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Almeida-Nunes DL, Silvestre R, Dinis-Oliveira RJ, Ricardo S. Enhancing Immunotherapy in Ovarian Cancer: The Emerging Role of Metformin and Statins. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:323. [PMID: 38203494 PMCID: PMC10779012 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer metastization is accompanied by the development of malignant ascites, which are associated with poor prognosis. The acellular fraction of this ascitic fluid contains tumor-promoting soluble factors, bioactive lipids, cytokines, and extracellular vesicles, all of which communicate with the tumor cells within this peritoneal fluid. Metabolomic profiling of ovarian cancer ascites has revealed significant differences in the pathways of fatty acids, cholesterol, glucose, and insulin. The proteins involved in these pathways promote tumor growth, resistance to chemotherapy, and immune evasion. Unveiling the key role of this liquid tumor microenvironment is crucial for discovering more efficient treatment options. This review focuses on the cholesterol and insulin pathways in ovarian cancer, identifying statins and metformin as viable treatment options when combined with standard chemotherapy. These findings are supported by clinical trials showing improved overall survival with these combinations. Additionally, statins and metformin are associated with the reversal of T-cell exhaustion, positioning these drugs as potential combinatory strategies to improve immunotherapy outcomes in ovarian cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Luísa Almeida-Nunes
- Differentiation and Cancer Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S) of the University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
- 1H-TOXRUN—One Health Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal;
| | - Ricardo Silvestre
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Jorge Dinis-Oliveira
- 1H-TOXRUN—One Health Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal;
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- FOREN—Forensic Science Experts, 1400-136 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sara Ricardo
- Differentiation and Cancer Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S) of the University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
- 1H-TOXRUN—One Health Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
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2
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Juarez D, Buono R, Matulis SM, Gupta VA, Duong M, Yudiono J, Paul M, Mallya S, Diep G, Hsin P, Lu A, Suh SM, Dong VM, Roberts AW, Leverson JD, Jalaluddin M, Liu Z, Bueno OF, Boise LH, Fruman DA. Statin-induced Mitochondrial Priming Sensitizes Multiple Myeloma Cells to BCL2 and MCL-1 Inhibitors. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:2497-2509. [PMID: 37956312 PMCID: PMC10704957 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax promotes apoptosis in blood cancer cells and is approved for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia. However, multiple myeloma cells are frequently more dependent on MCL-1 for survival, conferring resistance to venetoclax. Here we report that mevalonate pathway inhibition with statins can overcome resistance to venetoclax in multiple myeloma cell lines and primary cells. In addition, statins sensitize to apoptosis induced by MCL-1 inhibitor, S63845. In retrospective analysis of venetoclax clinical studies in multiple myeloma, background statin use was associated with a significantly enhanced rate of stringent complete response and absence of progressive disease. Statins sensitize multiple myeloma cells to venetoclax by upregulating two proapoptotic proteins: PUMA via a p53-independent mechanism and NOXA via the integrated stress response. These findings provide rationale for prospective testing of statins with venetoclax regimens in multiple myeloma. SIGNIFICANCE BH3 mimetics including venetoclax hold promise for treatment of multiple myeloma but rational combinations are needed to broaden efficacy. This study presents mechanistic and clinical data to support addition of pitavastatin to venetoclax regimens in myeloma. The results open a new avenue for repurposing statins in blood cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Juarez
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Roberta Buono
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Shannon M. Matulis
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology and the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Vikas A. Gupta
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology and the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Madeleine Duong
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Jacob Yudiono
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Madhuri Paul
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Sharmila Mallya
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Grace Diep
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Peter Hsin
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Alexander Lu
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Sang Mi Suh
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Vy M. Dong
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lawrence H. Boise
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology and the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - David A. Fruman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
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Torcasio R, Gallo Cantafio ME, Ikeda RK, Ganino L, Viglietto G, Amodio N. Lipid metabolic vulnerabilities of multiple myeloma. Clin Exp Med 2023; 23:3373-3390. [PMID: 37639069 PMCID: PMC10618328 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01174-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological malignancy worldwide, characterized by abnormal proliferation of malignant plasma cells within a tumor-permissive bone marrow microenvironment. Metabolic dysfunctions are emerging as key determinants in the pathobiology of MM. In this review, we highlight the metabolic features of MM, showing how alterations in various lipid pathways, mainly involving fatty acids, cholesterol and sphingolipids, affect the growth, survival and drug responsiveness of MM cells, as well as their cross-talk with other cellular components of the tumor microenvironment. These findings will provide a new path to understanding the mechanisms underlying how lipid vulnerabilities may arise and affect the phenotype of malignant plasma cells, highlighting novel druggable pathways with a significant impact on the management of MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Torcasio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Campus Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Heart Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata Di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Maria Eugenia Gallo Cantafio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Campus Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Raissa Kaori Ikeda
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Campus Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
- Centro Universitário São Camilo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ludovica Ganino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Campus Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Viglietto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Campus Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Nicola Amodio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Campus Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
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4
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Zaky MY, Fan C, Zhang H, Sun XF. Unraveling the Anticancer Potential of Statins: Mechanisms and Clinical Significance. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4787. [PMID: 37835481 PMCID: PMC10572000 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Statins are an essential medication class in the treatment of lipid diseases because they inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. They reduce cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in both primary and secondary prevention. In addition to their powerful pharmacologic suppression of cholesterol production, statins appear to have pleitropic effects in a wide variety of other diseases by modulating signaling pathways. In recent years, statins have seen a large increase in interest due to their putative anticancer effects. Statins appear to cause upregulation or inhibition in key pathways involved in cancer such as inhibition of proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis as well as reducing cancer stemness. Further, statins have been found to induce oxidative stress, cell cycle arrest, autophagy, and apoptosis of cancer cells. Interestingly, clinical studies have shown that statin use is associated with a decreased risk of cancer formation, lower cancer grade at diagnosis, reduction in the risk of local reoccurrence, and increasing survival in patients. Therefore, our objective in the present review is to summarize the findings of the publications on the underlying mechanisms of statins' anticancer effects and their clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Y. Zaky
- Department of Oncology, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
- Molecular Physiology Division, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62521, Egypt
| | - Chuanwen Fan
- Department of Oncology, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Huan Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Xiao-Feng Sun
- Department of Oncology, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
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Ivermectin Augments the Anti-Cancer Activity of Pitavastatin in Ovarian Cancer Cells. Diseases 2023; 11:diseases11010049. [PMID: 36975598 PMCID: PMC10047003 DOI: 10.3390/diseases11010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
We have previously shown that pitavastatin has the potential to be used to treat ovarian cancer, although relatively high doses are likely to be necessary. One solution to this problem is to identify drugs that are synergistic with pitavastatin, thereby reducing the dose that is necessary to have a therapeutic effect. Here, we tested combinations of pitavastatin with the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin in six ovarian cancer cell lines. When tested on its own, ivermectin inhibited the growth of the cells but only with modest potency (IC50 = 10–20 µM). When the drugs were combined and assessed in cell growth assays, ivermectin showed synergy with pitavastatin in 3 cell lines and this was most evident in COV-318 cells (combination index ~ 0.6). Ivermectin potentiated the reduction in COV-318 cell viability caused by pitavastatin by 20–25% as well as potentiating apoptosis induced by pitavastatin, assessed by activation of caspase-3/7 (2–4 fold) and annexin-labelling (3–5 fold). These data suggest that ivermectin may be useful in the treatment of ovarian cancer when combined with pitavastatin, but methods to achieve an adequate ivermectin concentration in tumour tissue will be necessary.
