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Ardizzone A, Bulzomì M, De Luca F, Silvestris N, Esposito E, Capra AP. Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Polymorphism c.2194G>A Screening Is a Useful Tool for Decreasing Gastrointestinal and Hematological Adverse Drug Reaction Risk in Fluoropyrimidine-Treated Patients. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:9831-9843. [PMID: 39329936 PMCID: PMC11430620 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46090584] [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: 07/18/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Although the risk of fluoropyrimidine toxicity may be decreased by identifying poor metabolizers with a preemptive dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD) test, following international standards, many patients with wild-type (WT) genotypes for classic variations may still exhibit adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Therefore, the safety of fluoropyrimidine therapy could be improved by identifying new DPYD polymorphisms associated with ADRs. This study was carried out to assess whether testing for the underestimated c.2194G>A (DPYD*6 polymorphism, rs1801160) is useful, in addition to other well-known variants, in reducing the risk of ADRs in patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. This retrospective study included 132 patients treated with fluoropyrimidine-containing regimens who experienced ADRs such as gastrointestinal, dermatological, hematological, and neurological. All subjects were screened for DPYD variants DPYD2A (IVS14+1G>A, c.1905+1G>A, rs3918290), DPYD13 (c.1679T>G, rs55886062), c.2846A>T (rs67376798), c.1236G>A (rs56038477), and c.2194G>A by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In this cohort, the heterozygous c.2194G>A variant was present in 26 patients, while 106 individuals were WT; both subgroups were compared for the incidence of ADRs. This assessment revealed a high incidence of gastrointestinal and hematological ADRs in DPYD6 carriers compared to WT. Moreover, we have shown a higher prevalence of ADRs in females compared to males when stratifying c.2194G>A carrier individuals. Considering that c.2194G>A was linked to clinically relevant ADRs, we suggest that this variant should also be assessed preventively to reduce the risk of fluoropyrimidine-related ADRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Ardizzone
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.A.); (M.B.); (F.D.L.); (A.P.C.)
| | - Maria Bulzomì
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.A.); (M.B.); (F.D.L.); (A.P.C.)
| | - Fabiola De Luca
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.A.); (M.B.); (F.D.L.); (A.P.C.)
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Human Pathology “G. Barresi”, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Emanuela Esposito
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.A.); (M.B.); (F.D.L.); (A.P.C.)
- Genetics and Pharmacogenetics Unit, “Gaetano Martino” University Hospital, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Anna Paola Capra
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.A.); (M.B.); (F.D.L.); (A.P.C.)
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Scuderi SA, Ardizzone A, Salako AE, Pantò G, De Luca F, Esposito E, Capra AP. Pentraxin 3: A Main Driver of Inflammation and Immune System Dysfunction in the Tumor Microenvironment of Glioblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1637. [PMID: 38730589 PMCID: PMC11083335 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091637] [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: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors are a heterogeneous group of brain neoplasms that are highly prevalent in individuals of all ages worldwide. Within this pathological framework, the most prevalent and aggressive type of primary brain tumor is glioblastoma (GB), a subtype of glioma that falls within the IV-grade astrocytoma group. The death rate for patients with GB remains high, occurring within a few months after diagnosis, even with the gold-standard therapies now available, such as surgery, radiation, or a pharmaceutical approach with Temozolomide. For this reason, it is crucial to continue looking for cutting-edge therapeutic options to raise patients' survival chances. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a multifunctional protein that has a variety of regulatory roles in inflammatory processes related to extracellular matrix (ECM). An increase in PTX3 blood levels is considered a trustworthy factor associated with the beginning of inflammation. Moreover, scientific evidence suggested that PTX3 is a sensitive and earlier inflammation-related marker compared to the short pentraxin C-reactive protein (CRP). In several tumoral subtypes, via regulating complement-dependent and macrophage-associated tumor-promoting inflammation, it has been demonstrated that PTX3 may function as a promoter of cancer metastasis, invasion, and stemness. Our review aims to deeply evaluate the function of PTX3 in the pathological context of GB, considering its pivotal biological activities and its possible role as a molecular target for future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Adriana Scuderi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (S.A.S.); (A.A.); (A.E.S.); (F.D.L.); (A.P.C.)
| | - Alessio Ardizzone
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (S.A.S.); (A.A.); (A.E.S.); (F.D.L.); (A.P.C.)
| | - Ayomide Eniola Salako
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (S.A.S.); (A.A.); (A.E.S.); (F.D.L.); (A.P.C.)
- University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pantò
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Fabiola De Luca
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (S.A.S.); (A.A.); (A.E.S.); (F.D.L.); (A.P.C.)
| | - Emanuela Esposito
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (S.A.S.); (A.A.); (A.E.S.); (F.D.L.); (A.P.C.)
| | - Anna Paola Capra
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (S.A.S.); (A.A.); (A.E.S.); (F.D.L.); (A.P.C.)
