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Dinkins K, Barton W, Wheeler L, Smith HJ, Mythreye K, Arend RC. Targeted therapy in high grade serous ovarian Cancer: A literature review. Gynecol Oncol Rep 2024; 54:101450. [PMID: 39092168 PMCID: PMC11292514 DOI: 10.1016/j.gore.2024.101450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer continues to have a high mortality rate despite therapeutic advances. Traditionally, treatment has focused on surgery followed by systemic platinum- based chemotherapy. Unfortunately, most patients develop resistance to platinum agents, highlighting the need for targeted therapies. PARP inhibitors and anti-angiogenic agents, such as bevacizumab, have more recently changed upfront therapy. Unfortunately, other targeted therapies including immunotherapy have not seen the same success. Emerging therapeutic targets and modalities such as small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, lipid metabolism targeting agents, gene therapy, ribosome targeted drugs as well as several other therapeutic classes have been and are currently under investigation. In this review, we discuss targeted therapies in high grade serous ovarian cancer from preclinical studies to phase III clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn Dinkins
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Wade Barton
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Lauren Wheeler
- Lister Hill Library, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Haller J. Smith
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Karthikeyan Mythreye
- Department of Pathology, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Rebecca C. Arend
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
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Bae S, Bae S, Kim HS, Lim YJ, Kim G, Park IC, So KA, Kim TJ, Lee JH. Deguelin Restores Paclitaxel Sensitivity in Paclitaxel-Resistant Ovarian Cancer Cells via Inhibition of the EGFR Signaling Pathway. Cancer Manag Res 2024; 16:507-525. [PMID: 38827785 PMCID: PMC11144006 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s457221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Ovarian cancer is one of women's malignancies with the highest mortality among gynecological cancers. Paclitaxel is used in first-line ovarian cancer chemotherapy. Research on paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer holds significant clinical importance. Methods Cell viability and flow cytometric assays were conducted at different time and concentration points of deguelin and paclitaxel treatment. Immunoblotting was performed to assess the activation status of key signaling molecules important for cell survival and proliferation following treatment with deguelin and paclitaxel. The fluo-3 acetoxymethyl assay for P-glycoprotein transport activity assay and cell viability assay in the presence of N-acetyl-L-cysteine were also conducted. Results Cell viability and flow cytometric assays demonstrated that deguelin resensitized paclitaxel in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cotreatment with deguelin and paclitaxel inhibited EGFR and its downstream signaling molecules, including AKT, ERK, STAT3, and p38 MAPK, in SKOV3-TR cells. Interestingly, cotreatment with deguelin and paclitaxel suppressed the expression level of EGFR via the lysosomal degradation pathway. Cotreatment did not affect the expression and function of P-glycoprotein. N-acetyl-L-cysteine failed to restore cell cytotoxicity when used in combination with deguelin and paclitaxel in SKOV3-TR cells. The expression of BCL-2, MCL-1, and the phosphorylation of the S155 residue of BAD were downregulated. Moreover, inhibition of paclitaxel resistance by deguelin was also observed in HeyA8-MDR cells. Conclusion Our research showed that deguelin effectively suppresses paclitaxel resistance in SKOV3-TR ovarian cancer cells by downregulating the EGFR and its downstream signaling pathway and modulating the BCL-2 family proteins. Furthermore, deguelin exhibits inhibitory effects on paclitaxel resistance in HeyA8-MDR ovarian cancer cells, suggesting a potential mechanism for paclitaxel resensitization that may not be cell-specific. These findings suggest that deguelin holds promise as an anticancer therapeutic agent for overcoming chemoresistance in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunghee Bae
- Department of Cosmetics Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Sowon Bae
- Department of Cosmetics Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Su Kim
- Department of Cosmetics Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye Jin Lim
- Department of Cosmetics Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyeongmi Kim
- Division of Fusion Radiology Research, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul, 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Chul Park
- Division of Fusion Radiology Research, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul, 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong A So
