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Hou W, Gad SA, Ding X, Dhanarajan A, Qiu W. Focal adhesion kinase confers lenvatinib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma via the regulation of lysine-deficient kinase 1. Mol Carcinog 2024; 63:173-189. [PMID: 37787401 PMCID: PMC10842616 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Lenvatinib is a clinically effective multikinase inhibitor approved for first-line therapy of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although resistance against lenvatinib often emerges and limits its antitumor activity, the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in endogenous and acquired resistance remain elusive. In this study, we identified focal adhesion kinase (FAK) as a critical contributor to lenvatinib resistance in HCC. The elevated expression and phosphorylation of FAK were observed in both acquired and endogenous lenvatinib-resistant (LR) HCC cells. Furthermore, inhibition of FAK reversed lenvatinib resistance in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, FAK promoted lenvatinib resistance through regulating lysine-deficient kinase 1 (WNK1). Phosphorylation of WNK1 was significantly increased in LR-HCC cells. Further, WNK1 inhibitor WNK463 resensitized either established or endogenous LR-HCC cells to lenvatinib treatment. In addition, overexpression of WNK1 desensitized parental HCC cells to lenvatinib treatment. Conclusively, our results establish a crucial role and novel mechanism of FAK in lenvatinib resistance and suggest that targeting the FAK/WNK1 axis is a promising therapeutic strategy in HCC patients showing lenvatinib resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Hou
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Shaimaa A Gad
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Center, Egypt
| | - Xianzhong Ding
- Department of Pathology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Asha Dhanarajan
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Wei Qiu
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois, USA
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2
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Delgado-Ramos GM, Fitzsimons J, Dhanarajan A. A narrative review of the evolving landscape of the management of metastatic gastric cancer: the role of targeted therapies. J Gastrointest Oncol 2023; 14:2600-2616. [PMID: 38196524 PMCID: PMC10772679 DOI: 10.21037/jgo-23-464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death. Unfortunately, patients often present with advanced disease at diagnosis, which is directly related to its high mortality. Numerous trials, as early as the 1980's, have shown that cytotoxic chemotherapy improves survival. This review will focus on targeted therapies and immunotherapies which have emerged as treatment options for metastatic gastric cancer, often used in conjunction with cytotoxic chemotherapy. Here we will review the relevant clinical trials of targeted therapies and immunotherapies in the treatment of metastatic gastric cancer. Methods We performed an extensive review of articles in the PubMed database pertaining to targeted therapies and immunotherapies in the treatment of metastatic gastric cancer. Additionally, updated guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) were reviewed. Key Content and Findings Cytotoxic chemotherapy remains the backbone of treatment of metastatic gastric cancer, but the development of targeted therapies and immunotherapy have revolutionized its treatment with improved survival and outcomes. Therapies have been developed which target human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), and tyrosine kinase pathways. Novel targeted therapies are currently being investigated with promising results thus far. Immunotherapy, specifically immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has proven to be a significant advancement in the treatment of gastric cancer. Conclusions Targeted therapies and immunotherapies have improved survival and outcomes in metastatic gastric cancer, however more research is needed to make even greater strides.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jack Fitzsimons
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Asha Dhanarajan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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3
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Prasad Venkatesulu B, Ness E, Ross D, Saripalli AL, Abood G, Badami A, Cotler S, Dhanarajan A, Knab LM, Lee B, Molvar C, Sethi A, Small W, Refaat T. MRI-guided Real-time Online Gated Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Liver Tumors. Am J Clin Oncol 2023; 46:530-536. [PMID: 37708212 DOI: 10.1097/coc.0000000000001042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver tumors are commonly encountered in oncology. The study aimed to assess the impact of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) (MRgSBRT) on disease-related outcomes and the toxicity profile. METHODS Patients who received MRgSBRT from 2019 to 2021 for primary and metastatic liver tumors were included in this analysis. The protocol for treatment simulation included Gadoxetate disodium injection followed by a single-dimensional post-exhale MRI (0.35-T MRI linear accelerator) and computed tomography simulation. The patient demographics and treatment-related outcomes were assessed. The time-to-event curves