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Dobre EG, Nichita L, Popp C, Zurac S, Neagu M. Assessment of RAS-RAF-MAPK Pathway Mutation Status in Healthy Skin, Benign Nevi, and Cutaneous Melanomas: Pilot Study Using Droplet Digital PCR. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2308. [PMID: 38396984 PMCID: PMC10889428 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042308] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we employed the ddPCR and IHC techniques to assess the prevalence and roles of RAS and RAF mutations in a small batch of melanoma (n = 22), benign moles (n = 15), and normal skin samples (n = 15). Mutational screening revealed the coexistence of BRAF and NRAS mutations in melanomas and nevi and the occurrence of NRAS G12/G13 variants in healthy skin. All investigated nevi had driver mutations in the BRAF or NRAS genes and elevated p16 protein expression, indicating cell cycle arrest despite an increased mutational burden. BRAF V600 mutations were identified in 54% of melanomas, and NRAS G12/G13 mutations in 50%. The BRAF mutations were associated with the Breslow index (BI) (p = 0.029) and TIL infiltration (p = 0.027), whereas the NRAS mutations correlated with the BI (p = 0.01) and the mitotic index (p = 0.04). Here, we demonstrate that the "young" ddPCR technology is as effective as a CE-IVD marked real-time PCR method for detecting BRAF V600 hotspot mutations in tumor biopsies and recommend it for extended use in clinical settings. Moreover, ddPCR was able to detect low-frequency hotspot mutations, such as NRAS G12/G13, in our tissue specimens, which makes it a promising tool for investigating the mutational landscape of sun-damaged skin, benign nevi, and melanomas in more extensive clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena-Georgiana Dobre
- Doctoral School, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania;
- “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania; (L.N.); (C.P.); (S.Z.)
| | - Luciana Nichita
- “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania; (L.N.); (C.P.); (S.Z.)
- Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristiana Popp
- “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania; (L.N.); (C.P.); (S.Z.)
- Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Sabina Zurac
- “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania; (L.N.); (C.P.); (S.Z.)
- Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Monica Neagu
- Doctoral School, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania;
- “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania; (L.N.); (C.P.); (S.Z.)
- Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
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2
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Harmange G, Hueros RAR, Schaff DL, Emert B, Saint-Antoine M, Kim LC, Niu Z, Nellore S, Fane ME, Alicea GM, Weeraratna AT, Simon MC, Singh A, Shaffer SM. Disrupting cellular memory to overcome drug resistance. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7130. [PMID: 37932277 PMCID: PMC10628298 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41811-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene expression states persist for varying lengths of time at the single-cell level, a phenomenon known as gene expression memory. When cells switch states, losing memory of their prior state, this transition can occur in the absence of genetic changes. However, we lack robust methods to find regulators of memory or track state switching. Here, we develop a lineage tracing-based technique to quantify memory and identify cells that switch states. Applied to melanoma cells without therapy, we quantify long-lived fluctuations in gene expression that are predictive of later resistance to targeted therapy. We also identify the PI3K and TGF-β pathways as state switching modulators. We propose a pretreatment model, first applying a PI3K inhibitor to modulate gene expression states, then applying targeted therapy, which leads to less resistance than targeted therapy alone. Together, we present a method for finding modulators of gene expression memory and their associated cell fates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Harmange
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Raúl A Reyes Hueros
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Dylan L Schaff
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Benjamin Emert
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Michael Saint-Antoine
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Laura C Kim
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zijian Niu
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Physics, College of the Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shivani Nellore
- Department of Biology, College of the Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mitchell E Fane
- Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment Research Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Gretchen M Alicea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ashani T Weeraratna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - M Celeste Simon
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Abhyudai Singh
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Sydney M Shaffer
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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3
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Kannampuzha S, Murali R, Gopalakrishnan AV, Mukherjee AG, Wanjari UR, Namachivayam A, George A, Dey A, Vellingiri B. Novel biomolecules in targeted cancer therapy: a new approach towards precision medicine. Med Oncol 2023; 40:323. [PMID: 37804361 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02168-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a major threat to human life around the globe, and the discovery of novel biomolecules continue to be an urgent therapeutic need that is still unmet. Precision medicine relies on targeted therapeutic strategies. Researchers are better equipped to develop therapies that target proteins as they understand more about the genetic alterations and molecules that cause progression of cancer. There has been a recent diversification of the sorts of targets exploited in treatment. Therapeutic antibody and biotechnology advancements enabled curative treatments to reach previously inaccessible sites. New treatment strategies have been initiated for several undruggable targets. The application of tailored therapy has been proven to have efficient results in controlling cancer progression. Novel biomolecules like SMDCs, ADCs, mABs, and PROTACS has gained vast attention in the recent years. Several studies have shown that using these novel technology helps in reducing the drug dosage as well as to overcome drug resistance in different cancer types. Therefore, it is crucial to fully untangle the mechanism and collect evidence to understand the significance of these novel drug targets and strategies. This review article will be discussing the importance and role of these novel biomolecules in targeted cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Kannampuzha
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Reshma Murali
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India.
