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Sato M, Han Q, Mizuta K, Mori R, Kang BM, Morinaga S, Kobayashi N, Ichikawa Y, Nakajima A, Hoffman RM. Extensive Shrinkage and Long-term Stable Disease in a Teenage Female Patient With High-grade Glioma Treated With Temozolomide and Radiation in Combination With Oral Recombinant Methioninase and a Low-methionine Diet. In Vivo 2024; 38:1459-1464. [PMID: 38688589 PMCID: PMC11059867 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Gliomas are the most common and recalcitrant malignant primary brain tumors. All cancer types are addicted to methionine, which is a fundamental and general hallmark of cancer known as the Hoffman effect. Particularly glioma cells exhibit methionine addiction. Because of methionine addiction, [11C]-methionine positron emission tomography (MET-PET) is widely used for glioma imaging in clinical practice, which can monitor the extent of methionine addiction. Methionine restriction including recombinant methioninase (rMETase) and a low-methionine diet, has shown high efficacy in preclinical models of gliomas, especially in combination with chemotherapy. The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of methionine restriction with oral rMETase (o-rMETase) and a low-methionine diet, combined with radiation and temozolomide (TMZ), on a teenage female patient with high-grade glioma. CASE REPORT A 16-year-old girl was diagnosed with high-grade glioma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a left temporal-lobe tumor with compression to the left lateral ventricle and narrowing of sulci in the left temporal lobe. After the start of methionine restriction with o-rMETase and a low-methionine diet, along with TMZ combined with radiotherapy, the tumor size shrunk at least 60%, with improvement in the left lateral ventricle and sulci. The patient's condition remains stable for 19 months without severe adverse effects. CONCLUSION Methionine restriction consisting of o-rMETase and a low-methionine diet, in combination with radiation and TMZ as first-line chemotherapy, were highly effective in a patient with high-grade glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motokazu Sato
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Oncology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | | | - Kohei Mizuta
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | | | - Byung Mo Kang
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Sei Morinaga
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Noritoshi Kobayashi
- Department of Oncology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yasushi Ichikawa
- Department of Oncology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nakajima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Robert M Hoffman
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A.;
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
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Bin P, Wang C, Zhang H, Yan Y, Ren W. Targeting methionine metabolism in cancer: opportunities and challenges. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2024; 45:395-405. [PMID: 38580603 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Reprogramming of methionine metabolism is a conserved hallmark of tumorigenesis. Recent studies have revealed mechanisms regulating methionine metabolism within the tumor microenvironment (TME) that drive both cancer development and antitumor immunity evasion. In this review article we summarize advancements in our understanding of tumor regulation of methionine metabolism and therapies in development that target tumor methionine metabolism. We also delineate the challenges of methionine blockade therapies in cancer and discuss emerging strategies to address them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Bin
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Henry Fok School of Biology and Agriculture, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan 512005, China
| | - Chuanlong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Hangchao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yuqi Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wenkai Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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Sato M, Mizuta K, Han Q, Morinaga S, Kang BM, Kubota Y, Mori R, Baranov A, Kobayashi K, Ardjmand D, Kobayashi N, Bouvet M, Ichikawa Y, Nakajima A, Hoffman RM. Targeting Methionine Addiction Combined With Low-dose Irinotecan Arrested Colon Cancer in Contrast to High-dose Irinotecan Alone, Which Was Ineffective, in a Nude-mouse Model. In Vivo 2024; 38:1058-1063. [PMID: 38688611 PMCID: PMC11059914 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third-leading cause of death in the world. Although the prognosis has improved due to improvement of chemotherapy, metastatic CRC is still a recalcitrant disease, with a 5-year survival of only 13%. Irinotecan (IRN) is used as first-line chemotherapy for patients with unresectable CRC. However, there are severe side effects, such as neutropenia and diarrhea, which are dose-limiting. We have previously shown that methionine restriction (MR), effected by recombinant methioninase (rMETase), lowered the effective dose of IRN of colon-cancer cells in vitro. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the combination of low-dose IRN and MR on colon-cancer in nude mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS HCT-116 colon-cancer cells were cultured and subcutaneously injected into the flank of nude mice. After the tumor size reached approximately 100 mm3, 18 mice were randomized into three groups; Group 1: untreated control on a normal diet; Group 2: high-dose IRN on a normal diet (2 mg/kg, i.p.); Group 3: low-dose IRN (1 mg/kg i.p.) on MR effected by a methionine-depleted diet. RESULTS There was no significant difference between the control mice and the mice treated with high-dose IRN, without MR. However, low-dose IRN combined with MR was significantly more effective than the control and arrested colon-cancer growth (p=0.03). Body weight loss was reversible in the mice treated by low-dose IRN combined with MR. CONCLUSION The combination of low-dose IRN and MR acted synergistically in arresting HCT-116 colon-cancer grown in nude mice. The present study indicates the MR has the potential to reduce the effective dose of IRN in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motokazu Sato
