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Shang S, Zhang L, Liu K, Lv M, Zhang J, Ju D, Wei D, Sun Z, Wang P, Yuan J, Zhu Z. Landscape of targeted therapies for advanced urothelial carcinoma. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2024; 5:641-677. [PMID: 38966172 PMCID: PMC11220318 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2024.00240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BC) is the tenth most common malignancy globally. Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is a major type of BC, and advanced UC (aUC) is associated with poor clinical outcomes and limited survival rates. Current options for aUC treatment mainly include chemotherapy and immunotherapy. These options have moderate efficacy and modest impact on overall survival and thus highlight the need for novel therapeutic approaches. aUC patients harbor a high tumor mutation burden and abundant molecular alterations, which are the basis for targeted therapies. Erdafitinib is currently the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved targeted therapy for aUC. Many potential targeted therapeutics aiming at other molecular alterations are under investigation. This review summarizes the current understanding of molecular alterations associated with aUC targeted therapy. It also comprehensively discusses the related interventions for treatment in clinical research and the potential of using novel targeted drugs in combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihao Shang
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kepu Liu
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Maoxin Lv
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 65000, Yunnan, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi, China
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710068, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dongen Ju
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Di Wei
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zelong Sun
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Pinxiao Wang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jianlin Yuan
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zheng Zhu
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, Shaanxi, China
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Tripathi K, Maurya N, Goel A, Singhai A, Garg M. Immunohistochemical expressions of EMT markers in pan-RAS-pERK1/2-positive tumors improve diagnosis and prognosis assessment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and muscle invasive bladder cancer patients. Mol Cell Biochem 2023; 478:1169-1190. [PMID: 36239855 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-022-04579-x] [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: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Mutation or overexpression renders pan-RAS (rat sarcoma) proteins insensitive to inactivation. Activated pan-RAS communicates signal from the cell surface receptor to activate RAS-MAPK/ERK (RAS-mitogen-activated protein kinases/extracellular signal regulated kinases) signaling and orchestrates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-activating transcription factors (EMT-ATFs) reprogramming to induce EMT. Owing to limited studies available in bladder cancer, the present study is taken up to examine the expressions of the EMT-associated markers in pan-RAS-pERK1/2 (pan-RAS-phosphoERK1/2)-positive well-characterized cohort of forty-two non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and forty-five muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on paraffin embedded tissue sections to determine the immunolevels and cellular localization of marker proteins. Semi-quantitative expressions of pan-RAS, pERK1/2, and EMT markers (E-cadherin, Vimentin, N-cadherin, Snail, Slug Twist, and Zeb1) were statistically examined with clinicohistopathological profile of the patients using SPSS, version 20.0 software. The study documents the diagnostic relevance of immunohistochemical expressions of pan-RAS-pERK1/2/EMT-associated markers in order to stratify NMIBC and MIBC patients. Follow-up studies supported the role of altered EMT phenotype in pan-RAS-pERK1/2-activated positive tumors with disease aggressiveness. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first concluding the impact of altered EMT phenotype via pan-RAS-pERK1/2 axis on the short survival outcome [short overall survival (OS) (p = 0.04), short progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.02) and short cancer-specific survival (CSS) (p = 0.03)] of muscle invasive bladder cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Tripathi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, 226007, India
| | - Niharika Maurya
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, 226007, India
| | - Apul Goel
- Department of Urology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, 226003, India
| | - Atin Singhai
- Department of Pathology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, 226003, India
| | - Minal Garg
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, 226007, India.
