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Vicidomini C, Roviello GN. Protein-Targeting Drug Discovery. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1591. [PMID: 38002273 PMCID: PMC10669076 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein-driven biological processes play a fundamental role in biomedicine because they are related to pathologies of enormous social impact, such as cancer, neuropathies, and viral diseases, including the one at the origin of the recent COVID-19 pandemic [...].
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca Site and Headquarters, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Tamburello M, Abate A, Rossini E, Basnet RM, Zizioli D, Cosentini D, Hantel C, Laganà M, Tiberio GAM, Grisanti S, Memo M, Berruti A, Sigala S. Preclinical Evidence of Progesterone as a New Pharmacological Strategy in Human Adrenocortical Carcinoma Cell Lines. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076829. [PMID: 37047801 PMCID: PMC10095539 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Adrenocortical cancer (ACC) is a rare malignancy with a dismal prognosis. The treatment includes mitotane and EDP chemotherapy (etoposide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin). However, new therapeutic approaches for advanced ACC are needed, particularly targeting the metastatic process. Here, we deepen the role of progesterone as a new potential drug for ACC, in line with its antitumoral effect in other cancers. Methods: NCI-H295R, MUC-1, and TVBF-7 cell lines were used and xenografted in zebrafish embryos. Migration and invasion were studied using transwell assays, and MMP2 activity was studied using zymography. Apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: Progesterone significantly reduced xenograft tumor area and metastasis formation in embryos injected with metastatic lines, MUC-1 and TVBF-7. These results were confirmed in vitro, where the reduction of invasion was mediated, at least in part, by the decrease in MMP2 levels. Progesterone exerted a long-lasting effect in metastaticcells. Progesterone caused apoptosis in NCI-H295R and MUC-1, inducing changes in the cell-cycle distribution, while autophagy was predominantly activated in TVBF-7 cells. Conclusion: Our results give support to the role of progesterone in ACC. The involvement of its analog (megestrol acetate) in reducing ACC progression in ACC patients undergoing EDP-M therapy is now under investigation in the PESETA phase II clinical study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariangela Tamburello
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Abate
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Elisa Rossini
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Ram Manohar Basnet
- Section of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Daniela Zizioli
- Section of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Deborah Cosentini
- Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Constanze Hantel
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091 Zürich, Switzerland
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Marta Laganà
- Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Guido Alberto Massimo Tiberio
- Surgical Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Salvatore Grisanti
- Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alfredo Berruti
- Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Sandra Sigala
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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Adrenocortical Carcinoma (ACC) Cells Rewire Their Metabolism to Overcome Curcumin Antitumoral Effects Opening a Window of Opportunity to Improve Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041050. [PMID: 36831394 PMCID: PMC9954484 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041050] [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: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Extensive research suggests that curcumin interferes with multiple cell signaling pathways involved in cancer development and progression. This study aimed to evaluate curcumin effects on adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), a rare but very aggressive tumor. Curcumin reduced growth, migration and activated apoptosis in three different ACC cell lines, H295R, SW13, MUC-1. This event was related to a decrease in estrogen-related receptor-α (ERRα) expression and cholesterol synthesis. More importantly, curcumin changed ACC cell metabolism, increasing glycolytic gene expression. However, pyruvate from glycolysis was only minimally used for lactate production and the Krebs cycle (TCA). In fact, lactate dehydrogenase, extracellular acidification rate (ECAR), TCA genes and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) were reduced. We instead found an increase in Glutamic-Pyruvic Transaminase (GPT), glutamine antiport transporter SLC1A5 and glutaminase (GLS1), supporting a metabolic rewiring toward glutamine metabolism. Targeting this mechanism, curcumin effects were improved. In fact, in a low glutamine-containing medium, the growth inhibitory effects elicited by curcumin were observed at a concentration ineffective in default growth medium. Data from this study prove the efficacy of curcumin against ACC growth and progression and point to the concomitant use of inhibitors for glutamine metabolism to improve its effects.
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Sigala S, Rossini E, Abate A, Tamburello M, Bornstein SR, Hantel C. An update on adrenocortical cell lines of human origin. Endocrine 2022; 77:432-437. [PMID: 35764904 PMCID: PMC9385758 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-022-03112-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare, heterogenous and highly malignant disease. Management of ACC is dependent on disease stage with complete surgical resection as the only potentially curative option. However, advanced, un-resectable, metastatic stages and also recurrences often require systemic treatments, which are unfortunately nowadays still unsatisfactory. The scarcity of preclinical models reflecting patient heterogeneities and furthermore drug-resistant phenotypes, has hampered the progress and development of new therapies in recent years. In this review, we provide an overview on the classical models and substantial progress which has been made over the last years in context of this aggressive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Sigala
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elisa Rossini
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Abate
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mariangela Tamburello
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefan R Bornstein
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091, Zürich, Switzerland
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, King's College London, London, WC2R 2LS, UK
- Center for Regenerative Therapies, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Paul-Langerhans-Institute Dresden, Helmholtz Center Munich, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 636921, Singapore
| | - Constanze Hantel
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
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Wei R, Zhang H, Cao J, Qin D, Li S, Deng W. Sample-Specific Perturbation of Gene Interactions Identifies Pancreatic Cancer Subtypes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:4792. [PMID: 35563183 PMCID: PMC9099782 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly fatal disease and an increasing common cause of cancer mortality. Mounting evidence now indicates that molecular heterogeneity in pancreatic cancer significantly impacts its clinical features. However, the dynamic nature of gene expression pattern makes it difficult to rely solely on gene expression alterations to estimate disease status. By contrast, biological networks tend to be more stable over time under different situations. In this study, we used a gene interaction network from a new point of view to explore the subtypes of pancreatic cancer based on individual-specific edge perturbations calculated by relative gene expression value. Our study shows that pancreatic cancer patients from the TCGA database could be separated into four subtypes based on gene interaction perturbations at the individual level. The new network-based subtypes of pancreatic cancer exhibited substantial heterogeneity in many aspects, including prognosis, phenotypic traits, genetic mutations, the abundance of infiltrating immune cell, and predictive therapeutic efficacy (chemosensitivity and immunotherapy efficacy). The new network-based subtypes were closely related to previous reported molecular subtypes of pancreatic cancer. This work helps us to better understand the heterogeneity and mechanisms of pancreatic cancer from a network perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Dongfengdong Road 651, Guangzhou 510060, China; (R.W.); (J.C.); (D.Q.)
