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Eckburg A, Dein J, Berei J, Schrank Z, Puri N. Oligonucleotides and microRNAs Targeting Telomerase Subunits in Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2337. [PMID: 32825005 PMCID: PMC7565511 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase provides cancer cells with replicative immortality, and its overexpression serves as a near-universal marker of cancer. Anti-cancer therapeutics targeting telomerase have garnered interest as possible alternatives to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Oligonucleotide-based therapies that inhibit telomerase through direct or indirect modulation of its subunits, human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and human telomerase RNA gene (hTERC), are a unique and diverse subclass of telomerase inhibitors which hold clinical promise. MicroRNAs that play a role in the upregulation or downregulation of hTERT and respective progression or attenuation of cancer development have been effectively targeted to reduce telomerase activity in various cancer types. Tumor suppressor miRNAs, such as miRNA-512-5p, miRNA-138, and miRNA-128, and oncogenic miRNAs, such as miRNA-19b, miRNA-346, and miRNA-21, have displayed preclinical promise as potential hTERT-based therapeutic targets. Antisense oligonucleotides like GRN163L and T-oligos have also been shown to uniquely target the telomerase subunits and have become popular in the design of novel cancer therapies. Finally, studies suggest that G-quadruplex stabilizers, such as Telomestatin, preserve telomeric oligonucleotide architecture, thus inhibiting hTERC binding to the telomere. This review aims to provide an adept understanding of the conceptual foundation and current state of therapeutics utilizing oligonucleotides to target the telomerase subunits, including the advantages and drawbacks of each of these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Neelu Puri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, USA; (A.E.); (J.D.); (J.B.); (Z.S.)
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Sole C, Arnaiz E, Manterola L, Otaegui D, Lawrie CH. The circulating transcriptome as a source of cancer liquid biopsy biomarkers. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 58:100-108. [PMID: 30684535 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Non-invasive biomarkers or liquid biopsies have the potential to revolutionise cancer patient management as repeated sampling allows real-time monitoring of disease progression and response to treatment. This allows for earlier intervention and dynamic treatment management; both cornerstones of personalised medicine. The circulating transcriptome represents a rich source of potential cancer biomarkers that includes many classes of RNA, both coding and non-coding, that are only now beginning to be explored. In particular the increasing power and availability of RNAseq techniques have pushed studies beyond circulating miRNAs, to other classes of RNA including mRNA, snRNA, snoRNA, piRNA, YRNA, lncRNA and circRNA. In this review we focus on the emerging potential for these different classes of RNA as cancer biomarkers, and in particular the barriers and limitations that remain to be overcome if these molecules are to become part of routine clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Sole
- Molecular Oncology Group, Biodonostia Research Institute, Paseo Doctor Begiristain, s/n, San Sebastián, 20014, Spain
| | - Esther Arnaiz
- Molecular Oncology Group, Biodonostia Research Institute, Paseo Doctor Begiristain, s/n, San Sebastián, 20014, Spain
| | - Lorea Manterola
- Molecular Oncology Group, Biodonostia Research Institute, Paseo Doctor Begiristain, s/n, San Sebastián, 20014, Spain
| | - David Otaegui
- Multiple Sclerosis Group, Biodonostia Research Institute, Paseo Doctor Begiristain, s/n, San Sebastián, 20014, Spain
| | - Charles H Lawrie
- Molecular Oncology Group, Biodonostia Research Institute, Paseo Doctor Begiristain, s/n, San Sebastián, 20014, Spain; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, María Díaz Haroko Kalea, 3, 48013, Bilbao, Spain.
