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Guruvaiah P, Gupta R. IκBα kinase inhibitor BAY 11-7082 promotes anti-tumor effect in RAS-driven cancers. J Transl Med 2024; 22:642. [PMID: 38982514 PMCID: PMC11233160 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05384-4] [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: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oncogenic mutations in the RAS gene are associated with uncontrolled cell growth, a hallmark feature contributing to tumorigenesis. While diverse therapeutic strategies have been diligently applied to treat RAS-mutant cancers, successful targeting of the RAS gene remains a persistent challenge in the field of cancer therapy. In our study, we discover a promising avenue for addressing this challenge. METHODS In this study, we tested the viability of several cell lines carrying oncogenic NRAS, KRAS, and HRAS mutations upon treatment with IkappaBalpha (IκBα) inhibitor BAY 11-7082. We performed both cell culture-based viability assay and in vivo subcutaneous xenograft-based assay to confirm the growth inhibitory effect of BAY 11-7082. We also performed large RNA sequencing analysis to identify differentially regulated genes and pathways in the context of oncogenic NRAS, KRAS, and HRAS mutations upon treatment with BAY 11-7082. RESULTS We demonstrate that oncogenic NRAS, KRAS, and HRAS activate the expression of IκBα kinase. BAY 11-7082, an inhibitor of IκBα kinase, attenuates the growth of NRAS, KRAS, and HRAS mutant cancer cells in cell culture and in mouse model. Mechanistically, BAY 11-7082 inhibitor treatment leads to suppression of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and activation of apoptosis in all RAS mutant cell lines. Additionally, we find that BAY 11-7082 treatment results in the downregulation of different biological pathways depending upon the type of RAS protein that may also contribute to tumor growth inhibition. CONCLUSION Our study identifies BAY 11-7082 to be an efficacious inhibitor for treating RAS oncogene (HRAS, KRAS, and NRAS) mutant cancer cells. This finding provides new therapeutic opportunity for effective treatment of RAS-mutant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Guruvaiah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Romi Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
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2
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Pasdaran A, Grice ID, Hamedi A. A review of natural products and small-molecule therapeutics acting on central nervous system malignancies: Approaches for drug development, targeting pathways, clinical trials, and challenges. Drug Dev Res 2024; 85:e22180. [PMID: 38680103 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22180] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
In 2021, the World Health Organization released the fifth edition of the central nervous system (CNS) tumor classification. This classification uses histopathology and molecular pathogenesis to group tumors into more biologically and molecularly defined entities. The prognosis of brain cancer, particularly malignant tumors, has remained poor worldwide, approximately 308,102 new cases of brain and other CNS tumors were diagnosed in the year 2020, with an estimated 251,329 deaths. The cost and time-consuming nature of studies to find new anticancer agents makes it necessary to have well-designed studies. In the present study, the pathways that can be targeted for drug development are discussed in detail. Some of the important cellular origins, signaling, and pathways involved in the efficacy of bioactive molecules against CNS tumorigenesis or progression, as well as prognosis and common approaches for treatment of different types of brain tumors, are reviewed. Moreover, different study tools, including cell lines, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trial challenges, are discussed. In addition, in this article, natural products as one of the most important sources for finding new chemotherapeutics were reviewed and over 700 reported molecules with efficacy against CNS cancer cells are gathered and classified according to their structure. Based on the clinical trials that have been registered, very few of these natural or semi-synthetic derivatives have been studied in humans. The review can help researchers understand the involved mechanisms and design new goal-oriented studies for drug development against CNS malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ardalan Pasdaran
- Medicinal Plants Processing Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Irwin Darren Grice
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, Queensland, Australia
- School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Azadeh Hamedi
- Medicinal Plants Processing Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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3
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Schütz GJ, Pabst G. The asymmetric plasma membrane-A composite material combining different functionalities?: Balancing Barrier Function and Fluidity for Effective Signaling. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2300116. [PMID: 37712937 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
