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Kong T, Gaudin N, Gordon K, Cox MJ, Zhou AW, Oh ST. A phase I trial of pevonedistat in combination with ruxolitinib for the treatment of myelofibrosis. Ther Adv Hematol 2024; 15:20406207241237607. [PMID: 38481947 PMCID: PMC10935761 DOI: 10.1177/20406207241237607] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) inhibitors such as ruxolitinib have become standard-of-care therapy for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs); however, activation of alternate oncogenic pathways including nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB) has limited durable response as single-agent therapy. With the rationale of targeting both pathways, we conducted a phase I dose escalation trial of pevonedistat in combination with ruxolitinib for the treatment of patients with myelofibrosis (NCT03386214). The primary objective was to assess the safety and tolerability of combination therapy with additional objectives of treatment efficacy and alterations of biomarkers. There were no dose-limiting toxicities observed with most adverse events being limited to grades 1/2. In secondary measures, anemia response was observed in two patients. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and iron parameters were longitudinally assessed, which revealed suppression of interleukin-6 and interferon-gamma in a dose-dependent manner across a subset of patients. These results suggest that combination therapy targeting both JAK2 and NFκB may hold clinical merit for MPN patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Kong
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Nicole Gaudin
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Karyn Gordon
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Maggie J. Cox
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Amy W. Zhou
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Stephen T. Oh
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8125, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
- Immunomonitoring Laboratory, Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
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Chen YN, Chan YH, Shiau JP, Farooqi AA, Tang JY, Chen KL, Yen CY, Chang HW. The neddylation inhibitor MLN4924 inhibits proliferation and triggers apoptosis of oral cancer cells but not for normal cells. Environ Toxicol 2024; 39:299-313. [PMID: 37705323 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23951] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Increased neddylation benefits the survival of several types of cancer cells. The inhibition of neddylation has the potential to exert anticancer effects but is rarely assessed in oral cancer cells. This study aimed to investigate the antiproliferation potential of a neddylation inhibitor MLN4924 (pevonedistat) for oral cancer cells. MLN4924 inhibited the cell viability of oral cancer cells more than that of normal oral cells (HGF-1) with 100% viability, that is, IC50 values of oral cancer cells (CAL 27, OC-2, and Ca9-22) are 1.8, 1.4, and 1.9 μM. MLN4924 caused apoptotic changes such as the subG1 accumulation, activation of annexin V, pancaspase, and caspases 3/8/9 of oral cancer cells at a greater rate than in normal oral cells. MLN4924 induced greater oxidative stress in oral cancer cells compared to normal cells by upregulating reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial superoxide and depleting the mitochondrial membrane potential and glutathione. In oral cancer cells, preferential inductions also occurred for DNA damage (γH2AX and 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine). Therefore, this investigation demonstrates that MLN4924 is a potential anti-oral-cancer agent showing preferential inhibition of apoptosis and promotion of DNA damage with fewer cytotoxic effects on normal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ning Chen
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsuan Chan
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, PhD Program in Life Science, College of Life Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jun-Ping Shiau
- Division of Breast Oncology and Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | | | - Jen-Yang Tang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Liang Chen
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Yu Yen
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
- School of Dentistry, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Wei Chang
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, PhD Program in Life Science, College of Life Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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3
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Tarlock K, Liu X, Minard CG, Isikwei EA, Reid JM, Horton TM, Fox E, Weigel BJ, Cooper T. Feasibility of pevonedistat combined with azacitidine, fludarabine, cytarabine in pediatric relapsed/refractory AML: Results from COG ADVL1712. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2023; 70:e30672. [PMID: 37710306 PMCID: PMC10864008 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30672] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Outcomes for children with relapsed/refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are poor, and new therapies are needed. Pevonedistat is an inhibitor of the NEDD-8 activating enzyme, a key regulator of the ubiquitin proteasome system that is responsible for protein turnover, with protein degradation regulating cell growth and survival. PROCEDURE We evaluated the feasibility, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of pevonedistat (20 mg/m2 days 1, 3, 5) in combination with azacitidine, fludarabine, cytarabine (aza-FLA) in children with R/R AML and MDS (NCT03813147). Twelve patients were enrolled, median age was 13 years (range 1-21). Median number of prior chemotherapeutic regimens was two (range one to five), and two (25%) patients had prior hematopoietic cell transplantation. Diagnoses were AML NOS (n = 10, 83%), acute monocytic leukemia (n = 1), and therapy-related AML (n = 1). RESULTS Overall, three of 12 (25%) patients experienced DLTs. The day 1 mean ± SD (n = 12) Cmax , VSS , T1/2 , and CL were 223 ± 91 ng/mL, 104 ± 53.8 L/m2 , 4.3 ± 1.2 hours, and 23.2 ± 6.9 L/h/m2 , respectively. T1/2 , VSS , and Cmax , but not CL, were significantly different between age groups. The overall response rate was 25%, with n = 3 patients achieving a complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi). CONCLUSIONS Pevonedistat 20 mg/m2 combined with Aza-FLA was tolerable in children with R/R AML with similar toxicity profile to other intensive AML regimens. However, within the confines of a phase 1 study, we did not observe that the pevonedistat + Aza-FLA combination demonstrated significant anti-leukemic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Tarlock
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Seattle Children’s Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle WA
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Clinical Research Division, Seattle, WA
| | | | | | | | | | - Terzah M. Horton
- Texas Children’s Baylor College of Medicine/Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Pediatrics, Houston TX
| | | | | | - Todd Cooper
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Seattle Children’s Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle WA
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Wong B, Bergeron A, Maznyi G, Ng K, Jirovec A, Birdi HK, Serrano D, Spinelli M, Thomson M, Taha Z, Alwithenani A, Chen A, Lorimer I, Vanderhyden B, Arulanandam R, Diallo JS. Pevonedistat, a first-in-class NEDD8-activating enzyme inhibitor, sensitizes cancer cells to VSVΔ51 oncolytic virotherapy. Mol Ther 2023; 31:3176-3192. [PMID: 37766429 PMCID: PMC10638453 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.09.017] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical efficacy of VSVΔ51 oncolytic virotherapy has been limited by tumor resistance to viral infection, so strategies to transiently repress antiviral defenses are warranted. Pevonedistat is a first-in-class NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE) inhibitor currently being tested in clinical trials for its antitumor potential. In this study, we demonstrate that pevonedistat sensitizes human and murine cancer cells to increase oncolytic VSVΔ51 infection, increase tumor cell death, and improve therapeutic outcomes in resistant syngeneic murine cancer models. Increased VSVΔ51 infectivity was also observed in clinical human tumor samples. We further identify the mechanism of this effect to operate via blockade of the type 1 interferon (IFN-1) response through neddylation-dependent interferon-stimulated growth factor 3 (ISGF3) repression and neddylation-independent inhibition of NF-κB nuclear translocation. Together, our results identify a role for neddylation in regulating the innate immune response and demonstrate that pevonedistat can improve the therapeutic outcomes of strategies using oncolytic virotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boaz Wong
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Anabel Bergeron
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Glib Maznyi
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Kristy Ng
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Anna Jirovec
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Harsimrat K Birdi
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Daniel Serrano
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Marcus Spinelli
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Max Thomson
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Zaid Taha
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Akram Alwithenani
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Andrew Chen
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Ian Lorimer
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Barbara Vanderhyden
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Rozanne Arulanandam
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada.
