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Ajith A, Mamouni K, Horuzsko DD, Musa A, Dzutsev AK, Fang JR, Chadli A, Zhu X, Lebedyeva I, Trinchieri G, Horuzsko A. Targeting TREM1 augments antitumor T cell immunity by inhibiting myeloid-derived suppressor cells and restraining anti-PD-1 resistance. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e167951. [PMID: 37651197 PMCID: PMC10617775 DOI: 10.1172/jci167951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell 1 (TREM1) plays a critical role in development of chronic inflammatory disorders and the inflamed tumor microenvironment (TME) associated with most solid tumors. We examined whether loss of TREM1 signaling can abrogate the immunosuppressive TME and enhance cancer immunity. To investigate the therapeutic potential of TREM1 in cancer, we used mice deficient in Trem1 and developed a novel small molecule TREM1 inhibitor, VJDT. We demonstrated that genetic or pharmacological TREM1 silencing significantly delayed tumor growth in murine melanoma (B16F10) and fibrosarcoma (MCA205) models. Single-cell RNA-Seq combined with functional assays during TREM1 deficiency revealed decreased immunosuppressive capacity of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) accompanied by expansion in cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and increased PD-1 expression. Furthermore, TREM1 inhibition enhanced the antitumorigenic effect of anti-PD-1 treatment, in part, by limiting MDSC frequency and abrogating T cell exhaustion. In patient-derived melanoma xenograft tumors, treatment with VJDT downregulated key oncogenic signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation, migration, and survival. Our work highlights the role of TREM1 in cancer progression, both intrinsically expressed in cancer cells and extrinsically in the TME. Thus, targeting TREM1 to modify an immunosuppressive TME and improve efficacy of immune checkpoint therapy represents what we believe to be a promising therapeutic approach to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin Ajith
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kenza Mamouni
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Daniel D. Horuzsko
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Abu Musa
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Amiran K. Dzutsev
- Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jennifer R. Fang
- Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ahmed Chadli
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Xingguo Zhu
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Iryna Lebedyeva
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Giorgio Trinchieri
- Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Anatolij Horuzsko
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
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Li X, Mamouni K, Zhao R, Wu Y, Xie ZR, Sautto G, Liu D, Bowen N, Danaher A, Gera L, Wu D. Abstract 519: A novel Skp1 inhibitor has potent preclinical efficacy against metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Cancer Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2023-519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose: Despite numerous therapeutic modalities, including chemotherapy and next-generation androgen deprivation therapy, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) remains a dreadful evolution and still bears a poor prognosis for most patients who develop metastases to bones and other organs, which have no cure. It is urgent to identify new molecular targets and develop novel therapeutic agents against lethal mCRPC.
Methods: We developed a novel small-molecule anticancer compound named GH501 via a “molecular hybridization” approach. The in vitro cytotoxicity of GH501 was evaluated in the NCI-60 human cancer cell panel and human mCRPC cell lines. Molecular targets of GH501 were investigated using in silico docking, biolayer interferometry, cellular thermal shift assay, and other molecular and cellular approaches. The in vivo anticancer efficacy of GH501 against mCRPC was evaluated in clinically-relevant xenograft models.
Results: GH501 effectively inhibited the in vitro proliferation of NCI-60 human cancer cell lines and established mCRPC cell lines, including African American prostate cancer (PCa) cells, at nanomolar potency by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Mechanistically, GH501 might bind S-phase kinase-associated protein 1 (Skp1) and disrupt the physical interaction between Skp1 and S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2), thereby affecting multiple oncogenic signals implicated in mCRPC progression. RNA-Seq analyses indicated that GH501 treatment in C4-2 cells significantly inhibited E2F-, G2/M checkpoint, c-Myc- and β-catenin-regulated genes, androgen receptor (AR) transcription, androgen-responsive genes, and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2)-activated genes. Proteomic studies identified 109 proteins upregulated and 154 proteins downregulated significantly by GH501 in CRW22Rv1 cells. The top physiological processes and signaling pathways affected by GH501 included cell cycle, autophagy, steroid biosynthesis, DNA replication, p53, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). As a lead compound, GH501 had excellent preclinical safety. In animal studies, GH501 monotherapy effectively inhibited the skeletal and subcutaneous growth of four mCRPC xenografts with heterogeneous genetic backgrounds.
Conclusion: These results support that pharmacological interruption of Skp1-Skp2 interaction is a promising therapeutic strategy for mCRPC. To our knowledge, GH501 is the first synthetic Skp1 inhibitor with a unique chemical structure that can serve as the basis for lead optimization and development.