| | - Anirban Goutam Mukherjee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Uddesh Ramesh Wanjari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Arunraj Namachivayam
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Alex George
- Jubilee Centre for Medical Research, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur, Kerala, India
| | - Abhijit Dey
- Department of Medical Services, MGM Cancer Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600029, India
| | - Balachandar Vellingiri
- Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641046, India
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Simiczyjew A, Wądzyńska J, Kot M, Ziętek M, Matkowski R, Hoang MP, Donizy P, Nowak D. Combinations of EGFR and MET inhibitors reduce proliferation and invasiveness of mucosal melanoma cells. J Cell Mol Med 2023; 27:2995-3008. [PMID: 37679999 PMCID: PMC10538264 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17935] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Mucosal melanoma (MM) is a very rare and aggressive type of cancer for which immunotherapy or targeted therapy such as BRAF/MEK inhibitors, used in cutaneous melanoma, usually fail. Due to our earlier experience showing the high effectiveness of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and hepatocyte growth factor receptor (MET) inhibitors in reducing the activation of the MAPK and PI3K/AKT signalling pathways, we aim to test whether these drugs would also be effective for mucosal melanoma. Cells representing two commercially available mucosal melanoma cell lines (GAK and HMVII) and one cell line obtained from a patient's vaginal melanoma were treated with MET or EGFR inhibitors, or combinations of these agents. The dual-inhibitor treatment strategy resulted in a decrease of cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Moreover, combinations of inhibitors led to reduction of pEGFR/EGFR and pMET/MET ratio and downregulation of PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK1/2-based signalling pathways. Our findings indicate a potential therapeutic strategy based on EGFR and MET inhibitors in mucosal melanoma, which should be further evaluated in vivo and in clinical experiments. They also suggest that targeting multiple receptor tyrosine kinases may block signalling crosstalk and possibly delay the appearance of resistance to kinase inhibitors in mucosal melanoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Simiczyjew
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of BiotechnologyUniversity of WroclawWroclawPoland
| | - Justyna Wądzyńska
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of BiotechnologyUniversity of WroclawWroclawPoland
| | - Magdalena Kot
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of BiotechnologyUniversity of WroclawWroclawPoland
| | - Marcin Ziętek
- Department of Oncology and Division of Surgical OncologyWroclaw Medical UniversityWroclawPoland
- Lower Silesian OncologyPulmonology and Hematology CenterWroclawPoland
| | - Rafał Matkowski
- Department of Oncology and Division of Surgical OncologyWroclaw Medical UniversityWroclawPoland
- Lower Silesian OncologyPulmonology and Hematology CenterWroclawPoland
| | - Mai P. Hoang
- Department of PathologyMassachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Piotr Donizy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental PathologyWroclaw Medical UniversityWroclawPoland
- Department of Pathology and Clinical CytologyJan Mikulicz‐Radecki University HospitalWroclawPoland
| | - Dorota Nowak
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of BiotechnologyUniversity of WroclawWroclawPoland
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5
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Wądzyńska J, Simiczyjew A, Pietraszek-Gremplewicz K, Kot M, Ziętek M, Matkowski R, Nowak D. The impact of cellular elements of TME on melanoma biology and its sensitivity to EGFR and MET targeted therapy. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2023; 1870:119549. [PMID: 37506884 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Microenvironment of the melanoma consists of cellular elements like fibroblasts, adipocytes, and keratinocytes as well as extracellular matrix and physicochemical conditions. In our previous research, we have established that melanoma influences strongly above mentioned cells present in the tumor niche and recruits them to support cancer progression. In this work, we evaluated the impact of cancer-associated cells, namely fibroblasts (CAFs), adipocytes (CAAs), and keratinocytes (CAKs) on melanoma proliferation, signaling pathways activation, metabolism as well as the effectiveness of used anti-cancer therapy. Obtained results indicated elevated phosphorylation of STAT3, upregulated GLUT1 and GLUT3 as well as downregulated of