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Nalairndran G, Chung I, Abdul Razack AH, Chung FF, Hii L, Lim W, Looi CK, Mai C, Leong C. Inhibition of Janus Kinase 1 synergizes docetaxel sensitivity in prostate cancer cells. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:8187-8200. [PMID: 34322995 PMCID: PMC8419172 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common malignancy and is the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality among men globally. Docetaxel-based therapy remains the first-line treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. However, dose-limiting toxicity including neutropenia, myelosuppression and neurotoxicity is the major reason for docetaxel dose reductions and fewer cycles administered, despite a recent study showing a clear survival benefit with increased total number of docetaxel cycles in PCa patients. Although previous studies have attempted to improve the efficacy and reduce docetaxel toxicity through drug combination, no drug has yet demonstrated improved overall survival in clinical trial, highlighting the challenges of improving the activity of docetaxel monotherapy in PCa. Herein, we identified 15 lethality hits for which inhibition could enhance docetaxel sensitivity in PCa cells via a high-throughput kinome-wide loss-of-function screen. Further drug-gene interactions analyses identified Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) as a viable druggable target with existing experimental inhibitors and FDA-approved drugs. We demonstrated that depletion of endogenous JAK1 enhanced docetaxel-induced apoptosis in PCa cells. Furthermore, inhibition of JAK1/2 by baricitinib and ruxolitinib synergizes docetaxel sensitivity in both androgen receptor (AR)-negative DU145 and PC3 cells, but not in the AR-positive LNCaP cells. In contrast, no synergistic effects were observed in cells treated with JAK2-specific inhibitor, fedratinib, suggesting that the synergistic effects are mainly mediated through JAK1 inhibition. In conclusion, the combination therapy with JAK1 inhibitors and docetaxel could be a useful therapeutic strategy in the treatment of prostate cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geetha Nalairndran
- Department of PharmacologyFaculty of MedicineUniversity of MalayaKuala LumpurMalaysia
| | - Ivy Chung
- Department of PharmacologyFaculty of MedicineUniversity of MalayaKuala LumpurMalaysia
- University of Malaya Cancer Research InstituteFaculty of MedicineUniversity of MalayaKuala LumpurMalaysia
| | | | - Felicia Fei‐Lei Chung
- Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis Section (MCA)Epigenetics Group (EGE)International Agency for Research on Cancer World Health OrganizationLyon CEDEX 08France
| | - Ling‐Wei Hii
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell ResearchInstitute for ResearchDevelopment and Innovation (IRDI)International Medical UniversityKuala LumpurMalaysia
- School of PharmacyInternational Medical UniversityKuala LumpurMalaysia
- School of Postgraduate StudiesInternational Medical UniversityKuala LumpurMalaysia
| | - Wei‐Meng Lim
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell ResearchInstitute for ResearchDevelopment and Innovation (IRDI)International Medical UniversityKuala LumpurMalaysia
- School of PharmacyInternational Medical UniversityKuala LumpurMalaysia
| | - Chin King Looi
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell ResearchInstitute for ResearchDevelopment and Innovation (IRDI)International Medical UniversityKuala LumpurMalaysia
- School of Postgraduate StudiesInternational Medical UniversityKuala LumpurMalaysia
| | - Chun‐Wai Mai
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell ResearchInstitute for ResearchDevelopment and Innovation (IRDI)International Medical UniversityKuala LumpurMalaysia
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesRenji‐Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research CenterDepartment of UrologyRen Ji HospitalSchool of MedicineShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Chee‐Onn Leong
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell ResearchInstitute for ResearchDevelopment and Innovation (IRDI)International Medical UniversityKuala LumpurMalaysia
- School of PharmacyInternational Medical UniversityKuala LumpurMalaysia
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Liew K, Yu GQS, Wei Pua LJ, Wong LZ, Tham SY, Hii LW, Lim WM, OuYong BM, Looi CK, Mai CW, Fei-Lei Chung F, Tan LP, Ahmad M, Soo-Beng Khoo A, Leong CO. Parallel genome-wide RNAi screens identify lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK) as a targetable vulnerability of cell proliferation and chemoresistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2021; 504:81-90. [PMID: 33587980 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent in advances in the management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), development of targeted therapy remains challenging particularly in patients with recurrent or metastatic disease. To search for clinically relevant targets for the treatment of NPC, we carried out parallel genome-wide functional screens to identified essential genes that are required for NPC cells proliferation and cisplatin resistance. We identified lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK) as a key vulnerability of both proliferation and cisplatin resistance. Depletion of endogenous LCK or treatment of cells with LCK inhibitor induced tumor-specific cell death and synergized cisplatin sensitivity in EBV-positive C666-1 and EBV-negative SUNE1 cells. Further analyses demonstrated that LCK is regulating the proliferation and cisplatin resistance through activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5). Taken together, our study provides a molecular basis for targeting LCK and STAT5 signaling as potential druggable targets for the management of NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kitson Liew
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Gibson Qi Sheng Yu
- School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Lesley Jia Wei Pua
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Li Zhe Wong
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shiau Ying Tham
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ling-Wei Hii
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wei-Meng Lim
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Brian Ming OuYong
- School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chin King Looi
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chun-Wai Mai
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Felicia Fei-Lei Chung
- Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis Section (MCA), Epigenetics Group (EGE), International Agency for Research on Cancer World Health Organization, Lyon CEDEX 08, France