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Takada K, Kashiwagi S, Iimori N, Kouhashi R, Yabumoto A, Goto W, Asano Y, Tauchi Y, Morisaki T, Ogisawa K, Shibutani M, Tanaka H, Maeda K. Impact of oral statin therapy on clinical outcomes in patients with cT1 breast cancer. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:224. [PMID: 36894884 PMCID: PMC9999569 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10631-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE A previous meta-analysis examining the relationship between statin use and breast cancer reported that the inhibitory effect of statins on breast cancer may be more pronounced in early-stage cases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of hyperlipidemia treatment at the time of breast cancer diagnosis and to examine its correlation with metastasis to axillary lymph nodes among patients with so-called cT1 breast cancer whose primary lesion was 2 cm or less and was pathologically evaluated by sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection. We also investigated the effects of hyperlipidemic drugs on the prognosis of patients with early-stage breast cancer. METHODS After excluding cases that did not meet the criteria, we analyzed data from 719 patients who were diagnosed with breast cancer, with a primary lesion of 2 cm or less identified by preoperative imaging, and who underwent surgery without preoperative chemotherapy. RESULTS Regarding hyperlipidemia drugs, no correlation was found between statin use and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.226), although a correlation was found between lipophilic statin use and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.042). Also, the disease-free survival periods were prolonged following treatment of hyperlipidemia (p = 0.047, hazard ratio: 0.399) and statin administration (p = 0.028, hazard ratio: 0.328). CONCLUSION In cT1 breast cancer, the results suggest that oral statin therapy may contribute to favorable outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Takada
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Kashiwagi
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan.
| | - Nozomi Iimori
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Rika Kouhashi
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Akimichi Yabumoto
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Wataru Goto
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Yuka Asano
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Yukie Tauchi
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Tamami Morisaki
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Kana Ogisawa
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Masatsune Shibutani
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Maeda
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
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Chang SK, Liu D, Mitchem J, Papageorgiou C, Kaifi J, Shyu CR. Understanding common key indicators of successful and unsuccessful cancer drug trials using a contrast mining framework on ClinicalTrials.gov. J Biomed Inform 2023; 139:104321. [PMID: 36806327 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbi.2023.104321] [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: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Clinical trials are essential to the process of new drug development. As clinical trials involve significant investments of time and money, it is crucial for trial designers to carefully investigate trial settings prior to designing a trial. Utilizing trial documents from ClinicalTrials.gov, we aim to understand the common characteristics of successful and unsuccessful cancer drug trials to provide insights about what to learn and what to avoid. In this research, we first computationally classified cancer drug trials into successful and unsuccessful cases and then utilized natural language processing to extract eligibility criteria information from the trial documents. To provide explainable and potentially modifiable recommendations for new trial design, contrast mining was applied to discoverhighly contrasted patterns with a significant difference in prevalence between successful (completion with advancement to the next phase) and unsuccessful (suspended, withdrawn, or terminated) groups. Our method identified contrast patterns consisting of combinations of drug categories, eligibility criteria, study organization, and study design for nine major cancers. In addition to a literature review for the qualitative validation of mined contrast patterns, we found that contrast-pattern-based classifiers using the top 200 contrast patterns as feature representations can achieve approximately 80% F1 score for eight out of ten cancer types in our experiments. In summary, aligning with the modernization efforts of ClinicalTrials.gov, our study demonstrates that understanding the contrast characteristics of successful and unsuccessful cancer trials may provide insights into the decision-making process for trial investigators and therefore facilitate improved cancer drug trial design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Kai Chang
- Institute for Data Science & Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Danlu Liu
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jonathan Mitchem
- Institute for Data Science & Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Christos Papageorgiou
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Jussuf Kaifi
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Chi-Ren Shyu
- Institute for Data Science & Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA.