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, 05030, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Jin Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, 05030, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Ho Lee
- Department of Cosmetics Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
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3
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An L, Chang G, Zhang L, Wang P, Gao W, Li X. Pectin: Health-promoting properties as a natural galectin-3 inhibitor. Glycoconj J 2024; 41:93-118. [PMID: 38630380 DOI: 10.1007/s10719-024-10152-z] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Galectin-3 has a variety of important pathophysiological significance in the human body. Much evidence shows that the abnormal expression of galectin-3 is related to the formation and development of many diseases. Pectin is mostly obtained from processed citrus fruits and apples and is a known natural inhibitor of galactin-3. A large number of peels produced each year are discarded, and it is necessary to recycle some of the economically valuable active compounds in these by-products to reduce resource waste and environmental pollution. By binding with galectin-3, pectin can directly reduce the expression level of galectin-3 on the one hand, and regulate the expression level of cytokines by regulating certain signaling pathways on the other hand, to achieve the effect of treating diseases. This paper begins by presenting an overview of the basic structure of pectin, subsequently followed by a description of the structure of galectin-3 and its detrimental impact on human health when expressed abnormally. The health effects of pectin as a galectin-3 inhibitor were then summarized from the perspectives of anticancer, anti-inflammatory, ameliorating fibrotic diseases, and anti-diabetes. Finally, the challenges and prospects of future research on pectin are presented, which provide important references for expanding the application of pectin in the pharmaceutical industry or developing functional dietary supplements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingzhuo An
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300193, China
| | - Guanglu Chang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine Resources Research Enterprises, Tianjin, 300402, China
| | - Luyao Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300193, China
| | - Pengwang Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300193, China
| | - Wenyuan Gao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300193, China.
| | - Xia Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300193, China.
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4
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Bhattacharya R, Ghosh A, Mukhopadhyay S. High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, the "Achiles' hill" for clinicians and molecular biologists: a molecular insight. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:9511-9519. [PMID: 37737967 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08760-3] [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: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC), the deadliest ovarian cancer, alone accounts for 90% of all its subtypes. Characterized by hallmark mutation of TP53, HGSOC show diverse molecular etiology. HGSOC can arise from both ovarian epithelium as well as the fimbrial epithelium of the fallopian tube. Ovulation induced reactive oxygen species, follicular fluid associated growth factor induced stemness, deregulation of hormone receptors like ER, FSHR, AR and hormones like FSH, LH, prolonged ovulation cycle, use of oral contraceptives are agonists of HGSOC while parity, breastfeeding provide protective effect from HGSOC development. Apart from a generic TP53 mutation, mutation of BRCA1/2, RAD51, BRIP1, PALB2, CHEK2, RAD50 etc., were reportedly associated with development of HGSOC. Epigenetic events like methylation of RASSF1A of RAS signaling pathway,OR51L1, OR51I1, OR51F1 etc. has been reported in HGSOC. Micro-RNAs like miR-1290, miR 27-a-3p miR23a, miR205 were reportedly upregulated in HGSOC. Amongst its cognate subtypes viz. differentiated, immunoreactive, mesenchymal, and proliferative, mesenchymal, and proliferative show worst prognosis. A system biology approach showed five major altered pathways in HGSOC, namely, RB, PI3K/RAS, NOTCH, HRR and FOXM1 signaling. For chemonaive patients, drugs that helps in efflux of reduced glutathione or prevent the redox coupling of GSH-GSSG, like Cisplatin, could be considered as the best therapeutic choice for HGSOC. For patients with BRCA1/2 mutations, PARP inhibitors alone or with Bevacizumab can be effective. Immune checkpoint inhibitors could be effective against immunoreactive subtypes. Identification of genes deregulated in chemoresistance could provide better insights in dealing with the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rittwika Bhattacharya
- Dept of Molecular Biology, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Cancer Research Institute, 3081, Nayabad, Kolkata, 700094, India.
