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Wani AK, Singh R, Akhtar N, Prakash A, Nepovimova E, Oleksak P, Chrienova Z, Alomar S, Chopra C, Kuca K. Targeted Inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Axis: Potential for Sarcoma Therapy. Mini Rev Med Chem 2024; 24:1496-1520. [PMID: 38265369 DOI: 10.2174/0113895575270904231129062137] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Sarcoma is a heterogeneous group of malignancies often resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/ protein kinase B /mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signaling pathway has emerged as a critical cancer target due to its central role in regulating key cellular processes such as cell growth, proliferation, survival, and metabolism. Dysregulation of this pathway has been implicated in the development and progression of bone sarcomas (BS) and soft tissue sarcomas (STS). PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors have shown promising preclinical and clinical activity in various cancers. These agents can inhibit the activation of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR, thereby reducing the downstream signaling events that promote tumor growth and survival. In addition, PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors have been shown to enhance the efficacy of other anticancer therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The different types of PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors vary in their specificity, potency, and side effect profiles and may be effective depending on the specific sarcoma type and stage. The molecular targeting of PI3K/Akt/mToR pathway using drugs, phytochemicals, nanomaterials (NMs), and microbe-derived molecules as Pan-PI3K inhibitors, selective PI3K inhibitors, and dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors have been delineated. While there are still challenges to be addressed, the preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that these inhibitors may significantly improve patient outcomes. Further research is needed to understand the potential of these inhibitors as sarcoma therapeutics and to continue developing more selective and effective agents to meet the clinical needs of sarcoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atif Khurshid Wani
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar (144411), Punjab, India
| | - Reena Singh
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar (144411), Punjab, India
| | - Nahid Akhtar
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar (144411), Punjab, India
| | - Ajit Prakash
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Eugenie Nepovimova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Patrik Oleksak
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Zofia Chrienova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Suliman Alomar
- King Saud University, Zoology Department, College of Science, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Chirag Chopra
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar (144411), Punjab, India
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czechia
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Králové, Czechia
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Salucci S, Bavelloni A, Stella AB, Fabbri F, Vannini I, Piazzi M, Volkava K, Scotlandi K, Martinelli G, Faenza I, Blalock W. The Cytotoxic Effect of Curcumin in Rhabdomyosarcoma Is Associated with the Modulation of AMPK, AKT/mTOR, STAT, and p53 Signaling. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15030740. [PMID: 36771452 PMCID: PMC9920154 DOI: 10.3390/nu15030740] [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: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately 7% of cancers arising in children and 1% of those arising in adults are soft tissue sarcomas (STS). Of these malignancies, rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common. RMS survival rates using current therapeutic protocols have remained largely unchanged in the past decade. Thus, it is imperative that the main molecular drivers in RMS tumorigenesis are defined so that more precise, effective, and less toxic therapies can be designed. Curcumin, a common herbal supplement derived from plants of the Curcuma longa species, has an exceptionally low dietary biotoxicity profile and has demonstrated anti-tumorigenic benefits in vitro. In this study, the anti-tumorigenic activity of curcumin was assessed in rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines and used to identify the major pathways responsible for curcumin's anti-tumorigenic effects. Curcumin treatment resulted in cell cycle arrest, inhibited cell migration and colony forming potential, and induced apoptotic cell death. Proteome profiler array analysis demonstrated that curcumin treatment primarily influenced flux through the AKT-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), AMP-dependent kinase (AMPK), and p53 associated pathways in a rhabdomyosarcoma subtype-specific manner. Thus, the strategic, combinational therapeutic targeting of these pathways may present the best option to treat this group of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Salucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie (DIBINEM), Università di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto Bavelloni
- Laboratorio di Oncologia Sperimentale, IRCCS, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Bartoletti Stella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale (DIMES), Università di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Fabbri
- Laboratorio di Bioscienze, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
| | - Ivan Vannini
- Laboratorio di Bioscienze, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
| | - Manuela Piazzi
- ‘‘Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza’’ Istituto di Genetica Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerca (IGM-CNR), 40136 Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Karyna Volkava
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie (FABIT), Università di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Katia Scotlandi
- Laboratorio di Oncologia Sperimentale, IRCCS, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinelli
- Laboratorio di Bioscienze, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
| | - Irene Faenza
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie (DIBINEM), Università di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: (I.F.); (W.B.)
