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Yi M, Li T, Niu M, Zhang H, Wu Y, Wu K, Dai Z. Targeting cytokine and chemokine signaling pathways for cancer therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:176. [PMID: 39034318 PMCID: PMC11275440 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01868-3] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Cytokines are critical in regulating immune responses and cellular behavior, playing dual roles in both normal physiology and the pathology of diseases such as cancer. These molecules, including interleukins, interferons, tumor necrosis factors, chemokines, and growth factors like TGF-β, VEGF, and EGF, can promote or inhibit tumor growth, influence the tumor microenvironment, and impact the efficacy of cancer treatments. Recent advances in targeting these pathways have shown promising therapeutic potential, offering new strategies to modulate the immune system, inhibit tumor progression, and overcome resistance to conventional therapies. In this review, we summarized the current understanding and therapeutic implications of targeting cytokine and chemokine signaling pathways in cancer. By exploring the roles of these molecules in tumor biology and the immune response, we highlighted the development of novel therapeutic agents aimed at modulating these pathways to combat cancer. The review elaborated on the dual nature of cytokines as both promoters and suppressors of tumorigenesis, depending on the context, and discussed the challenges and opportunities this presents for therapeutic intervention. We also examined the latest advancements in targeted therapies, including monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, receptor inhibitors, fusion proteins, engineered cytokine variants, and their impact on tumor growth, metastasis, and the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, we evaluated the potential of combining these targeted therapies with other treatment modalities to overcome resistance and improve patient outcomes. Besides, we also focused on the ongoing research and clinical trials that are pivotal in advancing our understanding and application of cytokine- and chemokine-targeted therapies for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yi
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianye Li
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengke Niu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoxiang Zhang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuze Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhijun Dai
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, People's Republic of China.
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Wahoski CC, Singh B. The Roles of RAC1 and RAC1B in Colorectal Cancer and Their Potential Contribution to Cetuximab Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2472. [PMID: 39001533 PMCID: PMC11240352 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16132472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most diagnosed cancers and a leading contributor to cancer-related deaths in the United States. Clinically, standard treatment regimens include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy; however, there has been increasing development and clinical use of targeted therapies for CRC. Unfortunately, many patients develop resistance to these treatments. Cetuximab, the first targeted therapy approved to treat advanced CRC, is a monoclonal antibody that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor and inhibits downstream pathway activation to restrict tumor cell growth and proliferation. CRC resistance to cetuximab has been well studied, and common resistance mechanisms include constitutive signal transduction through downstream protein mutations and promotion of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. While the most common resistance mechanisms are known, a proportion of patients develop resistance through unknown mechanisms. One protein predicted to contribute to therapy resistance is RAC1, a small GTPase that is involved in cytoskeleton rearrangement, cell migration, motility, and proliferation. RAC1 has also been shown to be overexpressed in CRC. Despite evidence that RAC1 and its alternative splice isoform RAC1B play important roles in CRC and the pathways known to contribute to cetuximab resistance, there is a need to directly study the relationship between RAC1 and RAC1B and cetuximab resistance. This review highlights the recent studies investigating RAC1 and RAC1B in the context of CRC and suggests that these proteins could play a role in resistance to cetuximab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia C. Wahoski
- Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Bhuminder Singh
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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High P, Guernsey C, Subramanian S, Jacob J, Carmon KS. The Evolving Paradigm of Antibody-Drug Conjugates Targeting the ErbB/HER Family of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:890. [PMID: 39065587 PMCID: PMC11279420 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16070890] [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: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Current therapies targeting the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), are limited by drug resistance and systemic toxicities. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are one of the most rapidly expanding classes of anti-cancer therapeutics with 13 presently approved by the FDA. Importantly, ADCs represent a promising therapeutic option with the potential to overcome traditional HER-targeted therapy resistance by delivering highly potent cytotoxins specifically to HER-overexpressing cancer cells and exerting both mAb- and payload-mediated antitumor efficacy. The clinical utility of HER-targeted ADCs is exemplified by the immense success of HER2-targeted ADCs including trastuzumab emtansine and trastuzumab deruxtecan. Still, strategies to improve upon existing HER2-targeted ADCs as well as the development of ADCs against other HER family members, particularly EGFR and HER3, are of great interest. To date, no HER4-targeting ADCs have been reported. In this review, we extensively detail clinical-stage EGFR-, HER2-, and HER3-targeting monospecific ADCs as well as novel clinical and pre-clinical bispecific ADCs (bsADCs) directed against this receptor family. We close by discussing nascent trends in the development of HER-targeting ADCs, including novel ADC payloads and HER ligand-targeted ADCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peyton High
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (P.H.); (C.G.); (S.S.); (J.J.)
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Cara Guernsey
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (P.H.); (C.G.); (S.S.); (J.J.)
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shraddha Subramanian
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (P.H.); (C.G.); (S.S.); (J.J.)
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and UTHealth Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Joan Jacob
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (P.H.); (C.G.); (S.S.); (J.J.)
| | - Kendra S. Carmon
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (P.H.); (C.G.); (S.S.); (J.J.)
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4
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Zhang X, Zhou W, Wu C, Jiang J, Guo Q, Feng L, Cheng X, Zhang X. Cetuximab inhibits colorectal cancer development through inactivating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and modulating PLCB3 expression. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10642. [PMID: 38724565 PMCID: PMC11081956 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59676-2] [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: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) often necessitates cetuximab (an EGFR-targeting monoclonal antibody) for treatment. Despite its clinical utility, the specific operative mechanism of cetuximab remains elusive. This research investigated the influence of PLCB3, a potential CRC oncogene, on cetuximab treatment. We extracted differentially expressed genes from the GSE140973, the overlapping genes combined with 151 Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway-related genes were identified. Then, we conducted bioinformatics analysis to pinpoint the hub gene. Subsequently, we investigated the clinical expression characteristics of this hub gene, through cell experimental, scrutinized the impact of cetuximab and PLCB3 on CRC cellular progression. The study identified 26 overlapping genes. High expression of PLCB3, correlated with poorer prognosis. PLCB3 emerged as a significant oncogene associated with patient prognosis. In vitro tests revealed that cetuximab exerted a cytotoxic effect on CRC cells, with PLCB3 knockdown inhibiting CRC cell progression. Furthermore, cetuximab treatment led to a reduction in both β-catenin and PLCB3 expression, while simultaneously augmenting E-cadherin expression. These findings revealed PLCB3 promoted cetuximab inhibition on Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Finally, simultaneous application of cetuximab with a Wnt activator (IM12) and PLCB3 demonstrated inhibited CRC proliferation, migration, and invasion. The study emphasized the pivotal role of PLCB3 in CRC and its potential to enhance the efficacy of cetuximab treatment. Furthermore, cetuximab suppressed Wnt/β-catenin pathway to modulate PLCB3 expression, thus inhibiting colorectal cancer progression. This study offered fresh perspectives on cetuximab mechanism in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Zhang
- Fengxian District Center Hospital Graduate Student Training Base, Jinzhou Medical University, No. 6600 Nanfeng Road, Shanghai, 201499, China
- Endoscopy Center, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, No. 170 Xinsong Road, Shanghai, 201199, China
| | - Wenming Zhou
- Endoscopy Center, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, No. 170 Xinsong Road, Shanghai, 201199, China
| | - Chenqu Wu
- Endoscopy Center, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, No. 170 Xinsong Road, Shanghai, 201199, China
| | - Jun Jiang
- Endoscopy Center, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, No. 170 Xinsong Road, Shanghai, 201199, China
| | - Qianqian Guo
- Fengxian District Center Hospital Graduate Student Training Base, Jinzhou Medical University, No. 6600 Nanfeng Road, Shanghai, 201499, China
| | - Li Feng
- Endoscopy Center, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, No. 170 Xinsong Road, Shanghai, 201199, China.
| | - Xun Cheng
- Endoscopy Center, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, No. 170 Xinsong Road, Shanghai, 201199, China.
| | - Xingxing Zhang
- Fengxian District Center Hospital Graduate Student Training Base, Jinzhou Medical University, No. 6600 Nanfeng Road, Shanghai, 201499, China.
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People Hospital South Campus, No. 6600 Nanfeng Road, Shanghai, 201499, China.
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Tang NC, Su JC, Shmidov Y, Kelly G, Deshpande S, Sirohi P, Peterson N, Chilkoti A. Synthetic intrinsically disordered protein fusion tags that enhance protein solubility. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3727. [PMID: 38697982 PMCID: PMC11066018 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47519-7] [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: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
We report the de novo design of small (<20 kDa) and highly soluble synthetic intrinsically disordered proteins (SynIDPs) that confer solubility to a fusion partner with minimal effect on the activity of the fused protein. To identify highly soluble SynIDPs, we create a pooled gene-library utilizing a one-pot gene synthesis technology to create a large library of repetitive genes that encode SynIDPs. We identify three small (<20 kDa) and highly soluble SynIDPs from this gene library that lack secondary structure and have high solvation. Recombinant fusion of these SynIDPs to three known inclusion body forming proteins rescue their soluble expression and do not impede the activity of the fusion partner, thereby eliminating the need for removal of the SynIDP tag. These findings highlight the utility of SynIDPs as solubility tags, as they promote the soluble expression of proteins in E. coli and are small, unstructured proteins that minimally interfere with the biological activity of the fused protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas C Tang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Jonathan C Su
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Yulia Shmidov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Garrett Kelly
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Sonal Deshpande
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Parul Sirohi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Nikhil Peterson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Ashutosh Chilkoti
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
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Schauenburg D, Gao B, Rochet LNC, Schüler D, Coelho JAS, Ng DYW, Chudasama V, Kuan SL, Weil T. Macrocyclic Dual-Locked "Turn-On" Drug for Selective and Traceless Release in Cancer Cells. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202314143. [PMID: 38179812 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202314143] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Drug safety and efficacy due to premature release into the bloodstream and poor biodistribution remains a problem despite seminal advances in this area. To circumvent these limitations, we report drug cyclization based on dynamic covalent linkages to devise a dual lock for the small-molecule anticancer drug, camptothecin (CPT). Drug activity is "locked" within the cyclic structure by the redox responsive disulfide and pH-responsive boronic acid-salicylhydroxamate and turns on only in the presence of acidic pH, reactive oxygen species and glutathione through traceless release. Notably, the dual-responsive CPT is more active (100-fold) than the non-cleavable (permanently closed) analogue. We further include a bioorthogonal handle in the backbone for functionalization to generate cyclic-locked, cell-targeting peptide- and protein-CPTs, for targeted delivery of the drug and traceless release in triple negative metastatic breast cancer cells to inhibit cell growth at low nanomolar concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Schauenburg
- Synthesis of Macromolecules, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Bingjie Gao
- Synthesis of Macromolecules, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Léa N C Rochet
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Darijan Schüler
- Synthesis of Macromolecules, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jaime A S Coelho
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - David Y W Ng
- Synthesis of Macromolecules, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Vijay Chudasama
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Seah Ling Kuan
- Synthesis of Macromolecules, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry I, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tanja Weil
- Synthesis of Macromolecules, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry I, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
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Eid NM, Al-Karmalawy AA, Eldebss TMA, Elhakim HKA. Investigating the Promising Anticancer Activity of Cetuximab and Fenbendazole Combination as Dual CBS and VEGFR-2 Inhibitors and Endowed with Apoptotic Potential. Chem Biodivers 2024; 21:e202302081. [PMID: 38318954 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202302081] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
In this work, the cytotoxicity of monoclonal antibody (Cetuximab, Ce) and Fenbendazole (Fen), as well as their combination therapy were tested with the MTT assay. On the other side, Ce, Fen, and a combination between them were subjected to a colchicine-tubulin binding test, which was conducted and compared to Colchicine as a reference standard. Besides, Ce, Fen, and the combination of them were tested against the VEGFR-2 target receptor, compared to Sorafenib as the standard medication. Moreover, the qRT-PCR technique was used to investigate the levels of apoptotic genes (p53 and Bax) and anti-apoptotic gene (Bcl-2) as well. Also, the effect of Ce, Fen, and the combination of them on the level of ROS was studied. Furthermore, the cell cycle analysis and Annexin V apoptosis assay were carried out for Ce, Fen, and a combination of them. In addition, the molecular docking studies were used to describe the molecular levels of interactions for both (Fen and colchicine) or (Fen and sorafenib) within the binding pockets of the colchicine binding site (CBS) and vascular endothelial growth factor-2 receptor (VEGFR-2), respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norhan M Eid
- Biochemistry Division, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A Al-Karmalawy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University-Egypt, New Damietta, 34518, Egypt
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University, 6th of October City, Giza, 12566, Egypt
| | - Taha M A Eldebss
- Chemistry Division, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt
| | - Heba K A Elhakim
- Biochemistry Division, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt
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Sankar AP, Cho HM, Shin SU, Sneh T, Ramakrishnan S, Elledge C, Zhang Y, Das R, Gil-Henn H, Rosenblatt JD. Antibody-Drug Conjugate αEGFR-E-P125A Reduces Triple-negative Breast Cancer Vasculogenic Mimicry, Motility, and Metastasis through Inhibition of EGFR, Integrin, and FAK/STAT3 Signaling. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:738-756. [PMID: 38315147 PMCID: PMC10926898 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Primary tumor growth and metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) require supporting vasculature, which develop through a combination of endothelial angiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry (VM), a process associated with aggressive metastatic behavior in which vascular-like structures are lined by tumor cells. We developed αEGFR-E-P125A, an antibody-endostatin fusion protein that delivers a dimeric, mutant endostatin (E-P125A) payload that inhibits TNBC angiogenesis and VM in vitro and in vivo. To characterize the mechanisms associated with induction and inhibition of VM, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of MDA-MB-231-4175 TNBC cells grown in a monolayer (two-dimensional) was compared with cells plated on Matrigel undergoing VM [three-dimensional (3D)]. We then compared RNA-seq between TNBC cells in 3D and cells in 3D with VM inhibited by αEGFR-E-P125A (EGFR-E-P125A). Gene set enrichment analysis demonstrated that VM induction activated the IL6-JAK-STAT3 and angiogenesis pathways, which were downregulated by αEGFR-E-P125A treatment.Correlative analysis of the phosphoproteome demonstrated decreased EGFR phosphorylation at Y1069, along with decreased phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase Y397 and STAT3 Y705 sites downstream of α5β1 integrin. Suppression of phosphorylation events downstream of EGFR and α5β1 integrin demonstrated that αEGFR-E-P125A interferes with ligand-receptor activation, inhibits VM, and overcomes oncogenic signaling associated with EGFR and α5β1 integrin cross-talk. In vivo, αEGFR-E-P125A treatment decreased primary tumor growth and VM, reduced lung metastasis, and confirmed the inhibition of signaling events observed in vitro. Simultaneous inhibition of EGFR and α5β1 integrin signaling by αEGFR-E-P125A is a promising strategy for the inhibition of VM, tumor growth, motility, and metastasis in TNBC and other EGFR-overexpressing tumors. SIGNIFICANCE αEGFR-E-P125A reduces VM, angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis by inhibiting EGFR and α5β1 integrin signaling, and is a promising therapeutic agent for TNBC treatment, used alone or in combination with chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita P. Sankar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida
| | - Hyun-Mi Cho
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida
| | - Seung-Uon Shin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida
| | - Tal Sneh
- The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Sundaram Ramakrishnan
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida
- Dewitt Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Christian Elledge
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida
| | - Rathin Das
- Synergys Biotherapeutics, Inc., Alamo, California
| | - Hava Gil-Henn
- The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Joseph D. Rosenblatt
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida
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Muraro E, Montico B, Lum B, Colizzi F, Giurato G, Salvati A, Guerrieri R, Rizzo A, Comaro E, Canzonieri V, Anichini A, Del Vecchio M, Mortarini R, Milione M, Weisz A, Pizzichetta MA, Simpson F, Dolcetti R, Fratta E, Sigalotti L. Antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity-inducing anti-EGFR antibodies as effective therapeutic option for cutaneous melanoma resistant to BRAF inhibitors. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1336566. [PMID: 38510242 PMCID: PMC10950948 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1336566] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction About 50% of cutaneous melanoma (CM) patients present activating BRAF mutations that can be effectively targeted by BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi). However, 20% of CM patients exhibit intrinsic drug resistance to BRAFi, while most of the others develop adaptive resistance over time. The mechanisms involved in BRAFi resistance are disparate and globally seem to rewire the cellular signaling profile by up-regulating different receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). RTKs inhibitors have not clearly demonstrated anti-tumor activity in BRAFi resistant models. To overcome this issue, we wondered whether the shared up-regulated RTK phenotype associated with BRAFi resistance could be exploited by using immune weapons as the antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC)-mediated effect of anti-RTKs antibodies, and kill tumor cells independently from the mechanistic roots. Methods and results By using an in vitro model of BRAFi resistance, we detected increased membrane expression of EGFR, both at mRNA and protein level in 4 out of 9 BRAFi-resistant (VR) CM cultures as compared to their parental sensitive cells. Increased EGFR phosphorylation and AKT activation were observed in the VR CM cultures. EGFR signaling appeared dispensable for maintaining resistance, since small molecule-, antibody- and CRISPR-targeting of EGFR did not restore sensitivity of VR cells to BRAFi. Importantly, immune-targeting of EGFR by the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab efficiently and specifically killed EGFR-expressing VR CM cells, both in vitro and in humanized mouse models in vivo, triggering ADCC by healthy donors' and patients' peripheral blood cells. Conclusion Our data demonstrate the efficacy of immune targeting of RTKs expressed by CM relapsing on BRAFi, providing the proof-of-concept supporting the assessment of anti-RTK antibodies in combination therapies in this setting. This strategy might be expected to concomitantly trigger the crosstalk of adaptive immune response leading to a complementing T cell immune rejection of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Muraro
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Barbara Montico
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Benedict Lum
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Francesca Colizzi
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Annamaria Salvati
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, Italy
- Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics Program, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' University of Salerno and Rete Oncologica Campana, Salerno, Italy
| | - Roberto Guerrieri
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Aurora Rizzo
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Elisa Comaro
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Canzonieri
- Division of Pathology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Anichini
- Human Tumors Immunobiology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Del Vecchio
- Melanoma Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Mortarini
- Human Tumors Immunobiology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Milione
- Pathology Unit 1, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health - CRGS, Baronissi, Italy
- Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics Program, AOU 'S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona' University of Salerno and Rete Oncologica Campana, Salerno, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Pizzichetta
- Division of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
- Department of Dermatology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fiona Simpson
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Riccardo Dolcetti
- Translational and Clinical Immunotherapy, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Elisabetta Fratta
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Luca Sigalotti
- Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
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10
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van Veggel BAMH, van der Wekken AJ, Paats MS, Hendriks LEL, Hashemi SMS, Daletzakis A, van den Broek D, Bosch LJW, Monkhorst K, Smit EF, de Langen AJ. A phase 2 trial combining afatinib with cetuximab in patients with EGFR exon 20 insertion-positive non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer 2024; 130:683-691. [PMID: 37905752 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 insertion (ex20ins) mutations are the third most common EGFR mutations in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and are associated with primary resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). There is evidence of activity of combining EGFR TKIs with monoclonal antibodies. This study reports on the efficacy and safety of afatinib in combination with cetuximab. METHODS In this single-arm phase 2 trial, patients with advanced NSCLC harboring an EGFR ex20ins mutation were treated with afatinib 40 mg once daily in combination with cetuximab 500 mg/m2 every 2 weeks. The primary end point was disease control rate (DCR) at 18 weeks of treatment. RESULTS Thirty-seven patients started treatment, with a median age of 65 years (range, 40-80 years), 78% female, and 95% White. The study achieved its primary end point with a DCR of 54% at 18 weeks, an overall response rate (ORR) of 43%, and a 32% confirmed ORR. Best responses were partial (n = 16), stable (n = 16), progressive disease (n = 2), or not evaluable (n = 3). Median progression-free survival was 5.5 months (95% CI, 3.7-8.3 months) and median overall survival was 16.8 months (95% CI, 10.7-25.8 months). The most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were diarrhea (70%), rash (65%), dry skin (59%), paronychia (54%), and erythema (43%). Grade 3 TRAEs were reported in 54% of all patients. CONCLUSIONS Combination treatment with afatinib and cetuximab demonstrated antitumor activity with a DCR of 54% at 18 weeks and a 32% confirmed ORR. Toxicity was significant, although manageable, after dose reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca A M H van Veggel
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anthonie J van der Wekken
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marthe S Paats
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lizza E L Hendriks
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Sayed M S Hashemi
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, and Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Antonios Daletzakis
- Department of Biometrics, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Daan van den Broek
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Linda J W Bosch
- Department of Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Kim Monkhorst
- Department of Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Egbert F Smit
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Adrianus J de Langen
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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11
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Liu S, Chen D, Zhu X, Wang X, Li X, Du Y, Zhang P, Tian J, Song Y. Inhaled delivery of cetuximab-conjugated immunoliposomes loaded with afatinib: A promising strategy for enhanced non-small cell lung cancer treatment. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024:10.1007/s13346-024-01536-7. [PMID: 38381317 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-024-01536-7] [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] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Afatinib (AT), an FDA-approved aniline-quinazoline derivative, is a first-line treatment for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Combining it with cetuximab (CX), a chimeric human-murine derivative immunoglobulin-G1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting the extracellular domain of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), has shown significant improvements in median progression-free survival. Previously, we developed cetuximab-conjugated immunoliposomes loaded with afatinib (AT-MLP) and demonstrated their efficacy against NSCLC cells (A549 and H1975). In this study, we aimed to explore the potential of pulmonary delivery to mitigate adverse effects associated with oral administration and intravenous injection. We formulated AT-MLP dry powders (AT-MLP-DPI) via freeze drying using tert-butanol and mannitol as cryoprotectants in the hydration medium. The physicochemical and aerodynamic properties of dry powders were well analyzed firstly. In vitro cellular uptake and cytotoxicity study revealed concentration- and time-dependent cellular uptake behavior and antitumor efficacy of AT-MLP-DPI, while Transwell assay demonstrated the superior inhibitory effects on NSCLC cell invasion and migration. Furthermore, in vivo pharmacokinetic study showed that pulmonary delivery of AT-MLP-DPI significantly increased bioavailability, prolonged blood circulation time, and exhibited higher lung concentrations compared to alternative administration routes and formulations. The in vivo antitumor efficacy study carried on tumor-bearing nude mice indicated that inhaled AT-MLP-DPI effectively suppressed lung tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Liu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, 264000, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Daoyuan Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, 264000, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaosu Zhu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, 264000, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowen Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, 264000, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, 264000, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Du
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, 264000, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, 264000, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingwei Tian
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, 264000, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingjian Song
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, 264000, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Zahavi DJ, Erbe R, Zhang YW, Guo T, Malchiodi ZX, Maynard R, Lekan A, Gallagher R, Wulfkuhle J, Petricoin E, Jablonski SA, Fertig EJ, Weiner LM. Antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity selection pressure induces diverse mechanisms of resistance. Cancer Biol Ther 2023; 24:2269637. [PMID: 37878417 PMCID: PMC10601508 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2023.2269637] [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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted monoclonal antibody therapy has emerged as a powerful therapeutic strategy for cancer. However, only a minority of patients have durable responses and the development of resistance remains a major clinical obstacle. Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) represents a crucial therapeutic mechanism of action; however, few studies have explored ADCC resistance. Using multiple in vitro models of ADCC selection pressure, we have uncovered both shared and distinct resistance mechanisms. Persistent ADCC selection pressure yielded ADCC-resistant cells that are characterized by a loss of NK cell conjugation and this shared resistance phenotype is associated with cell-line dependent modulation of cell surface proteins that contribute to immune synapse formation and NK cell function. We employed single-cell RNA sequencing and proteomic screens to interrogate molecular mechanisms of resistance. We demonstrate that ADCC resistance involves upregulation of interferon/STAT1 and DNA damage response signaling as well as activation of the immunoproteasome. Here, we identify pathways that modulate ADCC sensitivity and report strategies to enhance ADCC-mediated elimination of cancer cells. ADCC resistance could not be reversed with combinatorial treatment approaches. Hence, our findings indicate that tumor cells utilize multiple strategies to inhibit NK cell mediated-ADCC. Future research and development of NK cell-based immunotherapies must incorporate plans to address or potentially prevent the induction of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J. Zahavi
- Department of Oncology and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, USA
| | - Rossin Erbe
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Yong-Wei Zhang
- Department of Oncology and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, USA
| | - Theresa Guo
- Department of Oncology, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, USA
| | - Zoe X. Malchiodi
- Department of Oncology and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, USA
| | - Rachael Maynard
- Department of Oncology and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, USA
| | - Alexander Lekan
- Department of Oncology and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, USA
| | - Rosa Gallagher
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Fairfax, USA
| | - Julia Wulfkuhle
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Fairfax, USA
| | - Emanuel Petricoin
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Fairfax, USA
| | - Sandra A. Jablonski
- Department of Oncology and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, USA
| | - Elana J. Fertig
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Louis M. Weiner
- Department of Oncology and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, USA
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13
