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Hönscheid PV, Baretton GB, Puhr M, Siciliano T, Israel JS, Stope MB, Ebersbach C, Beier AMK, Thomas C, Erb HHH. Prostate Cancer's Silent Partners: Fibroblasts and Their Influence on Glutamine Metabolism Manipulation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9275. [PMID: 39273225 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25179275] [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: 08/04/2024] [Revised: 08/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF)s in the tumour microenvironment (TME) modulate the extracellular matrix, interact with cancer cells, and facilitate communication with infiltrating leukocytes, significantly contributing to cancer progression and therapeutic response. In prostate cancer (PCa), CAFs promote malignancy through metabolic rewiring, cancer stem cell regulation, and therapy resistance. Pre-clinical studies indicate that targeting amino acid metabolism, particularly glutamine (Gln) metabolism, reduces cancer proliferation and stemness. However, most studies lack the context of CAF-cancer interaction, focusing on monocultures. This study assesses the influence of CAFs on PCa growth by manipulating Gln metabolism using colour-labelled PCa cell lines (red) and fibroblast (green) in a co-culture system to evaluate CAFs' effects on PCa cell proliferation and clonogenic potential. CAFs increased the proliferation of hormone-sensitive LNCaP cells, whereas the castration-resistant C4-2 cells were unaffected. However, clonogenic growth increased in both cell lines. Gln deprivation and GLS1 inhibition experiments revealed that the increased growth rate of LNCAP cells was associated with increased dependence on Gln, which was confirmed by proteomic analyses. Tissue analysis of PCa patients revealed elevated GLS1 levels in both the PCa epithelium and stroma, suggesting that GLS1 is a therapeutic target. Moreover, the median overall survival analysis of GLS1 expression in the PCa epithelium and stroma identified a "high-risk" patient group that may benefit from GLS1-targeted therapies. Therefore, GLS1 targeting appears promising in castration-resistant PCa patients with high GLS1 epithelium and low GLS1 stromal expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia V Hönscheid
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Medical Faculty, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Core Unit for Molecular Tumor Diagnostics (CMTD), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Gustavo B Baretton
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Medical Faculty, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Core Unit for Molecular Tumor Diagnostics (CMTD), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Tumor and Normal Tissue Bank of the University Cancer Center (UCC), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Medical Faculty, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Puhr
- Department of Urology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Tiziana Siciliano
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Medical Faculty, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Justus S Israel
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Matthias B Stope
- Department of Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
- UroFors Consortium (Natural Scientists in Urological Research), German Society of Urology, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Celina Ebersbach
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Alicia-Marie K Beier
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Thomas
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Holger H H Erb
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- UroFors Consortium (Natural Scientists in Urological Research), German Society of Urology, 14163 Berlin, Germany
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2
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Erb HHH, Polishchuk N, Stasyk O, Kahya U, Weigel MM, Dubrovska A. Glutamine Metabolism and Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2871. [PMID: 39199642 PMCID: PMC11352381 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16162871] [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: 06/29/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Glutamine (Gln) is a non-essential amino acid that is involved in the development and progression of several malignancies, including prostate cancer (PCa). While Gln is non-essential for non-malignant prostate epithelial cells, PCa cells become highly dependent on an exogenous source of Gln. The Gln metabolism in PCa is tightly controlled by well-described oncogenes such as MYC, AR, and mTOR. These oncogenes contribute to therapy resistance and progression to the aggressive castration-resistant PCa. Inhibition of Gln catabolism impedes PCa growth, survival, and tumor-initiating potential while sensitizing the cells to radiotherapy. Therefore, given its significant role in tumor growth, targeting Gln metabolism is a promising approach for developing new therapeutic strategies. Ongoing clinical trials evaluate the safety and efficacy of Gln catabolism inhibitors in combination with conventional and targeted therapies in patients with various solid tumors, including PCa. Further understanding of how PCa cells metabolically interact with their microenvironment will facilitate the clinical translation of Gln inhibitors and help improve therapeutic outcomes. This review focuses on the role of Gln in PCa progression and therapy resistance and provides insights into current clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger H. H. Erb
- Department of Urology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Nikita Polishchuk
- Department of Cell Signaling, Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 79000 Lviv, Ukraine; (N.P.); (O.S.)
| | - Oleh Stasyk
- Department of Cell Signaling, Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 79000 Lviv, Ukraine; (N.P.); (O.S.)
| | - Uğur Kahya
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01309 Dresden, Germany; (U.K.); (M.M.W.)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Matthias M. Weigel
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01309 Dresden, Germany; (U.K.); (M.M.W.)
