1
|
Dirks ML, McDougal OM. Pharmacology of Veratrum californicum Alkaloids as Hedgehog Pathway Antagonists. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:123. [PMID: 38256956 PMCID: PMC10821092 DOI: 10.3390/ph17010123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Veratrum californicum contains steroidal alkaloids that function as inhibitors of hedgehog (Hh) signaling, a pathway involved in the growth and differentiation of cells and normal tissue development. This same Hh pathway is abnormally active for cell proliferation in more than 20 types of cancer. In this current study, alkaloids have been extracted from the root and rhizome of V. californicum, followed by their separation into five fractions using high performance liquid chromatography. Mass spectrometry was used to identify the presence of twenty-five alkaloids, nine more than are commonly cited in literature reports, and the Bruker Compass Data Analysis software was used to predict the molecular formula for every detected alkaloid. The Gli activity of the raw extract and each fraction were compared to 0.1 µM cyclopamine, and fractions 1, 2, and 4 showed increased bioactivity through suppression of the Hh signaling pathway. Fractions 2 and 4 had enhanced bioactivity, but fraction 1 was most effective in inhibiting Hh signaling. The composition of fraction 1 consisted of veratrosine, cycloposine, and potential isomers of each.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madison L. Dirks
- Biomolecular Sciences Graduate Programs, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA;
| | - Owen M. McDougal
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen H, Zhao P, Zhang C, Ming X, Zhang C, Jung YS, Qian Y. Veratramine inhibits porcine epidemic diarrhea virus entry through macropinocytosis by suppressing PI3K/Akt pathway. Virus Res 2024; 339:199260. [PMID: 37923169 PMCID: PMC10661853 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a contagious intestinal disease caused by α-coronavirus porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). At present, no effective vaccine is available to prevent the disease. Therefore, research for novel antivirals is important. This study aimed to identify the antiviral mechanism of Veratramine (VAM), which actively inhibits PEDV replication with a 50 % inhibitory concentration (IC50) of ∼5 µM. Upon VAM treatment, both PEDV-nucleocapsid (N) protein level and virus titer decreased significantly. The time-of-addition assay results showed that VAM could inhibit PEDV replication by blocking viral entry. Importantly, VAM could inhibit PEDV-induced phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) activity and further suppress micropinocytosis, which is required for PEDV entry. In addition, PI3K inhibitor LY294002 showed anti-PEDV activity by blocking viral entry as well. Taken together, VAM possessed anti-PEDV properties against the entry stage of PEDV by inhibiting the macropinocytosis pathway by suppressing the PI3K/Akt pathway. VAM could be considered as a lead compound for the development of anti-PEDV drugs and may be used during the viral entry stage of PEDV infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huan Chen
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China; One Health Laboratory, Jiangsu Province Foreign Expert Workstation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Pu Zhao
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China; One Health Laboratory, Jiangsu Province Foreign Expert Workstation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Caisheng Zhang
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China; One Health Laboratory, Jiangsu Province Foreign Expert Workstation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Ming
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China; One Health Laboratory, Jiangsu Province Foreign Expert Workstation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chaofeng Zhang
- Sino-Jan Joint Lab of Natural Health Products Research, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong-Sam Jung
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China; One Health Laboratory, Jiangsu Province Foreign Expert Workstation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yingjuan Qian
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China; One Health Laboratory, Jiangsu Province Foreign Expert Workstation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Agri-Animal Husbandry Vocational College, Veterinary Bio-Pharmaceutical, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High-Tech Research and Development of Veterinary Biopharmaceuticals, Taizhou, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lear JT, Morris LM, Ness DB, Lewis LD. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Hedgehog pathway inhibitors used in the treatment of advanced or treatment-refractory basal cell carcinoma. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2023; 16:1211-1220. [PMID: 37975712 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2023.2285849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sonidegib and vismodegib are currently the only US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency-approved small-molecule Hedgehog pathway inhibitors (HHIs)for treating adults with advanced or refractory basal cell carcinoma (BCC) that is not amenable to conventional surgery or radiotherapy. At this time, there are no head-to-head clinical trials comparing these two HHIs for efficacy and safety to assist clinicians with determining which HHI may be best suited for their patients. AREAS COVERED This review briefly describes the pathogenesis of BCC, provides a detailed overview of the key pharmacokinetic profile differences between sonidegib and vismodegib, explains their pharmacodynamics, and highlights the therapeutic considerations when either HHI is used to treat special patient populations. EXPERT OPINION Although both HHIs act at the same molecular target in the Hedgehog pathway, there are significant differences in their pharmacokinetic profiles that may play a potential role in their efficacy and safety. Evidence-based recommendations serve to inform clinicians until direct comparative clinical trials of sonidegib versus vismodegib are conducted to determine the clinical relevance of the reported differences in their pharmacokinetic properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John T Lear
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Dermatology Center, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK
| | - Linda M Morris
- Department of Medicine, The Geisel School of Medicine & The Dartmouth Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Dylan B Ness
- Department of Medicine, The Geisel School of Medicine & The Dartmouth Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Lionel D Lewis
- Department of Medicine, The Geisel School of Medicine & The Dartmouth Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Feng Z, Zhu S, Li W, Yao M, Song H, Wang RB. Current approaches and strategies to identify Hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitors for cancer therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 244:114867. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
5
|
Modulation of Hedgehog Signaling for the Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma and the Development of Preclinical Models. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102376. [PMID: 36289637 PMCID: PMC9598418 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102376] [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: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. While the survivability of BCC is high, many patients are excluded from clinically available treatments due to health risks or personal choice. Further, patients with advanced or metastatic disease have severely limited treatment options. The dysregulation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling cascade drives onset and progression of BCC. As such, the modulation of this pathway has driven advancements in BCC research. In this review, we focus firstly on inhibitors that target the Hh pathway as chemotherapeutics against BCC. Two therapies targeting Hh signaling have been made clinically available for BCC patients, but these treatments suffer from limited initial efficacy and a high rate of chemoresistant tumor recurrence. Herein, we describe more recent developments of chemical scaffolds that have been designed to hopefully improve upon the available therapeutics. We secondly discuss the history and recent efforts involving modulation of the Hh genome as a method of producing in vivo models of BCC for preclinical research. While there are many advancements left to be made towards improving patient outcomes with BCC, it is clear that targeting the Hh pathway will remain at the forefront of research efforts in designing more effective chemotherapeutics as well as relevant preclinical models.
Collapse
|
6
|
Nguyen NM, Cho J. Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitors as Targeted Cancer Therapy and Strategies to Overcome Drug Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031733. [PMID: 35163655 PMCID: PMC8835893 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is a highly conserved pathway that plays a vital role during embryonic development. Recently, uncontrolled activation of this pathway has been demonstrated in various types of cancer. Therefore, Hh pathway inhibitors have emerged as an important class of anti-cancer agents. Unfortunately, however, their reputation has been tarnished by the emergence of resistance during therapy, necessitating clarification of mechanisms underlying the drug resistance. In this review, we briefly overview canonical and non-canonical Hh pathways and their inhibitors as targeted cancer therapy. In addition, we summarize the mechanisms of resistance to Smoothened (SMO) inhibitors, including point mutations of the drug binding pocket or downstream molecules of SMO, and non-canonical mechanisms to reinforce Hh pathway output. A distinct mechanism involving loss of primary cilia is also described to maintain GLI activity in resistant tumors. Finally, we address the main strategies to circumvent the drug resistance. These strategies include the development of novel and potent inhibitors targeting different components of the canonical Hh pathway or signaling molecules of the non-canonical pathway. Further studies are necessary to avoid emerging resistance to Hh inhibitors and establish an optimal customized regimen with improved therapeutic efficacy to treat various types of cancer, including basal cell carcinoma.