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Park YS, kim J, Ryu YS, moon JH, shin YJ, kim JH, hong SW, jung SA, lee S, kim SM, lee DH, kim DY, yun H, you JE, yoon DI, kim CH, koh DI, jin DH. Mutant PIK3CA as a negative predictive biomarker for treatment with a highly selective PIM1 inhibitor in human colon cancer. Cancer Biol Ther 2023; 24:2246208. [PMID: 37621144 PMCID: PMC10461515 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2023.2246208] [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: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Significant improvement in targeted therapy for colorectal cancer (CRC) has occurred over the past few decades since the approval of the EGFR inhibitor cetuximab. However, cetuximab is used only for patients possessing the wild-type oncogene KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF, and even most of these eventually acquire therapeutic resistance, via activation of parallel oncogenic pathways such as RAS-MAPK or PI3K/Akt/mTOR. The two aforementioned pathways also contribute to the development of therapeutic resistance in CRC patients, due to compensatory and feedback mechanisms. Therefore, combination drug therapies (versus monotherapy) targeting these multiple pathways may be necessary for further efficacy against CRC. In this study, we identified PIK3CA mutant (PIK3CA MT) as a determinant of resistance to SMI-4a, a highly selective PIM1 kinase inhibitor, in CRC cell lines. In CRC cell lines, SMI-4a showed its effect only in PIK3CA wild type (PIK3CA WT) cell lines, while PIK3CA MT cells did not respond to SMI-4a in cell death assays. In vivo xenograft and PDX experiments confirmed that PIK3CA MT is responsible for the resistance to SMI-4a. Inhibition of PIK3CA MT by PI3K inhibitors restored SMI-4a sensitivity in PIK3CA MT CRC cell lines. Taken together, these results demonstrate that sensitivity to SMI-4a is determined by the PIK3CA genotype and that co-targeting of PI3K and PIM1 in PIK3CA MT CRC patients could be a promising and novel therapeutic approach for refractory CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon Sun Park
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joseph kim
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yea Seong Ryu
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jai-Hee moon
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Jin shin
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Hee kim
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Woo hong
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-A jung
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seul lee
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Mi kim
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Hee lee
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Do Yeon kim
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeseon yun
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Eun you
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Il yoon
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul Hee kim
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-In koh
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hoon jin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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14
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Marret G, Temam S, Kamal M, Even C, Delord JP, Hoffmann C, Dolivet G, Malard O, Fayette J, Capitain O, Vergez S, Geoffrois L, Rolland F, Zrounba P, Laccourreye L, Saada-Bouzid E, Aide N, Bénavent V, Klijianenko J, Lamy C, Girard E, Vacher S, Masliah-Planchon J, de Koning L, Puard V, Borcoman E, Jimenez M, Bièche I, Gal J, Le Tourneau C. Randomized phase II study of preoperative afatinib in untreated head and neck cancers: predictive and pharmacodynamic biomarkers of activity. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22524. [PMID: 38110561 PMCID: PMC10728082 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49887-4] [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: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
There is no strong and reliable predictive biomarker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) for EGFR inhibitors. We aimed to identify predictive and pharmacodynamic biomarkers of efficacy of afatinib, a pan-HER tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in a window-of-opportunity trial (NCT01415674). Multi-omics analyses were carried out on pre-treatment biopsy and surgical specimen for biological assessment of afatinib activity. Sixty-one treatment-naïve and operable HNSCC patients were randomised to afatinib 40 mg/day for 21-28 days versus no treatment. Afatinib produced a high rate of metabolic response. Responders had a higher expression of pERK1/2 (P = 0.02) and lower expressions of pHER4 (P = 0.03) and pRB1 (P = 0.002) in pre-treatment biopsy compared to non-responders. At the cellular level, responders displayed an enrichment of tumor-infiltrating B cells under afatinib (P = 0.02). At the molecular level, NF-kappa B signaling was over-represented among upregulated genes in non-responders (P < 0.001; FDR = 0.01). Although exploratory, phosphoproteomics-based biomarkers deserve further investigations as predictors of afatinib efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grégoire Marret
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, 26 Rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Temam
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Maud Kamal
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, 26 Rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Caroline Even
- Head and Neck Oncology Department, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Delord
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Claudius Régaud, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Gilles Dolivet
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Olivier Malard
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Nantes, France
| | - Jérôme Fayette
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Olivier Capitain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Paul Papin, Angers, France
| | - Sébastien Vergez
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Institut Claudius Regaud, Toulouse, France
| | - Lionel Geoffrois
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Frédéric Rolland
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre René Gauducheau, Nantes, France
| | - Philippe Zrounba
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Laurent Laccourreye
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Angers, France
| | - Esma Saada-Bouzid
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Nice, France
| | - Nicolas Aide
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Centre François Baclesse, Caen, France
| | | | | | - Constance Lamy
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, 26 Rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Elodie Girard
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, INSERM U900, Mines Paris Tech, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Leanne de Koning
- Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Puard
- Department of Translational Research, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Edith Borcoman
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, 26 Rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France
| | | | - Ivan Bièche
- Genetics Department, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Jocelyn Gal
- Department of Biostatistics, Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Nice, France
| | - Christophe Le Tourneau
- Department of Drug Development and Innovation (D3i), Institut Curie, 26 Rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France.
- INSERM U900, Institut Curie, Paris-Saclay University, Paris, France.
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15
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Vartak R, Deore B, Sanhueza CA, Patel K. Cetuximab-based PROteolysis targeting chimera for effectual downregulation of NSCLC with varied EGFR mutations. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 252:126413. [PMID: 37598823 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
PROteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) showed tremendous therapeutic potential in degrading several oncoproteins including undruggable proteins. PROTACs are bifunctional molecules where one-part binds to target protein while the other end recruits protein degradation machinery. With the unveiling advancements in the field of PROTACs, we explored a combinatorial approach by developing antibody-based PROTAC (ABTAC) which may effectively degrade one of the key oncoprotein driving proliferation and progression of cancer - Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The objective of current research was to synthesize and characterize an EGFR degrading ABTAC for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Cetuximab and pomalidomide (E3 ligase recruiting ligand) were conjugated using lysine conjugation and copper free azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) click chemistry. Analytical characterization using reverse-phase liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry suggested conjugation of five E3-ligase inhibitor molecules/antibody. Nearly 10-30 folds reduction in IC50 was observed with ABTAC in HCC827 (EGFR sensitive) and H1650 (EGFR resistant) cells compared to cetuximab. Multicellular 3D spheroid assay strongly suggested that ABTAC induced significant apoptosis and also inhibited cell proliferation compared to control and antibody alone. Circular dichroism and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) confirmed minor alterations in the structure and receptor binding efficacy of the antibody post-conjugation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richa Vartak
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY 11439, United States of America
| | - Bhavesh Deore
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY 11439, United States of America
| | - Carlos A Sanhueza
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY 11439, United States of America
| | - Ketan Patel
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY 11439, United States of America.
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16
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Kardile V, Kulkarni A, Nadar B, Saldanha T. Monoclonal Antibodies in Oncology: A Decade of Novel Options. Cell Biochem Biophys 2023; 81:395-408. [PMID: 37395856 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-023-01144-1] [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] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Several decades of research and clinical trials have conclusively provided proof of concept on the usefulness of monoclonal antibodies in the armamentarium against cancer. There are numerous mAbs approved for both, the treatment of solid tumors as well as hematological malignancies. These have ranked in the top ten best-selling drugs in recent years and one such mAb, pembrolizumab, is slated to be the highest revenue-generating drug by 2024. A large proportion of the mAbs in oncology have been approved by regulatory agencies in just the past decade and many professionals working in the field have been unable to keep abreast with the latest mAbs available and their mechanism of action. In this review, we aim to provide a systematic compilation of the various mAbs in oncology, approved by the US FDA in the past decade. It also elaborates on the mechanism of action of the newly approved mAbs to provide an overall update of the same. For this purpose, we have referred to the Drugs at FDA and relevant articles from PubMed from the year 2010 to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaibhavi Kardile
- Department of Pharmacology, AISSMS College of Pharmacy, Pune, India
| | - Atharva Kulkarni
- Department of Pharmacology, AISSMS College of Pharmacy, Pune, India
| | - Brinda Nadar
- Department of Pharmacology, AISSMS College of Pharmacy, Pune, India
| | - Tina Saldanha
- Department of Pharmacology, AISSMS College of Pharmacy, Pune, India.
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17
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Gintoni I, Vassiliou S, Chrousos GP, Yapijakis C. Review of Disease-Specific microRNAs by Strategically Bridging Genetics and Epigenetics in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1578. [PMID: 37628629 PMCID: PMC10454361 DOI: 10.3390/genes14081578] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most prevalent human malignancies and a global health concern with a poor prognosis despite some therapeutic advances, highlighting the need for a better understanding of its molecular etiology. The genomic landscape of OSCC is well-established and recent research has focused on miRNAs, which regulate gene expression and may be useful non-invasive biomarkers or therapeutic targets. A plethora of findings regarding miRNA expression have been generated, posing challenges for the interpretation and identification of disease-specific molecules. Hence, we opted to identify the most important regulatory miRNAs by bridging genetics and epigenetics, focusing on the key genes implicated in OSCC development. Based on published reports, we have developed custom panels of fifteen major oncogenes and five major tumor suppressor genes. Following a miRNA/target gene interaction analysis and a comprehensive study of the literature, we selected the miRNA molecules which target the majority of these panels that have been reported to be downregulated or upregulated in OSCC, respectively. As a result, miR-34a-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-124-3p, miR-1-3p, and miR-16-5p appeared to be the most OSCC-specific. Their expression patterns, verified targets, and the signaling pathways affected by their dysregulation in OSCC are thoroughly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iphigenia Gintoni
- Unit of Orofacial Genetics, 1st Department of Pediatrics, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece;
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Cephalogenetics Center, 176 72 Athens, Greece
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Medicine, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, 124 62 Athens, Greece;
- University Research Institute for the Study of Genetic and Malignant Disorders in Childhood, Choremion Laboratory, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece;
| | - Stavros Vassiliou
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Medicine, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, 124 62 Athens, Greece;
| | - George P. Chrousos
- University Research Institute for the Study of Genetic and Malignant Disorders in Childhood, Choremion Laboratory, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece;
| | - Christos Yapijakis
- Unit of Orofacial Genetics, 1st Department of Pediatrics, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece;
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Cephalogenetics Center, 176 72 Athens, Greece
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Medicine, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, 124 62 Athens, Greece;
- University Research Institute for the Study of Genetic and Malignant Disorders in Childhood, Choremion Laboratory, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece;
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18
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Umemori K, Ono K, Eguchi T, Kawai H, Nakamura T, Ogawa T, Yoshida K, Kanemoto H, Sato K, Obata K, Ryumon S, Yutori H, Katase N, Okui T, Nagatsuka H, Ibaragi S. EpEX, the soluble extracellular domain of EpCAM, resists cetuximab treatment of EGFR-high head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Oncol 2023; 142:106433. [PMID: 37236125 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2023.106433] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cetuximab (Cmab) is a molecularly targeted monoclonal antibody drug for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC), although cetuximab resistance is a serious challenge. Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is an established marker for many epithelial tumors, while the soluble EpCAM extracellular domain (EpEX) functions as a ligand for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). We investigated the expression of EpCAM in HNSC, its involvement in Cmab action, and the mechanism by which soluble EpEX activated EGFR and played key roles in Cmab resistance. MATERIALS AND METHODS We first examined EPCAM expression in HNSCs and its clinical significance by searching gene expression array databases. We then examined the effects of soluble EpEX and Cmab on intracellular signaling and Cmab efficacy in HNSC cell lines (HSC-3 and SAS). RESULTS EPCAM expression was found to be enhanced in HNSC tumor tissues compared to normal tissues, and the enhancement was correlated with stage progression and prognosis. Soluble EpEX activated the EGFR-ERK signaling pathway and nuclear translocation of EpCAM intracellular domains (EpICDs) in HNSC cells. EpEX resisted the antitumor effect of Cmab in an EGFR expression-dependent manner. CONCLUSION Soluble EpEX activates EGFR to increase Cmab resistance in HNSC cells. The EpEX-activated Cmab resistance in HNSC is potentially mediated by the EGFR-ERK signaling pathway and the EpCAM cleavage-induced nuclear translocation of EpICD. High expression and cleavage of EpCAM are potential biomarkers for predicting the clinical efficacy and resistance to Cmab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koki Umemori
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8525, Japan
| | - Kisho Ono
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8525, Japan.