MCT-1 expression level in melanoma cells under the influence of all examined cells present in the tumor niche. The proliferation of melanoma cells was increased after co-culture with CAFs and CAKs, while epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers' expression level was raised in the presence of CAFs and CAAs. The level of perilipin 2 and lipid content was elevated in melanoma cells under the influence of CAAs. Moreover, increased expression of CYP1A1, gene encoding drug metabolizing protein, in melanoma cells co-cultured with CAFs and CAKs prompted us to verify the effectiveness of the previously proposed by us anti-melanoma therapy based on combination of EGFR and MET inhibitors. Obtained results indicate that the designed therapy is still efficient, even if the fibroblasts, adipocytes, and keratinocytes, are present in the melanoma vicinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Wądzyńska
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Simiczyjew
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland
| | | | - Magdalena Kot
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Ziętek
- Department of Oncology and Division of Surgical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland; Lower Silesian Oncology, Pulmonology, and Hematology Center, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Rafał Matkowski
- Department of Oncology and Division of Surgical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland; Lower Silesian Oncology, Pulmonology, and Hematology Center, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Nowak
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland.
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6
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Marocchi F, Palluzzi F, Nicoli P, Melixetian M, Lovati G, Bertalot G, Pece S, Ferrucci PF, Bossi D, Lanfrancone L. Actionable Genetic Screens Unveil Targeting of AURKA, MEK, and Fatty Acid Metabolism as an Alternative Therapeutic Approach for Advanced Melanoma. J Invest Dermatol 2023; 143:1993-2006.e10. [PMID: 37003468 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.03.1665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Despite the remarkable improvements achieved in the management of metastatic melanoma, there are still unmet clinical needs. A considerable fraction of patients does not respond to immune and/or targeted therapies owing to primary and acquired resistance, high-grade immune-related adverse events, and a lack of alternative treatment options. To design effective combination therapies, we set up a functional ex vivo preclinical assay on the basis of a drop-out genetic screen in metastatic melanoma patient-derived xenografts. We showed that this approach can be used to isolate actionable vulnerabilities predictive of drug efficacy. In particular, we highlighted that the dual targeting of AURKA and MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase employing the combination of alisertib and trametinib is highly effective in a cohort of metastatic melanoma patient-derived xenografts, both ex vivo and in vivo. Alisertib and trametinib combination therapy outperforms standard-of-care therapy in both BRAF-mutant patient-derived xenografts and targeted therapy-resistant models. Furthermore, alisertib and trametinib treatment modulates several critical cancer pathways, including an early metabolic reprogramming that leads to the transcriptional upregulation of the fatty acid oxidation pathway. This acquired trait unveiled an additional point of intervention for pharmacological targeting, and indeed, the triple combination of alisertib and trametinib with the fatty acid oxidation inhibitor etomoxir proved to be further beneficial, inducing tumor regression and remarkably prolonging the overall survival of the mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Marocchi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Fernando Palluzzi
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Nicoli
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Marine Melixetian
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Lovati
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bertalot
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy; Unità Operativa Multizonale di Anatomia Patologica, Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari, Trento, Italy; CISMED - Centre for Medical Sciences, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Salvatore Pece
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Pier Francesco Ferrucci
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Bossi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy; Institute of Oncology Research, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Luisa Lanfrancone
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy.
