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Maines LW, Keller SN, Smith RA, Schrecengost RS, Smith CD. Opaganib Downregulates N-Myc Expression and Suppresses In Vitro and In Vivo Growth of Neuroblastoma Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1779. [PMID: 38730731 PMCID: PMC11082966 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB), the most common cancer in infants and the most common solid tumor outside the brain in children, grows aggressively and responds poorly to current therapies. We have identified a new drug (opaganib, also known as ABC294640) that modulates sphingolipid metabolism by inhibiting the synthesis of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) by sphingosine kinase-2 and elevating dihydroceramides by inhibition of dihydroceramide desaturase. The present studies sought to determine the potential therapeutic activity of opaganib in cell culture and xenograft models of NB. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that NB cells, including cells with amplified MYCN, are effectively killed by opaganib concentrations well below those that accumulate in tumors in vivo. Opaganib was shown to cause dose-dependent decreases in S1P and hexosylceramide levels in Neuro-2a cells, while concurrently elevating levels of dihydroceramides. As with other tumor cells, opaganib reduced c-Myc and Mcl-1 protein levels in Neuro-2a cells, and also reduced the expression of the N-Myc protein. The in vivo growth of xenografts of human SK-N-(BE)2 cells with amplified MYCN was suppressed by oral administration of opaganib at doses that are well tolerated in mice. Combining opaganib with temozolomide plus irinotecan, considered the backbone for therapy of relapsed or refractory NB, resulted in increased antitumor activity in vivo compared with temozolomide plus irinotecan or opaganib alone. Mice did not lose additional weight when opaganib was combined with temozolomide plus irinotecan, indicating that the combination is well tolerated. Opaganib has additive antitumor activity toward Neuro-2a tumors when combined with the checkpoint inhibitor anti-CTLA-4 antibody; however, the combination of opaganib with anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibodies did not provide increased antitumor activity over that seen with opaganib alone. Overall, the data demonstrate that opaganib modulates sphingolipid metabolism and intracellular signaling in NB cells and inhibits NB tumor growth alone and in combination with other anticancer drugs. Amplified MYCN does not confer resistance to opaganib, and, in fact, the drug attenuates the expression of both c-Myc and N-Myc. The safety of opaganib has been established in clinical trials with adults with advanced cancer or severe COVID-19, and so opaganib has excellent potential for treating patients with NB, particularly in combination with temozolomide and irinotecan or anti-CTLA-4 antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Charles D. Smith
- Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, 1214 Research Blvd, Suite 2015, Hummelstown, PA 17036, USA
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Wongsawatkul O, Buachan P, Jaisin Y, Busarakumtragul P, Chainakul S, Watanapokasin R, Prachayasittikul V, Prachayasittikul S, Ruchirawat S, Prachayasittikul V. Effects of barakol from Cassia siamea on neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line: A potential combined therapy with doxorubicin. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24694. [PMID: 38318050 PMCID: PMC10839565 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24694] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Management of neuroblastoma is challenging because of poor response to drugs, chemotherapy resistance, high relapse, and treatment failures. Doxorubicin is a potent anticancer drug commonly used for neuroblastoma treatment. However, doxorubicin induces considerable toxicities, particularly those caused by oxidative-related damage. To minimize drug-induced adverse effects, the combined use of anticancer drugs with natural-derived compounds possessing antioxidant properties has become an interesting treatment strategy. Barakol is a major compound found in Cassia siamea, an edible plant with antioxidant and anticancer properties. Therefore, barakol could potentially be used in combination with doxorubicin to synergize the anticancer effect, while minimizing the oxidative-related toxicities. Herein, the potential of barakol (0.0043-43.0 μM) to synergize the anticancer effect of low-dose doxorubicin (0.5 and 1.0 μM) was investigated. Results indicated that barakol could enhance the cytotoxic effect of low-dose doxorubicin by affecting the cell viability of the treated cells. Furthermore, the co-treatment with barakol and low-dose doxorubicin decreased the levels of intracellular ROS when compared with the control. Moreover, the antimetastatic effect of the barakol itself was studied through its ability to inhibit metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) activity and prevent cell migration. Results revealed that the barakol inhibited MMP-3 activity and prevented cell migration in time- and dose-dependent manners. Additionally, barakol was a non-cytotoxic agent against the normal tested cell line (MRC-5), which suggested its selectivity and safety. Taken together, barakol could be a promising compound to be further developed for combination treatment with low-dose doxorubicin to improve therapeutic effectiveness but decrease drug-induced toxicities. The inhibitory effects of barakol on MMP-3 activity and cancer cell migration also supported its potential to be developed as an antimetastatic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orapin Wongsawatkul