| | - Takanori Eguchi
- Department of Dental Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8525, Japan
| | - Hotaka Kawai
- Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8525, Japan
| | - Tomoya Nakamura
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8525, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Ogawa
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8525, Japan
| | - Kunihiro Yoshida
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8525, Japan
| | - Hideka Kanemoto
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8525, Japan
| | - Kohei Sato
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8525, Japan
| | - Kyoichi Obata
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8525, Japan
| | - Shoji Ryumon
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8525, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Yutori
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8525, Japan
| | - Naoki Katase
- Department of Oral Pathology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8588, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Okui
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine, Izumo, Shimane 693-8501, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Nagatsuka
- Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8525, Japan
| | - Soichiro Ibaragi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8525, Japan
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19
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Novak DD, Troitskaya OS, Nushtaeva AA, Zhilnikova MV, Richter VA, Meschaninova MI, Koval OA. EGFR Suppression Inhibits the Sphere Formation of MCF7 Cells Overexpressing EGFR. Acta Naturae 2023; 15:59-69. [PMID: 37538799 PMCID: PMC10395776 DOI: 10.32607/actanaturae.17857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an oncogenic tyrosine kinase that is involved in tumor initiation and progression, making EGFR inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies to this receptor essential for anti-tumor therapy. We have previously shown that EGFR transgene expression in the human breast adenocarcinoma cell line MCF7 (MCF7-EGFR) stimulates the 3D spheroid-like growth. The primary focus of our present work was to investigate whether EGFR inhibition could affect the assembly of spheroids or lead to the destruction of pre-existing spheroids. We compared the effects of anti-EGFR siRNA, the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody cetuximab, and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG1478 on dissociated and spheroid MCF7-EGFR cells. MCF7-EGFR cells were found to have a 2.5-fold higher sensitivity towards the cytotoxic effects of cetuximab and AG1478 compared with the parental MCF7 cell line. The suppression of EGFR mRNA with siRNA was found to reduce the sphere formation, whereas treating the pre-existing spheroids had no such effect. Treatment of dissociated spheroids with cetuximab and AG1478 was also found to inhibit the MCF7-EGFR sphere formation. We suggest that EGFR expression is important, at least, during the spheroid formation stage. The transition of a MCF7wt adherent cell culture to MCF7-EGFR spheroids was accompanied by a considerable increase in N-cadherin adhesion proteins. The level of N-cadherin decreased when MCF7-EGFR cells were treated with siRNA and cetuximab. Thus, we have demonstrated that N-cadherin is involved in the EGFR-dependent formation of MCF7-EGFR spheroids. Accordingly, MCF7-EGFR spheroids can be considered a suitable model for studying aggressive hormone-positive breast tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. D. Novak
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russian Federation
| | - O. S. Troitskaya
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russian Federation
| | - A. A. Nushtaeva
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russian Federation
| | - M. V. Zhilnikova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russian Federation
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russian Federation
| | - V. A. Richter
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russian Federation
| | - M. I. Meschaninova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russian Federation
| | - O. A. Koval
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russian Federation
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russian Federation
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20
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Jehl A, Conrad O, Burgy M, Foppolo S, Vauchelles R, Ronzani C, Etienne-Selloum N, Chenard MP, Danic A, Dourlhes T, Thibault C, Schultz P, Dontenwill M, Martin S. Blocking EREG/GPX4 Sensitizes Head and Neck Cancer to Cetuximab through Ferroptosis Induction. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050733. [PMID: 36899869 PMCID: PMC10000618 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Epiregulin (EREG) is a ligand of EGFR and ErB4 involved in the development and the progression of various cancers including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Its overexpression in HNSCC is correlated with short overall survival and progression-free survival but predictive of tumors responding to anti-EGFR therapies. Besides tumor cells, macrophages and cancer-associated fibroblasts shed EREG in the tumor microenvironment to support tumor progression and to promote therapy resistance. Although EREG seems to be an interesting therapeutic target, no study has been conducted so far on the consequences of EREG invalidation regarding the behavior and response of HNSCC to anti-EGFR therapies and, more specifically, to cetuximab (CTX); (2) Methods: EREG was silenced in various HNSCC cell lines. The resulting phenotype (growth, clonogenic survival, apoptosis, metabolism, ferroptosis) was assessed in the absence or presence of CTX. The data were confirmed in patient-derived tumoroids; (3) Results: Here, we show that EREG invalidation sensitizes cells to CTX. This is illustrated by the reduction in cell survival, the alteration of cell metabolism associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and the initiation of ferroptosis characterized by lipid peroxidation, iron accumulation and the loss of GPX4. Combining ferroptosis inducers (RSL3 and metformin) with CTX drastically reduces the survival of HNSCC cells but also HNSCC patient-derived tumoroids; (4) Conclusions: The loss of EREG might be considered in clinical settings as a predictive biomarker for patients that might undergo ferroptosis in response to CTX and that might benefit the most from the combination of ferroptosis inducers and CTX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aude Jehl
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France
| | - Ombline Conrad
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France
| | - Mickaël Burgy
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institute of Cancerology Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Sophie Foppolo
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France
| | - Romain Vauchelles
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France
| | - Carole Ronzani
- Laboratory of Design and Application of Bioactive Molecules, University of Strasbourg, UMR7199, CNRS, 67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Nelly Etienne-Selloum
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Cancerology Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Chenard
- Department of Pathology, Strasbourg University Hospital, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Aurélien Danic
- Department of Otolaryngology and Cervico-Facial Surgery, Strasbourg University Hospital, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas Dourlhes
- Department of Otolaryngology and Cervico-Facial Surgery, Strasbourg University Hospital, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Claire Thibault
- Department of Otolaryngology and Cervico-Facial Surgery, Strasbourg University Hospital, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Philippe Schultz
- Department of Otolaryngology and Cervico-Facial Surgery, Strasbourg University Hospital, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Monique Dontenwill
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France
| | - Sophie Martin
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-36-885-4197; Fax: +33-36-885-4313
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21
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Targeting EGFR and Monitoring Tumorigenesis of Human Lung Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Vivo Using Nanodiamond-Conjugated Specific EGFR Antibody. Pharmaceutics 2022; 15:pharmaceutics15010111. [PMID: 36678740 PMCID: PMC9865332 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanoprobes provide advantages for real-time monitoring of tumor markers and tumorigenesis during cancer progression and development. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a key protein that plays crucial roles for tumorigenesis and cancer therapy of lung cancers. Here, we show a carbon-based nanoprobe, nanodiamond (ND), which can be applied for targeting EGFR and monitoring tumorigenesis of human lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. The optimal fluorescent intensities of ND particles were observed in the human lung cancer cells and nude mice under in vivo imaging system. The fluorescence signal of ND particles can be real-time detected in the xenografted human lung tumor formation of nude mice. Moreover, the ND-conjugated specific EGFR antibody cetuximab (Cet) can track the location and distribution of EGFR proteins of lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. ND-Cet treatment increased cellular uptake ability of nanocomposites in the EGFR-expressed cells but not in the EGFR-negative lung cancer cells. Interestingly, single ND-Cet complex can be directly observed on the protein G bead by immunoprecipitation and confocal microscopy. Besides, the EGFR proteins were transported to lysosomes for degradation. Together, this study demonstrates that ND-conjugated Cet can apply for targeting EGFR and monitoring tumorigenesis during lung cancer progression and therapy.
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22
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De Robertis M, Greco MR, Cardone RA, Mazza T, Marzano F, Mehterov N, Kazakova M, Belev N, Tullo A, Pesole G, Sarafian V, Signori E. Upregulation of YKL-40 Promotes Metastatic Phenotype and Correlates with Poor Prognosis and Therapy Response in Patients with Colorectal Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223568. [PMID: 36428997 PMCID: PMC9688424 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
YKL-40 is a heparin- and chitin-binding glycoprotein that belongs to the family of glycosyl hydrolases but lacks enzymatic properties. It affects different (patho)physiological processes, including cancer. In different tumors, YKL-40 gene overexpression has been linked to higher cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and vasculogenic mimicry, migration, and invasion. Because, in colorectal cancer (CRC), the serological YKL-40 level may serve as a risk predictor and prognostic biomarker, we investigated the underlying mechanisms by which it may contribute to tumor progression and the clinical significance of its tissue expression in metastatic CRC. We demonstrated that high-YKL-40-expressing HCT116 and Caco2 cells showed increased motility, invasion, and proliferation. YKL-40 upregulation was associated with EMT signaling activation. In the AOM/DSS mouse model, as well as in tumors and sera from CRC patients, elevated YKL-40 levels correlated with high-grade tumors. In retrospective analyses of six independent cohorts of CRC patients, elevated YKL-40 expression correlated with shorter survival in patients with advanced CRC. Strikingly, high YKL-40 tissue levels showed a predictive value for a better response to cetuximab, even in patients with stage IV CRC and mutant KRAS, and worse sensitivity to oxaliplatin. Taken together, our findings establish that tissue YKL-40 overexpression enhances CRC metastatic potential, highlighting this gene as a novel prognostic candidate, a predictive biomarker for therapy response, and an attractive target for future therapy in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariangela De Robertis
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari ‘A. Moro’, 70125 Bari, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.D.R.); (E.S.); Tel.: +39-06-4993-4232 (E.S.)
| | - Maria Raffaella Greco
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari ‘A. Moro’, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Rosa Angela Cardone
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari ‘A. Moro’, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Tommaso Mazza
- Unit of Bioinformatics, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Flaviana Marzano
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Nikolay Mehterov
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Research Institute at Medical University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Maria Kazakova
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Research Institute at Medical University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Nikolay Belev
- University Hospital Eurohospital, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Department of Propedeutics of Surgical Diseases, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Apollonia Tullo
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Graziano Pesole
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari ‘A. Moro’, 70125 Bari, Italy
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Victoria Sarafian
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Research Institute at Medical University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Emanuela Signori
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Experimental Oncology, Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.D.R.); (E.S.); Tel.: +39-06-4993-4232 (E.S.)
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23
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Brazel D, Kroening G, Nagasaka M. Non-small Cell Lung Cancer with EGFR or HER2 Exon 20 Insertion Mutations: Diagnosis and Treatment Options. BioDrugs 2022; 36:717-729. [PMID: 36255589 PMCID: PMC9649507 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-022-00556-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Molecular testing is performed upon diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) because of the large success of targeted therapies for oncogenic mutations. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are the most commonly identified mutation in NSCLC, and EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations (exon20ins) are the third most common mutation in EGFR following EGFR exon 19 deletions and exon 21 L858R mutations. EGFR exon20ins have regularly demonstrated resistance to classical EGFR inhibition. Two treatments-mobocertinib and amivantamab-have recently been the first drugs to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of lung cancers with these mutations following platinum-based therapy. Research surrounding these two drugs demonstrates strong efficacy, but with an intense array of side effects. Another targetable driver mutation is the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) exon20ins, representing approximately 2-3% of NSCLC patients. This mutation has been heavily studied in vitro as well as clinically, and trastuzumab deruxtecan was just recently granted accelerated FDA approval based on the high efficacy demonstrated in the Destiny-Lung01 study. However, similar to their EGFR counterparts, HER2 inhibitors also have evidence of toxicity in clinical studies. In this paper, we discuss the limited response of EGFR and HER2 exon20ins to a wide range of standard treatment regimens, such as platinum-based chemotherapy and classic EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, as well as immunotherapy. We also review recently approved and upcoming targeted therapeutic options, considering what research is presently being done regarding efficacy and the reduction of side effects, as well as the agents' risks and benefits for incorporation into an approved treatment regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Brazel
- Department of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Gianna Kroening
- University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Misako Nagasaka
- St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, 101 The City Drive South, Orange, CA, 92868, USA.
