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Yousefi T, Mohammadi Jobani B, Taebi R, Qujeq D. Innovating Cancer Treatment Through Cell Cycle, Telomerase, Angiogenesis, and Metastasis. DNA Cell Biol 2024; 43:438-451. [PMID: 39018567 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2024.0109] [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] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains a formidable challenge in the field of medicine, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies to combat its relentless progression. The cell cycle, a tightly regulated process governing cell growth and division, plays a pivotal role in cancer development. Dysregulation of the cell cycle allows cancer cells to proliferate uncontrollably. Therapeutic interventions designed to disrupt the cell cycle offer promise in restraining tumor growth and progression. Telomerase, an enzyme responsible for maintaining telomere length, is often overactive in cancer cells, conferring them with immortality. Targeting telomerase presents an opportunity to limit the replicative potential of cancer cells and hinder tumor growth. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is essential for tumor growth and metastasis. Strategies aimed at inhibiting angiogenesis seek to deprive tumors of their vital blood supply, thereby impeding their progression. Metastasis, the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant sites, is a major challenge in cancer therapy. Research efforts are focused on understanding the underlying mechanisms of metastasis and developing interventions to disrupt this deadly process. This review provides a glimpse into the multifaceted approach to cancer therapy, addressing critical aspects of cancer biology-cell cycle regulation, telomerase activity, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Through ongoing research and innovative strategies, the field of oncology continues to advance, offering new hope for improved treatment outcomes and enhanced quality of life for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tooba Yousefi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahareh Mohammadi Jobani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reyhaneh Taebi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Durdi Qujeq
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
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2
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Ghanim GE, Sekne Z, Balch S, van Roon AMM, Nguyen THD. 2.7 Å cryo-EM structure of human telomerase H/ACA ribonucleoprotein. Nat Commun 2024; 15:746. [PMID: 38272871 PMCID: PMC10811338 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45002-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) enzyme that extends telomeric repeats at eukaryotic chromosome ends to counterbalance telomere loss caused by incomplete genome replication. Human telomerase is comprised of two distinct functional lobes tethered by telomerase RNA (hTR): a catalytic core, responsible for DNA extension; and a Hinge and ACA (H/ACA) box RNP, responsible for telomerase biogenesis. H/ACA RNPs also have a general role in pseudouridylation of spliceosomal and ribosomal RNAs, which is critical for the biogenesis of the spliceosome and ribosome. Much of our structural understanding of eukaryotic H/ACA RNPs comes from structures of the human telomerase H/ACA RNP. Here we report a 2.7 Å cryo-electron microscopy structure of the telomerase H/ACA RNP. The significant improvement in resolution over previous 3.3 Å to 8.2 Å structures allows us to uncover new molecular interactions within the H/ACA RNP. Many disease mutations are mapped to these interaction sites. The structure also reveals unprecedented insights into a region critical for pseudouridylation in canonical H/ACA RNPs. Together, our work advances understanding of telomerase-related disease mutations and the mechanism of pseudouridylation by eukaryotic H/ACA RNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zala Sekne
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
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3
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Engin AB, Engin A. Obesity-Senescence-Breast Cancer: Clinical Presentation of a Common Unfortunate Cycle. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1460:821-850. [PMID: 39287873 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-63657-8_27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
There are few convincing studies establishing the relationship between endogenous factors that cause obesity, cellular aging, and telomere shortening. Without a functional telomerase, a cell undergoing cell division has progressive telomere shortening. While obesity influences health and longevity as well as telomere dynamics, cellular senescence is one of the major drivers of the aging process and of age-related disorders. Oxidative stress induces telomere shortening, while decreasing telomerase activity. When progressive shortening of telomere length reaches a critical point, it triggers cell cycle arrest leading to senescence or apoptotic cell death. Telomerase activity cannot be detected in normal breast tissue. By contrast, maintenance of telomere length as a function of human telomerase is crucial for the survival of breast cancer cells and invasion. Approximately three-quarters of breast cancers in the general population are hormone-dependent and overexpression of estrogen receptors is crucial for their continued growth. In obesity, increasing leptin levels enhance aromatase messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression, aromatase content, and its enzymatic activity on breast cancer cells, simultaneously activating telomerase in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, applied anti-estrogen therapy increases serum leptin levels and thus enhances leptin resistance in obese postmenopausal breast cancer patients. Many studies revealed that shorter telomeres of postmenopausal breast cancer have higher local recurrence rates and higher tumor grade. In this review, interlinked molecular mechanisms are looked over between the telomere length, lipotoxicity/glycolipotoxicity, and cellular senescence in the context of estrogen receptor alpha-positive (ERα+) postmenopausal breast cancers in obese women. Furthermore, the effect of the potential drugs, which are used for direct inhibition of telomerase and the inhibition of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) or human telomerase RNA promoters as well as approved adjuvant endocrine therapies, the selective estrogen receptor modulator and selective estrogen receptor down-regulators are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Basak Engin
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Gazi University, Hipodrom, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Atilla Engin
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, Gazi University, Besevler, Ankara, Turkey
- Mustafa Kemal Mah. 2137. Sok. 8/14, 06520, Cankaya, Ankara, Turkey
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4
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Kim JY, Yang DW, Kim S, Choi JG. Retrospective Analysis of the Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Breast Cancer Treated with Telomerase Peptide Immunotherapy Combined with Cytotoxic Chemotherapy. BREAST CANCER (DOVE MEDICAL PRESS) 2023; 15:955-966. [PMID: 38146419 PMCID: PMC10749539 DOI: 10.2147/bctt.s431333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Telomerase activation, a critical step in cancer progression, occurs in approximately 95% of breast cancer cases. Telomerase is an attractive therapeutic target for breast cancer owing to its unique expression pattern. GV1001, a telomerase-derived peptide, is loaded onto human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II antigen-presenting cells and binds to CD4+ T cell activating immune responses. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of co-administration of GV1001 and cytotoxic chemotherapy in patients with heavily-treated metastatic breast cancer. Patients and methods We analyzed 63 patients with breast cancer who received both GV1001 and cytotoxic chemotherapy. The GV 1001 administration methods involves 0.56 mg intradermal injection three times during the first week, one time at weeks 2, 3, 4, and 6, and then once every 28 days. The primary endpoint of this study was quality of life according to EORTC QLO-C30 and EQ-5D, while the secondary endpoint was the antitumor response according to RECIST 1.1, progression-free survival, overall survival, and toxicity profile. Results In 34 patients with HR+ breast cancer evaluable for tumor response, the disease control rate (DCR) and overall response rate (ORR) were 58.8% and 26.4%, respectively. The DCR and ORR were 66.6% and 28.5% in 21 patients with HER-2+ and 50% and 25% in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), respectively. The median progression free survival was 10.4, 8.7, and 5.6 months in HR+, HER-2+, TNBC, respectively. The overall survival was 19.7, 13.2, and 9.4 months for patients with HR+, HER-2+, and TNBC, respectively. Most patients had an improved quality of life with statistically significant differences in some variables. The patients in this study experienced no additional toxicities other than the cytotoxic chemotherapy-associated side effects. Conclusion GV1001 is a relatively safe anticancer vaccine for patients with heavily-treated breast cancer and can to improve the quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Yeup Kim
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Won Yang
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangjae Kim
- Department of Research and Development, Teloid Inc., Los Angeles, CA, 90010, USA
| | - Jong Gwon Choi
- Department of Oncology-Hematology, Konyang University Hospital, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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MacKenzie TMG, Cisneros R, Maynard RD, Snyder MP. Reverse-ChIP Techniques for Identifying Locus-Specific Proteomes: A Key Tool in Unlocking the Cancer Regulome. Cells 2023; 12:1860. [PMID: 37508524 PMCID: PMC10377898 DOI: 10.3390/cells12141860] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A phenotypic hallmark of cancer is aberrant transcriptional regulation. Transcriptional regulation is controlled by a complicated array of molecular factors, including the presence of transcription factors, the deposition of histone post-translational modifications, and long-range DNA interactions. Determining the molecular identity and function of these various factors is necessary to understand specific aspects of cancer biology and reveal potential therapeutic targets. Regulation of the genome by specific factors is typically studied using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-Seq) that identifies genome-wide binding interactions through the use of factor-specific antibodies. A long-standing goal in many laboratories has been the development of a 'reverse-ChIP' approach to identify unknown binding partners at loci of interest. A variety of strategies have been employed to enable the selective biochemical purification of sequence-defined chromatin regions, including single-copy loci, and the subsequent analytical detection of associated proteins. This review covers mass spectrometry techniques that enable quantitative proteomics before providing a survey of approaches toward the development of strategies for the purification of sequence-specific chromatin as a 'reverse-ChIP' technique. A fully realized reverse-ChIP technique holds great potential for identifying cancer-specific targets and the development of personalized therapeutic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rocío Cisneros
- Sarafan ChEM-H/IMA Postbaccalaureate Fellow in Target Discovery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Rajan D Maynard
- Genetics Department, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michael P Snyder
- Genetics Department, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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6
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Singh M, MacKenzie D, Desai S, Batista N, Zhang D. Diagnostic Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets of Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres-Positive Cancers. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2023; 27:123-125. [PMID: 37115645 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2023.29069.mas] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
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7
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Javid H, Attarian F, Saadatmand T, Rezagholinejad N, Mehri A, Amiri H, Karimi-Shahri M. The therapeutic potential of immunotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer: Rational strategies and recent progress. J Cell Biochem 2023; 124:477-494. [PMID: 36966454 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
The second leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide is breast cancer (BC), and despite significant advances in BC therapies, a significant proportion of patients develop metastasis and disease recurrence. Currently used treatments, like radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone replacement therapy, result in poor responses and high recurrence rates. Alternative therapies are therefore needed for this type of cancer. Cancer patients may benefit from immunotherapy, a novel treatment strategy in cancer treatment. Even though immunotherapy has been successful in many cases, some patients do not respond to the treatment or those who do respond relapse or progress. The purpose of this review is to discuss several different immunotherapy approaches approved for the treatment of BC, as well as different strategies for immunotherapy for the treatment of BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Javid
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Varastegan Institute for Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Attarian
- Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Branch, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Toktam Saadatmand
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Varastegan Institute for Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Ali Mehri
- Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Surgery Research Center, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamed Amiri
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mehdi Karimi-Shahri
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
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8
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ALKBH5 Inhibits Cancer Cell Proliferation in Prostate Cancer through KLF4/TERT Signaling. Andrologia 2023. [DOI: 10.1155/2023/8754940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A), as a reversible chemical modification of RNA, is a new type of posttranscriptional gene regulation, which plays an important role in cell differentiation and tumorigenesis, and is also a research hotspot in epigenetic transcriptomics in recent years. The purpose of this study was to discuss the action mechanism of m6A demethylase ALKBH5 in the occurrence of prostate cancer (PCa). We found that ALKBH5 was lowly expressed in PCa, and the decreased expression of ALKBH5 was responsible for the poor prognosis of prostate carcinomas. Moreover, ALKBH5 downregulated the expression of Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) by reducing its mRNA stability, which reduced the transcriptional activity of KLF4 on the downstream target telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and decreased TERT expression and telomerase activity, eventually inhibiting PCa cell growth. The findings of this study reveal the action mechanism of ALKBH5 in PCa from the perspective of epitranscriptomics, which would provide new ideas for the prevention of PCa.
