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Jia W, Yuan J, Zhang J, Li S, Lin W, Cheng B. Bioactive sphingolipids as emerging targets for signal transduction in cancer development. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189176. [PMID: 39233263 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Sphingolipids, crucial components of cellular membranes, play a vital role in maintaining cellular structure and signaling integrity. Disruptions in sphingolipid metabolism are increasingly implicated in cancer development. Key bioactive sphingolipids, such as ceramides, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), and glycosphingolipids, profoundly impact tumor biology. They influence the behavior of tumor cells, stromal cells, and immune cells, affecting tumor aggressiveness, angiogenesis, immune modulation, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Furthermore, abnormal expression of sphingolipids and their metabolizing enzymes modulates the secretion of tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (TDEs), which are key players in creating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, remodeling the extracellular matrix, and facilitating oncogenic signaling within in situ tumors and distant pre-metastatic niches (PMNs). Understanding the role of sphingolipids in the biogenesis of tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (TDEs) and their bioactive contents can pave the way for new biomarkers in cancer diagnosis and prognosis, ultimately enhancing comprehensive tumor treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Jia
- Department of General Practice, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; Faculty of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200043, China
| | - Jiaying Yuan
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Jinbo Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin Rehabilitation and Recuperation Center, Joint Logistics Support Force, Tianjin 300000, China
| | - Shu Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Baoshan Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201900, China
| | - Wanfu Lin
- Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; Faculty of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200043, China.
| | - Binbin Cheng
- Oncology Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; Faculty of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200043, China.
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Wajapeyee N, Beamon TC, Gupta R. Roles and therapeutic targeting of ceramide metabolism in cancer. Mol Metab 2024; 83:101936. [PMID: 38599378 PMCID: PMC11031839 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ceramides are sphingolipids that act as signaling molecules involved in regulating cellular processes including apoptosis, proliferation, and metabolism. Deregulation of ceramide metabolism contributes to cancer development and progression. Therefore, regulation of ceramide levels in cancer cells is being explored as a new approach for cancer therapy. SCOPE OF THE REVIEW This review discusses the multiple roles of ceramides in cancer cells and strategies to modulate ceramide levels for cancer therapy. Ceramides attenuate cell survival signaling and metabolic pathways, while activating apoptotic mechanisms, making them tumor-suppressive. Approaches to increase ceramide levels in cancer cells include using synthetic analogs, inhibiting ceramide degradation, and activating ceramide synthesis. We also highlight combination therapies such as use of ceramide modulators with chemotherapies, immunotherapies, apoptosis inducers, and anti-angiogenics, which offer synergistic antitumor effects. Additionally, we also describe ongoing clinical trials evaluating ceramide nanoliposomes and analogs. Finally, we discuss the challenges of these therapeutic approaches including the complexity of ceramide metabolism, targeted delivery, cancer heterogeneity, resistance mechanisms, and long-term safety. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Ceramide-based therapy is a potentially promising approach for cancer therapy. However, overcoming hurdles in pharmacokinetics, specificity, and resistance is needed to optimize its efficacy and safety. This requires comprehensive preclinical/clinical studies into ceramide signaling, formulations, and combination therapies. Ceramide modulation offers opportunities for developing novel cancer treatments, but a deeper understanding of ceramide biology is vital to advance its clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narendra Wajapeyee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA; O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
| | - Teresa Chiyanne Beamon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Romi Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA; O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