One persistent puzzle in the life sciences is the asymmetric lipid composition of the cellular plasma membrane: while the exoplasmic leaflet is enriched in lipids carrying predominantly saturated fatty acids, the cytoplasmic leaflet hosts preferentially lipids with (poly-)unsaturated fatty acids. Given the high energy requirements necessary for cells to maintain this asymmetry, the question naturally arises regarding its inherent benefits. In this paper, we propose asymmetry to represent a potential solution for harmonizing two conflicting requirements for the plasma membrane: first, the need to build a barrier for the uncontrolled influx or efflux of substances; and second, the need to form a fluid and dynamic two-dimensional substrate for signaling processes. We hence view here the plasma membrane as a composite material, where the exoplasmic leaflet is mainly responsible for the functional integrity of the barrier and the cytoplasmic leaflet for fluidity. We reinforce the validity of the proposed mechanism by presenting quantitative data from the literature, along with multiple examples that bolster our model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Georg Pabst
- Biophysics, Institute of Molecular Bioscience (IMB), NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria
- Field of Excellence BioHealth-University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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4
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Chmielewska I, Krawczyk P, Grenda A, Wójcik-Superczyńska M, Krzyżanowska N, Gil M, Milanowski J. Breaking the 'Undruggable' Barrier: Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Immunotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients with KRAS Mutations-A Comprehensive Review and Description of Single Site Experience. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3732. [PMID: 37509393 PMCID: PMC10378665 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143732] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue (KRAS) gene mutations are among the most commonly found oncogenic alterations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Unfortunately, KRAS mutations have been considered "undruggable" for many years, making treatment options very limited. Immunotherapy targeting programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), programmed death 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) has emerged as a promising therapeutic option for NSCLC patients. However, some studies have suggested a lower response rate to immunotherapy in KRAS-mutated NSCLC patients with the coexistence of mutations in the STK11 (Serine/Threonine Kinase 11) gene. However, recent clinical trials have shown promising results with the combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy or immunotherapy and KRAS inhibitors (sotorasib, adagrasib) in such patients. In other studies, the high efficacy of immunotherapy has been demonstrated in NSCLC patients with mutations in the KRAS gene that do not coexist with other mutations or coexist with the TP53 gene mutations. In this paper, we review the available literature on the efficacy of immunotherapy in KRAS-mutated NSCLC patients. In addition, we presented single-site experience on the efficacy of immunotherapy in NSCLC patients with KRAS mutations. The effectiveness of chemoimmunotherapy or immunotherapy as well as KRAS inhibitors extends the overall survival of advanced NSCLC patients with the G12C mutation in the KRAS gene to 2-3 years. This type of management has become the new standard in the treatment of NSCLC patients. Further studies are needed to clarify the potential benefits of immunotherapy in KRAS-mutated NSCLC patients and to identify potential biomarkers that may help predict response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Chmielewska
- Department of Pneumonology, Oncology and Allergology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Paweł Krawczyk
- Department of Pneumonology, Oncology and Allergology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Grenda
- Department of Pneumonology, Oncology and Allergology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | | | - Natalia Krzyżanowska
- Department of Pneumonology, Oncology and Allergology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Michał Gil
- Department of Pneumonology, Oncology and Allergology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Janusz Milanowski
- Department of Pneumonology, Oncology and Allergology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
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5
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Mullaguri SC, Akula S, Sahoo PS, Ashireddygari VR, Mupparapu V, Silveri R, Prasad Burra VLS, Kancha RK. Molecular docking analysis reveals differential binding affinities of multiple classes of selective inhibitors towards cancer-associated KRAS mutants. 3 Biotech 2022; 12:343. [PMID: 36353445 PMCID: PMC9637698 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-022-03407-9] [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: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
KRAS is the most frequently mutated oncogene in solid cancers, and inhibitors that specifically target the KRAS-G12C mutant were recently approved for clinical use. The limited availability of experimental data pertaining to the sensitivity of KRAS-non-G12C mutants towards RAS inhibitors made it difficult to predict the response of KRAS-mutated cancers towards RAS-targeted therapies. The current study aims at evaluating sensitivity profiles of KRAS-non-G12C mutations towards clinically approved sotorasib and adagrasib, and experimental RAS inhibitors based on binding energies derived through molecular docking analysis. Computationally predicted sensitivities of KRAS mutants conformed with the available but limited experimental data, thus validating the usefulness of molecular docking approach in predicting clinical response towards RAS inhibitor treatment. Our results indicate differential sensitivity of KRAS mutants towards both clinical and experimental therapeutics; while certain mutants exhibited broad cross-resistance to most inhibitors, some mutants showed resistance towards specific inhibitors. These results thus suggest the potential of emergence of more resistance mutations in future towards RAS-targeted therapy and points to an urgent need to develop novel classes of inhibitors that are able to overcome both primary and secondary drug resistance. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-022-03407-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Charitha Mullaguri
- Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics Laboratory, CPMB, Osmania University, Hyderabad, 500007 India
| | - Sravani Akula
- Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics Laboratory, CPMB, Osmania University, Hyderabad, 500007 India
| | - Partha Sarathi Sahoo
- Centre for Advanced Research and Innovation in Structural Biology of Diseases, Department of Biotechnology, KLEF University, Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh India
| | | | - Vyshnavika Mupparapu
- Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics Laboratory, CPMB, Osmania University, Hyderabad, 500007 India
| | - Ravalika Silveri
- Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics Laboratory, CPMB, Osmania University, Hyderabad, 500007 India
| | - V. L. S. Prasad Burra
- Centre for Advanced Research and Innovation in Structural Biology of Diseases, Department of Biotechnology, KLEF University, Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh India
| | - Rama Krishna Kancha
- Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics Laboratory, CPMB, Osmania University, Hyderabad, 500007 India
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6
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A Comprehensive View on the Quercetin Impact on Colorectal Cancer. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27061873. [PMID: 35335239 PMCID: PMC8953922 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27061873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents the third type of cancer in incidence and second in mortality worldwide, with the newly diagnosed case number on the rise. Among the diagnosed patients, approximately 70% have no hereditary germ-line mutations or family history of pathology, thus being termed sporadic CRC. Diet and environmental factors are to date considered solely responsible for the development of sporadic CRC; therefore; attention should be directed towards the discovery of preventative actions to combat the CRC initiation, promotion, and progression. Quercetin is a polyphenolic flavonoid plant secondary metabolite with a well-characterized antioxidant activity. It has been extensively reported as an anti-carcinogenic agent in the scientific literature, and the modulated targets of quercetin have been also characterized in the context of CRC, mainly in original research publications. In this fairly comprehensive review, we summarize the molecular targets of quercetin reported to date in in vivo and in vitro CRC models, while also giving background information about the signal transduction pathways that it up- and downregulates. Among the most relevant modulated pathways, the Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/AKT, MAPK/Erk, JNK, or p38, p53, and NF-κB have been described. With this work, we hope to encourage further quests in the elucidation of quercetin anti-carcinogenic activity as single agent, as dietary component, or as pharmaconutrient delivered in the form of plant extracts.
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7
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Jafari Nivlouei S, Soltani M, Shirani E, Salimpour MR, Travasso R, Carvalho J. A multiscale cell-based model of tumor growth for chemotherapy assessment and tumor-targeted therapy through a 3D computational approach. Cell Prolif 2022; 55:e13187. [PMID: 35132721 PMCID: PMC8891571 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Computational modeling of biological systems is a powerful tool to clarify diverse processes contributing to cancer. The aim is to clarify the complex biochemical and mechanical interactions between cells, the relevance of intracellular signaling pathways in tumor progression and related events to the cancer treatments, which are largely ignored in previous studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS A three-dimensional multiscale cell-based model is developed, covering multiple time and spatial scales, including intracellular, cellular, and extracellular processes. The model generates a realistic representation of the processes involved from an implementation of the signaling transduction network. RESULTS Considering a benign tumor development, results are in good agreement with the experimental ones, which identify three different phases in tumor growth. Simulating tumor vascular growth, results predict a highly vascularized tumor morphology in a lobulated form, a consequence of cells' motile behavior. A novel systematic study of chemotherapy intervention, in combination with targeted therapy, is presented to address the capability of the model to evaluate typical clinical protocols. The model also performs a dose comparison study in order to optimize treatment efficacy and surveys the effect of chemotherapy initiation delays and different regimens. CONCLUSIONS Results not only provide detailed insights into tumor progression, but also support suggestions for clinical implementation. This is a major step toward the goal of predicting the effects of not only traditional chemotherapy but also tumor-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Jafari Nivlouei