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang Y, Lu S, Chen Y, Li L, Li X, Qu Z, Huang J, Fan L, Yuan C, Song N, Zhang J, Xu W, Yang S, Wang Y. Smoothened is a therapeutic target for reducing glutamate toxicity in ischemic stroke. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:eaba3444. [PMID: 34516830 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aba3444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Wang
- The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, 200031 Shanghai, China
| | - Shanshan Lu
- The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | - Yifei Chen
- The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | - Liang Li
- The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | - Xia Li
- The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | - Zhongwei Qu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, 200031 Shanghai, China
| | - Junbo Huang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, 200031 Shanghai, China
| | - Liu Fan
- Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, 200031 Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Yuan
- The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | - Nan Song
- The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 200040 Shanghai, China
| | - Wendong Xu
- Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 200040 Shanghai, China
| | - Shenglian Yang
- The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China
| | - Yizheng Wang
- The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 100850 Beijing, China.,Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 200040 Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Deng C, Xu L, Zhang Y, Zhao L, Linghu Y, Yu Y. The value of the hedgehog signal in osteoblasts in fluoride-induced bone-tissue injury. J Orthop Surg Res 2021; 16:160. [PMID: 33637095 PMCID: PMC7908799 DOI: 10.1186/s13018-021-02287-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was designed to observe the expression of important hedgehog (Hh) signal factors in the bone tissue of rats with chronic fluorosis and cultured osteoblasts in order to investigate the role and significance of the Hh signal in fluoride-induced bone injury. METHODS Healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, the fluorosis group (F Group), the fluoride + blocker group (F + Cycl group: rats were treated with fluoride + cyclopamine), and the fluoride + blocker control group (F + DMSO group). After 6 months of intervention, the urinary fluoride content of rats in each group was detected. The primary osteoblasts of rats were selected for cell experiment, and the experiment was carried out after the cells were passaged from the second to the fourth generation. RESULTS The proliferation rate of primary rat osteoblasts presented time-affected and dose-affected relationships in a short time under treatment with a low dose of sodium fluoride (NaF), but the proliferation of osteoblasts was inhibited by long-term and high-dose NaF exposure. In the F group, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of osteoblasts increased gradually. The ALP activity was lower in the F + Cycl group than in the F group, and there was no significant difference between the F + DMSO group and F group. With the increase in fluoride exposure, the expression of Hh signal factors and osteogenic-related factor proteins increased gradually. The expressions of Indian hedgehog (Ihh), smoothened (Smo), Glioma-associated oncogene homolog (Gli) 2, and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2)in the F + Cycl group increased with the dose of fluoride but they were significantly inhibited compared with the F group. Compared with the control group, the content of urinary fluoride in the F group was significantly higher (P < 0.05), but there was no significant change in urinary fluoride content in the F + Cycl group and the F + DMSO group. Compared with the control group, the serum bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) contents of rats in the other groups increased after 6 months' intake of fluoride water (P < 0.05). After drug blocking, the serum BALP content in the F + Cycl group was lower than that in the F + DMSO group (P < 0.05). The BALP content in the F + DMSO group was similar to that in the F group: it did not decrease. The mRNA expressions of Ihh, Smo, Gli2, and Runx2 in bone tissue of the F group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). After cyclopamine blocking, the expressions decreased (P < 0.05), but the differences between the F + DMSO group and F group were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION Hh signal plays an important role in fluoride-induced bone injury. The effective inhibition of cyclopamine is expected to be a new target for the treatment of skeletal damage caused by fluorosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaonan Deng
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of GuiZhou Medical University, No. 28 of Guiyi Street, Guiyang, 550004, China
- Department of Pathology, GuiZhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Lin Xu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of GuiZhou Medical University, No. 28 of Guiyi Street, Guiyang, 550004, China
- Guiyang Maternal and Child Care Hospital, 550004, Guiyang, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of GuiZhou Medical University, No. 28 of Guiyi Street, Guiyang, 550004, China
- Guiyang Maternal and Child Care Hospital, 550004, Guiyang, China
| | - Lina Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of GuiZhou Medical University, No. 28 of Guiyi Street, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Yan Linghu
- Department of Pathology, GuiZhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Yanni Yu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of GuiZhou Medical University, No. 28 of Guiyi Street, Guiyang, 550004, China.
- Department of Pathology, GuiZhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Rahi S, Mehan S. Understanding Abnormal SMO-SHH Signaling in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Potential Drug Target and Therapeutic Goals. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2020; 42:931-953. [PMID: 33206287 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-01010-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Autism is a multifactorial neurodevelopmental condition; it demonstrates some main characteristics, such as impaired social relationships and increased repetitive behavior. The initiation of autism spectrum disorder is mostly triggered during brain development by the deregulation of signaling pathways. Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling is one such mechanism that influences neurogenesis and neural processes during the development of the central nervous system. SMO-SHH signaling is also an important part of a broad variety of neurological processes, including neuronal cell differentiation, proliferation, and survival. Dysregulation of SMO-SHH signaling leads to many physiological changes that lead to neurological disorders such as ASD and contribute to cognitive decline. The aberrant downregulation of SMO-SHH signals contributes to the proteolytic cleavage of GLI (glioma-associated homolog) into GLI3 (repressor), which increases oxidative stress, neuronal excitotoxicity, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis by suppressing target gene expression. We outlined in this review that SMO-SHH deregulation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of autism and addresses the current status of SMO-SHH pathway modulators. Additionally, a greater understanding of the SHH signaling pathway is an effort to improve successful treatment for autism and other neurological disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saloni Rahi
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India
| | - Sidharth Mehan
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Carpenter RL, Ray H. Safety and Tolerability of Sonic Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitors in Cancer. Drug Saf 2019; 42:263-279. [PMID: 30649745 DOI: 10.1007/s40264-018-0777-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The hedgehog pathway, for which sonic hedgehog (Shh) is the most prominent ligand, is highly conserved and is tightly associated with embryonic development in a number of species. This pathway is also tightly associated with the development of several types of cancer, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and acute promyelocytic leukemia, among many others. Inactivating mutations in Patched-1 (PTCH1), leading to ligand-independent pathway activation, are frequent in several cancer types, but most prominent in BCC. This has led to the development of several compounds targeting this pathway as a cancer therapeutic. These compounds target the inducers of this pathway in Smoothened (SMO) and the GLI transcription factors, although targeting SMO has had the most success. Despite the many attempts at targeting this pathway, only three US FDA-approved drugs for cancers affect the Shh pathway. Two of these compounds, vismodegib and sonidegib, target SMO to suppress signaling from either PTCH1 or SMO mutations that lead to upregulation of the pathway. The other approved compound is arsenic trioxide, which can suppress this pathway at the level of the GLI proteins, although current evidence suggests it also has other targets. This review focuses on the safety and tolerability of these clinically approved drugs targeting the Shh pathway, along with a discussion on other Shh pathway inhibitors being developed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Carpenter
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1001 E. 3rd St, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA. .,Medical Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1001 E. 3rd St, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA. .,Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, 535 Barnhill Dr., Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
| | - Haimanti Ray
- Medical Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1001 E. 3rd St, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Cavalcanti ÉB, Félix MB, Scotti L, Scotti MT. Virtual Screening of Natural Products to Select Compounds with Potential Anticancer Activity. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2019; 19:154-171. [DOI: 10.2174/1871520618666181119110934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the main cause of death, so the search for active agents to be used in the therapy of this
disease, is necessary. According to studies conducted, substances derived from natural products have shown to
be promising in this endeavor. To these researches, one can associate with the aid of computational chemistry,
which is increasingly gaining popularity, due to the possibility of developing alternative strategies that could
help in choosing an appropriate set of compounds, avoiding unnecessary expenses with resources that would
generate unwanted substance. Thus, the objective of this study was to carry out an approach to several studies
that apply different methods of virtual screening to select natural products with potential anticancer activity.