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24
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Yan YY, Zhang XX, Xiao Y, Shen XB, Jian YJ, Wang YM, She ZH, Liu MM, Liu XH. Design and Synthesis of a 2-Amino-pyridine Derivative as a Potent CDK8 Inhibitor for Anti-colorectal Cancer Therapy. J Med Chem 2022; 65:13216-13239. [PMID: 36126227 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
CDK8 is a transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinase and considered as a potential target in colon cancer therapeutics. Here, a novel selective CDK8 inhibitor was identified against colon cancer in vivo. Specifically, based on the structural information of the sorafenib-bound CDK8 structure, a series of novel 2-amino-pyridine derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated. Among them, compound 29 showed strong inhibitory activity against CDK8 with an IC50 value of 46 nM and favorable selectivity. And there is an apparent interaction between the endogenous or overexpressed CDK8 and biotinylated-29. This compound exhibited antiproliferation potency on colon cancer cell lines with a high CDK8 expression level, suppressed the activation of WNT/β-catenin and transcriptional activity of the TCF family, and induced G1 phase arrested in HCT-116 cells. In addition, this compound showed potent activity against sorafenib-resistant HCT-116 cells. What's more, it exhibited low toxicity and suitable pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles and showed preferable antitumor effects in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Yao Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, P.R. China
| | - Xing Xing Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, P.R. China
| | - Yun Xiao
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, P.R. China
| | - Xiao Bao Shen
- School of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang 236037, P.R. China
| | - Yu Jie Jian
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, P.R. China
| | - Yu Meng Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, P.R. China
| | - Zi Hao She
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, P.R. China
| | - Ming Ming Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, P.R. China
| | - Xin Hua Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, P.R. China
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25
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Abstract
EGFR is a member of the ERBB family. It plays a significant role in cellular processes such as growth, survival and differentiation via the activation of various signaling pathways. EGFR deregulation is implicated in various human malignancies, and therefore EGFR has emerged as an attractive anticancer target. EGFR inhibition using strategies such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies hinders cellular proliferation and promotes apoptosis in cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. EGFR inhibition by tyrosine kinase inhibitors has been shown to be a better treatment option than chemotherapy for advanced-stage EGFR-driven non-small-cell lung cancer, yet de novo and acquired resistance limits the clinical benefit of these therapeutic molecules. This review discusses the cellular signaling pathways activated by EGFR. Further, current therapeutic strategies to target aberrant EGFR signaling in cancer and mechanisms of resistance to them are highlighted.
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26
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González-Rubio S, Salgado C, Manzaneda-González V, Muñoz-Úbeda M, Ahijado-Guzmán R, Natale P, Almendro-Vedia VG, Junquera E, Barcina JO, Ferrer I, Guerrero-Martínez A, Paz-Ares L, López-Montero I. Tunable gold nanorod/NAO conjugates for selective drug delivery in mitochondria-targeted cancer therapy. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:8028-8040. [PMID: 35616261 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr02353a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nonyl acridine orange (NAO) is a lipophilic and positively charged molecule widely used as a mitochondrial fluorescent probe. NAO is cytotoxic at micromolar concentration and might be potentially used as a mitochondria-targeted drug for cancer therapy. However, the use of NAO under in vivo conditions would be compromised by the unspecific interactions with off-target cells and negatively charged proteins present in the bloodstream. To tackle this limitation, we have synthesized NAO analogues carrying an imidazole group for their specific binding to nitrilotriacetic (NTA) functionalized gold nanorods (AuNRs). We demonstrate that AuNRs provide 104 binding sites and a controlled delivery under acidic conditions. Upon incubation with mouse embryonic fibroblasts, the endosomal acidic environment releases the NAO analogues from AuNRs, as visualized through the staining of the mitochondrial network. The addition of the monoclonal antibody Cetuximab to the conjugates enhanced their uptake within lung cancer cells and the conjugates were cytotoxic at subnanomolar concentrations (c50 ≈ 0.06 nM). Moreover, the specific interactions of Cetuximab with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) provided a specific targeting of EGFR-expressing lung cancer cells. After intravenous administration in patient-derived xenografts (PDX) mouse models, the conjugates reduced the progression of EGFR-positive tumors. Overall, the NAO-AuNRs provide a promising strategy to realize membrane mitochondria-targeted conjugates for lung cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio González-Rubio
- Departamento Química Física, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Hospital Doce de Octubre (imas12), Avenida de Córdoba s/n, 28041 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Cástor Salgado
- Departamento Química Orgánica, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Vanesa Manzaneda-González
- Departamento Química Física, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Mónica Muñoz-Úbeda
- Departamento Química Física, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Hospital Doce de Octubre (imas12), Avenida de Córdoba s/n, 28041 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Rubén Ahijado-Guzmán
- Departamento Química Física, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Paolo Natale
- Departamento Química Física, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Hospital Doce de Octubre (imas12), Avenida de Córdoba s/n, 28041 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Víctor G Almendro-Vedia
- Departamento Química Física, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Hospital Doce de Octubre (imas12), Avenida de Córdoba s/n, 28041 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Elena Junquera
- Departamento Química Física, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - José Osío Barcina
- Departamento Química Orgánica, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Ferrer
- Instituto de Investigación Hospital Doce de Octubre (imas12), Avenida de Córdoba s/n, 28041 Madrid, Spain.
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Ciberonc, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrés Guerrero-Martínez
- Departamento Química Física, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Luis Paz-Ares
- Instituto de Investigación Hospital Doce de Octubre (imas12), Avenida de Córdoba s/n, 28041 Madrid, Spain.
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Ciberonc, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Iván López-Montero
- Departamento Química Física, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Hospital Doce de Octubre (imas12), Avenida de Córdoba s/n, 28041 Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto Pluridisciplinar, Ps. Juan XXIII 1, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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B-Cell-Based Immunotherapy: A Promising New Alternative. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10060879. [PMID: 35746487 PMCID: PMC9227543 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10060879] [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: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of immunotherapy has undergone radical conceptual changes over the last decade. There are various examples of immunotherapy, including the use of monoclonal antibodies, cancer vaccines, tumor-infecting viruses, cytokines, adjuvants, and autologous T cells carrying chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that can bind cancer-specific antigens known as adoptive immunotherapy. While a lot has been achieved in the field of T-cell immunotherapy, only a fraction of patients (20%) see lasting benefits from this mode of treatment, which is why there is a critical need to turn our attention to other immune cells. B cells have been shown to play both anti- and pro-tumorigenic roles in tumor tissue. In this review, we shed light on the dual nature of B cells in the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, we discussed the different factors affecting the biology and function of B cells in tumors. In the third section, we described B-cell-based immunotherapies and their clinical applications and challenges. These current studies provide a springboard for carrying out future mechanistic studies to help us unleash the full potential of B cells in immunotherapy.
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Poh J, Ngeow KC, Pek M, Tan KH, Lim JS, Chen H, Ong CK, Lim JQ, Lim ST, Lim CM, Goh BC, Choudhury Y. Analytical and clinical validation of an amplicon-based next generation sequencing assay for ultrasensitive detection of circulating tumor DNA. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267389. [PMID: 35486650 PMCID: PMC9053827 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing of circulating tumor DNA presents a promising approach to cancer diagnostics, complementing conventional tissue-based diagnostic testing by enabling minimally invasive serial testing and broad genomic coverage through a simple blood draw to maximize therapeutic benefit to patients. LiquidHALLMARK® is an amplicon-based next-generation sequencing assay developed for the genomic profiling of plasma-derived cell-free DNA (cfDNA). The comprehensive 80-gene panel profiles point mutations, insertions/deletions, copy number alterations, and gene fusions, and further detects oncogenic viruses (Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV)) and microsatellite instability (MSI). Here, the analytical and clinical validation of the assay is reported. Analytical validation using reference genetic materials demonstrated a sensitivity of 99.38% for point mutations and 95.83% for insertions/deletions at 0.1% variant allele frequency (VAF), and a sensitivity of 91.67% for gene fusions at 0.5% VAF. In non-cancer samples, a high specificity (≥99.9999% per-base) was observed. The limit of detection for copy number alterations, EBV, HBV, and MSI were also empirically determined. Orthogonal comparison of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) variant calls made by LiquidHALLMARK and a reference allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) method for 355 lung cancer specimens revealed an overall concordance of 93.80%, while external validation with cobas® EGFR Mutation Test v2 for 50 lung cancer specimens demonstrated an overall concordance of 84.00%, with a 100% concordance rate for EGFR variants above 0.4% VAF. Clinical application of LiquidHALLMARK in 1,592 consecutive patients demonstrated a high detection rate (74.8% circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)-positive in cancer samples) and broad actionability (50.0% of cancer samples harboring alterations with biological evidence for actionability). Among ctDNA-positive lung cancers, 72.5% harbored at least one biomarker with a guideline-approved drug indication. These results establish the high sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and precision of the LiquidHALLMARK assay and supports its clinical application for blood-based genomic testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Poh
- Lucence Diagnostics Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Michelle Pek
- Lucence Health Inc, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
| | - Kian-Hin Tan
- Lucence Health Inc, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
| | | | - Hao Chen
- Lucence Diagnostics Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Jing Quan Lim
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Soon Thye Lim
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chwee Ming Lim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
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29
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FITC-conjugated single chain Nimotuzumab can specifically recognize and enter EGFR-overexpressing cells. Int J Pept Res Ther 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-022-10389-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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30
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Lu X, An L, Fan G, Zang L, Huang W, Li J, Liu J, Ge W, Huang Y, Xu J, Du S, Cao Y, Zhou T, Yin H, Yu L, Jiao S, Wang H. EGFR signaling promotes nuclear translocation of plasma membrane protein TSPAN8 to enhance tumor progression via STAT3-mediated transcription. Cell Res 2022; 32:359-374. [PMID: 35197608 PMCID: PMC8975831 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-022-00628-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
TSPAN family of proteins are generally considered to assemble as multimeric complexes on the plasma membrane. Our previous work uncovered that TSPAN8 can translocate into the nucleus as a membrane-free form, a process that requires TSPAN8 palmitoylation and association with cholesterol to promote its extraction from the plasma membrane and subsequent binding with 14-3-3θ and importin-β. However, what upstream signal(s) regulate(s) the nuclear translocation of TSPAN8, the potential function of TSPAN8 in the nucleus, and the underlying molecular mechanisms all remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling induces TSPAN8 nuclear translocation by activating the kinase AKT, which in turn directly phosphorylates TSPAN8 at Ser129, an event essential for its binding with 14-3-3θ and importin ß1. In the nucleus, phosphorylated TSPAN8 interacts with STAT3 to enhance its chromatin occupancy and therefore regulates transcription of downstream cancer-promoting genes, such as MYC, BCL2, MMP9, etc. The EGFR-AKT-TSPAN8-STAT3 axis was found to be hyperactivated in multiple human cancers, and associated with aggressive phenotype and dismal prognosis. We further developed a humanized monoclonal antibody hT8Ab4 that specifically recognizes the large extracellular loop of TSPAN8 (TSPAN8-LEL), thus being able to block the extraction of TSPAN8 from the plasma membrane and consequently its nuclear localization. Importantly, both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated an antitumor effect of hT8Ab4. Collectively, we discovered an unconventional function of TSPAN8 and dissected the underlying molecular mechanisms, which not only showcase a new layer of biological complexity of traditional membrane proteins, but also shed light on TSPAN8 as a novel therapeutic target for refractory cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Breast Surgery, Shanxi Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Liwei An
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangjian Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Precision Research Center for Refractory Diseases, Institute for Clinical Research, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lijuan Zang
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiyi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Junjian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiyu Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuwei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingxuan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaoqian Du
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianhao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huijing Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Shi Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongxia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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31
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Berlin J, Tolcher AW, Ding C, Whisenant JG, Horak ID, Wood DL, Nadler PI, Hansen UH, Lantto J, Skartved NJØ, Pedersen MW, Patnaik A. First-in-human trial exploring safety, antitumor activity, and pharmacokinetics of Sym013, a recombinant pan-HER antibody mixture, in advanced epithelial malignancies. Invest New Drugs 2022; 40:586-595. [PMID: 35113285 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-022-01217-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Sym013 contains six humanized monoclonal antibodies that bind to non-overlapping epitopes on three human epidermal growth factor receptors (HER1-3). Preclinical studies suggested Sym013 strongly suppresses growth of multiple epithelial tumors. This is a first-in-human study exploring safety and efficacy of Sym013 in patients with advanced epithelial malignancies. METHODS Dose escalation used single-patient cohorts until the stopping rule was met, followed by 3 + 3 design. Dose levels planned were: 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 mg/kg. Treatment cycles were 28 days with imaging every eight weeks. Serum samples were collected at multiple time points for assessment of pharmacokinetics and development of anti-drug antibodies. RESULTS Thirty-two patients were enrolled with multiple solid tumors, most common being colorectal cancer (CRC; 10/32, 31%). Due to mucositis, rash, and diarrhea at 4 mg/kg once-weekly, dosing was changed to biweekly (Q2W). Mandatory prophylaxis was added due to Grade 3 infusion-related reaction and oral mucositis at 9 mg/kg Q2W. The 15 mg/kg Q2W cohort was enrolling when the study was terminated for business reasons. Most common adverse events were skin (81%) and gastrointestinal (75%) disorders, including dermatitis/rash, stomatitis, and diarrhea. One patient with CRC achieved a partial response; 12 patients with varied malignancies had stable disease. CONCLUSION During the conduct of the study, management of frequent infusion-related reactions, skin toxicities, and mucosal disorders, which are indicative of HER inhibition, necessitated multiple protocol amendments. The investigators, in concert with the Sponsor, agreed that achieving a tolerated regimen with acceptable target saturation was unlikely. TRIAL REGISTRY www.clinicaltrials.gov ; NCT02906670 (September 20, 2016).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Berlin
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA. .,Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, 2220 Pierce Avenue, TN, 777 PRB 37232, Nashville, USA.