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isafahan, Iran.,Department of Physics, CFisUC, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Madjid Soltani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.,Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (CBB), University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.,Advanced Bioengineering Initiative Center, Computational Medicine Center, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.,Cancer Biology Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Shirani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isafahan, Iran.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Foolad Institute of Technology, Fooladshahr, Iran
| | | | - Rui Travasso
- Department of Physics, CFisUC, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Carvalho
- Department of Physics, CFisUC, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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8
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DNAzymes, Novel Therapeutic Agents in Cancer Therapy: A Review of Concepts to Applications. J Nucleic Acids 2021; 2021:9365081. [PMID: 34760318 PMCID: PMC8575636 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9365081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The past few decades have witnessed a rapid evolution in cancer drug research which is aimed at developing active biological interventions to regulate cancer-specific molecular targets. Nucleic acid-based therapeutics, including ribozymes, antisense oligonucleotides, small interference RNA (siRNA), aptamer, and DNAzymes, have emerged as promising candidates regulating cancer-specific genes at either the transcriptional or posttranscriptional level. Gene-specific catalytic DNA molecules, or DNAzymes, have shown promise as a therapeutic intervention against cancer in various in vitro and in vivo models, expediting towards clinical applications. DNAzymes are single-stranded catalytic DNA that has not been observed in nature, and they are synthesized through in vitro selection processes from a large pool of random DNA libraries. The intrinsic properties of DNAzymes like small molecular weight, higher stability, excellent programmability, diversity, and low cost have brought them to the forefront of the nucleic acid-based therapeutic arsenal available for cancers. In recent years, considerable efforts have been undertaken to assess a variety of DNAzymes against different cancers. However, their therapeutic application is constrained by the low delivery efficiency, cellular uptake, and target detection within the tumour microenvironment. Thus, there is a pursuit to identify efficient delivery methods in vivo before the full potential of DNAzymes in cancer therapy is realized. In this light, a review of the recent advances in the use of DNAzymes against cancers in preclinical and clinical settings is valuable to understand its potential as effective cancer therapy. We have thus sought to firstly provide a brief overview of construction and recent improvements in the design of DNAzymes. Secondly, this review stipulates the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of DNAzymes developed against major hallmarks of cancers tested in preclinical and clinical settings. Lastly, the recent advances in DNAzyme delivery systems along with the challenges and prospects for the clinical application of DNAzymes as cancer therapy are also discussed.
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9
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Copper in tumors and the use of copper-based compounds in cancer treatment. J Inorg Biochem 2021; 226:111634. [PMID: 34740035 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2021.111634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Copper homeostasis is strictly regulated by protein transporters and chaperones, to allow its correct distribution and avoid uncontrolled redox reactions. Several studies address copper as involved in cancer development and spreading (epithelial to mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis). However, being endogenous and displaying a tremendous potential to generate free radicals, copper is a perfect candidate, once opportunely complexed, to be used as a drug in cancer therapy with low adverse effects. Copper ions can be modulated by the organic counterpart, after complexed to their metalcore, either in redox potential or geometry and consequently reactivity. During the last four decades, many copper complexes were studied regarding their reactivity toward cancer cells, and many of them could be a drug choice for phase II and III in cancer therapy. Also, there is promising evidence of using 64Cu in nanoparticles as radiopharmaceuticals for both positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and treatment of hypoxic tumors. However, few compounds have gone beyond testing in animal models, and none of them got the status of a drug for cancer chemotherapy. The main challenge is their solubility in physiological buffers and their different and non-predictable mechanism of action. Moreover, it is difficult to rationalize a structure-based activity for drug design and delivery. In this review, we describe the role of copper in cancer, the effects of copper-complexes on tumor cell death mechanisms, and point to the new copper complexes applicable as drugs, suggesting that they may represent at least one component of a multi-action combination in cancer therapy.