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Ohya Y, Ogiso Y, Matsuda M, Sakae H, Nishida K, Miki Y, Fox TE, Kester M, Sakamoto W, Nabe T, Kitatani K. Pronecroptotic Therapy Using Ceramide Nanoliposomes Is Effective for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Cells 2024; 13:405. [PMID: 38474369 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Regulated necrosis, termed necroptosis, represents a potential therapeutic target for refractory cancer. Ceramide nanoliposomes (CNLs), considered potential chemotherapeutic agents, induce necroptosis by targeting the activating protein mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL). In the present study, we examined the potential of pronecroptotic therapy using CNLs for refractory triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), for which there is a lack of definite and effective therapeutic targets among the various immunohistological subtypes of breast cancer. MLKL mRNA expression in tumor tissues was significantly higher in TNBC patients than in those with non-TNBC subtypes. Similarly, among the 50 breast cancer cell lines examined, MLKL expression was higher in TNBC-classified cell lines. TNBC cell lines were more susceptible to the therapeutic effects of CNLs than the non-TNBC subtypes of breast cancer cell lines. In TNBC-classified MDA-MB-231 cells, the knockdown of MLKL suppressed cell death induced by CNLs or the active substance short-chain C6-ceramide. Accordingly, TNBC cells were prone to CNL-evoked necroptotic cell death. These results will contribute to the development of CNL-based pronecroptotic therapy for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Ohya
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, Hirakata 573-0101, Japan
| | - Yuri Ogiso
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, Hirakata 573-0101, Japan
| | - Masaya Matsuda
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, Hirakata 573-0101, Japan
| | - Harumi Sakae
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, Hirakata 573-0101, Japan
| | - Kentaro Nishida
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, Hirakata 573-0101, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Miki
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Todd E Fox
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908-8735, USA
| | - Mark Kester
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908-8735, USA
| | - Wataru Sakamoto
- Research Center of Oncology, Ono Pharmaceutical, Co., Ltd., Osaka 618-8585, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nabe
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, Hirakata 573-0101, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Kitatani
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Setsunan University, Hirakata 573-0101, Japan
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Hengst JA, Nduwumwami AJ, Sharma A, Yun JK. Fanning the Flames of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Stress: Can Sphingolipid Metabolism Be Targeted to Enhance ER Stress-Associated Immunogenic Cell Death in Cancer? Mol Pharmacol 2024; 105:155-165. [PMID: 38164594 PMCID: PMC10877730 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.123.000786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The three arms of the unfolded protein response (UPR) surveil the luminal environment of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and transmit information through the lipid bilayer to the cytoplasm to alert the cell of stress conditions within the ER lumen. That same lipid bilayer is the site of de novo synthesis of phospholipids and sphingolipids. Thus, it is no surprise that lipids are modulated by and are modulators of ER stress. Given that sphingolipids have both prosurvival and proapoptotic effects, they also exert opposing effects on life/death decisions in the face of prolonged ER stress detected by the UPR. In this review, we will focus on several recent studies that demonstrate how sphingolipids affect each arm of the UPR. We will also discuss the role of sphingolipids in the process of immunogenic cell death downstream of the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)/eukaryotic initiating factor 2α (eIF2α) arm of the UPR. Furthermore, we will discuss strategies to target the sphingolipid metabolic pathway that could potentially act synergistically with agents that induce ER stress as novel anticancer treatments. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This review provides the readers with a brief discussion of the sphingolipid metabolic pathway and the unfolded protein response. The primary focus of the review is the mechanism(s) by which sphingolipids modulate the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response pathways and the critical role of sphingolipids in the process of immunogenic cell death associated with the ER stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy A Hengst
- Departments of Pediatrics (J.A.H.) and Pharmacology (A.S., J.K.Y.), Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania; and Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, National Center for Advancing Translational Science, Rockville, Maryland (A.J.N.)
| | - Asvelt J Nduwumwami
- Departments of Pediatrics (J.A.H.) and Pharmacology (A.S., J.K.Y.), Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania; and Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, National Center for Advancing Translational Science, Rockville, Maryland (A.J.N.)
| | - Arati Sharma
- Departments of Pediatrics (J.A.H.) and Pharmacology (A.S., J.K.Y.), Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania; and Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, National Center for Advancing Translational Science, Rockville, Maryland (A.J.N.)
| | - Jong K Yun
- Departments of Pediatrics (J.A.H.) and Pharmacology (A.S., J.K.Y.), Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania; and Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, National Center for Advancing Translational Science, Rockville, Maryland (A.J.N.)