| | | | | | - Jennifer G Whisenant
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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Pao W, Nagel Y. Industry Corner: Perspectives and Controversies: Paradigms for the development of transformative medicines - lessons from the EGFR story. Ann Oncol 2022; 33:556-560. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2022.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
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33
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Han H, Li Y, Qin W, Wang L, Yin H, Su B, Yuan X. miR-199b-3p contributes to acquired resistance to cetuximab in colorectal cancer by targeting CRIM1 via Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:42. [PMID: 35090460 PMCID: PMC8796585 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02460-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite advances in the development of efficient chemotherapy, the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a challenge due to acquired chemoresistance. It has been reported that microRNAs (miRNAs) dysregulation is associated with the development of chemoresistance. Recently, the expression of miR-199b-3p has been found to be significantly different between cetuximab (CTx)-resistant and -sensitive CRC cells. However, its role and the underlying mechanisms in acquired chemoresistance to CTx in CRC are still obscure. Methods Here we report that miR-199b-3p is significantly up-regulated in both CTx-resistant (CTxR) CRC tissues and cell lines. Results Functional assays showed that suppressing miR-199b-3p could improve the sensitivity of CRC-CTxR cells to CTx, thereby reducing cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and enhancing cell apoptosis. Mechanistic studies revealed that CRIM1 is a direct target of miR-199b-3p in CRC-CTxR cells; and the effect of miR-199b-3p on CTx-resistance was exerted by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway via CRIM1. Furthermore, mice xenograft models were established and confirmed that down-regulating miR-199b-3p restores the inhibition effect of CTx on tumor growth in CRC-CTxR. Collectively, our data suggest that silencing miR-199b-3p could enhance the anti-tumor effects of CTx on CTx-resistant CRC in vitro and in vivo by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling via the down-regulation of CRIM1. Conclusions Our findings suggest miR-199b-3p might serve as a promising therapeutic target against CTx resistant CRC, and provide scientific information for exploring novel strategies of improving the efficacy of CTx for CRC patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-022-02460-x.
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EGFR and HER2 exon 20 insertions in solid tumours: from biology to treatment. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2022; 19:51-69. [PMID: 34561632 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-021-00558-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Protein tyrosine kinases of the human epidermal growth factor receptor family, including EGFR and HER2, have emerged as important therapeutic targets in non-small-cell lung, breast and gastroesophageal cancers, and are of relevance for the treatment of various other malignancies (particularly colorectal cancer). Classic activating EGFR exon 19 deletions and exon 21 mutations, and HER2 amplification and/or overexpression, are predictive of response to matched molecularly targeted therapies, translating into favourable objective response rates and survival outcomes. By comparison, cancers with insertion mutations in exon 20 of either EGFR or HER2 are considerably less sensitive to the currently available tyrosine kinase inhibitors and antibodies targeting these receptors. These exon 20 insertions are structurally distinct from other EGFR and HER2 mutations, providing an explanation for this lack of sensitivity. In this Review, we first discuss the prevalence and pan-cancer distribution of EGFR and HER2 exon 20 insertions, their biology and detection, and associated responses to current molecularly targeted therapies and immunotherapies. We then focus on novel approaches that are being developed to more effectively target tumours driven by these non-classic EGFR and HER2 alterations.
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Vyse S, Huang PH. Amivantamab for the treatment of EGFR exon 20 insertion mutant non-small cell lung cancer. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2022; 22:3-16. [PMID: 34913823 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2022.2016397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amivantamab is a monoclonal bispecific anti-EGFR-MET antibody that is the first targeted therapy to be approved for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations following progression on chemotherapy, marking a watershed moment for a class of mutations which is generally associated with poor outcomes. AREAS COVERED In this article, we outline the drug profile of amivantamab compared with EGFR kinase inhibitors under evaluation in EGFR exon 20 insertion mutant NSCLC. We also review the efficacy and safety data reported from the CHRYSALIS phase I trial, which forms the basis of the recent approval of amivantamab. EXPERT OPINION Unlike small molecule EGFR kinase inhibitors, amivantamab has an extracellular mode of action and dual activity against EGFR and MET. It remains to be determined what role MET inhibition plays in toxicity and efficacy and whether dual target inhibition can delay the onset of drug resistance in these cancers. Due to its large molecular size, amivantamab is expected to have poor activity to treat brain metastases. Building on the clinical data so far, future trials that will evaluate combination treatments with brain-penetrant EGFR kinase inhibitors will be critical to move the drug toward a first-line treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Vyse
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
| | - Paul H Huang
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK
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Huang Y, Ognjenovic J, Karandur D, Miller K, Merk A, Subramaniam S, Kuriyan J. A molecular mechanism for the generation of ligand-dependent differential outputs by the epidermal growth factor receptor. eLife 2021; 10:73218. [PMID: 34846302 PMCID: PMC8716103 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that couples the binding of extracellular ligands, such as EGF and transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α), to the initiation of intracellular signaling pathways. EGFR binds to EGF and TGF-α with similar affinity, but generates different signals from these ligands. To address the mechanistic basis of this phenomenon, we have carried out cryo-EM analyses of human EGFR bound to EGF and TGF-α. We show that the extracellular module adopts an ensemble of dimeric conformations when bound to either EGF or TGF-α. The two extreme states of this ensemble represent distinct ligand-bound quaternary structures in which the membrane-proximal tips of the extracellular module are either juxtaposed or separated. EGF and TGF-α differ in their ability to maintain the conformation with the membrane-proximal tips of the extracellular module separated, and this conformation is stabilized preferentially by an oncogenic EGFR mutation. Close proximity of the transmembrane helices at the junction with the extracellular module has been associated previously with increased EGFR activity. Our results show how EGFR can couple the binding of different ligands to differential modulation of this proximity, thereby suggesting a molecular mechanism for the generation of ligand-sensitive differential outputs in this receptor family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjian Huang
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States.,Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
| | - Jana Ognjenovic
- Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, United States
| | - Deepti Karandur
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States.,Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
| | - Kate Miller
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States
| | - Alan Merk
- Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, United States
| | | | - John Kuriyan
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States.,Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States.,Divisions of Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, United States
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Ren K, Gong H, Ma Z, Tian L, Ye W, Lv X, Wu C. Structure and activity of an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibody without galactose-α-1,3-galactose residues. Drug Dev Res 2021; 83:637-645. [PMID: 34725841 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21894] [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: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane glycoprotein, which has been considered as one of the key targets for cancer therapy. However, currently approved therapeutic anti-EGFR antibody may cause the hypersensitivity reaction induced by galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal) structure, which is inevitable in insect cell expression system. In this study, the Chinese hamster ovary cell line was used to produce a monoclonal antibody containing simplified glycosylation patterns (code: AB01). And cetuximab was used as a control. The two antibodies were highly similar in molecular weight, secondary structure, binding affinity and endocytosis behavior, whereas the glycotypes are extremely distinct. The flow cytometry assay suggested that AB01 induced cell cycle arrest in G1, thus inhibit cell proliferation. Moreover, both cetuximab and AB01 showed similar sensitivity for all tested cell lines in this research. In conclusion, AB01 could be a potential anti-EGFR drug candidate for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keyun Ren
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.,The experimental laboratory, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Gong
- The Innovative Drug R & D Center of Wuhan Junke-Optical Valley, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zheng Ma
- The Innovative Drug R & D Center of Wuhan Junke-Optical Valley, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Lvming Tian
- The Innovative Drug R & D Center of Wuhan Junke-Optical Valley, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wei Ye
- The Innovative Drug R & D Center of Wuhan Junke-Optical Valley, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xingkai Lv
- The Innovative Drug R & D Center of Wuhan Junke-Optical Valley, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chutse Wu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.,The experimental laboratory, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
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Balogun TA, Ipinloju N, Abdullateef OT, Moses SI, Omoboyowa DA, James AC, Saibu OA, Akinyemi WF, Oni EA. Computational Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds from Colocasia affinis Schott as a Novel EGFR Inhibitor for Cancer Treatment. Cancer Inform 2021; 20:11769351211049244. [PMID: 34646061 PMCID: PMC8504293 DOI: 10.1177/11769351211049244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane protein that belongs to the ErbB/HER-family of tyrosine kinase receptors. Somatic mutations and overexpression of EGFR have been reported to play a vital role in cancer cell development and progression, including cell proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and metastatic spread. Hence, EGFR is an important therapeutic target for the treatment of various types of epithelial cancers. Somatic mutations have led to resistance to clinically approved synthetic EGFR inhibitors. Furthermore, synthetic EGFR inhibitors have been associated with several side effects. Thus, there is a need to develop novel EGFR inhibitors with an acceptable biosafety profile and high efficacy. METHODS Herein, we employed structural bioinformatics and theoretical chemistry techniques via molecular docking, molecular mechanics generalized Born surface area (MM-GBSA) calculation, density functional theory analysis (DFT), and pharmacokinetic study to identify novel EGFR inhibitors. RESULTS The stringent molecular docking and MM-GBSA calculations identified MET 793, LYS 745, PHE 723, ASP 855, ARG 411, and THR 854 as principal amino acid residues for EGFR-ligands interactions. Furthermore, Colocasia affinis Schott compounds exhibited higher binding energy and more stable interactions than the reference compound (gefitinib). DFT analysis also ascertains better bioactivity and chemical reactivity of C. affinis Schott with favorable intramolecular charge transfer between electron-donor and electron acceptor groups. The pharmacokinetic profile of C. affinis Schott bioactive compounds satisfies Lipinski's rule of five assessment. CONCLUSION Collectively, C. affinis Schott compounds demonstrated higher inhibitory potentials against EGFR and better pharmacological properties when compared with gefitinib. C. affinis Schott compounds are therefore suggested as promising therapeutic EGFR inhibitors for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toheeb A Balogun
- Department of Biochemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria
| | - Nureni Ipinloju
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria
| | | | - Segun I Moses
- Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology Akure, Akure, Nigeria
| | | | - Akinwumi C James
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria
| | - Oluwatosin A Saibu
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Wumi F Akinyemi
- Department of Biochemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria
| | - Ebenezer A Oni
- Department of Biochemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria
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Tremblay CS, Ting SB, McCluskey A, Robinson PJ, Curtis DJ. Shutting the gate: targeting endocytosis in acute leukemia. Exp Hematol 2021; 104:17-31. [PMID: 34563604 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Endocytosis entails selective packaging of cell surface cargos in cytoplasmic vesicles, thereby controlling key intrinsic cellular processes as well as the response of normal and malignant cells to their microenvironment. The purpose of this review is to outline the latest advances in the development of endocytosis-targeting therapeutic strategies in hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cedric S Tremblay
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Stephen B Ting
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Clinical Haematology, Eastern Health, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia; Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adam McCluskey
- Chemistry, Centre for Chemical Biology, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Phillip J Robinson
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Cell Signalling Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David J Curtis
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Clinical Haematology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Sharma A, Kansara S, Mahajan M, Yadav B, Garg M, Pandey AK. Long non-coding RNAs orchestrate various molecular and cellular processes by modulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021; 1867:166240. [PMID: 34363933 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate various hallmarks associated with the progression of human cancers through their binding with RNA, DNA, and proteins. Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a cardinal and multi-stage process where epithelial cells acquire a mesenchymal-like phenotype that is instrumental for tumor cells to initiate invasion and metastasis. LncRNAs can potentially promote tumor onset and progression as well as drug resistance by directly or indirectly altering the EMT program. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are a dreadful malignancy affecting public health globally. The past few years have provided a better insight into the mechanism of EMT in HNSCC. The differential expression of the lncRNAs that can act either as promoters or suppressors in the process of EMT is of great importance. In this review, we aim to sum up, the highly structured mechanism with the diverse role of lncRNAs and their interaction with different molecules in the regulation of EMT. Moreover, discussing principal EMT pathways modulated by lncRNAs and their prospective potential value as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayushi Sharma
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Haryana, Panchgaon, Manesar, Haryana 122413, India.
| | - Samarth Kansara
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Haryana, Panchgaon, Manesar, Haryana 122413, India
| | - Mehul Mahajan
- Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Bhupender Yadav
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Haryana, Panchgaon, Manesar, Haryana 122413, India
| | - Manoj Garg
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University, Sector-125, Noida 201313, India
| | - Amit Kumar Pandey
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Haryana, Panchgaon, Manesar, Haryana 122413, India.
