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Kashani B, Zandi Z, Pourbagheri-Sigaroodi A, Yousefi AM, Ghaffari SH, Bashash D. The PI3K signaling pathway; from normal lymphopoiesis to lymphoid malignancies. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2024:1-20. [PMID: 38690706 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2024.2350629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As a vital mechanism of survival, lymphopoiesis requires the collaboration of different signaling molecules to orchestrate each step of cell development and maturation. The PI3K pathway is considerably involved in the maturation of lymphatic cells and therefore, its dysregulation can immensely affect human well-being and cause some of the most prevalent malignancies. As a result, studies that investigate this pathway could pave the way for a better understanding of the lymphopoiesis mechanisms, the undesired changes that lead to cancer progression, and how to design drugs to solve this issue. AREAS COVERED The present review addresses the aforementioned aspects of the PI3K pathway and helps pave the way for future therapeutic approaches. In order to access the articles, databases such as Medicine Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Science Direct were utilized. The search formula was established by identifying main keywords including PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, Lymphopoiesis, Lymphoid malignancies, and inhibitors. EXPERT OPINION The PI3K pathway is crucial for lymphocyte development and differentiation, making it a potential target for therapeutic intervention in lymphoid cancers. Studies are focused on developing PI3K inhibitors to impede the progression of hematologic malignancies, highlighting the pathway's significance in lymphoma and lymphoid leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahareh Kashani
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, School of Medicine, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Zandi
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, School of Medicine, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atieh Pourbagheri-Sigaroodi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir-Mohammad Yousefi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed H Ghaffari
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, School of Medicine, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Davood Bashash
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Wiese W, Barczuk J, Racinska O, Siwecka N, Rozpedek-Kaminska W, Slupianek A, Sierpinski R, Majsterek I. PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Blood Malignancies-New Therapeutic Possibilities. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5297. [PMID: 37958470 PMCID: PMC10648005 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15215297] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Blood malignancies remain a therapeutic challenge despite the development of numerous treatment strategies. The phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signaling pathway plays a central role in regulating many cellular functions, including cell cycle, proliferation, quiescence, and longevity. Therefore, dysregulation of this pathway is a characteristic feature of carcinogenesis. Increased activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling enhances proliferation, growth, and resistance to chemo- and immunotherapy in cancer cells. Overactivation of the pathway has been found in various types of cancer, including acute and chronic leukemia. Inhibitors of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway have been used in leukemia treatment since 2014, and some of them have improved treatment outcomes in clinical trials. Recently, new inhibitors of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling have been developed and tested both in preclinical and clinical models. In this review, we outline the role of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in blood malignancies' cells and gather information on the inhibitors of this pathway that might provide a novel therapeutic opportunity against leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Wiese
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 5, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (W.W.); (J.B.); (O.R.); (N.S.); (W.R.-K.)
| | - Julia Barczuk
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 5, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (W.W.); (J.B.); (O.R.); (N.S.); (W.R.-K.)
| | - Olga Racinska
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 5, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (W.W.); (J.B.); (O.R.); (N.S.); (W.R.-K.)
| | - Natalia Siwecka
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 5, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (W.W.); (J.B.); (O.R.); (N.S.); (W.R.-K.)
| | - Wioletta Rozpedek-Kaminska
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 5, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (W.W.); (J.B.); (O.R.); (N.S.); (W.R.-K.)
| | - Artur Slupianek
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA;
| | - Radoslaw Sierpinski
- Faculty of Medicine, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, 01-938 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Ireneusz Majsterek
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Mazowiecka 5, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (W.W.); (J.B.); (O.R.); (N.S.); (W.R.-K.)
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Chen M, Lan H, Yao S, Jin K, Chen Y. Metabolic Interventions in Tumor Immunity: Focus on Dual Pathway Inhibitors. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072043. [PMID: 37046703 PMCID: PMC10093048 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072043] [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: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The metabolism of tumors and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) can affect the fate of cancer and immune responses. Metabolic reprogramming can occur following the activation of metabolic-related signaling pathways, such as phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Moreover, various tumor-derived immunosuppressive metabolites following metabolic reprogramming also affect antitumor immune responses. Evidence shows that intervention in the metabolic pathways of tumors or immune cells can be an attractive and novel treatment option for cancer. For instance, administrating inhibitors of various signaling pathways, such as phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks), can improve T cell-mediated antitumor immune responses. However, dual pathway inhibitors can significantly suppress tumor growth more than they inhibit each pathway separately. This review discusses the latest metabolic interventions by dual pathway inhibitors as well as the advantages and disadvantages of this therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, China
| | - Huanrong Lan
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Affiliated Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310002, China
| | - Shiya Yao
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua 321000, China
| | - Ketao Jin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua 321000, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Xinchang People's Hospital, Affiliated Xinchang Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Xinchang 312500, China
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Design, Synthesis and Phenotypic Profiling of Simplified Gedatolisib Analogues. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/ph16020209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted antitumour therapy has revolutionized the treatment of several types of tumours. Among the validated targets, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) deserves to be highlighted. Several PI3K inhibitors have been developed for the treatment of cancer, including gedatolisib (4). This inhibitor was elected as a prototype and molecular modifications were planned to design a new series of simplified gedatolisib analogues (5a-f). The analogues were synthesised, and the comparative cytotoxic activity profile was studied in phenotypic models employing solid and nonadherent tumour cell lines. Compound 5f (LASSBio-2252) stood out as the most promising of the series, showing good aqueous solubility (42.38 μM (pH = 7.4); 39.33 μM (pH = 5.8)), good partition coefficient (cLogP = 2.96), cytotoxic activity on human leukemia cell lines (CCRF-CEM, K562 and MOLT-4) and an excellent metabolic stability profile in rat liver microsomes (t1/2 = 462 min; Clapp = 0.058 mL/min/g). The ability of 5f to exert its cytotoxic effect through modulation of the PI3K pathway was demonstrated by flow cytometry analysis in a comparative manner to gedatolisib.