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01309 Dresden, Germany; (U.K.); (M.M.W.)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, 01309 Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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3
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Miyamoto R, Takigawa H, Yuge R, Shimizu D, Ariyoshi M, Otani R, Tsuboi A, Tanaka H, Yamashita K, Hiyama Y, Urabe Y, Ishikawa A, Sentani K, Oka S. Analysis of anti-tumor effect and mechanism of GLS1 inhibitor CB-839 in colorectal cancer using a stroma-abundant tumor model. Exp Mol Pathol 2024; 137:104896. [PMID: 38703552 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2024.104896] [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: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glutaminase 1 (GLS1), a key enzyme in glutamine metabolism in cancer cells, acts as a tumor promoter and could be a potential therapeutic target. CB-839, a GLS1-specific inhibitor, was developed recently. Herein, we aimed to elucidate the anti-tumor effects and mechanism of action of CB-839 in colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS Using the UCSC Xena public database, we evaluated GLS1 expression in various cancers. Immunostaining for GLS1 was performed on 154 surgically resected human CRC specimens. Subsequently, we examined the GLS1 mRNA expression levels in eight CRC cell lines and evaluated the association between GLS1 expression and CB-839 efficacy. To create a reproducible CRC model with abundant stroma and an allogeneic immune response, we co-transplanted CT26 and stem cells into BALB/c mice and treated them with CB-839. Finally, RNA sequencing of mouse tumors was performed. RESULTS Database analysis showed higher GLS1 expression in CRC tissues than in normal colon tissues. Clinical samples from 114 of the 154 patients with CRC showed positive GLS1 expression. GLS1 expression in clinical CRC tissues correlated with vascular invasion. CB-839 treatment inhibited cancer cell proliferation depending on GLS1 expression in vitro and inhibited tumor growth and metastasis in the CRC mouse model. RNA sequencing revealed that CB-839 treatment inhibited stromal activation, tumor growth, migration, and angiogenesis. These findings were validated through in vitro and in vivo experiments and clinical specimen analysis. CONCLUSIONS GLS1 expression in CRC plays important roles in tumor progression. CB-839 has inhibitory effects on cancer proliferation and the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Miyamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hidehiko Takigawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
| | - Ryo Yuge
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Daisuke Shimizu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Misa Ariyoshi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Rina Otani
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Tsuboi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hidenori Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Ken Yamashita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yuichi Hiyama
- Clinical Research Center in Hiroshima, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yuji Urabe
- Department of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Akira Ishikawa
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Sentani
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Shiro Oka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
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Ambrosini G, Cordani M, Zarrabi A, Alcon-Rodriguez S, Sainz RM, Velasco G, Gonzalez-Menendez P, Dando I. Transcending frontiers in prostate cancer: the role of oncometabolites on epigenetic regulation, CSCs, and tumor microenvironment to identify new therapeutic strategies. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:36. [PMID: 38216942 PMCID: PMC10790277 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01462-0] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer, as one of the most prevalent malignancies in males, exhibits an approximate 5-year survival rate of 95% in advanced stages. A myriad of molecular events and mutations, including the accumulation of oncometabolites, underpin the genesis and progression of this cancer type. Despite growing research demonstrating the pivotal role of oncometabolites in supporting various cancers, including prostate cancer, the root causes of their accumulation, especially in the absence of enzymatic mutations, remain elusive. Consequently, identifying a tangible therapeutic target poses a formidable challenge. In this review, we aim to delve deeper into the implications of oncometabolite accumulation in prostate cancer. We center our focus on the consequential epigenetic alterations and impacts on cancer stem cells, with the ultimate goal of outlining novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Ambrosini
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Marco Cordani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ali Zarrabi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Natural Sciences, Istinye University, Istanbul, 34396, Turkey
- Department of Research Analytics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, 600 077, India
| | - Sergio Alcon-Rodriguez
- Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, School of Medicine, Julián Claveria 6, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), 33011, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Rosa M Sainz
- Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, School of Medicine, Julián Claveria 6, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), 33011, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Guillermo Velasco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Gonzalez-Menendez
- Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, School of Medicine, Julián Claveria 6, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), 33011, Oviedo, Spain.
| | - Ilaria Dando
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy.