| | - Arijit Ghosh
- Dept of Molecular Biology, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Cancer Research Institute, 3081, Nayabad, Kolkata, 700094, India
| | - Soma Mukhopadhyay
- Dept of Molecular Biology, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Cancer Research Institute, 3081, Nayabad, Kolkata, 700094, India
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Lučić I, Kurtović M, Mlinarić M, Piteša N, Čipak Gašparović A, Sabol M, Milković L. Deciphering Common Traits of Breast and Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells and Possible Therapeutic Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10683. [PMID: 37445860 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310683] [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: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) and ovarian cancer (OC) are among the most common and deadly cancers affecting women worldwide. Both are complex diseases with marked heterogeneity. Despite the induction of screening programs that increase the frequency of earlier diagnosis of BC, at a stage when the cancer is more likely to respond to therapy, which does not exist for OC, more than 50% of both cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Initial therapy can put the cancer into remission. However, recurrences occur frequently in both BC and OC, which are highly cancer-subtype dependent. Therapy resistance is mainly attributed to a rare subpopulation of cells, named cancer stem cells (CSC) or tumor-initiating cells, as they are capable of self-renewal, tumor initiation, and regrowth of tumor bulk. In this review, we will discuss the distinctive markers and signaling pathways that characterize CSC, their interactions with the tumor microenvironment, and the strategies they employ to evade immune surveillance. Our focus will be on identifying the common features of breast cancer stem cells (BCSC) and ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSC) and suggesting potential therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Lučić
- Laboratory for Oxidative Stress, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Matea Kurtović
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Monika Mlinarić
- Laboratory for Oxidative Stress, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nikolina Piteša
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Čipak Gašparović
- Laboratory for Oxidative Stress, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Sabol
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lidija Milković
- Laboratory for Oxidative Stress, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Yamakawa K, Koyanagi-Aoi M, Machinaga A, Kakiuchi N, Hirano T, Kodama Y, Aoi T. Blockage of retinoic acid signaling via RARγ suppressed the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells by arresting the cell cycle progression of the G1-S phase. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:94. [PMID: 37198667 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02928-4] [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: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our study and several studies have reported that in some cancers, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the expression of squamous lineage markers, such as esophagus-tissue-specific genes, correlated with a poor prognosis. However, the mechanism by which the acquisition of squamous lineage phenotypes leads to a poor prognosis remains unclear. We previously reported that retinoic acid signaling via retinoic acid receptor γ (RARγ signaling) determines the differentiation lineage into the esophageal squamous epithelium. These findings hypothesized that the activation of RARγ signaling contributed to acquiring squamous lineage phenotypes and malignant behavior in PDAC. METHODS This study utilized public databases and immunostaining of surgical specimens to examine RARγ expression in PDAC. We evaluated the function of RARγ signaling by inhibitors and siRNA knockdown using a PDAC cell line and patient-derived PDAC organoids. The mechanism of the tumor-suppressive effects by blocking RARγ signaling was examined by a cell cycle analysis, apoptosis assays, RNA sequencing and Western blotting. RESULTS RARγ expression in pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) and PDAC was higher than that in the normal pancreatic duct. Its expression correlated with a poor patient prognosis in PDAC. In PDAC cell lines, blockade of RARγ signaling suppressed cell proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase without causing apoptosis. We demonstrated that blocking RARγ signaling upregulated p21 and p27 and downregulated many cell cycle genes, including cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), CDK4 and CDK6. Furthermore, using patient-derived PDAC organoids, we confirmed the tumor-suppressive effect of RARγ inhibition and indicated the synergistic effects of RARγ inhibition with gemcitabine. CONCLUSIONS This study clarified the function of RARγ signaling in PDAC progression and demonstrated the tumor-suppressive effect of selective blockade of RARγ signaling against PDAC. These results suggest that RARγ signaling might be a new therapeutic target for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Yamakawa
- Division of Stem Cell Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-Cho, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
- Division of Advanced Medical Science, Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Michiyo Koyanagi-Aoi
- Division of Stem Cell Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-Cho, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
- Division of Advanced Medical Science, Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
- Center for Human Resource Development for Regenerative Medicine, Kobe University Hospital, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Akihito Machinaga
- Oncology Tsukuba Research Department, Discovery, Medicine Creation, DHBL, Eisai Co., Ltd, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Kakiuchi
- Department of Pathology and Tumour Biology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
- The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomonori Hirano
- Department of Pathology and Tumour Biology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuzo Kodama
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Takashi Aoi
- Division of Stem Cell Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-Cho, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan.
- Division of Advanced Medical Science, Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.
- Center for Human Resource Development for Regenerative Medicine, Kobe University Hospital, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.