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Burgy M, Jehl A, Conrad O, Foppolo S, Bruban V, Etienne-Selloum N, Jung AC, Masson M, Macabre C, Ledrappier S, Burckel H, Mura C, Noël G, Borel C, Fasquelle F, Onea MA, Chenard MP, Thiéry A, Dontenwill M, Martin S. Cav1/EREG/YAP Axis in the Treatment Resistance of Cav1-Expressing Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13123038. [PMID: 34207120 PMCID: PMC8235528 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The EGFR-targeting antibody cetuximab (CTX) combined with radiotherapy has been proven effective for the treatment of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC). Due to resistance to CTX, some patients do not benefit from the treatment and recurrence is observed. As caveolin-1 (Cav1) has been reported to affect the EGFR pathway, we aimed to elucidate how it might affect the response to CTX-radiotherapy. We showed that Cav1 expression conferred surviving, growing and motile capacities that protect cells against the combination of CTX-radiotherapy. The protecting effects of Cav1 are mediated by the Cav1/EREG/YAP axis. We also showed in a retrospective study that a high expression of Cav1 was predictive of locoregional relapse of LA-HNSCC. Cav1 should be taken into consideration in the future as a prognosis marker to identify the subgroup of advanced HNSCC at higher risk of recurrence, but also to help clinicians to choose the more appropriate therapeutic strategies. Abstract The EGFR-targeting antibody cetuximab (CTX) combined with radiotherapy is the only targeted therapy that has been proven effective for the treatment of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC). Recurrence arises in 50% of patients with HNSCC in the years following treatment. In clinicopathological practice, it is difficult to assign patients to classes of risk because no reliable biomarkers are available to predict the outcome of HPV-unrelated HNSCC. In the present study, we investigated the role of Caveolin-1 (Cav1) in the sensitivity of HNSCC cell lines to CTX-radiotherapy that might predict HNSCC relapse. Ctrl- and Cav-1-overexpressing HNSCC cell lines were exposed to solvent, CTX, or irradiation, or exposed to CTX before irradiation. Growth, clonogenicity, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, metabolism and signaling pathways were analyzed. Cav1 expression was analyzed in 173 tumor samples and correlated to locoregional recurrence and overall survival. We showed that Cav1-overexpressing cells demonstrate better survival capacities and remain proliferative and motile when exposed to CTX-radiotherapy. Resistance is mediated by the Cav1/EREG/YAP axis. Patients whose tumors overexpressed Cav1 experienced regional recurrence a few years after adjuvant radiotherapy ± chemotherapy. Together, our observations suggest that a high expression of Cav1 might be predictive of locoregional relapse of LA-HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mickaël Burgy
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France; (M.B.); (A.J.); (O.C.); (S.F.); (V.B.); (N.E.-S.); (M.D.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France;
| | - Aude Jehl
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France; (M.B.); (A.J.); (O.C.); (S.F.); (V.B.); (N.E.-S.); (M.D.)
| | - Ombline Conrad
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France; (M.B.); (A.J.); (O.C.); (S.F.); (V.B.); (N.E.-S.); (M.D.)
| | - Sophie Foppolo
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France; (M.B.); (A.J.); (O.C.); (S.F.); (V.B.); (N.E.-S.); (M.D.)
| | - Véronique Bruban
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France; (M.B.); (A.J.); (O.C.); (S.F.); (V.B.); (N.E.-S.); (M.D.)
| | - Nelly Etienne-Selloum
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France; (M.B.); (A.J.); (O.C.); (S.F.); (V.B.); (N.E.-S.); (M.D.)
- Department of Pharmacy, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Alain C. Jung
- Laboratory STREINTH (Stress Response and Innovative Therapies), Inserm IRFAC U1113, Université de Strasbourg, 67200 Strasbourg, France; (A.C.J.); (C.M.); (S.L.)
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Murielle Masson
- UMR7242 Biotechnologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, Ecole Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg, 67412 Illkirch, France;
| | - Christine Macabre
- Laboratory STREINTH (Stress Response and Innovative Therapies), Inserm IRFAC U1113, Université de Strasbourg, 67200 Strasbourg, France; (A.C.J.); (C.M.); (S.L.)
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Sonia Ledrappier
- Laboratory STREINTH (Stress Response and Innovative Therapies), Inserm IRFAC U1113, Université de Strasbourg, 67200 Strasbourg, France; (A.C.J.); (C.M.); (S.L.)
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Hélène Burckel
- Paul Strauss Comprehensive Cancer Center, Radiobiology Laboratory, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe (ICANS), Strasbourg University, UNICANCER, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (H.B.); (C.M.); (G.N.)
| | - Carole Mura
- Paul Strauss Comprehensive Cancer Center, Radiobiology Laboratory, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe (ICANS), Strasbourg University, UNICANCER, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (H.B.); (C.M.); (G.N.)
| | - Georges Noël
- Paul Strauss Comprehensive Cancer Center, Radiobiology Laboratory, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe (ICANS), Strasbourg University, UNICANCER, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (H.B.); (C.M.); (G.N.)
- Paul Strauss Comprehensive Cancer Center, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe (ICANS), Department of Radiation Oncology, Unicancer, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Christian Borel
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France;
| | - François Fasquelle
- Institut Pathology, University Hospital of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Mihaela-Alina Onea
- Department of Pathology, Strasbourg University Hospital, 67200 Strasbourg, France; (M.-A.O.); (M.-P.C.)
| | - Marie-Pierre Chenard
- Department of Pathology, Strasbourg University Hospital, 67200 Strasbourg, France; (M.-A.O.); (M.-P.C.)
| | - Alicia Thiéry
- Department of Public Health, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France;
| | - Monique Dontenwill
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France; (M.B.); (A.J.); (O.C.); (S.F.); (V.B.); (N.E.-S.); (M.D.)
| | - Sophie Martin
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France; (M.B.); (A.J.); (O.C.); (S.F.); (V.B.); (N.E.-S.); (M.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +3-336-885-4197; Fax: +3-336-885-4313
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Antibody therapy in pancreatic cancer: mAb-ye we're onto something? Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1876:188557. [PMID: 33945846 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer remains an extremely deadly disease, with little improvement seen in treatment or outcomes over the last 40 years. Targeted monoclonal antibody therapy is one area that has been explored in attempts to tackle this disease. This review examines antibodies that have undergone clinical evaluation in pancreatic cancer. These antibodies target a wide variety of molecules, including tumour cell surface, stromal, immune and embryonic pathway targets. We discuss the therapeutic utility of these therapies both as monotherapeutics and in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy. While antibody therapy for pancreatic cancer has yet to yield significant success, lessons learned from research thus far highlights future directions that may help overcome observed hurdles to yield clinically efficacious results.
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Souza ALRD, Amorim ACF, Cintra ER, Ferreira NN, Silva LAD, Hayasaki TG, Diniz DGA, Lima EM. Development and validation of a rapid RP-HPLC method for simultaneous quantification of paclitaxel and cetuximab in immunoliposomes. Talanta 2021; 225:121988. [PMID: 33592736 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.121988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The development of rational therapies against complex diseases, such as cancer, has increased in the past few years due to the advances of 'omics' technologies. Concomitantly, several efforts have been made to design sophisticated drug delivery systems in order to increase specificity and drug accumulation in tumor sites. The complexity of these drug delivery systems highlights the need for suitable analytical methods to determine encapsulation/conjugation efficiency of drugs and molecules responsible for the targeted delivery. Therefore, this study focuses on the development and validation of a RP-HPLC-DAD methodology for concurrent quantification of paclitaxel (PTX) and cetuximab (CTX) in immunoliposomes. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a wide pore C8 column, and a gradient mobile phase consisting of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in Milli-Q water/acetonitrile/isopropanol with a flow rate of 1 mL min-1. Drug peaks were fully separated and detected at 280 nm using UV detector. The method was validated according to ICH and FDA guidelines in terms of specificity and forced degradation studies, system suitability, linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, repeatability, intermediate precision, accuracy, robustness, and short-term stability. The developed method was linear over the concentration range of 37.5-150 μg mL-1 of PTX and 75-300 μg mL-1 of CTX. All parameters evaluated satisfied the acceptance criteria, according to both FDA and ICH guidelines. The applicability of the analytical method was assessed following the development of PTX-loaded immunoliposomes conjugated with CTX. Thus, the present study shows a novel, simple, stability-indicating and suitable method to quantify simultaneously PTX and CTX in immunoliposomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luiza Ribeiro de Souza
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology and Drug Delivery Systems - FarmaTec, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Amanda Cláudia Ferreira Amorim
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology and Drug Delivery Systems - FarmaTec, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Emílio Ramos Cintra
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology and Drug Delivery Systems - FarmaTec, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | | | - Luís Antônio Dantas Silva
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology and Drug Delivery Systems - FarmaTec, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Tacio Gonçalves Hayasaki
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology and Drug Delivery Systems - FarmaTec, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Danielle Guimarães Almeida Diniz
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology and Drug Delivery Systems - FarmaTec, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Eliana Martins Lima
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology and Drug Delivery Systems - FarmaTec, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
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Guy JB, Espenel S, Louati S, Gauthier A, Garcia MA, Vial N, Malésys C, Ardail D, Alphonse G, Wozny AS, Rodriguez-Lafrasse C, Magné N. Combining radiation to EGFR and Bcl-2 blockade: a new approach to target cancer stem cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2021; 147:1905-1916. [PMID: 33791846 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-021-03593-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The clinical outcome of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains poor, partly due to the presence of resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs) which are responsible of recurrences. CSCs have low EGFR expression and, conversely, overexpress the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein, which is involved in resistance to apoptosis and the invasion/migration capacities of tumour cells. METHODS The combination therapy of ABT-199, a Bcl-2 inhibitor, cetuximab an EGFR inhibitor, and radiation using an HNSCC model (SQ20B cell line) and its corresponding CSC subpopulation were evaluated in vitro (2D/3D cell proliferation; invasion/migration and apoptosis using videomicroscopy) and in vivo. RESULTS Cetuximab strongly inhibited 2D and 3D cell proliferation, as well as invasion/migration, only in non-CSC-SQ20B cells, whereas ABT-199 selectively inhibited these mechanisms in SQ20B/CSCs. The combination of irradiation + cetuximab + ABT-199 increased the inhibition of the 2D and 3D cell proliferation, invasion/migration, and resistance to apoptosis in both cell sub-populations. In addition, in a nude mouse model with heterotopic tumour xenograft, a treatment combining cetuximab + ABT-199 with fractional irradiation strongly delayed the tumour growth and increased in vivo lifespan without side effects. CONCLUSION Based on the present results, this triple combination therapy may represent a new opportunity for testing in clinical trials, particularly in locally advanced HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Baptiste Guy
- Faculté de Médecine-Lyon-Sud, Université Lyon 1, 69921, Oullins, France.
- Laboratoire de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Sud, CNRS UMR 5822 IP2I, 165 Chemin du Grand Revoyet, BP 12, 69921, Oullins Cedex, France.