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Telomerase: A prominent oncological target for development of chemotherapeutic agents. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 249:115121. [PMID: 36669398 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) responsible for the maintenance of chromosomal integrity by stabilizing telomere length. Telomerase is a widely expressed hallmark responsible for replicative immortality in 80-90% of malignant tumors. Cancer cells produce telomerase which prevents telomere shortening by adding telomeres sequences beyond Hayflick's limit; which enables them to divide uncontrollably. The activity of telomerase is relatively low in somatic cells and absent in normal cells, but the re-activation of this RNP in normal cells suppresses p53 activity which leads to the avoidance of senescence causing malignancy. Here, we have focused explicitly on various anti-telomerase therapies and telomerase-inhibiting molecules for the treatment of cancer. We have covered molecules that are reported in developmental, preclinical, and clinical trial stages as potent telomerase inhibitors. Apart from chemotherapy, we have also included details of immunotherapy, gene therapy, G-quadruplex stabilizers, and HSP-90 inhibitors. The purpose of this work is to discuss the challenges behind the development of novel telomerase inhibitors and to identify various perspectives for designing anti-telomerase compounds.
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10
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Cheng L, Zhang S, Wang M, Lopez-Beltran A. Biological and clinical perspectives of TERT promoter mutation detection on bladder cancer diagnosis and management. Hum Pathol 2023; 133:56-75. [PMID: 35700749 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2022.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations are associated with increased TERT mRNA and TERT protein levels, telomerase activity, and shorter but stable telomere length. TERT promoter mutation is the most common mutation that occurs in approximately 60-80% of patients with bladder cancer. The TERT promoter mutations occur in a wide spectrum of urothelial lesions, including benign urothelial proliferation and tumor-like conditions, benign urothelial tumors, premalignant and putative precursor lesions, urothelial carcinoma and its variants, and nonurothelial malignancies. The prevalence and incidence of TERT promoter mutations in a total of 7259 cases from the urinary tract were systematically reviewed. Different platforms of TERT promoter mutation detection were presented. In this review, we also discussed the significance and clinical implications of TERT promoter mutation detection in urothelial tumorigenesis, surveillance and early detection, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, prognosis, prediction of treatment responses, and clinical outcome. Identification of TERT promoter mutations from urine or plasma cell-free DNA (liquid biopsy) will facilitate bladder cancer screening program and optimal clinical management. A better understanding of TERT promoter mutation and its pathway would open new therapeutic avenues for patients with bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Cheng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Lifespan Academic Medical Center, Providence, RI, 02903, USA.
| | - Shaobo Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Mingsheng Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Antonio Lopez-Beltran
- Department of Morphological Sciences, University of Cordoba Medical School, Cordoba, E-14004, Spain
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11
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Yeh TJ, Luo CW, Du JS, Huang CT, Wang MH, Chuang TM, Gau YC, Cho SF, Liu YC, Hsiao HH, Chen LT, Pan MR, Wang HC, Moi SH. Deciphering the Functions of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase in Head and Neck Cancer. Biomedicines 2023; 11:691. [PMID: 36979671 PMCID: PMC10044978 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are among the ten leading malignancies worldwide. Despite significant progress in all therapeutic modalities, predictive biomarkers, and targeted therapies for HNCs are limited and the survival rate is unsatisfactory. The importance of telomere maintenance via telomerase reactivation in carcinogenesis has been demonstrated in recent decades. Several mechanisms could activate telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), the most common of which is promoter alternation. Two major hotspot TERT promoter mutations (C228T and C250T) have been reported in different malignancies such as melanoma, genitourinary cancers, CNS tumors, hepatocellular carcinoma, thyroid cancers, sarcomas, and HNCs. The frequencies of TERT promoter mutations vary widely across tumors and is quite high in HNCs (11.9-64.7%). These mutations have been reported to be more enriched in oral cavity SCCs and HPV-negative tumors. The association between TERT promoter mutations and poor survival has also been demonstrated. Till now, several therapeutic strategies targeting telomerase have been developed although only a few drugs have been used in clinical trials. Here, we briefly review and summarize our current understanding and evidence of TERT promoter mutations in HNC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Jang Yeh
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Wen Luo
- Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Cosmetic Science and Institute of Cosmetic Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan 717, Taiwan
| | - Jeng-Shiun Du
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Tzu Huang
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Min-Hung Wang
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Tzer-Ming Chuang
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yuh-Ching Gau
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Feng Cho
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chang Liu
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Hua Hsiao
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Li-Tzong Chen
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 704, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Ren Pan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ching Wang
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Sin-Hua Moi
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
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12
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Al-Karmalawy AA, Nafie MS, Shaldam MA, Elmaaty AA, Antar SA, El-Hamaky AA, Saleh MA, Elkamhawy A, Tawfik HO. Ligand-Based Design on the Dog-Bone-Shaped BIBR1532 Pharmacophoric Features and Synthesis of Novel Analogues as Promising Telomerase Inhibitors with In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluations. J Med Chem 2023; 66:777-792. [PMID: 36525642 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase is an outstanding biological target for cancer treatment. BIBR1532 is a non-nucleoside selective telomerase inhibitor; however, it experiences ineligible pharmacokinetics. Herein, we aimed to design new BIBR1532-based analogues as promising telomerase inhibitors. Therefore, two novel series of pyridazine-linked to cyclopenta[b]thiophene (8a-f) and tetrahydro-1-benzothiophene (9a-f) were synthesized. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was utilized to investigate the telomerase inhibitory activity of candidates. Notably, 8e and 9e exhibited the best inhibition profiles. Moreover, 8e showed strong antitumor effects against both MCF-7 and A549 cancer cell lines. The effects of 8e on the cell cycle and apoptosis were measured. Besides, 8e was evaluated for its in vivo antitumor activity using solid Ehrlich carcinoma. The reduction in both the tumor weight and volume was greater than doxorubicin. Also, molecular docking and ADME studies were performed. Finally, a SAR study was conducted to gain further insights into the different telomerase inhibition potentials upon variable structural modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed A Al-Karmalawy
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University, 6th of October City, Giza 12566, Egypt
| | - Mohamed S Nafie
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Moataz A Shaldam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33516, Egypt
| | - Ayman Abo Elmaaty
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Port Said University, Port Said 42526, Egypt
| | - Samar A Antar
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University, New Damietta 34518, Egypt.,Center for Vascular and Heart Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, Virginia 24016, United States
| | - Anwar A El-Hamaky
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Saleh
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, The United Arab Emirates.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Elkamhawy
- BK21 FOUR Team and Integrated Research Institute for Drug Development, College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea.,Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Haytham O Tawfik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
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13
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Judasz E, Lisiak N, Kopczyński P, Taube M, Rubiś B. The Role of Telomerase in Breast Cancer's Response to Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12844. [PMID: 36361634 PMCID: PMC9654063 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, breast cancer appears to be the most widespread cancer in the world and the most common cause of cancer deaths. This specific type of cancer affects women in both developed and developing countries. Prevention and early diagnosis are very important factors for good prognosis. A characteristic feature of cancer cells is the ability of unlimited cell division, which makes them immortal. Telomeres, which are shortened with each cell division in normal cells, are rebuilt in cancer cells by the enzyme telomerase, which is expressed in more than 85% of cancers (up to 100% of adenocarcinomas, including breast cancer). Telomerase may have different functions that are related to telomeres or unrelated. It has been shown that high activity of the enzyme in cancer cells is associated with poor cell sensitivity to therapies. Therefore, telomerase has become a potential target for cancer therapies. The low efficacy of therapies has resulted in the search for new combined and more effective therapeutic methods, including the involvement of telomerase inhibitors and telomerase-targeted immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliza Judasz
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
| | - Natalia Lisiak
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
| | - Przemysław Kopczyński
- Centre for Orthodontic Mini-Implants at the Department and Clinic of Maxillofacial Orthopedics and Orthodontics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznan, Poland
| | - Magdalena Taube
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
| | - Błażej Rubiś
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
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14
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Taheri M, Ghafouri-Fard S, Najafi S, Kallenbach J, Keramatfar E, Atri Roozbahani G, Heidari Horestani M, Hussen BM, Baniahmad A. Hormonal regulation of telomerase activity and hTERT expression in steroid-regulated tissues and cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:258. [PMID: 35974340 PMCID: PMC9380309 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02678-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Naturally, in somatic cells chromosome ends (telomeres) shorten during each cell division. This process ensures to limit proliferation of somatic cells to avoid malignant proliferation; however, it leads to proliferative senescence. Telomerase contains the reverse transcriptase TERT, which together with the TERC component, is responsible for protection of genome integrity by preventing shortening of telomeres through adding repetitive sequences. In addition, telomerase has non-telomeric function and supports growth factor independent growth. Unlike somatic cells, telomerase is detectable in stem cells, germ line cells, and cancer cells to support self-renewal and expansion. Elevated telomerase activity is reported in almost all of human cancers. Increased expression of hTERT gene or its reactivation is required for limitless cellular proliferation in immortal malignant cells. In hormonally regulated tissues as well as in prostate, breast and endometrial cancers, telomerase activity and hTERT expression are under control of steroid sex hormones and growth factors. Also, a number of hormones and growth factors are known to play a role in the carcinogenesis via regulation of hTERT levels or telomerase activity. Understanding the role of hormones in interaction with telomerase may help finding therapeutical targets for anticancer strategies. In this review, we outline the roles and functions of several steroid hormones and growth factors in telomerase regulation, particularly in hormone regulated cancers such as prostate, breast and endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Taheri
- Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, 07740, Jena, Germany
| | - Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sajad Najafi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Julia Kallenbach
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, 07740, Jena, Germany
| | - Elmira Keramatfar
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, 07740, Jena, Germany
| | | | | | - Bashdar Mahmud Hussen
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Kurdistan Region, Erbil, Iraq.,Center of Research and Strategic Studies, Lebanese French University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Aria Baniahmad
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, 07740, Jena, Germany.