Citation Format: Xin Li, Kenza Mamouni, Rui Zhao, Yifei Wu, Zhong-Ru Xie, Giuseppe Sautto, Degang Liu, Nathan Bowen, Alira Danaher, Lajos Gera, Daqing Wu. A novel Skp1 inhibitor has potent preclinical efficacy against metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 519.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- 1Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Kenza Mamouni
- 2Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta, GA
| | - Rui Zhao
- 3China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yifei Wu
- 4University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lajos Gera
- 7University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Daqing Wu
- 1Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA
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Maloney ME, Miranda-Galvis M, Juarez BS, Mamouni K, Odhiambo L, Ibrahim S, Islam KM, Markowitz RB, Desai K, Rabinovitz H, Buchanan K, Patten D, Davis LS, Cortes JE. Teledermatology for Skin Cancer Screening in Rural Georgia Utilizing Teledermoscopy and Distance Learning: An Ongoing Report. JAAD Int 2023; 11:140-142. [PMID: 37128270 PMCID: PMC10148147 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdin.2023.02.010] [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: 03/06/2023] Open
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Zhao R, Ma X, Bai L, Li X, Mamouni K, Yang Y, Liu H, Danaher A, Cook N, Kucuk O, Hodges RS, Gera L, Wu D. Overcoming prostate cancer drug resistance with a novel organosilicon small molecule. Neoplasia 2021; 23:1261-1274. [PMID: 34781084 PMCID: PMC8604682 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2021.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
A major challenge to the treatment of advanced prostate cancer (PCa) is the development of resistance to androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) and chemotherapy. It is imperative to discover effective therapies to overcome drug resistance and improve clinical outcomes. We have developed a novel class of silicon-containing compounds and evaluated the anticancer activities and mechanism of action using cellular and animal models of drug-resistant PCa. Five organosilicon compounds were evaluated for their anticancer activities in the NCI-60 panel and established drug-resistant PCa cell lines. GH1504 exhibited potent in vitro cytotoxicity in a broad spectrum of human cancer cells, including PCa cells refractory to ADT and chemotherapy. Molecular studies identified several potential targets of GH1504, most notably androgen receptor (AR), AR variant 7 (AR-v7) and survivin. Mechanistically, GH1504 may promote the protein turnover of AR, AR-v7 and survivin, thereby inducing apoptosis in ADT-resistant and chemoresistant PCa cells. Animal studies demonstrated that GH1504 effectively inhibited the in vivo growth of ADT-resistant CWR22Rv1 and chemoresistant C4-2B-TaxR xenografts in subcutaneous and intraosseous models. These preclinical results indicated that GH1504 is a promising lead that can be further developed as a novel therapy for drug-resistant PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhao
- Department of Urology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China; Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Xiaowei Ma
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lijuan Bai
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; Department of Geriatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xin Li
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development and Department of Biological Sciences, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kenza Mamouni
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Yang Yang
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - HongYan Liu
- Dotquant LLC, CoMotion Labs at University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alira Danaher
- Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development and Department of Biological Sciences, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nicholas Cook
- Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development and Department of Biological Sciences, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Omer Kucuk
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Robert S Hodges
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA; AMP Discovery LLC, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Lajos Gera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA; AMP Discovery LLC, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Daqing Wu
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development and Department of Biological Sciences, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; MetCure Therapeutics LLC, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Li X, Gera L, Zhang S, Chen Y, Lou L, Wilson LM, Xie ZR, Sautto G, Liu D, Danaher A, Mamouni K, Yang Y, Du Y, Fu H, Kucuk O, Osunkoya AO, Zhou J, Wu D. Pharmacological inhibition of noncanonical EED-EZH2 signaling overcomes chemoresistance in prostate cancer. Theranostics 2021; 11:6873-6890. [PMID: 34093859 PMCID: PMC8171087 DOI: 10.7150/thno.49235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Chemoresistance is a major obstacle in prostate cancer (PCa) treatment. We sought to understand the underlying mechanism of PCa chemoresistance and discover new treatments to overcome docetaxel resistance. Methods: We developed a novel phenotypic screening platform for the discovery of specific inhibitors of chemoresistant PCa cells. The mechanism of action of the lead compound was investigated using computational, molecular and cellular approaches. The in vivo toxicity and efficacy of the lead compound were evaluated in clinically-relevant animal models. Results: We identified LG1980 as a lead compound that demonstrates high selectivity and potency against chemoresistant PCa cells. Mechanistically, LG1980 binds embryonic ectoderm development (EED), disrupts the interaction between EED and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), thereby inducing the protein degradation of EZH2 and inhibiting the phosphorylation and activity of EZH2. Consequently, LG1980 targets a survival signaling cascade consisting of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3), S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2), ATP binding cassette B 1 (ABCB1) and survivin. As a lead compound, LG1980 is well tolerated in mice and effectively suppresses the in vivo growth of chemoresistant PCa and synergistically enhances the efficacy of docetaxel in xenograft models. Conclusions: These results indicate that pharmacological inhibition of EED-EZH2 interaction is a novel strategy for the treatment of chemoresistant PCa. LG1980 and its analogues have the potential to be integrated into standard of care to improve clinical outcomes in PCa patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development and Department of Biological Sciences, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Lajos Gera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Shumin Zhang
