1
|
Neuendorf HM, Simmons JL, Boyle GM. Therapeutic targeting of anoikis resistance in cutaneous melanoma metastasis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1183328. [PMID: 37181747 PMCID: PMC10169659 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1183328] [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: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The acquisition of resistance to anoikis, the cell death induced by loss of adhesion to the extracellular matrix, is an absolute requirement for the survival of disseminating and circulating tumour cells (CTCs), and for the seeding of metastatic lesions. In melanoma, a range of intracellular signalling cascades have been identified as potential drivers of anoikis resistance, however a full understanding of the process is yet to be attained. Mechanisms of anoikis resistance pose an attractive target for the therapeutic treatment of disseminating and circulating melanoma cells. This review explores the range of small molecule, peptide and antibody inhibitors targeting molecules involved in anoikis resistance in melanoma, and may be repurposed to prevent metastatic melanoma prior to its initiation, potentially improving the prognosis for patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Neuendorf
- Cancer Drug Mechanisms Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jacinta L. Simmons
- Cancer Drug Mechanisms Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Glen M. Boyle
- Cancer Drug Mechanisms Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nascentes Melo LM, Kumar S, Riess V, Szylo KJ, Eisenburger R, Schadendorf D, Ubellacker JM, Tasdogan A. Advancements in melanoma cancer metastasis models. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2023; 36:206-223. [PMID: 36478190 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13078] [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: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma is a complex and deadly disease. Due to its complexity, the development of novel therapeutic strategies to inhibit metastatic melanoma remains an outstanding challenge. Our ability to study metastasis is advanced with the development of in vitro and in vivo models that better mimic the different steps of the metastatic cascade beginning from primary tumor initiation to final metastatic seeding. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of in vitro models, in vivo models, and in silico platforms to study the individual steps of melanoma metastasis. Furthermore, we highlight the advantages and limitations of each model and discuss the challenges of how to improve current models to enhance translation for melanoma cancer patients and future therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Suresh Kumar
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen and German Cancer Consortium, Essen, Germany
| | - Valeria Riess
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen and German Cancer Consortium, Essen, Germany
| | - Krystina J Szylo
- Department of Molecular Metabolism, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robin Eisenburger
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen and German Cancer Consortium, Essen, Germany
| | - Dirk Schadendorf
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen and German Cancer Consortium, Essen, Germany
| | - Jessalyn M Ubellacker
- Department of Molecular Metabolism, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alpaslan Tasdogan
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen and German Cancer Consortium, Essen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rebecca VW, Xiao M, Kossenkov A, Godok T, Brown GS, Fingerman D, Alicea GM, Wei M, Ji H, Bravo J, Chen Y, Fane ME, Villanueva J, Nathanson K, Liu Q, Gopal YNV, Davies MA, Herlyn M. Dasatinib Resensitizes MAPK Inhibitor Efficacy in Standard-of-Care Relapsed Melanomas. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.20.524923. [PMID: 36711814 PMCID: PMC9882271 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.20.524923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Resistance to combination BRAF/MEK inhibitor (BRAFi/MEKi) therapy arises in nearly every patient with BRAFV600E/K melanoma, despite promising initial responses. Achieving cures in this expanding BRAFi/MEKi-resistant cohort represents one of the greatest challenges to the field; few experience additional durable benefit from immunotherapy and no alternative therapies exist. To better personalize therapy in cancer patients to address therapy relapse, umbrella trials have been initiated whereby genomic sequencing of a panel of potentially actionable targets guide therapy selection for patients; however, the superior efficacy of such approaches remains to be seen. We here test the robustness of the umbrella trial rationale by analyzing relationships between genomic status of a gene and the downstream consequences at the protein level of related pathway, which find poor relationships between mutations, copy number amplification, and protein level. To profile candidate therapeutic strategies that may offer clinical benefit in the context of acquired BRAFi/MEKi resistance, we established a repository of patient-derived xenograft models from heavily pretreated patients with resistance to BRAFi/MEKi and/or immunotherapy (R-PDX). With these R-PDXs, we executed in vivo compound repurposing screens using 11 FDA-approved agents from an NCI-portfolio with pan-RTK, non-RTK and/or PI3K-mTOR specificity. We identify dasatinib as capable of restoring BRAFi/MEKi antitumor efficacy in ~70% of R-PDX tested. A systems-biology analysis indicates elevated baseline protein expression of canonical drivers of therapy resistance (e.g., AXL, YAP, HSP70, phospho-AKT) as predictive of MAPKi/dasatinib sensitivity. We therefore propose that dasatinib-based MAPKi therapy may restore antitumor efficacy in patients that have relapsed to standard-of-care therapy by broadly targeting proteins critical in melanoma therapy escape. Further, we submit that this experimental PDX paradigm could potentially improve preclinical evaluation of therapeutic modalities and augment our ability to identify biomarker-defined patient subsets that may respond to a given clinical trial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vito W Rebecca
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Min Xiao
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Gretchen M Alicea
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Meihan Wei
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hongkai Ji
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jeremy Bravo
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Mitchell E Fane
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Qin Liu
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Michielon E, de Gruijl TD, Gibbs S. From simplicity to complexity in current melanoma models. Exp Dermatol 2022; 31:1818-1836. [PMID: 36103206 PMCID: PMC10092692 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14675] [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: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Despite the recent impressive clinical success of immunotherapy against melanoma, development of primary and adaptive resistance against immune checkpoint inhibitors remains a major issue in a large number of treated patients. This highlights the need for melanoma models that replicate the tumor's intricate dynamics in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and associated immune suppression to study possible resistance mechanisms in order to improve current and test novel therapeutics. While two-dimensional melanoma cell cultures have been widely used to perform functional genomics screens in a high-throughput fashion, they are not suitable to answer more complex scientific questions. Melanoma models have also been established in a variety of experimental (humanized) animals. However, due to differences in physiology, such models do not fully represent human melanoma development. Therefore, fully human three-dimensional in vitro models mimicking melanoma cell interactions with the TME are being developed to address this need for more physiologically relevant models. Such models include melanoma organoids, spheroids, and reconstructed human melanoma-in-skin cultures. Still, while major advances have been made to complement and replace animals, these in vitro systems have yet to fully recapitulate human tumor complexity. Lastly, technical advancements have been made in the organ-on-chip field to replicate functions and microstructures of in vivo human tissues and organs. This review summarizes advancements made in understanding and treating melanoma and specifically aims to discuss the progress made towards developing melanoma models, their applications, limitations, and the advances still needed to further facilitate the development of therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Michielon
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tanja D de Gruijl
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Susan Gibbs
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cai S, Li N, Bai X, Liu L, Banerjee A, Lavudi K, Zhang X, Zhao J, Venere M, Duan W, Zhang J, Welliver MX, He K, Wang QE. ERK inactivation enhances stemness of NSCLC cells via promoting Slug-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Theranostics 2022; 12:7051-7066. [PMID: 36276640 PMCID: PMC9576621 DOI: 10.7150/thno.73099] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: The mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway (MAPK) is one of the major cancer-driving pathways found in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. ERK inhibitors (ERKi) have been shown to be effective in NSCLC patients with MAPK pathway mutations. However, like other MAPK inhibitors, ERKi rarely confers complete and durable responses. The mechanism of tumor relapse after ERKi treatment is yet defined. Methods: To best study the mechanism of tumor relapse after ERK inhibitor treatment in NSCLC patients, we treated various NSCLC cell lines and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) with ERK inhibitors and evaluated the enrichment of cancer stem cell (CSC) population. We then performed a Next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify potential pathways that are responsible for the CSC enrichment. Further, the involvement of specific pathways was examined using molecular and cellular methods. Finally, we investigated the therapeutic benefits of ERKi treatment combined with JAK/STAT pathway inhibitor using cellular and xenograft NSCLC models. Results: We found that ERKi treatment expands the CSC population in NSCLC cells through enhanced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-mediated cancer cell dedifferentiation. Mechanistically, ERK inactivation induces EMT via pSTAT3-mediated upregulation of Slug, in which, upregulation of miR-204 and downregulation of SPDEF, a transcription repressor of Slug, are involved. Finally, the JAK/STAT pathway inhibitor Ruxolitinib blocks the ERK inactivation-induced EMT and CSC expansion, as well as the tumor progression in xenograft models after ERKi treatment. Conclusions: This study revealed a potential tumor relapse mechanism of NSCLC after ERK inhibition through the unintended activation of the EMT program, ascertained the pSTAT-miR-204-SPDEF-Slug axis, and provided a promising combination inhibitor approach to prevent tumor relapse in patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shurui Cai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Na Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Xuetao Bai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Lu Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Ananya Banerjee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Kousalya Lavudi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jihe Zhao
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
| | - Monica Venere
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Wenrui Duan
- Department of Human & Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Junran Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Meng X. Welliver
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Kai He
- Department of Medical Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Qi-En Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wang ZH, Liu LP, Zheng YW. Melanocyte stem cells in skin diseases and their potential in cell-based therapy. Histol Histopathol 2022; 37:937-953. [PMID: 35553404 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Melanocytes have a complex function and play an important role in a variety of regulatory mechanisms in the human system. Melanocyte stem cells (MelSCs) serve as a reservoir to replenish the melanocytes by regenerating new ones, and they are capable of self-renewal and differentiation to maintain their homeostasis, repair, and regeneration in tissues. The numerical decrease and functional impairment of MelSCs may be closely related to the development and treatment response of many skin diseases. However, the current knowledge about MelSCs mainly comes from studies in mice, and little is known about human MelSC markers; especially, their markers are still unclear or lack consensus. This leads to uncertainty in clinical findings, which further limits our comprehensive understanding of pigmentary disorders and also hinders the progress of new treatments. Thus, in this review article, combined with our previous and current work, we summarize and update the recent advances in MelSC research, including the molecular markers of human MelSCs and their niche, as well as the association of MelSCs with skin diseases, including vitiligo, hair greying, and melanoma. Due to the limited tools available to explore the identified characteristics of human MelSCs, pluripotent stem cells can provide a new research model for further study, especially combined with CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The visualization of human MelSCs' development and differentiation can help to identify their molecular characteristics and understand their cellular fate dynamically, which will allow us not only to further explore their roles in associated diseases, but also to achieve MelSC-based cellular therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Han Wang
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li-Ping Liu
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Yun-Wen Zheng
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine, and Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, and School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, Guangdong, China
- School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Department of Medical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan.