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Sirico M, D’Angelo A, Gianni C, Casadei C, Merloni F, De Giorgi U. Current State and Future Challenges for PI3K Inhibitors in Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:703. [PMID: 36765661 PMCID: PMC9913212 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (PKB/AKT)-mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) axis is a key signal transduction system that links oncogenes and multiple receptor classes which are involved in many essential cellular functions. Aberrant PI3K signalling is one of the most commonly mutated pathways in cancer. Consequently, more than 40 compounds targeting key components of this signalling network have been tested in clinical trials among various types of cancer. As the oncogenic activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway often occurs alongside mutations in other signalling networks, combination therapy should be considered. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the knowledge of the PI3K pathway and discuss the current state and future challenges of targeting this pathway in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Sirico
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
| | - Alberto D’Angelo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
- Department of Oncology, Royal United Hospital, Bath BA1 3NG, UK
| | - Caterina Gianni
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
| | - Chiara Casadei
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
| | - Filippo Merloni
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
| | - Ugo De Giorgi
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
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Toribio ML, González-García S. Notch Partners in the Long Journey of T-ALL Pathogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021383. [PMID: 36674902 PMCID: PMC9866461 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematological disease that arises from the oncogenic transformation of developing T cells during T-lymphopoiesis. Although T-ALL prognosis has improved markedly in recent years, relapsing and refractory patients with dismal outcomes still represent a major clinical issue. Consequently, understanding the pathological mechanisms that lead to the appearance of this malignancy and developing novel and more effective targeted therapies is an urgent need. Since the discovery in 2004 that a major proportion of T-ALL patients carry activating mutations that turn NOTCH1 into an oncogene, great efforts have been made to decipher the mechanisms underlying constitutive NOTCH1 activation, with the aim of understanding how NOTCH1 dysregulation converts the physiological NOTCH1-dependent T-cell developmental program into a pathological T-cell transformation process. Several molecular players have so far been shown to cooperate with NOTCH1 in this oncogenic process, and different therapeutic strategies have been developed to specifically target NOTCH1-dependent T-ALLs. Here, we comprehensively analyze the molecular bases of the cross-talk between NOTCH1 and cooperating partners critically involved in the generation and/or maintenance and progression of T-ALL and discuss novel opportunities and therapeutic approaches that current knowledge may open for future treatment of T-ALL patients.
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Thomas X. T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: promising experimental drugs in clinical development. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2023; 32:37-52. [PMID: 36541671 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2161361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite advances in treatment approaches in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the prognosis of adults with newly diagnosed T-ALL remains poor, as well as that of adults and children with relapsed disease. Novel targeted therapies are therefore needed. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes promising emerging strategies for the treatment of T-ALL. EXPERT OPINION The recent molecular characterization of T-ALL has led to the identification of new therapeutic targets. Small-molecules inhibitors and other targeted therapies have therefore been recently developed and are currently under clinical investigations. Similarly, first studies involving monoclonal antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have shown encouraging results. Improvement of outcome with these novel approaches, eventually combined with current standard chemotherapy, is therefore expected in a near future in T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Thomas
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Department of Clinical Hematology, Centre Hospitalier Lyon-Sud, Pierre Bénite, France
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8
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Wang S, Cui Q, Chen X, Zhu X, Lin K, Zheng Q, Wang Y, Li D. Ailanthone Inhibits Cell Proliferation in Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma via PI3K/AKT Pathway. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2022; 2022:3859489. [PMID: 36387351 PMCID: PMC9643058 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3859489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is the most widespread and invasive subtype of oral cancer with high recurrence rates. Ailanthone (AIL) is an active ingredient in the plant extracts of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle. Here, we showed that AIL inhibited the proliferation of human TSCC, the cell viability of Cal-27 and Tca8113 was significantly decreased after AIL treatment for 24 h. Hoechst 33258 staining demonstrated apoptotic characteristics (such as chromatin aggregation) after AIL treatment. The ratio of early- and late-apoptotic cells in AIL-treated Cal-27 and TCA8113 cells increased remarkably when compared with the control group. Bcl-2/Bax ratio and the levels of PARP1, caspase-9, and caspase-3 decreased after AIL treatment, accompanied by significant increase of cleaved PARP1, cleaved caspase-9, and caspase-3 in Cal-27 and TCA8113 cells. Meanwhile, AIL led to Cal-27 cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. Western blot implied decreased levels of CDK1 and cyclin B1 after AIL treatment. The level of phospho-PI3K p55 subunit and p-Akt were significantly downregulated by AIL in both Cal-27 and TCA8113 cells. These findings implied the potential applications of AIL in the treatment of human TSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhan Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Platform for Modernization and Industrialization of Regional Characteristic Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, Shandong, China
- College of Stomatology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, Shandong, China
- College of Stomatology, Qilu Medical University, Zibo 255300, Shandong, China
| | - Qixiao Cui
- College of Stomatology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoyu Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Platform for Modernization and Industrialization of Regional Characteristic Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, Shandong, China
| | - Xuejie Zhu
- Collaborative Innovation Platform for Modernization and Industrialization of Regional Characteristic Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, Shandong, China
| | - Kehao Lin
- College of Stomatology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, Shandong, China
| | - Qiusheng Zheng
- Collaborative Innovation Platform for Modernization and Industrialization of Regional Characteristic Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, Shandong, China
| | - Yuliang Wang
- College of Stomatology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, Shandong, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264100, Shandong, China
| | - Defang Li
- Collaborative Innovation Platform for Modernization and Industrialization of Regional Characteristic Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, Shandong, China
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Fath MK, Ebrahimi M, Nourbakhsh E, Hazara AZ, Mirzaei A, Shafieyari S, Salehi A, Hoseinzadeh M, Payandeh Z, Barati G. PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Cancer Stem Cells. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 237:154010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.154010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Punpai S, Saenkham A, Jarintanan F, Jongrungruangchok S, Choowongkomon K, Suksamrarn S, Tanechpongtamb W. HDAC inhibitor cowanin extracted from G. fusca induces apoptosis and autophagy via inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways in Jurkat cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 147:112577. [PMID: 35078092 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cowanin, a xanthone derivative extracted from the Garcinia fusca plant, has been recognized for various biological activities including, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. However, the mechanism to induce cancer cell death in cancer cells remains to be fully elucidated. Our previous report showed that other xanthones from these plants could act as histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), so we deeply analyzed the role of cowanin, a major compound of G.fusca, and investigated through the mode of cell death both apoptosis and autophagy that have never been reported. As a result, it was demonstrated that cowanin indicated the role of HDACi as other xanthones. The molecular docking analysis showed that cowanin could interact within the catalytic pocket region of HDAC class I (HDAC2, 8) and II (HDAC4, 7) proteins and inhibit their activity. Also, the level of protein expression of HDAC2, 4, 7, and 8 was distinctly decreased, and the level of histone H3 and H4 acetylation increased in cowanin treated cells. For the mode of cell death, cowanin demonstrated both apoptosis and autophagy activation in Jurkat cells. Besides, cowanin significantly suppressed phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR signaling. Therefore, these findings revealed that cowanin represents a new promising candidate for development as an anticancer agent by inducing apoptosis and autophagy via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and effectively inhibiting HDAC activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakdiphong Punpai
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
| | - Audchara Saenkham
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
| | | | | | - Kiattawee Choowongkomon
- Departmentof Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10903, Thailand
| | - Sunit Suksamrarn
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
| | - Wanlaya Tanechpongtamb
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok 10110, Thailand.