This review presents reports of studies conducted with some natural products, such as coumarin, quinone, tannins,
alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Élida B.V.S. Cavalcanti
- Program of Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products (PgPNSB), Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, 58051-900, João Pessoa-PB, Brazil
| | - Mayara B. Félix
- Program of Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products (PgPNSB), Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, 58051-900, João Pessoa-PB, Brazil
| | - Luciana Scotti
- Program of Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products (PgPNSB), Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, 58051-900, João Pessoa-PB, Brazil
| | - Marcus T. Scotti
- Program of Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products (PgPNSB), Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, 58051-900, João Pessoa-PB, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Girardi D, Barrichello A, Fernandes G, Pereira A. Targeting the Hedgehog Pathway in Cancer: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives. Cells 2019; 8:cells8020153. [PMID: 30759860 PMCID: PMC6406365 DOI: 10.3390/cells8020153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog pathway (HhP) plays an important role in normal embryonic development and its abnormal function has been linked to a variety of neoplasms. Recently, the complex mechanisms involved in this pathway have been deciphered and the cross talks with other important pathways involved in carcinogenesis have been characterized. This knowledge has led to the development of targeted therapies against key components of HhP, which culminated in the approval of vismodegib for the treatment of advanced basal cell carcinoma in 2012. Since then, other compounds have been developed and evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies with interesting results. Today, several medications against components of the HhP have demonstrated clinical activity as monotherapies and in combination with cytotoxic treatment or other targeted therapies against mitogenic pathways that are linked to the HhP. This review aims to clarify the mechanism of the HhP and the complex crosstalk with others pathways involved in carcinogenesis and to discuss both the evidence associated with the growing number of medications and combined therapies addressing this pathway and future perspectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Girardi
- Division of Medical Oncology, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Brasilia, 70200-730, Brazil.
| | - Adriana Barrichello
- Division of Medical Oncology, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Brasilia, 70200-730, Brazil.
| | - Gustavo Fernandes
- Division of Medical Oncology, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Brasilia, 70200-730, Brazil.
| | - Allan Pereira
- Division of Medical Oncology, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Brasilia, 70200-730, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
Natural products (NPs) are important sources of clinical drugs due to their structural diversity and biological prevalidation. However, the structural complexity of NPs leads to synthetic difficulties, unfavorable pharmacokinetic profiles, and poor drug-likeness. Structural simplification by truncating unnecessary substructures is a powerful strategy for overcoming these limitations and improving the efficiency and success rate of NP-based drug development. Herein, we will provide a comprehensive review of the structural simplification of NPs with a focus on design strategies, case studies, and new technologies. In particular, a number of successful examples leading to marketed drugs or drug candidates will be discussed in detail to illustrate how structural simplification is applied in lead optimization of NPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shengzheng Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy , Second Military Medical University , 325 Guohe Road , Shanghai , 200433 , P.R. China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy , Fourth Military Medical University , 169 Changle West Road , Xi'an , 710032 , P.R. China
| | - Guoqiang Dong
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy , Second Military Medical University , 325 Guohe Road , Shanghai , 200433 , P.R. China
| | - Chunquan Sheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy , Second Military Medical University , 325 Guohe Road , Shanghai , 200433 , P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Bao C, Kramata P, Lee HJ, Suh N. Regulation of Hedgehog Signaling in Cancer by Natural and Dietary Compounds. Mol Nutr Food Res 2017; 62. [PMID: 29164817 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201700621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Revised: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The aberrant Hedgehog (Hh) signaling induced by mutations or overexpression of the signaling mediators has been implicated in cancer, associated with processes including inflammation, tumor cell growth, invasion, and metastasis, as well as cancer stemness. Small molecules targeting the regulatory components of the Hh signaling pathway, especially Smoothened (Smo), have been developed for the treatment of cancer. However, acquired resistance to a Smo inhibitor vismodegib observed in clinical trials suggests that other Hh signaling components need to be explored as potential anticancer targets. Natural and dietary compounds provide a resource for the development of potent agents affecting intracellular signaling cascades, and numerous studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of natural products in targeting the Hh signaling pathway. In this review, we summarize the role of Hh signaling in tumorigenesis, discuss results from recent studies investigating the effect of natural products and dietary components on Hh signaling in cancer, and provide insight on novel small molecules as potential Hh signaling inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Bao
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, South Korea
| | - Pavel Kramata
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Hong Jin Lee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, South Korea
| | - Nanjoo Suh
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA.,Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Zhai X, Cheng F, Ji L, Zhu X, Cao Q, Zhang Y, Jia X, Zhou Q, Guan W, Zhou Y. Leptin reduces microRNA-122 level in hepatic stellate cells in vitro and in vivo. Mol Immunol 2017; 92:68-75. [PMID: 29054053 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Obese patients, often accompanied by hyperleptinemia, are more likely to develop liver fibrosis. Leptin, an adipocyte-derived hormone, augments inflammatory in liver and promotes hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation (a key step for liver fibrogenesis) and liver fibrosis. microRNA-122 (miR-122) is the most abundant liver-specific miRNA and can attenuate liver fibrosis. This study examined the effect of leptin on miR-122 level in HSCs in vivo and in vitro. Results demonstrated that leptin reduced the levels of both miR-122 (mature miR-122) and primary miR-122 (pri-miR-122). The effects of leptin on the levels of miR-122 and pri-miR-122 were through at least hedgehog pathway. Leptin-induced decrease in sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) has been shown to contribute to leptin-induced HSC activation. We revealed a mutual promotional effect between SREBP-1c and miR-122. Further experiments indicated that miR-122 inhibited leptin-induced liver fibrosis in leptin-deficient mouse model. These data have potential implications for clarifying the mechanisms of hepatic fibrogenesis associated with elevated leptin level in human such as obese patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuguang Zhai
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical College, Nantong University, Qi xiou road 19, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fangyun Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical College, Nantong University, Qi xiou road 19, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li Ji
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Qi xiou road 19, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaofei Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Qi xiou road 19, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qing Cao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Qi xiou road 19, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yali Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical College, Nantong University, Qi xiou road 19, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Jia
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical College, Nantong University, Qi xiou road 19, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qian Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Qi xiou road 19, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Guan
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical College, Nantong University, Qi xiou road 19, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yajun Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical College, Nantong University, Qi xiou road 19, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Zhang X, Tian Y, Yang Y, Hao J. Development of anticancer agents targeting the Hedgehog signaling. Cell Mol Life Sci 2017; 74:2773-2782. [PMID: 28314894 PMCID: PMC11107598 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2497-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hedgehog signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway which is essential in embryonic and postnatal development as well as adult organ homeostasis. Abnormal regulation of Hedgehog signaling is implicated in many diseases including cancer. Consequently, substantial efforts have made in the past to develop potential therapeutic agents that specifically target the Hedgehog signaling for cancer treatment. Here, we review the therapeutic agents for inhibition of the Hedgehog signaling and their clinical advances in cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangqian Zhang
- College of Life Science, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ye Tian
- College of Life Science, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yanling Yang
- Medical College, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jijun Hao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, 91766, USA.
- Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, 91766, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chen L, Silapunt S, Migden MR. Sonidegib for the treatment of advanced basal cell carcinoma: a comprehensive review of sonidegib and the BOLT trial with 12-month update. Future Oncol 2016; 12:2095-105. [DOI: 10.2217/fon-2016-0118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog inhibitors are promising alternative for patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma that are not amenable to radiotherapy or surgery. Sonidegib, also known as LDE225, is an orally available SMO antagonist that was recently approved by the US FDA for the treatment of patients with locally advanced basal cell carcinoma. This article will provide an overview of the pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of sonidegib and in-depth analysis of the BOLT trial with additional data from the 12-month update. The present challenges associated with Hedgehog inhibitors will also be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leon Chen
- Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sirunya Silapunt
- Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael R Migden
- Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Departments of Dermatology & Head & Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Silapunt S, Chen L, Migden MR. Hedgehog pathway inhibition in advanced basal cell carcinoma: latest evidence and clinical usefulness. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2016; 8:375-82. [PMID: 27583029 DOI: 10.1177/1758834016653605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of locally advanced basal cell carcinomas (laBCCs) with large, aggressive, destructive, and disfiguring tumors, or metastatic disease is challenging. Dysregulation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway has been identified in the vast majority of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). There are two United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA)-approved Hh pathway inhibitors (HPIs) that exhibit antitumor activity in advanced BCC with an acceptable safety profile. Common adverse effects include muscle spasms, dysgeusia, alopecia, fatigue, nausea and weight loss.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sirunya Silapunt
- Department of Dermatology, the University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Leon Chen
- Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael R Migden
- Departments of Dermatology and Head & Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 1452, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Cong Y, Zhang JL, Li SS, Shen S, Wang JY, Cai Z. Pharmacokinetics and metabolism study of veratramine in mice after oral administration using LC-MS/MS. Biomed Chromatogr 2016; 30:1515-22. [PMID: 26972867 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.3717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2015] [Revised: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometry (Q-trap-MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of veratramine, the major bioactive and neurotoxic component in Veratrum nigrum L. Veratramine and the internal standard (IS) were separated with a Waters Symmetry C18 column and eluted with a gradient mobile phase system containing acetonitrile and 0.1% aqueous formic acid. The analysis was performed by using positive electrospray ionization mode with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Transition ions of m/z 410.2 → 295.2 for veratramine and m/z 426.1 → 113.8 for the IS were monitored. The method was validated with a good linearity in the range of 1-1000 ng/mL and lower limit of quantification of 1 ng/mL. The precision (CV) of intra- and inter-day ranged from 3.92 to 7.29%, while the accuracy (bias) intra- and inter-day were between -4.78 and 1.65%. The recovery, stability and matrix effect were within the acceptable ranges. Five metabolites of veratramine, including four hydroxylated and one sulfated metabolites, were tentatively identified using predictive MRM-information dependent acquisition-enhanced product ion mode (predictive MRM-IDA-EPI). The developed method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic and metabolic study of veratramine in mice after oral administration of veratramine. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Cong
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical College, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Li Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, College of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, People's Republic of China
| | - Sha-Sha Li
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical College, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Shen
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical College, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiang-Ying Wang
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical College, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, People's Republic of China
| | - Zongwei Cai
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Alam MM, Sohoni S, Kalainayakan SP, Garrossian M, Zhang L. Cyclopamine tartrate, an inhibitor of Hedgehog signaling, strongly interferes with mitochondrial function and suppresses aerobic respiration in lung cancer cells. BMC Cancer 2016; 16:150. [PMID: 26911235 PMCID: PMC4766751 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2200-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrant Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is associated with the development of many cancers including prostate cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, and basal cell carcinoma. The Hh signaling pathway has been one of the most intensely investigated targets for cancer therapy, and a number of compounds inhibiting Hh signaling are being tested clinically for treating many cancers. Lung cancer causes more deaths than the next three most common cancers (colon, breast, and prostate) combined. Cyclopamine was the first compound found to inhibit Hh signaling and has been invaluable for understanding the function of Hh signaling in development and cancer. To find novel strategies for combating lung cancer, we decided to characterize the effect of cyclopamine tartrate (CycT), an improved analogue of cyclopamine, on lung cancer cells and its mechanism of action. METHODS The effect of CycT on oxygen consumption and proliferation of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines was quantified by using an Oxygraph system and live cell counting, respectively. Apoptosis was detected by using Annexin V and Propidium Iodide staining. CycT's impact on ROS generation, mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial morphology in NSCLC cells was monitored by using fluorometry and fluorescent microscopy. Western blotting and fluorescent microscopy were used to detect the levels and localization of Hh signaling targets, mitochondrial fission protein Drp1, and heme-related proteins in various NSCLC cells. RESULTS Our findings identified a novel function of CycT, as well as another Hh inhibitor SANT1, to disrupt mitochondrial function and aerobic respiration. Our results showed that CycT, like glutamine depletion, caused a substantial decrease in oxygen consumption in a number of NSCLC cell lines, suppressed NSCLC cell proliferation, and induced apoptosis. Further, we found that CycT increased ROS generation, mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization, and mitochondrial fragmentation, thereby disrupting mitochondrial function in NSCLC cells. CONCLUSIONS Together, our work demonstrates that CycT, and likely other Hh signaling inhibitors, can interrupt NSCLC cell function by promoting mitochondrial fission and fragmentation, mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization, and ROS generation, thereby diminishing mitochondrial respiration, suppressing cell proliferation, and causing apoptosis. Our work provides novel mechanistic insights into the action of Hh inhibitors in cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Md Maksudul Alam
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Center for Systems Biology, University of Texas at Dallas, Mail Stop RL11, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
| | - Sagar Sohoni
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Center for Systems Biology, University of Texas at Dallas, Mail Stop RL11, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
| | - Sarada Preeta Kalainayakan
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Center for Systems Biology, University of Texas at Dallas, Mail Stop RL11, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
| | | | - Li Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Center for Systems Biology, University of Texas at Dallas, Mail Stop RL11, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA. .,The Cecil H. and Ida Green Distinguished Chair, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Mail Stop RL11, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Rimkus TK, Carpenter RL, Qasem S, Chan M, Lo HW. Targeting the Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Pathway: Review of Smoothened and GLI Inhibitors. Cancers (Basel) 2016; 8:cancers8020022. [PMID: 26891329 PMCID: PMC4773745 DOI: 10.3390/cancers8020022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 409] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Revised: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway is a major regulator of cell differentiation, cell proliferation, and tissue polarity. Aberrant activation of the Shh pathway has been shown in a variety of human cancers, including, basal cell carcinoma, malignant gliomas, medulloblastoma, leukemias, and cancers of the breast, lung, pancreas, and prostate. Tumorigenesis, tumor progression and therapeutic response have all been shown to be impacted by the Shh signaling pathway. Downstream effectors of the Shh pathway include smoothened (SMO) and glioma-associated oncogene homolog (GLI) family of zinc finger transcription factors. Both are regarded as important targets for cancer therapeutics. While most efforts have been devoted towards pharmacologically targeting SMO, developing GLI-targeted approach has its merit because of the fact that GLI proteins can be activated by both Shh ligand-dependent and -independent mechanisms. To date, two SMO inhibitors (LDE225/Sonidegib and GDC-0449/Vismodegib) have received FDA approval for treating basal cell carcinoma while many clinical trials are being conducted to evaluate the efficacy of this exciting class of targeted therapy in a variety of cancers. In this review, we provide an overview of the biology of the Shh pathway and then detail the current landscape of the Shh-SMO-GLI pathway inhibitors including those in preclinical studies and clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tadas K Rimkus
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
| | - Richard L Carpenter
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
| | - Shadi Qasem
- Department of Pathology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
| | - Michael Chan
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
| | - Hui-Wen Lo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Targeting the Hedgehog Pathway in Pediatric Medulloblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2015; 7:2110-23. [PMID: 26512695 PMCID: PMC4695880 DOI: 10.3390/cancers7040880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Revised: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB), a primitive neuroectomal tumor of the cerebellum, is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. The cause of MB is largely unknown, but aberrant activation of Hedgehog (Hh) pathway is responsible for ~30% of MB. Despite aggressive treatment with surgical resection, radiation and chemotherapy, 70%–80% of pediatric medulloblastoma cases can be controlled, but most treated patients suffer devastating side effects. Therefore, developing a new effective treatment strategy is urgently needed. Hh signaling controls transcription of target genes by regulating activities of the three Glioma-associated oncogene (Gli1-3) transcription factors. In this review, we will focus on current clinical treatment options of MB and discuss mechanisms of drug resistance. In addition, we will describe current known molecular pathways which crosstalk with the Hedgehog pathway both in the context of medulloblastoma and non-medulloblastoma cancer development. Finally, we will introduce post-translational modifications that modulate Gli1 activity and summarize the positive and negative regulations of the Hh/Gli1 pathway. Towards developing novel combination therapies for medulloblastoma treatment, current information on interacting pathways and direct regulation of Hh signaling should prove critical.
Collapse
|
23
|
Digging a hole under Hedgehog: downstream inhibition as an emerging anticancer strategy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2015; 1856:62-72. [PMID: 26080084 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2015.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Revised: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Hedgehog signaling is a key regulator of development and stem cell fate and its aberrant activation is a leading cause of a number of tumors. Activating germline or somatic mutations of genes encoding Hh pathway components are found in Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and Medulloblastoma (MB). Ligand-dependent Hedgehog hyperactivation, due to autocrine or paracrine mechanisms, is also observed in a large number of malignancies of the breast, colon, skin, bladder, pancreas and other tissues. The key tumorigenic role of Hedgehog has prompted effort aimed at identifying inhibitors of this signaling. To date, only the antagonists of the membrane transducer Smo have been approved for therapy or are under clinical trials in patients with BCC and MB linked to Ptch or Smo mutations. Despite the good initial response, patients treated with Smo antagonists have eventually developed resistance due to the occurrence of compensating mechanisms. Furthermore, Smo antagonists are not effective in tumors where the Hedgehog hyperactivation is due to mutations of pathway components downstream of Smo, or in case of non-canonical, Smo-independent activation of the Gli transcription factors. For all these reasons, the research of Hh inhibitors acting downstream of Smo is becoming an area of intensive investigation. In this review we illustrate the progresses made in the identification of effective Hedgehog inhibitors and their application in cancer, with a special emphasis on the newly identified downstream inhibitors. We describe in detail the Gli inhibitors and illustrate their mode of action and applications in experimental and/or clinical settings.