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7
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Neuendorf HM, Simmons JL, Boyle GM. Therapeutic targeting of anoikis resistance in cutaneous melanoma metastasis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1183328. [PMID: 37181747 PMCID: PMC10169659 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1183328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The acquisition of resistance to anoikis, the cell death induced by loss of adhesion to the extracellular matrix, is an absolute requirement for the survival of disseminating and circulating tumour cells (CTCs), and for the seeding of metastatic lesions. In melanoma, a range of intracellular signalling cascades have been identified as potential drivers of anoikis resistance, however a full understanding of the process is yet to be attained. Mechanisms of anoikis resistance pose an attractive target for the therapeutic treatment of disseminating and circulating melanoma cells. This review explores the range of small molecule, peptide and antibody inhibitors targeting molecules involved in anoikis resistance in melanoma, and may be repurposed to prevent metastatic melanoma prior to its initiation, potentially improving the prognosis for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Neuendorf
- Cancer Drug Mechanisms Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jacinta L. Simmons
- Cancer Drug Mechanisms Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Glen M. Boyle
- Cancer Drug Mechanisms Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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8
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Paris A, Tardif N, Baietti FM, Berra C, Leclair HM, Leucci E, Galibert M, Corre S. The AhR-SRC axis as a therapeutic vulnerability in BRAFi-resistant melanoma. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 14:e15677. [PMID: 36305167 PMCID: PMC9728058 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202215677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The nongenetic mechanisms required to control tumor phenotypic plasticity and shape drug-resistance remain unclear. We show here that the Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) transcription factor directly regulates the gene expression program associated with the acquisition of resistance to BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) in melanoma. In addition, we show in melanoma cells that canonical activation of AhR mediates the activation of the SRC pathway and promotes the acquisition of an invasive and aggressive resistant phenotype to front-line BRAFi treatment in melanoma. This nongenetic reprogramming identifies a clinically compatible approach to reverse BRAFi resistance in melanoma. Using a preclinical BRAFi-resistant PDX melanoma model, we demonstrate that SRC inhibition with dasatinib significantly re-sensitizes melanoma cells to BRAFi. Together we identify the AhR/SRC axis as a new therapeutic vulnerability to trigger resistance and warrant the introduction of SRC inhibitors during the course of the treatment in combination with front-line therapeutics to delay BRAFi resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Paris
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, INSERM, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes) – UMR6290, ERL U1305RennesFrance
| | - Nina Tardif
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, INSERM, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes) – UMR6290, ERL U1305RennesFrance
| | - Francesca M Baietti
- Laboratory for RNA Cancer Biology, Department of OncologyLKI, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium,Trace PDX Platform, Department of OncologyLKI, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Cyrille Berra
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, INSERM, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes) – UMR6290, ERL U1305RennesFrance,Department of Molecular Genetics and GenomicsHospital University of Rennes (CHU Rennes)RennesFrance
| | - Héloïse M Leclair
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, INSERM, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes) – UMR6290, ERL U1305RennesFrance
| | - Eleonora Leucci
- Laboratory for RNA Cancer Biology, Department of OncologyLKI, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium,Trace PDX Platform, Department of OncologyLKI, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Marie‐Dominique Galibert
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, INSERM, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes) – UMR6290, ERL U1305RennesFrance,Department of Molecular Genetics and GenomicsHospital University of Rennes (CHU Rennes)RennesFrance
| | - Sébastien Corre
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, INSERM, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes) – UMR6290, ERL U1305RennesFrance
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9
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Targeting EGFR in melanoma - The sea of possibilities to overcome drug resistance. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188754. [PMID: 35772580 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is considered one of the most aggressive skin cancers. It spreads and metastasizes quickly and is intrinsically resistant to most conventional chemotherapeutics, thereby presenting a challenge to researchers and clinicians searching for effective therapeutic strategies to treat patients with melanoma. The use of inhibitors of mutated serine/threonine-protein kinase B-RAF (BRAF), e.g., vemurafenib and dabrafenib, has revolutionized melanoma chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the response to these drugs lasts a limited time due to the development of acquired resistance. One of the proteins responsible for this process is epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In this review, we summarize the role of EGFR signaling in the multidrug resistance of melanomas and discuss possible applications of EGFR inhibitors to overcome the development of drug resistance in melanoma cells during therapy.