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The Second Nutrition and Cancer Networking Meeting Nutrition and Breast Cancer: Translating Evidence into Practice. Proc Nutr Soc 2023; 82:58-62. [PMID: 36503526 DOI: 10.1017/s002966512200283x] [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: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The 2nd Nutrition and Cancer Networking Meeting 'Nutrition and Breast Cancer: Translating Evidence into Practice' was held at Newcastle University in May 2022, with support from the Nutrition Society and British Association for Cancer Research. The first meeting in this series was held in Sheffield in 2019. The aim of this joint meeting was to bring together researchers with an interest in nutrition and breast cancer, with the programme spanning topics from risk and prevention to nutrition during treatment and beyond. Several key themes emerged, including the importance of engaging patients in the development of interventions and trials, making trials more accessible to diverse communities; training of clinical staff in nutrition and latest evidence; wider range of compounds should be considered in food composition tables; and alternative trial designs can be considered for prevention research to reduce financial burden and increase power.
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Repurposing Drugs in Small Animal Oncology. Animals (Basel) 2022; 13:ani13010139. [PMID: 36611747 PMCID: PMC9817697 DOI: 10.3390/ani13010139] [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: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Repurposing drugs in oncology consists of using off-label drugs that are licensed for various non-oncological medical conditions to treat cancer. Repurposing drugs has the advantage of using drugs that are already commercialized, with known mechanisms of action, proven safety profiles, and known toxicology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and posology. These drugs are usually cheaper than new anti-cancer drugs and thus more affordable, even in low-income countries. The interest in repurposed anti-cancer drugs has led to numerous in vivo and in vitro studies, with some promising results. Some randomized clinical trials have also been performed in humans, with certain drugs showing some degree of clinical efficacy, but the true clinical benefit for most of these drugs remains unknown. Repurposing drugs in veterinary oncology is a very new concept and only a few studies have been published so far. In this review, we summarize both the benefits and challenges of using repurposed anti-cancer drugs; we report and discuss the most relevant studies that have been previously published in small animal oncology, and we suggest potential drugs that could be clinically investigated for anti-cancer treatment in dogs and cats.
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Mutant p53, the Mevalonate Pathway and the Tumor Microenvironment Regulate Tumor Response to Statin Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143500. [PMID: 35884561 PMCID: PMC9323637 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells have the ability to co-opt multiple metabolic pathways, enhance glucose uptake and utilize aerobic glycolysis to promote tumorigenesis, which are characteristics constituting an emerging hallmark of cancer. Mutated tumor suppressor and proto-oncogenes are frequently responsible for enhanced metabolic pathway signaling. The link between mutant p53 and the mevalonate (MVA) pathway has been implicated in the advancement of various malignancies, with tumor cells relying heavily on increased MVA signaling to fuel their rapid growth, metastatic spread and development of therapy resistance. Statin drugs inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, the pathway’s rate-limiting enzyme, and as such, have long been studied as a potential anti-cancer therapy. However, whether statins provide additional anti-cancer properties is worthy of debate. Here, we examine retrospective, prospective and pre-clinical studies involving the use of statins in various cancer types, as well as potential issues with statins’ lack of efficacy observed in clinical trials and future considerations for upcoming clinical trials.
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Dewidar SA, Hamdy O, Eltantawy A, El-Mesery M, El Gayar AM, Soliman MM. Effect of concomitant use of pitavastatin with neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols in breast cancer patients: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Saudi Pharm J 2022; 30:1486-1496. [PMID: 36387337 PMCID: PMC9649354 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2022.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Preclinical studies have demonstrated the possible anticancer effects of statins, but the synergistic effect of concomitant statin use with standard chemotherapy protocols in patients with breast cancer has not yet been investigated. Aim The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of concomitant pitavastatin use with neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols in patients with breast cancer. Methods This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 70 adult female patients with pathologically-proven invasive breast cancer were randomized to receive or not receive pitavastatin (2 mg) oral tablets once daily concomitantly with standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols for 6 months. The primary outcomes of this study were changes in tumor size and changes to the Ki67 index. In addition, secondary outcomes were changes in cyclin D1 and cleaved caspase-3 serum levels. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04705909). Results Patients in the pitavastatin group showed significantly higher median (IQR) reductions in tumor size [−19.8 (−41.5, 9.5)] compared to those in the control group [−5.0 (−15.5, 0.0), p = 0.0009]. The change in Ki67 from baseline to the end of therapy was similar between the two groups (p = 0.12). By the end of therapy, the cyclin D1 levels in the pitavastatin group were significantly decreased [median (IQR) change of − 10.0 (−20.2, −2.9) from baseline], whereas the control group showed an increase in cyclin D1 levels [14.8 (4.1, 56.4)]. The median (IQR) caspase−3 was elevated in the pitavastatin group 1.6 (0.2, 2.2), and decreased in the control group (−0.2 (−1.1, 0.0), p = 0.0002). Subgroup analysis of the pitavastatin group revealed that patients with positive human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER2) had higher median (IQR) reductions in Ki67 [−35.0 (−70.0, −12.5)] than those with negative HER2 [2.5 (−15.0, 10.0), p = 0.04]. All patients who achieved a complete pathological response (n = 9) exhibited an HER2-neu positive receptor at baseline. Conclusion Concomitant use of pitavastatin with standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols may improve neoadjuvant chemotherapy responses in patients with breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samar A. Dewidar
- Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Omar Hamdy
- Surgical Oncology Department, Oncology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Eltantawy
- Medical Oncology Unit, Oncology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mohamed El-Mesery
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Amal M. El Gayar
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Moetaza M. Soliman
- Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
- Corresponding author at: Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
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DRUG REPOSITIONING FOR CANCER IN THE ERA OF BIG OMICS AND REAL-WORLD DATA. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2022; 175:103730. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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El Zarif T, Yibirin M, De Oliveira-Gomes D, Machaalani M, Nawfal R, Bittar G, Bahmad HF, Bitar N. Overcoming Therapy Resistance in Colon Cancer by Drug Repurposing. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092105. [PMID: 35565237 PMCID: PMC9099737 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite improvements in standardized screening methods and the development of promising therapies for colorectal cancer (CRC), survival rates are still low. Drug repurposing offers an affordable solution to achieve new indications for previously approved drugs that could play a protagonist or adjuvant role in the treatment of CRC. In this review, we summarize the current data supporting drug repurposing as a feasible option for patients with CRC. Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world. Despite improvement in standardized screening methods and the development of promising therapies, the 5-year survival rates are as low as 10% in the metastatic setting. The increasing life expectancy of the general population, higher rates of obesity, poor diet, and comorbidities contribute to the increasing trends in incidence. Drug repurposing offers an affordable solution to achieve new indications for previously approved drugs that could play a protagonist or adjuvant role in the treatment of CRC with the advantage of treating underlying comorbidities and decreasing chemotherapy toxicity. This review elaborates on the current data that supports drug repurposing as a feasible option for patients with CRC with a focus on the evidence and mechanism of action promising repurposed candidates that are widely used, including but not limited to anti-malarial, anti-helminthic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-diabetic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talal El Zarif
- Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut 1003, Lebanon; (T.E.Z.); (M.M.); (R.N.)