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Abstract
Despite the therapeutic progress, relapse remains a major problem in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Most leukemia cells that survive chemotherapy are found in the bone marrow (BM), thus resistance to chemotherapy and other treatments may be partially attributed to pro-survival signaling to leukemic cells mediated by leukemia cell-microenvironment interactions. Adhesion of leukemia cells to BM stromal cells may lead to cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR) mediating intracellular signaling changes that support survival of leukemia cells. In ALL and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), adhesion-mediated activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway has been shown to be critical in CAM-DR. PI3K targeting inhibitors have been approved for CLL and have been evaluated preclinically in ALL. However, PI3K inhibition has yet to be approved for clinical use in ALL. Here, we review the role of PI3K signaling for normal hematopoietic and leukemia cells and summarize preclinical inhibitors of PI3K in ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Na Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Heather Ogana
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Vanessa Sanchez
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Cydney Nichols
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yong-Mi Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
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Valikhani M, Rahimian E, Ahmadi SE, Chegeni R, Safa M. Involvement of classic and alternative non-homologous end joining pathways in hematologic malignancies: targeting strategies for treatment. Exp Hematol Oncol 2021; 10:51. [PMID: 34732266 PMCID: PMC8564991 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-021-00242-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal translocations are the main etiological factor of hematologic malignancies. These translocations are generally the consequence of aberrant DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair. DSBs arise either exogenously or endogenously in cells and are repaired by major pathways, including non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), homologous recombination (HR), and other minor pathways such as alternative end-joining (A-EJ). Therefore, defective NHEJ, HR, or A-EJ pathways force hematopoietic cells toward tumorigenesis. As some components of these repair pathways are overactivated in various tumor entities, targeting these pathways in cancer cells can sensitize them, especially resistant clones, to radiation or chemotherapy agents. However, targeted therapy-based studies are currently underway in this area, and furtherly there are some biological pitfalls, clinical issues, and limitations related to these targeted therapies, which need to be considered. This review aimed to investigate the alteration of DNA repair elements of C-NHEJ and A-EJ in hematologic malignancies and evaluate the potential targeted therapies against these pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Valikhani
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Faculty of Allied Medicine, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elahe Rahimian
- Department of Medical Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Seyed Esmaeil Ahmadi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Faculty of Allied Medicine, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rouzbeh Chegeni
- Medical Laboratory Sciences, Program, College of Health and Human Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - Majid Safa
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Faculty of Allied Medicine, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Omeljaniuk WJ, Krętowski R, Ratajczak-Wrona W, Jabłońska E, Cechowska-Pasko M. Novel Dual PI3K/mTOR Inhibitor, Apitolisib (GDC-0980), Inhibits Growth and Induces Apoptosis in Human Glioblastoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111511. [PMID: 34768941 PMCID: PMC8583746 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Deregulated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling commonly exists in glioblastoma, making this axis an attractive target for therapeutic manipulation. Given that activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR promotes tumour growth, metastasis, and resistance to anticancer therapies, mTOR inhibitors show promise in the treatment of cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanism of novel dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, Apitolisib (GDC-0980), in A-172 and U-118-MG GBM tumour cell line suppression. It has been demonstrated that GDC-0980 induces time- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity and apoptosis in investigated glioma cell lines. In our study, the strongest induction of apoptosis was exhibited in the A-172 line after 48 h of incubation with 20 µM GDC-0980, where we observed 46.47% of apoptotic cells. In conclusion, we first discovered that dual PI3K/mTOR blockade by GDC-0980 markedly suppressed survival of human GBM cells and induced apoptosis, independent of the ER stress-mediated DR5 activation. We suggest that GDC-0980, by exerting an inhibitory effect on PERK expression, may thus block its inhibitory effect on protein synthesis, leading to intensification of translation, and this may result in an increase in apoptosis. On the other hand, CHOP stimulates protein synthesis and increases apoptosis. These findings suggest that GDC-0980 may be a candidate for further evaluation as a chemotherapeutic agent for anti-GBM therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wioleta Justyna Omeljaniuk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (W.J.O.); (R.K.)
| | - Rafał Krętowski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (W.J.O.); (R.K.)
| | - Wioletta Ratajczak-Wrona
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland; (W.R.-W.); (E.J.)
| | - Ewa Jabłońska
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland; (W.R.-W.); (E.J.)
| | - Marzanna Cechowska-Pasko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (W.J.O.); (R.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +48-85-748-56-91
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14
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Wu F, Chen Z, Liu J, Hou Y. The Akt-mTOR network at the interface of hematopoietic stem cell homeostasis. Exp Hematol 2021; 103:15-23. [PMID: 34464661 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2021.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are immature blood cells that exhibit multilineage differentiation capacity. Homeostasis is critical for HSC potential and lifelong hematopoiesis, and HSC homeostasis is tightly governed by both intrinsic molecular networks and microenvironmental signals. The evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine protein kinase B (PKB, also referred to as Akt)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is universal to nearly all multicellular organisms and plays an integral role in most cellular processes. Emerging evidence has revealed a central role of the Akt-mTOR network in HSC homeostasis, because it responds to multiple intracellular and extracellular signals and regulates various downstream targets, eventually affecting several cellular processes, including the cell cycle, mitochondrial metabolism, and protein synthesis. Dysregulated Akt-mTOR signaling greatly affects HSC self-renewal, maintenance, differentiation, survival, autophagy, and aging, as well as transformation of HSCs to leukemia stem cells. Here, we review recent works and provide an advanced understanding of how the Akt-mTOR network regulates HSC homeostasis, thus offering insights into future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wu
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Department of Hematology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jingbo Liu
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China.
| | - Yu Hou
- Department of Hematology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China.