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15
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Wang M, Xie C. DNA Damage Repair and Current Therapeutic Approaches in Gastric Cancer: A Comprehensive Review. Front Genet 2022; 13:931866. [PMID: 36035159 PMCID: PMC9412963 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.931866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA in cells is frequently damaged by endogenous and exogenous agents. However, comprehensive mechanisms to combat and repair DNA damage have evolved to ensure genomic stability and integrity. Improper DNA damage repair may result in various diseases, including some types of tumors and autoimmune diseases. Therefore, DNA damage repair mechanisms have been proposed as novel antitumor drug targets. To date, numerous drugs targeting DNA damage mechanisms have been developed. For example, PARP inhibitors that elicit synthetic lethality are widely used in individualized cancer therapies. In this review, we describe the latent DNA damage repair mechanisms in gastric cancer, the types of DNA damage that can contribute to the development of gastric cancer, and new therapeutic approaches for gastric cancer that target DNA damage repair pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chuan Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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16
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Apiratikul N, Sriklung K, Dolsophon K, Thamvapee P, Watanapokasin R, Yingyongnarongkul B, Niyomtham N, Bremner JB, Watanavetch P, Samosorn S. Enhancing Anticancer Potency of a 13-Substituted Berberine Derivative with Cationic Liposomes. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2022; 70:420-426. [PMID: 35342147 DOI: 10.1248/cpb.c21-01049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cationic liposomal formulations of the telomeric G-quadruplex stabilizing ligand, 13-(2-naphthylmethoxy)berberine bromide (1), have been developed with the purpose of delivering 1 into the nucleus of cancer cells for potential telomere targeting. Berberine derivative 1 was encapsulated in various cationic lipids 2-4 by the thin film evaporation method; these lipids are cationic after amine protonation. The most appropriate liposomal berberine formulation was that of 1 and the cholesterol derived cationic lipid 4 in a weight ratio of 1:20 with 76.5% encapsulation efficiency of 1. Cellular uptake studies in the HeLa and HT-29 cancer cells line showed that the liposomal berberine derivative uptake in the cells was higher and more stable than for berberine derivative 1 alone while free 1 was completely decomposed in the cells within 60 min exposure to the cells. Anticancer activity of the liposomal berberine derivative 1 based on 4 was greater than that for the free berberine derivative 1 in the MCF-7, HeLa and HT-29 cell line by 2.3-, 4.9- and 5.3-fold, respectively, and also, interestingly, superior to the anticancer drug doxorubicin against the HT29 cancer cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuttapon Apiratikul
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Srinakharinwirot University
| | - Kanlayanee Sriklung
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University
| | - Kulvadee Dolsophon
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Srinakharinwirot University
| | | | | | - Boonek Yingyongnarongkul
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaenng University
| | | | - John B Bremner
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong
| | - Petcharat Watanavetch
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Srinakharinwirot University
| | - Siritron Samosorn
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Srinakharinwirot University
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17
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Telomeres and Cancer. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11121405. [PMID: 34947936 PMCID: PMC8704776 DOI: 10.3390/life11121405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres cap the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes and are indispensable chromatin structures for genome protection and replication. Telomere length maintenance has been attributed to several functional modulators, including telomerase, the shelterin complex, and the CST complex, synergizing with DNA replication, repair, and the RNA metabolism pathway components. As dysfunctional telomere maintenance and telomerase activation are associated with several human diseases, including cancer, the molecular mechanisms behind telomere length regulation and protection need particular emphasis. Cancer cells exhibit telomerase activation, enabling replicative immortality. Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) activation is involved in cancer development through diverse activities other than mediating telomere elongation. This review describes the telomere functions, the role of functional modulators, the implications in cancer development, and the future therapeutic opportunities.
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18
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Han H, He C, Chen X, Luo Y, Yang M, Wen Z, Hu J, Lin F, Han M, Yin T, Yang R, Lin H, Qi J, Yang Y. Shikonin N-benzyl matrinic acid ester derivatives as novel telomerase inhibitors with potent activity against lung cancer cell lines. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 57:128503. [PMID: 34922028 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.128503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a series of novel shikonin N-benzyl matrinic acid ester derivatives (PMMB-299-PMMB-310) were synthesized and tested for their ability to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. Compared with shikonin and matrine, some of the ester derivatives were found to exhibit better anti-proliferative activity against seven different cancer cell lines, with less cytotoxicity toward non-cancerous cells. The strongest anti-proliferative activity was exhibited by PMMB-302, which had an IC50 value of 2.71 μM against A549 cells. The compound caused cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and induced apoptosis. Effects on the expression of apoptosis-related molecules such as Bcl2, Bcl-XL, caspase-3, caspase-9 and FADD suggested that PMMB-302 has tumor suppressive roles in lung cancer cells. In addition, PMMB-302 inhibited expression of telomerase core proteins, dyskerin and NHP2, and telomerase reverse transcriptase RNA. Moreover, molecular docking of PMMB-302 was subsequently conducted to determine the probable binding mode with telomerase. Taken together, the results indicate that PMMB-302 acts as a tumor suppressor in lung cancer cells by negatively regulating telomerase expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Han
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Cong He
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xingyu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yuelin Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Minkai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhongling Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jiabao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Faxiang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Mi Han
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Tongming Yin
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Rongwu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Hongyan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
| | - Jinliang Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
| | - Yonghua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
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19
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Analysis of Telomere Maintenance Related Genes Reveals NOP10 as a New Metastatic-Risk Marker in Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194758. [PMID: 34638246 PMCID: PMC8507560 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Telomere maintenance involving TERT and ATRX genes has been recently described in metastatic pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, reinforcing the importance of immortalization mechanisms in the progression of these tumors. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze additional telomere-related genes to uncover potential new markers capable of identifying metastatic-risk patients more accurately. After analyzing 29 telomere-related genes, we were able to validate the predictive value of TERT and ATRX in mPPGL progression. In addition, we were able to identify NOP10 as a novel prognostic risk marker of mPPGLs, which also facilitates telomerase-dependent telomere length maintenance in these tumors. Interestingly, NOP10 overexpression assessment by IHC could be easily included within the current battery of markers for stratifying PPGL patients to fine-tune their clinical diagnoses. Abstract One of the main problems we face with PPGL is the lack of molecular markers capable of predicting the development of metastases in patients. Telomere-related genes, such as TERT and ATRX, have been recently described in PPGL, supporting the association between the activation of immortalization mechanisms and disease progression. However, the contribution of other genes involving telomere preservation machinery has not been previously investigated. In this work, we aimed to analyze the prognostic value of a comprehensive set of genes involved in telomere maintenance. For this study, we collected 165 PPGL samples (97 non-metastatic/63 metastatic), genetically characterized, in which the expression of 29 genes of interest was studied by NGS. Three of the 29 genes studied, TERT, ATRX and NOP10, showed differential expression between metastatic and non-metastatic cases, and alterations in these genes were associated with a shorter time to progression, independent of SDHB-status. We studied telomere length by Q-FISH in patient samples and in an in vitro model. NOP10 overexpressing tumors displayed an intermediate-length telomere phenotype without ALT, and in vitro results suggest that NOP10 has a role in telomerase-dependent telomere maintenance. We also propose the implementation of NOP10 IHC to better stratify PPGL patients.
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20
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Zhang Y, Hou D, Wang Z, Cai N, Au C. Nanomaterial-Based Dual-Emission Ratiometric Fluorescent Sensors for Biosensing and Cell Imaging. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:2540. [PMID: 34372142 PMCID: PMC8348892 DOI: 10.3390/polym13152540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Owing to the unique optophysical properties of nanomaterials and their self-calibration characteristics, nanomaterial-based (e.g., polymer dots (Pdots) quantum dots (QDs), silicon nanorods (SiNRs), and gold nanoparticle (AuNPs), etc.) ratiometric fluorescent sensors play an essential role in numerous biosensing and cell imaging applications. The dual-emission ratiometric fluorescence technique has the function of effective internal referencing, thereby avoiding the influence of various analyte-independent confounding factors. The sensitivity and precision of the detection can therefore be greatly improved. In this review, the recent progress in nanomaterial-based dual-emission ratiometric fluorescent biosensors is systematically summarized. First, we introduce two general design approaches for dual-emission ratiometric fluorescent sensors, involving ratiometric fluorescence with changes of one response signal and two reversible signals. Then, some recent typical examples of nanomaterial-based dual-emission ratiometric fluorescent biosensors are illustrated in detail. Finally, probable challenges and future outlooks for dual-emission ratiometric fluorescent nanosensors for biosensing and cell imaging are rationally discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory for Processing and Application of Catalytic Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huanggang Normal University, Huanggang 438000, China; (D.H.); (C.A.)
| | - Dajun Hou
- Hubei Key Laboratory for Processing and Application of Catalytic Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huanggang Normal University, Huanggang 438000, China; (D.H.); (C.A.)
| | - Zelong Wang
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory for Novel Reactor and Green Chemistry Technology, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430073, China;
| | - Ning Cai
- Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory for Novel Reactor and Green Chemistry Technology, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430073, China;
| | - Chaktong Au
- Hubei Key Laboratory for Processing and Application of Catalytic Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huanggang Normal University, Huanggang 438000, China; (D.H.); (C.A.)