| | - Marcel Yibirin
- Internal Medicine Residency Program, Department of Medicine, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA 02218, USA;
| | - Diana De Oliveira-Gomes
- Department of Research, Foundation for Clinic, Public Health, and Epidemiological Research of Venezuela (FISPEVEN), Caracas 1050, Venezuela;
| | - Marc Machaalani
- Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut 1003, Lebanon; (T.E.Z.); (M.M.); (R.N.)
| | - Rashad Nawfal
- Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut 1003, Lebanon; (T.E.Z.); (M.M.); (R.N.)
| | | | - Hisham F. Bahmad
- The Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-786-961-0216
| | - Nizar Bitar
- Head of Hematology-Oncology Division, Sahel General Hospital, Beirut 1002, Lebanon;
- President of the Lebanese Society of Medical Oncology (LSMO), Beirut 1003, Lebanon
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14
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Uemura N, Hayashi H, Baba H. Statin as a therapeutic agent in gastroenterological cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2022; 14:110-123. [PMID: 35116106 PMCID: PMC8790423 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v14.i1.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Statins inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme of the mevalonate pathway, and are widely used as an effective and safe approach handle hypercholesterolemia. The mevalonate pathway is a vital metabolic pathway that uses acetyl-CoA to generate isoprenoids and sterols that are crucial to tumor growth and progression. Multiple studies have indicated that statins improve patient prognosis in various carcinomas. Basic research on the mechanisms underlying the antitumor effects of statins is underway. The development of new anti-cancer drugs is progressing, but increasing medical costs from drug development have become a major obstacle. Readily available, inexpensive and well-tolerated drugs like statins have not yet been successfully repurposed for cancer treatment. Identifying the cancer patients that may benefit from statins is key to improved patient treatment. This review summarizes recent advances in statin research in cancer and suggests important considerations for the clinical use of statins to improve outcomes for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norio Uemura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Hayashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Hideo Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
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Jawad M, Ibrahim S, Kumar M, Burgert C, Li WW, Richardson A. Identification of foods that affect the anti‑cancer activity of pitavastatin in cells. Oncol Lett 2022; 23:73. [DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Jawad
- The Guy Hilton Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Stoke‑on‑Trent, Staffordshire ST4 7QB, UK
| | - Suad Ibrahim
- The Guy Hilton Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Stoke‑on‑Trent, Staffordshire ST4 7QB, UK
| | - Mayur Kumar
- The Guy Hilton Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Stoke‑on‑Trent, Staffordshire ST4 7QB, UK
| | - Charlie Burgert
- The Guy Hilton Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Stoke‑on‑Trent, Staffordshire ST4 7QB, UK
| | - Wen-Wu Li
- The Guy Hilton Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Stoke‑on‑Trent, Staffordshire ST4 7QB, UK
| | - Alan Richardson
- The Guy Hilton Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Stoke‑on‑Trent, Staffordshire ST4 7QB, UK
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16
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Targeting cholesterol homeostasis in hematopoietic malignancies. Blood 2021; 139:165-176. [PMID: 34610110 PMCID: PMC8814816 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021012788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol is a vital lipid for cellular functions. It is necessary for membrane biogenesis, cell proliferation and differentiation. In addition to maintaining cell integrity and permeability, increasing evidence indicates a strict link between cholesterol homeostasis, inflammation and haematological tumors. This makes cholesterol homeostasis an optimal therapeutic target for hematopoietic malignancies. Manipulating cholesterol homeostasis either interfering with its synthesis or activating the reverse cholesterol transport via the engagement of liver X receptors (LXRs), affects the integrity of tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo. Cholesterol homeostasis has also been manipulated to restore antitumor immune responses in preclinical models. These observations have prompted clinical trials in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to test the combination of chemotherapy with drugs interfering with cholesterol synthesis, i.e. statins. We review the role of cholesterol homeostasis in hematopoietic malignancies, as well as in cells of the tumor microenvironment, and discuss the potential use of lipid modulators for therapeutic purposes.