| | - Jean-Simon Diallo
- Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
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5
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Aubry A, Pearson JD, Charish J, Yu T, Sivak JM, Xirodimas DP, Avet-Loiseau H, Corre J, Monnier PP, Bremner R. Deneddylation of ribosomal proteins promotes synergy between MLN4924 and chemotherapy to elicit complete therapeutic responses. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112925. [PMID: 37552601 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112925] [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: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The neddylation inhibitor MLN4924/Pevonedistat is in clinical trials for multiple cancers. Efficacy is generally attributed to cullin RING ligase (CRL) inhibition, but the contribution of non-CRL targets is unknown. Here, CRISPR screens map MLN4924-monotherapy sensitivity in retinoblastoma to a classic DNA damage-induced p53/E2F3/BAX-dependent death effector network, which synergizes with Nutlin3a or Navitoclax. In monotherapy-resistant cells, MLN4924 plus standard-of-care topotecan overcomes resistance, but reduces DNA damage, instead harnessing ribosomal protein nucleolar-expulsion to engage an RPL11/p21/MYCN/E2F3/p53/BAX synergy network that exhibits extensive cross-regulation. Strikingly, unneddylatable RPL11 substitutes for MLN4924 to perturb nucleolar function and enhance topotecan efficacy. Orthotopic tumors exhibit complete responses while preserving visual function. Moreover, MLN4924 plus melphalan deploy this DNA damage-independent strategy to synergistically kill multiple myeloma cells. Thus, MLN4924 synergizes with standard-of-care drugs to unlock a nucleolar death effector network across cancer types implying broad therapeutic relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Aubry
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Lab Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Centre Hospitalo-universitaire (CHU) de Toulouse, Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse-Oncopole (IUCT-O), Université de Toulouse, UPS, Unité de Génomique du Myélome, Toulouse, France
| | - Joel D Pearson
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jason Charish
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tao Yu
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jeremy M Sivak
- Department of Lab Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Hervé Avet-Loiseau
- Centre Hospitalo-universitaire (CHU) de Toulouse, Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse-Oncopole (IUCT-O), Université de Toulouse, UPS, Unité de Génomique du Myélome, Toulouse, France; Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse (CRCT), INSERM, Toulouse, France
| | - Jill Corre
- Centre Hospitalo-universitaire (CHU) de Toulouse, Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse-Oncopole (IUCT-O), Université de Toulouse, UPS, Unité de Génomique du Myélome, Toulouse, France; Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse (CRCT), INSERM, Toulouse, France
| | - Philippe P Monnier
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rod Bremner
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Lab Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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6
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Kreienbühl J, Changkhong S, Orlowski V, Kirschner MB, Opitz I, Meerang M. Cullin 4B Ubiquitin Ligase Is Important for Cell Survival and Regulates TGF-β1 Expression in Pleural Mesothelioma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13410. [PMID: 37686215 PMCID: PMC10487616 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713410] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that cullin 4B (CUL4B) upregulation was associated with worse outcomes of pleural mesothelioma (PM) patients, while the overexpression of its paralog CUL4A was not associated with clinical outcomes. Here, we aimed to identify the distinct roles of CUL4B and CUL4A in PM using an siRNA approach in PM cell lines (ACC Meso-1 and Mero82) and primary culture. The knockdown of CUL4B and CUL4A resulted in significantly reduced colony formation, increased cell death, and delayed cell proliferation. Furthermore, similar to the effect of CUL4A knockdown, downregulation of CUL4B led to reduced expression of Hippo pathway genes including YAP1, CTGF, and survivin. Interestingly, CUL4B and not CUL4A knockdown reduced TGF-β1 and MMP2 expression, suggesting a unique association of CUL4B with this pathway. However, the treatment of PM cells with exogenous TGF-β1 following CUL4B knockdown did not rescue PM cell growth. We further analyzed ACC Meso-1 xenograft tumor tissues treated with the cullin inhibitor, pevonedistat, which targets protein neddylation, and observed the downregulation of human TGF-β1 and MMP2. In summary, our data suggest that CUL4B overexpression is important for tumor cell growth and survival and may drive PM aggressiveness via the regulation of TGF-β1 expression and, furthermore, reveal a new mechanism of action of pevonedistat.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Mayura Meerang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Zürich, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland (V.O.); (M.B.K.); (I.O.)
