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Xing YL, Panovska D, Petritsch CK. Successes and challenges in modeling heterogeneous BRAF V600E mutated central nervous system neoplasms. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1223199. [PMID: 37920169 PMCID: PMC10619673 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1223199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms are difficult to treat due to their sensitive location. Over the past two decades, the availability of patient tumor materials facilitated large scale genomic and epigenomic profiling studies, which have resulted in detailed insights into the molecular underpinnings of CNS tumorigenesis. Based on results from these studies, CNS tumors have high molecular and cellular intra-tumoral and inter-tumoral heterogeneity. CNS cancer models have yet to reflect the broad diversity of CNS tumors and patients and the lack of such faithful cancer models represents a major bottleneck to urgently needed innovations in CNS cancer treatment. Pediatric cancer model development is lagging behind adult tumor model development, which is why we focus this review on CNS tumors mutated for BRAFV600E which are more prevalent in the pediatric patient population. BRAFV600E-mutated CNS tumors exhibit high inter-tumoral heterogeneity, encompassing clinically and histopathological diverse tumor types. Moreover, BRAFV600E is the second most common alteration in pediatric low-grade CNS tumors, and low-grade tumors are notoriously difficult to recapitulate in vitro and in vivo. Although the mutation predominates in low-grade CNS tumors, when combined with other mutations, most commonly CDKN2A deletion, BRAFV600E-mutated CNS tumors are prone to develop high-grade features, and therefore BRAFV600E-mutated CNS are a paradigm for tumor progression. Here, we describe existing in vitro and in vivo models of BRAFV600E-mutated CNS tumors, including patient-derived cell lines, patient-derived xenografts, syngeneic models, and genetically engineered mouse models, along with their advantages and shortcomings. We discuss which research gaps each model might be best suited to answer, and identify those areas in model development that need to be strengthened further. We highlight areas of potential research focus that will lead to the heightened predictive capacity of preclinical studies, allow for appropriate validation, and ultimately improve the success of "bench to bedside" translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Claudia K. Petritsch
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
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Pallara C, Cabot D, Rivas J, Brun S, Seco J, Abuasaker B, Tarragó T, Jaumot M, Prades R, Agell N. Peptidomimetics designed to bind to RAS effector domain are promising cancer therapeutic compounds. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15810. [PMID: 36138080 PMCID: PMC9499927 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19703-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic RAS proteins are important for driving tumour formation, and for maintenance of the transformed phenotype, and thus their relevance as a cancer therapeutic target is undeniable. We focused here on obtaining peptidomimetics, which have good pharmacological properties, to block Ras–effector interaction. Computational analysis was used to identify hot spots of RAS relevant for these interactions and to screen a library of peptidomimetics. Nine compounds were synthesized and assayed for their activity as RAS inhibitors in cultured cells. Most of them induced a reduction in ERK and AKT activation by EGF, a marker of RAS activity. The most potent inhibitor disrupted Raf and PI3K interaction with oncogenic KRAS, corroborating its mechanism of action as an inhibitor of protein–protein interactions, and thus validating our computational methodology. Most interestingly, improvement of one of the compounds allowed us to obtain a peptidomimetic that decreased the survival of pancreatic cancer cell lines harbouring oncogenic KRAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Pallara
- Iproteos S.L., Barcelona Science Park, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Debora Cabot
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, C/Casanova 143, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Rivas
- Iproteos S.L., Barcelona Science Park, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sonia Brun
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, C/Casanova 143, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Seco
- Iproteos S.L., Barcelona Science Park, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Baraa Abuasaker
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, C/Casanova 143, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Teresa Tarragó
- Iproteos S.L., Barcelona Science Park, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montserrat Jaumot
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, C/Casanova 143, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roger Prades
- Iproteos S.L., Barcelona Science Park, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Neus Agell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, C/Casanova 143, 08036, Barcelona, Spain. .,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.