were analyzed for freedom from local progression (FFLP) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS A total of 35 patients were eligible for analysis with a median age of 70 years (range 25 to 95). The median follow-up was 19.4 months (range 1 to 37 mo). The one-year OS was 77.7%, with an estimated 3 years of 47.9%. Patients with the locally controlled disease had a better median OS of 27.8 months (95% CI [23.8-31.6]) compared with 13.5 months (95% CI [5.6-21.3], P =0.007) in patients with local disease progression. The 1-year FFLP was 95.6%, and 3-year estimated FFLP was 87.1%. Patients who received a radiation dose of biologically equivalent dose≥100 Gy had FFLP of 30.9 months (95% CI [28.7-33.1]) compared with 13.3 months (95% CI [5.3-21.3], P =0.004) in patients who received <100 Gy biologically equivalent dose. CONCLUSION MRI-guided SBRT provides optimal local control, associated with improved OS in a heavily morbid, pretreated older cohort of patients with reasonable safety profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ami Badami
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center
| | - Scott Cotler
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| | - Asha Dhanarajan
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center
| | | | | | - Christopher Molvar
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
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4
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Hou W, Bridgeman B, Malnassy G, Ding X, Cotler S, Dhanarajan A, Qiu W. Integrin subunit beta 8 contributes to lenvatinib resistance in HCC. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:1786-1802. [PMID: 35238496 PMCID: PMC9234648 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lenvatinib is a multikinase inhibitor approved as a first-line therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the development of drug resistance is common, and the underlying mechanisms governing this resistance are largely unknown. In this study, we established two lenvatinib-resistant (LR) HCC cell lines and identified integrin subunit beta 8 (ITGB8) as a critical contributor to lenvatinib resistance in HCC. The elevated expression of ITGB8 was observed in LR HCC cells. Furthermore, silencing of ITGB8 reversed lenvatinib resistance in vitro and in vivo, whereas ectopic expression of ITGB8 in lenvatinib-sensitive parental HCC cells exhibited increased resistance to lenvatinib. Mechanistically, ITGB8 regulated lenvatinib resistance through an HSP90-mediated stabilization of AKT and enhanced AKT signaling. In support of this model, either an AKT inhibitor MK-2206 or an HSP90 inhibitor 17-AAG resensitized LR HCC cells to lenvatinib treatment. Conclusion: Collectively, our results establish a crucial role of ITGB8 in lenvatinib resistance, and suggest that targeting the ITGB8/HSP90/AKT axis is a promising therapeutic strategy in patients with HCC exhibiting lenvatinib resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Hou
- Department of SurgeryLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
- Department of Cancer BiologyLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
| | - Bryan Bridgeman
- Department of SurgeryLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
- Department of Cancer BiologyLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
| | - Greg Malnassy
- Department of SurgeryLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
- Department of Cancer BiologyLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
| | - Xianzhong Ding
- Department of PathologyLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
| | - Scott J. Cotler
- Department of MedicineLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
| | - Asha Dhanarajan
- Department of MedicineLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
| | - Wei Qiu
- Department of SurgeryLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
- Department of Cancer BiologyLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of MedicineMaywoodIllinoisUSA
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5
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Multiple new tyrosine kinase inhibitors, immunotherapies and anti-angiogenic therapies are now available for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this article, we reviewed the evidence supporting these new therapies. RECENT FINDINGS The combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab has become a new standard of care for initial systemic therapy in eligible patients, replacing sorafenib in the first line for many patients. Lenvatinib, a multikinase inhibitor, is also a new first line treatment option for patients who are not eligible for immunotherapy. Several additional options for second line treatment were also reviewed in detail in this paper. New systemic therapies for advanced HCC have prolonged overall survival. However, these new therapies are primarily approved for patients with Child-Pugh A classification with few options for patients with Child-Pugh B disease. Further work is needed to expand options for patients with more advanced liver disease and to optimize the sequencing of these new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Destry Elms
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Ami Badami
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Asha Dhanarajan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA.