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10
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Mutational Characteristics of Primary Mucosal Melanoma: A Systematic Review. Mol Diagn Ther 2022; 26:189-202. [PMID: 35195858 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-021-00572-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary mucosal melanomas (PMMs) are rare and clinically heterogeneous, including head and neck (HNMs), vulvovaginal (VVMs), conjunctival (CjMs), anorectal (ARMs) and penile (PMs) melanomas. While the prognosis of advanced cutaneous melanoma has noticeably improved using treatments with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and molecules targeting BRAF and MEK, few advances have been made for PMMs because of their poorer response to ICIs and their different genetic profile. This prompted us to conduct a systematic review of molecular studies of PMMs to clarify their pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets. METHODS All articles that examined gene mutations in PMMs were identified from the databases and selected based on predefined inclusion criteria. Mutation rate was calculated for all PMMs and each location group by relating the number of mutations identified to the total number of samples analysed. RESULTS Among 1,581 studies identified, 88 were selected. Overall, the frequency of KIT, BRAF and NRAS mutation was 13.5%, 12.9% and 12.1%, respectively. KIT mutation ranged from 6.4% for CjMs to 16.6% for ARMs, BRAF mutation from 8.6% for ARMs to 31.1% for CjMs, and NRAS mutation from 6.2% for ARMs to 18.5% for CjMs. Among 101 other genes analysed, 33 had mutation rates over 10%, including TTN, TSC1, POM121, NF1, MTOR and SF3B1. CONCLUSION In addition to BRAF, NRAS and KIT genes commonly studied, our systematic review identified significantly mutated genes that have already been associated (e.g., TSC1, mTOR, POLE or ATRX) or could be associated with (future) targeted therapies. PROSPERO ID CRD42020185552.
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Alpha-Enolase (ENO1) Correlates with Invasiveness of Cutaneous Melanoma—An In Vitro and a Clinical Study. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12020254. [PMID: 35204345 PMCID: PMC8871300 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12020254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Alpha-enolase (ENO1) undergoes accentuated overexpression in several solid cancers, but little is known about its status in cutaneous melanoma. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of ENO1 in surgical resections from melanoma patients and to assess its expression and enzymatic activity in several melanoma cell lines. In clinical analysis, the overexpression of ENO1 in melanoma cells was significantly correlated with advanced clinical stage, presence of metastases in regional lymph nodes, and shorter cancer-specific overall survival and disease-free survival. We also demonstrated high expression of ENO1 in melanoma cell lines compared with normal melanocytes. Our study, which extends previous in vitro research, makes the alpha-enolase a candidate for a promising diagnostic and therapeutic target for various types of cancers. Consequently, additional testing of ENO1 as a target for melanoma therapy is necessary. Abstract Alpha-enolase (ENO1) is a glycolytic metalloenzyme, and its overexpression occurs in numerous cancers, contributing to cancer cell survival, proliferation, and maintenance of the Warburg effect. Patients with an overexpression of ENO1 have a poor prognosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic significance of ENO1 in surgical resections from 112 melanoma patients and to assess its expression and enzymatic activity in normoxia and hypoxia in several melanoma cell lines. Overexpression of ENO1 in tumor cells from patients was correlated with unfavorable prognosticators such as Breslow thickness, Clark level, mitotic activity, and the presence of ulceration. The expression of ENO1 also positively correlated with a greater thickness of the neoplastic infiltrate and a worse long-term prognosis for patients with cutaneous melanoma. We report significantly higher expression of ENO1 in melanoma cell lines in comparison to normal melanocytes. To conclude, our in vitro and clinical models showed that overexpression of ENO1 promotes invasiveness of melanoma cells and correlates with aggressive clinical behavior. These observations open the way to further search of a potential prognostic and therapeutic target in cutaneous melanoma.