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Stejerean-Todoran I, Gimotty PA, Watters A, Brafford P, Krepler C, Godok T, Li H, Bonilla Del Rio Z, Zieseniss A, Katschinski DM, Sertel SM, Rizzoli SO, Garman B, Nathanson KL, Xu X, Chen Q, Oswald JH, Lotem M, Mills GB, Davies MA, Schön MP, Bogeski I, Herlyn M, Vultur A. A distinct pattern of growth and RAC1 signaling in melanoma brain metastasis cells. Neuro Oncol 2022; 25:674-686. [PMID: 36054930 PMCID: PMC10076948 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noac212] [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: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanoma, the deadliest of skin cancers, has a high propensity to form brain metastases that are associated with a markedly worsened prognosis. In spite of recent therapeutic advances, melanoma brain lesions remain a clinical challenge, biomarkers predicting brain dissemination are not clear and differences with other metastatic sites are poorly understood. METHODS We examined a genetically diverse panel of human-derived melanoma brain metastasis (MBM) and extracranial cell lines using targeted sequencing, a Reverse Phase Protein Array, protein expression analyses, and functional studies in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS Brain-specific genetic alterations were not detected; however, MBM cells in vitro displayed lower proliferation rates and MBM-specific protein expression patterns associated with proliferation, DNA damage, adhesion, and migration. MBM lines displayed higher levels of RAC1 expression, involving a distinct RAC1-PAK1-JNK1 signaling network. RAC1 knockdown or treatment with small molecule inhibitors contributed to a less aggressive MBM phenotype in vitro, while RAC1 knockdown in vivo led to reduced tumor volumes and delayed tumor appearance. Proliferation, adhesion, and migration were higher in MBM vs. non-MBM lines in the presence of insulin or brain-derived factors and were affected by RAC1 levels. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that despite their genetic variability, MBM engage specific molecular processes such as RAC1 signaling to adapt to the brain microenvironment and this can be used for the molecular characterization and treatment of brain metastases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Stejerean-Todoran
- Molecular Physiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Phyllis A Gimotty
- Department of Biostatistics, Informatics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrea Watters
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Patricia Brafford
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Clemens Krepler
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tetiana Godok
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Haiyin Li
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zuriñe Bonilla Del Rio
- Molecular Physiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Anke Zieseniss
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dörthe M Katschinski
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sinem M Sertel
- Department of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Silvio O Rizzoli
- Department of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Bradley Garman
- Department of Medicine, Div. Translational Medicine and Human Genetics; Abramson Cancer Center; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Katherine L Nathanson
- Department of Medicine, Div. Translational Medicine and Human Genetics; Abramson Cancer Center; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Xiaowei Xu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qing Chen
- Immunology Microenvironment & Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jack H Oswald
- Immunology Microenvironment & Metastasis, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michal Lotem
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, IL
| | - Gordon B Mills
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael A Davies
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael P Schön
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ivan Bogeski
- Molecular Physiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adina Vultur
- Molecular Physiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lee S, Yang W, Kim DK, Kim H, Shin M, Choi KU, Suh DS, Kim YH, Hwang TH, Kim JH. Inhibition of MEK-ERK pathway enhances oncolytic vaccinia virus replication in doxorubicin-resistant ovarian cancer. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2022; 25:211-224. [PMID: 35592390 PMCID: PMC9096472 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2022.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic vaccinia virus (OVV) has been reported to induce cell death in various types of cancer; however, the oncolytic activity of OVV in drug-resistant ovarian cancer remains limited. In the present study, we established doxorubicin-resistant ovarian cancer cells (A2780-R) from the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line. Both A2780 and A2780-R cells were infected with OVV to explore its anticancer effects. Interestingly, OVV-infected A2780-R cells showed reduced viral replication and cell death compared with A2780 cells, suggesting their resistance against OVV-induced oncolysis; to understand the mechanism underlying this resistance, we explored the involvement of protein kinases. Among protein kinase inhibitors, PD0325901, an MEK inhibitor, significantly augmented OVV replication and cell death in A2780-R cells. PD0325901 treatment increased the phosphorylation of STAT3 in A2780-R cells. Moreover, cryptotanshinone, a STAT3 inhibitor, abrogated PD0325901-stimulated OVV replication. Furthermore, trametinib, a clinically approved MEK inhibitor, increased OVV replication in A2780-R cells. Transcriptomic analysis showed that the MEK inhibitor promoted OVV replication via increasing STAT3 activation and downregulating the cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway. Combined treatment with OVV and trametinib attenuated A2780-R xenograft tumor growth. These results suggest that pharmacological inhibition of MEK reinforces the oncolytic efficacy of OVV in drug-resistant ovarian cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seoyul Lee
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Wookyeom Yang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Kyoung Kim
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Hojun Kim
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Minjoo Shin
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Un Choi
- Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Soo Suh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Hak Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Ho Hwang
- Gene and Cell Therapy Research Center for Vessel-associated Diseases, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Ho Kim
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea.,Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do 50612, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Barreno A, Orgaz JL. Cytoskeletal Remodelling as an Achilles’ Heel for Therapy Resistance in Melanoma. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030518. [PMID: 35159327 PMCID: PMC8834185 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with a poor prognosis when diagnosed late. MAPK-targeted therapies and immune checkpoint blockers benefit a subset of melanoma patients; however, acquired therapy resistance inevitably arises within a year. In addition, some patients display intrinsic (primary) resistance and never respond to therapy. There is mounting evidence that resistant cells adapt to therapy through the rewiring of cytoskeleton regulators, leading to a profound remodelling of the actomyosin cytoskeleton. Importantly, this renders therapy-resistant cells highly dependent on cytoskeletal signalling pathways for sustaining their survival under drug pressure, which becomes a vulnerability that can be exploited therapeutically. Here, we discuss the current knowledge on cytoskeletal pathways involved in mainly targeted therapy resistance and future avenues, as well as potential clinical interventions.