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10
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Jafari Nivlouei S, Soltani M, Carvalho J, Travasso R, Salimpour MR, Shirani E. Multiscale modeling of tumor growth and angiogenesis: Evaluation of tumor-targeted therapy. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1009081. [PMID: 34161319 PMCID: PMC8259971 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The dynamics of tumor growth and associated events cover multiple time and spatial scales, generally including extracellular, cellular and intracellular modifications. The main goal of this study is to model the biological and physical behavior of tumor evolution in presence of normal healthy tissue, considering a variety of events involved in the process. These include hyper and hypoactivation of signaling pathways during tumor growth, vessels' growth, intratumoral vascularization and competition of cancer cells with healthy host tissue. The work addresses two distinctive phases in tumor development-the avascular and vascular phases-and in each stage two cases are considered-with and without normal healthy cells. The tumor growth rate increases considerably as closed vessel loops (anastomoses) form around the tumor cells resulting from tumor induced vascularization. When taking into account the host tissue around the tumor, the results show that competition between normal cells and cancer cells leads to the formation of a hypoxic tumor core within a relatively short period of time. Moreover, a dense intratumoral vascular network is formed throughout the entire lesion as a sign of a high malignancy grade, which is consistent with reported experimental data for several types of solid carcinomas. In comparison with other mathematical models of tumor development, in this work we introduce a multiscale simulation that models the cellular interactions and cell behavior as a consequence of the activation of oncogenes and deactivation of gene signaling pathways within each cell. Simulating a therapy that blocks relevant signaling pathways results in the prevention of further tumor growth and leads to an expressive decrease in its size (82% in the simulation).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Jafari Nivlouei
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isafahan, Iran
- CFisUC, Department of Physics, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M. Soltani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (CBB), University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Advanced Bioengineering Initiative Center, Computational Medicine Center, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - João Carvalho
- CFisUC, Department of Physics, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui Travasso
- CFisUC, Department of Physics, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Ebrahim Shirani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isafahan, Iran
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Foolad Institute of Technology, Fooladshahr, Iran
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11
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Han CW, Jeong MS, Jang SB. Understand KRAS and the Quest for Anti-Cancer Drugs. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040842. [PMID: 33917906 PMCID: PMC8068306 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The KRAS oncogene is mutated in approximately ~30% of human cancers, and the targeting of KRAS has long been highlighted in many studies. Nevertheless, attempts to target KRAS directly have been ineffective. This review provides an overview of the structure of KRAS and its characteristic signaling pathways. Additionally, we examine the problems associated with currently available KRAS inhibitors and discuss promising avenues for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Woo Han
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Jangjeon-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Korea;
| | - Mi Suk Jeong
- Institute for Plastic Information and Energy Materials and Sustainable Utilization of Photovoltaic Energy Research Center, Pusan National University, Jangjeon-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Korea
- Correspondence: (M.S.J.); (S.B.J.); Tel.: +82-51-510-2523 (M.S.J. & S.B.J.)
| | - Se Bok Jang
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Jangjeon-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Korea
- Correspondence: (M.S.J.); (S.B.J.); Tel.: +82-51-510-2523 (M.S.J. & S.B.J.)