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7
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Shapiro DD, Zacharias NM, Tripathi DN, Karki M, Bertocchio J, Soeung M, He R, Westerman ME, Gao J, Rao P, Lam TNA, Jonasch E, Perelli L, Cheng EH, Carugo A, Heffernan TP, Walker CL, Genovese G, Tannir NM, Karam JA, Msaouel P. Neddylation inhibition sensitises renal medullary carcinoma tumours to platinum chemotherapy. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1267. [PMID: 37226898 PMCID: PMC10210052 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1267] [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: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) is a highly aggressive cancer in need of new therapeutic strategies. The neddylation pathway can protect cells from DNA damage induced by the platinum-based chemotherapy used in RMC. We investigated if neddylation inhibition with pevonedistat will synergistically enhance antitumour effects of platinum-based chemotherapy in RMC. METHODS We evaluated the IC50 concentrations of the neddylation-activating enzyme inhibitor pevonedistat in vitro in RMC cell lines. Bliss synergy scores were calculated using growth inhibition assays following treatment with varying concentrations of pevonedistat and carboplatin. Protein expression was assessed by western blot and immunofluorescence assays. The efficacy of pevonedistat alone or in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy was evaluated in vivo in platinum-naïve and platinum-experienced patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of RMC. RESULTS The RMC cell lines demonstrated IC50 concentrations of pevonedistat below the maximum tolerated dose in humans. When combined with carboplatin, pevonedistat demonstrated a significant in vitro synergistic effect. Treatment with carboplatin alone increased nuclear ERCC1 levels used to repair the interstrand crosslinks induced by platinum salts. Conversely, the addition of pevonedistat to carboplatin led to p53 upregulation resulting in FANCD2 suppression and reduced nuclear ERCC1 levels. The addition of pevonedistat to platinum-based chemotherapy significantly inhibited tumour growth in both platinum-naïve and platinum-experienced PDX models of RMC (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that pevonedistat synergises with carboplatin to inhibit RMC cell and tumour growth through inhibition of DNA damage repair. These findings support the development of a clinical trial combining pevonedistat with platinum-based chemotherapy for RMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel D. Shapiro
- Department of UrologyUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWisconsinUSA
- Division of UrologyWilliam S. Middleton Memorial Veterans HospitalMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | | | - Durga N. Tripathi
- Center for Precision Environmental HealthBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Menuka Karki
- Department of Genitourinary Medical OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Jean‐Philippe Bertocchio
- Department of Genitourinary Medical OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Melinda Soeung
- Department of Genitourinary Medical OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Rong He
- Department of Genitourinary Medical OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Mary E. Westerman
- Department of UrologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Jianjun Gao
- Department of Genitourinary Medical OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Priya Rao
- Department of PathologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Truong N. A. Lam
- Department of Genitourinary Medical OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Eric Jonasch
- Department of Genitourinary Medical OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Luigi Perelli
- Department of Genitourinary Medical OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Emily H. Cheng
- Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program and Department of PathologyMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer InstituteNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Alessandro Carugo
- Institute for Applied Cancer ScienceThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
- Department of OncologyIRBM SpaRomeItaly
| | - Timothy P. Heffernan
- Institute for Applied Cancer ScienceThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
- Translational Research to Advance Therapeutics and Innovation in OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Cheryl L. Walker
- Center for Precision Environmental HealthBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Giannicola Genovese
- Department of Genitourinary Medical OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
- Department of Genomic MedicineThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
- David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary CancersThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Nizar M. Tannir
- Department of Genitourinary Medical OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Jose A. Karam
- Department of UrologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
- Department of Translational Molecular PathologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Pavlos Msaouel
- Center for Precision Environmental HealthBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTexasUSA
- Department of Genitourinary Medical OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
- David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary CancersThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
- Department of Translational Molecular PathologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
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8
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Zhou X, Richardson DL, Dowlati A, Goel S, Sahebjam S, Strauss J, Chawla S, Wang D, Mould DR, Samnotra V, Faller DV, Venkatakrishnan K, Gupta N. Effect of Pevonedistat, an Investigational NEDD8-Activating Enzyme Inhibitor, on the QTc Interval in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors. Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev 2023; 12:257-266. [PMID: 36382849 DOI: 10.1002/cpdd.1194] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of pevonedistat, a neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally down-regulated protein 8 (NEDD8)-activating enzyme inhibitor, on the heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval in cancer patients. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive pevonedistat 25 or 50 mg/m2 on day 1 and the alternate dose on day 8. Triplicate electrocardiograms were collected at intervals over 0-11 hours and at 24 hours via Holter recorders on days -1 (baseline), 1, and 8. Changes from time-matched baseline values were calculated for QTc by Fridericia (QTcF), PR, and QRS intervals. Serial time-matched blood samples for analysis of pevonedistat plasma pharmacokinetics were collected and a concentration-QTc analysis conducted. Safety was assessed by monitoring vital signs, physical examinations, and clinical laboratory tests. Forty-four patients were included in the QTc analysis. Maximum least square (LS) mean increase from time-matched baseline in QTcF was 3.2 milliseconds at 1 hour postdose for pevonedistat at 25 mg/m2 , while the LSs mean change from baseline in QTcF was -1.7 milliseconds 1 hour postdose at 50 mg/m2 . The maximum 2-sided 90% upper confidence bound was 6.7 and 2.9 milliseconds for pevonedistat at 25 and 50 mg/m2 , respectively. Pevonedistat did not result in clinically relevant effects on heart rate, nor on PR or QRS intervals. Results from pevonedistat concentration-QTc analysis were consistent with these findings. Administration of pevonedistat to cancer patients at a dose of up to 50 mg/m2 showed no evidence of QT prolongation, indicative of the lack of clinically meaningful effects on cardiac repolarization. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03330106 (first registered on November 6, 2017).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Zhou
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc. (TDCA), Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Debra L Richardson
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | | | - Sanjay Goel
- Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Solmaz Sahebjam
- University of South Florida H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | | | - Sant Chawla
- Sarcoma Oncology Center, Santa Monica, California, USA
| | - Ding Wang
- Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Diane R Mould
- Projections Research Inc., Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Vivek Samnotra
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc. (TDCA), Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Douglas V Faller
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc. (TDCA), Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Neeraj Gupta
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc. (TDCA), Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
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9
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Sallman DA. EXABS-120-MDS Treatment of Higher Risk MDS. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk 2022; 22 Suppl 2:S21-S23. [PMID: 36163758 DOI: 10.1016/s2152-2650(22)00648-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David A Sallman
- Malignant Hematology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA
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10
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Snow A, Zeidner JF. The development of pevonedistat in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML): hope or hype? Ther Adv Hematol 2022; 13:20406207221112899. [PMID: 35898435 PMCID: PMC9310330 DOI: 10.1177/20406207221112899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorder clinically defined by cytopenias, bone marrow failure, and an increased risk of progressing to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Traditionally, first-line treatment for patients with higher-risk MDS has been hypomethylating agents (HMAs). However, these agents have modest clinical activity as single agents. A one-size-fits-all treatment paradigm is insufficient for such a heterogeneous disease in the modern era of precision medicine. Several new agents have been developed for MDS with the hopes of improving clinical outcomes and survival. Pevonedistat is a first-in-class, novel inhibitor of neuronal precursor cell-expressed developmentally down-regulated protein-8 (NEDD8) activating enzyme (NAE) blocking the neddylation pathway leading to downstream effects on the ubiquitin-proteosome pathway. Pevonedistat ultimately leads to apoptosis and inhibition of the cell cycle in cancer cells. Studies have demonstrated the safety profile of pevonedistat, leading to the development of multiple trials investigating combination strategies with pevonedistat in MDS and AML. In this review, we summarize the preclinical and clinical rationale for pevonedistat in MDS and AML, review the clinical data of this agent alone and in combination with HMAs to date, and highlight potential future directions for this agent in myeloid malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anson Snow
