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Julson JR, Quinn CH, Bownes LV, Hutchins SC, Stewart JE, Aye J, Yoon KJ, Beierle EA. Inhibition of PIM Kinases Promotes Neuroblastoma Cell Differentiation to a Neuronal Phenotype. J Pediatr Surg 2023; 58:1155-1163. [PMID: 36907773 PMCID: PMC10198809 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2023.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma arises from aberrancies in neural stem cell differentiation. PIM kinases contribute to cancer formation, but their precise role in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis is poorly understood. In the current study, we evaluated the effects of PIM kinase inhibition on neuroblastoma differentiation. METHODS Versteeg database query assessed the correlation between PIM gene expression and the expression of neuronal stemness markers and relapse free survival. PIM kinases were inhibited with AZD1208. Viability, proliferation, motility were measured in established neuroblastoma cells lines and high-risk neuroblastoma patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). qPCR and flow cytometry detected changes in neuronal stemness marker expression after AZD1208 treatment. RESULTS Database query showed increased levels of PIM1, PIM2, or PIM3 gene expression were associated with higher risk of recurrent or progressive neuroblastoma. Increased levels of PIM1 were associated with lower relapse free survival rates. Higher levels of PIM1 correlated with lower levels of neuronal stemness markers OCT4, NANOG, and SOX2. Treatment with AZD1208 resulted in increased expression of neuronal stemness markers. CONCLUSIONS Inhibition of PIM kinases differentiated neuroblastoma cancer cells toward a neuronal phenotype. Differentiation is a key component of preventing neuroblastoma relapse or recurrence and PIM kinase inhibition provides a potential new therapeutic strategy for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet R Julson
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Colin H Quinn
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Laura V Bownes
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Sara C Hutchins
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Jerry E Stewart
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Jamie Aye
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Karina J Yoon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Beierle
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
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Bownes LV, Julson JR, Quinn CH, Hutchins SC, Erwin MH, Markert HR, Stewart JE, Mroczek-Musulman E, Aye J, Yoon KJ, Ohlmeyer M, Beierle EA. The Effects of Protein Phosphatase 2A Activation with Novel Tricyclic Sulfonamides on Hepatoblastoma. J Pediatr Surg 2023; 58:1145-1154. [PMID: 36907775 PMCID: PMC10198925 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2023.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The tumor suppressor, protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), is downregulated in hepatoblastoma. We aimed to examine the effects of two novel compounds of the tricyclic sulfonamide class, ATUX-3364 (3364) and ATUX-8385 (8385), designed to activate PP2A without causing immunosuppression, on human hepatoblastoma. METHODS An established human hepatoblastoma cell line, HuH6, and a human hepatoblastoma patient-derived xenograft, COA67, were treated with increasing doses of 3364 or 8385, and viability, proliferation, cell cycle and motility were investigated. Cancer cell stemness was evaluated by real-time PCR and tumorsphere forming ability. Effects on tumor growth were examined using a murine model. RESULTS Treatment with 3364 or 8385 significantly decreased viability, proliferation, cell cycle progression and motility in HuH6 and COA67 cells. Both compounds significantly decreased stemness as demonstrated by decreased abundance of OCT4, NANOG, and SOX2 mRNA. The ability of COA67 to form tumorspheres, another sign of cancer cell stemness, was significantly diminished by 3364 and 8385. Treatment with 3364 resulted in decreased tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSION Novel PP2A activators, 3364 and 8385, decreased hepatoblastoma proliferation, viability, and cancer cell stemness in vitro. Animals treated with 3364 had decreased tumor growth. These data provide evidence for further investigation of PP2A activating compounds as hepatoblastoma therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura V Bownes
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Janet R Julson
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Colin H Quinn
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Sara Claire Hutchins
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Michael H Erwin
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Hooper R Markert
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Jerry E Stewart
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | | | - Jamie Aye
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Karina J Yoon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth A Beierle
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.
