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Tardito S, Matis S, Zocchi MR, Benelli R, Poggi A. Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Targeting in Colorectal Carcinoma: Antibodies and Patient-Derived Organoids as a Smart Model to Study Therapy Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7131. [PMID: 39000238 PMCID: PMC11241078 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Therefore, the need for new therapeutic strategies is still a challenge. Surgery and chemotherapy represent the first-line interventions; nevertheless, the prognosis for metastatic CRC (mCRC) patients remains unacceptable. An important step towards targeted therapy came from the inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway, by the anti-EGFR antibody, Cetuximab, or by specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). Cetuximab, a mouse-human chimeric monoclonal antibody (mAb), binds to the extracellular domain of EGFR thus impairing EGFR-mediated signaling and reducing cell proliferation. TKI can affect the EGFR biochemical pathway at different steps along the signaling cascade. Apart from Cetuximab, other anti-EGFR mAbs have been developed, such as Panitumumab. Both antibodies have been approved for the treatment of KRAS-NRAS wild type mCRC, alone or in combination with chemotherapy. These antibodies display strong differences in activating the host immune system against CRC, due to their different immunoglobulin isotypes. Although anti-EGFR antibodies are efficient, drug resistance occurs with high frequency. Resistant tumor cell populations can either already be present before therapy or develop later by biochemical adaptations or new genomic mutations in the EGFR pathway. Numerous efforts have been made to improve the efficacy of the anti-EGFR mAbs or to find new agents that are able to block downstream EGFR signaling cascade molecules. Indeed, we examined the importance of analyzing the anti-EGFR antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) developed to overcome resistance and/or stimulate the tumor host's immunity against CRC growth. Also, patient-derived CRC organoid cultures represent a useful and feasible in vitro model to study tumor behavior and therapy response. Organoids can reflect tumor genetic heterogeneity found in the tissue of origin, representing a unique tool for personalized medicine. Thus, CRC-derived organoid cultures are a smart model for studying the tumor microenvironment and for the preclinical assay of anti-EGFR drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuele Tardito
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA;
| | - Serena Matis
- Molecular Oncology and Angiogenesis Unit, IRRCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Maria Raffaella Zocchi
- Department of Immunology, Transplant and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS Scientific Institute San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Roberto Benelli
- Molecular Oncology and Angiogenesis Unit, IRRCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Poggi
- Molecular Oncology and Angiogenesis Unit, IRRCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
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Alhasan B, Mikeladze M, Guzhova I, Margulis B. Autophagy, molecular chaperones, and unfolded protein response as promoters of tumor recurrence. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:217-254. [PMID: 36723697 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10085-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Tumor recurrence is a paradoxical function of a machinery, whereby a small proportion of the cancer cell population enters a resistant, dormant state, persists long-term in this condition, and then transitions to proliferation. The dormant phenotype is typical of cancer stem cells, tumor-initiating cells, disseminated tumor cells, and drug-tolerant persisters, which all demonstrate similar or even equivalent properties. Cancer cell dormancy and its conversion to repopulation are regulated by several protein signaling systems that inhibit or induce cell proliferation and provide optimal interrelations between cancer cells and their special niche; these systems act in close connection with tumor microenvironment and immune response mechanisms. During dormancy and reawakening periods, cell proteostasis machineries, autophagy, molecular chaperones, and the unfolded protein response are recruited to protect refractory tumor cells from a wide variety of stressors and therapeutic insults. Proteostasis mechanisms functionally or even physically interfere with the main regulators of tumor relapse, and the significance of these interactions and implications in the tumor recurrence phases are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashar Alhasan
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, 194064, St. Petersburg, Russia.
| | - Marina Mikeladze
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, 194064, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Irina Guzhova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, 194064, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Boris Margulis
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, 194064, St. Petersburg, Russia
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Abi Zamer B, El-Huneidi W, Eladl MA, Muhammad JS. Ins and Outs of Heat Shock Proteins in Colorectal Carcinoma: Its Role in Carcinogenesis and Therapeutic Perspectives. Cells 2021; 10:cells10112862. [PMID: 34831085 PMCID: PMC8616065 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells can reprogram their metabolic activities and undergo uncontrolled proliferation by utilizing the power of heat shock proteins (HSPs). HSPs are highly conserved chaperones that facilitate the folding of intracellular proteins under stress. Constitutively, HSPs are expressed at low levels, but their expression upregulates in response to a wide variety of insults, including anticancer drugs, allowing cancer cells to develop chemoresistance. In recent years, several researchers have reported that HSPs could be an important therapeutic target in difficult-to-treat cancers such as colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Worldwide, CRC is the second most common type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The molecular complexity of CRC and the coexisting inflammatory conditions present a significant obstacle to developing effective treatment. Recently, considerable progress has been made in enhancing our understanding of the role of HSPs in CRC pathogenesis. Moreover, novel therapeutic strategies targeting HSPs, either alone or in combination with other anticancer agents, have been reported. Herein, we present an overview of the functional mechanisms and the diagnostic and prognostic potential of HSPs in CRC. We also discuss emerging anti-CRC strategies based on targeting HSPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Batoul Abi Zamer
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; (B.A.Z.); (W.E.-H.); (M.A.E.)