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Oncology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kohei Mizuta
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | | | - Sei Morinaga
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Byung Mo Kang
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Yutaro Kubota
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | | | | | | | | | - Noritoshi Kobayashi
- Department of Oncology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Michael Bouvet
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Yasushi Ichikawa
- Department of Oncology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nakajima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Robert M Hoffman
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A.;
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
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Kubota Y, Sato T, Han Q, Hozumi C, Morinaga S, Mizuta K, Tsunoda T, Hoffman RM. [ 11C] Methionine-PET Imaging as a Cancer Biomarker for Methionine Addiction and Sensitivity to Methionine-restriction-based Combination Chemotherapy. In Vivo 2024; 38:253-258. [PMID: 38148095 PMCID: PMC10756438 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Methionine addiction is a fundamental and universal hallmark of cancer, termed the Hoffman effect. Methionine addiction of cancer is greater than glucose addiction, termed the Warburg effect, as shown by the comparison of PET imaging with [11C]methionine and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose. The aim of the present study was to determine whether [11C]methionine PET (MET-PET) images could be a biomarker of methionine addiction of cancer and potential response to methionine-restriction-based combination chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS In the present study a patient with invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast metastatic to axillary lymph nodes was imaged by both MET-PET and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET (FDG-PET) before and after combination treatment with methionine restriction, comprising a low-methionine diet and methioninase, along with first-line chemotherapy. RESULTS MET-PET gave a much stronger and precise image of the patient's metastatic axillary lymph nodes than FDG-PET. The patient had a complete response to methionine restriction-based chemotherapy as shown by MET-PET. CONCLUSION MET-PET imaging is a biomarker of methionine-addicted cancer and potential response to methionine-restriction-based chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaro Kubota
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medical Oncology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Sei Morinaga
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Kohei Mizuta
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
| | - Takuya Tsunoda
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medical Oncology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Robert M Hoffman
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA, U.S.A.;
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
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Inubushi S, Kunihisa T, Mizumoto S, Inoue S, Miki M, Suetsugu A, Tanino H, Hoffman RM. Methionine Restriction Increases Exosome Production and Secretion in Breast Cancer Cells. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2023; 20:412-416. [PMID: 37643781 PMCID: PMC10464940 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Methionine addiction is the elevated requirement for exogenous methionine for growth and survival of cancer cells, termed the Hoffman effect. Methionine-addicted cancer cells synthesize normal or excess amounts of methionine but still need an external source of methionine. Methionine restriction (MR) by either a methionine-free medium or in vivo by a low-methionine diet or by methioninase, selectively arrests cancer cells in the late S/G2 cell cycle phase, but not normal cells. The present study focuses on the comparison of production and secretion of exosomes by cancer cells under MR and normal conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS MDA-MB-231 cells (triple-negative breast cancer), containing exosomes labeled with CD63-GFP (CD63-GFP exosomes), were visualized by fluorescence microscopy. MDA-MB-231 cells expressing exosome-specific CD63-GFP were cultured in methionine-containing (MET+) or in methionine-free (MET-) DMEM conditions. Exosomes were isolated from conditioned medium of cultured MDA-MD-231 cells by ultracentrifugation and characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and Western blotting. RESULTS When MDA-MB-231-CD63-GFP cells were cultured under MR conditions, they arrested their growth and CD63-GFP-expressing exosomes were strongly increased in the cells. MR resulted in approximately a 2-fold increase in exosome production and secretion per cell, even though cell growth was arrested. Methionine restriction thus resulted in elevated exosome production and secretion per surviving cell. CONCLUSION Exosome production and secretion in the cancer cells increased under MR, suggesting a relation between MR and exosome production and secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachiko Inubushi