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21
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Petrov N, Lee HS, Liskovykh M, Teulade-Fichou MP, Masumoto H, Earnshaw WC, Pommier Y, Larionov V, Kouprina N. Terpyridine platinum compounds induce telomere dysfunction and chromosome instability in cancer cells. Oncotarget 2021; 12:1444-1456. [PMID: 34316326 PMCID: PMC8310675 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase/telomere-targeting therapy is a potentially promising approach for cancer treatment because even transient telomere dysfunction can induce chromosomal instability (CIN) and may be a barrier to tumor growth. We recently developed a dual-HAC (Human Artificial Chromosome) assay that enables identification and ranking of compounds that induce CIN as a result of telomere dysfunction. This assay is based on the use of two isogenic HT1080 cell lines, one carrying a linear HAC (containing telomeres) and the other carrying a circular HAC (lacking telomeres). Disruption of telomeres in response to drug treatment results in specific destabilization of the linear HAC. Results: In this study, we used the dual-HAC assay for the analysis of the platinum-derived G4 ligand Pt-tpy and five of its derivatives: Pt-cpym, Pt-vpym, Pt-ttpy, Pt(PA)-tpy, and Pt-BisQ. Our analysis revealed four compounds, Pt-tpy, Pt-ttpy, Pt-vpym and Pt-cpym, that induce a specific loss of a linear but not a circular HAC. Increased CIN after treatment by these compounds correlates with the induction of double-stranded breaks (DSBs) predominantly localized at telomeres and reflecting telomere-associated DNA damage. Analysis of the mitotic phenotypes induced by these drugs revealed an elevated rate of chromatin bridges (CBs) in late mitosis and cytokinesis. These terpyridine platinum-derived G4 ligands are promising compounds for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai Petrov
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hee-Sheung Lee
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mikhail Liskovykh
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Marie-Paule Teulade-Fichou
- Chemistry and Modelling for the Biology of Cancer, CNRS UMR 9187-INSERM U1196 Institute Curie, Research Center, Campus University Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France
| | - Hiroshi Masumoto
- Laboratory of Chromosome Engineering, Department of Frontier Research and Development, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Kisarazu, Chiba 292-0818, Japan
| | - William C Earnshaw
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, King's Buildings, University of Edinburgh, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, Scotland
| | - Yves Pommier
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Vladimir Larionov
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Natalay Kouprina
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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22
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Xing M, Ooi WF, Tan J, Qamra A, Lee PH, Li Z, Xu C, Padmanabhan N, Lim JQ, Guo YA, Yao X, Amit M, Ng LM, Sheng T, Wang J, Huang KK, Anene-Nzelu CG, Ho SWT, Ray M, Ma L, Fazzi G, Lim KJ, Wijaya GC, Zhang S, Nandi T, Yan T, Chang MM, Das K, Isa ZFA, Wu J, Poon PSY, Lam YN, Lin JS, Tay ST, Lee MH, Tan ALK, Ong X, White K, Rozen SG, Beer M, Foo RSY, Grabsch HI, Skanderup AJ, Li S, Teh BT, Tan P. Genomic and epigenomic EBF1 alterations modulate TERT expression in gastric cancer. J Clin Invest 2021; 130:3005-3020. [PMID: 32364535 DOI: 10.1172/jci126726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional reactivation of telomerase catalytic subunit (TERT) is a frequent hallmark of cancer, occurring in 90% of human malignancies. However, specific mechanisms driving TERT reactivation remain obscure for many tumor types and in particular gastric cancer (GC), a leading cause of global cancer mortality. Here, through comprehensive genomic and epigenomic analysis of primary GCs and GC cell lines, we identified the transcription factor early B cell factor 1 (EBF1) as a TERT transcriptional repressor and inactivation of EBF1 function as a major cause of TERT upregulation. Abolishment of EBF1 function occurs through 3 distinct (epi)genomic mechanisms. First, EBF1 is epigenetically silenced via DNA methyltransferase, polycomb-repressive complex 2 (PRC2), and histone deacetylase activity in GCs. Second, recurrent, somatic, and heterozygous EBF1 DNA-binding domain mutations result in the production of dominant-negative EBF1 isoforms. Third, more rarely, genomic deletions and rearrangements proximal to the TERT promoter remobilize or abolish EBF1-binding sites, derepressing TERT and leading to high TERT expression. EBF1 is also functionally required for various malignant phenotypes in vitro and in vivo, highlighting its importance for GC development. These results indicate that multimodal genomic and epigenomic alterations underpin TERT reactivation in GC, converging on transcriptional repressors such as EBF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjie Xing
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore.,NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wen Fong Ooi
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jing Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Department of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre, Singapore
| | - Aditi Qamra
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore.,NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Po-Hsien Lee
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhimei Li
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Department of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre, Singapore
| | - Chang Xu
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nisha Padmanabhan
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Jing Quan Lim
- Lymphoma Genomic Translational Research Laboratory, Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yu Amanda Guo
- Computational and Systems Biology, Agency for Science Technology and Research, Genome Institute of Singapore
| | - Xiaosai Yao
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore
| | - Mandoli Amit
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Ley Moy Ng
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Taotao Sheng
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jing Wang
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Kie Kyon Huang
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Chukwuemeka George Anene-Nzelu
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Health System, Singapore.,Human Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shamaine Wei Ting Ho
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mohana Ray
- Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Lijia Ma
- Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Gregorio Fazzi
- Department of Pathology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Kevin Junliang Lim
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Giovani Claresta Wijaya
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Department of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre, Singapore
| | - Shenli Zhang
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Tannistha Nandi
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tingdong Yan
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Mei Mei Chang
- Computational and Systems Biology, Agency for Science Technology and Research, Genome Institute of Singapore
| | - Kakoli Das
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Zul Fazreen Adam Isa
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jeanie Wu
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Polly Suk Yean Poon
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yue Ning Lam
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joyce Suling Lin
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Su Ting Tay
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Ming Hui Lee
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Angie Lay Keng Tan
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Xuewen Ong
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Kevin White
- Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Tempus Labs, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Steven George Rozen
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,SingHealth/Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michael Beer
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Roger Sik Yin Foo
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University Health System, Singapore.,Human Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Heike Irmgard Grabsch
- Department of Pathology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Pathology and Data Analyticis, Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St. James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Anders Jacobsen Skanderup
- Computational and Systems Biology, Agency for Science Technology and Research, Genome Institute of Singapore
| | - Shang Li
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bin Tean Teh
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Department of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre, Singapore.,Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore.,SingHealth/Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Patrick Tan
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore.,Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,SingHealth/Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore.,Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre, Singapore.,Singapore Gastric Cancer Consortium, Singapore.,Biomedical Research Council, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
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23
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Gratal PB, Quero JG, Pérez-Redondo A, Gándara Z, Gude L. PhenQE8, a Novel Ligand of the Human Telomeric Quadruplex. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:E749. [PMID: 33451070 PMCID: PMC7828518 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A novel quadruplex ligand based on 1,10-phenanthroline and incorporating two guanyl hydrazone functionalities, PhenQE8, is reported herein. Synthetic access was gained in a two-step procedure with an overall yield of 61%. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that PhenQE8 can adopt an extended conformation that may be optimal to favor recognition of quadruplex DNA. DNA interactions with polymorphic G-quadruplex telomeric structures were studied by different techniques, such as Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) DNA melting assays, circular dichroism and equilibrium dialysis. Our results reveal that the novel ligand PhenQE8 can efficiently recognize the hybrid quadruplex structures of the human telomeric DNA, with high binding affinity and quadruplex/duplex selectivity. Moreover, the compound shows significant cytotoxic activity against a selected panel of cultured tumor cells (PC-3, HeLa and MCF-7), whereas its cytotoxicity is considerably lower in healthy human cells (HFF-1 and RPWE-1).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Zoila Gándara
- Departamento de Química Orgánica y Química Inorgánica, Instituto de Investigación Química “Andrés M. del Río” (IQAR), Universidad de Alcalá, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (P.B.G.); (J.G.Q.); (A.P.-R.)
| | - Lourdes Gude
- Departamento de Química Orgánica y Química Inorgánica, Instituto de Investigación Química “Andrés M. del Río” (IQAR), Universidad de Alcalá, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (P.B.G.); (J.G.Q.); (A.P.-R.)