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Salama Y, Jaradat N, Hattori K, Heissig B. Aloysia Citrodora Essential Oil Inhibits Melanoma Cell Growth and Migration by Targeting HB-EGF-EGFR Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158151. [PMID: 34360915 PMCID: PMC8347434 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients diagnosed with melanoma have a poor prognosis due to regional invasion and metastases. The receptor tyrosine kinase epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is found in a subtype of melanoma with a poor prognosis and contributes to drug resistance. Aloysia citrodora essential oil (ALOC-EO) possesses an antitumor effect. Understanding signaling pathways that contribute to the antitumor of ALOC-EO is important to identify novel tumor types that can be targeted by ALOC-EO. Here, we investigated the effects of ALOC-EO on melanoma growth and tumor cell migration. ALOC-EO blocked melanoma growth in vitro and impaired primary tumor cell growth in vivo. Mechanistically, ALOC-EO blocked heparin-binding-epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF)-induced EGFR signaling and suppressed ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Myelosuppressive drugs upregulated HB-EGF and EGFR expression in melanoma cells. Cotreatment of myelosuppressive drugs with ALOC-EO improved the antitumor activity and inhibited the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-7 and -9 and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein9. In summary, our study demonstrates that ALOC-EO blocks EGFR and ERK1/2 signaling, with preclinical efficacy as a monotherapy or in combination with myelosuppressive drugs in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef Salama
- An-Najah Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus 99900800, Palestine
- Correspondence: (Y.S.); (B.H.)
| | - Nidal Jaradat
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus 00970, Palestine;
| | - Koichi Hattori
- Center for Genomic & Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan;
| | - Beate Heissig
- Department of Immunological Diagnosis, School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
- Correspondence: (Y.S.); (B.H.)
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Sabbah M, Najem A, Krayem M, Awada A, Journe F, Ghanem GE. RTK Inhibitors in Melanoma: From Bench to Bedside. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1685. [PMID: 33918490 PMCID: PMC8038208 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
MAPK (mitogen activated protein kinase) and PI3K/AKT (Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase and Protein Kinase B) pathways play a key role in melanoma progression and metastasis that are regulated by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Although RTKs are mutated in a small percentage of melanomas, several receptors were found up regulated/altered in various stages of melanoma initiation, progression, or metastasis. Targeting RTKs remains a significant challenge in melanoma, due to their variable expression across different melanoma stages of progression and among melanoma subtypes that consequently affect response to treatment and disease progression. In this review, we discuss in details the activation mechanism of several key RTKs: type III: c-KIT (mast/stem cell growth factor receptor); type I: EGFR (Epidermal growth factor receptor); type VIII: HGFR (hepatocyte growth factor receptor); type V: VEGFR (Vascular endothelial growth factor), structure variants, the function of their structural domains, and their alteration and its association with melanoma initiation and progression. Furthermore, several RTK inhibitors targeting the same receptor were tested alone or in combination with other therapies, yielding variable responses among different melanoma groups. Here, we classified RTK inhibitors by families and summarized all tested drugs in melanoma indicating the rationale behind the use of these drugs in each melanoma subgroups from preclinical studies to clinical trials with a specific focus on their purpose of treatment, resulted effect, and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malak Sabbah
- Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; (M.S.); (A.N.); (M.K.); (F.J.)
| | - Ahmad Najem
- Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; (M.S.); (A.N.); (M.K.); (F.J.)
| | - Mohammad Krayem
- Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; (M.S.); (A.N.); (M.K.); (F.J.)
| | - Ahmad Awada
- Medical Oncolgy Clinic, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Fabrice Journe
- Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; (M.S.); (A.N.); (M.K.); (F.J.)
| | - Ghanem E. Ghanem
- Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; (M.S.); (A.N.); (M.K.); (F.J.)
