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Vanneste M, Venzke A, Guin S, Fuller AJ, Jezewski AJ, Beattie SR, Krysan DJ, Meyers MJ, Henry MD. The anti-cancer efficacy of a novel phenothiazine derivative is independent of dopamine and serotonin receptor inhibition. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1295185. [PMID: 37909019 PMCID: PMC10613967 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1295185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction An attractive, yet unrealized, goal in cancer therapy is repurposing psychiatric drugs that can readily penetrate the blood-brain barrier for the treatment of primary brain tumors and brain metastases. Phenothiazines (PTZs) have demonstrated anti-cancer properties through a variety of mechanisms. However, it remains unclear whether these effects are entirely separate from their activity as dopamine and serotonin receptor (DR/5-HTR) antagonists. Methods In this study, we evaluated the anti-cancer efficacy of a novel PTZ analog, CWHM-974, that was shown to be 100-1000-fold less potent against DR/5-HTR than its analog fluphenazine (FLU). Results CWHM-974 was more potent than FLU against a panel of cancer cell lines, thus clearly demonstrating that its anti-cancer effects were independent of DR/5-HTR signaling. Our results further suggested that calmodulin (CaM) binding may be necessary, but not sufficient, to explain the anti-cancer effects of CWHM-974. While both FLU and CWHM-974 induced apoptosis, they induced distinct effects on the cell cycle (G0/G1 and mitotic arrest respectively) suggesting that they may have differential effects on CaM-binding proteins involved in cell cycle regulation. Discussion Altogether, our findings indicated that the anti-cancer efficacy of the CWHM-974 is separable from DR/5-HTR antagonism. Thus, reducing the toxicity associated with phenothiazines related to DR/5-HTR antagonism may improve the potential to repurpose this class of drugs to treat brain tumors and/or brain metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Vanneste
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City IA, United States
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Anita Venzke
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City IA, United States
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Soumitra Guin
- Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, United States
| | - Andrew J. Fuller
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Andrew J. Jezewski
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Sarah R. Beattie
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Damian J. Krysan
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City IA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Marvin J. Meyers
- Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, United States
| | - Michael D. Henry
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City IA, United States
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
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2
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Boyd AL, Lu J, Hollands CG, Alsostovar L, Murali S, Reid JC, Ye W, Vandersluis S, Johnson P, ElRafie A, Porras DP, Xenocostas D, Leber A, Leber B, Foley R, Trus M, Berg T, Kawata E, Xenocostas A, Bhatia M. Leukemic progenitor compartment serves as a prognostic measure of cancer stemness in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Cell Rep Med 2023:101108. [PMID: 37433297 PMCID: PMC10394166 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101108] [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: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
We systematically investigate functional and molecular measures of stemness in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using a cohort of 121 individuals. We confirm that the presence of leukemic stem cells (LSCs) detected through in vivo xenograft transplantation is associated with poor survival. However, the measurement of leukemic progenitor cells (LPCs) through in vitro colony-forming assays provides an even stronger predictor of overall and event-free survival. LPCs not only capture patient-specific mutations but also retain serial re-plating ability, demonstrating their biological relevance. Notably, LPC content represents an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analyses including clinical guidelines of risk stratification. Our findings suggest that LPCs provide a robust functional measure of AML, enabling quantitative and rapid assessment of a wide range of patients. This highlights the potential of LPCs as a valuable prognostic factor in AML management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison L Boyd
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Justin Lu
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Cameron G Hollands
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Lili Alsostovar
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Shiva Murali
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Jennifer C Reid
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Wendy Ye
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Sean Vandersluis
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Paige Johnson
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Amro ElRafie
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Deanna P Porras
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Dimetri Xenocostas
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Andrew Leber
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Brian Leber
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Ronan Foley
- Department of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Michael Trus
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Tobias Berg
- Department of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Eri Kawata
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Schulich School of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Anargyros Xenocostas
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Schulich School of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Mickie Bhatia
- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada.