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24
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Abstract
PURPOSE One of the most important serious malignancies is gastric cancer (GC) with a high mortality globally. In this way, beside the environmental factors, genetic parameter has a remarkable effective fluctuation in GC. Correspondingly, telomeres are nucleoprotein structures measuring the length of telomeres and they have special potential in diagnosis of various types of cancers. Defect protection of the telomeric length initiates the instability of the genome during cancer, including gastric cancer. The most common way of maintaining telomere length is the function of the telomerase enzyme that replicates the TTAGGG to the end of the 3' chromosome. METHODS In this review, we want to discuss the alterations of hTERT repression on the modification of TERRA gene expression in conjunction with the importance of telomere and telomerase in GC. RESULTS The telomerase enzyme contains two essential components called telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and RNA telomerase (hTR, hTERC). Deregulation of hTERT plays a key role in the multistage process of tumorigenicity and anticancer drug resistance. The direct relationship between telomerase activity and hTERT has led to hTERT to be considered a key target for cancer treatment. Recent results show that telomeres are transcribed into telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) in mammalian cells and are long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) identified in different tissues. In addition, most chemotherapy methods have a lot of side effects on normal cells. CONCLUSION Telomere and telomerase are useful therapeutic goal. According to the main roles of hTERT in tumorigenesis, growth, migration, and cancer invasion, hTERT and regulatory mechanisms that control the expression of hTERT are attractive therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
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25
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Platella C, Trajkovski M, Doria F, Freccero M, Plavec J, Montesarchio D. On the interaction of an anticancer trisubstituted naphthalene diimide with G-quadruplexes of different topologies: a structural insight. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:12380-12393. [PMID: 33170272 PMCID: PMC7708068 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa1001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Naphthalene diimides showed significant anticancer activity in animal models, with therapeutic potential related to their ability to strongly interact with G-quadruplexes. Recently, a trifunctionalized naphthalene diimide, named NDI-5, was identified as the best analogue of a mini-library of novel naphthalene diimides for its high G-quadruplex binding affinity along with marked, selective anticancer activity, emerging as promising candidate drug for in vivo studies. Here we used NMR, dynamic light scattering, circular dichroism and fluorescence analyses to investigate the interactions of NDI-5 with G-quadruplexes featuring either parallel or hybrid topology. Interplay of different binding modes of NDI-5 to G-quadruplexes was observed for both parallel and hybrid topologies, with end-stacking always operative as the predominant binding event. While NDI-5 primarily targets the 5'-end quartet of the hybrid G-quadruplex model (m-tel24), the binding to a parallel G-quadruplex model (M2) occurs seemingly simultaneously at the 5'- and 3'-end quartets. With parallel G-quadruplex M2, NDI-5 formed stable complexes with 1:3 DNA:ligand binding stoichiometry. Conversely, when interacting with hybrid G-quadruplex m-tel24, NDI-5 showed multiple binding poses on a single G-quadruplex unit and/or formed different complexes comprising two or more G-quadruplex units. NDI-5 produced stabilizing effects on both G-quadruplexes, forming complexes with dissociation constants in the nM range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Platella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Marko Trajkovski
- Slovenian NMR Centre, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Filippo Doria
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 10, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Mauro Freccero
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 10, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Janez Plavec
- Slovenian NMR Centre, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- EN→FIST Centre of Excellence, Trg OF 13, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy
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26
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Assessment of telomerase as drug target in breast cancer. J Biosci 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12038-020-00045-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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27
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Fundamental insights into the interaction between telomerase/TERT and intracellular signaling pathways. Biochimie 2020; 181:12-24. [PMID: 33232793 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2020.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase activity is critical for cancer cells to provide unrestricted proliferation and cellular immortality through maintaining telomeres. Telomerase enzymatic activity is regulatable at the level of DNA, mRNA, post translational modifications, cellular transport and enzyme assembly. More recent studies confirm the interaction of the telomerase with various intracellular signaling pathways including PI3K/AKT/mTOR, NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin which mainly participating in inflammation, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Furthermore, hTERT protein has been detected in non-nuclear sites such as the mitochondria and cytoplasm in cells. Mitochondrial TERT indicates various non-telomere-related functions such as decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, boosting the respiration rate, protecting mtDNA by direct binding, interacting with mitochondrial tRNAs and increasing mitochondrial membrane potential which can lead to higher chemoresistance rate in cancer cells during therapies. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of the TERT function and depended interactions in tumor cells can suggest novel therapeutic approaches. Hence, in this review we will explain the telomerase activity regulation in translational and post translational levels besides the established correlations with various cell signaling pathways with possible pathways for therapeutic targeting.
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28
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Dratwa M, Wysoczańska B, Łacina P, Kubik T, Bogunia-Kubik K. TERT-Regulation and Roles in Cancer Formation. Front Immunol 2020; 11:589929. [PMID: 33329574 PMCID: PMC7717964 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.589929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is a catalytic subunit of telomerase. Telomerase complex plays a key role in cancer formation by telomere dependent or independent mechanisms. Telomere maintenance mechanisms include complex TERT changes such as gene amplifications, TERT structural variants, TERT promoter germline and somatic mutations, TERT epigenetic changes, and alternative lengthening of telomere. All of them are cancer specific at tissue histotype and at single cell level. TERT expression is regulated in tumors via multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations which affect telomerase activity. Telomerase activity via TERT expression has an impact on telomere length and can be a useful marker in diagnosis and prognosis of various cancers and a new therapy approach. In this review we want to highlight the main roles of TERT in different mechanisms of cancer development and regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Dratwa
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunogenetics and Pharmacogenetics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Barbara Wysoczańska
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunogenetics and Pharmacogenetics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Łacina
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunogenetics and Pharmacogenetics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Kubik
- Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Electronics, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Bogunia-Kubik
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunogenetics and Pharmacogenetics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
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29
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Zheng KW, Liu C, Meng Q, Hao YH, Zheng JP, Li W, Tan Z. One-Step High-Throughput Telomerase Activity Measurement of Cell Populations, Single Cells, and Single-Enzyme Complexes. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:24666-24673. [PMID: 33015483 PMCID: PMC7528320 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c03246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase, a key enzyme involved in telomere homeostasis, is a major player involved in or required for sustained cell proliferation. It is expressed in ∼90% tumor but rarely in normal somatic cells. Therefore, telomerase serves as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target of cancers. Although many methods are available for measuring telomerase activity, a convenient, fast, sensitive, and reliable method is still lacking for routine use in both clinics and research. Here, we present a single-enzyme sensitivity telomere repeat amplification protocol for quantifying telomerase activity. With multiple optimizations, the protocol pushes the ultimate detection limit down to a single telomerase complex, enabling measurement of telomerase activity of not only multiple cancerous/normal cell samples but also single cancer cells alone or even in the presence of 8000 normal cells. Implemented in a one-step mix-and-run format, the protocol offers a most sensitive, fast, accurate, and reproducible quantification of telomerase activity with linearity ranging from 20,000 HeLa cancer cells to a single telomerase complex. It requires minimal manual operation and experimental skill and is convenient for either low or high throughput of samples. We expect that the protocol should provide practical routine analyses of telomerase in both research and clinical applications. As an example, we demonstrate how telomerase activity evolves at the single-cell level and partitions in cell division in early mouse embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-wei Zheng
- School of Pharmaceutical
Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive
Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China
| | - Qing Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China
| | - Yu-hua Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China
| | - Jin-ping Zheng
- Center
for Healthy Aging, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi 046000, Shanxi, P. R. China
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive
Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China
| | - Zheng Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China
- Center
for Healthy Aging, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi 046000, Shanxi, P. R. China
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30
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Telomerase reverse transcriptase downregulation by RNA interference modulates endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial energy production. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:7735-7743. [PMID: 32959195 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05848-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase is a cancer promoting ribonucleoprotein complex and is a potential therapeutic target for cancer. In this study, the effects of telomerase downregulation on the whole cell proteome were investigated. Understanding how the effect of downregulation on the whole proteome profile will generate a greater understanding of the possible roles played by telomerase in cancer. Downregulation was achieved by RNA interference (RNAi), targeting the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) subunits of telomerase. Transfection of TERT siRNA downregulates TERT gene expression and induced downregulation of telomerase activity. Investigation of the effect of silencing TERT in telomerase was further validated through proteomic analysis by performing 2-dimension electrophoresis (2DE) coupled with MALDI-TOF/TOF. 12 protein spots in HeLa cells were reported to be significantly differentially expressed with 11 of them were upregulated and 1 downregulated. Through STRING analysis, differentially expressed proteins demonstrated strong associations with endoplasmic reticulum stress marker and mitochondrial energy production marker. In conclusions, the result exhibited novel integrated proteomic response involving endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial energy production in response to the TERT downregulation in cervical cancer cells.