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Post-Translational Modification and Subcellular Compartmentalization: Emerging Concepts on the Regulation and Physiopathological Relevance of RhoGTPases. Cells 2021; 10:cells10081990. [PMID: 34440759 PMCID: PMC8393718 DOI: 10.3390/cells10081990] [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: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells and tissues are continuously exposed to both chemical and physical stimuli and dynamically adapt and respond to this variety of external cues to ensure cellular homeostasis, regulated development and tissue-specific differentiation. Alterations of these pathways promote disease progression-a prominent example being cancer. Rho GTPases are key regulators of the remodeling of cytoskeleton and cell membranes and their coordination and integration with different biological processes, including cell polarization and motility, as well as other signaling networks such as growth signaling and proliferation. Apart from the control of GTP-GDP cycling, Rho GTPase activity is spatially and temporally regulated by post-translation modifications (PTMs) and their assembly onto specific protein complexes, which determine their controlled activity at distinct cellular compartments. Although Rho GTPases were traditionally conceived as targeted from the cytosol to the plasma membrane to exert their activity, recent research demonstrates that active pools of different Rho GTPases also localize to endomembranes and the nucleus. In this review, we discuss how PTM-driven modulation of Rho GTPases provides a versatile mechanism for their compartmentalization and functional regulation. Understanding how the subcellular sorting of active small GTPase pools occurs and what its functional significance is could reveal novel therapeutic opportunities.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Many drugs approved for other indications can control the growth of tumor cells and limit adverse events (AE). DATA SOURCES Literature searches with keywords 'repurposing and cancer' books, websites: https://clinicaltrials.gov/, for drug structures: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/. AREAS OF AGREEMENT Introducing approved drugs, such as those developed to treat diabetes (Metformin) or inflammation (Thalidomide), identified to have cytostatic activity, can enhance chemotherapy or even replace more cytotoxic drugs. Also, anti-inflammatory compounds, cytokines and inhibitors of proteolysis can be used to control the side effects of chemo- and immuno-therapies or as second-line treatments for tumors resistant to kinase inhibitors (KI). Drugs specifically developed for cancer therapy, such as interferons (IFN), the tyrosine KI abivertinib TKI (tyrosine kinase inhibitor) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor inhibitors, may help control symptoms of Covid-19. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY Better knowledge of mechanisms of drug activities is essential for repurposing. Chemotherapies induce ER stress and enhance mutation rates and chromosome alterations, leading to resistance that cannot always be related to mutations in the target gene. Metformin, thalidomide and cytokines (IFN, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and others) have pleiomorphic activities, some of which can enhance tumorigenesis. The small and fragile patient pools available for clinical trials can cloud the data on the usefulness of cotreatments. GROWING POINTS Better understanding of drug metabolism and mechanisms should aid in repurposing drugs for primary, adjuvant and adjunct treatments. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH Optimizing drug combinations, reducing cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutics and controlling associated inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine H Schein
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity (IHII), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77555, USA
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Cholesterol-lowering drug pitavastatin targets lung cancer and angiogenesis via suppressing prenylation-dependent Ras/Raf/MEK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling. Anticancer Drugs 2021; 31:377-384. [PMID: 32011362 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000000885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic agents that target both tumor cell and vascular endothelial cell may achieve additional anti-tumor efficacy, particularly in lung cancer due to the critical roles of angiogenesis during lung cancer progression and metastasis. In this work, we showed that pitavastatin, a novel cholesterol-lowering drug, potently inhibited lung cancer cells and angiogenesis. This was achieved by the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation of lung cancer cells and human lung tumor-associated endothelial cell. Pitavastatin was not only effective to chemo-sensitive but also chemo-resistant lung cancer cells. This was also consistent with the finding that pitavastatin significantly enhanced cisplatin's efficacy in lung cancer xenograft model without causing toxicity in mice. We further showed that pitavastatin inhibited lung tumor angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo through suppressing human lung tumor-associated endothelial cell migration and morphogenesis without affecting adhesion. Mechanistically, we showed that pitavastatin acted on lung cancer cells and human lung tumor-associated endothelial cell through suppressing prenylation-dependent Ras/Raf/MEK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling. Our work is the first to demonstrate the inhibitory effects of pitavastatin on Ras-mediated signaling. Our findings provide pre-clinical evidence to repurpose pitavastatin for the treatment of lung cancer.
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20
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Juarez D, Fruman DA. Targeting the Mevalonate Pathway in Cancer. Trends Cancer 2021; 7:525-540. [PMID: 33358111 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2020.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The mevalonate synthesis inhibitors, statins, are mainstay therapeutics for cholesterol management and cardiovascular health. Thirty years of research have uncovered supportive roles for the mevalonate pathway in numerous cellular processes that support oncogenesis, most recently macropinocytosis. Central to the diverse mechanisms of statin sensitivity is an acquired dependence on one mevalonate pathway output, protein geranylgeranylation. New chemical prenylation probes and the discovery of a novel geranylgeranyl transferase hold promise to deepen our understanding of statin mechanisms of action. Further, insights into statin selection and the counterproductive role of dietary geranylgeraniol highlight how we should assess statins in the clinic. Lastly, rational combination strategies preview how statins will enter the oncology toolbox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Juarez
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - David A Fruman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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21
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Bytautaite M, Petrikaite V. Comparative Study of Lipophilic Statin Activity in 2D and 3D in vitro Models of Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:13201-13209. [PMID: 33380809 PMCID: PMC7769197 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s283033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Statins are a type of drugs that are used to lower cholesterol level in blood. Since the early 1990s, it has been known that statins could be beneficial in cancer therapy. However, data remain controversial, especially regarding estrogen receptors status. Despite many studies in breast cancer models in vitro, the correlations of effects of separate statins in various model systems remain unclear. Aim Our aim was to evaluate the anticancer activity of lovastatin, mevastatin, pitavastatin and simvastatin on different subtypes of human breast cancer (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines) in spatially different 2D and 3D cultures in vitro. Materials and Methods Cell viability was tested using MTT assay. Effect of statins on cell colony formation was evaluated by calculating breast cancer cell colony area and number. The effect on cell migration was estimated by “wound healing” assay. The activity of compounds in 3D cultures was evaluated by measuring the spheroid size changes during incubation. Results Among the tested statins, pitavastatin had the greatest effect on the viability of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines. The mevastatin and pitavastatin mostly decreased the MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell colony formation. All statins at 90% of their estimated effective concentration (EC50) and simvastatin at 10% of its EC50 concentration suppressed the MCF-7 cells migration in “wound healing” assay. Only higher concentrations of mevastatin and pitavastatin slowed down the MDA-MB-231 cell migration. Statins showed different activity on 3D cell cultures growth. Lovastatin and simvastatin delayed the growth of MDA-MB-231 cell spheroids, while mevastatin and pitavastatin reduced the growth of MCF-7 spheroids. Conclusion Statins possess different anticancer activity in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell cultures. Pitavastatin and simvastatin showed the highest activity in most tested assays, especially against MCF-7 cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meda Bytautaite