- Department of Urology and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yanhua Chen
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Department of Hand Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Lou
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Lauren Marie Wilson
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Zhong-Ru Xie
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Giuseppe Sautto
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | | | - Alira Danaher
- Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development and Department of Biological Sciences, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kenza Mamouni
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Yang Yang
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuhong Du
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, and Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Haian Fu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, and Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Omer Kucuk
- Department of Urology and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Adeboye O. Osunkoya
- Department of Urology and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jia Zhou
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Daqing Wu
- Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development and Department of Biological Sciences, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Department of Urology and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- MetCure Therapeutics LLC, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Mamouni K, Kim J, Lokeshwar BL, Kallifatidis G. ARRB1 Regulates Metabolic Reprogramming to Promote Glycolysis in Stem Cell-Like Bladder Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081809. [PMID: 33920080 PMCID: PMC8069028 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Bladder cancer (BC) ranks second in incidence and mortality among all genitourinary cancers. The high recurrence of BC is attributed to the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are the driving force behind tumor growth. Increasing evidence suggests that stem cells exhibit a distinct metabolic program compared to differentiated cells. Understanding their metabolic preference for maintaining stem cell properties is essential for developing novel therapeutics targeting CSCs. The current work shows for the first time that the scaffold protein β-arrestin1 (ARRB1) functions as a metabolic switch regulating the metabolic reprogramming of CSC-like cells towards glycolysis by regulating the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier MPC1 and glucose transporter GLUT1. The balance between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation plays a crucial role in regulating the fate of stem cells. Our findings will potentially open new therapeutic avenues for targeting bladder cancer cells and/or the CSC-like cells within aggressive bladder tumors. Abstract β-arrestin 1 (ARRB1) is a scaffold protein that regulates signaling downstream of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). In the current work, we investigated the role of ARRB1 in regulating the metabolic preference of cancer stem cell (CSC)-like cells in bladder cancer (BC). We show that ARRB1 is crucial for spheroid formation and tumorigenic potential. Furthermore, we measured mitochondrial respiration, glucose uptake, glycolytic rate, mitochondrial/glycolytic ATP production and fuel oxidation in previously established ARRB1 knock out (KO) cells and corresponding controls. Our results demonstrate that depletion of ARRB1 decreased glycolytic rate and induced metabolic reprogramming towards oxidative phosphorylation. Mechanistically, the depletion of ARRB1 dramatically increased the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier MPC1 protein levels and reduced the glucose transporter GLUT1 protein levels along with glucose uptake. Overexpression of ARRB1 in ARRB1 KO cells reversed the phenotype and resulted in the upregulation of glycolysis. In conclusion, we show that ARRB1 regulates the metabolic preference of BC CSC-like cells and functions as a molecular switch that promotes reprogramming towards glycolysis by negatively regulating MPC1 and positively regulating GLUT1/ glucose uptake. These observations open new therapeutic avenues for targeting the metabolic preferences of cancer stem cell (CSC)-like BC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenza Mamouni
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (K.M.); (J.K.)
- Research Service, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30904, USA
| | - Jeongheun Kim
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (K.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Bal L. Lokeshwar
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (K.M.); (J.K.)
- Research Service, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30904, USA
- Correspondence: (B.L.L.); (G.K.); Tel.: +1-706-723-0033 (B.L.L.); +1-706-446 4976 (G.K.); Fax: +1-706-721-0101 (B.L.L. & G.K.)
| | - Georgios Kallifatidis
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; (K.M.); (J.K.)
- Research Service, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30904, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- Correspondence: (B.L.L.); (G.K.); Tel.: +1-706-723-0033 (B.L.L.); +1-706-446 4976 (G.K.); Fax: +1-706-721-0101 (B.L.L. & G.K.)