Collapse
|
24
|
Cooperative integration between HEDGEHOG-GLI signalling and other oncogenic pathways: implications for cancer therapy. Expert Rev Mol Med 2015; 17:e5. [PMID: 25660620 PMCID: PMC4836208 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2015.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The HEDGEHOG-GLI (HH-GLI) signalling is a key pathway critical in embryonic development, stem cell biology and tissue homeostasis. In recent years, aberrant activation of HH-GLI signalling has been linked to several types of cancer, including those of the skin, brain, lungs, prostate, gastrointestinal tract and blood. HH-GLI signalling is initiated by binding of HH ligands to the transmembrane receptor PATCHED and is mediated by transcriptional effectors that belong to the GLI family, whose activity is finely tuned by a number of molecular interactions and post-translation modifications. Several reports suggest that the activity of the GLI proteins is regulated by several proliferative and oncogenic inputs, in addition or independent of upstream HH signalling. The identification of this complex crosstalk and the understanding of how the major oncogenic signalling pathways interact in cancer is a crucial step towards the establishment of efficient targeted combinatorial treatments. Here we review recent findings on the cooperative integration of HH-GLI signalling with the major oncogenic inputs and we discuss how these cues modulate the activity of the GLI proteins in cancer. We then summarise the latest advances on SMO and GLI inhibitors and alternative approaches to attenuate HH signalling through rational combinatorial therapies.
Collapse
|
25
|
Dutka T, Hallberg D, Reeves RH. Chronic up-regulation of the SHH pathway normalizes some developmental effects of trisomy in Ts65Dn mice. Mech Dev 2015; 135:68-80. [PMID: 25511459 PMCID: PMC4297701 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2014.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Revised: 11/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Down Syndrome (DS) is a highly complex developmental genetic disorder caused by trisomy for human chromosome 21 (Hsa21). All individuals with DS exhibit some degree of brain structural changes and cognitive impairment; mouse models such as Ts65Dn have been instrumental in understanding the underlying mechanisms. Several phenotypes of DS might arise from a reduced response of trisomic cells to the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) growth factor. If all trisomic cells show a similar reduced response to SHH, then up-regulation of the pathway in trisomic cells might ameliorate multiple DS phenotypes. We crossed Ptch1tm1Mps/+ mice, in which the canonical SHH pathway is expected to be up-regulated in every SHH-responsive cell due to the loss of function of one allele of the pathway suppressor, Ptch1, to the Ts65Dn DS model and assessed the progeny for possible rescue of multiple DS-related phenotypes. Down-regulation of Ptch produced several previously unreported effects on development by itself, complicating interpretation of some phenotypes, and a number of structural or behavioral effects of trisomy were not compensated by SHH signaling. However, a deficit in a nest-building task was partially restored in Ts;Ptch+/- mice, as were the structural anomalies of the cerebellum seen in Ts65Dn mice. These results extend the body of evidence indicating that reduced response to SHH in trisomic cells and tissues contributes to various aspects of the trisomic phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tara Dutka
- Department of Physiology and Institute for Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Dorothy Hallberg
- Department of Physiology and Institute for Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Roger H Reeves
- Department of Physiology and Institute for Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Cong Y, Guo J, Tang Z, Lin S, Zhang Q, Li J, Cai Z. Metabolism Study of Veratramine Associated with Neurotoxicity by Using HPLC-MSn. J Chromatogr Sci 2014; 53:1092-9. [PMID: 25547283 DOI: 10.1093/chromsci/bmu171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Veratramine (VAM) is the major lipid-soluble alkaloid existing in Veratrum nigrum L. that has been demonstrated to exert neurotoxic effects. To better understand the potential mechanism of neurotoxicity of VAM, VAM-induced DNA damage was measured in the cerebellum and cerebral cortex of mice after a 7-day repetitive oral dose by using single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). A method based on high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the determination of VAM and its in vivo and in vitro metabolites, to establish the potential correlation between metabolites and neurotoxicity. In vitro experiment was carried out using rat liver microsomes, whereas the in vivo study was conducted on rats at a single dose of 3 mg/kg. The results showed that VAM caused DNA damage in the cerebellum and cerebral cortex of mice in a dose-dependent manner. Phenyl mono-oxidation, sulfate conjugation and phenyl di-oxidation were proposed to be the main in vivo metabolic pathways of VAM, whereas the major in vitro metabolic pathways were phenyl mono-oxidation, hydroxylation and methylation. Phenyl-oxidation reaction was likely to be associated with reactive oxygen species production, leading to the DNA damage in the mouse brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Cong
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical College, Henan University, Kaifeng, China Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Jinggong Guo
- The Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Biology, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Zhi Tang
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Shuhai Lin
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Qingchun Zhang
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical College, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Jing Li
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical College, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Zongwei Cai
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Lee ST, Welch KD, Panter KE, Gardner DR, Garrossian M, Chang CWT. Cyclopamine: from cyclops lambs to cancer treatment. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2014; 62:7355-7362. [PMID: 24754790 DOI: 10.1021/jf5005622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In the late 1960s, the steroidal alkaloid cyclopamine was isolated from the plant Veratrum californicum and identified as the teratogen responsible for craniofacial birth defects including cyclops in the offspring of sheep grazing on mountain ranges in the western United States. Cyclopamine was found to inhibit the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, which plays a critical role in embryonic development. More recently, aberrant Hh signaling has been implicated in several types of cancer. Thus, inhibitors of the Hh signaling pathway, including cyclopamine derivatives, have been targeted as potential treatments for certain cancers and other diseases associated with the Hh signaling pathway. A brief history of cyclopamine and cyclopamine derivatives investigated for the treatment of cancer is presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen T Lee
- Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1150 East 1400 North, Logan, Utah 84341, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Balbous A, Renoux B, Cortes U, Milin S, Guilloteau K, Legigan T, Rivet P, Boissonnade O, Martin S, Tripiana C, Wager M, Bensadoun RJ, Papot S, Karayan-Tapon L. Selective release of a cyclopamine glucuronide prodrug toward stem-like cancer cell inhibition in glioblastoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2014; 13:2159-69. [PMID: 25053823 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-13-1038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent data suggest that inhibition of the Hedgehog pathway could be a therapeutic target for glioblastoma. Alkaloid cyclopamine inhibits Hedgehog signaling, depleting stem-like cancer cells derived from glioblastoma. However, this compound is toxic for somatic stem cells, preventing its use for clinical applications. In this study, we tested a derivatization product of cyclopamine in the form of cyclopamine glucuronide prodrug (CGP-2). This compound was used in vitro and in vivo toward glioblastoma-initiating cells (GIC). Results obtained in vitro indicate that CGP-2 is active only in the presence of β-glucuronidase, an enzyme detected in high levels in necrotic areas of glioblastomas. CGP-2 decreased proliferation and inhibited the self-renewal of all GIC lines tested. Hedgehog pathway blockade by 10 μmol/L of CGP-2 induced a 99% inhibition of clonogenicity on GICs, similar to cyclopamine treatment. Combination of CGP-2 with radiation decreased clonogenic survival in all GIC lines compared with CGP-2 alone. In a subcutaneous glioblastoma xenograft model, a two-week CGP-2 treatment prevented tumor growth with 75% inhibition at 8 weeks, and this inhibition was still significant after 14 weeks. Unlike cyclopamine, CGP-2 had no detectable toxic effects in intestinal crypts. Our study suggests that inhibition of the Hedgehog pathway with CGP-2 is more effective than conventional temozolomide adjuvant, with much lower concentrations, and seems to be an effective therapeutic strategy for targeting GICs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Balbous
- INSERMU935, Modèles de cellules souches malignes et thérapeutiques, Poitiers, France. Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France. CHU de Poitiers, Laboratoire de Cancérologie Biologique, Poitiers, France
| | - Brigitte Renoux
- Université de Poitiers, UMR-CNRS 7285, Institut de Chimie des Milieux et des Matériaux, Groupe «Systèmes Moléculaires Programmés, Poitiers, France
| | - Ulrich Cortes
- INSERMU935, Modèles de cellules souches malignes et thérapeutiques, Poitiers, France. Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France. CHU de Poitiers, Laboratoire de Cancérologie Biologique, Poitiers, France
| | - Serge Milin
- CHU de Poitiers, Service d'Anatomo-cytopathologie, Poitiers, France
| | - Karline Guilloteau
- INSERMU935, Modèles de cellules souches malignes et thérapeutiques, Poitiers, France. Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France. CHU de Poitiers, Laboratoire de Cancérologie Biologique, Poitiers, France
| | - Thibaut Legigan
- Université de Poitiers, UMR-CNRS 7285, Institut de Chimie des Milieux et des Matériaux, Groupe «Systèmes Moléculaires Programmés, Poitiers, France
| | - Pierre Rivet
- CHU de Poitiers, Laboratoire de Cancérologie Biologique, Poitiers, France
| | - Odile Boissonnade
- CHU de Poitiers, Service d'Oncologie Radiotherapique, Poitiers, France
| | - Sébastien Martin
- CHU de Poitiers, Laboratoire de Cancérologie Biologique, Poitiers, France
| | - Caroline Tripiana
- CHU de Poitiers, Service d'Oncologie Radiotherapique, Poitiers, France
| | - Michel Wager
- CHU de Poitiers, Service de Neurochirurgie, Poitiers, France
| | | | - Sébastien Papot
- Université de Poitiers, UMR-CNRS 7285, Institut de Chimie des Milieux et des Matériaux, Groupe «Systèmes Moléculaires Programmés, Poitiers, France
| | - Lucie Karayan-Tapon
- INSERMU935, Modèles de cellules souches malignes et thérapeutiques, Poitiers, France. Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France. CHU de Poitiers, Laboratoire de Cancérologie Biologique, Poitiers, France.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Overlapping binding sites for importin β1 and suppressor of fused (SuFu) on glioma-associated oncogene homologue 1 (Gli1) regulate its nuclear localization. Biochem J 2014; 461:469-76. [DOI: 10.1042/bj20130709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The hedgehog signalling protein Gli1 has overlapping binding sites for the proteins importin β1 and SuFu at its N-terminus. These proteins compete to regulate the nuclear/cytoplasmic localization of Gli1, with importin β promoting nuclear import and SuFu preventing it.