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Blanca A, Lopez-Beltran A, Lopez-Porcheron K, Gomez-Gomez E, Cimadamore A, Bilé-Silva A, Gogna R, Montironi R, Cheng L. Risk Classification of Bladder Cancer by Gene Expression and Molecular Subtype. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072149. [PMID: 37046810 PMCID: PMC10093178 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
This study evaluated a panel including the molecular taxonomy subtype and the expression of 27 genes as a diagnostic tool to stratify bladder cancer patients at risk of aggressive behavior, using a well-characterized series of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) as well as muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). The study was conducted using the novel NanoString nCounter gene expression analysis. This technology allowed us to identify the molecular subtype and to analyze the gene expression of 27 bladder-cancer-related genes selected through a recent literature search. The differential gene expression was correlated with clinicopathological variables, such as the molecular subtypes (luminal, basal, null/double negative), histological subtype (conventional urothelial carcinoma, or carcinoma with variant histology), clinical subtype (NMIBC and MIBC), tumor stage category (Ta, T1, and T2–4), tumor grade, PD-L1 expression (high vs. low expression), and clinical risk categories (low, intermediate, high and very high). The multivariate analysis of the 19 genes significant for cancer-specific survival in our cohort study series identified TP53 (p = 0.0001), CCND1 (p = 0.0001), MKI67 (p < 0.0001), and molecular subtype (p = 0.005) as independent predictors. A scoring system based on the molecular subtype and the gene expression signature of TP53, CCND1, or MKI67 was used for risk assessment. A score ranging from 0 (best prognosis) to 7 (worst prognosis) was obtained and used to stratify our patients into two (low [score 0–2] vs. high [score 3–7], model A) or three (low [score 0–2] vs. intermediate [score 3–4] vs. high [score 5–7], model B) risk categories with different survival characteristics. Mean cancer-specific survival was longer (122 + 2.7 months) in low-risk than intermediate-risk (79.4 + 9.4 months) or high-risk (6.2 + 0.9 months) categories (p < 0.0001; model A); and was longer (122 + 2.7 months) in low-risk than high-risk (58 + 8.3 months) (p < 0.0001; model B). In conclusion, the molecular risk assessment model, as reported here, might be used better to select the appropriate management for patients with bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Blanca
- Department of Urology, Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba, University Hospital of Reina Sofia, UCO, 14004 Cordoba, Spain
| | - Antonio Lopez-Beltran
- Department of Morphological Sciences, University of Cordoba Medical School, 14004 Cordoba, Spain
| | - Kevin Lopez-Porcheron
- Department of Morphological Sciences, University of Cordoba Medical School, 14004 Cordoba, Spain
| | - Enrique Gomez-Gomez
- Department of Urology, Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba, University Hospital of Reina Sofia, UCO, 14004 Cordoba, Spain
| | - Alessia Cimadamore
- Department of Medical Area (DAME), Institute of Pathological Anatomy, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Andreia Bilé-Silva
- Urology Department, Egas Moniz Hospital, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Occidental, 1349-019 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rajan Gogna
- Department of Human & Molecular Genetics, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- BRIC-Biotech Research & Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1165 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rodolfo Montironi
- Molecular Medicine and Cell Therapy Foundation, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy
| | - Liang Cheng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Lifespan Academic Medical Center, and the Legorreta Cancer Center at Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
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Fu L, Chen S, He G, Chen Y, Liu B. Targeting Extracellular Signal-Regulated Protein Kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in Cancer: An Update on Pharmacological Small-Molecule Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2022; 65:13561-13573. [PMID: 36205714 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), the only known substrate of MEK1/2, is located downstream of the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK (MAPK) pathway and is associated with the abnormal activation and poor prognosis of cancer. To date, several small-molecule inhibitors of RAS, RAF, and MEK have been reported to make rapid advances in cancer therapy; however, acquired resistance still occurs, thereby weakening the therapeutic efficacy of these inhibitors. Recently, selective inhibition of ERK1/2 has been regarded as a potential cancer therapeutic strategy that can not only effectively block the MAPK pathway but also overcome drug resistance caused by upstream mutations in RAS, RAF, and MEK. Herein, we summarize the oncogenic roles, key signaling network, and the single- and dual-target inhibitors of ERK1/2 in preclinical and clinical trials. Together, these inspiring findings shed new light on the discovery of more small-molecule inhibitors of ERK1/2 as candidate drugs to improve cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leilei Fu
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Siwei Chen
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Gu He