Collapse
|
10
|
Salviolone from Salvia miltiorrhiza Roots Impairs Cell Cycle Progression, Colony Formation, and Metalloproteinase-2 Activity in A375 Melanoma Cells: Involvement of P21(Cip1/Waf1) Expression and STAT3 Phosphorylation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031121. [PMID: 35163058 PMCID: PMC8835475 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a highly malignant solid tumor characterized by an elevated growth and propagation rate. Since, often, melanoma treatment cannot prevent recurrences and the appearance of metastasis, new anti-melanoma agents need to be discovered. Salvia miltiorrhiza roots are a source of diterpenoid derivatives, natural compounds with several biological activities, including antiproliferative and anticancer effects. Seven diterpenoid derivatives were purified from S. miltiorrhiza roots and identified by NMR and MS analysis. Tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone were detected as the main components of S. miltiorrhiza root ethanol extract. Although their antitumor activity is already known, they have been confirmed to induce a reduction in A375 and MeWo melanoma cell growth. Likewise, salviolone has been shown to impair the viability of melanoma cells without affecting the growth of normal melanocytes. The underlying anticancer activity of salviolone has been investigated and compared to that of cryptotanshinone in A375 cells, showing an increased P21 protein expression in a P53-dependent manner. In that way, salviolone, even more than cryptotanshinone, displays a multitarget effect on cell-cycle-related proteins. Besides, it modulates the phosphorylation level of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3. Unexpectedly, salviolone and cryptotanshinone induce sustained activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2 and the protein kinase B (Akt). However, the blockage of ERK1/2 or Akt activities suggests that kinase activation does not hinder their ability to inhibit A375 cell growth. Finally, salviolone and cryptotanshinone inhibit to a comparable extent some crucial malignancy features of A375 melanoma cells, such as colony formation in soft agar and metalloproteinase-2 activity. In conclusion, it has been shown for the first time that salviolone, harboring a different molecular structure than tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone, exhibits a pleiotropic effect against melanoma by hampering cell cycle progression, STAT3 signaling, and malignant phenotype of A375 melanoma cells.
Collapse
|
11
|
Hu CT, Mandal JP, Wu WS. Regulation on tumor metastasis by Raf kinase inhibitory protein: New insight with reactive oxygen species signaling. Tzu Chi Med J 2021; 33:332-338. [PMID: 34760627 PMCID: PMC8532577 DOI: 10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_296_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted therapy aiming at the metastatic signal pathway, such as that triggered by receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), for the prevention of tumor progression is promising. However, RTK-based targeted therapy frequently suffered from drug resistance due to the co-expression of multiple growth factor receptors that may raise compensatory secondary signaling and acquired mutations after treatment. One alternative strategy is to manipulate the common negative regulators of the RTK signaling. Among them, Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP) is highlighted and focused on this review. RKIP can associate with Raf-1, thus suppressing the downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. RKIP also negatively regulates other metastatic signal molecules including NF-κB, STAT3, and NOTCH1. In general, RKIP achieves this task via associating and blocking the activity of the critical molecules on upstream of the aforementioned pathways. One novel RKIP-related signaling involves reactive oxygen species (ROS). In our recent report, we found that PKCδ-mediated ROS generation may interfere with the association of RKIP with heat shock protein 60 (HSP60)/MAPK complex via oxidation of HSP60 triggered by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate. The departure of RKIP may impact the downstream MAPK in two aspects. One is to trigger the Mt→cytosol translocation of HSP60 coupled with MAPKs. The other is to change the conformation of HSP60, favoring more efficient activation of the associated MAPK by upstream kinases in cytosol. It is worthy of investigating whether various RTKs capable of generating ROS can drive metastatic signaling via affecting RKIP in the same manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Tan Hu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.,Research Centre for Hepatology, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | | | - Wen-Sheng Wu
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.,Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
RICTOR Affects Melanoma Tumorigenesis and Its Resistance to Targeted Therapy. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9101498. [PMID: 34680615 PMCID: PMC8533235 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The network defined by phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), AKT, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a major role in melanoma oncogenesis and has been implicated in BRAF inhibitor resistance. The central role of RICTOR (rapamycin-insensitive companion of mTOR) in this pathway has only recently begun to be unraveled. In the present study, we assessed the role of mTORC2/RICTOR in BRAF-mutated melanomas and their resistance to BRAF inhibition. We showed that RICTOR was significantly overexpressed in melanoma and associated with bad prognoses. RICTOR overexpression stimulated melanoma-initiating cells (MICs) with ‘stemness’ properties. We also showed that RICTOR contributed to melanoma resistance to BRAF inhibitors and rendered the cells very sensitive to mTORC2 inhibition. We highlighted a connection between mTORC2/RICTOR and STAT3 in resistant cells and revealed an interaction between RAS and RICTOR in resistant melanoma, which, when disrupted, impeded the proliferation of resistant cells. Therefore, as a key signaling node, RICTOR contributes to BRAF-dependent melanoma development and resistance to therapy and, as such, is a valuable therapeutic target in melanoma.
Collapse
|
13
|
Tumosienė I, Jonuškienė I, Kantminienė K, Mickevičius V, Petrikaitė V. Novel N-Substituted Amino Acid Hydrazone-Isatin Derivatives: Synthesis, Antioxidant Activity, and Anticancer Activity in 2D and 3D Models In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157799. [PMID: 34360565 PMCID: PMC8346030 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A series of novel mono and bishydrazones each bearing a 2-oxindole moiety along with substituted phenylaminopropanamide, pyrrolidin-2-one, benzimidazole, diphenylmethane, or diphenylamine fragments were synthesized, and their anticancer activities were tested by MTT assay against human melanoma A375 and colon adenocarcinoma HT-29 cell lines. In general, the synthesized compounds were more cytotoxic against HT-29 than A375. 3-((4-Methoxyphenyl)(3-oxo-3-(2-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)hydrazinyl)propyl)amino)-N′-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)propanehydrazide and (N′,N‴)-1,1′-(methylenebis(4,1-phenylene))bis(5-oxo-N′-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)pyrrolidine-3-carbohydrazide) were identified as the most active compounds against HT-29 in 2D and 3D cell cultures. The same compounds showed the highest antioxidant activity among the synthesized compounds screened by ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP). Their antioxidant activity is on par with that of a well-known antioxidant ascorbic acid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ingrida Tumosienė
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Kaunas University of Technology, Radvilėnų pl. 19, LT-50254 Kaunas, Lithuania; (I.T.); (I.J.); (V.M.)
| | - Ilona Jonuškienė
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Kaunas University of Technology, Radvilėnų pl. 19, LT-50254 Kaunas, Lithuania; (I.T.); (I.J.); (V.M.)
| | - Kristina Kantminienė
- Department of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, Kaunas University of Technology, Radvilėnų pl. 19, LT-50254 Kaunas, Lithuania
- Correspondence:
| | - Vytautas Mickevičius
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Kaunas University of Technology, Radvilėnų pl. 19, LT-50254 Kaunas, Lithuania; (I.T.); (I.J.); (V.M.)