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Mamouni K, Kallifatidis G, Lokeshwar BL. Targeting Mitochondrial Metabolism in Prostate Cancer with Triterpenoids. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052466. [PMID: 33671107 PMCID: PMC7957768 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of malignancy. It implements profound metabolic changes to sustain cancer cell survival and proliferation. Although the Warburg effect is a common feature of metabolic reprogramming, recent studies have revealed that tumor cells also depend on mitochondrial metabolism. Due to the essential role of mitochondria in metabolism and cell survival, targeting mitochondria in cancer cells is an attractive therapeutic strategy. However, the metabolic flexibility of cancer cells may enable the upregulation of compensatory pathways, such as glycolysis, to support cancer cell survival when mitochondrial metabolism is inhibited. Thus, compounds capable of targeting both mitochondrial metabolism and glycolysis may help overcome such resistance mechanisms. Normal prostate epithelial cells have a distinct metabolism as they use glucose to sustain physiological citrate secretion. During the transformation process, prostate cancer cells consume citrate to mainly power oxidative phosphorylation and fuel lipogenesis. A growing number of studies have assessed the impact of triterpenoids on prostate cancer metabolism, underlining their ability to hit different metabolic targets. In this review, we critically assess the metabolic transformations occurring in prostate cancer cells. We will then address the opportunities and challenges in using triterpenoids as modulators of prostate cancer cell metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenza Mamouni
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
- Research Service, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30904, USA
- Correspondence: (K.M.); (B.L.L.); Tel.: +1-706-446-4976 (K.M.); +1-706-723-0033 (B.L.L.); Fax: +1-305-721-0101 (B.L.L.)
| | - Georgios Kallifatidis
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
- Research Service, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30904, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Bal L. Lokeshwar
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
- Research Service, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30904, USA
- Correspondence: (K.M.); (B.L.L.); Tel.: +1-706-446-4976 (K.M.); +1-706-723-0033 (B.L.L.); Fax: +1-305-721-0101 (B.L.L.)
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Kallifatidis G, Mamouni K, Lokeshwar BL. The Role of β-Arrestins in Regulating Stem Cell Phenotypes in Normal and Tumorigenic Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239310. [PMID: 33297302 PMCID: PMC7729818 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
β-Arrestins (ARRBs) are ubiquitously expressed scaffold proteins that mediate inactivation of G-protein-coupled receptor signaling, and in certain circumstances, G-protein independent pathways. Intriguingly, the two known ARRBs, β-arrestin1 (ARRB1) and β-Arrestin2 (ARRB2), seem to have opposing functions in regulating signaling cascades in several models in health and disease. Recent evidence suggests that ARRBs are implicated in regulating stem cell maintenance; however, their role, although crucial, is complex, and there is no universal model for ARRB-mediated regulation of stem cell characteristics. For the first time, this review compiles information on the function of ARRBs in stem cell biology and will discuss the role of ARRBs in regulating cell signaling pathways implicated in stem cell maintenance in normal and malignant stem cell populations. Although promising targets for cancer therapy, the ubiquitous nature of ARRBs and the plethora of functions in normal cell biology brings challenges for treatment selectivity. However, recent studies show promising evidence for specifically targeting ARRBs in myeloproliferative neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Kallifatidis
- Department of Biological Sciences, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
- Research Service, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30904, USA
- Correspondence: (G.K.); (B.L.L.); Tel.: +1-706-446-4976 (G.K.); +1-706-723-0033 (B.L.L.); Fax: +1-305-721-0101 (B.L.L.)
| | - Kenza Mamouni
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
- Research Service, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30904, USA
| | - Bal L. Lokeshwar
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
- Research Service, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30904, USA
- Correspondence: (G.K.); (B.L.L.); Tel.: +1-706-446-4976 (G.K.); +1-706-723-0033 (B.L.L.); Fax: +1-305-721-0101 (B.L.L.)
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Chen Y, Li X, Mamouni K, Yang Y, Danaher A, White J, Liu H, Kucuk O, Gera L, Wu D. Novel small-molecule LG1836 inhibits the in vivo growth of castration-resistant prostate cancer. Prostate 2020; 80:993-1005. [PMID: 32559345 DOI: 10.1002/pros.24032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the mainstay of treatment for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Unfortunately, although ADT initially prolongs survival, most patients relapse and develop resistance. Clinical failure of these treatments in CRPC highlights the urgent need to develop novel strategies to more effectively block androgen receptor (AR) signaling and target other oncogenic factors responsible for ADT resistance. METHODS We developed a small-molecule compound LG1836 and investigated the in vitro and in vivo activity of LG1836 against CRPC in cellular and animal models. RESULTS LG1836 exhibits potent in vitro cytotoxicity in CRPC cells. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that LG1836 inhibits the expression of AR and AR variant 7, partially mediated via proteasome-dependent protein degradation. LG1836 also suppresses survivin expression and effectively induces apoptosis in CRPC cells. Significantly, as a single agent, LG1836 is therapeutically efficacious in suppressing the in vivo growth of CRPC in the subcutaneous and intraosseous models and extends the survival of tumor-bearing mice. CONCLUSIONS These preclinical studies indicate that LG1836 is a promising lead compound for the treatment of CRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhua Chen
- Department of Hand Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
- Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development and Department of Biological Sciences, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Kenza Mamouni
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Alira Danaher
- Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development and Department of Biological Sciences, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Joseph White
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - HongYan Liu
- Dotquant LLC, CoMotion Labs at University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Omer Kucuk
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Lajos Gera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Daqing Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
- Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development and Department of Biological Sciences, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
- MetCure Therapeutics LLC, Atlanta, Georgia
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10