Collapse
|
30
|
Matsuo S, Takahashi M, Inoue K, Tamura K, Irie K, Kodama Y, Nishikawa A, Yoshida M. Inhibitory Potential of Postnatal Treatment with Cyclopamine, a Hedgehog Signaling Inhibitor, on Medulloblastoma Development in Ptch1 Heterozygous Mice. Toxicol Pathol 2014; 42:1174-87. [DOI: 10.1177/0192623314530194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastomas (MBs) are thought to be derived from granular cell precursors in the external granular layer (EGL) of the developing cerebellum. Heterozygous patched1 (Ptch1) knockout mice develop MBs that resemble those in humans when the sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway is activated. The present study was conducted to evaluate postnatal effects of a Shh signaling inhibitor, cyclopamine, on the development of MBs in Ptch1 mice. Ptch1 and wild-type mice were treated daily with subcutaneous cyclopamine at 40 mg/kg or vehicle from postnatal day (PND) 1 to PND14, and the subsequent development of MBs and preneoplastic lesions was examined up to week 12 (W12). Proliferative lesions in the cerebellum, MBs, and preneoplastic lesions were only detected in Ptch1 mice. Cyclopamine treatment resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the incidence and/or area of proliferative lesions at PND14 and 21. The trend of decreasing preneoplastic lesions persisted up to W12. At PND7, cyclopamine treatment reduced the width and proliferation of the EGL regardless of genotype. These results indicate that inhibition of Shh signaling during cerebellar development has prolonged inhibitory potential on MB development in Ptch1 mice. This inhibitory potential might be related to inhibition of EGL proliferation, including preneoplastic MB cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saori Matsuo
- Division of Pathology, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
- Pathogenetic Veterinary Science, United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Miwa Takahashi
- Division of Pathology, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaoru Inoue
- Division of Pathology, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kei Tamura
- Division of Pathology, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaoru Irie
- Division of Pathology, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukio Kodama
- Division of Toxicology, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Nishikawa
- Pathogenetic Veterinary Science, United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
- Biological Safety Research Center, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Midori Yoshida
- Division of Pathology, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Loughlin KR. The Hedgehog pathway: potential biomarker and therapeutic applications in urologic malignancies. Urol Oncol 2014; 32:546-8. [PMID: 24814405 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2014.01.021] [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: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The Hedgehog pathway has been implicated in the development of several non-urologic malignancies. Recent work suggests that the activation of the glioma-associated GLi family of zinc finger transcription factors may play a role in some urologic malignancies. This review surveys the potential role of the Hedgehog pathway as a new class of biomarker in some urologic cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin R Loughlin
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Dummer R, Karpova MB, Barysch MJ. Basal cell carcinomas: molecular abnormalities and molecularly targeted therapies. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1586/edm.09.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
|
33
|
Dimitrova K, Stoehr M, Dehghani F, Dietz A, Wichmann G, Bertolini J, Mozet C. Overexpression of the Hedgehog signalling pathway in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 36:279-86. [PMID: 23689223 DOI: 10.1159/000350322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overexpression of the Hedgehog (HH) signalling pathway has been described in several malignancies and is associated with a poor prognosis. HH signalling blockade reduces tumour growth in vitro and in vivo. We aimed to determine whether head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) express HH proteins in comparison to healthy mucosa. PATIENTS AND METHODS Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 10 patients with HNSCC were stained with fluorescence-labelled antibodies for cytokeratin and HH proteins (SHH, PTCH1/2, SMO, Gli1-3) and photographs were taken with a laser scanning microscope. The pixel count and colour intensity were analysed in RGB (red/green/blue) colour mode, and expression levels were compared to healthy mucosa. RESULTS Image analysis in RGB mode provided objective evidence for the over-expression of HH signalling components in HNSCC, particularly with regard to the transcription factors Gli1 (10-fold) and SHH (5-fold) in comparison with healthy mucosa. The lowest levels were found for Gli3 in HNSCC. CONCLUSIONS We postulate pivotal roles of Gli1 and SHH expression in the carcinogenesis of HNSCC. HH pathway overexpression appears to be involved in the initiation of tumour growth and spread due to its stem cell-modulating properties. Detection of HH pathway components, and especially Gli1 and SHH, in HNSCC might offer a promising target for further anticancer research in HNSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kamelia Dimitrova
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Leipzig, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Gallinari P, Filocamo G, Jones P, Pazzaglia S, Steinkühler C. Smoothened antagonists: a promising new class of antitumor agents. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2013; 4:525-44. [PMID: 23485085 DOI: 10.1517/17460440902852686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hedgehog signaling is essential for the development of most metazoans. In recent years, evidence has accumulated showing that many human tumors aberrantly re-activate this developmental signaling pathway and that interfering with it may provide a new strategy for the development of novel anti-cancer therapeutics. Smoothened is a G-protein coupled receptor-like protein that is essentially involved in hedgehog signal transduction and small molecule antagonists of Smoothened have started to show antitumor activity in preclinical models and in clinical trials. OBJECTIVE We critically review the role of hedgehog signaling in normal development and in human malignancies, the available drug discovery tools and the classes of small molecule inhibitors that are in development. We further aim to address the potential impact that pathway antagonists may have on the treatment options of cancer patients. METHODS Literature, patents and clinical trial results from the past 5 years were analyzed. CONCLUSIONS 1) A large body of evidence suggests a frequent reactivation of hedgehog signaling in human cancer. 2) Smoothened is an attractive, highly druggable target with extensive preclinical and initial clinical validation in basal cell carcinoma. Several promising novel classes of Smoothened antagonists have been discovered and are being developed as anticancer agents. 3) Our knowledge of the biology of hedgehog signaling in cancer is still very incomplete and significant efforts will be required to understand how to use the emerging novel agents in the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Gallinari
- Istituto di Ricerche di Biologia Molecolare P. Angeletti, Department of Oncology, IRBM- Merck Research Laboratories Rome, Via Pontina Km 30,600, 00040 Pomezia, Italy +39 06 91093232 ; +39 06 91093549 ;
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Khanfar MA, El Sayed KA. The Veratrum alkaloids jervine, veratramine, and their analogues as prostate cancer migration and proliferation inhibitors: biological evaluation and pharmacophore modeling. Med Chem Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-013-0495-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
|
36
|