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, 10110, Thailand
| | - Paiwan Buachan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Yamaratee Jaisin
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, 10110, Thailand
| | - Panaree Busarakumtragul
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, 10110, Thailand
| | - Sunan Chainakul
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, 10110, Thailand
| | - Ramida Watanapokasin
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, 10110, Thailand
| | - Veda Prachayasittikul
- Center for Research Innovation and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Supaluk Prachayasittikul
- Center for Research Innovation and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Somsak Ruchirawat
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
- Program in Chemical Sciences, Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
- Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), Commission on Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Virapong Prachayasittikul
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
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Evers R. Is Overexpression of the Plasma Membrane Transporter ( SLC29A4) a New Option to Stratify Patients with High-Risk Neuroblastoma for Treatment with 131I-mIBG? J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 387:236-238. [PMID: 37967896 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Evers
- Preclinical Sciences and Translational Safety, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Spring House, Pennsylvania
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Tan J, Wang C, Jin Y, Xia Y, Gong B, Zhao Q. Optimal combination of MYCN differential gene and cellular senescence gene predicts adverse outcomes in patients with neuroblastoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1309138. [PMID: 38035110 PMCID: PMC10687280 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1309138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Neuroblastoma (NB) is a common extracranial tumor in children and is highly heterogeneous. The factors influencing the prognosis of NB are not simple. Methods To investigate the effect of cell senescence on the prognosis of NB and tumor immune microenvironment, 498 samples of NB patients and 307 cellular senescence-related genes were used to construct a prediction signature. Results A signature based on six optimal candidate genes (TP53, IL-7, PDGFRA, S100B, DLL3, and TP63) was successfully constructed and proved to have good prognostic ability. Through verification, the signature had more advantages than the gene expression level alone in evaluating prognosis was found. Further T cell phenotype analysis displayed that exhausted phenotype PD-1 and senescence-related phenotype CD244 were highly expressed in CD8+ T cell in MYCN-amplified group with higher risk-score. Conclusion A signature constructed the six MYCN-amplified differential genes and aging-related genes can be used to predict the prognosis of NB better than using each high-risk gene individually and to evaluate immunosuppressed and aging tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxiong Tan
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Chaoyu Wang
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Yan Jin
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuren Xia
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Baocheng Gong
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
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Arendt AM, Heubach F, Maier CP, Giardino S, Jung G, Kowalewski E, Rabsteyn A, Amorelli G, Seitz C, Schlegel P, Handgretinger R, Lang P. Targeting GD2 after allogeneic SCT: effector cell composition defines the optimal use of ch14.18 and the bispecific antibody construct NG-CU (GD2-CD3). Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:3813-3824. [PMID: 37742286 PMCID: PMC10576705 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03536-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: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
We investigated whether T cell-recruiting bispecific anti-CD3/GD2 antibody NG-CU might be an alternative to therapeutic anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) ch14.18, mediating complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) through natural killer (NK) cells for immunotherapy in high-risk/relapsed neuroblastoma after autologous/allogeneic stem cell transplantation (auto/alloSCT). Different antibody concentrations and effector-to-target ratios (E:T) were evaluated using xCELLigence RTCA system, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (healthy donors and patients after alloSCT), and neuroblastoma cell lines (LS/LAN-1). Mean specific lysis of LS cells utilizing PBMCs from healthy donors and ch14.18 (1 µg/ml) was 40/66/75% after 12/24/48 h compared to 66/93/100% in the presence of NG-CU (100 ng/ml). NG-CU showed enhanced cytotoxicity compared to ch14.18, even at lower concentrations and E:T ratios, and completely eradicated LS cells after 72 h. To decipher the influence of effector cell subsets on lysis, different ratios of T and NK cells were tested. At a ratio of 1:1, ch14.18 was more effective than NG-CU. Using patient PBMCs taken at different time points posttransplant, significant lysis with both constructs was detectable depending on percentages and total numbers of T and NK cells; in the early posttransplant phase, NK cells were predominant and ch14.18 was superior, whereas later on, T cells represented the majority of immune cells and NG-CU was more effective. Our study highlights the importance of analyzing effector cell subsets in patients before initiating antibody-based therapy. Consequently, we propose an adjusted administration of both antibody constructs, considering the state of posttransplant immune recovery, to optimize anti-tumor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- A-M Arendt