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Sakuma S, Raices M, Borlido J, Guglielmi V, Zhu EYS, D'Angelo MA. Inhibition of Nuclear Pore Complex Formation Selectively Induces Cancer Cell Death. Cancer Discov 2020; 11:176-193. [PMID: 32988961 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-0581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear pore complexes (NPC) are the central mediators of nucleocytoplasmic transport. Increasing evidence shows that many cancer cells have increased numbers of NPCs and become addicted to the nuclear transport machinery. How reducing NPC numbers affects the physiology of normal and cancer cells and whether it could be exploited for cancer therapies has not been investigated. We report that inhibition of NPC formation, a process mostly restricted to proliferating cells, causes selective cancer cell death, prevents tumor growth, and induces tumor regression. Although cancer cells die in response to NPC assembly inhibition, normal cells undergo a reversible cell-cycle arrest that allows them to survive. Mechanistically, reducing NPC numbers results in multiple alterations contributing to cancer cell death, including abnormalities in nuclear transport, catastrophic alterations in gene expression, and the selective accumulation of DNA damage. Our findings uncover the NPC formation process as a novel targetable pathway in cancer cells. SIGNIFICANCE: Reducing NPC numbers in cancer cells induces death, prevents tumor growth, and results in tumor regression. Conversely, normal cells undergo a reversible cell-cycle arrest in response to inhibition of NPC assembly. These findings expose the potential of targeting NPC formation in cancer.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Sakuma
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California. NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Marcela Raices
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California. NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Joana Borlido
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California. NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Valeria Guglielmi
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California. NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Ethan Y S Zhu
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California. NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Maximiliano A D'Angelo
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California. NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California.
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Afrang N, Honardoost M. Cell cycle regulatory markers in melanoma: New strategies in diagnosis and treatment. Med J Islam Repub Iran 2019; 33:96. [PMID: 31696090 PMCID: PMC6825388 DOI: 10.34171/mjiri.33.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Melanoma has been known as an aggressive type of skin cancer in recent years. Reports have distributed the spread rate of melanoma among white skin populations. Also, many studies have mentioned several causes of melanoma. Ultraviolet radiation was represented to be the most important reason for occurrence of melanoma. However, recent studies have found that a combination of factors, such as environmental and genetic factors, can contribute to occurrence of various cancers, specifically melanoma. Methods: Different studies have been conducted on the efficacy of genetic disorders in melanoma. These surveys marked the key role of specific biomarkers in molecular and cellular processes, and investigations have found the expression of several genes in these processes. In addition, aberrant expression of these genes due to mutation and methylation can affect the whole process. Results: The expression process of these genes is regulated by microRNAs. These new biomolecules have been considered as negative regulators because of managing molecular and cellular processes. MicroRNAs are small conserved regulators attached to their targets leading to rearrangement of gene expression. Adherence of these noncoding RNAs can cause mRNA degradation or inhibit its translation. Conclusion: Recently, the application of specific genes in melanoma has been studied. In this review, the way melanoma is regulated because of these biomarkers and their demand through cell cycle in diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic periods was considered. Keywords: Melanoma, Biomarkers, Cell cycle, Biomolecules
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Affiliation(s)
- Negin Afrang
- Endocrine Research Center, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Honardoost
- Endocrine Research Center, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Hou R, Wu L, Wang J, Yang Z, Tu Q, Zhang X, Huang N. Surface-Degradable Drug-Eluting Stent with Anticoagulation, Antiproliferation, and Endothelialization Functions. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9020069. [PMID: 30781704 PMCID: PMC6406385 DOI: 10.3390/biom9020069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug-eluting stents (DES) have been widely applied for saving the life of patients with coronary artery diseases (CADs). However, conventional polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA) and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), which are widely applied for drug-eluting stents studies, have serious bulk erosion problems, like high local acidity and poor mechanical properties. Instead, we chose surface erosion polymer poly (1, 3-trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) as a drug carrier in this study. Here, we fabricated and characterized a novel durable-polymer drug-eluting 316 L stainless steel (SS) stent, in which the inner surface was coated with a Ti–O film using the magnetron sputtering method to promote the growth of endothelial cells (ECs). On the outer layer of the stent, first, a Ti–O film was deposited and, then, on top of it a rapamycin-loaded PTMC coat was deposited using the ultrasonic atomization spray method. This dual coating inhibited the migration and expansion of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The drug coating also inhibited the adhesion/activation of platelets. In tests on dogs, it was found the novel stent promoted re-endothelialization and reduced restenosis, in contrast to the plain SS stent. Thus, the novel stent may have promise for use in treating patients with CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixia Hou
- Department of Anatomy and Histology and Embryology, Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China.
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology of Materials of Education Ministry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China.
| | - Leigang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology of Materials of Education Ministry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China.
| | - Jin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology of Materials of Education Ministry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China.
| | - Zhilu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology of Materials of Education Ministry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China.
| | - Qiufen Tu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology of Materials of Education Ministry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China.
| | - Xingcai Zhang
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | - Nan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology of Materials of Education Ministry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China.
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