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Gao J, Mamouni K, Kallifatidis G, Panda S, Thangaraju M, Lokeshwar BL. Abstract 5069: Breast cancer prevention by triterpenoids from allspice. Cancer Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2019-5069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Breast cancer ranks second as a lethal cancer in women. Although survival following initial diagnosis is ~ 100% in first five years, cancer progression and mortality is imminent in subsequent years. The slow progression to the lethal form of breast cancer has prompted development of multiple avenues to delay the progression, metastasis and mortality using potent prevention strategies, including the use of nutraceuticals. Oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA) are two triterpenoids found in edible plant parts-fruits and seeds with potent cancer preventive, and selective cytotoxic activities against multiple cancers including breast cancer. We conducted cytotoxic assays of the combination of OA and UA. We found the combination has enhanced efficacy as compared to OA or UA alone. The combination of OA and UA and UA alone caused cell death by increased autophagy but not apoptosis in both MCF7 and MB231 human breast cancer cells. Further analysis revealed increased autopagosomes and autophagic flux, inhibition of either process reduced cytotoxicity, indicating cytotoxic autophagy is the primary mechanism of their action. Therefore, a combination of OA and UA with conventional therapies could enhance their therapeutic efficacy while limiting systemic toxicities of existing therapies.
Citation Format: Jie Gao, Kenza Mamouni, Georgios Kallifatidis, Siva Panda, Muthusamy Thangaraju, Bal L. Lokeshwar. Breast cancer prevention by triterpenoids from allspice [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5069.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Gao
- 1Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences at University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL
| | - Kenza Mamouni
- 2Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA
| | | | - Siva Panda
- 3Department of Chemistry and Physics, Augusta university, GA
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11
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Chen Y, Gera L, Zhang S, Li X, Yang Y, Mamouni K, Wu AY, Liu H, Kucuk O, Wu D. Small molecule BKM1972 inhibits human prostate cancer growth and overcomes docetaxel resistance in intraosseous models. Cancer Lett 2019; 446:62-72. [PMID: 30660650 PMCID: PMC6361683 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Bone metastasis is a major cause of prostate cancer (PCa) mortality. Although docetaxel chemotherapy initially extends patients' survival, in most cases PCa becomes chemoresistant and eventually progresses without a cure. In this study, we developed a novel small-molecule compound BKM1972, which exhibited potent in vitro cytotoxicity in PCa and other cancer cells regardless of their differences in chemo-responsiveness. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that BKM1972 effectively inhibited the expression of anti-apoptotic protein survivin and membrane-bound efflux pump ATP binding cassette B 1 (ABCB1, p-glycoprotein), presumably via signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3). BKM1972 was well tolerated in mice and as a monotherapy, significantly inhibited the intraosseous growth of chemosensitive and chemoresistant PCa cells. These results indicate that BKM1972 is a promising small-molecule lead to treat PCa bone metastasis and overcome docetaxel resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhua Chen
- Department of Hand Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Lajos Gera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Shumin Zhang
- Department of Urology and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Xin Li
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Yang Yang
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kenza Mamouni
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Alyssa Y Wu
- Chamblee Charter High School, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - HongYan Liu
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Omer Kucuk
- Department of Urology and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Daqing Wu
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; Department of Urology and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; MetCure Therapeutics LLC, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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12
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Mouly L, Mamouni K, Gence R, Cristini A, Cherier J, Castinel A, Legrand M, Favre G, Sordet O, Monferran S. PARP-1-dependent RND1 transcription induced by topoisomerase I cleavage complexes confers cellular resistance to camptothecin. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:931. [PMID: 30209297 PMCID: PMC6135836 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0981-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
RHO GTPases regulate essential functions such as the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. The classic members cycle between an active GTP-bound and an inactive GDP-bound conformation whereas atypical members are predominantly GTP-bound. Besides their well-established role, the classic RHO GTPases RHOB and RAC1, are rapidly induced and/or activated by genotoxic stress and contribute to the DNA damage response. Here we used camptothecin, a selective topoisomerase I (TOP1) inhibitor that stabilizes TOP1 cleavage complexes (TOP1cc), to search for other potential early DNA damage-inducible RHO GTPase genes. We identified that an atypical RHO GTPase, RND1, is rapidly induced by camptothecin. RND1 induction is closely associated with the presence of TOP1cc induced by camptothecin or by DNA lesions that elevate TOP1cc levels such as UV and hydrogen peroxide. We further demonstrated that camptothecin increases RND1 gene transcription and mRNA stability. Camptothecin also increases poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) activity, whose inhibition reduces RND1 transcription. In addition, overexpression of RND1 increases PARP-1, suggesting a cross-talk between PARP-1 and RND1. Finally, RND1 protects cells against camptothecin-induced apoptosis, and hence favors cellular resistance to camptothecin. Together, these findings highlight RND1 as an atypical RHO GTPase early induced by TOP1cc, and show that the TOP1cc-PARP-1-RND1 pathway protects cells against apoptosis induced by camptothecin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laetitia Mouly
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, Toulouse, France.,Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Kenza Mamouni
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, Toulouse, France.,Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Remi Gence
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, Toulouse, France.,Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Agnese Cristini
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, Toulouse, France.,Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Julia Cherier
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Adrien Castinel
- Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Morgane Legrand
- Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Gilles Favre
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, Toulouse, France.,Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Olivier Sordet
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, Toulouse, France.