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Repici A, Ardizzone A, De Luca F, Colarossi L, Prestifilippo A, Pizzino G, Paterniti I, Esposito E, Capra AP. Signaling Pathways of AXL Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Contribute to the Pathogenetic Mechanisms of Glioblastoma. Cells 2024; 13:361. [PMID: 38391974 PMCID: PMC10886920 DOI: 10.3390/cells13040361] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors are a diverse collection of neoplasms affecting the brain with a high prevalence rate in people of all ages around the globe. In this pathological context, glioblastoma, a form of glioma that belongs to the IV-grade astrocytoma group, is the most common and most aggressive form of the primary brain tumors. Indeed, despite the best treatments available including surgery, radiotherapy or a pharmacological approach with Temozolomide, glioblastoma patients' mortality is still high, within a few months of diagnosis. Therefore, to increase the chances of these patients surviving, it is critical to keep finding novel treatment opportunities. In the past, efforts to treat glioblastoma have mostly concentrated on customized treatment plans that target specific mutations such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, Neurotrophic Tyrosine Receptor Kinase (NTRK) fusions, or multiple receptors using multi-kinase inhibitors like Sunitinib and Regorafenib, with varying degrees of success. Here, we focused on the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL that has been identified as a mediator for tumor progression and therapy resistance in various cancer types, including squamous cell tumors, small cell lung cancer, and breast cancer. Activated AXL leads to a significant increase in tumor proliferation, tumor cell migration, and angiogenesis in different in vitro and in vivo models of cancer since this receptor regulates interplay with apoptotic, angiogenic and inflammatory pathways. Based on these premises, in this review we mainly focused on the role of AXL in the course of glioblastoma, considering its primary biological mechanisms and as a possible target for the application of the most recent treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Repici
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.R.); (A.A.); (F.D.L.); (I.P.); (A.P.C.)
| | - Alessio Ardizzone
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.R.); (A.A.); (F.D.L.); (I.P.); (A.P.C.)
| | - Fabiola De Luca
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.R.); (A.A.); (F.D.L.); (I.P.); (A.P.C.)
| | - Lorenzo Colarossi
- Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo, Via Penninazzo 7, 95029 Viagrande, Italy; (L.C.); (A.P.); (G.P.)
| | - Angela Prestifilippo
- Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo, Via Penninazzo 7, 95029 Viagrande, Italy; (L.C.); (A.P.); (G.P.)
| | - Gabriele Pizzino
- Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo, Via Penninazzo 7, 95029 Viagrande, Italy; (L.C.); (A.P.); (G.P.)
| | - Irene Paterniti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.R.); (A.A.); (F.D.L.); (I.P.); (A.P.C.)
| | - Emanuela Esposito
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.R.); (A.A.); (F.D.L.); (I.P.); (A.P.C.)
| | - Anna Paola Capra
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.R.); (A.A.); (F.D.L.); (I.P.); (A.P.C.)
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Repici A, Ardizzone A, Filippone A, Colarossi C, Mare M, Raciti G, Mannino D, Cuzzocrea S, Paterniti I, Esposito E. Interleukin-21 Influences Glioblastoma Course: Biological Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential. Cells 2023; 12:2284. [PMID: 37759505 PMCID: PMC10526836 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors represent a heterogeneous group of neoplasms involving the brain or nearby tissues, affecting populations of all ages with a high incidence worldwide. Among the primary brain tumors, the most aggressive and also the most common is glioblastoma (GB), a type of glioma that falls into the category of IV-grade astrocytoma. GB often leads to death within a few months after diagnosis, even if the patient is treated with available therapies; for this reason, it is important to continue to discover new therapeutic approaches to allow for a better survival rate of these patients. Immunotherapy, today, seems to be one of the most innovative types of treatment, based on the ability of the immune system to counteract various pathologies, including cancer. In this context, interleukin 21 (IL-21), a type I cytokine produced by natural killer (NK) cells and CD4+ T lymphocytes, appears to be a valid target for new therapies since this cytokine is involved in the activation of innate and adaptive immunity. To match this purpose, our review deeply evaluated how IL-21 could influence the progression of GB, analyzing its main biological processes and mechanisms while evaluating the potential use of the latest available therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Repici
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.R.); (A.A.); (A.F.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Alessio Ardizzone
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.R.); (A.A.); (A.F.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Alessia Filippone
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.R.); (A.A.); (A.F.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Cristina Colarossi
- Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo, Via Penninazzo 7, 95029 Viagrande, Italy; (C.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Marzia Mare
- Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo, Via Penninazzo 7, 95029 Viagrande, Italy; (C.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Gabriele Raciti
- IOM Ricerca, Via Penninazzo 11, 95029 Viagrande, Italy;
- Department of Biomedical, Dental and Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Deborah Mannino
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.R.); (A.A.); (A.F.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.R.); (A.A.); (A.F.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Irene Paterniti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.R.); (A.A.); (A.F.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (E.E.)
| | - Emanuela Esposito
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.R.); (A.A.); (A.F.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (E.E.)
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