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Maldonado J, Acevedo W, Molinari A, Oliva A, Knox M, San Feliciano A. Synthesis, in vitro evaluation and molecular docking studies of novel naphthoisoxazolequinone carboxamide hybrids as potential antitumor agents. Polycycl Aromat Compd 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/10406638.2022.2095410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Javier Maldonado
- Instituto de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Waldo Acevedo
- Instituto de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Aurora Molinari
- Instituto de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Alfonso Oliva
- Instituto de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Marcela Knox
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Arturo San Feliciano
- Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas-Química Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, CIETUS, IBSAL, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Programa de Pós-Graduaçao em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Do Vale Do Itajaí, UNIVALI, Itajaí, SC, Brazil
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Targeting NOX4 disrupts the resistance of papillary thyroid carcinoma to chemotherapeutic drugs and lenvatinib. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:177. [PMID: 35396551 PMCID: PMC8990679 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-00994-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Advanced differentiated thyroid cancer cells are subjected to extreme nutritional starvation which contributes to develop resistance to treatments; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Cells were subjected to serum deprivation by culture in medium containing 0.5% fetal bovine serum. A CCK8 assay, cell death Detection ELISAPLUS kit, and PI staining were conducted to determine cell viability, cell apoptosis, and cell cycle, respectively. NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) knockdown–stable cell lines were generated by lentivirus-mediated shRNA knockdown in BCPAP cells and TPC-1 cells. Etoposide and doxorubicin, two chemotherapeutic drugs, as well as lenvatinib were utilized to determine the effect of NOX4 on drug resistance. Lenvatinib-resistant BCPAP cells (LRBCs) were established to confirm this effect. The underlining mechanisms of NOX4 under starvation were explored using western blot. Finally, GLX351322, an inhibitor targeting NOX4, was used to inhibit NOX4-derived ROS in vitro and detect its effect on drug resistance of tumor cells in vivo. NOX4 is overexpressed under serum deprivation in BCPAP or TPC-1 cells. NOX4 knockdown impairs cell viability, increases cell apoptosis, extends G1 phase during cell cycle and modulates the level of energy-associated metabolites in starved cells. When the starved cells or LRBCs are treated with chemotherapeutic drugs or Lenvatinib, NOX4 knockdown inhibits cell viability and aggravates cell apoptosis depending on NOX4-derived ROS production. Mechanistically, starvation activates TGFβ1/SMAD3 signal, which mediates NOX4 upregulation. The upregulated NOX4 then triggers ERKs and PI3K/AKT pathway to influence cell apoptosis. GLX351322, a NOX4-derived ROS inhibitor, has an inhibitory effect on cell growth in vitro and the growth of BCPAP-derived even LRBCs-derived xenografts in vivo. These findings highlight NOX4 and NOX4-derived ROS as a potential therapeutic target in resistance to PTC.
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7
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Huan J, Grivas P, Birch J, Hansel DE. Emerging Roles for Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Complexes in Bladder Cancer Progression and Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1555. [PMID: 35326708 PMCID: PMC8946148 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway regulates important cellular functions. Aberrant activation of this pathway, either through upstream activation by growth factors, loss of inhibitory controls, or molecular alterations, can enhance cancer growth and progression. Bladder cancer shows high levels of mTOR activity in approximately 70% of urothelial carcinomas, suggesting a key role for this pathway in this cancer. mTOR signaling initiates through upstream activation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (AKT) and results in activation of either mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) or mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2). While these complexes share several key protein components, unique differences in their complex composition dramatically alter the function and downstream cellular targets of mTOR activity. While significant work has gone into analysis of molecular alterations of the mTOR pathway in bladder cancer, this has not yielded significant benefit in mTOR-targeted therapy approaches in urothelial carcinoma to date. New discoveries regarding signaling convergence onto mTOR complexes in bladder cancer could yield unique insights the biology and targeting of this aggressive disease. In this review, we highlight the functional significance of mTOR signaling in urothelial carcinoma and its potential impact on future therapy implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianya Huan
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA; (J.H.); (J.B.)
| | - Petros Grivas
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
| | - Jasmine Birch
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA; (J.H.); (J.B.)
| | - Donna E. Hansel
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA; (J.H.); (J.B.)