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center,
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine,
University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Joshua F. Zeidner
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center,
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine,
University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 170 Manning Drive, POB, 3rd
Floor, CB #7305, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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11
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Xu J, Li Z, Zhuo Q, Ye Z, Fan G, Gao H, Ji S, Yu X, Xu X, Liu W, Xu W. Pevonedistat Suppresses Pancreatic Cancer Growth via Inactivation of the Neddylation Pathway. Front Oncol 2022; 12:822039. [PMID: 35155257 PMCID: PMC8826241 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.822039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The neddylation pathway is aberrantly overactivated in multiple human cancers and has been indicated as an effective target for anticancer therapy in clinical trials. We aimed to study whether the neddylation pathway is upregulated in pancreatic cancer and whether pevonedistat, a first-in-class anticancer agent specifically targeting this pathway, will suppress cancer tumorigenesis and progression. Methods We evaluated the expression pattern of neddylation pathway components in 179 pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) compared with 171 normal tissues from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and further assessed PAAD patient prognosis with high neddylation pathway expression via Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA). We then analyzed malignant cancer phenotypes both in vitro and in vivo, as well as intrinsic molecular mechanisms upon pevonedistat treatment. Results We found that the neddylation pathway was hyperactivated in pancreatic cancer. Patients with high neddylation pathway expression exhibited worse prognoses. Pevonedistat significantly inhibited the cancer cell cycle, cell growth, and proliferation; increased cell apoptosis; and decreased cancer cell xenografts in a mouse model. Mechanistically, pevonedistat treatment and the siRNA knockdown neddylation pathway were able to remarkably induce the accumulation of Wee1, p27, and p21. Further mechanistic studies revealed that pevonedistat mainly impaired the ubiquitination level and delayed the protein degradation of Wee1, p27, and p21. Conclusions Our results showed that pevonedistat targeted the overexpression of the neddylation pathway in pancreatic cancer to induce cell growth suppression by inducing the accumulation of the cell cycle regulators Wee1, p27, and p21, which provides sound evidence for the clinical trial of pevonedistat for pancreatic cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfeng Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qifeng Zhuo
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zeng Ye
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guixiong Fan
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Heli Gao
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shunrong Ji
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaowu Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wensheng Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenyan Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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12
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Abstract
Contrary to chemotherapy, novel targeted therapies are associated with diverse immunomodulatory effects. Nedd8 is a small ubiquitin-like modifier that is involved in regulation of protein degradation. Neddylation is a promising target in cancer. Pevonedistat, a small molecule inhibitor of the Nedd8-activating enzyme, demonstrates pre-clinical activity in multiple tumor types. Recent studies have revealed that neddylation is important in immunity. We and others have shown that interfering with neddylation causes downstream immunomodulatory effects potentially leading to enhanced anti-tumor immunity. Thus, Nedd8 is a promising target in immuno-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoguang Wang
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Scott Best
- Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alexey V Danilov
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
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13
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Kittai AS, Danilova OV, Lam V, Liu T, Bruss N, Best S, Fan G, Danilov AV. NEDD8-activating enzyme inhibition induces cell cycle arrest and anaphase catastrophe in malignant T-cells. Oncotarget 2021; 12:2068-2074. [PMID: 34611480 PMCID: PMC8487718 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28063] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is characterized by poor outcomes. We and others have shown that targeting the NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE) with an investigational inhibitor pevonedistat deregulates cell cycle and mitosis in lymphoma and leukemia. Here, we report that PTCL is characterized by increased rate of chromosomal instability. NAE inhibition promotes cell cycle arrest and induces multipolar anaphases in T-cell lymphoma cell lines, resulting in apoptosis, also observed in primary malignant PTCL cells treated with pevonedistat. We identified p27Kip1 as a mediator of anaphase catastrophe in these cells. Targeting neddylation with pevonedistat may be a promising approach to treatment of PTCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam S Kittai
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Olga V Danilova
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Vi Lam
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Tingting Liu
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Nur Bruss
- Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Scott Best
- Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Guang Fan
- Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
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14
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El-Far YM, El-Mesery M. Pevonedistat attenuates cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice by downregulating the release of inflammatory mediators. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2021; 35:e22908. [PMID: 34476871 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Pevonedistat (MLN4924) is a specific NEDD8-activating enzyme inhibitor that inactivates cullin-RING ligases involved in ubiquitylation and turnover of different signaling molecules. In the current study, we evaluated the effect of pevonedistat on cisplatin (CIS)-induced nephrotoxicity in mice. Serum creatinine and urea levels were analyzed in different groups. Histopathological examination of renal tissue was done using hematoxylin and eosin staining. In addition, renal IL-6 and TNF-α expressions were analyzed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique, and IL-1β and NF-κB expressions were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining of renal tissue. Caspase-3, A20, β-catenin, and Nrf2 gene expressions in renal tissue were analyzed using the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction technique. Western blot analysis was adopted to assess cleaved caspase-3 and β-catenin expressions in renal tissue. Pevonedistat coadministration with CIS improved kidney functions and attenuated CIS-induced nephrotoxicity as indicated by the significant decrease in serum creatinine and urea levels. In addition, pevonedistat coadministration with CIS showed a significant decrease in caspase-3 and a significant increase in A20, β-catenin, and Nrf2 gene expressions. Also, pevonedistat decreased caspase-3 cleavage to p19 in mice treated with CIS. Moreover, pevonedistat decreased CIS-induced upregulation of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-κB protein expressions in renal tissue. Thus, pevonedistat alleviated CIS-induced nephrotoxicity that might be attributed to suppression of the inflammation induced in renal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousra M El-Far
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mohamed El-Mesery
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
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15
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Invrea F, Punzi S, Petti C, Minelli R, Peoples MD, Bristow CA, Vurchio V, Corrado A, Bragoni A, Marchiò C, Bertotti A, Trusolino L, Bardelli A, Isella C, Carugo A, Draetta GF, Medico E. Synthetic Lethality Screening Highlights Colorectal Cancer Vulnerability to Concomitant Blockade of NEDD8 and EGFR Pathways. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3805. [PMID: 34359705 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Identification of effective therapies for clinically aggressive, treatment-resistant colorectal cancer (CRC) remains an unmet clinical need. Targeted therapies against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling axis lead to clinical benefits only in a small fraction of patients due to primary and acquired resistance. We previously showed that the NEDD8 pathway inhibitor pevonedistat induced tumor stabilization in preclinical models of aggressive CRC. Here, through synthetic lethality screenings, we found that pevonedistat could be successfully combined with EGFR pathway-targeted treatments in BRAF-mutant and RAS-RAF wild-type CRCs originally resistant to BRAF and EGFR blockade. We found that combined blockade of NEDD8 and EGFR pathways reverted compensatory feedback loops that reduced the efficacy of single treatments. Our results provide preclinical validation of a promising therapeutic strategy for clinically aggressive CRC resistant to EGFR and BRAF-targeted treatments. Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease showing significant variability in clinical aggressiveness. Primary and acquired resistance limits the efficacy of available treatments, and identification of effective drug combinations is needed to further improve patients’ outcomes. We previously found that the NEDD8-activating enzyme inhibitor pevonedistat induced tumor stabilization in preclinical models of poorly differentiated, clinically aggressive CRC resistant to available therapies. To identify drugs that can be effectively combined with pevonedistat, we performed a “drop-out” loss-of-function synthetic lethality screening with an shRNA library covering 200 drug-target genes in four different CRC cell lines. Multiple screening hits were found to be involved in the EGFR signaling pathway, suggesting that, rather than inhibition of a specific gene, interference with the EGFR pathway at any level could be effectively leveraged for combination therapies based on pevonedistat. Exploiting both BRAF-mutant and RAS/RAF wild-type CRC models, we validated the therapeutic relevance of our findings by showing that combined blockade of NEDD8 and EGFR pathways led to increased growth arrest and apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Pathway modulation analysis showed that compensatory feedback loops induced by single treatments were blunted by the combinations. These results unveil possible therapeutic opportunities in specific CRC clinical settings.