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15
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Li J, Wang X, Ma C, Xu S, Xu M, Yang J, Wang R, Xue L. Dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor NVP‑BEZ235 decreases the proliferation of doxorubicin‑resistant K562 cells. Mol Med Rep 2021; 23:301. [PMID: 34223631 PMCID: PMC7930928 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.11940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is frequently accompanied by a poor prognosis. The majority of patients with AML will experience recurrence due to multiple drug resistance. Our previous study reported that targeting the mTOR pathway may increase cell sensitivity to doxorubicin (Doxo) and provide an improved therapeutic approach to leukemia. However, the effect and mechanism of action of NVP-BEZ235 (BEZ235), a dual inhibitor of PI3K/mTOR, on Doxo-resistant K562 cells (K562/A) is yet to be elucidated. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of BEZ235 on K562/A cell proliferation. K562/A cells was investigated using CCK-8, flow cytometry and western blotting, following BEZ235 treatment. It was observed that BEZ235 significantly decreased the viability of K562/A cells. In addition, BEZ235 arrested K562/A cells at the G0/G1 phase, and reduced the protein expression levels of CDK4, CDK6 and cyclin D1. Apoptotic cells were more frequently detected in K562/A cells treated with BEZ235 compared with the control group (12.97±0.91% vs. 7.37±0.42%, respectively; P<0.05). Cells treated with BEZ235 exhibited downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax. Furthermore, BEZ235 treatment markedly decreased the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and its downstream effectors. Thus, these results demonstrated that BEZ235 inhibited cell viability, induced G0/G1 arrest and increased apoptosis in K562/A cells, suggesting that BEZ235 may reverse Doxo resistance in leukemia cells. Therefore, targeting the PI3K/mTOR pathway may be of value as a novel therapeutic approach to leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Department of Hematology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Xiaozi Wang
- Laboratory of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Chuanbao Ma
- Laboratory of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Shasha Xu
- Department of Hematology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Mengyao Xu
- Department of Hematology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Hematology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Ruicang Wang
- Department of Hematology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Liying Xue
- Laboratory of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
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16
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Yu L, Wei J, Liu P. Attacking the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway for targeted therapeutic treatment in human cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 85:69-94. [PMID: 34175443 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of human death globally. PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling is one of the most frequently dysregulated signaling pathways observed in cancer patients that plays crucial roles in promoting tumor initiation, progression and therapy responses. This is largely due to that PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling is indispensable for many cellular biological processes, including cell growth, metastasis, survival, metabolism, and others. As such, small molecule inhibitors targeting major kinase components of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway have drawn extensive attention and been developed and evaluated in preclinical models and clinical trials. Targeting a single kinase component within this signaling usually causes growth arrest rather than apoptosis associated with toxicity-induced adverse effects in patients. Combination therapies including PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors show improved patient response and clinical outcome, albeit developed resistance has been reported. In this review, we focus on revealing the mechanisms leading to the hyperactivation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling in cancer and summarizing efforts for developing PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors as either mono-therapy or combination therapy in different cancer settings. We hope that this review will facilitate further understanding of the regulatory mechanisms governing dysregulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR oncogenic signaling in cancer and provide insights into possible future directions for targeted therapeutic regimen for cancer treatment, by developing new agents, drug delivery systems, or combination regimen to target the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. This information will also provide effective patient stratification strategy to improve the patient response and clinical outcome for cancer patients with deregulated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Yu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | | | - Pengda Liu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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17
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Shah K, Ahmed M, Kazi JU. The Aurora kinase/β-catenin axis contributes to dexamethasone resistance in leukemia. NPJ Precis Oncol 2021; 5:13. [PMID: 33597638 PMCID: PMC7889633 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-021-00148-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone and prednisolone, are widely used in cancer treatment. Different hematological malignancies respond differently to this treatment which, as could be expected, correlates with treatment outcome. In this study, we have used a glucocorticoid-induced gene signature to develop a deep learning model that can predict dexamethasone sensitivity. By combining gene expression data from cell lines and patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, we observed that the model is useful for the classification of patients. Predicted samples have been used to detect deregulated pathways that lead to dexamethasone resistance. Gene set enrichment analysis, peptide substrate-based kinase profiling assay, and western blot analysis identified Aurora kinase, S6K, p38, and β-catenin as key signaling proteins involved in dexamethasone resistance. Deep learning-enabled drug synergy prediction followed by in vitro drug synergy analysis identified kinase inhibitors against Aurora kinase, JAK, S6K, and mTOR that displayed synergy with dexamethasone. Combining pathway enrichment, kinase regulation, and kinase inhibition data, we propose that Aurora kinase or its several direct or indirect downstream kinase effectors such as mTOR, S6K, p38, and JAK may be involved in β-catenin stabilization through phosphorylation-dependent inactivation of GSK-3β. Collectively, our data suggest that activation of the Aurora kinase/β-catenin axis during dexamethasone treatment may contribute to cell survival signaling which is possibly maintained in patients who are resistant to dexamethasone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinjal Shah
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Mehreen Ahmed
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Julhash U Kazi
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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18
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Popova NV, Jücker M. The Role of mTOR Signaling as a Therapeutic Target in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041743. [PMID: 33572326 PMCID: PMC7916160 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this review was to summarize current available information about the role of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling in cancer as a potential target for new therapy options. The mTOR and PI3K/AKT/mTORC1 (mTOR complex 1) signaling are critical for the regulation of many fundamental cell processes including protein synthesis, cell growth, metabolism, survival, catabolism, and autophagy, and deregulated mTOR signaling is implicated in cancer, metabolic dysregulation, and the aging process. In this review, we summarize the information about the structure and function of the mTOR pathway and discuss the mechanisms of its deregulation in human cancers including genetic alterations of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway components. We also present recent data regarding the PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors in clinical studies and the treatment of cancer, as well the attendant problems of resistance and adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadezhda V. Popova
- Laboratory of Receptor Cell Biology, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Manfred Jücker
- Institute of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)-40-7410-56339
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19
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Mologni L, Marzaro G, Redaelli S, Zambon A. Dual Kinase Targeting in Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13010119. [PMID: 33401428 PMCID: PMC7796318 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13010119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary A new option to treat cancer is based on the use of so-called multi-targeting drugs. This strategy can replace the standard treatment based on the co-administration of several drugs. An increased and uncontrolled activity of kinases (enzymes devoted to the regulation of several cell pathways) is often seen in hematological malignancies. The development of multi-kinase inhibitors is having a great impact on the treatment of this kind of cancer. Here, we review the most recent findings on this novel class of drugs. Abstract Pharmacological cancer therapy is often based on the concurrent inhibition of different survival pathways to improve treatment outcomes and to reduce the risk of relapses. While this strategy is traditionally pursued only through the co-administration of several drugs, the recent development of multi-targeting drugs (i.e., compounds intrinsically able to simultaneously target several macromolecules involved in cancer onset) has had a dramatic impact on cancer treatment. This review focuses on the most recent developments in dual-kinase inhibitors used in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), and lymphoid tumors, giving details on preclinical studies as well as ongoing clinical trials. A brief overview of dual-targeting inhibitors (kinase/histone deacetylase (HDAC) and kinase/tubulin polymerization inhibitors) applied to leukemia is also given. Finally, the very recently developed Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTAC)-based kinase inhibitors are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Mologni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (L.M.); (S.R.)
| | - Giovanni Marzaro
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, I-35131 Padova, Italy;
| | - Sara Redaelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (L.M.); (S.R.)
| | - Alfonso Zambon
- Department of Chemistry and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-059-2058-640
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20
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Cordo' V, van der Zwet JC, Canté-Barrett K, Pieters R, Meijerink JP. T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Roadmap to Targeted Therapies. Blood Cancer Discov 2021; 2:19-31. [PMID: 34661151 PMCID: PMC8447273 DOI: 10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-20-0093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy characterized by aberrant proliferation of immature thymocytes. Despite an overall survival of 80% in the pediatric setting, 20% of patients with T-ALL ultimately die from relapsed or refractory disease. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel therapies. Molecular genetic analyses and sequencing studies have led to the identification of recurrent T-ALL genetic drivers. This review summarizes the main genetic drivers and targetable lesions of T-ALL and gives a comprehensive overview of the novel treatments for patients with T-ALL that are currently under clinical investigation or that are emerging from preclinical research. SIGNIFICANCE T-ALL is driven by oncogenic transcription factors that act along with secondary acquired mutations. These lesions, together with active signaling pathways, may be targeted by therapeutic agents. Bridging research and clinical practice can accelerate the testing of novel treatments in clinical trials, offering an opportunity for patients with poor outcome.