| | - Sylvie Monferran
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, Toulouse, France. .,Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.
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13
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Yang Y, Mamouni K, Li X, Chen Y, Kavuri S, Du Y, Fu H, Kucuk O, Wu D. Repositioning Dopamine D2 Receptor Agonist Bromocriptine to Enhance Docetaxel Chemotherapy and Treat Bone Metastatic Prostate Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2018; 17:1859-1870. [PMID: 29907594 PMCID: PMC6125160 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-1176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Docetaxel resistance remains a major obstacle in the treatment of prostate cancer bone metastasis. In this study, we demonstrate that the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) agonist bromocriptine effectively enhances docetaxel efficacy and suppresses skeletal growth of prostate cancer in preclinical models. DRD2 is ubiquitously expressed in prostate cancer cell lines and significantly reduced in prostate cancer tissues with high Gleason score. Bromocriptine has weak to moderate cytotoxicity in prostate cancer cells, but effectively induces cell-cycle arrest. At the molecular level, bromocriptine inhibits the expression of c-Myc, E2F-1, and survivin and increases the expression of p53, p21, and p27. Intriguingly, bromocriptine markedly reduces androgen receptor levels, partially through Hsp90-mediated protein degradation. The combination of bromocriptine and docetaxel demonstrates enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity in prostate cancer cells and significantly retards the skeletal growth of C4-2-Luc tumors in mice. Collectively, these results provide the first experimental evidence for repurposing bromocriptine as an effective adjunct therapy to enhance docetaxel efficacy in prostate cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(9); 1859-70. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China,Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Kenza Mamouni
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Xin Li
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Yanhua Chen
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA,Department of Hand Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Sravan Kavuri
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Yuhong Du
- Department of Pharmacology and Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Haian Fu
- Department of Pharmacology and Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Omer Kucuk
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Daqing Wu
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA,MetCure Therapeutics LLC, Atlanta, GA, USA,Correspondence to: Dr. Daqing Wu, Georgia Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA; ; Phone: (706)723-4137
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14
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Mamouni K, Zhang S, Li X, Chen Y, Yang Y, Kim J, Bartlett MG, Coleman IM, Nelson PS, Kucuk O, Wu D. A Novel Flavonoid Composition Targets Androgen Receptor Signaling and Inhibits Prostate Cancer Growth in Preclinical Models. Neoplasia 2018; 20:789-799. [PMID: 29981500 PMCID: PMC6034581 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2018.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The high prevalence and long latency period of prostate cancer (PCa) provide a unique opportunity to control disease progression with dietary and nutraceutical approaches. We developed ProFine, a standardized composition of luteolin, quercetin, and kaempferol, and investigated its potential as a nutraceutical for PCa in preclinical models. The three ingredients of ProFine demonstrated synergistic in vitro cytotoxicity and effectively induced apoptosis in PCa cells. ProFine markedly affected the transcriptome of PCa cells, suppressed the expression of androgen receptor, and inhibited androgen-regulated genes. Oral administration of ProFine did not exhibit obvious toxicities in mice, and the three ingredients retained their individual pharmacokinetic and bioavailability profiles. Importantly, ProFine significantly retarded the growth of PCa xenografts in athymic nude mice and extended the survival of animals. This study provides preclinical evidence supporting the promise of ProFine as a safe, efficacious, and affordable intervention to control PCa progression and improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenza Mamouni
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Shumin Zhang
- Department of Urology and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Xin Li
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Yanhua Chen
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Yang Yang
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Jaeah Kim
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Michael G. Bartlett
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Ilsa M. Coleman
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Peter S. Nelson
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Omer Kucuk
- Department of Urology and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA,Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Daqing Wu
- Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers Program, Georgia Cancer Center; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA,Department of Urology and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA,MetCure Therapeutics LLC, Atlanta, GA, USA,Address all correspondence to: Dr. Daqing Wu, Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
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15
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Hooshfar S, Linzey MR, Wu D, Gera L, Mamouni K, Li X, Chen Y, Yang Y, Olorunyolemi O, Bartlett MG. Sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of two novel highly lipophilic anticancer drug candidates in rat plasma and tissues. Biomed Chromatogr 2018; 32:10.1002/bmc.4064. [PMID: 28801923 PMCID: PMC5786476 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.4064] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
