro and in vivo is comparable to afatinib and even better than gefitinib. Our findings suggest that CD either by itself or in combination with the currently available targeted therapeutic drugs might be additional therapeutic options for drug-resistance NSCLC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunli Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute For Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China; Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaojun Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute For Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China
| | - Zebo Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute For Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China
| | - Yuwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute For Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China
| | - Dianzheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, PA, 19131, USA
| | - Xi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute For Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China; Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, United States
| | - Xingxing Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute For Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China
| | - Chun Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute For Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China
| | - Jingliang Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Junjiang Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute For Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China; Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
| | - Elaine Lai-Han Leung
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute For Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau (SAR), China; Zhuhai Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China.
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27
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Jagust P, de Luxán-Delgado B, Parejo-Alonso B, Sancho P. Metabolism-Based Therapeutic Strategies Targeting Cancer Stem Cells. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:203. [PMID: 30967773 PMCID: PMC6438930 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer heterogeneity constitutes the major source of disease progression and therapy failure. Tumors comprise functionally diverse subpopulations, with cancer stem cells (CSCs) as the source of this heterogeneity. Since these cells bear in vivo tumorigenicity and metastatic potential, survive chemotherapy and drive relapse, its elimination may be the only way to achieve long-term survival in patients. Thanks to the great advances in the field over the last few years, we know now that cellular metabolism and stemness are highly intertwined in normal development and cancer. Indeed, CSCs show distinct metabolic features as compared with their more differentiated progenies, though their dominant metabolic phenotype varies across tumor entities, patients and even subclones within a tumor. Following initial works focused on glucose metabolism, current studies have unveiled particularities of CSC metabolism in terms of redox state, lipid metabolism and use of alternative fuels, such as amino acids or ketone bodies. In this review, we describe the different metabolic phenotypes attributed to CSCs with special focus on metabolism-based therapeutic strategies tested in preclinical and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Jagust
- Centre for Stem Cells in Cancer and Ageing, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Beatriz de Luxán-Delgado
- Centre for Stem Cells in Cancer and Ageing, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Beatriz Parejo-Alonso
- Traslational Research Unit, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragon), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Patricia Sancho
- Centre for Stem Cells in Cancer and Ageing, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.,Traslational Research Unit, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragon), Zaragoza, Spain
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28
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McCarthy M, Pagba CV, Prakash P, Naji AK, van der Hoeven D, Liang H, Gupta AK, Zhou Y, Cho KJ, Hancock JF, Gorfe AA. Discovery of High-Affinity Noncovalent Allosteric KRAS Inhibitors That Disrupt Effector Binding. ACS OMEGA 2019; 4:2921-2930. [PMID: 30842983 PMCID: PMC6396121 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b03308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 15% of all human tumors harbor mutant KRAS, a membrane-associated small GTPase and notorious oncogene. Mutations that render KRAS constitutively active will lead to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer. However, despite aggressive efforts in recent years, there are no drugs on the market that directly target KRAS and inhibit its aberrant functions. In the current work, we combined structure-based design with a battery of cell and biophysical assays to discover a novel pyrazolopyrimidine-based allosteric KRAS inhibitor that binds to activated KRAS with sub-micromolar affinity and disrupts effector binding, thereby inhibiting KRAS signaling and cancer cell growth. These results show that pyrazolopyrimidine-based compounds may represent a first-in-class allosteric noncovalent inhibitors of KRAS. Moreover, by studying two of its analogues, we identified key chemical features of the compound that interact with a set of specific residues at the switch regions of KRAS and play critical roles for its high-affinity binding and unique mode of action, thus providing a blueprint for future optimization efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael
J. McCarthy
- Department
of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Biochemistry
and Cell Biology Program, UTHealth MD Anderson
Cancer Center Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Cynthia V. Pagba
- Department
of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Priyanka Prakash
- Department
of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Ali K. Naji
- Department
of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Cambridge Street, Houston, Texas 7500, United States
| | - Dharini van der Hoeven
- Department
of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Cambridge Street, Houston, Texas 7500, United States
| | - Hong Liang
- Department
of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Amit K. Gupta
- Department
of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Yong Zhou
- Department
of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Biochemistry
and Cell Biology Program, UTHealth MD Anderson
Cancer Center Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Kwang-Jin Cho
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio 45435, United States
| | - John F. Hancock
- Department
of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Biochemistry
and Cell Biology Program, UTHealth MD Anderson
Cancer Center Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Alemayehu A. Gorfe
- Department
of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Biochemistry
and Cell Biology Program, UTHealth MD Anderson
Cancer Center Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- E-mail: (A.A.G.)
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29
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Bisht S, Feldmann G. Novel Targets in Pancreatic Cancer Therapy - Current Status and Ongoing Translational Efforts. Oncol Res Treat 2018; 41:596-602. [PMID: 30269126 DOI: 10.1159/000493437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC, pancreatic cancer) carries one of the poorest overall prognoses of all human malignancies known to date. Despite the introduction of novel therapeutic regimens, the outcome has not markedly improved over the past decades, the incidence rates are almost identical to the mortality rates, and PDAC is projected to soon become the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality in Western countries. Despite this clear medical need to develop novel therapeutic strategies against this dire malady, this need has so far not been addressed with sufficient institutional attention and support in terms of research funding and strategical programs. Given the still growing life expectancy and projected demographic changes with a growing proportion of senior citizens in many European societies, this discrepancy is likely to become even more pressing in the future. This article provides a brief overview of ongoing preclinical efforts to identify novel targets and, based on this, to develop novel strategies to treat advanced pancreatic cancer and improve survival and the quality of life of patients suffering from this malignancy.
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