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16
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Foster JH, Barbieri E, Zhang L, Scorsone KA, Moreno-Smith M, Zage P, Horton TM. The Anti-Tumor Activity of the NEDD8 Inhibitor Pevonedistat in Neuroblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6565. [PMID: 34207315 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Pevonedistat is a neddylation inhibitor that blocks proteasomal degradation of cullin–RING ligase (CRL) proteins involved in the degradation of short-lived regulatory proteins, including those involved with cell-cycle regulation. We determined the sensitivity and mechanism of action of pevonedistat cytotoxicity in neuroblastoma. Pevonedistat cytotoxicity was assessed using cell viability assays and apoptosis. We examined mechanisms of action using flow cytometry, bromodeoxyuridine (BrDU) and immunoblots. Orthotopic mouse xenografts of human neuroblastoma were generated to assess in vivo anti-tumor activity. Neuroblastoma cell lines were very sensitive to pevonedistat (IC50 136–400 nM). The mechanism of pevonedistat cytotoxicity depended on p53 status. Neuroblastoma cells with mutant (p53MUT) or reduced levels of wild-type p53 (p53si-p53) underwent G2-M cell-cycle arrest with rereplication, whereas p53 wild-type (p53WT) cell lines underwent G0-G1 cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. In orthotopic neuroblastoma models, pevonedistat decreased tumor weight independent of p53 status. Control mice had an average tumor weight of 1.6 mg + 0.8 mg versus 0.5 mg + 0.4 mg (p < 0.05) in mice treated with pevonedistat. The mechanism of action of pevonedistat in neuroblastoma cell lines in vitro appears p53 dependent. However, in vivo studies using mouse neuroblastoma orthotopic models showed a significant decrease in tumor weight following pevonedistat treatment independent of the p53 status. Novel chemotherapy agents, such as the NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE) inhibitor pevonedistat, deserve further study in the treatment of neuroblastoma.
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17
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Shoji H, Takahari D, Hara H, Nagashima K, Adachi J, Boku N. A Phase I study of pevonedistat plus capecitabine plus oxaliplatin in patients with advanced gastric cancer refractory to platinum (NCCH-1811). Future Sci OA 2021; 7:FSO721. [PMID: 34258028 PMCID: PMC8256327 DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2021-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Based on synergistic anti-tumor effects between blockades of NEDD8 activating enzyme and a platinum in preclinical studies, this Phase I study is designed to investigate the safety and tolerability of pevonedistat in combination with capecitabine plus oxaliplatin as third-line or later treatment in patients with unresectable advanced/recurrent gastric cancer who were previously treated with fluoropyrimidines and platinum (cisplatin or oxaliplatin) as the first-line treatment and paclitaxel (including nab-paclitaxel) as the second-line treatment. The aim of this trial is to determine the recommended dose of pevonedistat and to see its pharmacokinetics in combination with capecitabine plus oxaliplatin in the dose-finding part and explore its efficacy and safety in the expansion part. Trial registration number: jRCT2031190020 (jRCTs: the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirokazu Shoji
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Daisuke Takahari
- Department of Gastroenterology, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-550, Japan
| | - Hiroki Hara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Saitama Cancer Center, 780 Komuro, Inamachi, Kitaadachi-gun, Saitama, 362-0806, Japan
| | - Kengo Nagashima
- Biostatistics Unit, Clinical and Translational Research Center, Keio University Hospital, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Jun Adachi
- Laboratory of Clinical & Analytical Chemistry, National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health & Nutrition, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0085, Japan.,Laboratory of Proteomics for Drug Discovery, Center for Drug Design Research, National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health & Nutrition, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0085, Japan
| | - Narikazu Boku
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
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18
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Palacios-Berraquero ML, Alfonso-Piérola A. Current Therapy of the Patients with MDS: Walking towards Personalized Therapy. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10102107. [PMID: 34068316 PMCID: PMC8153316 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10102107] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, dysplasia and peripheral cytopenias. Nowadays, MDS therapy is selected based on risk. The goals of therapy are different in low-risk and high-risk patients. In low-risk MDS, the goal is to decrease transfusion needs and to increase the quality of life. Currently, available drugs for newly diagnosed low-risk MDS include growth factor support, lenalidomide and immunosuppressive therapy. Additionally, luspatercept has recently been added to treat patients with MDS with ring sideroblasts, who are not candidates or have lost the response to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. Treatment of high-risk patients is aimed to improve survival. To date, the only currently approved treatments are hypomethylating agents and allogeneic stem cell transplantation. However, the future for MDS patients is promising. In recent years, we are witnessing the emergence of multiple treatment combinations based on hypomethylating agents (pevonedistat, magrolimab, eprenetapopt, venetoclax) that have proven to be effective in MDS, even those with high-risk factors. Furthermore, the approval in the US of an oral hypomethylating agent opens the door to exclusively oral combinations for these patients and their consequent impact on the quality of life of these patients. Relapsed and refractory patients remain an unmet clinical need. We need more drugs and clinical trials for this profile of patients who have a dismal prognosis.