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21
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Kong D, Fan S, Sun L, Chen X, Zhao Y, Zhao L, Guo Z, Li Y. Growth inhibition and suppression of the mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin pathways in T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia by rapamycin and MYCN depletion. Hematol Oncol 2020; 39:222-230. [PMID: 33300153 DOI: 10.1002/hon.2831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive malignancy. Understanding of the molecular pathogenesis may lead to novel therapeutic targets. Rapamycin, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, showed inhibitory effects on T-ALL cells. In this study, we showed that rapamycin significantly reduced MYCN mRNA and protein in a concentration-dependent manner in T-ALL cells. Selective knockdown of MYCN by small interfering RNA had similar effects to rapamycin to inhibit T-ALL proliferation and colony formation and to induce G1-phase cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. The inhibitory effects of rapamycin and MYCN depletion were also found in a Molt-4 xenograft model. Rapamycin and MYCN inhibition suppressed both Wnt/β-catenin and mTOR signaling pathways. The results suggest the effects of rapamycin on adult T-ALL is likely mediated by downregulation of MYCN. The findings suggest MYCN a potential target for the treatment of adult T-ALL. Additionally, dual targeting of mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin pathways may represent a novel strategy in the treatment of adult T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desheng Kong
- Department of Hematology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shengjin Fan
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Lili Sun
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yanqiu Zhao
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Linlin Zhao
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhibo Guo
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yinghua Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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22
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Hu X, Xia M, Wang J, Yu H, Chai J, Zhang Z, Sun Y, Su J, Sun L. Dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor PKI-402 suppresses the growth of ovarian cancer cells by degradation of Mcl-1 through autophagy. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 129:110397. [PMID: 32585451 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) /AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is frequently mutated in cancers, leading to increased cell proliferation, migration, and chemoresistance. Currently, a number of small molecule inhibitors of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway have been assessed in preclinical and clinical studies. It has been found that dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors may inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in cancers, but the mechanism is still being explored. Therefore, determining the role of dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors PKI-402 in cancer cells may facilitate overcoming chemoresistance. By referring to a gene database and screening gene sequences, we found that human ovarian cancer epithelial cell lines SKOV3 and A2780 had mutations of the PIK3CA gene, which might be relatively sensitive to dual-targeted PI3K/mTOR inhibitors. In this study, our data indicated that dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor PKI-402 disrupted the balance of Bcl-2 family proteins by degrading the Mcl-1 protein through autophagy. Moreover, the autophagy receptor protein p62 bound to Mcl-1 through its ubiquitin-associated domain (UBA domain) to participate in the degradation of Mcl-1 through autophagy. This offers hope for the treatment of ovarian cancer patients with mutations of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Hu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China; The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Meihui Xia
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Jiabin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Huimei Yu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Jiannan Chai
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Zejun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Yupei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Jing Su
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China.
| | - Liankun Sun
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China.
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Xiang H, Zhang J, Lin C, Zhang L, Liu B, Ouyang L. Targeting autophagy-related protein kinases for potential therapeutic purpose. Acta Pharm Sin B 2020; 10:569-581. [PMID: 32322463 PMCID: PMC7161711 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy, defined as a scavenging process of protein aggregates and damaged organelles mediated by lysosomes, plays a significant role in the quality control of macromolecules and organelles. Since protein kinases are integral to the autophagy process, it is critically important to understand the role of kinases in autophagic regulation. At present, intervention of autophagic processes by small-molecule modulators targeting specific kinases has becoming a reasonable and prevalent strategy for treating several varieties of human disease, especially cancer. In this review, we describe the role of some autophagy-related kinase targets and kinase-mediated phosphorylation mechanisms in autophagy regulation. We also summarize the small-molecule kinase inhibitors/activators of these targets, highlighting the opportunities of these new therapeutic agents.
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Key Words
- 4E-BP1, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein
- AKT1, AKT serine/threonine kinase 1
- AMBRA1, autophagy/beclin-1 regulator 1
- AMPK, AMP-activated protein kinase
- ARF, auxin response factor gene
- ATG, autophagy-related protein
- Autophagy
- Autophagy-related kinase
- CaMKK2, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2
- DAPK, death associated protein kinase
- FIP200, FAK family kinase-interacting protein of 200 kDa
- GAP, GTPase-activating protein
- GO, gene ontology
- GSK3α, glycogen synthase kinase 3 alpha
- HMGB1, high mobility group protein B1
- Human disease therapy
- JNK1, C-Jun N-terminal kinase
- LC3, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3
- LKB1, serine/threonine-protein kinase stk11
- LPS, lipopolysaccharide
- LRRK2, leucine rich repeat kinase 2
- PD, Parkinson's disease
- PI, phosphatidylinositol
- PI3 kinase, phosphoinositide 3-kinase
- PI3P, phosphatidylinositol triphosphate
- PIM2, proviral insertion in murine lymphomas 2
- PINK1, PTEN-induced putative kinase 1
- PIP2, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate
- PKACα, a protein kinase cAMP-activated catalytic subunit alpha
- PKCα, protein kinase C alpha type
- PKD1, polycystin-1
- PPIs, protein–protein interactions
- PROTAC, proteolysis targeting chimeras
- PTMs, post-translational modifications
- Phosphorylation
- Protein kinases
- Rheb, the RAS homolog enriched in brain
- Small-molecule kinase inhibitors/activators
- TAK1, transforming growth factor activated kinase-1
- TFEB, transcription factor EB
- TNBC, triple-negative breast cancer
- TSC1/2, tuberous sclerosis complex proteins 1/2
- ULK complex, ULK1–mATG13–FIP200–ATG101 complex
- ULK1, unc-51-like kinase 1
- UVRAG, ultraviolet resistance-associated gene
- mTOR, mammalian target of rapamycin
- mTORC1, mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1
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Affiliation(s)
- Honggang Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jifa Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Congcong Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Liang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
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24
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Tarantelli C, Lupia A, Stathis A, Bertoni F. Is There a Role for Dual PI3K/mTOR Inhibitors for Patients Affected with Lymphoma? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1060. [PMID: 32033478 PMCID: PMC7037719 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21031060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is a main driver of cell growth, proliferation, survival, and chemoresistance of cancer cells, and, for this reason, represents an attractive target for developing targeted anti-cancer drugs. There are plenty of preclinical data sustaining the anti-tumor activity of dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors as single agents and in combination in lymphomas. Clinical responses, including complete remissions (especially in follicular lymphoma patients), are also observed in the very few clinical studies performed in patients that are affected by relapsed/refractory lymphomas or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In this review, we summarize the literature on dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors focusing on the lymphoma setting, presenting both the three compounds still in clinical development and those with a clinical program stopped or put on hold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Tarantelli
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland;