A simple and sensitive liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for determination of two highly lipophilic anticancer drug candidates, LG1980 and GH501, in rat plasma and tissues (liver, kidney and femur bones). LG1980 and GH501 were extracted from rat plasma and tissue homogenates using liquid-liquid extraction. The method provided a linear range of 1.0-200.0 ng/mL for GH501 in plasma and LG1980 in plasma and liver. For both analytes in other tissue homogenates the linear range was 2.0-400.0 ng/mL. The method was validated with precision within 15% relative standard deviation, accuracy within 15% relative error and a consistent recovery. This method has been successfully applied in two preclinical studies for LG1980 and GH501 to determine their concentrations in rat plasma, liver, kidney and bone over 24 h after intravenous injection of compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirin Hooshfar
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2352, United States
| | - Michael R. Linzey
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2352, United States
| | - Daqing Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA An30912, United States
| | - Lajos Gera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
| | - Kenza Mamouni
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA An30912, United States
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA An30912, United States
| | - Yanhua Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA An30912, United States
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA An30912, United States
| | - Oluwasegun Olorunyolemi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2352, United States
| | - Michael G. Bartlett
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2352, United States
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16
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Yang Y, Li X, Mamouni K, Kucuk O, Wu D. Mifepristone Has Limited Activity to Enhance the In Vivo Efficacy of Docetaxel and Enzalutamide Against Bone Metastatic and Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. Anticancer Res 2017; 37:6235-6243. [PMID: 29061806 DOI: 10.21873/anticanres.12074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mifepristone has gained great interest in its potential as a novel agent against human cancers, including prostate cancer (PCa). However, recent clinical trials using mifepristone in PCa and other cancers have been disappointing. We evaluated the in vitro and in vivo activities of mifepristone, in combination with docetaxel and enzalutamide, against bone metastatic castration-resistant PCa. MATERIALS AND METHODS The effects of mifepristone, alone or in combination with docetaxel or enzalutamide, on PCa cell viability, in vitro, were determined by the colorimetric assay. Intratibial model of C4-2-Luc tumors in athymic nude mice was used to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of mifepristone alone or in combination with docetaxel or enzalutamide. Tumor growth in mouse bone was assessed by serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and radiography. RESULTS Although mifepristone exhibits a certain degree of synergism with docetaxel or enzalutamide in cell culture, statistical analyses showed that combination regimens fail to demonstrate effectiveness in suppressing the skeletal growth of PCa and enhancing the in vivo efficacy of docetaxel or enzalutamide in athymic nude mice (p>0.05). CONCLUSION These results provide the first pre-clinical evidence suggesting that mifepristone may not effectively inhibit bone metastatic PCa, either as a single agent or combined with standard chemotherapy and androgen-deprivation therapy. This report may raise concerns over the clinical use of mifepristone in the management of advanced PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China.,Georgia Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, U.S.A
| | - Xin Li
- Georgia Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, U.S.A
| | - Kenza Mamouni
- Georgia Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, U.S.A
| | - Omer Kucuk
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, U.S.A
| | - Daqing Wu
- Georgia Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, U.S.A. .,MetCure Therapeutics LLC, Atlanta, GA, U.S.A
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17
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Mamouni K, Gera L, Li X, Wu D. Abstract 3205: A nanomolar potency small-molecule compound against castration-resistant and bone metastatic prostate cancer. Cancer Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2017-3205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
A standard treatment for prostate cancer (PCa) is androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) that suppresses androgen receptor (AR) signaling axis. Although initially responsive, most patients receiving ADT eventually develop metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), with more than 90% of them exhibiting bone metastases. A mechanism by which CRPC cells evade ADT is the expression of constitutively active AR variants (AR-Vs), such as the well-characterized AR-V7. Recently we developed GH501, a flurbiprofen-modified small-molecule compound, and investigated its anti-cancer activity and mechanism of action in pre-clinical models of CRPC. At nanomolar range, GH501 effectively induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in CRPC cells regardless of their resistance status to enzalutamide treatment. RNA-seq analysis of GH501 combined with Western blotting analysis identified key targets implicated in CRPC progression, including the full-length AR, AR-V7 variant, and other important genes implicated in CRPC progression. Importantly, low doses of GH501 effectively inhibit the skeletal growth of CRPC in a xenograft model without obvious in vivo toxicities. These preclinical results indicate that GH501 is a promising small-molecule compound that can be further developed for the treatment of lethal prostate cancer.