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Quinn CH, Beierle AM, Julson JR, Erwin ME, Alrefai H, Markert HR, Stewart JE, Hutchins SC, Bownes LV, Aye JM, Mroczek-Musulman E, Hicks PH, Yoon KJ, Willey CD, Beierle1 EA. Using 3D-bioprinted models to study pediatric neural crest-derived tumors. Int J Bioprint 2023; 9:723. [PMID: 37323483 PMCID: PMC10261178 DOI: 10.18063/ijb.723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has remained at the forefront of tissue engineering and has recently been employed for generating bioprinted solid tumors to be used as cancer models to test therapeutics. In pediatrics, neural crest-derived tumors are the most common type of extracranial solid tumors. There are only a few tumor-specific therapies that directly target these tumors, and the lack of new therapies remains detrimental to improving the outcomes for these patients. The absence of more efficacious therapies for pediatric solid tumors, in general, may be due to the inability of the currently employed preclinical models to recapitulate the solid tumor phenotype. In this study, we utilized 3D bioprinting to generate neural crest-derived solid tumors. The bioprinted tumors consisted of cells from established cell lines and patient-derived xenograft tumors mixed with a 6% gelatin/1% sodium alginate bioink. The viability and morphology of the bioprints were analyzed via bioluminescence and immunohisto chemistry, respectively. We compared the bioprints to traditional twodimensional (2D) cell culture under conditions such as hypoxia and therapeutics. We successfully produced viable neural crest-derived tumors that retained the histology and immunostaining characteristics of the original parent tumors. The bioprinted tumors propagated in culture and grew in orthotopic murine models. Furthermore, compared to cells grown in traditional 2D culture, the bioprinted tumors were resistant to hypoxia and chemotherapeutics, suggesting that the bioprints exhibited a phenotype that is consistent with that seen clinically in solid tumors, thus potentially making this model superior to traditional 2D culture for preclinical investigations. Future applications of this technology entail the potential to rapidly print pediatric solid tumors for use in high-throughput drug studies, expediting the identification of novel, individualized therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin H Quinn
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35205, USA
| | - Andee M Beierle
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35205, USA
| | - Janet R Julson
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35205, USA
| | - Michael E Erwin
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35205, USA
| | - Hasan Alrefai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35205, USA
| | - Hooper R Markert
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35205, USA
| | - Jerry E Stewart
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35205, USA
| | - Sara Claire Hutchins
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Laura V Bownes
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35205, USA
| | - Jamie M Aye
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | | | - Patricia H Hicks
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Karina J Yoon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Christopher D Willey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35205, USA
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Bownes LV, Marayati R, Quinn CH, Beierle AM, Hutchins SC, Julson JR, Erwin MH, Stewart JE, Mroczek-Musulman E, Ohlmeyer M, Aye JM, Yoon KJ, Beierle EA. Pre-Clinical Study Evaluating Novel Protein Phosphatase 2A Activators as Therapeutics for Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1952. [PMID: 35454859 PMCID: PMC9026148 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) functions as an inhibitor of cancer cell proliferation, and its tumor suppressor function is attenuated in many cancers. Previous studies utilized FTY720, an immunomodulating compound known to activate PP2A, and demonstrated a decrease in the malignant phenotype in neuroblastoma. We wished to investigate the effects of two novel PP2A activators, ATUX-792 (792) and DBK-1154 (1154). METHODS Long-term passage neuroblastoma cell lines and human neuroblastoma patient-derived xenograft (PDX) cells were used. Cells were treated with 792 or 1154, and viability, proliferation, and motility were examined. The effect on tumor growth was investigated using a murine flank tumor model. RESULTS Treatment with 792 or 1154 resulted in PP2A activation, decreased cell survival, proliferation, and motility in neuroblastoma cells. Immunoblotting revealed a decrease in MYCN protein expression with increasing concentrations of 792 and 1154. Treatment with 792 led to tumor necrosis and decreased tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS PP2A activation with 792 or 1154 decreased survival, proliferation, and motility of neuroblastoma in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Both compounds resulted in decreased expression of the oncogenic protein MYCN. These findings indicate a potential therapeutic role for these novel PP2A activators in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura V. Bownes