- Département de Radiothérapie, Institut de Cancérologie de La Loire, Lucien Neuwirth, 42270, St Priest en Jarez, France.
| | - Sophie Espenel
- Faculté de Médecine-Lyon-Sud, Université Lyon 1, 69921, Oullins, France
- Laboratoire de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Sud, CNRS UMR 5822 IP2I, 165 Chemin du Grand Revoyet, BP 12, 69921, Oullins Cedex, France
- Département de Radiothérapie, Institut de Cancérologie de La Loire, Lucien Neuwirth, 42270, St Priest en Jarez, France
| | - Safa Louati
- Faculté de Médecine-Lyon-Sud, Université Lyon 1, 69921, Oullins, France
- Laboratoire de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Sud, CNRS UMR 5822 IP2I, 165 Chemin du Grand Revoyet, BP 12, 69921, Oullins Cedex, France
- Département de Radiothérapie, Institut de Cancérologie de La Loire, Lucien Neuwirth, 42270, St Priest en Jarez, France
| | - Arnaud Gauthier
- Faculté de Médecine-Lyon-Sud, Université Lyon 1, 69921, Oullins, France
- Laboratoire de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Sud, CNRS UMR 5822 IP2I, 165 Chemin du Grand Revoyet, BP 12, 69921, Oullins Cedex, France
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69229, Lyon, France
| | - Max-Adrien Garcia
- Département de Santé Publique, Institut de Cancérologie de La Loire, Lucien Neuwirth, 42270, St Priest en Jarez, France
| | - Nicolas Vial
- Département de Radiothérapie, Institut de Cancérologie de La Loire, Lucien Neuwirth, 42270, St Priest en Jarez, France
| | - Céline Malésys
- Faculté de Médecine-Lyon-Sud, Université Lyon 1, 69921, Oullins, France
- Laboratoire de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Sud, CNRS UMR 5822 IP2I, 165 Chemin du Grand Revoyet, BP 12, 69921, Oullins Cedex, France
| | - Dominique Ardail
- Faculté de Médecine-Lyon-Sud, Université Lyon 1, 69921, Oullins, France
- Laboratoire de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Sud, CNRS UMR 5822 IP2I, 165 Chemin du Grand Revoyet, BP 12, 69921, Oullins Cedex, France
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69229, Lyon, France
| | - Gersende Alphonse
- Laboratoire de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Sud, CNRS UMR 5822 IP2I, 165 Chemin du Grand Revoyet, BP 12, 69921, Oullins Cedex, France
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69229, Lyon, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Wozny
- Faculté de Médecine-Lyon-Sud, Université Lyon 1, 69921, Oullins, France
- Laboratoire de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Sud, CNRS UMR 5822 IP2I, 165 Chemin du Grand Revoyet, BP 12, 69921, Oullins Cedex, France
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69229, Lyon, France
| | - Claire Rodriguez-Lafrasse
- Faculté de Médecine-Lyon-Sud, Université Lyon 1, 69921, Oullins, France
- Laboratoire de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Sud, CNRS UMR 5822 IP2I, 165 Chemin du Grand Revoyet, BP 12, 69921, Oullins Cedex, France
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69229, Lyon, France
| | - Nicolas Magné
- Laboratoire de Radiobiologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Sud, CNRS UMR 5822 IP2I, 165 Chemin du Grand Revoyet, BP 12, 69921, Oullins Cedex, France
- Département de Radiothérapie, Institut de Cancérologie de La Loire, Lucien Neuwirth, 42270, St Priest en Jarez, France
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Wium M, Ajayi-Smith AF, Paccez JD, Zerbini LF. The Role of the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Axl in Carcinogenesis and Development of Therapeutic Resistance: An Overview of Molecular Mechanisms and Future Applications. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1521. [PMID: 33806258 PMCID: PMC8037968 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance to chemotherapeutic agents by cancer cells has remained a major obstacle in the successful treatment of various cancers. Numerous factors such as DNA damage repair, cell death inhibition, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and evasion of apoptosis have all been implicated in the promotion of chemoresistance. The receptor tyrosine kinase Axl, a member of the TAM family (which includes TYRO3 and MER), plays an important role in the regulation of cellular processes such as proliferation, motility, survival, and immunologic response. The overexpression of Axl is reported in several solid and hematological malignancies, including non-small cell lung, prostate, breast, liver and gastric cancers, and acute myeloid leukaemia. The overexpression of Axl is associated with poor prognosis and the development of resistance to therapy. Reports show that Axl overexpression confers drug resistance in lung cancer and advances the emergence of tolerant cells. Axl is, therefore, an important candidate as a prognostic biomarker and target for anticancer therapies. In this review, we discuss the consequence of Axl upregulation in cancers, provide evidence for its role in cancer progression and the development of drug resistance. We will also discuss the therapeutic potential of Axl in the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Wium
- Cancer Genomics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.W.); (A.F.A.-S.)
| | - Aderonke F. Ajayi-Smith
- Cancer Genomics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.W.); (A.F.A.-S.)
| | - Juliano D. Paccez
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Luiz F. Zerbini
- Cancer Genomics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.W.); (A.F.A.-S.)
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de Kort WWB, Spelier S, Devriese LA, van Es RJJ, Willems SM. Predictive Value of EGFR-PI3K-AKT-mTOR-Pathway Inhibitor Biomarkers for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review. Mol Diagn Ther 2021; 25:123-136. [PMID: 33686517 PMCID: PMC7956931 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-021-00518-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding molecular pathogenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) has considerably improved in the last decades. As a result, novel therapeutic strategies have evolved, amongst which are epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapies. With the exception of cetuximab, targeted therapies for HNSCC have not yet been introduced into clinical practice. One important aspect of new treatment regimes in clinical practice is presence of robust biomarkers predictive for therapy response. METHODS We performed a systematic search in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane library. Articles were included if they investigated a biomarker for targeted therapy in the EGFR-PI3K-AKT-mTOR-pathway. RESULTS Of 83 included articles, 52 were preclinical and 33 were clinical studies (two studies contained both a preclinical and a clinical part). We classified EGFR pathway inhibitor types and investigated the type of biomarker (biomarker on epigenetic, DNA, mRNA or protein level). CONCLUSION Several EGFR-PI3K-AKT-mTOR-pathway inhibitor biomarkers have been researched for HNSCC but few of the investigated biomarkers have been adequately confirmed in clinical trials. A more systematic approach is needed to discover proper biomarkers as stratifying patients is essential to prevent unnecessary costs and side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- W. W. B. de Kort
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 885500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - S. Spelier
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 885500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - L. A. Devriese
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 885500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - R. J. J. van Es
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 885500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Utrecht Cancer Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 885500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - S. M. Willems
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 885500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
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Kim D, Lee S, Na K. Immune Stimulating Antibody-Photosensitizer Conjugates via Fc-Mediated Dendritic Cell Phagocytosis and Phototriggered Immunogenic Cell Death for KRAS-Mutated Pancreatic Cancer Treatment. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2006650. [PMID: 33590726 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202006650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Although cetuximab (CTX) is a chimeric epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody, the antitumor efficacy of CTX has a negligible effect in patients with Kirsten rat sarcoma 2 viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutated pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Given that all extant treatments are ineffective due to the undruggable characteristics of KRAS-mutated cancer, alternative strategies have been investigated. In this work, CTX-conjugated maleimide-polyethylene glycol-chlorin e6 (CMPC) is designed to strengthen its antitumor efficacy. With strong affinity for EGFR overexpressing Aspc-1 cells, CMPC with laser exerts the greatest cytotoxicity (90%) and induction of immunogenic cell death. Through a combination of fragment crystallizable region-mediated antigen uptake by CTX and danger-associated molecular patterns released by photodynamic therapy (PDT), phagocytosis and maturation of dendritic cells treated with CMPC plus laser show dramatic increases. In vivo biodistribution and antitumor effect also demonstrate that CMPC has significant tumor selectivity and tumor ablation efficacy upon laser irradiation. Furthermore, a large number of CD4+ , CD8+ T cells and mature DCs and natural killer cells are infiltrated in CMPC with laser-treated tumor tissues and tumor-draining lymph nodes, revealing both innate and adaptive cellular immune stimulation. This synergistic effect with CMPC and laser treatment provides an effective approach for pancreatic cancer immunotherapy attributed to both CTX and PDT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dahye Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, Department of Biomedical-Chemical Engineering, The Catholic University of Korea, 43 Jibong-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi, 14662, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghee Lee
- Department of Biotechnology, Department of Biomedical-Chemical Engineering, The Catholic University of Korea, 43 Jibong-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi, 14662, Republic of Korea
| | - Kun Na
- Department of Biotechnology, Department of Biomedical-Chemical Engineering, The Catholic University of Korea, 43 Jibong-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi, 14662, Republic of Korea
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Lu Z, Truex NL, Melo MB, Cheng Y, Li N, Irvine DJ, Pentelute BL. IgG-Engineered Protective Antigen for Cytosolic Delivery of Proteins into Cancer Cells. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2021; 7:365-378. [PMID: 33655074 PMCID: PMC7908032 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.0c01670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic immunotoxins composed of antibodies and bacterial toxins provide potent activity against malignant cells, but joining them with a defined covalent bond while maintaining the desired function is challenging. Here, we develop novel immunotoxins by dovetailing full-length immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and nontoxic anthrax proteins, in which the C terminus of the IgG heavy chain is connected to the side chain of anthrax toxin protective antigen. This strategy enabled efficient conjugation of protective antigen variants to trastuzumab (Tmab) and cetuximab (Cmab) antibodies. The conjugates effectively perform intracellular delivery of edema factor and N terminus of lethal factor (LFN) fused with diphtheria toxin and Ras/Rap1-specific endopeptidase. Each conjugate shows high specificity for cells expressing human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), respectively, and potent activity across six Tmab- and Cmab-resistant cell lines. The conjugates also exhibit increased pharmacokinetics and pronounced in vivo safety, which shows promise for further therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyu Lu
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Nicholas L. Truex
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Mariane B. Melo
- The
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Ragon
Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Yiran Cheng
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Na Li
- The
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Darrell J. Irvine
- The
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Ragon
Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department
of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Howard Hughes
Medical Institute, 4000
Jones Bridge Road, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815, United
States
| | - Bradley L. Pentelute
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- The
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Center
for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Broad
Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- E-mail:
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Molecular Targeting of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor (VEGFR). Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26041076. [PMID: 33670650 PMCID: PMC7922143 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26041076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) are two extensively studied membrane-bound receptor tyrosine kinase proteins that are frequently overexpressed in many cancers. As a result, these receptor families constitute attractive targets for imaging and therapeutic applications in the detection and treatment of cancer. This review explores the dynamic structure and structure-function relationships of these two growth factor receptors and their significance as it relates to theranostics of cancer, followed by some of the common inhibition modalities frequently employed to target EGFR and VEGFR, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), antibodies, nanobodies, and peptides. A summary of the recent advances in molecular imaging techniques, including positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and optical imaging (OI), and in particular, near-IR fluorescence imaging using tetrapyrrolic-based fluorophores, concludes this review.
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50
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The Inhibition of CDK8/19 Mediator Kinases Prevents the Development of Resistance to EGFR-Targeting Drugs. Cells 2021; 10:cells10010144. [PMID: 33445730 PMCID: PMC7828184 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance is the main obstacle to achieving cures with both conventional and targeted anticancer drugs. The emergence of acquired drug resistance is initially mediated by non-genetic transcriptional changes, which occur at a much higher frequency than mutations and may involve population-scale transcriptomic adaptation. CDK8/19 kinases, through association with transcriptional Mediator complex, regulate transcriptional reprogramming by co-operating with different signal-responsive transcription factors. Here we tested if CDK8/19 inhibition could prevent adaptation to drugs acting on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ERBB1/HER1). The development of resistance was analyzed following long-term exposure of BT474 and SKBR3 breast cancer cells to EGFR-targeting small molecules (gefitinib, erlotinib) and of SW48 colon cancer cells to an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody cetuximab. In all cases, treatment of small cell populations (~105 cells) with a single dose of the drug initially led to growth inhibition that was followed by the resumption of proliferation and development of drug resistance in the adapted populations. However, this adaptation was always prevented by the addition of selective CDK8/19 inhibitors, even though such inhibitors alone had only moderate or no effect on cell growth. These results indicate that combining EGFR-targeting drugs with CDK8/19 inhibitors may delay or prevent the development of tumor resistance to therapy.
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