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Kupczyk P, Simiczyjew A, Marczuk J, Dratkiewicz E, Beberok A, Rok J, Pieniazek M, Biecek P, Nevozhay D, Slowikowski B, Chodaczek G, Wrzesniok D, Nowak D, Donizy P. PARP1 as a Marker of an Aggressive Clinical Phenotype in Cutaneous Melanoma-A Clinical and an In Vitro Study. Cells 2021; 10:286. [PMID: 33572647 PMCID: PMC7911865 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1) (PARP1) is a pleiotropic enzyme involved in several cellular processes, e.g., DNA damage repair, regulation of mitosis, and immune response. Little is known about the role of PARP1 in melanoma development and progression. We aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of PARP1 expression in cutaneous melanoma through evaluation of mRNA and protein levels of PARP1 in normal melanocytes and melanoma cell lines, as well as in patients' tissue material from surgical resections. (2) Methods: An in vitro model was based on two types of normal human melanocytes (HEMn-DP and HEMn-LP) and four melanoma cell lines (A375, WM1341D, Hs294T, and WM9). PARP1 mRNA gene expression was estimated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), whereas the protein level of PARP1 was evaluated by fluorescence confocal microscopy and then confirmed by Western Blotting analysis. The expression of PARP1 was also assessed by immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of 128 primary cutaneous melanoma patients and correlated with follow-up and clinicopathologic features. (3) Results: The in vitro study showed that melanoma cells exhibited significantly higher PARP1 expression at mRNA and protein levels than normal melanocytes. High PARP1 expression was also associated with the invasiveness of tumor cells. Elevated nuclear PARP1 expression in patients without nodal metastases strongly correlated with significantly shorter disease-free survival (p = 0.0015) and revealed a trend with shorter cancer-specific overall survival (p = 0.05). High PARP1 immunoreactivity in the lymph node-negative group of patients was significantly associated with higher Breslow tumor thickness, presence of ulceration, and a higher mitotic index (p = 0.0016, p = 0.023, and p < 0.001, respectively). In patients with nodal metastases, high PARP1 expression significantly correlated with the presence of microsatellitosis (p = 0.034), but we did not confirm the prognostic significance of PARP1 expression in these patients. In the entire analyzed group of patients (with and without nodal metastases at the time of diagnosis), PARP1 expression was associated with a high mitotic index (p = 0.001) and the presence of ulceration (p = 0.036). Moreover, in patients with elevated PARP1 expression, melanoma was more frequently located in the skin of the head and neck region (p = 0.015). In multivariate analysis, high PARP1 expression was an independent unfavorable prognosticator in lymph node-negative cutaneous melanoma patients. (4) Conclusions: In vitro molecular biology approaches demonstrated enhanced PARP1 expression in cutaneous melanoma. These results were confirmed by the immunohistochemical study with clinical parameter analysis, which showed that a high level of PARP1 correlated with unfavorable clinical outcome. These observations raise the potential role of PARP1 inhibitor-based therapy in cutaneous melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Kupczyk
- Department of Pathomorphology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Aleksandra Simiczyjew
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.S.); (E.D.); (D.N.)
| | - Jakub Marczuk
- Department of Dermatology, Research and Development Center, Regional Specialized Hospital, 51-124 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Ewelina Dratkiewicz
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.S.); (E.D.); (D.N.)
| | - Artur Beberok
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland; (A.B.); (J.R.); (D.W.)
| | - Jakub Rok
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland; (A.B.); (J.R.); (D.W.)
| | - Malgorzata Pieniazek
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Tadeusz Koszarowski Regional Oncology Centre, 45-061 Opole, Poland;
| | - Przemyslaw Biecek
- Faculty of Mathemathics and Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Dmitry Nevozhay
- Department of Imaging Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
- School of Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, 690950 Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Bartosz Slowikowski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Grzegorz Chodaczek
- Laboratory of Bioimaging, Łukasiewicz Research Network—PORT Polish Center for Technology Development, 54-066 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Dorota Wrzesniok
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland; (A.B.); (J.R.); (D.W.)
| | - Dorota Nowak
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.S.); (E.D.); (D.N.)
| | - Piotr Donizy
- Department of Pathomorphology and Oncological Cytology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
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Mazurkiewicz E, Mrówczyńska E, Simiczyjew A, Nowak D, Mazur AJ. A Fluorescent Gelatin Degradation Assay to Study Melanoma Breakdown of Extracellular Matrix. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2265:47-63. [PMID: 33704704 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1205-7_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In order to protrude within a dense tissue, tumor cells have to develop the ability to digest the extracellular matrix (ECM). Melanoma cells, similarly to other types of tumor cells, form invadopodia, membranous invaginations rich in filamentous actin and several other proteins including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MMPs degrade ECM structural proteins such as collagens, fibronectin, or laminin. Here we describe an assay that allows the detection of gelatinase activity exhibited by tumor cells under 2D conditions and methods to present obtained data in both a quantitative and a qualitative manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Mazurkiewicz
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Ewa Mrówczyńska
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Simiczyjew
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Dorota Nowak
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Antonina J Mazur
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wrocław, Poland.