- Department of General Pediatrics, Oncology/Hematology, Children's University Hospital Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 1, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - F Heubach
- Department of General Pediatrics, Oncology/Hematology, Children's University Hospital Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 1, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - C P Maier
- Department of General Pediatrics, Oncology/Hematology, Children's University Hospital Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 1, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Center for Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - S Giardino
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Department of Hematology and Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - G Jung
- Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - E Kowalewski
- Department of General Pediatrics, Oncology/Hematology, Children's University Hospital Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 1, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - A Rabsteyn
- Department of General Pediatrics, Oncology/Hematology, Children's University Hospital Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 1, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - G Amorelli
- Department of General Pediatrics, Oncology/Hematology, Children's University Hospital Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 1, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - C Seitz
- Department of General Pediatrics, Oncology/Hematology, Children's University Hospital Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 1, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - P Schlegel
- Department of General Pediatrics, Oncology/Hematology, Children's University Hospital Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 1, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - R Handgretinger
- Department of General Pediatrics, Oncology/Hematology, Children's University Hospital Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 1, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - P Lang
- Department of General Pediatrics, Oncology/Hematology, Children's University Hospital Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 1, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
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Chen C, Hu C, He B, Bai Y, He F, Li S, Tan CS. Functionalized GD2 Electrochemical Immunosensor to Diagnose Minimum Residual Disease of Bone Marrow in Neuroblastoma Effectively. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:920. [PMID: 37887113 PMCID: PMC10605222 DOI: 10.3390/bios13100920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is known as the "king of childhood tumors" due to its highly metastatic, recurrence-prone, and difficult-to-treat characteristics. International Neuroblastoma Risk Grading Group (INRG) has recommended GD2, a disialoganglioside expressed on neuroectodermal tumor cells, as the target for detecting minimal residual disease in bone marrow metastases of high-risk neuroblastoma in children. Therefore, accurately identifying GD2-positive cells is crucial for diagnosing children with high-risk NB. Here, we designed a graphene/AuNP/GD2 Ab-functionalized electrochemical biosensor for GD2 detection. A three-electrode system was processed using a screen-printed technique with a working electrode of indium tin oxide, a counter electrode of carbon, and a reference electrode of silver/silver chloride. Graphene/AuNPs were modified on the indium tin oxide electrode using chronoamperometric scans, and then, the GD2 antibody was modified on the biosensor by electrostatic adsorption to achieve sensitive and specific detection of GD2-positive cells in bone marrow fluid. The results showed that a graphene/AuNP/GD2 Ab-functionalized electrochemical biosensor achieved GD2-positive cell detection in the range of 102 cells/mL~105 cells/mL by differential pulse voltammetry. Bone marrow fluid samples from 12 children with high-risk NB were retained for testing on our biosensor and showed 100% compliance with the clinical application of the gold-standard immunocytochemical staining technique for detecting GD2-positive cells qualitatively. The GD2-based electrochemical assay can accurately detect children with high-risk NB, providing a rapidly quantitative basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Chen
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; (C.C.); (C.H.); (B.H.); (Y.B.); (F.H.)
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Chang Hu
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; (C.C.); (C.H.); (B.H.); (Y.B.); (F.H.)
| | - Baixun He
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; (C.C.); (C.H.); (B.H.); (Y.B.); (F.H.)
| | - Yongchang Bai
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; (C.C.); (C.H.); (B.H.); (Y.B.); (F.H.)
| | - Feng He
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; (C.C.); (C.H.); (B.H.); (Y.B.); (F.H.)
| | - Shuang Li
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; (C.C.); (C.H.); (B.H.); (Y.B.); (F.H.)
| | - Cherie S. Tan
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; (C.C.); (C.H.); (B.H.); (Y.B.); (F.H.)
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