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Psilopatis I, Sykaras AG, Mandrakis G, Vrettou K, Theocharis S. Patient-Derived Organoids: The Beginning of a New Era in Ovarian Cancer Disease Modeling and Drug Sensitivity Testing. Biomedicines 2022; 11:biomedicines11010001. [PMID: 36672509 PMCID: PMC9855526 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of death from gynecological malignancies. Despite great advances in treatment strategies, therapeutic resistance and the gap between preclinical data and actual clinical efficacy justify the necessity of developing novel models for investigating OC. Organoids represent revolutionary three-dimensional cell culture models, deriving from stem cells and reflecting the primary tissue's biology and pathology. The aim of the current review is to study the current status of mouse- and patient-derived organoids, as well as their potential to model carcinogenesis and perform drug screenings for OC. Herein, we describe the role of organoids in the assessment of high-grade serous OC (HGSOC) cells-of-origin, illustrate their use as promising preclinical OC models and highlight the advantages of organoid technology in terms of disease modelling and drug sensitivity testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iason Psilopatis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Department of Gynecology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt—Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexandros G. Sykaras
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Department of Cytopathology, Aretaieion Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Mandrakis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Kleio Vrettou
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence:
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Skorda A, Bay ML, Hautaniemi S, Lahtinen A, Kallunki T. Kinase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer: Current State and Future Promises. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246257. [PMID: 36551745 PMCID: PMC9777107 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological cancer, the high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC) being its most common and most aggressive form. Despite the latest therapeutical advancements following the introduction of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) targeting angiogenesis inhibitors and poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase (PARP) inhibitors to supplement the standard platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy, the expected overall survival of HGSC patients has not improved significantly from the five-year rate of 42%. This calls for the development and testing of more efficient treatment options. Many oncogenic kinase-signaling pathways are dysregulated in HGSC. Since small-molecule kinase inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of many solid cancers due to the generality of the increased activation of protein kinases in carcinomas, it is reasonable to evaluate their potential against HGSC. Here, we present the latest concluded and on-going clinical trials on kinase inhibitors in HGSC, as well as the recent work concerning ovarian cancer patient organoids and xenograft models. We discuss the potential of kinase inhibitors as personalized treatments, which would require comprehensive assessment of the biological mechanisms underlying tumor spread and chemoresistance in individual patients, and their connection to tumor genome and transcriptome to establish identifiable subgroups of patients who are most likely to benefit from a given therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini Skorda
- Cancer Invasion and Resistance Group, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Strandboulevarden 49, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marie Lund Bay
- Cancer Invasion and Resistance Group, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Strandboulevarden 49, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sampsa Hautaniemi
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Research Programs Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alexandra Lahtinen
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Research Programs Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Correspondence: (A.L.); (T.K.)
| | - Tuula Kallunki
- Cancer Invasion and Resistance Group, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Strandboulevarden 49, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: (A.L.); (T.K.)
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Xiong L, Tan J, Feng Y, Wang D, Liu X, Feng Y, Li S. Protein expression profiling identifies a prognostic model for ovarian cancer. BMC Womens Health 2022; 22:292. [PMID: 35840928 PMCID: PMC9284690 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-022-01876-x] [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: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Owing to the high morbidity and mortality, ovarian cancer has seriously endangered female health. Development of reliable models can facilitate prognosis monitoring and help relieve the distress.
Methods
Using the data archived in the TCPA and TCGA databases, proteins having significant survival effects on ovarian cancer patients were screened by univariate Cox regression analysis. Patients with complete information concerning protein expression, survival, and clinical variables were included. A risk model was then constructed by performing multiple Cox regression analysis. After validation, the predictive power of the risk model was assessed. The prognostic effect and the biological function of the model were evaluated using co-expression analysis and enrichment analysis.
Results
394 patients were included in model construction and validation. Using univariate Cox regression analysis, we identified a total of 20 proteins associated with overall survival of ovarian cancer patients (p < 0.01). Based on multiple Cox regression analysis, six proteins (GSK3α/β, HSP70, MEK1, MTOR, BAD, and NDRG1) were used for model construction. Patients in the high-risk group had unfavorable overall survival (p < 0.001) and poor disease-specific survival (p = 0.001). All these six proteins also had survival prognostic effects. Multiple Cox regression analysis demonstrated the risk model as an independent prognostic factor (p < 0.001). In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the risk model displayed higher predictive power than age, tumor grade, and tumor stage, with an area under the curve value of 0.789. Analysis of co-expressed proteins and differentially expressed genes based on the risk model further revealed its prognostic implication.