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Schrank Z, Khan N, Osude C, Singh S, Miller RJ, Merrick C, Mabel A, Kuckovic A, Puri N. Oligonucleotides Targeting Telomeres and Telomerase in Cancer. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23092267. [PMID: 30189661 PMCID: PMC6225148 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23092267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres and telomerase have become attractive targets for the development of anticancer therapeutics due to their involvement in cancer cell immortality. Currently, several therapeutics have been developed that directly target telomerase and telomeres, such as telomerase inhibitors and G-quadruplex stabilizing ligands. Telomere-specific oligonucleotides that reduce telomerase activity and disrupt telomere architecture are also in development as novel anticancer therapeutics. Specifically, GRN163L and T-oligos have demonstrated promising anticancer activity in multiple cancers types via induction of potent DNA damage responses. Currently, several miRNAs have been implicated in the regulation of telomerase activity and may prove to be valuable targets in the development of novel therapies by reducing expression of telomerase subunits. Targeting miRNAs that are known to increase expression of telomerase subunits may be another strategy to reduce carcinogenesis. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of current oligonucleotide-based anticancer therapies that target telomeres and telomerase. These studies may help design novel therapeutic approaches to overcome the challenges of oligonucleotide therapy in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Schrank
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, USA.
| | - Nabiha Khan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, USA.
| | - Chike Osude
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, USA.
| | - Sanjana Singh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, USA.
| | - Rachel J Miller
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, USA.
| | - Collin Merrick
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, USA.
| | - Alexander Mabel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, USA.
| | - Adijan Kuckovic
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, USA.
| | - Neelu Puri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, USA.
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Rampazzo E, Del Bianco P, Bertorelle R, Boso C, Perin A, Spiro G, Bergamo F, Belluco C, Buonadonna A, Palazzari E, Leonardi S, De Paoli A, Pucciarelli S, De Rossi A. The predictive and prognostic potential of plasma telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) RNA in rectal cancer patients. Br J Cancer 2018; 118:878-886. [PMID: 29449673 PMCID: PMC5877438 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2017.492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by surgery is the standard care for locally advanced rectal cancer, but tumour response to CRT and disease outcome are variable. The current study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of plasma telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) levels in predicting tumour response and clinical outcome. METHODS 176 rectal cancer patients were included. Plasma samples were collected at baseline (before CRT=T0), 2 weeks after CRT was initiated (T1), post-CRT and before surgery (T2), and 4-8 months after surgery (T3) time points. Plasma TERT mRNA levels and total cell-free RNA were determined using real-time PCR. RESULTS Plasma levels of TERT were significantly lower at T2 (P<0.0001) in responders than in non-responders. Post-CRT TERT levels and the differences between pre- and post-CRT TERT levels independently predicted tumour response, and the prediction model had an area under curve of 0.80 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73-0.87). Multiple analysis demonstrated that patients with detectable TERT levels at T2 and T3 time points had a risk of disease progression 2.13 (95% CI 1.10-4.11)-fold and 4.55 (95% CI 1.48-13.95)-fold higher, respectively, than those with undetectable plasma TERT levels. CONCLUSIONS Plasma TERT levels are independent markers of tumour response and are prognostic of disease progression in rectal cancer patients who undergo neoadjuvant therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Rampazzo
- Section of Oncology and Immunology, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Via Gattamelata 64, Padova 35128, Italy
| | - Paola Del Bianco
- Clinical Trials and Biostatistic Unit, Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IOV)-IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, Padova 35128, Italy
| | - Roberta Bertorelle
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, IOV- IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, Padova 35128, Italy
| | - Caterina Boso
- Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine Unit, IOV-IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Perin
- Section of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Via Giustiniani 1, University of Padova, Padova 35128, Italy
| | - Giovanna Spiro
- Section of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Via Giustiniani 1, University of Padova, Padova 35128, Italy
| | - Francesca Bergamo
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, IOV-IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, Padova 35128, Italy
| | - Claudio Belluco
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (CRO)-IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | | | | | - Sara Leonardi
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, IOV-IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, Padova 35128, Italy
| | | | - Salvatore Pucciarelli
- Section of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Via Giustiniani 1, University of Padova, Padova 35128, Italy
| | - Anita De Rossi