| | - William Blalock
- ‘‘Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza’’ Istituto di Genetica Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerca (IGM-CNR), 40136 Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: (I.F.); (W.B.)
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Targeting Class I-II-III PI3Ks in Cancer Therapy: Recent Advances in Tumor Biology and Preclinical Research. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030784. [PMID: 36765741 PMCID: PMC9913247 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) enzymes, producing signaling phosphoinositides at plasma and intracellular membranes, are key in intracellular signaling and vesicular trafficking pathways. PI3K is a family of eight enzymes divided into three classes with various functions in physiology and largely deregulated in cancer. Here, we will review the recent evidence obtained during the last 5 years on the roles of PI3K class I, II and III isoforms in tumor biology and on the anti-tumoral action of PI3K inhibitors in preclinical cancer models. The dependency of tumors to PI3K isoforms is dictated by both genetics and context (e.g., the microenvironment). The understanding of class II/III isoforms in cancer development and progression remains scarce. Nonetheless, the limited available data are consistent and reveal that there is an interdependency between the pathways controlled by all PI3K class members in their role to promote cancer cell proliferation, survival, growth, migration and metabolism. It is unknown whether this feature contributes to partial treatment failure with isoform-selective PI3K inhibitors. Hence, a better understanding of class II/III functions to efficiently inhibit their positive and negative interactions with class I PI3Ks is needed. This research will provide the proof-of-concept to develop combination treatment strategies targeting several PI3K isoforms simultaneously.
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Salucci S, Bartoletti-Stella A, Bavelloni A, Aramini B, Blalock WL, Fabbri F, Vannini I, Sambri V, Stella F, Faenza I. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), a Mediterranean Diet Component, in the Management of Muscle Mass and Function Preservation. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14173567. [PMID: 36079827 PMCID: PMC9459997 DOI: 10.3390/nu14173567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging results in a progressive decline in skeletal muscle mass, strength and function, a condition known as sarcopenia. This pathological condition is due to multifactorial processes including physical inactivity, inflammation, oxidative stress, hormonal changes, and nutritional intake. Physical therapy remains the standard approach to treat sarcopenia, although some interventions based on dietary supplementation are in clinical development. In this context, thanks to its known anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, there is great interest in using extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) supplementation to promote muscle mass and health in sarcopenic patients. To date, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the pathological changes associated with sarcopenia remain undefined; however, a complete understanding of the signaling pathways that regulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis and their behavior during sarcopenia appears vital for defining how EVOO might attenuate muscle wasting during aging. This review highlights the main molecular players that control skeletal muscle mass, with particular regard to sarcopenia, and discusses, based on the more recent findings, the potential of EVOO in delaying/preventing loss of muscle mass and function, with the aim of stimulating further research to assess dietary supplementation with EVOO as an approach to prevent or delay sarcopenia in aging individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Salucci
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Anna Bartoletti-Stella
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto Bavelloni
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Beatrice Aramini
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES of the Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, G.B. Morgagni-L. Pierantoni Hospital, 47121 Forlì, Italy
| | - William L. Blalock
- “Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza” Istituto di Genetica Molecolare-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IGM-CNR), 40136 Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Fabbri
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
| | - Ivan Vannini
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
| | - Vittorio Sambri
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Unit of Microbiology, Greater Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy
| | - Franco Stella
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES of the Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, G.B. Morgagni-L. Pierantoni Hospital, 47121 Forlì, Italy
| | - Irene Faenza
- Cellular Signalling Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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