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12
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Koveitypour Z, Panahi F, Vakilian M, Peymani M, Seyed Forootan F, Nasr Esfahani MH, Ghaedi K. Signaling pathways involved in colorectal cancer progression. Cell Biosci 2019; 9:97. [PMID: 31827763 PMCID: PMC6889432 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-019-0361-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth leading cause of the worldwide cancer mortality. Different molecular mechanisms have been attributed to the development and progress of CRC. In this review, we will focus on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades downstream of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Notch, PI3K/AKT pathway, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and Wnt signaling pathways. Various mutations in the components of these signaling pathways have been linked to the development of CRC. Accordingly, numerous efforts have been carried out to target the signaling pathways to develop novel therapeutic approaches. Herein, we review the signaling pathways involved in the incidence and progression of CRC, and the strategies for the therapy targeting components of signaling pathways in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Koveitypour
- Department of Modern Biology, ACECR Institute of Higher Education (Isfahan Branch), Isfahan, Iran
| | - Farnoush Panahi
- Department of Modern Biology, ACECR Institute of Higher Education (Isfahan Branch), Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Vakilian
- 6Department of Cell Regeneration and Advanced Therapies, Andalusian Center for Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CABIMER), University of Pablo de Olavide-University of Seville-CSIC, Seville, Spain.,7Department of Cellular Biology, Genetics and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Malaga (UMA), Malaga, Spain
| | - Maryam Peymani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, P.O. Box: 88137-33395, Shahrekord, Iran.,4Department of Cellular Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, P.O. Box: 816513-1378, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Farzad Seyed Forootan
- 4Department of Cellular Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, P.O. Box: 816513-1378, Isfahan, Iran.,Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Nasr Esfahani
- 4Department of Cellular Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, P.O. Box: 816513-1378, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Kamran Ghaedi
- 3Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.,4Department of Cellular Biotechnology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, P.O. Box: 816513-1378, Isfahan, Iran
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13
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Foroughi S, Tie J, Gibbs P, Burgess AW. Epidermal growth factor receptor ligands: targets for optimizing treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Growth Factors 2019; 37:209-225. [PMID: 31878812 DOI: 10.1080/08977194.2019.1703702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) revealed the connection between EGF-like ligands, signaling from the EGFR family members and cancer. Over the next fifty years, analysis of EGFR expression and mutation led to the use of monoclonal antibodies to target EGFR in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and this treatment has improved outcomes for patients. The use of the RAS oncogene mutational status has helped to refine patient selection for EGFR antibody therapy, but an effective molecular predictor of likely responders is lacking. This review analyzes the potential utility of measuring the expression, levels and activation of EGF-like ligands and associated processes as prognostic or predictive markers for the identification of patient risk and more effective mCRC therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siavash Foroughi
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Jeanne Tie
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Western Health, St Albans, Australia
| | - Peter Gibbs
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Western Health, St Albans, Australia
| | - Antony Wilks Burgess
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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Ilter M, Sensoy O. Catalytically Competent Non-transforming H-RAS G12P Mutant Provides Insight into Molecular Switch Function and GAP-independent GTPase Activity of RAS. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10967. [PMID: 31358828 PMCID: PMC6662853 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47481-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
RAS mutants have been extensively studied as they are associated with development of cancer; however, H-RASG12P mutant has remained untouched since it does not lead to transformation in the cell. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study where structural/dynamical properties of H-RASG12P have been investigated -in comparison to H-RASWT, H-RASG12D, RAF-RBD-bound and GAP-bound H-RASWT- using molecular dynamics simulations (total of 9 μs). We observed remarkable differences in dynamics of Y32. Specifically, it is located far from the nucleotide binding pocket in the catalytically-active GAP-bound H-RASWT, whereas it makes close interaction with the nucleotide in signaling-active systems (H-RASG12D, KRAS4BG12D, RAF-RBD-bound H-RASWT) and H-RASWT. The accessibility of Y32 in wild type protein is achieved upon GAP binding. Interestingly; however, it is intrinsically accessible in H-RASG12P. Considering the fact that incomplete opening of Y32 is associated with cancer, we propose that Y32 can be targeted by means of small therapeutics that can displace it from the nucleotide binding site, thus introducing intrinsic GTPase activity to RAS mutants, which cannot bind to GAP. Therefore, mimicking properties of H-RASG12P in RAS-centered drug discovery studies has the potential of improving success rates since it acts as a molecular switch per se.
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Affiliation(s)
- Metehan Ilter
- Istanbul Medipol University, The School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Istanbul, 34810, Turkey
| | - Ozge Sensoy
- Istanbul Medipol University, The School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Computer Engineering, Istanbul, 34810, Turkey.