- Laboratory of Drug Targets Histopathology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, LT-50162, Lithuania
| | - Vilma Petrikaite
- Laboratory of Drug Targets Histopathology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, LT-50162, Lithuania
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22
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Martinho MS, Nancarrow DJ, Lawrence TS, Beer DG, Ray D. Chaperones and Ubiquitin Ligases Balance Mutant p53 Protein Stability in Esophageal and Other Digestive Cancers. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 11:449-464. [PMID: 33130332 PMCID: PMC7788241 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2020.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and other gastrointestinal (GI) cancers have risen dramatically, thus defining the oncogenic drivers to develop effective therapies are necessary. Patients with Barrett's Esophagus (BE), have an elevated risk of developing EAC. Around 70%-80% of BE cases that progress to dysplasia and cancer have detectable TP53 mutations. Similarly, in other GI cancers higher rates of TP53 mutation are reported, which provide a significant survival advantage to dysplastic/cancer cells. Targeting molecular chaperones that mediate mutant p53 stability may effectively induce mutant p53 degradation and improve cancer outcomes. Statins can achieve this via disrupting the interaction between mutant p53 and the chaperone DNAJA1, promoting CHIP-mediated degradation of mutant p53, and statins are reported to significantly reduce the risk of BE progression to EAC. However, statins demonstrated sub-optimal efficacy depending on cancer types and TP53 mutation specificity. Besides the well-established role of MDM2 in p53 stability, we reported that individual isoforms of the E3 ubiquitin ligase GRAIL (RNF128) are critical, tissue-specific regulators of mutant p53 stability in BE progression to EAC, and targeting the interaction of mutant p53 with these isoforms may help mitigate EAC development. In this review, we discuss the critical ubiquitin-proteasome and chaperone regulation of mutant p53 stability in EAC and other GI cancers with future insights as to how to affect mutant p53 stability, further noting how the precise p53 mutation may influence the efficacy of treatment strategies and identifying necessary directions for further research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- May San Martinho
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan,Section of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Derek J. Nancarrow
- Section of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - David G. Beer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan,Section of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Dipankar Ray
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan,Correspondence Address correspondence to: Dipankar Ray, PhD, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109. fax: (734) 763-1581.
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23
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Barbalata CI, Tefas LR, Achim M, Tomuta I, Porfire AS. Statins in risk-reduction and treatment of cancer. World J Clin Oncol 2020; 11:573-588. [PMID: 32879845 PMCID: PMC7443827 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v11.i8.573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Statins, which are competitive inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, reduce cholesterol blood levels and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and their related complications. In addition to this main activity, statins show pleiotropic effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties, with applications in many pathologies. Based on their antiproliferative properties, in vitro and in vivo studies have investigated their effects on various types of cancer (i.e., breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer) with different genetic and molecular characteristics. Many positive results were obtained, but they were highly dependent on the physiochemical properties of the statins, their dose and treatment period. Combined therapies of statins and cytotoxic drugs have also been tested, and synergistic or additive effects were observed. Moreover, observational studies performed on patients who used statins for different pathologies, revealed that statins reduced the risk of developing various cancers, and improved the outcomes for cancer patients. Currently, there are many ongoing clinical trials aimed at exploring the potential of statins to lower the mortality and the disease-recurrence risk. All these results are the foundation of new treatment directions in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina I Barbalata
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu-Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400012, Romania
| | - Lucia R Tefas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu-Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400012, Romania
| | - Marcela Achim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu-Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400012, Romania
| | - Ioan Tomuta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu-Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400012, Romania
| | - Alina S Porfire
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu-Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400012, Romania
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24
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Xue L, Qi H, Zhang H, Ding L, Huang Q, Zhao D, Wu BJ, Li X. Targeting SREBP-2-Regulated Mevalonate Metabolism for Cancer Therapy. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1510. [PMID: 32974183 PMCID: PMC7472741 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, targeting metabolic reprogramming has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach for fighting cancer. Sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 (SREBP-2), a basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper transcription factor, mainly regulates genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis and homeostasis. SREBP-2 binds to the sterol regulatory elements (SREs) in the promoters of its target genes and activates the transcription of mevalonate pathway genes, such as HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR), mevalonate kinase and other key enzymes. In this review, we first summarized the structure of SREBP-2 and its activation and regulation by multiple signaling pathways. We then found that SREBP-2 and its regulated enzymes, including HMGCR, FPPS, SQS, and DHCR4 from the mevalonate pathway, participate in the progression of various cancers, including prostate, breast, lung, and hepatocellular cancer, as potential targets. Importantly, preclinical and clinical research demonstrated that fatostatin, statins, and N-BPs targeting SREBP-2, HMGCR, and FPPS, respectively, alone or in combination with other drugs, have been used for the treatment of different cancers. This review summarizes new insights into the critical role of the SREBP-2-regulated mevalonate pathway for cancer and its potential for targeted cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linyuan Xue
- Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Hongyu Qi
- Key Laboratory of Active Substances and Biological Mechanisms of Ginseng Efficacy, Ministry of Education, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Bio-Macromolecules of Chinese Medicine, Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - He Zhang
- Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Lu Ding
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Qingxia Huang
- Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory of Active Substances and Biological Mechanisms of Ginseng Efficacy, Ministry of Education, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Bio-Macromolecules of Chinese Medicine, Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Daqing Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Active Substances and Biological Mechanisms of Ginseng Efficacy, Ministry of Education, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Bio-Macromolecules of Chinese Medicine, Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Boyang Jason Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, United States