- Section of Oncology and Immunology, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Via Gattamelata 64, Padova 35128, Italy
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, IOV- IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, Padova 35128, Italy
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Yadav S, Chandra A, Kumar A, Mittal B. Association of TERT-CLPTM1L and 8q24 Common Genetic Variants with Gallbladder Cancer Susceptibility and Prognosis in North Indian Population. Biochem Genet 2018; 56:267-282. [PMID: 29450669 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-018-9843-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is one of the common malignancy of the biliary tract. Several genome wide and candidate gene studies have reported associations between multiple cancer types and single-nucleotide polymorphisms on 5p15.33 and 8q24.21 loci. However, predisposition potential of these genetic variants has not been assessed in GBC. We performed the present study to assess the potential of five polymorphisms on 5p15.33 and one on 8q24.21 locus in GBC risk and treatment response in patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy. We extracted genomic DNA from peripheral blood and genotyped selected SNPs using TaqMan allelic discrimination assays in 523 GBC cases and 274 controls from the north-Indian population. Statistical tests were performed to assess the association of selected common genetic variants with gallbladder cancer susceptibility and prognosis. Binary logistic regression analysis showed significant association of TERT rs2736100C > A [OR(CI) = 0.690(0.515-0.924), p value = 0.013], CLPTM1L rs401681C > T [OR(CI) = 0.586(0.405-0.847), p value = 0.004], and CASC8 rs6983267G > T [OR(CI) = 1.629(1.215-2.186), p value = 0.001] with GBC risk. Further, using multivariate logistic regression, we observed that haplotype CLPTM1L Crs401681Crs31489 TERT Trs2853676Ars2736100 MIR4457 Grs4635969 [OR(CI) = 7.52 (1.79-31.52), p value = 0.0064] is significantly associated with poor treatment response. In survival analysis, Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed significantly poor survival and COX regression suggested significantly higher hazard ratio in TT genotype carriers of CASC8 rs6983267 [OR(CI) = 4.28(1. 07-17.10), p value = 0.040] as compared to major allele and heterozygous (GG+GT) genotypes in metastatic GBC cases. The study revealed that 5p15.33 and 8q24.21 genetic variants significantly influence GBC risk and treatment response in north-Indian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh Yadav
- Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226014, India
| | - Abhijit Chandra
- Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226003, India
| | - Ashok Kumar
- Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226014, India
| | - Balraj Mittal
- Department of Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226025, India.
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Lu C, Yang L, Chen H, Shan Z. Upregulated long non-coding RNA BC032469 enhances carcinogenesis and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through regulating hTERT expression. Tumour Biol 2016; 37:10.1007/s13277-016-5428-9. [PMID: 27726103 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-016-5428-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to have critical regulatory roles in various cancers. However, its role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains largely unknown. Here, we focused on lncRNA BC032469, one of the lncRNAs involved in the development of ESCC. The levels of a specific differentially expressed lncRNA (termed lncRNA-BC032469) were measured in 45 paired esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissue samples by quantitative real-time RT-PCR and then subjected to correlation analysis with clinical parameters and prognosis. The functions of lncRNA-BC032469 were evaluated by silencing and overexpressing the lncRNA in vitro and in vivo. The expression level of BC032469 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissues was higher than that in the corresponding non-cancerous tissues. High BC032469 levels were correlated with lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, and tumor size and lower overall survival. Knockdown of BC032469 in TE13 and Eca109 cells inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion; induced cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase; and promoted apoptosis. Western blot analysis revealed that BC032469 regulated the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), which is important for cell proliferation and metastasis. Moreover, the restored expression of hTERT protein in BC032469-knockdown cells attenuated the suppressive effects of BC032469 on ESCC cells. Collectively, these results indicated that lncRNA-BC032469 is an oncogenic lncRNA that promotes tumor progression and leads us to propose that lncRNAs may serve as key regulatory hubs in ESCC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaojing Lu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, No 168, Changhai Rd, Shanghai, China
| | - Lixin Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, No 168, Changhai Rd, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hezhong Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, No 168, Changhai Rd, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengxiang Shan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, No 168, Changhai Rd, Shanghai, China
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Giunco S, Rampazzo E, Celeghin A, Petrara MR, De Rossi A. Telomere and Telomerase in Carcinogenesis: Their Role as Prognostic Biomarkers. CURRENT PATHOBIOLOGY REPORTS 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s40139-015-0087-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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