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15
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Jiang M, Shi X, Zhu H, Wei W, Li J. Two GEO MicroRNA Expression Profile Based High-Throughput Screen to Identify MicroRNA-31-3p Regulating Growth of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Cell by Targeting RASA2. Med Sci Monit 2019; 25:5170-5180. [PMID: 31298226 PMCID: PMC6642674 DOI: 10.12659/msm.916815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), a rare type of thyroid cancer, is a big challenge in clinical treatment. However, the pathogenesis of MTC remains poorly understand. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) were previously demonstrated to be involved in the pathogenesis of MTC, however, the roles of majority of miRNAs in MTC are still undetermined. Material/Methods Two GEO miRNA expression profiles (GSE40807, GSE97070) were downloaded, and the differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) of GSE40807 and GSE97070 were analyzed by bioinformatics methods. Expressions of miRNAs were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction; cell proliferation was examined through Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation and in vivo tumor growth assays; the interaction between miRNA and mRNA was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay; functional analysis of target genes was performed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID, www.david.ncifcrf.gov) software. Results Ten miRNAs were identified to be dysregulated in both GSE40807 and GSE97070 datasets, and miR-31-3p showed the highest change fold (Log fold change=−3.460625 in GSE40807 and Log fold change=−0.07084374 in GSE97070). MiR-31-3p expression was significantly downregulated in MTC, and low miR-31-3p expression showed a poor prognosis relative to high miR-31-3p expression (P<0.05). Functionally, miR-31-3p inhibited MTC cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Functional analysis also showed that the target genes of miR-31-3p were involved in numerous of biochemical processes and pathways, of which Ras signaling pathway was selected for further study. RASA2, overexpressed in MTC, were negatively regulated by miR-31-3p. In addition, we found that knockdown of RASA2 inhibited MTC cell proliferation. Conclusions Reduced expression level of miR-31-3p might play a key role in the tumorigenesis of MTC by targeting critical pathways, especially Ras signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Jiang
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China (mainland)
| | - Xin Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjian, China (mainland)
| | - Hua Zhu
- Department of Mental Health, Shenzhen Futian Hospital for Chronic Diseases, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China (mainland)
| | - Wu Wei
- Department of Emergency, Dongying District People's Hospital, Dongying, Shandong, China (mainland)
| | - Jinyan Li
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China (mainland)
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Klochkov SG, Neganova ME, Yarla NS, Parvathaneni M, Sharma B, Tarasov VV, Barreto G, Bachurin SO, Ashraf GM, Aliev G. Implications of farnesyltransferase and its inhibitors as a promising strategy for cancer therapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 56:128-134. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2017.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 10/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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17
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Jeong WJ, Ro EJ, Choi KY. Interaction between Wnt/β-catenin and RAS-ERK pathways and an anti-cancer strategy via degradations of β-catenin and RAS by targeting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. NPJ Precis Oncol 2018; 2:5. [PMID: 29872723 PMCID: PMC5871897 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-018-0049-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin and RAS-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways play important roles in the tumorigenesis of many different types of cancer, most notably colorectal cancer (CRC). Genes for these two pathways, such as adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and KRAS are frequently mutated in human CRC, and involved in the initiation and progression of the tumorigenesis, respectively. Moreover, recent studies revealed interaction of APC and KRAS mutations in the various stages of colorectal tumorigenesis and even in metastasis accompanying activation of the cancer stem cells (CSCs). A key event in the synergistic cooperation between Wnt/β-catenin and RAS-ERK pathways is a stabilization of both β-catenin and RAS especially mutant KRAS by APC loss, and pathological significance of this was indicated by correlation of increased β-catenin and RAS levels in human CRC where APC mutations occur as high as 90% of CRC patients. Together with the notion of the protein activity reduction by lowering its level, inhibition of both β-catenin and RAS especially by degradation could be a new ideal strategy for development of anti-cancer drugs for CRC. In this review, we will discuss interaction between the Wnt/β-catenin and RAS-ERK pathways in the colorectal tumorigenesis by providing the mechanism of RAS stabilization by aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin. We will also discuss our small molecular anti-cancer approach controlling CRC by induction of specific degradations of both β-catenin and RAS via targeting Wnt/β-catenin pathway especially for the KYA1797K, a small molecule specifically binding at the regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS)-domain of Axin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo-Jeong Jeong
- 1Translational Research Center for Protein Function Control, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.,2Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Ji Ro
- 1Translational Research Center for Protein Function Control, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.,2Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kang-Yell Choi
- 1Translational Research Center for Protein Function Control, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.,2Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
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