Szkandera J, Kiesslich T, Haybaeck J, Gerger A, Pichler M. Hedgehog signaling pathway in ovarian cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:1179-96. [PMID: 23303278 PMCID: PMC3565315 DOI: 10.3390/ijms14011179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2012] [Revised: 12/30/2012] [Accepted: 01/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in surgical and chemotherapeutic treatment options, less than 50% of patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer survive five years after initial diagnosis. In this regard, novel treatment approaches are warranted utilizing molecularly targeted therapies directed against particular components of specific signaling pathways which are required for tumor development and progression. One molecular pathway of interest is the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Activation of the Hh pathway has been observed in several cancer types, including ovarian cancer. This review highlights the crucial role of Hh signaling in the development and progression of ovarian cancer and might lead to a better understanding of the Hh signaling in ovarian tumorigenesis, thus encouraging the investigation of novel targeted therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Szkandera
- Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; E-Mails: (J.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Tobias Kiesslich
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Paracelsus Medical University/Salzburger Landeskliniken (SALK), 5020 Salzburg, Austria; E-Mail:
| | - Johannes Haybaeck
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; E-Mail:
| | - Armin Gerger
- Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; E-Mails: (J.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Martin Pichler
- Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; E-Mails: (J.S.); (A.G.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +43-316-385-81320; Fax: +43-316-385-13355
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Okabe S, Tauchi T, Tanaka Y, Katagiri S, Ohyashiki K. Effects of the hedgehog inhibitor GDC-0449, alone or in combination with dasatinib, on BCR-ABL-positive leukemia cells. Stem Cells Dev 2012; 21:2939-48. [PMID: 22642671 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2012.0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh)-glioma-associated oncogene homolog (Gli) signaling is implicated in a large number of human cancers such as leukemia. In this study, we investigated the effects of the potent Hh antagonist GDC-0449 on the BCR-ABL-positive cell line OM9;22 and primary samples when leukemia cells were protected by a feeder cell line (S9 cells). The numbers of OM9;22 cells significantly increased with S9 cells. Treatment of OM9;22 cells with GDC-0449 caused cell growth inhibition and induced apoptosis. Moreover, GDC-0449 inhibited the colony growth of Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive primary samples. We next investigated the effects of a combination of GDC-0449 and dasatinib on these cell lines. The growth inhibition typically promoted by dasatinib was significantly reduced in the presence of S9 cells. Treatment of Ph-positive leukemia cells with GDC-0449 and dasatinib in the presence of S9 caused significantly more cytotoxicity than that caused by each drug alone. Inhibition of Gli1 or Gli2 by siRNA transfection reduced the growth of the Ph-positive cell line K562 and increased cytotoxicity of dasatinib. Moreover, colony formations of Gli1 or Gli2 knockdown cells were also reduced. Data from this study suggest that administration of the Hh inhibitor GDC-0449 inhibits BCR-ABL-positive cell growth and enhances the cytotoxic effects of dasatinib in the presence of feeder cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seiichi Okabe
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Discovery of novel hedgehog antagonists from cell-based screening: Isosteric modification of p38 bisamides as potent inhibitors of SMO. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2012; 22:4907-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2012.04.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2012] [Revised: 04/19/2012] [Accepted: 04/23/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
|
39
|
Developmental pathways in breast cancer and breast tumor-initiating cells: Therapeutic implications. Cancer Lett 2012; 317:115-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2011.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2011] [Accepted: 11/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
40
|
Meyers-Needham M, Lewis JA, Gencer S, Sentelle RD, Saddoughi SA, Clarke CJ, Hannun YA, Norell H, da Palma TM, Nishimura M, Kraveka JM, Khavandgar Z, Murshed M, Cevik MO, Ogretmen B. Off-target function of the Sonic hedgehog inhibitor cyclopamine in mediating apoptosis via nitric oxide-dependent neutral sphingomyelinase 2/ceramide induction. Mol Cancer Ther 2012; 11:1092-102. [PMID: 22452947 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-11-0705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Sonic hedgehog (SHh) signaling is important in the pathogenesis of various human cancers, such as medulloblastomas, and it has been identified as a valid target for anticancer therapeutics. The SHh inhibitor cyclopamine induces apoptosis. The bioactive sphingolipid ceramide mediates cell death in response to various chemotherapeutic agents; however, ceramide's roles/mechanisms in cyclopamine-induced apoptosis are unknown. Here, we report that cyclopamine mediates ceramide generation selectively via induction of neutral sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 3, SMPD3 (nSMase2) in Daoy human medulloblastoma cells. Importantly, short interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of nSMase2 prevented cyclopamine-induced ceramide generation and protected Daoy cells from drug-induced apoptosis. Accordingly, ectopic wild-type N-SMase2 caused cell death, compared with controls, which express the catalytically inactive N-SMase2 mutant. Interestingly, knockdown of smoothened (Smo), a target protein for cyclopamine, or Gli1, a downstream signaling transcription factor of Smo, did not affect nSMase2. Mechanistically, our data showed that cyclopamine induced nSMase2 and cell death selectively via increased nitric oxide (NO) generation by neuronal-nitric oxide synthase (n-NOS) induction, in Daoy medulloblastoma, and multiple other human cancer cell lines. Knockdown of n-NOS prevented nSMase2 induction and cell death in response to cyclopamine. Accordingly, N-SMase2 activity-deficient skin fibroblasts isolated from homozygous fro/fro (fragilitas ossium) mice exhibited resistance to NO-induced cell death. Thus, our data suggest a novel off-target function of cyclopamine in inducing apoptosis, at least in part, by n-NOS/NO-dependent induction of N-SMase2/ceramide axis, independent of Smo/Gli inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Meyers-Needham
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Abstract
Dysregulated Hedgehog (Hh) signaling has been implicated in a growing number of human cancers. Although first identified as an important developmental signaling pathway crucial for cellular proliferation, differentiation, and migration during organogenesis in invertebrates, these fundamental processes have been co-opted in human cancers. Initial evidence for the Hh pathway in tumor biology comes from mutations of signaling pathway components in a hereditary cancer syndrome that typically results in basal-cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma. Subsequent analysis revealed that Hh pathway mutations are found in sporadic tumors as well as activated Hh signaling in several epithelial cancers independent of Hh pathway mutation status. Further, recent evidence has demonstrated paracrine Hh signaling within stromal cells of the tumor microenvironment with implications for drug delivery. Several Hh antagonists targeting the Hh receptor, Smoothened (SMO), have been developed and show efficacy in preclinical studies and early-stage clinical trials in humans. However, major issues with these small molecule compounds include rapid acquired resistance, potential developmental toxicities secondary to use in children, and limited efficacy in cancers driven by Hh signaling downstream of the SMO receptor.