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5
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Ren LL, Mao T, Meng P, Zhang L, Wei HY, Tian ZB. Glutamine addiction and therapeutic strategies in pancreatic cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2023; 15:1852-1863. [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v15.i11.1852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal diseases worldwide owing to its late diagnosis, early metastasis, and poor prognosis. Because current therapeutic options are limited, there is an urgent need to investigate novel targeted treatment strategies. Pancreatic cancer faces significant metabolic challenges, principally hypoxia and nutrient deprivation, due to specific microenvironmental constraints, including an extensive desmoplastic stromal reaction. Pancreatic cancer cells have been shown to rewire their metabolism and energy production networks to support rapid survival and proliferation. Increased glucose uptake and glycolytic pathway activity during this process have been extensively described. However, growing evidence suggests that pancreatic cancer cells are glutamine addicted. As a nitrogen source, glutamine directly (or indirectly via glutamate conversion) contributes to many anabolic processes in pancreatic cancer, including amino acids, nucleobases, and hexosamine biosynthesis. It also plays an important role in redox homeostasis, and when converted to α-ketoglutarate, glutamine serves as an energy and anaplerotic carbon source, replenishing the tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of glutamine metabolic reprogramming in pancreatic cancer, focusing on potential therapeutic approaches targeting glutamine metabolism in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Lin Ren
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Tao Mao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Pin Meng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Hong-Yun Wei
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Zi-Bin Tian
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
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Cooper AJL, Dorai T, Pinto JT, Denton TT. Metabolic Heterogeneity, Plasticity, and Adaptation to "Glutamine Addiction" in Cancer Cells: The Role of Glutaminase and the GTωA [Glutamine Transaminase-ω-Amidase (Glutaminase II)] Pathway. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1131. [PMID: 37627015 PMCID: PMC10452834 DOI: 10.3390/biology12081131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Many cancers utilize l-glutamine as a major energy source. Often cited in the literature as "l-glutamine addiction", this well-characterized pathway involves hydrolysis of l-glutamine by a glutaminase to l-glutamate, followed by oxidative deamination, or transamination, to α-ketoglutarate, which enters the tricarboxylic acid cycle. However, mammalian tissues/cancers possess a rarely mentioned, alternative pathway (the glutaminase II pathway): l-glutamine is transaminated to α-ketoglutaramate (KGM), followed by ω-amidase (ωA)-catalyzed hydrolysis of KGM to α-ketoglutarate. The name glutaminase II may be confused with the glutaminase 2 (GLS2) isozyme. Thus, we recently renamed the glutaminase II pathway the "glutamine transaminase-ω-amidase (GTωA)" pathway. Herein, we summarize the metabolic importance of the GTωA pathway, including its role in closing the methionine salvage pathway, and as a source of anaplerotic α-ketoglutarate. An advantage of the GTωA pathway is that there is no net change in redox status, permitting α-ketoglutarate production during hypoxia, diminishing cellular energy demands. We suggest that the ability to coordinate control of both pathways bestows a metabolic advantage to cancer cells. Finally, we discuss possible benefits of GTωA pathway inhibitors, not only as aids to studying the normal biological roles of the pathway but also as possible useful anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur J. L. Cooper
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, New York Medical College, 15 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA; (T.D.); (J.T.P.)
| | - Thambi Dorai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, New York Medical College, 15 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA; (T.D.); (J.T.P.)