| | - Vilma Petrikaitė
- Laboratory of Drug Targets Histopathology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sukilėlių pr. 13, LT-50162 Kaunas, Lithuania;
- Institute of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickevičiaus g. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania
- Life Sciences Center, Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio al. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wang Y, Salvucci O, Ohnuki H, Tran AD, Ha T, Feng J, DiPrima M, Kwak H, Wang D, Yu Y, Kruhlak M, Tosato G. Targeting the SHP2 phosphatase promotes vascular damage and inhibition of tumor growth. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e14089. [PMID: 34102002 PMCID: PMC8261520 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202114089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 is oncogenic in cancers driven by receptor-tyrosine-kinases, and SHP2 inhibition reduces tumor growth. Here, we report that SHP2 is an essential promoter of endothelial cell survival and growth in the remodeling tumor vasculature. Using genetic and chemical approaches to inhibit SHP2 activity in endothelial cells, we show that SHP2 inhibits pro-apoptotic STAT3 and stimulates proliferative ERK1/2 signaling. Systemic SHP2 inhibition in mice bearing tumor types selected for SHP2-independent tumor cell growth promotes degeneration of the tumor vasculature and blood extravasation; reduces tumor vascularity and blood perfusion; and increases tumor necrosis. Reduction of tumor growth ensues, independent of SHP2 targeting in the tumor cells, blocking immune checkpoints, or recruiting macrophages. We also show that inhibiting the Angiopoietin/TIE2/AKT cascade magnifies the vascular and anti-tumor effects of SHP2 inhibition by blocking tumor endothelial AKT signaling, not a target of SHP2. Since the SHP2 and Ang2/TIE2 pathways are active in vascular endothelial cells of human melanoma and colon carcinoma, SHP2 inhibitors alone or with Ang2/TIE2 inhibitors hold promise to effectively target the tumor endothelium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuyi Wang
- Laboratory of Cellular OncologyCenter for Cancer ResearchNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Ombretta Salvucci
- Laboratory of Cellular OncologyCenter for Cancer ResearchNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Hidetaka Ohnuki
- Laboratory of Cellular OncologyCenter for Cancer ResearchNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Andy D Tran
- Center for Cancer Research Microscopy CoreLaboratory of Cancer Biology and GeneticsNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Taekyu Ha
- Laboratory of Cellular OncologyCenter for Cancer ResearchNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Jing‐Xin Feng
- Laboratory of Cellular OncologyCenter for Cancer ResearchNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Michael DiPrima
- Laboratory of Cellular OncologyCenter for Cancer ResearchNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Hyeongil Kwak
- Laboratory of Cellular OncologyCenter for Cancer ResearchNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Dunrui Wang
- Laboratory of Cellular OncologyCenter for Cancer ResearchNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Yanlin Yu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and GeneticsCenter for Cancer ResearchNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Michael Kruhlak
- Center for Cancer Research Microscopy CoreLaboratory of Cancer Biology and GeneticsNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Giovanna Tosato
- Laboratory of Cellular OncologyCenter for Cancer ResearchNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lee E, Kwon Y, Kim J, Park D, Lee Y. Antitumor Effect of Metformin in Combination with Binimetinib on Melanoma Cells. Dev Reprod 2021; 25:93-104. [PMID: 34386644 PMCID: PMC8328479 DOI: 10.12717/dr.2021.25.2.93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is a fatal disease for patients with distant metastasis. Metformin is the most widely used anti-diabetic drug, and proved to suppress cell proliferation and metastasis in diverse cancers including melanoma. We previously reported that MEK inhibitor trametinib increases the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) regulators and melanoma cell motility, which are suppressed by addition of metformin in A375 melanoma cells. To confirm our findings further, we first evaluated the effect of metformin in combination with another MEK inhibitor binimetinib on cell viability in G361 melanoma cells. We then investigated whether binimetinib affects the expression of EMT regulators and cell motility. We finally monitored the effect of metformin on binimetinib-induced cell migration. Cell viability assay showed that combination index (CI) value at ED50 is 0.80, suggesting synergy for the combination of metformin with binimetinib. Our results also revealed that binimetinib increased the expression of EMT regulators such as integrin αV, fibronectin and slug, which correlate well with the enhanced cell migration in wound healing assay. Metformin, on the contrary, suppressed the expression of sparc, integrin αV, fibronectin and N-cadherin with the reduced cell motility. The combination treatment showed that metformin counteracts the binimetinib-induced increase of cell motility. Overall, these results suggest that metformin with binimetinib might be useful as a potential therapeutic adjuvant against cell survival and metastatic activity in melanoma patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eunsung Lee
- Department of Medicine, Jeju National University College of Medicine, Jeju 63243, Korea
| | - Yongjae Kwon
- Department of Medicine, Jeju National University College of Medicine, Jeju 63243, Korea
| | - Jiwon Kim
- Department of Medicine, Jeju National University College of Medicine, Jeju 63243, Korea
| | - Deokbae Park
- Department of Histology, Jeju National University College of Medicine, Jeju 63243, Korea
| | - Youngki Lee
- Department of Histology, Jeju National University College of Medicine, Jeju 63243, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Mudianto T, Campbell KM, Webb J, Zolkind P, Skidmore ZL, Riley R, Barnell EK, Ozgenc I, Giri T, Dunn GP, Adkins DR, Griffith M, Egloff AM, Griffith OL, Uppaluri R. Yap1 Mediates Trametinib Resistance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:2326-2339. [PMID: 33547198 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-4179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) "window of opportunity" clinical trial, we reported that trametinib reduced MEK-Erk1/2 activation and resulted in tumor responses in a subset of patients. Here, we investigated resistance to trametinib and molecular correlates in HNSCC cell lines and patient samples. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN HNSCC cell lines were treated with trametinib to generate resistant lines. Candidate bypass pathways were assessed using immunoblotting, CRISPR knockout, and survival assays. Effectiveness of combined trametinib and verteporfin targeting was evaluated. Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) from responder patients were treated with trametinib and resistant tumors were analyzed. Window trial clinical samples were subjected to whole-exome and RNA sequencing. RESULTS HNSCC cell lines developed resistance (CAL27-TR and HSC3-TR) after prolonged trametinib exposure. Downstream effectors of the Hippo pathway were activated in CAL27-TR and HSC3-TR, and combined trametinib and verteporfin treatment resulted in synergistic treatment response. We defined the Hippo pathway effector Yap1 as an induced survival pathway promoting resistance to trametinib in HSC3-TR. Yap1 was necessary for HSC3-TR trametinib resistance, and constitutively active Yap1 was sufficient to confer resistance in parental HSC3. Analysis of trametinib neoadjuvant trial patient tumors indicated canonical MEK-Erk1/2 pathway activating mutations were infrequent, and Yap1 activity increased following trametinib treatment. Trametinib treatment of a PDX from a responder patient resulted in evolution of resistance with increased Yap1 expression and activity. CONCLUSIONS These studies identify a Yap1-dependent resistance to trametinib therapy in HNSCCs. Combined Yap1 and MEK targeting may represent a strategy to enhance HNSCC response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tenny Mudianto
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Katie M Campbell
- McDonnell Genome Institute and Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Jason Webb
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Paul Zolkind
- Department of Otolaryngology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Zachary L Skidmore
- McDonnell Genome Institute and Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Rachel Riley
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Erica K Barnell
- McDonnell Genome Institute and Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Ibrahim Ozgenc
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tusar Giri
- Department of Otolaryngology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Gavin P Dunn
- Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Douglas R Adkins
- Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Malachi Griffith
- McDonnell Genome Institute and Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Ann Marie Egloff
- Department of Surgery/Otolaryngology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Obi L Griffith
- McDonnell Genome Institute and Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Ravindra Uppaluri
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Surgery/Otolaryngology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abreu TR, Biscaia M, Gonçalves N, Fonseca NA, Moreira JN. In Vitro and In Vivo Tumor Models for the Evaluation of Anticancer Nanoparticles. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1295:271-299. [PMID: 33543464 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-58174-9_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Multiple studies about tumor biology have revealed the determinant role of the tumor microenvironment in cancer progression, resulting from the dynamic interactions between tumor cells and surrounding stromal cells within the extracellular matrix. This malignant microenvironment highly impacts the efficacy of anticancer nanoparticles by displaying drug resistance mechanisms, as well as intrinsic physical and biochemical barriers, which hamper their intratumoral accumulation and biological activity.Currently, two-dimensional cell cultures are used as the initial screening method in vitro for testing cytotoxic nanocarriers. However, this fails to mimic the tumor heterogeneity, as well as the three-dimensional tumor architecture and pathophysiological barriers, leading to an inaccurate pharmacological evaluation.Biomimetic 3D in vitro tumor models, on the other hand, are emerging as promising tools for more accurately assessing nanoparticle activity, owing to their ability to recapitulate certain features of the tumor microenvironment and thus provide mechanistic insights into nanocarrier intratumoral penetration and diffusion rates.Notwithstanding, in vivo validation of nanomedicines remains irreplaceable at the preclinical stage, and a vast variety of more advanced in vivo tumor models is currently available. Such complex animal models (e.g., genetically engineered mice and patient-derived xenografts) are capable of better predicting nanocarrier clinical efficiency, as they closely resemble the heterogeneity of the human tumor microenvironment.Herein, the development of physiologically more relevant in vitro and in vivo tumor models for the preclinical evaluation of anticancer nanoparticles will be discussed, as well as the current limitations and future challenges in clinical translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teresa R Abreu