| | - Xiangyan Li
- Key Laboratory of Active Substances and Biological Mechanisms of Ginseng Efficacy, Ministry of Education, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Bio-Macromolecules of Chinese Medicine, Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
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Matusewicz L, Czogalla A, Sikorski AF. Attempts to use statins in cancer therapy: An update. Tumour Biol 2020; 42:1010428320941760. [PMID: 32662332 DOI: 10.1177/1010428320941760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although it could be speculated that almost everything has been said concerning the use of statins in cancer therapy, statins as anticancer drugs have both committed supporters and opponents, for whom the dispute about the legitimacy of statin use in cancer treatment seems never to be clearly resolved; every year more than 300 reports which deepen the knowledge about statins and their influence on cancer cells are published. In this mini-review, we focus on the latest (since 2015) outcomes of cohort studies and meta-analyses indicating statin effectiveness in cancer treatment. We discuss attempts to improve the bioavailability of statins using nanocarriers and review the effectiveness of statins in combined therapies. We also summarise the latest results regarding the development of mechanisms of resistance to statins by cancer cells and, on the other hand, give a few examples where statins could potentially be used to overcome resistance to commonly used chemotherapeutics. Finally, special attention is paid to new reports on the effect of statins on epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucyna Matusewicz
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Aleksander Czogalla
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
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Statin as anti-cancer therapy in autochthonous T-lymphomas expressing stabilized gain-of-function mutant p53 proteins. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:274. [PMID: 32332697 PMCID: PMC7181693 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2466-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
An important component of missense mutant p53 gain-of-function (mutp53 GOF) activities is the ability of stabilized mutp53 proteins to upregulate the mevalonate pathway, providing a rationale for exploring the statin family of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors as anticancer agents in mutp53 tumors. In this small exploratory study we report on the effects of statin treatment in autochthonous mouse models of clinically advanced T-cell lymphoma expressing two different GOF mutp53 alleles. We find that Rosuvastatin monotherapy shows a modest, p53 allele-selective and transient anti-tumor effect in autochthonous T-lymphomas expressing the p53 R248Q DNA contact mutant, but not in tumors expressing the p53 R172H conformational mutant. p53 null mice also do not benefit. In vitro statin sensitivity is not a strong predictor for in vivo sensitivity, while subcutaneous allografts are. Future explorations of statins in combination therapies are justified to improve its anti-tumor effects and to better define the most statin-sensitive alleles and tumor types among mutp53-stabilized cancers.
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27
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Gelosa P, Castiglioni L, Camera M, Sironi L. Repurposing of drugs approved for cardiovascular diseases: Opportunity or mirage? Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 177:113895. [PMID: 32145263 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Drug repurposing is a promising way in drug discovery to identify new therapeutic uses -different from the original medical indication- for existing drugs. It has many advantages over traditional approaches to de novo drug discovery, since it can significantly reduce healthcare costs and development timeline. In this review, we discuss the possible repurposing of drugs approved for cardiovascular diseases, such as β-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), statins, aspirin, cardiac glycosides and low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs). Indeed, numerous experimental and epidemiological studies have reported promising anti-cancer activities for these drugs. It is worth mentioning, however, that the results of these studies are often controversial and very few data were obtained by controlled prospective clinical trials. Therefore, no final conclusion has yet been reached in this area and no final recommendations can be made. Moreover, β-blockers, ARBs and statins showed promising results in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) where pathological conditions other than cancer were considered. The results obtained have led or may lead to new indications for these drugs. For each drug or class of drugs, the potential molecular mechanisms of action justifying repurposing, results obtained in vitro and in animal models and data from epidemiological and randomized studies are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Gelosa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Castiglioni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Marina Camera
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
| | - Luigi Sironi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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Schein CH. Repurposing approved drugs on the pathway to novel therapies. Med Res Rev 2020; 40:586-605. [PMID: 31432544 PMCID: PMC7018532 DOI: 10.1002/med.21627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The time and cost of developing new drugs have led many groups to limit their search for therapeutics to compounds that have previously been approved for human use. Many "repurposed" drugs, such as derivatives of thalidomide, antibiotics, and antivirals have had clinical success in treatment areas well beyond their original approved use. These include applications in treating antibiotic-resistant organisms, viruses, cancers and to prevent burn scarring. The major theoretical justification for reusing approved drugs is that they have known modes of action and controllable side effects. Coadministering antibiotics with inhibitors of bacterial toxins or enzymes that mediate multidrug resistance can greatly enhance their activity. Drugs that control host cell pathways, including inflammation, tumor necrosis factor, interferons, and autophagy, can reduce the "cytokine storm" response to injury, control infection, and aid in cancer therapy. An active compound, even if previously approved for human use, will be a poor clinical candidate if it lacks specificity for the new target, has poor solubility or can cause serious side effects. Synergistic combinations can reduce the dosages of the individual components to lower reactivity. Preclinical analysis should take into account that severely ill patients with comorbidities will be more sensitive to side effects than healthy trial subjects. Once an active, approved drug has been identified, collaboration with medicinal chemists can aid in finding derivatives with better physicochemical properties, specificity, and efficacy, to provide novel therapies for cancers, emerging and rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine H Schein
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Human Infection and Immunity (IHII), University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas
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Friggeri L, Hargrove TY, Wawrzak Z, Guengerich FP, Lepesheva GI. Validation of Human Sterol 14α-Demethylase (CYP51) Druggability: Structure-Guided Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Stoichiometric, Functionally Irreversible Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2019; 62:10391-10401. [PMID: 31663733 PMCID: PMC6881533 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Sterol 14α-demethylases (CYP51) are the cytochrome P450 enzymes required for biosynthesis of sterols in eukaryotes, the major targets for antifungal agents and prospective targets for treatment of protozoan infections. Human CYP51 could be and, for a while, was considered as a potential target for cholesterol-lowering drugs (the role that is now played by statins, which are also in clinical trials for cancer) but revealed high intrinsic resistance to inhibition. While microbial CYP51 enzymes are often inhibited stoichiometrically and functionally irreversibly, no strong inhibitors have been identified for human CYP51. In this study, we used comparative structure/functional analysis of CYP51 orthologs from different biological kingdoms and employed site-directed mutagenesis to elucidate the molecular basis for the resistance of the human enzyme to inhibition and also designed, synthesized, and characterized new compounds. Two of them inhibit human CYP51 functionally irreversibly with their potency approaching the potencies of azole drugs currently used to inhibit microbial CYP51.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Friggeri