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Waseem El-Huneidi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; (B.A.Z.); (W.E.-H.); (M.A.E.)
| | - Mohamed Ahmed Eladl
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; (B.A.Z.); (W.E.-H.); (M.A.E.)
| | - Jibran Sualeh Muhammad
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; (B.A.Z.); (W.E.-H.); (M.A.E.)
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +971-6-5057293
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Ten Hoorn S, Sommeijer DW, Elliott F, Fisher D, de Back TR, Trinh A, Koens L, Maughan T, Seligmann J, Seymour MT, Quirke P, Adams R, Richman SD, Punt CJA, Vermeulen L. Molecular subtype-specific efficacy of anti-EGFR therapy in colorectal cancer is dependent on the chemotherapy backbone. Br J Cancer 2021; 125:1080-1088. [PMID: 34253874 PMCID: PMC8505637 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01477-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient selection for addition of anti-EGFR therapy to chemotherapy for patients with RAS and BRAF wildtype metastatic colorectal cancer can still be optimised. Here we investigate the effect of anti-EGFR therapy on survival in different consensus molecular subtypes (CMSs) and stratified by primary tumour location. METHODS Retrospective analyses, using the immunohistochemistry-based CMS classifier, were performed in the COIN (first-line oxaliplatin backbone with or without cetuximab) and PICCOLO trial (second-line irinotecan with or without panitumumab). Tumour tissue was available for 323 patients (20%) and 349 (41%), respectively. RESULTS When using an irinotecan backbone, anti-EGFR therapy is effective in both CMS2/3 and CMS4 in left-sided primary tumours (progression-free survival (PFS): HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.26-0.75, P = 0.003 and HR 0.12, 95% CI 0.04-0.36, P < 0.001, respectively) and in CMS4 right-sided tumours (PFS HR 0.17, 95% CI 0.04-0.71, P = 0.02). Efficacy using an oxaliplatin backbone was restricted to left-sided CMS2/3 tumours (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.36-0.96, P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS The subtype-specific efficacy of anti-EGFR therapy is dependent on the chemotherapy backbone. This may provide the possibility of subtype-specific treatment strategies for a more optimal use of anti-EGFR therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne Ten Hoorn
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dirkje W Sommeijer
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Flevohospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Almere, The Netherlands
| | - Faye Elliott
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - David Fisher
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, London, UK
| | - Tim R de Back
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Trinh
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lianne Koens
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tim Maughan
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jenny Seligmann
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Matthew T Seymour
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Phil Quirke
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Richard Adams
- Centre for Trials Research Cardiff University and Velindre Hospital, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Susan D Richman
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Cornelis J A Punt
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Louis Vermeulen
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Oncode Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Liu Z, Liu Y, Long Y, Liu B, Wang X. Role of HSP27 in the multidrug sensitivity and resistance of colon cancer cells. Oncol Lett 2020; 19:2021-2027. [PMID: 32194698 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Multidrug resistance in cancer cells is a primary factor affecting therapeutic efficacy. Heat shock 27 kD protein 1 (HSP27) is associated with cell apoptosis and resistance to chemotherapy. However, the mechanisms underlying HSP27-associated pathways in colon cancer cells remain unclear. Therefore, the present study used short hairpin (sh) RNA to inhibit HSP27 expression in colon cancer cells in order to investigate the effects in vitro and in vivo. Flow cytometry was used to investigate cell apoptosis and a xenograft model was employed to examine the tumorigenesis. Protein expression was measured by Western blotting. The results revealed that suppression of HSP27 expression significantly increased cell apoptosis, inhibited tumor growth and enhanced sensitivity to the anti-cancer agents 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and vincristine (VCR). shHSP27 significantly decreased the expression of notch receptor 1 and the phosphorylation level of Akt and mTOR, and enhanced the effect of 5-FU and VCR. In conclusion, HSP27 suppression enhanced the sensitivity of colon cancer cells to 5-FU and VCR, and increased colon cancer cell apoptosis with and without chemotherapy. Therefore, the development of novel therapeutic agents that inhibit the expression of HSP27 may offer a new treatment option for colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyong Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, P.R. China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Information, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, P.R. China
| | - Yupeng Long
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Army 958 Hospital of The Chinese People's Liberation Army, Chongqing 400020, P.R. China
| | - Baohua Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, P.R. China
| | - Xiangfeng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, P.R. China
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Soleimani A, Jalili‐Nik M, Avan A, Ferns GA, Khazaei M, Hassanian SM. The role of HSP27 in the development of drug resistance of gastrointestinal malignancies: Current status and perspectives. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:8241-8248. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Atena Soleimani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran
| | - Mohammad Jalili‐Nik
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran
| | - Amir Avan
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran
- Department of Modern Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Medicine Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran
| | - Gordon A. Ferns
- Division of Medical Education Brighton & Sussex Medical School, University of Brighton Brighton UK
| | - Majid Khazaei
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran
| | - Seyed Mahdi Hassanian
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran
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