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6
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Singh J, Wozniak A, Cotler SJ, Dhanarajan A, Aldrich D, Park D, Kasia C, Schmidt B, Scaglione S. Combined Use of Aspirin and Statin is Associated With a Decreased Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Clin Gastroenterol 2022; 56:369-373. [PMID: 33883511 DOI: 10.1097/mcg.0000000000001546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer and cancer-related mortality worldwide. Studies have suggested that aspirin (ASA) and statins may be associated with a decrease in incident HCC. GOALS We aimed to evaluate the effect of ASA and statin use on the incidence of HCC in a prospective cohort of patients with liver cirrhosis and to identify if there was an increased risk of esophageal variceal hemorrhage (VH) in patients with ASA use. STUDY We conducted a retrospective study of 521 patients with data collected from July 1, 2012 to December 31, 2017. We used competing risk analysis to assess the association between risk factors and HCC; and the association between ASA and VH. RESULTS ASA use alone was associated with a decreased incidence of HCC in the univariate and multivariate models; [hazard ratio (HR) confidence interval (CI): 0.348 (0.124-0.976); P=0.0448] and [HR (CI): 0.266 (0.094-0.755); P=0.0129, respectively]. The combination of ASA and statin use was associated with a decreased hazard of HCC [HR (CI): 0.15 (0.036-0.624); P=0.0090] and this remained statistically significant in the multivariable model [HR (CI): 0.113 (0.026-0.483); P=0.0033]. Among daily ASA users compared with non-users, there was not a significant increase in risk of VH. CONCLUSIONS Daily ASA use was associated with a decrease risk of incident HCC. The combination of daily ASA use and statin use decreased the risk of incident HCC suggesting there is beneficial interaction. Finally, no excess VH was observed in daily ASA users compared with non-users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasleen Singh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center
| | - Amy Wozniak
- Clinical Research Office, Biostatistics, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| | - Scott J Cotler
- Department of Internal Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center
| | - Asha Dhanarajan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center
| | - Daniel Aldrich
- Department of Internal Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center
| | - David Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center
| | - Chris Kasia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center
| | - Benjamin Schmidt
- Department of Internal Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center
| | - Steven Scaglione
- Department of Internal Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center
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7
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Wang H, Hou W, Perera A, Bettler C, Beach JR, Ding X, Li J, Denning MF, Dhanarajan A, Cotler SJ, Joyce C, Yin J, Ahmed F, Roberts LR, Qiu W. Targeting EphA2 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma initiation and progression by dual inhibition of JAK1/STAT3 and AKT signaling. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108765. [PMID: 33626345 PMCID: PMC7954228 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide. One major obstacle to treatment is a lack of effective molecular-targeted therapies. In this study, we find that EphA2 expression and signaling are enriched in human HCC and associated with poor prognosis. Loss of EphA2 suppresses the initiation and growth of HCC both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, CRISPR/CAS9-mediated EphA2 inhibition significantly delays tumor development in a genetically engineered murine model of HCC. Mechanistically, we discover that targeting EphA2 suppresses both AKT and JAK1/STAT3 signaling, two separate oncogenic pathways in HCC. We also identify a small molecule kinase inhibitor of EphA2 that suppresses tumor progression in a murine HCC model. Together, our results suggest EphA2 as a promising therapeutic target for HCC.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Benzamides/pharmacology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/enzymology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Databases, Genetic
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Janus Kinase 1/genetics
- Janus Kinase 1/metabolism
- Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/enzymology
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Molecular Targeted Therapy
- Niacinamide/analogs & derivatives
- Niacinamide/pharmacology
- Phosphorylation
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism
- Receptor, EphA2/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, EphA2/genetics
- Receptor, EphA2/metabolism
- Retrospective Studies
- STAT3 Transcription Factor/genetics
- STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Tumor Burden/drug effects
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Wei Hou
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Aldeb Perera
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Carlee Bettler
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Jordan R Beach
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Xianzhong Ding
- Department of Pathology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Mitchell F Denning
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Asha Dhanarajan
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Scott J Cotler
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Cara Joyce
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Jun Yin
- Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Fowsiyo Ahmed
- Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Wei Qiu
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA.