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Ghosh A, Panda CK. Role of Pentacyclic Triterpenoid Acids in the Treatment of Bladder Cancer. Mini Rev Med Chem 2021; 22:1331-1340. [PMID: 34719363 DOI: 10.2174/1389557521666211022145052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Bladder cancer carries a poor prognosis and has proven resistance to chemotherapy. Pentacyclic Triterpenoid Acids (PTAs) are natural bioactive compounds that have a well-known impact on cancer research because of their cytotoxic and chemopreventive activities. This review focuses on bladder cancer which can no longer be successfully treated by DNA damaging drugs. Unlike most of the existing drugs against bladder cancer, PTAs are non-toxic to normal cells. Collecting findings from both in vitro and in vivo studies, it has been concluded that PTAs may serve as promising agents in future bladder cancer therapy. In this review, the roles of various PTAs in bladder cancer have been explored, and their mechanisms of action in the treatment of bladder cancer have been described. Specific PTAs have been shortlisted from each of the chief skeletons of pentacyclic triterpenoids, which could be effective against bladder cancer because of their mode of action. This review thereby throws light on the multi targets and mechanisms of PTAs, which are responsible for their selective anticancer effects and provides guidelines for further research and development of new natural antitumor compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anindita Ghosh
- Department of Oncogene Regulation, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata. India
| | - Chinmay Kumar Panda
- Department of Oncogene Regulation, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata. India
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Huang L, Xiao D, Wu T, Hu X, Deng J, Yan X, Wu J, Xu S, Yang X, Li G. Phenformin synergistically sensitizes liver cancer cells to sorafenib by downregulating CRAF/ERK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways. Am J Transl Res 2021; 13:7508-7523. [PMID: 34377232 PMCID: PMC8340162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Sorafenib is a first-line drug to treat advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which can prolong the median overall survival of patients by approximately 3 months. Phenformin is a biguanide derivative that has been shown to exhibit antitumor activity superior to that of metformin. We herein explored the ability of phenformin to enhance the anti-cancer activity of sorafenib against HCC and the mechanisms underlying such synergy. The Hep-G2 and SMMC-7721 HCC cell lines were treated with sorafenib and/or phenformin, after which the proliferation of these cells was evaluated via MTT and colony formation assays, while invasion and apoptotic cell death were evaluated via Transwell and flow cytometry assays, respectively. In addition, protein levels were assessed by Western blotting, drug synergy was assessed with the CompuSyn software, and xenograft models were established by implanting Hep-G2 cells into nude mice and then assessing drug antitumor efficacy. Sorafenib and phenformin exhibited a synergistic ability to suppress HCC cell proliferation, migration, and survival. Phenformin further bolstered the ability of sorafenib to inhibit the CRAF/ERK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways. Strikingly, the combination of these two drugs achieved better in vivo efficacy in a murine model system, without causing significant weight loss or hepatorenal toxicity. Sorafenib and phenformin can synergistically suppress CRAF/ERK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activation in HCC cells, and may thus represent a promising approach to treating this deadly cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingli Huang
- Department of Oncology, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South UniversityZhuzhou 412000, Hunan, China
| | - Di Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal UniversityChangsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Tianyu Wu
- Department of Oncology, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South UniversityZhuzhou 412000, Hunan, China
| | - Xin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal UniversityChangsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Jun Deng
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal UniversityChangsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Xinjian Yan
- Department of Oncology, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South UniversityZhuzhou 412000, Hunan, China
| | - Jingtao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal UniversityChangsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Simeng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal UniversityChangsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoping Yang
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal UniversityChangsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Gaofeng Li
- Department of Oncology, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South UniversityZhuzhou 412000, Hunan, China
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10
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Wu T, Zhou S, Qin M, Tang J, Yan X, Huang L, Huang M, Deng J, Xiao D, Hu X, Wu J, Yang X, Li G. Phenformin and ataxia-telangiectasia mutated inhibitors synergistically co-suppress liver cancer cell growth by damaging mitochondria. FEBS Open Bio 2021; 11:1440-1451. [PMID: 33742560 PMCID: PMC8091576 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitors of ataxia–telangiectasia mutated (ATM), such as KU‐55933 (Ku), represent a promising class of novel anticancer drugs. In addition, the biguanide derivative phenformin exhibits antitumor activity superior to that of the AMPK activator metformin. Herein, we assessed the potential combinatorial therapeutic efficacy of phenformin and Ku when used to inhibit the growth of liver cancer cells, and we assessed the mechanisms underlying such efficacy. The Hep‐G2 and SMMC‐7721 liver cancer cell lines were treated with phenformin and Ku either alone or in combination, after which the impact of these drugs on cellular proliferation was assessed via 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol) 2, 5‐diphenyltetrazolium and colony formation assays, whereas Transwell assays were used to gauge cell migratory activity. The potential synergy between these two drugs was assessed using the compusyn software, while flow cytometry was employed to evaluate cellular apoptosis. In addition, western blotting was utilized to measure p‐ATM, p‐AMPK, p‐mTOR, and p‐p70s6k expression, while mitochondrial functionality was monitored via morphological analyses, JC‐1 staining, and measurements of ATP levels. Phenformin and Ku synergistically impacted the proliferation, migration, and apoptotic death of liver cancer cells. Together, these compounds were able to enhance AMPK phosphorylation while inhibiting the phosphorylation of mTOR and p70s6k. These data also revealed that phenformin and Ku induced mitochondrial dysfunction as evidenced by impaired ATP synthesis, mitochondrial membrane potential, and abnormal mitochondrial morphology. These findings suggest that combination treatment with phenformin and Ku may be an effective approach to treating liver cancer via damaging mitochondria within these tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Wu