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19
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Le-Trilling VTK, Becker T, Nachshon A, Stern-Ginossar N, Schöler L, Voigt S, Hengel H, Trilling M. The Human Cytomegalovirus pUL145 Isoforms Act as Viral DDB1-Cullin-Associated Factors to Instruct Host Protein Degradation to Impede Innate Immunity. Cell Rep 2021; 30:2248-2260.e5. [PMID: 32075763 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.01.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) causes diseases in individuals with immature or compromised immunity. To evade immune control, HCMV evolved numerous antagonists targeting the interferon system at multiple levels. By comparative analysis of naturally arising variants of the most widely studied HCMV strain, AD169, and a panel of targeted mutants, we uncover the UL145 gene as indispensable for STAT2 downregulation. Ribosome profiling confirms the translation of the canonical pUL145 protein (pUL145-Long) and newly identifies a shorter isoform (pUL145-Short). Both isoforms recruit DDB1-containing ubiquitin ligases to induce proteasomal degradation of STAT2. An alanine-scanning mutagenesis discloses the DDB1 interaction motif of pUL145 that resembles the DDB1-binding interface of cellular substrate receptors of DDB1-containing ubiquitin ligases. Thus, pUL145 constitutes a viral DDB1-cullin-associated factor (vDCAF), which mimics cellular DCAFs to exploit the ubiquitin-proteasome system to impede antiviral immunity. Notably, the viral exploitation of the cullins can be targeted to restore the efficacy of the host immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tanja Becker
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Aharon Nachshon
- The Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Noam Stern-Ginossar
- The Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Lara Schöler
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Voigt
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany; Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology/SCT, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hartmut Hengel
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Mirko Trilling
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
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20
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Meerang M, Kreienbühl J, Orlowski V, Müller SLC, Kirschner MB, Opitz I. Importance of Cullin4 Ubiquitin Ligase in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113460. [PMID: 33233664 PMCID: PMC7699720 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113460] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), the tumor suppressor frequently lost in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), suppresses tumorigenesis in part by inhibiting the Cullin4 ubiquitin ligase (CUL4) complex in the nucleus. Here, we evaluated the importance of CUL4 in MPM progression and tested the efficacy of cullin inhibition by pevonedistat, a small molecule inhibiting cullin neddylation. CUL4 paralogs (CUL4A and CUL4B) were upregulated in MPM tumor specimens compared to nonmalignant pleural tissues. High gene and protein expressions of CUL4B was associated with a worse progression-free survival of MPM patients. Among 13 MPM cell lines tested, five (38%) were highly sensitive to pevonedistat (half maximal inhibitory concentration of cell survival IC50 < 0.5 µM). This remained true in a 3D spheroid culture. Pevonedistat treatment caused the accumulation of CDT1 and p21 in both sensitive and resistant cell lines. However, the treatment induced S/G2 cell cycle arrest and DNA rereplication predominantly in the sensitive cell lines. In an in vivo mouse model, the pevonedistat treatment significantly prolonged the survival of mice bearing both sensitive and resistant MPM tumors. Pevonedistat treatment reduced growth in sensitive tumors but increased apoptosis in resistant tumors. The mechanism in the resistant tumor model may be mediated by reduced macrophage infiltration, resulting from the suppression of macrophage chemotactic cytokines, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), expression in tumor cells.
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21
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Zhou X, Sedarati F, Faller DV, Zhao D, Faessel HM, Chowdhury S, Bolleddula J, Li Y, Venkatakrishnan K, Papai Z. Phase I study assessing the mass balance, pharmacokinetics, and excretion of [ 14C]- pevonedistat, a NEDD8-activating enzyme inhibitor in patients with advanced solid tumors. Invest New Drugs 2021; 39:488-98. [PMID: 33089874 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-020-01017-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Pevonedistat (TAK-924/MLN4924) is an investigational small-molecule inhibitor of the NEDD8-activating enzyme that has demonstrated preclinical and clinical activity across solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Here we report the results of a phase I trial characterizing the mass balance, pharmacokinetics, and clearance pathways of [14C]-pevonedistat in patients with advanced solid tumors (NCT03057366). In part A (n = 8), patients received a single 1-h intravenous infusion of [14C]-pevonedistat 25 mg/m2. In part B (n = 7), patients received pevonedistat 25 or 20 mg/m2 on days 1, 3, and 5 in combination with, respectively, docetaxel 75 mg/m2 or carboplatin AUC5 plus paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 on day 1 every 3 weeks. Following the single dose of [14C]-pevonedistat 25 mg/m2 in part A, there was a parallel log-linear decline in plasma and whole blood pevonedistat concentration, with systemic exposure of unchanged pevonedistat representing 41% of drug-related material (i.e., unchanged pevonedistat and its metabolites). The mean terminal half-life of pevonedistat and drug-related material in plasma was 8.4 and 15.6 h, respectively. Pevonedistat distributed preferentially in whole blood with a mean whole-blood-to-plasma ratio for pevonedistat AUC∞ of 40.8. By 1 week post dose, the mean recovery of administered radioactivity was 94% (41% in urine and 53% in feces). The pevonedistat safety profile during both study parts was consistent with previous clinical experience, with no new safety signals observed. In part B, pevonedistat in combination with docetaxel or carboplatin plus paclitaxel was generally well tolerated. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03057366.