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Tatiana Y. Hargrove
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Zdzislaw Wawrzak
- Synchrotron Research Center, Life Science Collaborative Access Team, Northwestern University, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - F. Peter Guengerich
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Galina I. Lepesheva
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
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Abstract
IMPORTANCE Observational data linking physical activity and exercise exposure with reduced risk of either development or progression of cancer have fueled interest in the initiation of large-scale definitive trials to test the association of exercise therapy with disease outcomes. However, several major knowledge gaps impede the rational and optimal design of such trials. OBSERVATIONS Critical requirements underpinning the success of several recent contemporary anticancer agents have included adequate demonstration of antitumor activity (in phase 1/2 trials) as well as identification of essential prerequisites (eg, biologically effective dose and predictors of response) permitting optimal design of definitive trials. The existing evidence base investigating exercise as a candidate anticancer preventive or treatment strategy is predominantly confined to observational data, which have several inherent limitations. Consequently, the antitumor activity of exercise remains unclear and, perhaps more important, such data are not sufficient to accurately derive the exercise dose, prescription regimen, or patients most likely to benefit from exercise. In adherence with translational frameworks for lifestyle therapy development, the need for early phase 1/2-equivalent trials to fill current knowledge gaps to optimize the development and potential efficacy of exercise therapy is highlighted. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Exercise therapy has significant promise to be an efficacious and cost-effective therapy to improve cancer outcomes, with few toxic effects. Although most nontraditional therapies in cancer prevention and prognosis fail in definitive trials, these failures provide critical lessons for the continued development of exercise as a candidate anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil M. Iyengar
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Lee W. Jones
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
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Xiong Z, Cao X, Wen Q, Chen Z, Cheng Z, Huang X, Zhang Y, Long C, Zhang Y, Huang Z. An overview of the bioactivity of monacolin K / lovastatin. Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 131:110585. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.110585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Fong W, To KKW. Drug repurposing to overcome resistance to various therapies for colorectal cancer. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:3383-3406. [PMID: 31087119 PMCID: PMC11105507 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03134-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Emergence of novel treatment modalities provides effective therapeutic options, apart from conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy, to fight against colorectal cancer. Unfortunately, drug resistance remains a huge challenge in clinics, leading to invariable occurrence of disease progression after treatment initiation. While novel drug development is unfavorable in terms of time frame and costs, drug repurposing is one of the promising strategies to combat resistance. This approach refers to the application of clinically available drugs to treat a different disease. With the well-established safety profile and optimal dosing of these approved drugs, their combination with current cancer therapy is suggested to provide an economical, safe and efficacious approach to overcome drug resistance and prolong patient survival. Here, we review both preclinical and clinical efficacy, as well as cellular mechanisms, of some extensively studied repurposed drugs, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, statins, metformin, chloroquine, disulfiram, niclosamide, zoledronic acid and angiotensin receptor blockers. The three major treatment modalities in the management of colorectal cancer, namely classical cytotoxic chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy, are covered in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winnie Fong
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Room 801N, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Area 39, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kenneth K W To
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Room 801N, Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Area 39, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Gu L, Saha ST, Thomas J, Kaur M. Targeting cellular cholesterol for anticancer therapy. FEBS J 2019; 286:4192-4208. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.15018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Liang Gu
- School of Molecular and Cell Biology University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South Africa
| | - Sourav Taru Saha
- School of Molecular and Cell Biology University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South Africa
| | - Jodie Thomas
- School of Molecular and Cell Biology University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South Africa
| | - Mandeep Kaur
- School of Molecular and Cell Biology University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South Africa
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Screening a library of approved drugs reveals that prednisolone synergizes with pitavastatin to induce ovarian cancer cell death. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9632. [PMID: 31270377 PMCID: PMC6610640 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46102-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The survival rate for patients with ovarian cancer has changed little in the past three decades since the introduction of platinum-based chemotherapy and new drugs are needed. Statins are drugs used for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Recent work from our laboratory has shown that pitavastatin has potential as a treatment for ovarian cancer if dietary geranylgeraniol is controlled. However, relatively high doses of statins are required to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, increasing the risk of myopathy, the most common adverse effect associated with statins. This makes it desirable to identify drugs which reduce the dose of pitavastatin necessary to treat cancer. A drug-repositioning strategy was employed to identify suitable candidates. Screening a custom library of 100 off-patent drugs for synergistic activity with pitavastatin identified prednisolone as the most prominent hit. Prednisolone potentiated the activity of pitavastatin in several assays measuring the growth, survival or apoptosis in several ovarian cancer cells lines. Prednisolone, alone or in some cases in combination with pitavastatin, reduced the expression of genes encoding enzymes in the mevalonate pathway, providing a mechanistic explanation for the synergy.
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Obesity-Induced Adipose Tissue Inflammation as a Strong Promotional Factor for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cells 2019; 8:cells8070673. [PMID: 31277269 PMCID: PMC6678863 DOI: 10.3390/cells8070673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is expected to soon become the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States. This may be due to the rising obesity prevalence, which is a recognized risk factor for PDAC. There is great interest in deciphering the underlying driving mechanisms of the obesity–PDAC link. Visceral adiposity has a strong correlation to certain metabolic diseases and gastrointestinal cancers, including PDAC. In fact, our own data strongly suggest that visceral adipose tissue inflammation is a strong promoter for PDAC growth and progression in a genetically engineered mouse model of PDAC and diet-induced obesity. In this review, we will discuss the relationship between obesity-associated adipose tissue inflammation and PDAC development, with a focus on the key molecular and cellular components in the dysfunctional visceral adipose tissue, which provides a tumor permissive environment.
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