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8
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Stang K, Van der Voort G, Dhanarajan A, Martin B, Small W, Abood G, Thomas T. Outcomes of Adjuvant Therapy after Cholecystectomy in Patients With Gallbladder Cancer From The National Cancer Database, 2004-2015. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2020.07.1923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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9
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Wang F, Hou W, Chitsike L, Xu Y, Bettler C, Perera A, Bank T, Cotler SJ, Dhanarajan A, Denning MF, Ding X, Breslin P, Qiang W, Li J, Koleske AJ, Qiu W. ABL1, Overexpressed in Hepatocellular Carcinomas, Regulates Expression of NOTCH1 and Promotes Development of Liver Tumors in Mice. Gastroenterology 2020; 159:289-305.e16. [PMID: 32171747 PMCID: PMC7387191 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS We investigated whether ABL proto-oncogene 1, non-receptor tyrosine kinase (ABL1) is involved in development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS We analyzed clinical and gene expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Albumin-Cre (HepWT) mice and mice with hepatocyte-specific disruption of Abl1 (HepAbl-/- mice) were given hydrodynamic injections of plasmids encoding the Sleeping Beauty transposase and transposons with the MET gene and a catenin β1 gene with an N-terminal truncation, which induces development of liver tumors. Some mice were then gavaged with the ABL1 inhibitor nilotinib or vehicle (control) daily for 4 weeks. We knocked down ABL1 with short hairpin RNAs in Hep3B and Huh7 HCC cells and analyzed their proliferation and growth as xenograft tumors in mice. We performed RNA sequencing and gene set enrichment analysis of tumors. We knocked down or overexpressed NOTCH1 and MYC in HCC cells and analyzed proliferation. We measured levels of phosphorylated ABL1, MYC, and NOTCH1 by immunohistochemical analysis of an HCC tissue microarray. RESULTS HCC tissues had higher levels of ABL1 than non-tumor liver tissues, which correlated with shorter survival times of patients. HepWT mice with the MET and catenin β1 transposons developed liver tumors and survived a median 64 days; HepAbl-/- mice with these transposons developed tumors that were 50% smaller and survived a median 81 days. Knockdown of ABL1 in human HCC cells reduced proliferation, growth as xenograft tumors in mice, and expression of MYC, which reduced expression of NOTCH1. Knockdown of NOTCH1 or MYC in HCC cells significantly reduced cell growth. NOTCH1 or MYC overexpression in human HCC cells promoted proliferation and rescued the phenotype caused by ABL1 knockdown. The level of phosphorylated (activated) ABL1 correlated with levels of MYC and NOTCH1 in human HCC specimens. Nilotinib decreased expression of MYC and NOTCH1 in HCC cell lines, reduced the growth of xenograft tumors in mice, and slowed growth of liver tumors in mice with MET and catenin β1 transposons, reducing tumor levels of MYC and NOTCH1. CONCLUSIONS HCC samples have increased levels of ABL1 compared with nontumor liver tissues, and increased levels of ABL1 correlate with shorter survival times of patients. Loss or inhibition of ABL1 reduces proliferation of HCC cells and slows growth of liver tumors in mice. Inhibitors of ABL1 might be used for treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- Departments of Surgery and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 South 1st Avenue., Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Wei Hou
- Departments of Surgery and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 South 1st Avenue., Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Lennox Chitsike
- Departments of Surgery and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 South 1st Avenue., Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Yingchen Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University
| | - Carlee Bettler
- Departments of Surgery and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 South 1st Avenue., Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Aldeb Perera
- Departments of Surgery and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 South 1st Avenue., Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Thomas Bank
- Departments of Surgery and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 South 1st Avenue., Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Scott J. Cotler
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 South 1st Avenue., Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Asha Dhanarajan
- Department of Pathology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 South 1st Avenue., Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Mitchell F. Denning
- Department of Pathology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 South 1st Avenue., Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Xianzhong Ding
- Department of Pathology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 South 1st Avenue., Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Peter Breslin
- Departments of Molecular/Cellular Physiology and Oncology Institute, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 South 1st Avenue., Maywood, IL 60153, USA,Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 South 1st Avenue., Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Wenan Qiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pathology, Northwestern University
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics, University of Notre Dame
| | | | - Wei Qiu
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.