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31
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El Dika I, Bowman AS, Berger MF, Capanu M, Chou JF, Benayed R, Zehir A, Shia J, O'Reilly EM, Klimstra DS, Solit DB, Abou-Alfa GK. Molecular profiling and analysis of genetic aberrations aimed at identifying potential therapeutic targets in fibrolamellar carcinoma of the liver. Cancer 2020; 126:4126-4135. [PMID: 32663328 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.32960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is a rare primary liver cancer of young adults. A functional chimeric transcript resulting from the in-frame fusion of the DNAJ homolog, subfamily B, member 1 (DNAJB1), and the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PRKACA) genes on chromosome 19 is believed to be unique in FLC, with a possible role in pathogenesis, yet with no established therapeutic value. The objective of the current study was to understand the molecular landscape of FLC and to identify potential novel therapeutic targets. METHODS Archival fresh, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples from patients with FLC who prospectively consented to an institutional review board-approved protocol were analyzed using Memorial Sloan Kettering-Integrated Mutation Profiling of Actionable Cancer Targets (MSK-IMPACT), a next-generation sequencing assay encompassing up to 468 key cancer genes. Custom targeted RNA-Seq was performed in selected patients. Demographics, treatment, and outcome data were collected prospectively. Survival outcomes were estimated and correlated with mutation and/or copy number alterations. RESULTS A total of 33 tumor samples from 31 patients with FLC were analyzed. The median age of the patients at the time of diagnosis was 18 years and approximately 53% were women. The DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion transcript was detected in 100% of patients. In 10 of 31 patients in which MSK-IMPACT did not detect the fusion, its presence was confirmed by targeted RNA-Seq. TERT promoter mutation was the second most common, and was detected in 7 patients. The median follow up was 30 months (range, 6-153 months). The 3-year overall survival rate was 84% (95% CI, 61%-93%). CONCLUSIONS The DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion transcript is nonspecific and nonsensitive to FLC. Its potential therapeutic value currently is under evaluation. Opportunities currently are under development for therapy that may be driven or related to the DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion transcript or any therapeutic target identified from next-generation sequencing in patients with FLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imane El Dika
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Anita S Bowman
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michael F Berger
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Marinela Capanu
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Joanne F Chou
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ryma Benayed
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ahmet Zehir
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jinru Shia
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Eileen M O'Reilly
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - David S Klimstra
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - David B Solit
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ghassan K Abou-Alfa
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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32
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Bajaj S, Kumar MS, Peters GJ, Mayur YC. Targeting telomerase for its advent in cancer therapeutics. Med Res Rev 2020; 40:1871-1919. [PMID: 32391613 DOI: 10.1002/med.21674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase has emerged as an important primary target in anticancer therapy. It is a distinctive reverse transcriptase enzyme, which extends the length of telomere at the 3' chromosomal end, and uses telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and telomerase RNA template-containing domains. Telomerase has a vital role and is a contributing factor in human health, mainly affecting cell aging and cell proliferation. Due to its unique feature, it ensures unrestricted cell proliferation in malignancy and plays a major role in cancer disease. The development of telomerase inhibitors with increased specificity and better pharmacokinetics is being considered to design and develop newer potent anticancer agents. Use of natural and synthetic compounds for the inhibition of telomerase activity can lead to an opening of new vistas in cancer treatment. This review details about the telomerase biochemistry, use of natural and synthetic compounds; vaccines and oncolytic virus in therapy that suppress the telomerase activity. We have discussed structure-activity relationships of various natural and synthetic telomerase inhibitors to help medicinal chemists and chemical biology researchers with a ready reference and updated status of their clinical trials. Suppression of human TERT (hTERT) activity through inhibition of hTERT promoter is an important approach for telomerase inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - G J Peters
- Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Y C Mayur
- SPPSPTM, SVKM's NMIMS, Mumbai, India
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33
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Barbosa-Jobim GS, Costa-Lira É, Ralph ACL, Gregório L, Lemos TL, Burbano RR, Calcagno DQ, Smith MA, Montenegro RC, Vasconcellos MC. Biflorin inhibits the proliferation of gastric cancer cells by decreasing MYC expression. Toxicol In Vitro 2020; 63:104735. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2019.104735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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34
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Robinson NJ, Morrison-Smith CD, Gooding AJ, Schiemann BJ, Jackson MW, Taylor DJ, Schiemann WP. SLX4IP and telomere dynamics dictate breast cancer metastasis and therapeutic responsiveness. Life Sci Alliance 2020; 3:3/4/e201900427. [PMID: 32071280 PMCID: PMC7032570 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201900427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
An unbiased genetic screen established SLX4IP as an essential driver of telomere maintenance mechanism identity, metastatic progression, and therapeutic response of breast cancers. Metastasis is the leading cause of breast cancer-related death and poses a substantial clinical burden owing to a paucity of targeted treatment options. The clinical manifestations of metastasis occur years-to-decades after initial diagnosis and treatment because disseminated tumor cells readily evade detection and resist therapy, ultimately giving rise to recurrent disease. Using an unbiased genetic screen, we identified SLX4-interacting protein (SLX4IP) as a regulator of metastatic recurrence and established its relationship in governing telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs). Inactivation of SLX4IP suppressed alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), coinciding with activation of telomerase. Importantly, TMM selection dramatically influenced metastatic progression and survival of patients with genetically distinct breast cancer subtypes. Notably, pharmacologic and genetic modulation of TMMs elicited telomere-dependent cell death and prevented disease recurrence by disseminated tumor cells. This study illuminates SLX4IP as a potential predictive biomarker for breast cancer progression and metastatic relapse. SLX4IP expression correlates with TMM identity, which also carries prognostic value and informs treatment selection, thereby revealing new inroads into combating metastatic breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel J Robinson
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Alex J Gooding
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Barbara J Schiemann
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Mark W Jackson
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Derek J Taylor
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - William P Schiemann
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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35
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Briquez PS, Hauert S, de Titta A, Gray LT, Alpar AT, Swartz MA, Hubbell JA. Engineering Targeting Materials for Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:19. [PMID: 32117911 PMCID: PMC7026271 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic cancer vaccines constitute a valuable tool to educate the immune system to fight tumors and prevent cancer relapse. Nevertheless, the number of cancer vaccines in the clinic remains very limited to date, highlighting the need for further technology development. Recently, cancer vaccines have been improved by the use of materials, which can strongly enhance their intrinsic properties and biodistribution profile. Moreover, vaccine efficacy and safety can be substantially modulated through selection of the site at which they are delivered, which fosters the engineering of materials capable of targeting cancer vaccines to specific relevant sites, such as within the tumor or within lymphoid organs, to further optimize their immunotherapeutic effects. In this review, we aim to give the reader an overview of principles and current strategies to engineer therapeutic cancer vaccines, with a particular focus on the use of site-specific targeting materials. We will first recall the goal of therapeutic cancer vaccination and the type of immune responses sought upon vaccination, before detailing key components of cancer vaccines. We will then present how materials can be engineered to enhance the vaccine's pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Finally, we will discuss the rationale for site-specific targeting of cancer vaccines and provide examples of current targeting technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla S. Briquez
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Sylvie Hauert
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | | | - Laura T. Gray
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Aaron T. Alpar
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Melody A. Swartz
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Ben May Department of Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Committee on Immunology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jeffrey A. Hubbell
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Committee on Immunology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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36
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Huo W, Zhai S, Wang Y, Qiang X, Na R, Gui H, Wu N, Cao Y, Bai H. Relevance research between the expression of p16 INK4a , Notch1, and hTERC genes: The development of HPV16-positive cervical cancer. J Clin Lab Anal 2020; 34:e23207. [PMID: 31976596 PMCID: PMC7246350 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.23207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background GLOBOCAN 2018 latest data show cervical cancer ranks fourth in morbidity and mortality among women. Many genes in cervical lesions differ in sensitivity and specificity. However, the diagnostic molecules for early cervical cancer are not very clear. This paper screens biomarkers for early molecular diagnosis of Mongolian patients with cervical cancer. Methods Immunohistochemical SP method was used to detect the expression of p16INK4a and Notch1 protein in paraffin sections of 226 Mongolian patients with HPV16‐positive cervical lesions after pathological examination, and 100 of them were randomly selected by fluorescence in situ hybridization to detect hTERC gene. The HPV16‐binding human cervical cancer SiHa cell line was used to silence the expression of HPV16 E6/E7 gene by RNA interference, and the expression of p16INK4a, Notch1, and hTERC genes and protein expression levels were detected by RT‐PCR and Western blot. Results The positive expression rates of p16INK4a, Notch1, and hTERC genes in HPV16‐positive cervical cancer, CIN‐III, CIN‐II, CIN‐I, uterine leiomyoma, and chronic cervicitis were significantly different (P < .05); the positive expression rates of the three genes were also significantly different in the same type of cervical lesions (P < .05); RNA interference can effectively inhibit HPV16 E6/E7, p16INK4a and Notch1 gene expression, but has no effect on hTERC gene expression. Conclusion The p16INK4a gene can be used as a biomarker for early screening of cervical cancer, and the hTERC gene can be used to confirm the clinical diagnosis of cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyan Huo
- Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia University for the Nationalities, Tongliao, China.,Inner Mongolia Engineering Research Center of Personalized Medicine, Tongliao, China
| | - Shuaiyu Zhai
- Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia University for the Nationalities, Tongliao, China.,Inner Mongolia Engineering Research Center of Personalized Medicine, Tongliao, China
| | - Yanbo Wang
- Inner Mongolia Engineering Research Center of Personalized Medicine, Tongliao, China.,College of life sciences, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Tongliao, China
| | - Xin Qiang
- Medical school, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Tongliao, China
| | - Risu Na
- Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia University for the Nationalities, Tongliao, China.,Inner Mongolia Engineering Research Center of Personalized Medicine, Tongliao, China
| | - Hua Gui
- Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia University for the Nationalities, Tongliao, China.,Inner Mongolia Engineering Research Center of Personalized Medicine, Tongliao, China
| | - Ningjin Wu
- XiangYa school of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yaning Cao
- School of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Huhehaote, China
| | - Haihua Bai
- Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia University for the Nationalities, Tongliao, China.,Inner Mongolia Engineering Research Center of Personalized Medicine, Tongliao, China.,College of life sciences, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Tongliao, China
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37