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Rua Larga, Coimbra, Portugal.,UC - University of Coimbra, CIBB, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Mariana Biscaia
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Rua Larga, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Nélio Gonçalves
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Rua Larga, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Nuno A Fonseca
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Rua Larga, Coimbra, Portugal.,TREAT U, SA, Parque Industrial de Taveiro, Lote 44, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Nuno Moreira
- CNC - Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Faculty of Medicine (Polo 1), Rua Larga, Coimbra, Portugal. .,UC - University of Coimbra, CIBB, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Coimbra, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Garg M, Shanmugam MK, Bhardwaj V, Goel A, Gupta R, Sharma A, Baligar P, Kumar AP, Goh BC, Wang L, Sethi G. The pleiotropic role of transcription factor STAT3 in oncogenesis and its targeting through natural products for cancer prevention and therapy. Med Res Rev 2020; 41:1291-1336. [PMID: 33289118 DOI: 10.1002/med.21761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is one of the crucial transcription factors, responsible for regulating cellular proliferation, cellular differentiation, migration, programmed cell death, inflammatory response, angiogenesis, and immune activation. In this review, we have discussed the classical regulation of STAT3 via diverse growth factors, cytokines, G-protein-coupled receptors, as well as toll-like receptors. We have also highlighted the potential role of noncoding RNAs in regulating STAT3 signaling. However, the deregulation of STAT3 signaling has been found to be associated with the initiation and progression of both solid and hematological malignancies. Additionally, hyperactivation of STAT3 signaling can maintain the cancer stem cell phenotype by modulating the tumor microenvironment, cellular metabolism, and immune responses to favor drug resistance and metastasis. Finally, we have also discussed several plausible ways to target oncogenic STAT3 signaling using various small molecules derived from natural products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Garg
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Muthu K Shanmugam
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Vipul Bhardwaj
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Akul Goel
- La Canada High School, La Canada Flintridge, California, USA
| | - Rajat Gupta
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Arundhiti Sharma
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Prakash Baligar
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Alan Prem Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Center for Translational Medicine, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Boon Cher Goh
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Center for Translational Medicine, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lingzhi Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Center for Translational Medicine, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Tangella LP, Clark ME, Gray ES. Resistance mechanisms to targeted therapy in BRAF-mutant melanoma - A mini review. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2020; 1865:129736. [PMID: 32956754 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2020.129736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The introduction of targeted therapies for the treatment of BRAF-mutant melanomas have improved survival rates in a significant proportion of patients. Nonetheless, the emergence of resistance to treatment remains inevitable in most patients. SCOPE OF REVIEW Here, we review known and emerging molecular mechanisms that underlay the development of resistance to MAPK inhibition in melanoma cells and the potential strategies to overcome these mechanisms. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Multiple genetic and non-genetic mechanisms contribute to treatment failure, commonly leading to the reactivation of the MAPK pathway. A variety of resistance mechanisms are enabled by the underlying heterogeneity and plasticity of melanoma cells. Moreover, it has become apparent that resistance to targeted therapy is underpinned by early functional adaptations involving the rewiring of cell states and metabolic pathways. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The evidence presented suggest that the use of a combinatorial treatment approach would delay the emergence of resistance and improve patient outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lokeswari P Tangella
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth 6027, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Michael E Clark
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth 6027, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Elin S Gray
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth 6027, Western Australia, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
STAT3 transcription factor as target for anti-cancer therapy. Pharmacol Rep 2020; 72:1101-1124. [PMID: 32880101 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-020-00156-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
STATs constitute a large family of transcription activators and transducers of signals that have an important role in many cell functions as regulation of proliferation and differentiation of the cell also regulation of apoptosis and angiogenesis. STAT3 as a member of that family, recently was discovered to have a vital role in progression of different types of cancers. The activation of STAT3 was observed to regulate multiple gene functions during cancer-like cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, metastasis, inflammation, immunity, cell survival, and angiogenesis. The inhibition of STAT3 activation has been an important target for cancer therapy. Inhibitors of STAT3 have been used for a long time for treatment of many types of cancers like leukemia, melanoma, colon, and renal cancer. In this review article, we summarize and discuss different drugs inhibiting the action of STAT3 and used in treatment of different types of cancer.
Collapse
|
21
|
Jena BC, Das CK, Bharadwaj D, Mandal M. Cancer associated fibroblast mediated chemoresistance: A paradigm shift in understanding the mechanism of tumor progression. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188416. [PMID: 32822826 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
One of the undeniable issues with cancer eradication is the evolution of chemoresistance in due course of treatment, and the mechanisms of chemoresistance have been the subject of extensive research for several years. The efficacy of chemotherapy is hindered by cancer epithelium, mostly in a cell-autonomous mechanism. However, recently the valid experimental evidence showed that the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME) is equivalently responsible for the induction of chemoresistance. Of the verities of cells in the tumor microenvironment, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the major cellular component of TME and act as a key regulator in the acquisition of cancer chemoresistance by providing a protective niche to the cancer cells against the anti-cancer drugs. Moreover, the symbiotic relationship between the tumor and CAFs to obtain key resources such as growth factors and nutrients for optimal tumor growth and proliferation favors the chemoresistance phenotype. Here, in this review, we provide an up-to-date overview of our knowledge of the role of the CAFs in inducing chemoresistance and tumor progression. We also further delineated the emerging events leading to the CAF origins and activation of normal fibroblasts to CAFs. Along with this, we also discuss the novel area of research confined to the CAF targeted therapies of cancer. The identification of CAF-specific markers may allow unveiling new targets and avenues for blunting or reverting the detrimental pro-tumorigenic potential of CAFs in the foreseeable future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bikash Chandra Jena
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Chandan Kanta Das
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Deblina Bharadwaj
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Mahitosh Mandal
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Cao HH, Liu DY, Lai YC, Chen YY, Yu LZ, Shao M, Liu JS. Inhibition of the STAT3 Signaling Pathway Contributes to the Anti-Melanoma Activities of Shikonin. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:748. [PMID: 32536866 PMCID: PMC7267064 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malignant melanoma is an extremely aggressive and metastatic cancer, and highly resistant to conventional therapies. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling promotes melanoma development and progression, which has been validated as an effective target in melanoma treatment. Natural naphthoquinone shikonin is reported to exert anti-melanoma effects. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Purpose This study aims to evaluate the anti-melanoma activities of shikonin and explore the involvement of STAT3 signaling in these effects. Methods Zebrafish tumor model was established to evaluate the anti-human melanoma effects of shikonin in vivo. MTT assay and colony formation assay were employed to investigate the anti-proliferative effects of shikonin on human melanoma A375 and A2058 cells. Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell cycle distribution and apoptosis induction. Wound healing assay and Transwell chamber assay were conducted to examine the cell migratory and invasive abilities. Immunofluorescence assay was used to observe F-actin, Tubulin, and STAT3 localization. Western blotting was used to determine the expression levels of proteins associated with apoptosis and key proteins in the STAT3 signaling pathway. Immunoblotting was performed in DSS cross-linked cells to determine the homo-dimerization of STAT3. Gelatin zymography was employed to evaluate the enzymatic activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Transient transfection was used to overexpress STAT3 in cell models. Results Shikonin suppressed melanoma growth in cultured cells and in zebrafish xenograft models. Shikonin induced melanoma cells apoptosis, inhibited cell migration and invasion. Mechanistic study indicated that shikonin inhibited the phosphorylation and homo-dimerization of STAT3, thus reduced its nuclear localization. Further study showed that shikonin decreased the levels of STAT3-targeted genes Mcl-1, Bcl-2, MMP-2, vimentin, and Twist, which are involved in melanoma survival, migration, and invasion. More importantly, overexpression of constitutively active STAT3 partially abolished the anti-proliferative, anti-migratory, and anti-invasive effects of shikonin. Conclusion The anti-melanoma activity of shikonin is at least partially attributed to the inhibition on STAT3 signaling. These findings provide new insights into the anti-melanoma molecular mechanisms of shikonin, suggesting its potential in melanoma treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Hui Cao
- Traditional Chinese Pharmacological, Third Level Research Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutics, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dong-Yi Liu