- Department of Urology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - John T. Pinto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, New York Medical College, 15 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA; (T.D.); (J.T.P.)
| | - Travis T. Denton
- Department Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University Health Sciences Spokane, Spokane, WA 99202, USA
- Department of Translational Medicine and Physiology, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University Health Sciences Spokane, Spokane, WA 99164, USA
- Steve Gleason Institute for Neuroscience, Washington State University Health Sciences Spokane, Spokane, WA 99164, USA
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7
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Blatt EB, Parra K, Neeb A, Buroni L, Bogdan D, Yuan W, Gao Y, Gilbreath C, Paschalis A, Carreira S, DeBerardinis RJ, Mani RS, de Bono JS, Raj GV. Critical role of antioxidant programs in enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer. Oncogene 2023; 42:2347-2359. [PMID: 37355762 PMCID: PMC10752496 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02756-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Therapy resistance to second-generation androgen receptor (AR) antagonists, such as enzalutamide, is common in patients with advanced prostate cancer (PCa). To understand the metabolic alterations involved in enzalutamide resistance, we performed metabolomic, transcriptomic, and cistromic analyses of enzalutamide-sensitive and -resistant PCa cells, xenografts, patient-derived organoids, patient-derived explants, and tumors. We noted dramatically higher basal and inducible levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in enzalutamide-resistant PCa and castration-resistant PCa (CRPC), in comparison to enzalutamide-sensitive PCa cells or primary therapy-naive tumors respectively. Unbiased metabolomic evaluation identified that glutamine metabolism was consistently upregulated in enzalutamide-resistant PCa cells and CRPC tumors. Stable isotope tracing studies suggest that this enhanced glutamine metabolism drives an antioxidant program that allows these cells to tolerate higher basal levels of ROS. Inhibition of glutamine metabolism with either a small-molecule glutaminase inhibitor or genetic knockout of glutaminase enhanced ROS levels, and blocked the growth of enzalutamide-resistant PCa. The critical role of compensatory antioxidant pathways in maintaining enzalutamide-resistant PCa cells was validated by targeting another antioxidant program driver, ferredoxin 1. Taken together, our data identify a metabolic need to maintain antioxidant programs and a potentially targetable metabolic vulnerability in enzalutamide-resistant PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliot B Blatt
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Karla Parra
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Antje Neeb
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | | | - Wei Yuan
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Yunpeng Gao
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Collin Gilbreath
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | | | | | - Ralph J DeBerardinis
- Children's Medical Center Research Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Ram S Mani
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Johann S de Bono
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Ganesh V Raj
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
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8
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Jiménez-Alonso JJ, López-Lázaro M. Dietary Manipulation of Amino Acids for Cancer Therapy. Nutrients 2023; 15:2879. [PMID: 37447206 DOI: 10.3390/nu15132879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells cannot proliferate and survive unless they obtain sufficient levels of the 20 proteinogenic amino acids (AAs). Unlike normal cells, cancer cells have genetic and metabolic alterations that may limit their capacity to obtain adequate levels of the 20 AAs in challenging metabolic environments. However, since normal diets provide all AAs at relatively constant levels and ratios, these potentially lethal genetic and metabolic defects are eventually harmless to cancer cells. If we temporarily replace the normal diet of cancer patients with artificial diets in which the levels of specific AAs are manipulated, cancer cells may be unable to proliferate and survive. This article reviews in vivo studies that have evaluated the antitumor activity of diets restricted in or supplemented with the 20 proteinogenic AAs, individually and in combination. It also reviews our recent studies that show that manipulating the levels of several AAs simultaneously can lead to marked survival improvements in mice with metastatic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miguel López-Lázaro
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
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9
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Choi SYC, Ribeiro CF, Wang Y, Loda M, Plymate SR, Uo T. Druggable Metabolic Vulnerabilities Are Exposed and Masked during Progression to Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1590. [PMID: 36358940 PMCID: PMC9687810 DOI: 10.3390/biom12111590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need for exploring new actionable targets other than androgen receptor to improve outcome from lethal castration-resistant prostate cancer. Tumor metabolism has reemerged as a hallmark of cancer that drives and supports oncogenesis. In this regard, it is important to understand the relationship between distinctive metabolic features, androgen receptor signaling, genetic drivers in prostate cancer, and the tumor microenvironment (symbiotic and competitive metabolic interactions) to identify metabolic vulnerabilities. We explore the links between metabolism and gene regulation, and thus the unique metabolic signatures that define the malignant phenotypes at given stages of prostate tumor progression. We also provide an overview of current metabolism-based pharmacological strategies to be developed or repurposed for metabolism-based therapeutics for castration-resistant prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Y. C. Choi