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Ung J, Tan SF, Fox TE, Shaw JJP, Taori M, Horton BJ, Golla U, Sharma A, Szulc ZM, Wang HG, Chalfant CE, Cabot MC, Claxton DF, Loughran TP, Feith DJ. Acid Ceramidase Inhibitor LCL-805 Antagonizes Akt Signaling and Promotes Iron-Dependent Cell Death in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5866. [PMID: 38136410 PMCID: PMC10742122 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy requiring urgent treatment advancements. Ceramide is a cell-death-promoting signaling lipid that plays a central role in therapy-induced cell death. We previously determined that acid ceramidase (AC), a ceramide-depleting enzyme, is overexpressed in AML and promotes leukemic survival and drug resistance. The ceramidase inhibitor B-13 and next-generation lysosomal-localizing derivatives termed dimethylglycine (DMG)-B-13 prodrugs have been developed but remain untested in AML. Here, we report the in vitro anti-leukemic efficacy and mechanism of DMG-B-13 prodrug LCL-805 across AML cell lines and primary patient samples. LCL-805 inhibited AC enzymatic activity, increased total ceramides, and reduced sphingosine levels. A median EC50 value of 11.7 μM was achieved for LCL-805 in cell viability assays across 32 human AML cell lines. As a single agent tested across a panel of 71 primary AML patient samples, a median EC50 value of 15.8 μM was achieved. Exogenous ceramide supplementation with C6-ceramide nanoliposomes, which is entering phase I/II clinical trial for relapsed/refractory AML, significantly enhanced LCL-805 killing. Mechanistically, LCL-805 antagonized Akt signaling and led to iron-dependent cell death distinct from canonical ferroptosis. These findings elucidated key factors involved in LCL-805 cytotoxicity and demonstrated the potency of combining AC inhibition with exogenous ceramide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnson Ung
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Su-Fern Tan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; (S.-F.T.); (T.E.F.); (J.J.P.S.); (M.T.); (C.E.C.)
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Todd E. Fox
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; (S.-F.T.); (T.E.F.); (J.J.P.S.); (M.T.); (C.E.C.)
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Jeremy J. P. Shaw
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; (S.-F.T.); (T.E.F.); (J.J.P.S.); (M.T.); (C.E.C.)
| | - Maansi Taori
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; (S.-F.T.); (T.E.F.); (J.J.P.S.); (M.T.); (C.E.C.)
| | - Bethany J. Horton
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Translational Research and Applied Statistics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA;
| | - Upendarrao Golla
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (U.G.); (D.F.C.)
| | - Arati Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA;
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA;
| | - Zdzislaw M. Szulc
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
| | - Hong-Gang Wang
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA;
| | - Charles E. Chalfant
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; (S.-F.T.); (T.E.F.); (J.J.P.S.); (M.T.); (C.E.C.)
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Research Service, Richmond Veterans Administration Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23249, USA
| | - Myles C. Cabot
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA;
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - David F. Claxton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (U.G.); (D.F.C.)
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA;
| | - Thomas P. Loughran
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; (S.-F.T.); (T.E.F.); (J.J.P.S.); (M.T.); (C.E.C.)
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - David J. Feith
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; (S.-F.T.); (T.E.F.); (J.J.P.S.); (M.T.); (C.E.C.)
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
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Ung J, Tan SF, Fox TE, Shaw JJ, Taori M, Horton BJ, Golla U, Sharma A, Szulc ZM, Wang HG, Chalfant CE, Cabot MC, Claxton DF, Loughran TP, Feith DJ. Acid Ceramidase Inhibitor LCL-805 Antagonizes Akt Signaling and Promotes Iron-Dependent Cell Death in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.21.563437. [PMID: 37961314 PMCID: PMC10634704 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.21.563437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy requiring urgent treatment advancements. Ceramide is a cell death-promoting signaling lipid that plays a central role in therapy-induced cell death. Acid ceramidase (AC), a ceramide-depleting enzyme, is overexpressed in AML and promotes leukemic survival and drug resistance. The ceramidase inhibitor B-13 and next-generation lysosomal-localizing derivatives termed dimethylglycine (DMG)-B-13 prodrugs have been developed but remain untested in AML. Here, we report the in vitro anti-leukemic efficacy and mechanism of DMG-B-13 prodrug, LCL-805, across AML cell lines and primary patient samples. LCL-805 inhibited AC enzymatic activity, increased total ceramides, and reduced sphingosine levels. A median EC50 value of 11.7 μM was achieved for LCL-805 in cell viability assays across 32 human AML cell lines. As a single agent tested across a panel of 71 primary AML patient samples, a median EC50 value of 15.8 μM was achieved. Exogenous ceramide supplementation with C6-ceramide nanoliposomes, which is entering phase I/II clinical trial for relapsed/refractory AML, significantly enhanced LCL-805 killing. Mechanistically, LCL-805 antagonized Akt signaling and led to iron-dependent cell death distinct from canonical ferroptosis. These findings elucidated key factors involved in LCL-805 cytotoxicity and demonstrated the potency of combining AC inhibition with exogenous ceramide.
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