- Traditional Chinese Pharmacological, Third Level Research Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutics, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ye-Cai Lai
- Guangzhou BaiYunShan Pharmaceutical General Factory, Guangzhou BaiYunShan Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Yao Chen
- Traditional Chinese Pharmacological, Third Level Research Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutics, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lin-Zhong Yu
- Traditional Chinese Pharmacological, Third Level Research Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutics, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meng Shao
- Traditional Chinese Pharmacological, Third Level Research Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutics, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun-Shan Liu
- Traditional Chinese Pharmacological, Third Level Research Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutics, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Diazzi S, Tartare-Deckert S, Deckert M. Bad Neighborhood: Fibrotic Stroma as a New Player in Melanoma Resistance to Targeted Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061364. [PMID: 32466585 PMCID: PMC7352197 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Current treatments for metastatic cutaneous melanoma include immunotherapies and drugs targeting key molecules of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which is often activated by BRAF driver mutations. Overall responses from patients with metastatic BRAF mutant melanoma are better with therapies combining BRAF and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors. However, most patients that initially respond to therapies develop drug resistance within months. Acquired resistance to targeted therapies can be due to additional genetic alterations in melanoma cells and to non-genetic events frequently associated with transcriptional reprogramming and a dedifferentiated cell state. In this second scenario, it is possible to identify pro-fibrotic responses induced by targeted therapies that contribute to the alteration of the melanoma tumor microenvironment. A close interrelationship between chronic fibrosis and cancer has been established for several malignancies including breast and pancreatic cancers. In this context, the contribution of fibrosis to drug adaptation and therapy resistance in melanoma is rapidly emerging. In this review, we summarize recent evidence underlining the hallmarks of fibrotic diseases in drug-exposed and resistant melanoma, including increased remodeling of the extracellular matrix, enhanced actin cytoskeleton plasticity, high sensitivity to mechanical cues, and the establishment of an inflammatory microenvironment. We also discuss several potential therapeutic options for manipulating this fibrotic-like response to combat drug-resistant and invasive melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Serena Diazzi
- C3M, Université Côte d’Azur, INSERM, 06204 Nice, France;
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer 2016, 06204 Nice, France
| | - Sophie Tartare-Deckert
- C3M, Université Côte d’Azur, INSERM, 06204 Nice, France;
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer 2016, 06204 Nice, France
- Correspondence: (S.T.-D.); (M.D.); Tel.: +33-(0)-489064310 (S.T.-D. & M.D.)
| | - Marcel Deckert
- C3M, Université Côte d’Azur, INSERM, 06204 Nice, France;
- Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer 2016, 06204 Nice, France
- Correspondence: (S.T.-D.); (M.D.); Tel.: +33-(0)-489064310 (S.T.-D. & M.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Rebecca VW, Herlyn M. Nongenetic Mechanisms of Drug Resistance in Melanoma. ANNUAL REVIEW OF CANCER BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cancerbio-030419-033533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Resistance to targeted and immune-based therapies limits cures in patients with metastatic melanoma. A growing number of reports have identified nongenetic primary resistance mechanisms including intrinsic microenvironment- and lineage plasticity–mediated processes serving critical functions in the persistence of disease throughout therapy. There is a temporally shifting spectrum of cellular identities fluidly occupied by therapy-persisting melanoma cells responsible for driving therapeutic resistance and metastasis. The key epigenetic, metabolic, and phenotypic reprogramming events requisite for the manifestation and maintenance of so-called persister melanoma populations remain poorly understood and underscore the need to comprehensively investigate actionable vulnerabilities. Here we attempt to integrate the field's observations on nongenetic mechanisms of drug resistance in melanoma. We postulate that the future design of therapeutic strategies specifically addressing therapy-persisting subpopulations of melanoma will improve the curative potential of therapy for patients with metastatic disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vito W. Rebecca
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Challa S, Husain K, Kim R, Coppola D, Batra SK, Cheng JQ, Malafa MP. Targeting the IκB Kinase Enhancer and Its Feedback Circuit in Pancreatic Cancer. Transl Oncol 2020; 13:481-489. [PMID: 32004866 PMCID: PMC6994835 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2019.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a deadly disease with an overall median 5-year survival rate of 8%. This poor prognosis is because of the development of resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy and lack of effective targeted therapies. IκB kinase enhancer (IKBKE) overexpression was previously implicated in chemoresistance. Because IKBKE is frequently elevated in PDAC and IKBKE inhibitors are currently in clinical trials, we evaluated IKBKE as a therapeutic target in this disease. Depletion of IKBKE was found to significantly reduce PDAC cell survival, growth, cancer stem cell renewal, and cell migration and invasion. Notably, IKBKE inhibitor CYT387 and IKBKE knockdown dramatically activated the MAPK pathway. Phospho-RTK array analyses showed that IKBKE inhibition leads to rapid upregulation of ErbB3 and IGF-1R expression, which results in MAPK-ERK pathway activation-thereby limiting the efficacy of IKBKE inhibitors. Furthermore, IKBKE inhibition leads to stabilization of FOXO3a, which is required for RTK upregulation on IKBKE inhibition. Finally, we demonstrated that the IKBKE inhibitors synergize with the MEK inhibitor trametinib to significantly induce cell death and inhibit tumor growth and liver metastasis in an orthotopic PDAC mouse model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Domenico Coppola
- Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jin Q Cheng
- Departments of Molecular Oncology, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Su T, Wang YP, Wang XN, Li CY, Zhu PL, Huang YM, Yang ZY, Chen SB, Yu ZL. The JAK2/STAT3 pathway is involved in the anti-melanoma effects of brevilin A. Life Sci 2019; 241:117169. [PMID: 31843524 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.117169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Melanoma is lethal. Constitutively active signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) has been proposed as a pathogenic factor and a therapeutic target of melanoma. Brevilin A, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Centipeda minima (L.) A. Br. et Aschers., has been shown to exert antineoplastic effects and inhibit the STAT3 pathway in nasopharyngeal, lung, prostate and breast cancer cells. This study aimed to determine whether brevilin A has anti-melanoma effects, and whether STAT3 signaling is involved in the effects. MAIN METHODS A mouse A375 xenograft model, as well as A375 and A2058 cell models were employed to assess the in vivo and in vitro anti-melanoma effects of brevilin A. A375 cells stably expressing STAT3C, a constitutively active STAT3 mutant, were used to determine the role of STAT3 signaling in brevilin A's anti-melanoma effects. KEY FINDINGS Intraperitoneal injection of brevilin A dose-dependently inhibited melanoma growth in mice and suppressed STAT3 phosphorylation in the tumors. In cultured cells, brevilin A reduced cell viability, induced apoptosis, suppressed migration and invasion, decreased protein levels of phospho-JAK2 (Y1007/1008) and phospho-STAT3 (Tyr705), and restrained STAT3 nuclear localization. STAT3 over-activation diminished brevilin A's effects on cell viability and migration. Collectively, brevilin A exerts anti-melanoma effects and these effects are at least in part attributed to the inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings provide a pharmacological basis for developing brevilin A as a new phytotherapeutic agent against melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Su
- Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China; Research and Development Centre for Natural Health Products, HKBU Shenzhen Research Institute and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ya-Ping Wang
- Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xin-Ning Wang
- Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chun-Yu Li
- Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pei-Li Zhu
- Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China; Research and Development Centre for Natural Health Products, HKBU Shenzhen Research Institute and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yu-Mei Huang
- Guangzhou Caizhilin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhi-Ye Yang
- Guangdong Institute For Drug Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Si-Bao Chen
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhi-Ling Yu
- Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China; Research and Development Centre for Natural Health Products, HKBU Shenzhen Research Institute and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Rossi A, Roberto M, Panebianco M, Botticelli A, Mazzuca F, Marchetti P. Drug resistance of BRAF-mutant melanoma: Review of up-to-date mechanisms of action and promising targeted agents. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 862:172621. [PMID: 31446019 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.172621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma onset and progression are associated with a high variety of activating mutations in the MAPK-pathway, most frequently involving BRAF (35-45%) and NRAS (15-25%) genes, but also c-KIT and PTEN. Targeted therapies with BRAF and MEK inhibitors showed promising results over the past years, but it is known that most responses are temporary, and almost all of patients develop a tumor relapse within one year. Different drug-resistance mechanisms underlie the progression of disease and activation of both MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways. Therefore, in this article we reviewed the main studies about clinical effects of several target inhibitors, describing properly the most prominent mechanisms of both intrinsic and acquired resistance. Furthermore, suggestive strategies for overcoming drug resistance and the most recent alternative combination therapies to optimize the use of MAPK pathway inhibitors were also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Rossi
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Oncology Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Roberto
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Oncology Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy; Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Translation Medicine, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy.