| | - Antonio Lupia
- Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Anastasios Stathis
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland;
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Bertoni
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland;
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland;
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25
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Simioni C, Bergamini F, Ferioli M, Rimondi E, Caruso L, Neri LM. New biomarkers and therapeutic strategies in acute lymphoblastic leukemias: Recent advances. Hematol Oncol 2019; 38:22-33. [PMID: 31487068 DOI: 10.1002/hon.2678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) represents a heterogeneous group of hematologic malignancies, and it is normally characterized by an aberrant proliferation of immature lymphoid cells. Moreover, dysregulation of multiple signaling pathways that normally regulate cellular transcription, growth, translation, and proliferation is frequently encountered in this malignancy. ALL is the most frequent tumor in childhood, and adult ALL patients still correlate with poor survival. This review focuses on modern therapies in ALL that move beyond standard chemotherapy, with a particular emphasis on immunotherapeutic approaches as new treatment strategies. Bi-specific T-cell Engagers (BiTE) antibodies, the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells, or CRISPR-Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats [CRISPR]-associated nuclease 9) represent other new innovative approaches for this disease. Target and tailored therapy could make the difference in previously untreatable cases, i.e., precision and personalized medicine. Clinical trials will help to select the most efficient novel therapies in ALL management and to integrate them with existing treatments to achieve durable cures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Simioni
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Fabio Bergamini
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Martina Ferioli
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Erika Rimondi
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,LTTA-Electron Microscopy Center, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Caruso
- Department of Biomedical and Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Luca M Neri
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,LTTA-Electron Microscopy Center, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Cuomo F, Altucci L, Cobellis G. Autophagy Function and Dysfunction: Potential Drugs as Anti-Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101465. [PMID: 31569540 PMCID: PMC6826381 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a highly conserved catabolic and energy-generating process that facilitates the degradation of damaged organelles or intracellular components, providing cells with components for the synthesis of new ones. Autophagy acts as a quality control system, and has a pro-survival role. The imbalance of this process is associated with apoptosis, which is a “positive” and desired biological choice in some circumstances. Autophagy dysfunction is associated with several diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, cardiomyopathy, diabetes, liver disease, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Here, we provide an overview of the regulatory mechanisms underlying autophagy, with a particular focus on cancer and the autophagy-targeting drugs currently approved for use in the treatment of solid and non-solid malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cuomo
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", via L. De Crecchio, 7, 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", via L. De Crecchio, 7, 80138 Naples, Italy.
| | - Gilda Cobellis
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", via L. De Crecchio, 7, 80138 Naples, Italy.
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Paganelli F, Lonetti A, Anselmi L, Martelli AM, Evangelisti C, Chiarini F. New advances in targeting aberrant signaling pathways in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Adv Biol Regul 2019; 74:100649. [PMID: 31523031 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2019.100649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive disorder characterized by malignant transformation of immature progenitors primed towards T-cell development. Over the past 15 years, advances in the molecular characterization of T-ALL have uncovered oncogenic key drivers and crucial signaling pathways of this disease, opening new chances for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Currently, T-ALL patients are still treated with aggressive therapies, consisting of high dose multiagent chemotherapy. To minimize and overcome the unfavorable effects of these regimens, it is critical to identify innovative targets and test selective inhibitors of such targets. Major efforts are being made to develop small molecules against deregulated signaling pathways, which sustain T-ALL cell growth, survival, metabolism, and drug-resistance. This review will focus on recent improvements in the understanding of the signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of T-ALL and on the challenging opportunities for T-ALL targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Paganelli
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza-CNR National Research Council of Italy, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Lonetti
- "Giorgio Prodi" Cancer Research Center, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Anselmi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, Section of Morphology, Signal Transduction Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Alberto M Martelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Camilla Evangelisti
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza-CNR National Research Council of Italy, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Chiarini
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza-CNR National Research Council of Italy, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy.
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28
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Yang XG, Zhu LC, Wang YJ, Li YY, Wang D. Current Advance of Therapeutic Agents in Clinical Trials Potentially Targeting Tumor Plasticity. Front Oncol 2019; 9:887. [PMID: 31552191 PMCID: PMC6746935 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor plasticity refers to tumor cell's inherent property of transforming one type of cell to different types of cells. Tumor plasticity is the main cause of tumor relapse, metastasis and drug resistance. Cancer stem cell (CSC) model embodies the trait of tumor plasticity. During carcinoma progression, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays crucial role in the formation of CSCs and vasculogenic mimicry (VM) based on epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity. And the unique tumor microenvironment (TME) not only provides suitable niche for CSCs but promotes the building of CSCs and VM that nourishes tumor tissue together with neoplasm metabolism by affecting tumor plasticity. Therapeutic strategies targeting tumor plasticity are promising ways to treat malignant tumor. In this article, we discuss the recent developments of potential drug targets related to CSCs, EMT, TME, VM, and metabolic pathways and summarize drugs that target these areas in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Guang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lan-Cao Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yan-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yan-Yu Li
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
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Xia T, Zhang J, Zhou C, Li Y, Duan W, Zhang B, Wang M, Fang J. 20(S)-Ginsenoside Rh2 displays efficacy against T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathway. J Ginseng Res 2019; 44:725-737. [PMID: 32913402 PMCID: PMC7471214 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2019.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a kind of aggressive hematological cancer, and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway is activated in most patients with T-ALL and responsible for poor prognosis. 20(S)-Ginsenoside Rh2 (20(S)-GRh2) is a major active compound extracted from ginseng, which exhibits anti-cancer effects. However, the underlying anticancer mechanisms of 20(S)-GRh2 targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in T-ALL have not been explored. Methods Cell growth and cell cycle were determined to investigate the effect of 20(S)-GRh2 on ALL cells. PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway–related proteins were detected in 20(S)-GRh2–treated Jurkat cells by immunoblotting. Antitumor effect of 20(S)-GRh2 against T-ALL was investigated in xenograft mice. The mechanisms of 20(S)-GRh2 against T-ALL were examined by cell proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy. Results In the present study, the results showed that 20(S)-GRh2 decreased cell growth and arrested cell cycle at the G1 phase in ALL cells. 20(S)-GRh2 induced apoptosis through enhancing reactive oxygen species generation and upregulating apoptosis-related proteins. 20(S)-GRh2 significantly elevated the levels of pEGFP-LC3 and autophagy-related proteins in Jurkat cells. Furthermore, the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway was effectively blocked by 20(S)-GRh2. 20(S)-GRh2 suppressed cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis and autophagy by suppressing the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in Jurkat cells. Finally, 20(S)-GRh2 alleviated symptoms of leukemia and reduced the number of white blood cells and CD3 staining in the spleen of xenograft mice, indicating antitumor effects against T-ALL invivo. Conclusion These findings indicate that 20(S)-GRh2 exhibits beneficial effects against T-ALL through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and could be a natural product of novel target for T-ALL therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Chuanxin Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, The Fifth Hospital of Sun Yat Sen University, Sun Yat sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenhui Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Min Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Jianpei Fang