Citation Format: Kenza Mamouni, Lajos Gera, Xin Li, Daqing Wu. A nanomolar potency small-molecule compound against castration-resistant and bone metastatic prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3205. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3205
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lajos Gera
- 2University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO
| | - Xin Li
- 1Augusta University, Augusta, GA
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18
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Pu F, Salarian M, Xue S, Qiao J, Feng J, Tan S, Patel A, Li X, Mamouni K, Hekmatyar K, Zou J, Wu D, Yang JJ. Prostate-specific membrane antigen targeted protein contrast agents for molecular imaging of prostate cancer by MRI. Nanoscale 2016; 8:12668-82. [PMID: 26961235 PMCID: PMC5528195 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr09071g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is one of the most specific cell surface markers for prostate cancer diagnosis and targeted treatment. However, achieving molecular imaging using non-invasive MRI with high resolution has yet to be achieved due to the lack of contrast agents with significantly improved relaxivity for sensitivity, targeting capabilities and metal selectivity. We have previously reported our creation of a novel class of protein Gd(3+) contrast agents, ProCA32, which displayed significantly improved relaxivity while exhibiting strong Gd(3+) binding selectivity over physiological metal ions. In this study, we report our effort in further developing biomarker-targeted protein MRI contrast agents for molecular imaging of PSMA. Among three PSMA targeted contrast agents engineered with addition of different molecular recognition sequences, ProCA32.PSMA exhibits a binding affinity of 1.1 ± 0.1 μM for PSMA while the metal binding affinity is maintained at 0.9 ± 0.1 × 10(-22) M. In addition, ProCA32.PSMA exhibits r1 of 27.6 mM(-1) s(-1) and r2 of 37.9 mM(-1) s(-1) per Gd (55.2 and 75.8 mM(-1) s(-1) per molecule r1 and r2, respectively) at 1.4 T. At 7 T, ProCA32.PSMA also has r2 of 94.0 mM(-1) s(-1) per Gd (188.0 mM(-1) s(-1) per molecule) and r1 of 18.6 mM(-1) s(-1) per Gd (37.2 mM(-1) s(-1) per molecule). This contrast capability enables the first MRI enhancement dependent on PSMA expression levels in tumor bearing mice using both T1 and T2-weighted MRI at 7 T. Further development of these PSMA-targeted contrast agents are expected to be used for the precision imaging of prostate cancer at an early stage and to monitor disease progression and staging, as well as determine the effect of therapeutic treatment by non-invasive evaluation of the PSMA level using MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Pu
- Departments of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
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Zhang S, Gera L, Mamouni K, Li X, Chen Z, Kucuk O, Wu D. Inhibition of skeletal growth of human prostate cancer by the combination of docetaxel and BKM1644: an aminobisphosphonate derivative. Oncotarget 2016; 7:27489-98. [PMID: 27050371 PMCID: PMC5053666 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone metastasis is a major cause of prostate cancer (PCa) morbidity and mortality. Despite some success in transiently controlling clinical symptoms with docetaxel-based therapy, PCa patients become docetaxel-resistant and inevitably progress with no cure. We synthesized an acyl-tyrosine bisphosphonate amide derivative, BKM1644, with the intent of targeting bone metastatic PCa and enhancing docetaxel's efficacy. BKM1644 exhibits potent anti-cancer activity in the NCI-60 panel and effectively inhibits the proliferation of metastatic, castration-resistant PCa (mCRPC) cells, with IC50 ranging between 2.1 μM and 6.3 μM. Significantly, BKM1644 sensitizes mCRPC cells to docetaxel treatment. Mice with pre-established C4-2 tumors in the tibia show a marked decrease in serum prostate-specific antigen (control: 173.72 ± 37.52 ng/ml, combined treatment: 64.45 ± 22.19 ng/ml; p < 0.0001) and much improved bone architecture after treatment with the combined regimen. Mechanistic studies found that docetaxel temporarily but significantly increases survivin, an anti-apoptotic protein whose overexpression has been correlated with PCa bone metastasis and therapeutic resistance. Intriguingly, BKM1644 effectively inhibits survivin expression, which may antagonize docetaxel-induced survivin in bone metastatic PCa cells. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) may be involved in the suppression of survivin transcription by BKM1644, as confirmed by a survivin reporter assay. Collectively, these data indicate that BKM1644 could be a promising small-molecule agent to improve docetaxel efficacy and retard the bone metastatic growth of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shumin Zhang
- 1 Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lajos Gera
- 2 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kenza Mamouni
- 3 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia and GRU Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Xin Li
- 3 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia and GRU Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Zhengjia Chen
- 4 Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Omer Kucuk
- 5 Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Daqing Wu
- 1 Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA,3 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia and GRU Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA,6 MetCure Therapeutics LLC, Atlanta, GA, USA
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