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Ferrari SM, Elia G, Ragusa F, Ruffilli I, La Motta C, Paparo SR, Patrizio A, Vita R, Benvenga S, Materazzi G, Fallahi P, Antonelli A. Novel treatments for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Gland Surg 2020; 9:S28-S42. [PMID: 32055496 DOI: 10.21037/gs.2019.10.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is one of the deadliest human cancers and it is less than 2% of thyroid carcinomas (TCs). The standard treatment of ATC includes surgical debulking, accelerated hyperfractionated external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), and chemotherapy, in particular with cisplatin or doxorubicin, achieving about 10 months of median survival. Since ATC is a rare and aggressive tumor, it is still challenging to predict the patient clinical therapy responsiveness. Several genetic mutations have been described in ATC, involved in different molecular pathways linked to tumor progression, and novel therapies acting on these molecular pathways have been investigated, to improve the quality of life in these patients. Here we review the new targeted therapy of ATC. We report interesting results obtained with molecules targeting different pathways: angiogenesis (vandetanib, combretastatin, sorafenib, lenvatinib, sunitinib, CLM94, CLM3, etc.); EGFR (gefitinib, docetaxel); BRAF (dabrafenib/trametinib, vemurafenib); PPARγ agonists (rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, efatutazone); PD-1 and PD-L1 (pembrolizumab); TERT. To escape resistance to monotherapies, the evaluation of combination strategies with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or targeted drugs is ongoing. The results of clinical trials with dabrafenib and trametinib led to the approval from FDA of this combination for patients with BRAF V600E mutated ATC with locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic ATC. The anti-PD-L1 antibody immunotherapy, alone or combined with a BRAF inhibitor, has been shown also promising in the treatment of ATC. Furthermore, to increase the therapeutic success and not to use ineffective or even harmful treatments, a real tailored therapy should be pursued, and this can be achieved thanks to the new available genomic analysis methods and to the possibility to test in vitro novel treatments directly in primary cells from each ATC patient. Exploring new treatment strategies is mandatory to improve the survival of these patients, guaranteeing a good quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giusy Elia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Ragusa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Ruffilli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Armando Patrizio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberto Vita
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Benvenga
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Master Program on Childhood, Adolescent and Women's Endocrine Health, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Interdepartmental Program on Molecular & Clinical Endocrinology, and Women's Endocrine Health, University hospital, A.O.U. Policlinico Gaetano Martino, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriele Materazzi
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Poupak Fallahi
- Department of Translational Research of New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Antonelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Giangaspero F, Minasi S, Gianno F, Alzoubi H, Antonelli M, Buttarelli F. Mechanisms of telomere maintenance in pediatric brain tumors: Promising targets for therapy – A narrative review. GLIOMA 2020. [DOI: 10.4103/glioma.glioma_20_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Lopes TZ, de Moraes FR, Tedesco AC, Arni RK, Rahal P, Calmon MF. Berberine associated photodynamic therapy promotes autophagy and apoptosis via ROS generation in renal carcinoma cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 123:109794. [PMID: 31874443 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) consists of the most lethal common urological cancer and the clinical practice has shown that resistant RCC to commons therapies is extremely high. Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid, presents in different kinds of plants and it has long been used in Chinese medicine. It has several properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial and anti-cancer. Moreover, berberine has photosensitive characteristics and its association with photodynamic therapy (PDT) is effective against tumor cells. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of berberine associated with PDT in renal carcinoma cell lines. The cellular viability assay showed increased cytotoxicity in concentration and time-dependent manner. Berberine presented efficient internalization in all cell lines analyzed. In addition, after treatment with berberine associated with PDT, it was observed a high phototoxicity effect with less than 20 % of viable cells. In this study we observed that the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels was accompanied by an increase of autophagy levels and apoptosis by caspase 3 activity, suggesting cell death by both mechanisms. Additionally, three target genes of anti-cancer drugs were differentially expressed in 786-O cells, being that Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-D (FIGF) and Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) gene presented low expression and Polo Like Kinase 3 (PLK3) presented overexpression after treatment with berberine associated with PDT. In this study, the proposed treatment triggered metabolites changes related to cell proliferation, tumorigenesis and angiogenesis. Thus, it was possible to suggest that berberine has promising potential as a photosensitizing agent in a photodynamic therapy, because it induced significant anticancer effects on renal carcinoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tairine Zara Lopes
- Laboratory of Genomics Studies, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabio Rogério de Moraes
- Physics Department, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Multiuser Center for Biomolecular Innovation, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Antonio Claudio Tedesco
- Department of Chemistry, Center of Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering-Photobiology and Photomedicine Research Group, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Raghuvir Krishnaswamy Arni
- Physics Department, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Multiuser Center for Biomolecular Innovation, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paula Rahal
- Laboratory of Genomics Studies, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marilia Freitas Calmon
- Laboratory of Genomics Studies, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
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40
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Panneerpandian P, Devanandan HJ, Marimuthu A, Karthikeyan C, Ganesan K. Abacavir induces the transcriptional activity of YY1 and other oncogenic transcription factors in gastric cancer cells. Antiviral Res 2019; 174:104695. [PMID: 31846633 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.104695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Yin Yang 1 (YY1) is a ubiquitous transcription factor with both transcriptional activating and repressing functions. Targeting YY1 is considered as a potential therapeutic strategy for several malignancies. Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) is also considered as a potential target for cancer therapeutics. To enable the large-scale screening and identification of potential YY1 targeting drugs, a gastric cancer cell line-based drug screening assay was developed. In a YY1 targeted drug repurpose screen, abacavir sulfate, a nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor, known to target TERT was identified to show the feature of activating YY1 mediated transcription. We further explored i) the molecular targets of abacavir, ii) activation pattern of pathways regulated by abacavir in gastric tumors, and iii) therapeutic potential of abacavir for gastric cancer cells. Oncogenic signaling pathways like MYC, HIF1-α, ERK, WNT, E2F, NFκB and NRF1/2 were also found to be highly activated by abacavir. Abacavir was found to have less impact on the viability of gastric cancer cells. Across gastric tumors, we observed the co-activation of TERT, alternative lengthening of telomere (ALT), DNA repair, and the oncogenic pathways MYC, E2F/DP1, ERK, YY1, HIF1α, and NFκB specific gene-sets, in a subset of gastric tumors. The observed connectivity among TERT, DNA repair, and multiple oncogenic pathways indicate the need for the development of combinatorial therapeutics for the gastric tumors with the activated TERT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ponmathi Panneerpandian
- Unit of Excellence in Cancer Genetics, Department of Genetics, Centre for Excellence in Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, India.
| | - Helen Jemimah Devanandan
- Unit of Excellence in Cancer Genetics, Department of Genetics, Centre for Excellence in Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, India
| | - Anantharaj Marimuthu
- Unit of Excellence in Cancer Genetics, Department of Genetics, Centre for Excellence in Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, India
| | | | - Kumaresan Ganesan
- Unit of Excellence in Cancer Genetics, Department of Genetics, Centre for Excellence in Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, India.
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The Genetic Architecture of Gliomagenesis-Genetic Risk Variants Linked to Specific Molecular Subtypes. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11122001. [PMID: 31842352 PMCID: PMC6966482 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11122001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies have identified 25 germline genetic loci that increase the risk of glioma. The somatic tumor molecular alterations, including IDH-mutation status and 1p/19q co-deletion, have been included into the WHO 2016 classification system for glioma. To investigate how the germline genetic risk variants correlate with the somatic molecular subtypes put forward by WHO, we performed a meta-analysis that combined findings from 330 Swedish cases and 876 controls with two other recent studies. In total, 5,103 cases and 10,915 controls were included. Three categories of associations were found. First, variants in TERT and TP53 were associated with increased risk of all glioma subtypes. Second, variants in CDKN2B-AS1, EGFR, and RTEL1 were associated with IDH-wildtype glioma. Third, variants in CCDC26 (the 8q24 locus), C2orf80 (close to IDH), LRIG1, PHLDB1, ETFA, MAML2 and ZBTB16 were associated with IDH-mutant glioma. We therefore propose three etiopathological pathways in gliomagenesis based on germline variants for future guidance of diagnosis and potential functional targets for therapies. Future prospective clinical trials of patients with suspicion of glioma diagnoses, using the genetic variants as biomarkers, are necessary to disentangle how strongly they can predict glioma diagnosis.
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42
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Nersisyan L, Hopp L, Loeffler-Wirth H, Galle J, Loeffler M, Arakelyan A, Binder H. Telomere Length Maintenance and Its Transcriptional Regulation in Lynch Syndrome and Sporadic Colorectal Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1172. [PMID: 31750255 PMCID: PMC6848383 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Activation of telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) is a hallmark of most cancers, and is required to prevent genome instability and to establish cellular immortality through reconstitution of capping of chromosome ends. TMM depends on the cancer type. Comparative studies linking tumor biology and TMM have potential impact for evaluating cancer onset and development. Methods: We have studied alterations of telomere length, their sequence composition and transcriptional regulation in mismatch repair deficient colorectal cancers arising in Lynch syndrome (LS-CRC) and microsatellite instable (MSI) sporadic CRC (MSI s-CRC), and for comparison, in microsatellite stable (MSS) s-CRC and in benign colon mucosa. Our study applied bioinformatics analysis of whole genome DNA and RNA sequencing data and a pathway model to study telomere length alterations and the potential effect of the "classical" telomerase (TEL-) and alternative (ALT-) TMM using transcriptomic signatures. Results: We have found progressive decrease of mean telomere length in all cancer subtypes compared with reference systems. Our results support the view that telomere attrition is an early event in tumorigenesis. TMM gets activated in all tumors studied due to concerted overexpression of a large fraction of genes with direct relation to telomere function, where only a very small fraction of them showed recurrent mutations. TEL-related transcriptional state was dominating in all CRC subtypes, showing, however, subtype-specific activation patterns; while contribution of the ALT-TMM was slightly more prominent in the hypermutated MSI s-CRC and LS-CRC. TEL-TMM is mainly activated by over-expression of DKC1 and/or TERT genes and their interaction partners, where DKC1 is more prominent in MSS than in MSI s-CRC and can serve as a transcriptomic marker of TMM activity. Conclusions: Our results suggest that transcriptional patterns are indicative for TMM pathway activation with subtle differences between TEL and ALT mechanisms in a CRC subtype-specific fashion. Sequencing data potentially provide a suited measure to study alterations of telomere length and of underlying transcriptional regulation. Further studies are needed to improve this method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilit Nersisyan
- Group of Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Lydia Hopp
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Henry Loeffler-Wirth
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jörg Galle
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Markus Loeffler
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arsen Arakelyan
- Group of Bioinformatics, Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Hans Binder
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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43
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Zeng X, Hernandez-Sanchez W, Xu M, Whited TL, Baus D, Zhang J, Berdis AJ, Taylor DJ. Administration of a Nucleoside Analog Promotes Cancer Cell Death in a Telomerase-Dependent Manner. Cell Rep 2019; 23:3031-3041. [PMID: 29874588 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase, the end-replication enzyme, is reactivated in malignant cancers to drive cellular immortality. While this distinction makes telomerase an attractive target for anti-cancer therapies, most approaches for inhibiting its activity have been clinically ineffective. As opposed to inhibiting telomerase, we use its activity to selectively promote cytotoxicity in cancer cells. We show that several nucleotide analogs, including 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (5-FdU) triphosphate, are effectively incorporated by telomerase into a telomere DNA product. Administration of 5-FdU results in an increased number of telomere-induced foci, impedes binding of telomere proteins, activates the ATR-related DNA-damage response, and promotes cell death in a telomerase-dependent manner. Collectively, our data indicate that telomerase activity can be exploited as a putative anti-cancer strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuehuo Zeng
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | | | - Mengyuan Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Tawna L Whited
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Diane Baus
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Junran Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Anthony J Berdis
- Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Derek J Taylor
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
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Teixeira L, Medioni J, Garibal J, Adotevi O, Doucet L, Durey MAD, Ghrieb Z, Kiladjian JJ, Brizard M, Laheurte C, Wehbe M, Pliquet E, Escande M, Defrance R, Culine S, Oudard S, Wain-Hobson S, Doppler V, Huet T, Langlade-Demoyen P. A First-in-Human Phase I Study of INVAC-1, an Optimized Human Telomerase DNA Vaccine in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 26:588-597. [PMID: 31558479 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-1614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is highly expressed in >85% of human tumors and is thus considered as a good tumor-associated antigen candidate for vaccine development. We conducted a phase I study to investigate the safety, tolerability, clinical response, and immunogenicity of INVAC-1, a DNA plasmid encoding a modified hTERT protein in patients with relapsed or refractory solid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS INVAC-1 was either administered by intradermal route followed by electroporation or by Tropis, a needle-free injection system. Safety and tolerability were monitored by clinical and laboratory assessments. Progression-free survival and overall survival were reported using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Immunogenicity was studied by ELISpot, Luminex, and Flow Cytometry. RESULTS Twenty-six patients were treated with INVAC-1 administered at three dose levels (100, 400, and 800 μg). Vaccination was well tolerated and no dose-limiting toxicity was reported. One treatment-related grade 3 SAE was reported. Fifty-eight percent of patients experienced disease stabilization. PFS was 2.7 months, median OS was 15 months, and 1-year survival was reached for 65% of patients. INVAC-1 vaccination stimulated specific anti-hTERT CD4 T-cell response as well as cytotoxic CD8 T-cell response. No evidence of peripheral vaccine-induced immunosuppression was observed. CONCLUSIONS INVAC-1 vaccination was safe, well tolerated, and immunogenic when administered intradermally at the three tested doses in patients with relapsed or refractory cancers. Disease stabilization was observed for the majority of patients (58%) during the treatment period and beyond.See related commentary by Slingluff Jr, p. 529.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Teixeira
- Breast Diseases Unit, HIPI INSERM U976, AP-HP, Saint Louis Hospital, Paris University, Paris, France
| | - Jacques Medioni
- Center for Early Clinical Trials, Medical Oncology Department (CEPEC), Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | | | - Olivier Adotevi
- University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, INSERM, EFS BFC, UMR1098, Biomonitoring Platform, Besançon, France
| | - Ludovic Doucet
- Breast Diseases Unit, HIPI INSERM U976, AP-HP, Saint Louis Hospital, Paris University, Paris, France
| | | | - Zineb Ghrieb
- Breast Diseases Unit, HIPI INSERM U976, AP-HP, Saint Louis Hospital, Paris University, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Jacques Kiladjian
- Breast Diseases Unit, HIPI INSERM U976, AP-HP, Saint Louis Hospital, Paris University, Paris, France
| | - Mara Brizard
- Center for Early Clinical Trials, Medical Oncology Department (CEPEC), Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Caroline Laheurte
- University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, INSERM, EFS BFC, UMR1098, Biomonitoring Platform, Besançon, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Stephane Culine
- Breast Diseases Unit, HIPI INSERM U976, AP-HP, Saint Louis Hospital, Paris University, Paris, France
| | - Stephane Oudard
- Center for Early Clinical Trials, Medical Oncology Department (CEPEC), Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
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Jebaraj BMC, Tausch E, Landau DA, Bahlo J, Robrecht S, Taylor-Weiner AN, Bloehdorn J, Scheffold A, Mertens D, Böttcher S, Kneba M, Jäger U, Zenz T, Wenger MK, Fingerle-Rowson G, Wendtner C, Fink AM, Wu CJ, Eichhorst B, Fischer K, Hallek M, Döhner H, Stilgenbauer S. Short telomeres are associated with inferior outcome, genomic complexity, and clonal evolution in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Leukemia 2019; 33:2183-2194. [PMID: 30911113 PMCID: PMC6737251 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-019-0446-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2018] [Revised: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Telomere length in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has been shown to be of prognostic importance, but the analyses have largely been executed on heterogeneous patient cohorts outside of clinical trials. In the present study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of telomere length associations in the well characterized CLL8 trial (n = 620) of the German CLL study group, with validation in a representative cohort of the CLL4 trial (n = 293). Absolute telomere length was analyzed using quantitative-PCR. Apart from identifying associations of short telomere length with adverse prognostic factors and survival, the study identified cases with 17p- and 11q- associated with TP53 and ATM loss, respectively, to have the shortest telomeres, even when these aberrations were present in small subclones. Thus, telomere shortening may precede acquisition of the high-risk aberrations, contributing to disease evolution. In line with this, telomere shortening was associated with an increase in genomic complexity as well as clonal evolution, highlighting its importance as a biomarker especially in monitoring disease progression in non-high-risk CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eugen Tausch
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Dan A Landau
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
- New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jasmin Bahlo
- Department I for Internal Medicine and Centre for Integrated Oncology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sandra Robrecht
- Department I for Internal Medicine and Centre for Integrated Oncology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | | | - Annika Scheffold
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Daniel Mertens
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Mechanisms of Leukemogenesis, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Böttcher
- Department II of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
- Division of Internal Medicine, Medical Clinic III, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Michael Kneba
- Department II of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ulrich Jäger
- Department of Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaeology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thorsten Zenz
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Division of Hematology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Clemens Wendtner
- Klinikum Schwabing, Academic Teaching Hospital of University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna-Maria Fink
- Department I for Internal Medicine and Centre for Integrated Oncology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Barbara Eichhorst
- Department I for Internal Medicine and Centre for Integrated Oncology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kirsten Fischer
- Department I for Internal Medicine and Centre for Integrated Oncology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Michael Hallek
- Department I for Internal Medicine and Centre for Integrated Oncology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hartmut Döhner
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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Telomerase and Telomeres Biology in Thyroid Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20122887. [PMID: 31200515 PMCID: PMC6627113 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20122887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere and telomerase regulation contributes to the onset and evolution of several tumors, including highly aggressive thyroid cancers (TCs). TCs are the most common endocrine malignancies and are generally characterized by a high rate of curability. However, a small but significant percentage develops distant metastasis or progresses into undifferentiated forms associated with bad prognosis and for which poor therapeutic options are available. Mutations in telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter are among the most credited prognostic marker of aggressiveness in TCs. Indeed, their frequency progressively increases passing from indolent lesions to aggressive and anaplastic forms. TERT promoter mutations create binding sites for transcription factors, increasing TERT expression and telomerase activity. Furthermore, aggressiveness of TCs is associated with TERT locus amplification. These data encourage investigating telomerase regulating pathways as relevant drivers of TC development and progression to foster the identification of new therapeutics targets. Here, we summarize the current knowledge about telomere regulation and TCs, exploring both canonical and less conventional pathways. We discuss the possible role of telomere homeostasis in mediating response to cancer therapies and the possibility of using epigenetic drugs to re-evaluate the use of telomerase inhibitors. Combined treatments could be of support to currently used therapies still presenting weaknesses.
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Raising the bar in anticancer therapy: recent advances in, and perspectives on, telomerase inhibitors. Drug Discov Today 2019; 24:1370-1388. [PMID: 31136800 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2019.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase is a ribonucleic reverse transcriptase enzyme that uses an integral RNA component as a template to add tandem telomeric DNA repeats, TTAGGG, at the 3' end of the chromosomes. 85-90% of human tumors and their derived cell lines predominantly express high levels of telomerase, therefore contributing to cancer cell development. However, in normal cells, telomerase activity is almost always absent except in germ cells and stem cells. This differential expression has been exploited to develop highly specific and potent cancer therapeutics. In this review, we outline recent advances in the development of telomerase inhibitors as anticancer agents.
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Cascón A, Remacha L, Calsina B, Robledo M. Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas: Bypassing Cellular Respiration. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E683. [PMID: 31100940 PMCID: PMC6562521 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11050683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract: Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGL) are rare neuroendocrine tumors that show the highest heritability of all human neoplasms and represent a paradoxical example of genetic heterogeneity. Amongst the elevated number of genes involved in the hereditary predisposition to the disease (at least nineteen) there are eleven tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle-related genes, some of which are also involved in the development of congenital recessive neurological disorders and other cancers such as cutaneous and uterine leiomyomas, gastrointestinal tumors and renal cancer. Somatic or germline mutation of genes encoding enzymes catalyzing pivotal steps of the TCA cycle not only disrupts cellular respiration, but also causes severe alterations in mitochondrial metabolite pools. These latter alterations lead to aberrant accumulation of "oncometabolites" that, in the end, may lead to deregulation of the metabolic adaptation of cells to hypoxia, inhibition of the DNA repair processes and overall pathological changes in gene expression. In this review, we will address the TCA cycle mutations leading to the development of PPGL, and we will discuss the relevance of these mutations for the transformation of neural crest-derived cells and potential therapeutic approaches based on the emerging knowledge of underlying molecular alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Cascón
- Hereditary Endocrine Cancer Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Laura Remacha
- Hereditary Endocrine Cancer Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Bruna Calsina
- Hereditary Endocrine Cancer Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Mercedes Robledo
- Hereditary Endocrine Cancer Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
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Morais KDS, Arcanjo DDS, Faria Lopes GP, Silva GG, Mota THA, Gabriel TR, Rabello Ramos DDA, Silva FP, Oliveira DM. Long‐term in vitro treatment with telomerase inhibitor MST‐312 induces resistance by selecting long telomeres cells. Cell Biochem Funct 2019; 37:273-280. [DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Karollyne da Silva Morais
- Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Human HealthUniversity of Brasilia Brasília Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of CancerUniversity of Brasilia Brasília Brazil
| | | | - Giselle Pinto Faria Lopes
- Biotechnology DepartmentInstituto de Estudos do Mar Almirante Paulo Moreira (IEAPM), Arraial do Cabo, RJ, Brazil e Research coordination, Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA) Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | | | - Tales Henrique Andrade Mota
- Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Human HealthUniversity of Brasilia Brasília Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of CancerUniversity of Brasilia Brasília Brazil
| | | | | | - Fábio Pittella Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of CancerUniversity of Brasilia Brasília Brazil
| | - Diêgo Madureira Oliveira
- Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Human HealthUniversity of Brasilia Brasília Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of CancerUniversity of Brasilia Brasília Brazil
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Telomerase-Targeted Cancer Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20081823. [PMID: 31013796 PMCID: PMC6515163 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20081823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase, an enzyme responsible for the synthesis of telomeres, is activated in many cancer cells and is involved in the maintenance of telomeres. The activity of telomerase allows cancer cells to replicate and proliferate in an uncontrolled manner, to infiltrate tissue, and to metastasize to distant organs. Studies to date have examined the mechanisms involved in the survival of cancer cells as targets for cancer therapeutics. These efforts led to the development of telomerase inhibitors as anticancer drugs, drugs targeting telomere DNA, viral vectors carrying a promoter for human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) genome, and immunotherapy targeting hTERT. Among these novel therapeutics, this review focuses on immunotherapy targeting hTERT and discusses the current evidence and future perspectives.
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