- Department of Pediatrics, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guang Dong, China.,Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Gene Regulation and Target Therapy of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guang Dong, China
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Hua H, Kong Q, Zhang H, Wang J, Luo T, Jiang Y. Targeting mTOR for cancer therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2019; 12:71. [PMID: 31277692 PMCID: PMC6612215 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-019-0754-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 497] [Impact Index Per Article: 99.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein kinase regulating cell growth, survival, metabolism, and immunity. mTOR is usually assembled into several complexes such as mTOR complex 1/2 (mTORC1/2). In cooperation with raptor, rictor, LST8, and mSin1, key components in mTORC1 or mTORC2, mTOR catalyzes the phosphorylation of multiple targets such as ribosomal protein S6 kinase β-1 (S6K1), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), Akt, protein kinase C (PKC), and type-I insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR), thereby regulating protein synthesis, nutrients metabolism, growth factor signaling, cell growth, and migration. Activation of mTOR promotes tumor growth and metastasis. Many mTOR inhibitors have been developed to treat cancer. While some of the mTOR inhibitors have been approved to treat human cancer, more mTOR inhibitors are being evaluated in clinical trials. Here, we update recent advances in exploring mTOR signaling and the development of mTOR inhibitors for cancer therapy. In addition, we discuss the mechanisms underlying the resistance to mTOR inhibitors in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Qingbin Kong
- Laboratory of Oncogene, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongying Zhang
- Laboratory of Oncogene, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiao Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ting Luo
- Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yangfu Jiang
- Laboratory of Oncogene, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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31
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Targeting mTOR in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Cells 2019; 8:cells8020190. [PMID: 30795552 PMCID: PMC6406494 DOI: 10.3390/cells8020190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is an aggressive hematologic disorder and constitutes approximately 25% of cancer diagnoses among children and teenagers. Pediatric patients have a favourable prognosis, with 5-years overall survival rates near 90%, while adult ALL still correlates with poorer survival. However, during the past few decades, the therapeutic outcome of adult ALL was significantly ameliorated, mainly due to intensive pediatric-based protocols of chemotherapy. Mammalian (or mechanistic) target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a conserved serine/threonine kinase belonging to the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-related kinase family (PIKK) and resides in two distinct signalling complexes named mTORC1, involved in mRNA translation and protein synthesis and mTORC2 that controls cell survival and migration. Moreover, both complexes are remarkably involved in metabolism regulation. Growing evidence reports that mTOR dysregulation is related to metastatic potential, cell proliferation and angiogenesis and given that PI3K/Akt/mTOR network activation is often associated with poor prognosis and chemoresistance in ALL, there is a constant need to discover novel inhibitors for ALL treatment. Here, the current knowledge of mTOR signalling and the development of anti-mTOR compounds are documented, reporting the most relevant results from both preclinical and clinical studies in ALL that have contributed significantly into their efficacy or failure.
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Targeting PI3K Signaling in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20020412. [PMID: 30669372 PMCID: PMC6358886 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20020412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Adhesion of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells to bone marrow stroma cells triggers intracellular signals regulating cell-adhesion-mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR). Stromal cell protection of ALL cells has been shown to require active AKT. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), adhesion-mediated activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway is reported. A novel FDA-approved PI3Kδ inhibitor, CAL-101/idelalisib, leads to downregulation of p-AKT and increased apoptosis of CLL cells. Recently, two additional PI3K inhibitors have received FDA approval. As the PI3K/AKT pathway is also implicated in adhesion-mediated survival of ALL cells, PI3K inhibitors have been evaluated preclinically in ALL. However, PI3K inhibition has yet to be approved for clinical use in ALL. Here, we review the role of PI3K in normal hematopoietic cells, and in ALL. We focus on summarizing targeting strategies of PI3K in ALL.
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33
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Cross Talk Networks of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signaling With the Ubiquitin Proteasome System and Their Clinical Implications in Multiple Myeloma. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 343:219-297. [PMID: 30712673 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2018.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological malignancy and results from the clonal amplification of plasma cells. Despite recent advances in treatment, MM remains incurable with a median survival time of only 5-6years, thus necessitating further insights into MM biology and exploitation of novel therapeutic approaches. Both the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways have been implicated in the pathogenesis, and treatment of MM and different lines of evidence suggest a close cross talk between these central cell-regulatory signaling networks. In this review, we outline the interplay between the UPS and mTOR pathways and discuss their implications for the pathophysiology and therapy of MM.
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34
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Therapeutic Targeting of mTOR in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: An Update. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19071878. [PMID: 29949919 PMCID: PMC6073309 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19071878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive blood malignancy that arises from the clonal expansion of transformed T-cell precursors. Although T-ALL prognosis has significantly improved due to the development of intensive chemotherapeutic protocols, primary drug-resistant and relapsed patients still display a dismal outcome. In addition, lifelong irreversible late effects from conventional therapy are a growing problem for leukemia survivors. Therefore, novel targeted therapies are required to improve the prognosis of high-risk patients. The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is the kinase subunit of two structurally and functionally distinct multiprotein complexes, which are referred to as mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2. These two complexes regulate a variety of physiological cellular processes including protein, lipid, and nucleotide synthesis, as well as autophagy in response to external cues. However, mTOR activity is frequently deregulated in cancer, where it plays a key oncogenetic role driving tumor cell proliferation, survival, metabolic transformation, and metastatic potential. Promising preclinical studies using mTOR inhibitors have demonstrated efficacy in many human cancer types, including T-ALL. Here, we highlight our current knowledge of mTOR signaling and inhibitors in T-ALL, with an emphasis on emerging evidence of the superior efficacy of combinations consisting of mTOR inhibitors and either traditional or targeted therapeutics.