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22
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Kraus RJ, Cordes BLA, Sathiamoorthi S, Patel P, Yuan X, Iempridee T, Yu X, Lee DL, Lambert PF, Mertz JE. Reactivation of Epstein-Barr Virus by HIF-1α Requires p53. J Virol 2020; 94:e00722-20. [PMID: 32641480 PMCID: PMC7459560 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00722-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that the cellular transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) binds a hypoxia response element (HRE) located within the promoter of Epstein-Barr virus's (EBV's) latent-lytic switch BZLF1 gene, Zp, inducing viral reactivation. In this study, EBV-infected cell lines derived from gastric cancers and Burkitt lymphomas were incubated with HIF-1α-stabilizing drugs: the iron chelator deferoxamine (Desferal [DFO]), a neddylation inhibitor (pevonedistat [MLN-4924]), and a prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor (roxadustat [FG-4592]). DFO and MLN-4924, but not FG-4592, induced accumulation of both lytic EBV proteins and phosphorylated p53 in cell lines that contain a wild-type p53 gene. FG-4592 also failed to activate transcription from Zp in a reporter assay despite inducing accumulation of HIF-1α and transcription from another HRE-containing promoter. Unexpectedly, DFO failed to induce EBV reactivation in cell lines that express mutant or no p53 or when p53 expression was knocked down with short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs). Likewise, HIF-1α failed to activate transcription from Zp when p53 was knocked out by CRISPR-Cas9. Importantly, DFO induced binding of p53 as well as HIF-1α to Zp in chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, but only when the HRE was present. Nutlin-3, a drug known to induce accumulation of phosphorylated p53, synergized with DFO and MLN-4924 in inducing EBV reactivation. Conversely, KU-55933, a drug that inhibits ataxia telangiectasia mutated, thereby preventing p53 phosphorylation, inhibited DFO-induced EBV reactivation. Lastly, activation of Zp transcription by DFO and MLN-4924 mapped to its HRE. Thus, we conclude that induction of BZLF1 gene expression by HIF-1α requires phosphorylated, wild-type p53 as a coactivator, with HIF-1α binding recruiting p53 to Zp.IMPORTANCE EBV, a human herpesvirus, is latently present in most nasopharyngeal carcinomas, Burkitt lymphomas, and some gastric cancers. To develop a lytic-induction therapy for treating patients with EBV-associated cancers, we need a way to efficiently reactivate EBV into lytic replication. EBV's BZLF1 gene product, Zta, usually controls this reactivation switch. We previously showed that HIF-1α binds the BZLF1 gene promoter, inducing Zta synthesis, and HIF-1α-stabilizing drugs can induce EBV reactivation. In this study, we determined which EBV-positive cell lines are reactivated by classes of HIF-1α-stabilizing drugs. We found, unexpectedly, that HIF-1α-stabilizing drugs only induce reactivation when they also induce accumulation of phosphorylated, wild-type p53. Fortunately, p53 phosphorylation can also be provided by drugs such as nutlin-3, leading to synergistic reactivation of EBV. These findings indicate that some HIF-1α-stabilizing drugs may be helpful as part of a lytic-induction therapy for treating patients with EBV-positive malignancies that contain wild-type p53.
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MESH Headings
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cyclopentanes/pharmacology
- Deferoxamine/pharmacology
- Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Epithelial Cells/drug effects
- Epithelial Cells/metabolism
- Epithelial Cells/virology
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Glycine/analogs & derivatives
- Glycine/pharmacology
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/drug effects
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/genetics
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/growth & development
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/metabolism
- Host-Pathogen Interactions/drug effects
- Host-Pathogen Interactions/genetics
- Humans
- Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/agonists
- Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics
- Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism
- Imidazoles/pharmacology
- Iron Chelating Agents/pharmacology
- Isoquinolines/pharmacology
- Lymphocytes/drug effects
- Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Lymphocytes/virology
- Morpholines/pharmacology
- Piperazines/pharmacology
- Prolyl-Hydroxylase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Protein Binding/drug effects
- Pyrimidines/pharmacology
- Pyrones/pharmacology
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism
- Response Elements
- Signal Transduction
- Trans-Activators/genetics
- Trans-Activators/metabolism
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/antagonists & inhibitors
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism
- Virus Activation/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Kraus
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Blue-Leaf A Cordes
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Saraniya Sathiamoorthi
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Parita Patel
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Xueying Yuan
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Tawin Iempridee
- National Nanotechnology Center, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Xianming Yu
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Denis L Lee
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Paul F Lambert
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Janet E Mertz
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Kathawala RJ, Espitia CM, Jones TM, Islam S, Gupta P, Zhang YK, Chen ZS, Carew JS, Nawrocki ST. ABCG2 Overexpression Contributes to Pevonedistat Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12020429. [PMID: 32059437 PMCID: PMC7072604 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
MLN4924 (pevonedistat) is a first-in-class NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE) inhibitor in clinical trials for the treatment of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Despite the promising activity of MLN4924 observed in early trials, drug resistance has been noted in some patients. Identifying the underlying cause of treatment failure may help to better stratify patients that are most likely to benefit from this novel agent. Early preclinical studies revealed that the development of NAEβ mutations promotes resistance to MLN4924. However, these mutations have not been detected in patients that are relapsed/refractory to MLN4924, suggesting that other mechanisms are driving clinical resistance. To better understand the potential mechanisms of MLN4924 resistance, we generated MLN4924-resistant ovarian cancer cells. Interestingly, these cells did not develop mutations in NAEβ. Transcriptome analyses revealed that one of the most upregulated genes in resistant cells was ABCG2. This result was validated by quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblotting. Importantly, the sensitivity of MLN4924-resistant cells was restored by lentiviral short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting ABCG2. Further investigation using ABCG2-overexpressing NCI-H460/MX20 cells determined that these cells are resistant to the anticancer effects of MLN4924 and can be sensitized by co-treatment with the ABCG2 inhibitors YHO-13351 and fumitremorgin C. Finally, HEK293 models with overexpression of wild-type ABCG2 (R482) and variants (R482G and R482T) all demonstrated significant resistance to MLN4924 compared to wild-type cells. Overall, these findings define an important molecular resistance mechanism to MLN4924 and demonstrate that ABCG2 may be a useful clinical biomarker that predicts resistance to MLN4924 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishil J. Kathawala
- Division of Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; (R.J.K.); (C.M.E.); (T.M.J.); (S.I.); (J.S.C.)
| | - Claudia M. Espitia
- Division of Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; (R.J.K.); (C.M.E.); (T.M.J.); (S.I.); (J.S.C.)
| | - Trace M. Jones
- Division of Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; (R.J.K.); (C.M.E.); (T.M.J.); (S.I.); (J.S.C.)
| | - Shariful Islam
- Division of Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; (R.J.K.); (C.M.E.); (T.M.J.); (S.I.); (J.S.C.)
| | - Pranav Gupta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John’s University, Queens, NY 11439, USA; (P.G.); (Y.-K.Z.); (Z.-S.C.)
| | - Yun-Kai Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John’s University, Queens, NY 11439, USA; (P.G.); (Y.-K.Z.); (Z.-S.C.)