Conclusions
The risk model composed of GSK3α/β, HSP70, MEK1, MTOR, BAD, and NDRG1 could predict survival prognosis of ovarian cancer patients efficiently and help disease management.
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Chesnokov MS, Yadav A, Chefetz I. Optimized Transcriptional Signature for Evaluation of MEK/ERK Pathway Baseline Activity and Long-Term Modulations in Ovarian Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13365. [PMID: 36362153 PMCID: PMC9654336 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the most aggressive and lethal of all gynecologic malignancies. The high activity of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway is tightly associated with tumor growth, high recurrence rate, and treatment resistance. Several transcriptional signatures were proposed recently for evaluation of MEK/ERK activity in tumor tissue. In the present study, we validated the performance of a robust multi-cancer MPAS 10-gene signature in various experimental models and publicly available sets of ovarian cancer samples. Expression of four MPAS genes (PHLDA1, DUSP4, EPHA2, and SPRY4) displayed reproducible responses to MEK/ERK activity modulations across several experimental models in vitro and in vivo. Levels of PHLDA1, DUSP4, and EPHA2 expression were also significantly associated with baseline levels of MEK/ERK pathway activity in multiple human ovarian cancer cell lines and ovarian cancer patient samples available from the TCGA database. Initial platinum therapy resistance and advanced age at diagnosis were independently associated with poor overall patient survival. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the performance of transcriptional signatures is significantly affected by tissue specificity and aspects of particular experimental models. We therefore propose that gene expression signatures derived from comprehensive multi-cancer studies should be always validated for each cancer type.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anil Yadav
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
| | - Ilana Chefetz
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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11
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Gu Y, Wang W, Li Y, Li H, Guo Z, Wei C, Long M, Chung M, Aimaier R, Li Q, Wang Z. Preclinical Assessment of MEK Inhibitors for Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors Reveals Differences in Efficacy and Adaptive Response. Front Oncol 2022; 12:903177. [PMID: 35875109 PMCID: PMC9303010 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.903177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are rare soft-tissue sarcomas refractory to standard therapies. Inactivation of NF1 and subsequent upregulation of RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling exist in the majority of MPNSTs. However, the lack of preclinical assessment of MEK inhibitors in MPNSTs hinders the clinical application as well as the development of combination therapy. To guide further clinical studies, we evaluated different MEK inhibitors in terms of efficacy, safety, and mechanism of adaptive response in treating MPNSTs. Using a MPNST tissue microarray, we found that p-ERK could serve as a biomarker for predicting the prognosis of MPNST patients as well as an effective therapeutic target. Through in vitro and in vivo experiments, we identified trametinib as the most potent MEK inhibitor for the treatment of MPNSTs. Mechanistically, reduced reactivation of the MAPK pathway and compensatory activation of the parallel pathways contributed to better efficacy. Our results provide a basis for the further clinical application of MEK inhibitors as single agents or combinational therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihui Gu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuehua Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haibo Li
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zizhen Guo
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengjiang Wei
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Manmei Long
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Manhon Chung
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rehanguli Aimaier
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingfeng Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Zhichao Wang, ; ; Qingfeng Li, ;
| | - Zhichao Wang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Zhichao Wang, ; ; Qingfeng Li, ;