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Caroline Fidalgo Ribeiro
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Yuzhuo Wang
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Massimo Loda
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10021, USA
- New York Genome Center, New York, NY 10013, USA
| | - Stephen R. Plymate
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican St., Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - Takuma Uo
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican St., Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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10
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Metabolic changes during prostate cancer development and progression. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022; 149:2259-2270. [PMID: 36151426 PMCID: PMC10097763 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04371-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming has been recognised as a hallmark in solid tumours. Malignant modification of the tumour's bioenergetics provides energy for tumour growth and progression. Otto Warburg first reported these metabolic and biochemical changes in 1927. In prostate cancer (PCa) epithelial cells, the tumour metabolism also changes during development and progress. These alterations are partly driven by the androgen receptor, the key regulator in PCa development, progress, and survival. In contrast to other epithelial cells of different entities, glycolytic metabolism in prostate cells sustains physiological citrate secretion in the normal prostatic epithelium. In the early stages of PCa, citrate is utilised to power oxidative phosphorylation and fuel lipogenesis, enabling tumour growth and progression. In advanced and incurable castration-resistant PCa, a metabolic shift towards choline, amino acid, and glycolytic metabolism fueling tumour growth and progression has been described. Therefore, even if the metabolic changes are not fully understood, the altered metabolism during tumour progression may provide opportunities for novel therapeutic strategies, especially in advanced PCa stages. This review focuses on the main differences in PCa's metabolism during tumourigenesis and progression highlighting glutamine's role in PCa.
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11
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Clemente V, Hoshino A, Shetty M, Nelson A, Erickson BK, Baker R, Rubin N, Khalifa M, Weroha SJ, Lou E, Bazzaro M. GLS1 is a protective factor in patients with ovarian clear cell carcinoma and its expression does not correlate with ARID1A-mutated tumors. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:784-794. [PMID: 36082022 PMCID: PMC9451103 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Targeting glutamine metabolism has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy for several human cancers, including ovarian cancer. The primary target of this approach is the kidney isoform of glutaminase, glutaminase 1 (GLS1), a key enzyme in glutamine metabolism that is overexpressed in several human cancers. A first-in-class inhibitor of GLS1, called CB839 (Telaglenastat), has been investigated in several clinical trials, with promising results. The first clinical trial of CB839 in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients is forthcoming. ARID1A-mutated ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is a relatively indolent and chemoresistant ovarian cancer histotype. In OCCC-derived cells ARID1A simultaneously drives GLS1 expression and metabolism reprograming. In ARID1A-mutated OCCC-derived mouse models, loss of ARID1A corresponds to GLS1 upregulation and increases sensitivity to GLS1 inhibition. Thus, targeting of GLS1 with CB839 has been suggested as a targeted approach for OCCC patients with tumors harboring ARID1A-mutations. Here, we investigated whether GLS1 is differentially expressed between OCCC patients whose tumors are ARID1A positive and patients whose tumors are ARID1A negative. In clinical specimens of OCCC, we found that GLS1 overexpression was not correlated with ARID1A loss. In addition, GLS1 overexpression was associated with better clinical outcomes. Our findings have implications for human trials using experimental therapeutics targeting GLS1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentino Clemente
- Masonic Cancer Center and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Asumi Hoshino
- Masonic Cancer Center and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Mihir Shetty
- Masonic Cancer Center and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Andrew Nelson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Britt K. Erickson
- Masonic Cancer Center and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Ruth Baker
- Masonic Cancer Center and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Nathan Rubin
- Biostatistics Core, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Mahmoud Khalifa
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - S. John Weroha
- Departments of Oncology and Molecular Pharmacology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Emil Lou
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Martina Bazzaro
- Masonic Cancer Center and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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12