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John’s University, Queens, NY 11439, USA; (P.G.); (Y.-K.Z.); (Z.-S.C.)
| | - Jennifer S. Carew
- Division of Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; (R.J.K.); (C.M.E.); (T.M.J.); (S.I.); (J.S.C.)
| | - Steffan T. Nawrocki
- Division of Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; (R.J.K.); (C.M.E.); (T.M.J.); (S.I.); (J.S.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-520-626-7395
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Zhou S, Zhao X, Yang Z, Yang R, Chen C, Zhao K, Wang W, Ma Y, Zhang Q, Wang X. Neddylation inhibition upregulates PD-L1 expression and enhances the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade in glioblastoma. Int J Cancer 2019; 145:763-774. [PMID: 31044422 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Pevonedistat (MLN4924), a specific NEDD8-activating enzyme inhibitor, has been considered as a promising treatment for glioblastoma, which is currently in Phase I/II clinical trials. On the other hand, inhibition of neddylation pathway substantially upregulates the expression of T cell negative regulator programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), which might account for the potential resistance via evasion of immune surveillance checkpoints. Whether administration of anti-PD-L1 enhances the efficacy of pevonedistat through a cytotoxic T cell-dependent mechanism in glioblastoma needs to be investigated. Here, we report that depletion of neddylation pathway key enzymes markedly elevates PD-L1 expression in glioblastoma cancer cells. Consistently, neddylation inhibitor pevonedistat significantly enhances PD-L1 expression in both glioblastoma cancer cell lines and animal models. Mechanistically, pevonedistat increases PD-L1 mRNA levels mainly through inhibiting Cullin1-F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 E3 ligase activity and accumulating c-MYC proteins, a direct transcriptional activator of PD-L1 gene expression. In addition, inhibition of Cullin3 activity by pevonedistat also blocks PD-L1 protein degradation. Importantly, pevonedistat attenuates T cell killing through PD-L1 induction, and blockade of PD-L1 restores the sensitivity of pevonedistat-treated glioblastoma cancer cells to T cell killing. The combination of pevonedistat and anti-PD-L1 therapy compared to each agent alone significantly increased the therapeutic efficacy in vivo. Our study demonstrates inhibition of neddylation pathway suppresses cancer-associated immunity and provides solid evidence to support the combination of pevonedistat and PD-L1/programmed cell death protein 1 immune checkpoint blockade as a potential therapeutic strategy to treat glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaolong Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xinyi Zhao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Zhuo Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ruyi Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Chao Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Kailiang Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Weiwei Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yihui Ma
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Xinjun Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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25
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Vanderdys V, Allak A, Guessous F, Benamar M, Read PW, Jameson MJ, Abbas T. The Neddylation Inhibitor Pevonedistat (MLN4924) Suppresses and Radiosensitizes Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma Cells and Tumors. Mol Cancer Ther 2018; 17:368-380. [PMID: 28838998 PMCID: PMC5805645 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-0083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [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: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The cullin RING E3 ubiquitin ligase 4 (CRL4) with its substrate receptor CDT2 (CRL4-CDT2) is emerging as a critical regulator of DNA replication through targeting CDT1, SET8, and p21 for ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis. The aberrant increased stability of these proteins in cells with inactivated CRL4-CDT2 results in DNA rereplication, which is deleterious to cells due to the accumulation of replication intermediates and stalled replication forks. Here, we demonstrate that CDT2 is overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and its depletion by siRNA inhibits the proliferation of human papilloma virus-negative (HPV-ve) HNSCC cells primarily through the induction of rereplication. Treatment of HNSCC with the NEDD8-activating enzyme inhibitor pevonedistat (MLN4924), which inhibits all cullin-based ligases, induces significant rereplication and inhibits HNSCC cell proliferation in culture and HNSCC xenografts in mice. Pevonedistat additionally sensitizes HNSCC cells to ionizing radiation (IR) and enhances IR-induced suppression of xenografts in mice. Induction of rereplication via CDT2 depletion, or via the stabilization or activation of CDT1, also radiosensitizes HNSCC cells. Collectively, these results demonstrate that induction of rereplication represents a novel approach to treating radioresistant HNSCC tumors and suggest that pevonedistat may be considered as an adjuvant for IR-based treatments. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(2); 368-80. ©2017 AACRSee all articles in this MCT Focus section, "Developmental Therapeutics in Radiation Oncology."
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Vanderdys
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Amir Allak
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Fadila Guessous
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Mouadh Benamar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Paul W Read
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Mark J Jameson
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Tarek Abbas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
- Center for Cell Signaling, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
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26
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Zheng S, Leclerc GM, Li B, Swords RT, Barredo JC. Inhibition of the NEDD8 conjugation pathway induces calcium-dependent compensatory activation of the pro-survival MEK/ERK pathway in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Oncotarget 2017; 9:5529-5544. [PMID: 29464016 PMCID: PMC5814156 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
De novo and acquired drug resistance and subsequent relapse remain major challenges in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We previously identified that pevonedistat (TAK-924, MLN4924), a first-in-class inhibitor of NEDD8 activating enzyme (NAE), elicits ER stress and has potent in vitro and in vivo efficacy against ALL. However, in pevonedistat-treated ALL cell lines, we found consistent activation of the pro-survival MEK/ERK pathway, which has been associated with relapse and poor outcome in ALL. We uncovered that inhibition of the MEK/ERK pathway in vitro and in vivo sensitized ALL cells to pevonedistat. The observed synergistic apoptotic effect appears to be mediated by inhibition of the MEK/ERK pro-survival cascade leading to de-repression of the pro-apoptotic BIM protein. Mechanistically, Ca2+ influx via the Ca2+-release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channel induced protein kinase C β2 (PKC-β2) was responsible for activation of the MEK/ERK pathway in pevonedistat-treated ALL cells. Sequestration of Ca2+ using BAPTA-AM or blockage of store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) using BTP-2 both attenuated the compensatory activation of MEK/ERK signaling in pevonedistat-treated ALL cells. Pevonedistat significantly altered the expression of Orai1 and stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), resulting in significantly decreased STIM1 protein levels relative to Orai1. Further, we identified eIF2α as an important post-transcriptional regulator of STIM1, suggesting that pevonedistat-induced eIF2α de-phosphorylation selectively down-regulates translation of STIM1 mRNA. Consequently, our data suggest that pevonedistat potentially activates SOCE and promotes Ca2+ influx leading to activation of the MEK/ERK pathway by altering the stoichiometric Orai1:STIM1 ratio and inducing ER stress in ALL cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhua Zheng
- The Sheila and David Fuente Graduate Program in Cancer Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Gilles M Leclerc
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Ronan T Swords
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Julio C Barredo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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