| | - Martina Panebianco
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Oncology Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Botticelli
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Oncology Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Mazzuca
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Oncology Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Marchetti
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Oncology Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy; Oncology Unit, IDI-IRCCS of Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Picco ME, Castro MV, Quezada MJ, Barbero G, Villanueva MB, Fernández NB, Kim H, Lopez-Bergami P. STAT3 enhances the constitutive activity of AGC kinases in melanoma by transactivating PDK1. Cell Biosci 2019; 9:3. [PMID: 30622697 PMCID: PMC6317239 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-018-0265-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The PI3K/Akt and the STAT3 pathways are functionally associated in many tumor types. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have revealed that either biochemical or genetic manipulation of the STAT3 pathway activity induce changes in the same direction in Akt activity. However, the implicated mechanism has been poorly characterized. Our goal was to characterize the precise mechanism linking STAT3 with the activity of Akt and other AGC kinases in cancer using melanoma cells as a model. Results We show that active STAT3 is constitutively bound to the PDK1 promoter and positively regulate PDK1 transcription through two STAT3 responsive elements. Transduction of WM9 and UACC903 melanoma cells with STAT3-small hairpin RNA decreased both PDK1 mRNA and protein levels. STAT3 knockdown also induced a decrease of the phosphorylation of AGC kinases Akt, PKC, and SGK. The inhibitory effect of STAT3 silencing on Akt phosphorylation was restored by HA-PDK1. Along this line, HA-PDK1 expression significantly blocked the cell death induced by dacarbazine plus STAT3 knockdown. This effect might be mediated by Bcl2 proteins since HA-PDK1 rescued Bcl2, Bcl-XL, and Mcl1 levels that were down-regulated upon STAT3 silencing. Conclusions We show that PDK1 is a transcriptional target of STAT3, linking STAT3 pathway with AGC kinases activity in melanoma. These data provide further rationale for the ongoing effort to therapeutically target STAT3 and PDK1 in melanoma and, possibly, other malignancies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13578-018-0265-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Elisa Picco
- 1Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Victoria Castro
- 2Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y Diagnóstico (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, CONICET, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Josefina Quezada
- 2Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y Diagnóstico (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, CONICET, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gastón Barbero
- 2Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y Diagnóstico (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, CONICET, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Belén Villanueva
- 2Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y Diagnóstico (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, CONICET, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia Brenda Fernández
- 1Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Hyungsoo Kim
- 3Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Pablo Lopez-Bergami
- 2Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y Diagnóstico (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, CONICET, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Choi KM, Cho E, Kim E, Shin JH, Kang M, Kim B, Han EH, Chung YH, Kim JY. Prolonged MEK inhibition leads to acquired resistance and increased invasiveness in KRAS mutant gastric cancer. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 507:311-318. [PMID: 30466782 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-associated death. However, traditional therapeutic strategies have failed to significantly improve the survival of patient with advanced GC. While KRAS mutations have been found in some patients with gastric cancer, an effective therapy to treat KRAS-driven gastric cancer has not been established yet. To provide a rationale for clinical application of kinase inhibitors targeting RAS pathways, we first determined the sensitivity of GC cell lines harboring KRAS mutations or amplification to RAS pathway inhibitors. We found that MAPK pathway inhibitors (MEKi and ERKi) were more effective than AKT inhibitor, suggesting that KRAS-driven gastric cancer cells are dependent on MAPK pathway for survival. Further, we established a KRAS mutant GC cell line with acquired resistance to MEK inhibitors in order to mimic clinical situation of kinase inhibitor resistance. A comprehensive analysis of tyrosine phosphorylation in receptor tyrosine kinases in combination with small molecule chemical library screening revealed upregulated c-MET phosphorylation in this resistance cell line with elevated sensitivity to c-MET TKI (crizotinib) and PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor (BEZ235). We also showed that migration and invasion of resistant cells were promoted, and crizotinib and BEZ235 could inhibit this malignant phenotype. Overall, our results indicate that prolonged MAPK pathway inhibition could result in acquired resistance which is associated with increased malignant phenotype in KRAS mutant GC and pharmacological targeting c-MET and PI3K/mTOR could overcome this problem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung-Min Choi
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology (GRAST), Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunji Cho
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology (GRAST), Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunjung Kim
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Jong Hwan Shin
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology (GRAST), Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Minju Kang
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology (GRAST), Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Boram Kim
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology (GRAST), Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Hee Han
- Division of Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Cheongju, 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Ho Chung
- Division of Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Cheongju, 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Young Kim
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology (GRAST), Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Wei N, Li J, Fang C, Chang J, Xirou V, Syrigos NK, Marks BJ, Chu E, Schmitz JC. Targeting colon cancer with the novel STAT3 inhibitor bruceantinol. Oncogene 2018; 38:1676-1687. [DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0547-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
|
31
|
Wang X, Qu H, Dong Y, Wang G, Zhen Y, Zhang L. Targeting signal-transducer-and-activator-of-transcription 3 sensitizes human cutaneous melanoma cells to BRAF inhibitor. Cancer Biomark 2018; 23:67-77. [PMID: 30010109 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-181365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma treatment with the BRAF V600E inhibitor vemurafenib provides therapeutic benefits but the common emergence of drug resistance remains a challenge. To define molecular mechanisms of vemurafenib resistance, we generated A375-R, WM35-R cell lines resistant to vemurafenib and show that the phosphorylated (p)-STAT3 was upregulated in these cells in vitro and in vivo. In particular, activation of the Signal-transducer-and-activator-of-transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway was associated with vemurafenib resistance. Inhibition of this pathway with STAT3-specific siRNA (shRNA) sensitized A375-R, WM35-R cells to vemurafenib and induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, targeting STAT3 induced expression of miR-579-3p and elicited resistance to vemurafenib. However, targeting microRNA (miR)-579-3p with anti-miR-579-3p reversed the resistance to vemurafenib. Together, these results indicated that STAT3-mediated downexpression of miR-579-3p caused resistance to vemurafenib. Our findings suggest novel approaches to overcome resistance to vemurafenib by combining vemurafenib with STAT3 sliencing or miR-579-3p overexpression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Central Hospital of Linyi, Linyi, Shandong, China.,Department of Orthopedics, The Central Hospital of Linyi, Linyi, Shandong, China
| | - Huajun Qu
- Department of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China.,Department of Orthopedics, The Central Hospital of Linyi, Linyi, Shandong, China
| | - Yinghe Dong
- Department of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Guozhi Wang
- Department of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Yuchen Zhen
- Department of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Linxia Zhang
- Department of Medcine, The People's Hospital of Weifang, Weifang, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Wang K, Li Y, Song N, Che X, Hou K, Xu L, Bai M, Wang Q, Wang Y, Zhou Y, Cao M, Liu Y, Zhang J. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 inhibition enhances vemurafenib sensitivity in colon cancers harboring the BRAF V600E mutation. J Cell Biochem 2018; 120:5315-5325. [PMID: 30320916 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The BRAFV600E inhibitor vemurafenib is widely used to treat melanomas harboring the activated BRAFV600E mutation; however, vemurafenib showed poor efficacy in colon cancer, which impeded its clinical application for colon cancer patients with this mutation. The specific mechanism of vemurafenib resistance is not clear in colon cancer. In this study, we demonstrated that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation influenced vemurafenib sensitivity in BRAFV600E mutant colon cancer cells. When vemurafenib was applied to two colon cancer cell lines with the BRAFV600E mutation, STAT3 was continuously activated after 6 hours. Furthermore, BCL-2 was upregulated in RKO colon cancer cells, while STAT3 remained unchanged in HT-29 colon cancer cells. This suggested that STAT3 signaling might be involved in vemurafenib sensitivity. Combining the STAT3 inhibitor STATTIC with vemurafenib further inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis by downregulating STAT3 and BCL-2 expression in RKO cells. Further studies showed that interleukin 6 (IL-6) secretion increased after RKO cells were treated with vemurafenib. STAT3 activation was induced by adding IL-6 to the supernatant, and IL-6 increased STAT3 and BCL-2 expression and antagonized vemurafenib sensitivity in HT-29 cells. Together, these results suggest that STAT3 activation maybe related to vemurafenib sensitivity in colon cancer cells, and that combining STAT3 inhibitors with vemurafenib may be a promising treatment for BRAFV600E mutant colon cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, China