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Halama A, Suhre K. Advancing Cancer Treatment by Targeting Glutamine Metabolism-A Roadmap. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:553. [PMID: 35158820 PMCID: PMC8833671 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor growth and metastasis strongly depend on adapted cell metabolism. Cancer cells adjust their metabolic program to their specific energy needs and in response to an often challenging tumor microenvironment. Glutamine metabolism is one of the metabolic pathways that can be successfully targeted in cancer treatment. The dependence of many hematological and solid tumors on glutamine is associated with mitochondrial glutaminase (GLS) activity that enables channeling of glutamine into the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, generation of ATP and NADPH, and regulation of glutathione homeostasis and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Small molecules that target glutamine metabolism through inhibition of GLS therefore simultaneously limit energy availability and increase oxidative stress. However, some cancers can reprogram their metabolism to evade this metabolic trap. Therefore, the effectiveness of treatment strategies that rely solely on glutamine inhibition is limited. In this review, we discuss the metabolic and molecular pathways that are linked to dysregulated glutamine metabolism in multiple cancer types. We further summarize and review current clinical trials of glutaminolysis inhibition in cancer patients. Finally, we put into perspective strategies that deploy a combined treatment targeting glutamine metabolism along with other molecular or metabolic pathways and discuss their potential for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Halama
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha 24144, Qatar
| | - Karsten Suhre
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha 24144, Qatar
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13
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Urological Cancer Panorama in the Second Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030493. [PMID: 35158761 PMCID: PMC8833682 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
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14
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Singla RK, Sai CS, Chopra H, Behzad S, Bansal H, Goyal R, Gautam RK, Tsagkaris C, Joon S, Singla S, Shen B. Natural Products for the Management of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Special Focus on Nanoparticles Based Studies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:745177. [PMID: 34805155 PMCID: PMC8602797 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.745177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men and the second most frequent cause of cancer-related mortality around the world. The progression of advanced prostate cancer to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) plays a major role in disease-associated morbidity and mortality, posing a significant therapeutic challenge. Resistance has been associated with the activation of androgen receptors via several mechanisms, including alternative dehydroepiandrosterone biosynthetic pathways, other androgen receptor activator molecules, oncogenes, and carcinogenic signaling pathways. Tumor microenvironment plays a critical role not only in the cancer progression but also in the drug resistance. Numerous natural products have shown major potential against particular or multiple resistance pathways as shown by in vitro and in vivo studies. However, their efficacy in clinical trials has been undermined by their unfavorable pharmacological properties (hydrophobic molecules, instability, low pharmacokinetic profile, poor water solubility, and high excretion rate). Nanoparticle formulations can provide a way out of the stalemate, employing targeted drug delivery, improved pharmacokinetic drug profile, and transportation of diagnostic and therapeutic agents via otherwise impermeable biological barriers. This review compiles the available evidence regarding the use of natural products for the management of CRPC with a focus on nanoparticle formulations. PubMed and Google Scholar search engines were used for preclinical studies, while ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed were searched for clinical studies. The results of our study suggest the efficacy of natural compounds such as curcumin, resveratrol, apigenin, quercetin, fisetin, luteolin, kaempferol, genistein, berberine, ursolic acid, eugenol, gingerol, and ellagic acid against several mechanisms leading to castration resistance in preclinical studies, but fail to set the disease under control in clinical studies. Nanoparticle formulations of curcumin and quercetin seem to increase their potential in clinical settings. Using nanoparticles based on betulinic acid, capsaicin, sintokamide A, niphatenones A and B, as well as atraric acid seems promising but needs to be verified with preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev K. Singla
- Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Institutes for Systems Genetics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- iGlobal Research and Publishing Foundation, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Hitesh Chopra
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, India
| | - Sahar Behzad
- Evidence-Based Phytotherapy and Complementary Medicine Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Himangini Bansal
- Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Rajat Goyal
- MM School of Pharmacy, MM University, Ambala, India
| | | | | | - Shikha Joon
- Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Institutes for Systems Genetics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- iGlobal Research and Publishing Foundation, New Delhi, India
| | - Shailja Singla
- iGlobal Research and Publishing Foundation, New Delhi, India
| | - Bairong Shen
- Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Institutes for Systems Genetics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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