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Yuan QH, Liu G, Hu Q, Wang J, Leng K. Identification of lapatinib sensitivity-related genes by integrative functional module analysis. Transl Cancer Res 2020; 9:1351-1360. [PMID: 35117483 PMCID: PMC8799157 DOI: 10.21037/tcr.2020.01.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Globally, gastric carcinoma (GC) is one of the most commonly encountered malignancies and is the second highest contributor to cancer mortality. Lapatinib is a potent, orally-bioavailable small-molecule inhibitor of both epidermal growth factor receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 tyrosine kinases, and is administered to treat GC. However, a large proportion of patients either develop resistance to or do not respond to lapatinib, often because the treatment activates alternative signaling pathways. It is, therefore, vital to identify the key pathways which mediate resistance to lapatinib treatment. Methods The lapatinib sensitivity-related genes were extracted from the CellMiner database (version 2.2) using “NCI-60 Analysis Tools”. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in gastric cancer were derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was derived from the Human Protein Reference Database (HPRD), and the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) facilitated the functional analysis. The cell function was tested by CCK-8 cell viability assay, colony formation assay, acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining, and Transwell assay. Results The functional linkage networks of lapatinib sensitivity were constructed. Two modules were identified, and pathway analysis indicated that these modules were involved in several pathways, including the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction network and the Rap1 signaling pathway. Finally, the breast cancer anti-estrogen resistance 1 (BCAR1) gene was selected for further study with lapatinib-resistant SUN216 cells (SUN216/LR). We found the expression of BCAR1 was upregulated in SUN216/LR cells compared to SUN216 cells. The IC50 of lapatinib in SUN216/LR cells was reduced upon BCAR1 knockdown, as measured by a CCK-8 assay. A clonogenic assay showed fewer SUN216/LR colonies with BCAR1 knockdown and lapatinib treatment. Conclusions In brief, we efficiently identified those crucial modules highly related to lapatinib sensitivity in GC by using a topological network method. BCAR1 was identified as a potentially critical gene that plays a role in lapatinib sensitivity, and experiments confirmed that BCAR1 might contribute to lapatinib resistance in GC. These results provide further insight into the molecular basis of lapatinib sensitivity and may offer novel strategies for the future treatment of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Hua Yuan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Yidu Central Hospital Affiliated to Weifang Medical University, Qingzhou 262500, China
| | - Guodong Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Yidu Central Hospital Affiliated to Weifang Medical University, Qingzhou 262500, China
| | - Qiuhui Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Heilongjiang Province Second Cancer Hospital, Harbin 150000, China
| | - Jingwen Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Yidu Central Hospital Affiliated to Weifang Medical University, Qingzhou 262500, China
| | - Kaiming Leng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao 266071, China
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Characterization of Melanoma Cell Lines Resistant to Vemurafenib and Evaluation of Their Responsiveness to EGFR- and MET-Inhibitor Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 21:ijms21010113. [PMID: 31877948 PMCID: PMC6981576 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Constitutively active mutated BRAF kinase occurs in more than 40% of patients suffering from melanoma. To block its activity, a specific inhibitor, vemurafenib, is applied as a therapy. Unfortunately, patients develop resistance to this drug rather quickly. Previously, we demonstrated that pairs of inhibitors directed against EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) and MET (hepatocyte growth factor receptor) trigger a synergistic cytotoxic effect in human melanoma cells, and decrease their invasive abilities. In this study, we aimed to generate and characterize melanoma cells resistant to vemurafenib treatment, and then to evaluate the effectiveness of a previously developed therapy in this model. We showed that melanoma cells resistant to the BRAF inhibitor are characterized by a lower proliferation rate and they acquire a spindle-like shape. Using Western Blot, we also noticed increased levels of EGFR, MET, and selected markers of cancer stem cells in generated cell lines. Resistant cells also exhibited increased invasive abilities and elevated proteolytic activity, observed using scratch wound assays and gelatin zymography. Moreover, combination therapy reduced their viability, as measured with a colorimetric cytotoxicity test, and decreased invasiveness. The obtained results validate the application of combination therapy directed against EGFR and MET in melanoma cells resistant to treatment with inhibitors of mutated BRAF.
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