- Division of Breast Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Hyogo, Japan;
- AntiCancer Inc, San Diego, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
| | - Tomonari Kunihisa
- Division of Breast Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Sachiko Mizumoto
- Division of Breast Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Shotaro Inoue
- Division of Breast Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Mayuko Miki
- Division of Breast Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Suetsugu
- Department of Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Tanino
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Breast Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Robert M Hoffman
- AntiCancer Inc, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.;
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
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Pokrovsky VS, Qoura LA, Demidova EA, Han Q, Hoffman RM. Targeting Methionine Addiction of Cancer Cells with Methioninase. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2023; 88:944-952. [PMID: 37751865 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923070076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
All types of cancer cells are addicted to methionine, which is known as the Hoffman effect. Restricting methionine inhibits the growth and proliferation of all tested types of cancer cells, leaving normal cells unaffected. Targeting methionine addiction with methioninase (METase), either alone or in combination with common cancer chemotherapy drugs, has been shown as an effective and safe therapy in various types of cancer cells and animal cancer models. About six years ago, recombinant METase (rMETase) was found to be able to be taken orally as a supplement, resulting in anecdotal positive results in patients with advanced cancer. Currently, there are 8 published clinical studies on METase, including two from the 1990s and six more recent ones. This review focuses on the results of clinical studies on METase-mediated methionine restriction, in particular, on the dosage of oral rMETase taken alone as a supplement or in combination with common chemotherapeutic agents in patients with advanced cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vadim S Pokrovsky
- Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 115478, Russia.
- Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, People's Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, 117198, Russia
- Department of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, 354340, Russia
| | - Louay Abo Qoura
- Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 115478, Russia.
- Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, People's Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, 117198, Russia
| | - Elena A Demidova
- Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 115478, Russia
| | | | - Robert M Hoffman
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA 92111, USA.
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037-7400, USA
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Miyake K, Han Q, Murakami T, Kiyuna T, Kawaguchi K, Igarashi K, Lwin TM, Miyake M, Yamamoto J, Bouvet M, Endo I, Hoffman RM. Colon-cancer liver metastasis is effectively targeted by recombinant methioninase (rMETase) in an orthotopic mouse model. Tissue Cell 2023; 83:102125. [PMID: 37320867 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2023.102125] [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: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CCLM) is the most frequent cause of death of colorectal cancer. Development of novel new effective therapy is needed for CCLM patients to improve outcome. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of recombinant methioninase (rMETase) on a CCLM orthotopic mouse model of liver metastasis established using the human colon cancer cell line HT29 expressing red fluorescent protein (RFP). MATERIALS AND METHODS Orthotopic CCLM nude mouse models were randomized into two groups: control group (n = 6, PBS 200 µl, i.p., daily); rMETase group (n = 6, 100 units/200 µl, i.p., daily). Tumor volume was measured on day 0 and day 15. Body weight was measured twice a week. All mice were sacrificed on day 15. RESULTS rMETase significantly inhibited the increase of the liver metastasis as determined by RFP fluorescence area and intensity (p = 0.016 and 0.015, respectively). There was no significant difference of body weight between either group on any day. CONCLUSIONS The present study suggests that rMETase has future potential therapy for CCLM in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Miyake
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan.
| | | | - Takashi Murakami
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Tasuku Kiyuna
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kei Kawaguchi
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kentaro Igarashi
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Thinzar M Lwin
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Masuyo Miyake
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Jun Yamamoto
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Michael Bouvet
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Itaru Endo
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan.