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | - Raoud Marayati
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | - Colin H. Quinn
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | - Andee M. Beierle
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | - Sara C. Hutchins
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (S.C.H.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Janet R. Julson
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | - Michael H. Erwin
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | - Jerry E. Stewart
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | | | | | - Jamie M. Aye
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (S.C.H.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Karina J. Yoon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA;
| | - Elizabeth A. Beierle
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
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Quinn CH, Beierle AM, Hutchins SC, Marayati R, Bownes LV, Stewart JE, Markert HR, Erwin MH, Aye JM, Yoon KJ, Friedman GK, Willey CD, Markert JM, Beierle EA. Targeting High-Risk Neuroblastoma Patient-Derived Xenografts with Oncolytic Virotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030762. [PMID: 35159029 PMCID: PMC8834037 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children, and over 15% of pediatric cancer-related mortalities are due to neuroblastoma. Current treatment options for neuroblastoma remain suboptimal as they often have significant toxicities, are associated with long-term side effects, and result in disease relapse in over half of children with high-risk disease. There is a dire need for new therapies, and oncolytic viruses may represent an effective solution. Oncolytic viruses attack tumor cells in two ways: direct infection of tumor cells leading to cytolysis, and production of a debris field that stimulates an anti-tumor immune response. Our group has previously shown that M002, an oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV), genetically engineered to express murine interleukin-12 (mIL-12), was effective at targeting and killing long term passage tumor cell lines. In the current study, we investigated M002 in three neuroblastoma patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). PDXs better recapitulate the human condition, and these studies were designed to gather robust data for translation to a clinical trial. We found that all three PDXs expressed viral entry receptors, and that the virus actively replicated in the cells. M002 caused significant tumor cell death in 2D culture and 3D bioprinted tumor models. Finally, the PDXs displayed variable susceptibility to M002, with a more profound effect on high-risk neuroblastoma PDXs compared to low-risk PDX. These findings validate the importance of incorporating PDXs for preclinical testing of oncolytic viral therapeutics and showcase a novel technique, 3D bioprinting, to test therapies in PDXs. Collectively, our data indicate that oHSVs effectively target high-risk neuroblastoma, and support the advancement of this therapy to the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin H. Quinn
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA; (C.H.Q.); (R.M.); (L.V.B.); (J.E.S.); (H.R.M.); (M.H.E.)
| | - Andee M. Beierle
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (A.M.B.); (C.D.W.)
| | - Sara Claire Hutchins
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (S.C.H.); (J.M.A.); (G.K.F.)
| | - Raoud Marayati
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA; (C.H.Q.); (R.M.); (L.V.B.); (J.E.S.); (H.R.M.); (M.H.E.)
| | - Laura V. Bownes
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA; (C.H.Q.); (R.M.); (L.V.B.); (J.E.S.); (H.R.M.); (M.H.E.)
| | - Jerry E. Stewart
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA; (C.H.Q.); (R.M.); (L.V.B.); (J.E.S.); (H.R.M.); (M.H.E.)
| | - Hooper R. Markert
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA; (C.H.Q.); (R.M.); (L.V.B.); (J.E.S.); (H.R.M.); (M.H.E.)
| | - Michael H. Erwin
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA; (C.H.Q.); (R.M.); (L.V.B.); (J.E.S.); (H.R.M.); (M.H.E.)
| | - Jamie M. Aye
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (S.C.H.); (J.M.A.); (G.K.F.)
| | - Karina J. Yoon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA;
| | - Gregory K. Friedman
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (S.C.H.); (J.M.A.); (G.K.F.)
| | - Christopher D. Willey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (A.M.B.); (C.D.W.)
| | - James M. Markert
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA;
| | - Elizabeth A. Beierle
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA; (C.H.Q.); (R.M.); (L.V.B.); (J.E.S.); (H.R.M.); (M.H.E.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-205-638-9688
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