| | - Huihui Zhang
- Pharm-X Center, Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road 800, Shanghai 200240, China;
| | - Jianzhong Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Dongfengdong Road 651, Guangzhou 510060, China; (R.W.); (J.C.); (D.Q.)
| | - Dailei Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Dongfengdong Road 651, Guangzhou 510060, China; (R.W.); (J.C.); (D.Q.)
| | - Shengping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Dongfengdong Road 651, Guangzhou 510060, China; (R.W.); (J.C.); (D.Q.)
| | - Wuguo Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Dongfengdong Road 651, Guangzhou 510060, China; (R.W.); (J.C.); (D.Q.)
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Sigala S, Bothou C, Penton D, Abate A, Peitzsch M, Cosentini D, Tiberio GAM, Bornstein SR, Berruti A, Hantel C. A Comprehensive Investigation of Steroidogenic Signaling in Classical and New Experimental Cell Models of Adrenocortical Carcinoma. Cells 2022; 11:1439. [PMID: 35563746 PMCID: PMC9103477 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma is a heterogeneous and aggressive cancer that originates from steroidogenic cells within the adrenal cortex. In this study, we have assessed for the preclinical gold standard NCI-H295 in direct comparison with the more recently established MUC-1 and a here newly reported ACC cell line (TVBF-7) the mutational status of important driver genes (TP53, MEN1, PRKAR1A, CTNNB1, APC, ZNRF-3, IGF-2, EGFR, RB1, BRCA1, BRCA2, RET, GNAS and PTEN), Wnt-signaling specificities (CTNNB1 mutation vs. APC mutation vs. wildtype), steroidogenic-(CYP11A1, CYP17A1, HSD3B2, HSD17B4, CYP21A2, CYP11B1, CYP11B2, MC2R, AT1R) and nuclear-receptor-signaling (AR, ER, GCR), varying electrophysiological potentials as well as highly individual hormone secretion profiles (Cortisol, Aldosterone, DHEA, DHEAS, Testosterone, 17-OH Progesterone, among others) which were investigated under basal and stimulated conditions (ACTH, AngII, FSK). Our findings reveal important genetic and pathophysiological characteristics for these three cell lines and reveal the importance of such cell-line panels reflecting differential endocrine functionalities to thereby better reflect clinically well-known ACC patient heterogeneities in preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Sigala
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Christina Bothou
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091 Zürich, Switzerland; (C.B.); (S.R.B.)
| | - David Penton
- Electrophysiology Facility (e-phac), Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich (UZH), 8057 Zürich, Switzerland;
| | - Andrea Abate
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Mirko Peitzsch
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Deborah Cosentini
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (D.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Guido A. M. Tiberio
- Surgical Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25124 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Stefan R. Bornstein
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091 Zürich, Switzerland; (C.B.); (S.R.B.)
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
- Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
- Center for Regenerative Therapies, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Paul-Langerhans-Institute Dresden, Helmholtz Center Munich, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 636921, Singapore
| | - Alfredo Berruti
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (D.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Constanze Hantel
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091 Zürich, Switzerland; (C.B.); (S.R.B.)
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
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Stimulated Expression of CXCL12 in Adrenocortical Carcinoma by the PPARgamma Ligand Rosiglitazone Impairs Cancer Progression. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11111097. [PMID: 34834449 PMCID: PMC8622353 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11111097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy with poor prognosis when metastatic and scarce treatment options in the advanced stages. In solid tumors, the chemokine CXCL12/CXCR4 axis is involved in the metastatic process. We demonstrated that the human adrenocortex expressed CXCL12 and its cognate receptors CXCR4 and CXCR7, not only in physiological conditions, but also in ACC, where the receptors’ expression was higher and the CXCL12 expression was lower than in the physiological conditions. In a small pilot cohort of 22 ACC patients, CXCL12 negatively correlated with tumor size, stage, Weiss score, necrosis, and mitotic activity. In a Kaplan–Meier analysis, the CXCL12 tumor expression significantly predicted disease-free, progression-free, and overall survival. In vitro treatment of the primary ACC H295R and of the metastatic MUC-1 cell line with the PPARγ-ligand rosiglitazone (RGZ) dose-dependently reduced proliferation, resulting in a significant increase in CXCL12 and a decrease in its receptors in the H295R cells only, with no effect on the MUC-1 levels. In ACC mouse xenografts, tumor growth was inhibited by the RGZ treatment before tumor development (prevention-setting) and once the tumor had grown (therapeutic-setting), similarly to mitotane (MTT). This inhibition was associated with a significant suppression of the tumor CXCR4/CXCR7 and the stimulation of human CXCL12 expression. Tumor growth correlated inversely with CXCL12 and positively with CXCR4 expression, suggesting that local CXCL12 may impair the primary tumor cell response to the ligand gradient that may contribute to driving the tumor progression. These findings indicate that CXCL12/CXCR4 may constitute a potential target for anti-cancer agents such as rosiglitazone in the treatment of ACC.
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