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Shah K, Moharram SA, Kazi JU. Acute leukemia cells resistant to PI3K/mTOR inhibition display upregulation of P2RY14 expression. Clin Epigenetics 2018; 10:83. [PMID: 29951132 PMCID: PMC6010022 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-018-0516-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The PI3K/mTOR pathway is the second most frequently deregulated pathway in a majority of cancers such as breast cancer, lung cancer, and melanomas as well as leukemia. Mutations in the genes coding for receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are quite common in all forms of acute leukemia. This can be a major cause of deregulation of the PI3K-mTOR pathway. To understand how cells display resistance to the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, we used a panel of 25 acute leukemia cell lines. We observed that while a number of cell lines displayed sensitivity to the dual PI3K/mTOR pathway inhibitor PKI-587, many cells displayed substantial resistance. Cells sensitive to PKI-587 also showed aberrant activation of PI3K/mTOR pathway components such as AKT and S6K and also displayed sensitivity to a panel of various other PI3K/mTOR inhibitors. Using RNA sequencing data, we observed that expression of a G protein-coupled receptor, P2RY14, was upregulated nine-fold in cells showing resistance to the PI3K/mTOR inhibitor. P2RY14 has not been much studied in hematologic malignancies. However, this receptor seems to have a role in the localization of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and in promoting regenerative capabilities following injury. We observed that acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and FLT3-ITD-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with higher expression of P2RY14 mRNA displayed relatively poor survival compared to patients carrying lower expression of P2RY14 suggesting a role of P2RY14 in patient survival. To understand the role of this receptor in cell signaling, we used phospho-protein arrays and observed activation of distinct signaling cascades. Furthermore, array data were verified using murine pro-B cell line Ba/F3 stably transfected with P2RY14. We observed that activation of P2RY14 by its ligand, UDP-glucose, resulted in selective induction of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Taken together, our data suggest that acute leukemia cells resistant to PI3K/mTOR inhibition display upregulation of a GPCR, P2RY14, which has a role in patient survival and also couples to the activation of ERK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinjal Shah
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sausan A Moharram
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Julhash U Kazi
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Kawata T, Tada K, Kobayashi M, Sakamoto T, Takiuchi Y, Iwai F, Sakurada M, Hishizawa M, Shirakawa K, Shindo K, Sato H, Takaori-Kondo A. Dual inhibition of the mTORC1 and mTORC2 signaling pathways is a promising therapeutic target for adult T-cell leukemia. Cancer Sci 2017; 109:103-111. [PMID: 29077243 PMCID: PMC5765289 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult T‐cell leukemia (ATL) has a poor prognosis as a result of severe immunosuppression and rapid tumor progression with resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Recent integrated‐genome analysis has revealed mutations in many genes involved in the T‐cell signaling pathway, suggesting that the aberration of this pathway is an important factor in ATL pathogenesis and ATL‐cell proliferation. We screened a siRNA library to examine signaling‐pathway functionality and found that the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is critical to ATL‐cell proliferation. We therefore investigated the effect of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, including the dual inhibitors PP242 and AZD8055 and the mTORC1 inhibitors rapamycin and everolimus, on human T‐cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV‐1)‐infected‐cell and ATL‐cell lines. Both dual inhibitors inhibited the proliferation of all tested cell lines by inducing G1‐phase cell‐cycle arrest and subsequent cell apoptosis, whereas the effects of the 2 mTORC1 inhibitors were limited, as they did not induce cell apoptosis. In the ATL‐cell lines and in the primary ATL samples, both dual inhibitors inhibited phosphorylation of AKT at serine‐473, a target of mTORC2, as well as that of S6K, whereas the mTORC1 inhibitors only inhibited mTORC1. Furthermore, AZD8055 more significantly inhibited the in vivo growth of the ATL‐cell xenografts than did everolimus. These results indicate that the PI3K/mTOR pathway is critical to ATL‐cell proliferation and might thus be a new therapeutic target in ATL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahito Kawata
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kohei Tada
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masayuki Kobayashi
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takashi Sakamoto
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoko Takiuchi
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Fumie Iwai
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Maki Sakurada
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masakatsu Hishizawa
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kotaro Shirakawa
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Keisuke Shindo
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hironori Sato
- Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akifumi Takaori-Kondo
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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Moharram SA, Shah K, Kazi JU. T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells Display Activation of Different Survival Pathways. J Cancer 2017; 8:4124. [PMID: 29187889 PMCID: PMC5706016 DOI: 10.7150/jca.21725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a disease of the blood affecting T-lymphocytes. Although notable improvements have been achieved in T-ALL treatment, half of the adult T-ALL patients still experience treatment failure. In order to develop a targeted therapy, we need a better understanding of T-ALL pathogenesis. In this study, we used patient-derived cell lines which display resistance to glucocorticoids. We observed that different cell lines are dependent on different survival signaling pathways. Aberrant activation of AKT, p38, S6K or ERK signaling was not found to the same degree in all cell lines studied. To understand the molecular differences in T-ALL cells, we compared gene expression and somatic mutations. Gene set enrichment analysis showed enrichment of the mTORC1, MAPK or TGF-beta signaling pathways. Loss-of-function mutations in the TP53 and FBXW7 genes were identified in all cell lines investigated. Thus, we suggest that T-ALL cells from different patients are addicted to different mutations and thereby to different signaling pathways. Therefore, understanding the enrichment of molecular pathways for each individual patient will provide us with a more precise and specific treatment plan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sausan A Moharram
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kinjal Shah
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Julhash U Kazi
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Khanna A, Bhushan B, Chauhan PS, Saxena S, Gupta DK, Siraj F. High mTOR expression independently prognosticates poor clinical outcome to induction chemotherapy in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Clin Exp Med 2017; 18:221-227. [PMID: 29076004 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-017-0478-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), limited data are available on mTOR gene expression in clinical samples and its role in predicting response to induction chemotherapy. mRNA expression of mTOR gene was determined quantitatively by real-time PCR in 50 ALL patients (30 B-ALL and 20 T-ALL) and correlated with clinical outcome after induction chemotherapy. Expression level of mTOR was upregulated in more than 50% of cases of ALL. In T-ALL, high expression of mTOR was commonly seen, more in adults than children (82 vs. 55% cases), while in B-ALL it was same (~ 63% cases) in both adults and children. Mean fold change of mTOR expression was significantly higher in non-responders compared to responders of both adult B-ALL (7.4 vs. 2.7, p = 0.05) and T-ALL (13.9 vs. 2.4, p = 0.001). Similar results were seen in pediatric non-responders when compared to responders of both B-ALL (14.5 vs. 2.5, p = 0.006) and T-ALL (24.2 vs. 1.7, p = 0.002). Interestingly, we have observed that mTOR expression was two times higher in non-responders of children compared to adults in both B-ALL (14.5 vs. 7.4, p = 0.05) and T-ALL (24.2 vs. 13.9, p = 0.01). Multivariate analysis with other known prognostic factors revealed that mTOR expression independently predicts clinical response to induction chemotherapy in ALL. This study demonstrates that high mTOR expression is associated with poor clinical outcome in ALL and can serve as a potential target for novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asheema Khanna
- National Institute of Pathology (ICMR), Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, 110029, India
- Symbiosis School of Biomedical Sciences, Symbiosis International University, Pune, Maharashtra, 412115, India
| | - Bharat Bhushan
- Department of Medical Oncology, DR.B.R, Ambedkar Institute-Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Pradeep Singh Chauhan
- National Institute of Pathology (ICMR), Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Sunita Saxena
- National Institute of Pathology (ICMR), Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | | | - Fouzia Siraj
- National Institute of Pathology (ICMR), Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, 110029, India.
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Moharram SA, Shah K, Khanum F, Marhäll A, Gazi M, Kazi JU. Efficacy of the CDK inhibitor dinaciclib in vitro and in vivo in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cancer Lett 2017; 405:73-78. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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