| | - Robert M Hoffman
- AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
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Zhang-Yin J, Girard A, Marchal E, Lebret T, Homo Seban M, Uhl M, Bertaux M. PET Imaging in Bladder Cancer: An Update and Future Direction. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040606. [PMID: 37111363 PMCID: PMC10144644 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040606] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular imaging with positron emission tomography is a powerful tool in bladder cancer management. In this review, we aim to address the current place of the PET imaging in bladder cancer care and offer perspectives on potential future radiopharmaceutical and technological advancements. A special focus is given to the following: the role of [18F] 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography in the clinical management of bladder cancer patients, especially for staging and follow-up; treatment guided by [18F]FDG PET/CT; the role of [18F]FDG PET/MRI, the other PET radiopharmaceuticals beyond [18F]FDG, such as [68Ga]- or [18F]-labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor; and the application of artificial intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jules Zhang-Yin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Clinique Sud Luxembourg, Vivalia, B-6700 Arlon, Belgium
| | - Antoine Girard
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Amiens-Picardy University Hospital, 80054 Amiens, France
| | - Etienne Marchal
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Amiens-Picardy University Hospital, 80054 Amiens, France
| | - Thierry Lebret
- Department of Urology, Foch Hospital, 92150 Suresnes, France
| | - Marie Homo Seban
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Foch Hospital, 92150 Suresnes, France
| | - Marine Uhl
- Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, Amiens-Picardy University Hospital, 80054 Amiens, France
| | - Marc Bertaux
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Foch Hospital, 92150 Suresnes, France
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Aoki Y, Han Q, Kubota Y, Masaki N, Obara K, Tome Y, Bouvet M, Nishida K, Hoffman RM. Oncogenes and Methionine Addiction of Cancer: Role of c-MYC. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2023; 20:165-170. [PMID: 36870694 PMCID: PMC9989672 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Methionine addiction is a general and fundamental hallmark of cancer cells, termed the Hoffman effect. Previously Vanhamme and Szpirer showed that methionine addiction could be induced by transfection of the activated HRAS1 gene to a normal cell line. In the present study, we investigated the role of the c-MYC oncogene in methionine addiction of cancer, by comparison of c-Myc expression and malignancy of methionine-addicted osteosarcoma cells and rare methionine-independent revertants, derived from the methionine-addicted cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS Methionine-independent revertant 143B osteosarcoma cells (143B-R) were derived from methionine-addicted parental 143B osteosarcoma cells (143B-P), by continuous culture in medium depleted of methionine by recombinant methioninase. To compare in vitro malignancy of methionine-addicted parental cells and methionine-independent revertant cells, the following experiments were performed: for 143B-P and 143B-R cells, cell proliferation capacity was measured with a cell-counting assay, and colony-formation capacity was determined on plastic and in soft agar, all in methionine-containing Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM). Tumor growth was measured in orthotopic xenograft nude-mouse models, to compare in vivo malignancy of 143B-P and 143B-R cells. c-MYC expression was examined with western immunoblotting and compared in 143B-P and 143B-R cells. RESULTS 143B-R cells had reduced cell proliferation capacity, compared to 143B-P cells, in methionine-containing medium (p=0.003). 143B-R cells had reduced colony formation capacity on plastic (p=0.003) and in soft agar, compared to 143B-P cells in methionine-containing medium. 143B-R cells had reduced tumor growth in orthotopic xenograft nude-mouse models, compared to 143B-P cells, (p=0.002). These results demonstrate that 143B-R methionine-independent revertant cells lost malignancy. Expression of c-MYC was reduced in 143B-R methionine-independent revertant osteosarcoma cells, compared to 143B-P cells, (p=0.0007). CONCLUSION The present study demonstrated that c-MYC expression is linked to malignancy and methionine addiction of cancer cells. The present study on c-MYC, and the previous study on HRAS1, suggest that oncogenes may play a role in methionine addiction, which is a hallmark of all cancers, as well as in malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Aoki
- AntiCancer Inc, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.; .,Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, U.S.A.,Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | | | - Yutaro Kubota
- AntiCancer Inc, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.,Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
| | - Noriyuki Masaki
- AntiCancer Inc, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.,Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
| | - Koya Obara
- AntiCancer Inc, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.,Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
| | - Yasunori Tome
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Michael Bouvet
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
| | - Kotaro Nishida
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Robert M Hoffman
- AntiCancer Inc, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.; .,Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
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