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3
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Turk S, Baesmat AS, Yılmaz A, Turk C, Malkan UY, Ucar G, Haznedaroğlu IC. NK-cell dysfunction of acute myeloid leukemia in relation to the renin–angiotensin system and neurotransmitter genes. Open Med (Wars) 2022; 17:1495-1506. [PMID: 36213442 PMCID: PMC9490854 DOI: 10.1515/med-2022-0551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most heterogeneous hematological disorder and blast cells need to fight against immune system. Natural killer (NK) cells can elicit fast anti-tumor responses in response to surface receptors of tumor cells. NK-cell activity is often impaired in the disease, and there is a risk of insufficient tumor suppression and progression. The aim of this study is to assess the dysfunction of NK cells in AML patients via focusing on two important pathways. We obtained single-cell RNA-sequencing data from NK cells obtained from healthy donors and AML patients. The data were used to perform a wide variety of approaches, including DESeq2 (version 3.9), limma (version 3.26.8) power differential expression analyses, hierarchical clustering, gene set enrichment, and pathway analysis. ATP6AP2, LNPEP, PREP, IGF2R, CTSA, and THOP1 genes were found to be related to the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) family, while DPP3, GLRA3, CRCP, CHRNA5, CHRNE, and CHRNB1 genes were associated with the neurotransmitter pathways. The determined genes are expressed within different patterns in the AML and healthy groups. The relevant molecular pathways and clusters of genes were identified, as well. The cross-talks of NK-cell dysfunction in relation to the RAS and neurotransmitters seem to be important in the genesis of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyhan Turk
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, 06105, Turkey
| | - Ayriana Safari Baesmat
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Lokman Hekim University, Ankara, 06105, Turkey
| | - Aysegul Yılmaz
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Lokman Hekim University, Ankara, 06105, Turkey
| | - Can Turk
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Lokman Hekim University, Ankara, 06105, Turkey
| | - Umit Yavuz Malkan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University, Ankara, 06105, Turkey
| | - Gulberk Ucar
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University, Ankara, 06105, Turkey
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Emerging role of G9a in cancer stemness and promises as a therapeutic target. Oncogenesis 2021; 10:76. [PMID: 34775469 PMCID: PMC8590690 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-021-00370-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The histone methyltransferase G9a is well-documented for its implication in neoplastic growth. However, recent investigations have demonstrated a key involvement of this chromatin writer in maintaining the self-renewal and tumor-initiating capacities of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Direct inhibition of G9a’s catalytic activity was reported as a promising therapeutic target in multiple preclinical studies. Yet, none of the available pharmacological inhibitors of G9a activity have shown success at the early stages of clinical testing. Here, we discuss central findings of oncogenic expression and activation of G9a in CSCs from different origins, as well as the impact of the suppression of G9a histone methyltransferase activity in such contexts. We will explore the challenges posed by direct and systemic inhibition of G9a activity in the perspective of clinical translation of documented small molecules. Finally, we will discuss recent advances in drug discovery as viable strategies to develop context-specific drugs, selectively targeting G9a in CSC populations.
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Targeting Cancer Stem Cells with Differentiation Agents as an Alternative to Genotoxic Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Malignant Testicular Germ Cell Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092045. [PMID: 33922599 PMCID: PMC8122873 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are exceptionally sensitive to genotoxic chemotherapy, resulting in a high cure rate for the young men presenting with these malignancies. However, this treatment is associated with significant toxicity, and a subset of malignant TGCTs demonstrate chemoresistance. Mixed nonseminomas often contain pluripotent embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells, the cancer stem cells (CSCs) of these tumors. We hypothesized that differentiation therapy, a treatment strategy which aims to induce differentiation of tumor-propagating CSCs to slow tumor growth, could effectively treat mixed nonseminomas without significant toxicity. The FDA-approved antipsychotic thioridazine and the agricultural antibiotic salinomycin are two drugs previously found to selectively target CSCs, and here we report that these agents differentiate EC cells in vitro and greatly reduce their tumorigenic potential in vivo. Using a novel transformed induced pluripotent stem cell allograft model and a human xenograft model, we show that thioridazine extends the survival of tumor-bearing mice and can reduce the number of pluripotent EC cells within tumors. These results suggest that thioridazine could be repurposed as an alternative TGCT treatment that avoids the toxicity of conventional chemotherapeutics.
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