Collapse
|
42
|
Aberger F, Kern D, Greil R, Hartmann TN. Canonical and noncanonical Hedgehog/GLI signaling in hematological malignancies. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2012; 88:25-54. [PMID: 22391298 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-394622-5.00002-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The highly conserved Hedgehog/GLI signaling pathway regulates multiple aspects of embryonic development and plays a decisive role in tissue homeostasis and the hematopoietic system by controlling cell fate decisions, stem cell self-renewal, and activation. Loss of negative control of Hedgehog signaling contributes to tumor pathogenesis and progression. In the classical view of canonical Hedgehog signaling, Hedgehog ligand binding to its receptor Patched culminates in the activation of the key pathway activator Smoothened, followed by activation of the GLI transcription factors. Its essential function and druggability render Smoothened well suited to therapeutic intervention. However, recent evidence suggests a critical role of Smoothened-independent regulation of GLI activity by several other signaling pathways including the PI3K/AKT and RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK axes. In addition, the contribution of canonical Hedgehog signaling via Patched and Smoothened to normal and malignant hematopoiesis has been the subject of recent controversies. In this review, we discuss the current understanding and controversial findings of canonical and noncanonical GLI activation in hematological malignancies in light of the current therapeutic strategies targeting the Hedgehog pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fritz Aberger
- Division of Molecular Tumor Biology, Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Winkler JD, Isaacs AK, Xiang C, Baubet V, Dahmane N. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of estrone-derived hedgehog signaling inhibitors. Tetrahedron 2011; 67:10261-10266. [PMID: 22199406 PMCID: PMC3244726 DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2011.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new analogs of the naturally occurring compound cyclopamine, a Hedgehog signaling inhibitor, are described. Stucture-activity relationship studies lead to an evolving model for the pharmacophore of this medically promising compound class of anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey D Winkler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh)-Gli signaling pathway is an essential pathway involved in development and cancer. It controls the Gli code-the sum of all activator and repressor functions of the Gli transcription factors. Through the Gli code, and Gli1 in particular, it modulates the fate and behavior of stem and cancer stem cells, as well as tumor growth and survival in many human cancer types. It also affects recurrence and metastasis and is enhanced in advanced tumors, where it promotes an embryonic stem (ES) cell-like gene expression signature. A central component of this signature, Nanog, is critical for glioblastoma and cancer stem cell survival and expansion. Gli1 activity is also enhanced by several oncogenic proteins, including Ras, Myc, and Akt, and by loss of tumor suppressors, such as p53 and PTEN. The oncogenic load boosts Gli1 levels, which supports tumor progression, and promotes a critical threshold of Gli1 activity that allows cells to enter the metastatic transition. In colon cancers, this transition is defined by enhanced Hh-Gli and, surprisingly, by repressed Wnt-Tcf signaling. Together our data support a model in which the Gli code, and Gli1 in particular, acts as a key sensor that responds to both Hh signals and the oncogenic load. We hypothesize that, in turn, the Gli-regulated ES-like factors induce a reprogramming event in cancer stem cells that promotes high invasion, growth and/or metastasis. Targeting the Gli code, the autoregulatory Gli1-Nanog module and interacting partners and pathways thus offers new therapeutic possibilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Ruiz i Altaba
- University of Geneva Medical School, 8242 Centre Médicale Universitaire, Geneva, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Abstract
Numerous signaling pathways are misregulated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a highly malignant type of cancer. One of these is the Hedgehog (HH) pathway, which is normally involved in patterning processes in the developing embryo. Expression of the main ligand Sonic Hedgehog is an early event in carcinogenesis and correlates with the mutation of the KRAS oncogene, the cardinal molecular feature of pancreatic cancer. Recent data establish a functional role for HH signaling primarily in the tumor microenvironment, where it is involved in myofibroblast differentiation and the induction of stroma-derived growth promoting molecules. Given the protumorigenic functions of the abundant stromal desmoplasia typically associated with pancreatic cancer, targeting the HH pathway might prove beneficial in the treatment of the disease. First data using small molecule antagonists of HH signaling in mouse models of pancreatic cancer are promising and reveal a substantial, yet transient, effect on the myofibroblastic stroma. In this review, we try to give an outline on the current knowledge about HH signaling in pancreatic cancer including a perspective of using pharmacological inhibitors of this pathway in the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Lauth
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Abstract
An increasing progress on the role of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling for carcinogenesis has been achieved since the link of Hh pathway to human cancer was firstly established. In particular, the critical role of Hh signaling in the development of Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has been convincingly demonstrated by genetic mutation analyses, mouse models of BCCs, and successful clinical trials of BCCs using Hh signaling inhibitors. In addition, the Hh pathway activity is also reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), melanoma and Merkel Cell Carcinoma. These findings have significant new paradigm on Hh signaling transduction, its mechanisms in skin cancer and even therapeutic approaches for BCC. In this review, we will summarize the major advances in the understanding of Hh signaling transduction, the roles of Hh signaling in skin cancer development, and the current implications of "mechanism-based" therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chengxin Li
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Sumin Chi
- Department of Physiology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Jingwu Xie
- Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Karpova MB, Barysch MJ, Zipser MC, Schönewolf N, French LE, Dummer R. Changing pathology with changing drugs: skin cancer. Pathobiology 2011; 78:61-75. [PMID: 21677470 DOI: 10.1159/000314576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Today skin cancer is mainly treated by surgical interventions. New findings concerning molecular biology and the signaling pathways in epithelial skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma, and mesenchymal skin cancers such as angiosarcoma and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) have identified new molecular targets for a systemic or local treatment approach. For DFSP there is an opportunity already today to reduce the intensity of surgical procedures by pretreatment with targeted therapy. This article highlights important aspects in several skin cancer types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M B Karpova
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zürich, Switzerland.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Liu H, Gu D, Xie J. Clinical implications of hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitors. CHINESE JOURNAL OF CANCER 2011; 30:13-26. [PMID: 21192841 PMCID: PMC3137255 DOI: 10.5732/cjc.010.10540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2010] [Revised: 11/25/2010] [Accepted: 11/25/2010] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Hedgehog was first described in Drosophila melanogaster by the Nobel laureates Eric Wieschaus and Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard. The hedgehog (Hh) pathway is a major regulator of cell differentiation, proliferation, tissue polarity, stem cell maintenance, and carcinogenesis. The first link of Hh signaling to cancer was established through studies of a rare familial disease, Gorlin syndrome, in 1996. Follow-up studies revealed activation of this pathway in basal cell carcinoma, medulloblastoma and, leukemia as well as in gastrointestinal, lung, ovarian, breast, and prostate cancer. Targeted inhibition of Hh signaling is now believed to be effective in the treatment and prevention of human cancer. The discovery and synthesis of specific inhibitors for this pathway are even more exciting. In this review, we summarize major advances in the understanding of Hh signaling pathway activation in human cancer, mouse models for studying Hh-mediated carcinogenesis, the roles of Hh signaling in tumor development and metastasis, antagonists for Hh signaling and their clinical implications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hailan Liu
- Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Johnson RW, Nguyen MP, Padalecki SS, Grubbs BG, Merkel AR, Oyajobi BO, Matrisian LM, Mundy GR, Sterling JA. TGF-beta promotion of Gli2-induced expression of parathyroid hormone-related protein, an important osteolytic factor in bone metastasis, is independent of canonical Hedgehog signaling. Cancer Res 2010; 71:822-31. [PMID: 21189326 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-2993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer frequently metastasizes to bone, in which tumor cells receive signals from the bone marrow microenvironment. One relevant factor is TGF-β, which upregulates expression of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling molecule, Gli2, which in turn increases secretion of important osteolytic factors such as parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP). PTHrP inhibition can prevent tumor-induced bone destruction, whereas Gli2 overexpression in tumor cells can promote osteolysis. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that Hh inhibition in bone metastatic breast cancer would decrease PTHrP expression and therefore osteolytic bone destruction. However, when mice engrafted with human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were treated with the Hh receptor antagonist cyclopamine, we observed no effect on tumor burden or bone destruction. In vitro analyses revealed that osteolytic tumor cells lack expression of the Hh receptor, Smoothened, suggesting an Hh-independent mechanism of Gli2 regulation. Blocking Gli signaling in metastatic breast cancer cells with a Gli2-repressor gene (Gli2-rep) reduced endogenous and TGF-β-stimulated PTHrP mRNA expression, but did not alter tumor cell proliferation. Furthermore, mice inoculated with Gli2-Rep-expressing cells exhibited a decrease in osteolysis, suggesting that Gli2 inhibition may block TGF-β propagation of a vicious osteolytic cycle in this MDA-MB-231 model of bone metastasis. Accordingly, in the absence of TGF-β signaling, Gli2 expression was downregulated in cells, whereas enforced overexpression of Gli2 restored PTHrP activity. Taken together, our findings suggest that Gli2 is required for TGF-β to stimulate PTHrP expression and that blocking Hh-independent Gli2 activity will inhibit tumor-induced bone destruction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachelle W Johnson
- Department of Veterans Affairs: Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (VISN 9), Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Saran A. Basal cell carcinoma and the carcinogenic role of aberrant Hedgehog signaling. Future Oncol 2010; 6:1003-14. [PMID: 20528237 DOI: 10.2217/fon.10.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent cancer in the white population and its incidence appears to be increasing worldwide. While the majority of BCCs arise sporadically, many cases are attributable to basal cell nevus syndrome, or Gorlin syndrome, an autosomal dominantly inherited disorder characterized by the occurrence of multiple BCCs and by extracutaneous tumors. Genetic studies on patients with basal cell nevus syndrome indicate deregulation of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway in epidermal keratinocytes as the primary event in the pathogenesis of BCC. This article summarizes the recent progress in understanding Hh-dependent BCC tumorigenesis, as well as evidence for deregulation of other molecular pathways, primarily the Wnt developmental pathway. Understanding the molecular genetics of BCC development has provided new opportunities for molecular therapy of this cancer by targeting Hh and other signaling pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Saran
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology & Biomedicine, Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l'Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile, Centro Ricerche Casaccia, 00123 Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|