| | - Lu Ping Tan
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Munirah Ahmad
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Alan Soo-Beng Khoo
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia; Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Chee-Onn Leong
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Looi CK, Hii LW, Chung FFL, Mai CW, Lim WM, Leong CO. Roles of Inflammasomes in Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Nasopharyngeal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1786. [PMID: 33918087 PMCID: PMC8069343 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is recognised as one of the causative agents in most nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cases. Expression of EBV viral antigens can induce host's antiviral immune response by activating the inflammasomes to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18. These cytokines are known to be detrimental to a wide range of virus-infected cells, in which they can activate an inflammatory cell death program, called pyroptosis. However, aberrant inflammasome activation and production of its downstream cytokines lead to chronic inflammation that may contribute to various diseases, including NPC. In this review, we summarise the roles of inflammasomes during viral infection, how EBV evades inflammasome-mediated immune response, and progress into tumourigenesis. The contrasting roles of inflammasomes in cancer, as well as the current therapeutic approaches used in targeting inflammasomes, are also discussed in this review. While the inflammasomes appear to have dual roles in carcinogenesis, there are still many questions that remain unanswered. In particular, the exact molecular mechanism responsible for the regulation of the inflammasomes during carcinogenesis of EBV-associated NPC has not been explored thoroughly. Furthermore, the current practical application of inflammasome inhibitors is limited to specific tumour types, hence, further studies are warranted to discover the potential of targeting the inflammasomes for the treatment of NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin King Looi
- School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (C.K.L.); (L.-W.H.)
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (C.-W.M.); (W.-M.L.)
| | - Ling-Wei Hii
- School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (C.K.L.); (L.-W.H.)
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (C.-W.M.); (W.-M.L.)
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
| | - Felicia Fei-Lei Chung
- Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis Section (MCA), Epigenetics Group (EGE), International Agency for Research on Cancer World Health Organisation, CEDEX 08 Lyon, France;
| | - Chun-Wai Mai
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (C.-W.M.); (W.-M.L.)
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Wei-Meng Lim
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (C.-W.M.); (W.-M.L.)
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
| | - Chee-Onn Leong
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (C.-W.M.); (W.-M.L.)
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
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Yee MSL, Hii LW, Looi CK, Lim WM, Wong SF, Kok YY, Tan BK, Wong CY, Leong CO. Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Human Health. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2021; 11:496. [PMID: 33669327 PMCID: PMC7920297 DOI: 10.3390/nano11020496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 73.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Plastics have enormous impacts to every aspect of daily life including technology, medicine and treatments, and domestic appliances. Most of the used plastics are thrown away by consumers after a single use, which has become a huge environmental problem as they will end up in landfill, oceans and other waterways. These plastics are discarded in vast numbers each day, and the breaking down of the plastics from micro- to nano-sizes has led to worries about how toxic these plastics are to the environment and humans. While, there are several earlier studies reported the effects of micro- and nano-plastics have on the environment, there is scant research into their impact on the human body at subcellular or molecular levels. In particular, the potential of how nano-plastics move through the gut, lungs and skin epithelia in causing systemic exposure has not been examined thoroughly. This review explores thoroughly on how nanoplastics are created, how they behave/breakdown within the environment, levels of toxicity and pollution of these nanoplastics, and the possible health impacts on humans, as well as suggestions for additional research. This paper aims to inspire future studies into core elements of micro- and nano-plastics, the biological reactions caused by their specific and unusual qualities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxine Swee-Li Yee
- Centre of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, Semenyih 43500, Malaysia
| | - Ling-Wei Hii
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (L.-W.H.); (C.K.L.); (W.-M.L.)
- School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
| | - Chin King Looi
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (L.-W.H.); (C.K.L.); (W.-M.L.)
- School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
| | - Wei-Meng Lim
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (L.-W.H.); (C.K.L.); (W.-M.L.)
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
| | - Shew-Fung Wong
- Center for Environmental and Population Health, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (S.-F.W.); (Y.-Y.K.); (B.-K.T.); (C.-Y.W.)
- School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
| | - Yih-Yih Kok
- Center for Environmental and Population Health, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (S.-F.W.); (Y.-Y.K.); (B.-K.T.); (C.-Y.W.)
- School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
| | - Boon-Keat Tan
- Center for Environmental and Population Health, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (S.-F.W.); (Y.-Y.K.); (B.-K.T.); (C.-Y.W.)
- School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
| | - Chiew-Yen Wong
- Center for Environmental and Population Health, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (S.-F.W.); (Y.-Y.K.); (B.-K.T.); (C.-Y.W.)
- School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
| | - Chee-Onn Leong
- Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (L.-W.H.); (C.K.L.); (W.-M.L.)
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
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