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Lee S, Yang W, Kim DK, Kim H, Shin M, Choi KU, Suh DS, Kim YH, Hwang TH, Kim JH. Inhibition of MEK-ERK pathway enhances oncolytic vaccinia virus replication in doxorubicin-resistant ovarian cancer. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2022; 25:211-224. [PMID: 35592390 PMCID: PMC9096472 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2022.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic vaccinia virus (OVV) has been reported to induce cell death in various types of cancer; however, the oncolytic activity of OVV in drug-resistant ovarian cancer remains limited. In the present study, we established doxorubicin-resistant ovarian cancer cells (A2780-R) from the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line. Both A2780 and A2780-R cells were infected with OVV to explore its anticancer effects. Interestingly, OVV-infected A2780-R cells showed reduced viral replication and cell death compared with A2780 cells, suggesting their resistance against OVV-induced oncolysis; to understand the mechanism underlying this resistance, we explored the involvement of protein kinases. Among protein kinase inhibitors, PD0325901, an MEK inhibitor, significantly augmented OVV replication and cell death in A2780-R cells. PD0325901 treatment increased the phosphorylation of STAT3 in A2780-R cells. Moreover, cryptotanshinone, a STAT3 inhibitor, abrogated PD0325901-stimulated OVV replication. Furthermore, trametinib, a clinically approved MEK inhibitor, increased OVV replication in A2780-R cells. Transcriptomic analysis showed that the MEK inhibitor promoted OVV replication via increasing STAT3 activation and downregulating the cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway. Combined treatment with OVV and trametinib attenuated A2780-R xenograft tumor growth. These results suggest that pharmacological inhibition of MEK reinforces the oncolytic efficacy of OVV in drug-resistant ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seoyul Lee
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Wookyeom Yang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Kyoung Kim
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Hojun Kim
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Minjoo Shin
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Un Choi
- Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Soo Suh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Hak Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Ho Hwang
- Gene and Cell Therapy Research Center for Vessel-associated Diseases, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Ho Kim
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea.,Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
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Chen YC, Yang CW, Chan TF, Farooqi AA, Chang HS, Yen CH, Huang MY, Chang HW. Cryptocaryone Promotes ROS-Dependent Antiproliferation and Apoptosis in Ovarian Cancer Cells. Cells 2022; 11:cells11040641. [PMID: 35203294 PMCID: PMC8870566 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptocaryone (CPC) is a bioactive dihydrochalcone derived from Cryptocarya plants, and its antiproliferation was rarely reported, especially for ovarian cancer (OVCA). This study aimed to examine the regulation ability and mechanism of CPC on three histotypes of OVCA cells (SKOV3, TOV-21G, and TOV-112D). In a 24 h MTS assay, CPC showed antiproliferation effects to OVCA cells, i.e., IC50 values 1.5, 3, and 9.5 μM for TOV-21G, SKOV3, and TOV-112D cells. TOV-21G and SKOV3 cells showed hypersensitivity to CPC when applied for exposure time and concentration experiments. For biological processes, CPC stimulated the generation of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial superoxide and promoted mitochondrial membrane potential dysfunction in TOV-21G and SKOV3 cells. Apoptosis was detected in OVCA cells through subG1 accumulation and annexin V staining. Apoptosis signaling such as caspase 3/7 activities, cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, and caspase 3 expressions were upregulated by CPC. Specifically, the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic caspase 9 and caspase 8 were overexpressed in OVCA cells following CPC treatment. Moreover, CPC also stimulated DNA damages in terms of γH2AX expression and increased γH2AX foci. CPC also induced 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine DNA damages. These CPC-associated principal biological processes were validated to be oxidative stress-dependent by N-acetylcysteine. In conclusion, CPC is a potential anti-OVCA natural product showing oxidative stress-dependent antiproliferation, apoptosis, and DNA damaging functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chieh Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (Y.-C.C.); (T.-F.C.)
| | - Che-Wei Yang
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.-W.Y.); (H.-S.C.); (C.-H.Y.)
| | - Te-Fu Chan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (Y.-C.C.); (T.-F.C.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Ammad Ahmad Farooqi
- Institute of Biomedical and Genetic Engineering (IBGE), Islamabad 54000, Pakistan;
| | - Hsun-Shuo Chang
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.-W.Y.); (H.-S.C.); (C.-H.Y.)
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hung Yen
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.-W.Y.); (H.-S.C.); (C.-H.Y.)
| | - Ming-Yii Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (M.-Y.H.); (H.-W.C.); Tel.: +886-7-312-1101 (ext. 7158) (M.-Y.H. & H.-W.C.)
| | - Hsueh-Wei Chang
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, College of Life Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (M.-Y.H.); (H.-W.C.); Tel.: +886-7-312-1101 (ext. 7158) (M.-Y.H. & H.-W.C.)
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