- Department of Oncology, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Sichun Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of Fish of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Mei Qin
- Department of Gynecologists, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Jing Tang
- Department of Oncology, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Xinjian Yan
- Department of Oncology, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Lingli Huang
- Department of Oncology, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Meiyuan Huang
- Department of Pathology, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Jun Deng
- Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of Fish of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Di Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of Fish of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of Fish of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Jingtao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of Fish of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoping Yang
- Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of Fish of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Pharmacy School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Gaofeng Li
- Department of Oncology, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou, China
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11
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Mo M, Hu X, He W, Zu X, Wang L, Li Y. Identification of key genes and microRNA regulatory network in development and progression of urothelial bladder carcinoma. Transl Androl Urol 2021; 10:438-447. [PMID: 33532331 PMCID: PMC7844517 DOI: 10.21037/tau-20-1124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bladder cancer as other cancers contains multiple dynamic alterations in progression. Theoretically, large number of genes participates in cancer progression. In the present study, the interconnections of genesets defined by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and tumor histopathological stages were characterized. In addition, the outcomes with genesets were discussed in bladder cancer. Methods Transcriptome data from 411 tissues of urothelial bladder carcinoma and 19 samples from adjacent tissues were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA), cluster analysis of geneset enrichment scores and genesets as indicators in prognosis were applied to elucidate the correlations between genesets and bladder cancer progression. Results Chemical and genetic perturbations (CGP), canonical pathways (CP), CP:BIOCARTA (BioCarta gene sets), CP:KEGG (KEGG gene sets) and CP:REACTOME (Reactome gene sets) in C2 collection, upstream cis-regulatory motifs serum response factor (SRF) in C3 collection, KRAS in C6 collection and C8+ T cells in C7 collection were observed as enriched by ssGSEA. The cluster 2 identified from cluster analysis shows a more immune active microenvironment which tended to increase in stage II and decreased in stage IV indicating the crucial role in bladder cancer progression. miR-450, miR-518s, transcription factor PAX3, KRAS and PTEN were potential markers for outcomes of urothelial bladder carcinoma. Activating tumor immune microenvironment had deteriorated prognosis of patients with bladder cancer. Conclusions Our findings demonstrated that activating tumor immune microenvironment is a negative factor for outcomes of urothelial bladder carcinoma. These data provided a potential combination strategy for patients with bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Mo
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiheng Hu
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei He
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiongbing Zu
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Long Wang
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yangle Li
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Ghoneum A, Abdulfattah AY, Warren BO, Shu J, Said N. Redox Homeostasis and Metabolism in Cancer: A Complex Mechanism and Potential Targeted Therapeutics. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3100. [PMID: 32354000 PMCID: PMC7247161 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive Oxygen Species or "ROS" encompass several molecules derived from oxygen that can oxidize other molecules and subsequently transition rapidly between species. The key roles of ROS in biological processes are cell signaling, biosynthetic processes, and host defense. In cancer cells, increased ROS production and oxidative stress are instigated by carcinogens, oncogenic mutations, and importantly, metabolic reprograming of the rapidly proliferating cancer cells. Increased ROS production activates myriad downstream survival pathways that further cancer progression and metastasis. In this review, we highlight the relation between ROS, the metabolic programing of cancer, and stromal and immune cells with emphasis on and the transcription machinery involved in redox homeostasis, metabolic programing and malignant phenotype. We also shed light on the therapeutic targeting of metabolic pathways generating ROS as we investigate: Orlistat, Biguandes, AICAR, 2 Deoxyglucose, CPI-613, and Etomoxir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alia Ghoneum
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Ammar Yasser Abdulfattah
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Bailey Olivia Warren
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Junjun Shu
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Neveen Said
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA
- Departments of Urology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA
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