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10
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Shang N, Wang H, Bank T, Perera A, Joyce C, Kuffel G, Zilliox MJ, Cotler SJ, Ding X, Dhanarajan A, Breslin P, Qiu W. Focal Adhesion Kinase and β-Catenin Cooperate to Induce Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Hepatology 2019; 70:1631-1645. [PMID: 31069844 PMCID: PMC6819211 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
There is an urgent need to understand the molecular signaling pathways that drive or mediate the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The focal adhesion kinase (FAK) gene protein tyrosine kinase 2 is amplified in 16.4% of The Cancer Genome Atlas HCC specimens, and its amplification leads to increased FAK mRNA expression. It is not known whether the overexpression of FAK alone is sufficient to induce HCC or whether it must cooperate in some ways with other oncogenes. In this study, we found that 34.8% of human HCC samples with FAK amplification also show β-catenin mutations, suggesting a co-occurrence of FAK overexpression and β-catenin mutations in HCC. We overexpressed FAK alone, constitutively active forms of β-catenin (CAT) alone, or a combination of FAK and CAT in the livers of C57/BL6 mice. We found that overexpression of both FAK and CAT, but neither FAK nor CAT alone, in mouse livers was sufficient to lead to tumorigenesis. We further demonstrated that FAK's kinase activity is required for FAK/CAT-induced tumorigenesis. Furthermore, we performed RNA-sequencing analysis to identify the genes/signaling pathways regulated by FAK, CAT, or FAK/CAT. We found that FAK overexpression dramatically enhances binding of β-catenin to the promoter of androgen receptor (AR), which leads to increased expression of AR in mouse livers. Moreover, ASC-J9, an AR degradation enhancer, suppressed FAK/CAT-induced HCC formation. Conclusion: FAK overexpression and β-catenin mutations often co-occur in human HCC tissues. Co-overexpression of FAK and CAT leads to HCC formation in mice through increased expression of AR; this mouse model may be useful for further studies of the molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of HCC and could lead to the identification of therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Shang
- Departments of Surgery and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Hao Wang
- Departments of Surgery and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Thomas Bank
- Departments of Surgery and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Aldeb Perera
- Departments of Surgery and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Cara Joyce
- Departments of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Gina Kuffel
- Departments of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Michael J. Zilliox
- Departments of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Scott J. Cotler
- Departments of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Xianzhong Ding
- Departments of Pathology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Asha Dhanarajan
- Departments of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Peter Breslin
- Departments of Molecular/Cellular Physiology and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
| | - Wei Qiu
- Departments of Surgery and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL,Correspondence: Wei Qiu, Ph.D., Department of Surgery and Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 S. First Avenue., Bldg. 112, Rm. 338, Maywood, IL 60153, , Tel.: +1-708-327-8191
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Dhanarajan A, Lo S. Advanced esophagogastric cancers: the making or breaking of a backbone. Transl Cancer Res 2017. [DOI: 10.21037/tcr.2017.09.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Dhanarajan A, Hsu JW, le Coutre P, Wingard JR, Chang M, Norkin M. Elevated incidence of chronic myeloid leukaemia in immunosuppressed solid organ transplant recipients. Br J Haematol 2014; 166:619-21. [DOI: 10.1111/bjh.12885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Asha Dhanarajan
- Division of Hematology/Oncology; Department of Medicine; Loyola University Medical Center; Maywood IL USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology; Department of Medicine; University of Florida; Gainesville FL USA
| | - Jack W. Hsu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology; Department of Medicine; University of Florida; Gainesville FL USA
| | | | - John R. Wingard
- Division of Hematology/Oncology; Department of Medicine; University of Florida; Gainesville FL USA
| | - Myron Chang
- Department of Biostatistics; University of Florida; Gainesville FL USA
| | - Maxim Norkin
- Division of Hematology/Oncology; Department of Medicine; University of Florida; Gainesville FL USA
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