| | - Yanrong Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, China
| | - Na Song
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaofang Che
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Kezuo Hou
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ling Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ming Bai
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qiwei Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, China
| | - Yuanhe Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, China
| | - Meihui Cao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, China
| | - Yunpeng Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jingdong Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Rožanc J, Sakellaropoulos T, Antoranz A, Guttà C, Podder B, Vetma V, Rufo N, Agostinis P, Pliaka V, Sauter T, Kulms D, Rehm M, Alexopoulos LG. Phosphoprotein patterns predict trametinib responsiveness and optimal trametinib sensitisation strategies in melanoma. Cell Death Differ 2018; 26:1365-1378. [PMID: 30323272 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-018-0210-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 08/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is a highly aggressive form of skin cancer responsible for the majority of skin cancer-related deaths. Recent insight into the heterogeneous nature of melanoma suggests more personalised treatments may be necessary to overcome drug resistance and improve patient care. To this end, reliable molecular signatures that can accurately predict treatment responsiveness need to be identified. In this study, we applied multiplex phosphoproteomic profiling across a panel of 24 melanoma cell lines with different disease-relevant mutations, to predict responsiveness to MEK inhibitor trametinib. Supported by multivariate statistical analysis and multidimensional pattern recognition algorithms, the responsiveness of individual cell lines to trametinib could be predicted with high accuracy (83% correct predictions), independent of mutation status. We also successfully employed this approach to case specifically predict whether individual melanoma cell lines could be sensitised to trametinib. Our predictions identified that combining MEK inhibition with selective targeting of c-JUN and/or FAK, using siRNA-based depletion or pharmacological inhibitors, sensitised resistant cell lines and significantly enhanced treatment efficacy. Our study indicates that multiplex proteomic analyses coupled with pattern recognition approaches could assist in personalising trametinib-based treatment decisions in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Rožanc
- Life Sciences Research Unit, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg.,ProtATonce Ltd, Science Park Demokritos, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Asier Antoranz
- ProtATonce Ltd, Science Park Demokritos, Athens, Greece.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Cristiano Guttà
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Biswajit Podder
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Vesna Vetma
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Nicole Rufo
- Laboratory for Cell Death Research and Therapy, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrizia Agostinis
- Laboratory for Cell Death Research and Therapy, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Vaia Pliaka
- ProtATonce Ltd, Science Park Demokritos, Athens, Greece
| | - Thomas Sauter
- Life Sciences Research Unit, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Dagmar Kulms
- Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Regenerative Therapies, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Markus Rehm
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.,Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.,Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Leonidas G Alexopoulos
- ProtATonce Ltd, Science Park Demokritos, Athens, Greece. .,Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Kim M, Baek M, Kim DJ. Protein Tyrosine Signaling and its Potential Therapeutic Implications in Carcinogenesis. Curr Pharm Des 2018. [PMID: 28625132 DOI: 10.2174/1381612823666170616082125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Protein tyrosine phosphorylation is a crucial signaling mechanism that plays a role in epithelial carcinogenesis. Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) control various cellular processes including growth, differentiation, metabolism, and motility by activating major signaling pathways including STAT3, AKT, and MAPK. Genetic mutation of PTKs and/or prolonged activation of PTKs and their downstream pathways can lead to the development of epithelial cancer. Therefore, PTKs became an attractive target for cancer prevention. PTK inhibitors are continuously being developed, and they are currently used for the treatment of cancers that show a high expression of PTKs. Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), the homeostatic counterpart of PTKs, negatively regulate the rate and duration of phosphotyrosine signaling. PTPs initially were considered to be only housekeeping enzymes with low specificity. However, recent studies have demonstrated that PTPs can function as either tumor suppressors or tumor promoters, depending on their target substrates. Together, both PTK and PTP signal transduction pathways are potential therapeutic targets for cancer prevention and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mihwa Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, USA
| | - Minwoo Baek
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, USA
| | - Dae Joon Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Lee DS, O'Keefe RA, Ha PK, Grandis JR, Johnson DE. Biochemical Properties of a Decoy Oligodeoxynucleotide Inhibitor of STAT3 Transcription Factor. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19061608. [PMID: 29848966 PMCID: PMC6032396 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19061608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic STAT3 decoy (CS3D) is a second-generation, double-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) that mimics a genomic response element for signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), an oncogenic transcription factor. CS3D competitively inhibits STAT3 binding to target gene promoters, resulting in decreased expression of proteins that promote cellular proliferation and survival. Previous studies have demonstrated antitumor activity of CS3D in preclinical models of solid tumors. However, prior to entering human clinical trials, the efficiency of generating the CS3D molecule and its stability in biological fluids should be determined. CS3D is synthesized as a single-stranded ODN and must have its free ends ligated to generate the final cyclic form. In this study, we report a ligation efficiency of nearly 95 percent. The ligated CS3D demonstrated a half-life of 7.9 h in human serum, indicating adequate stability for intravenous delivery. These results provide requisite biochemical characterization of CS3D that will inform upcoming clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David S Lee
- School of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
| | - Rachel A O'Keefe
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
| | - Patrick K Ha
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
| | - Jennifer R Grandis
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
| | - Daniel E Johnson
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Su Y, Yu Y, He D, Zhang J, Wang Z, Sun P, Chen Z. Targeting STAT3 restores BRAF inhibitor sensitivity through miR-759-3p in human cutaneous melanoma cells. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2018; 11:2550-2560. [PMID: 31938368 PMCID: PMC6958307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma treatment with the BRAF V600E inhibitor vemurafenib provides therapeutic benefits, but the common emergence of drug resistance remains a challenge. To define molecular mechanisms of vemurafenib resistance, we generated A375-R, WM35-R cell lines resistant to vemurafenib and found that the p-STAT3 was upregulated in these cells in vitro and in vivo. In particular, activation of the STAT3 pathway was associated with vemurafenib resistance. Inhibition of this pathway with STAT3-specific siRNA (shRNA) sensitized A375-R, WM35-R cells to vemurafenib and induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, targeting STAT3 induced expression of miR-579-3p and elicited resistance to vemurafenib. However, targeting miR-579-3p with anti- miR-579-3p reversed the resistance to vemurafenib. Together, these results indicate that STAT3-mediated downexpression of miR-579-3p caused resistance to vemurafenib. Our findings suggest novel approaches to overcome resistance to vemurafenib by combining vemurafenib with STAT3 silencing or miR-579-3p overexpression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yipeng Su
- Department of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Ying Yu
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Dongying He
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jinna Zhang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Zhiguo Wang
- Department of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Pengfei Sun
- Department of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Zhenyu Chen
- Department of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdao, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Mambelli LI, Teixeira SF, Jorge SD, Kawamura B, Meneguelo R, Barbuto JAM, de Azevedo RA, Ferreira AK. Phosphoethanolamine induces caspase-independent cell death by reducing the expression of C-RAF and inhibits tumor growth in human melanoma model. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 103:18-28. [PMID: 29635124 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.03.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphoethanolamine (PEA) is a fundamental precursor during the biosynthesis of cell membranes phospholipids. In the past few years, it has been described as a potential antitumor agent. In previous studies, we demonstrated that PEA showed antitumor properties in vitro and in vivo in a wide range of tumor cell lines. Herein, we showed that PEA possesses cytotoxic properties and notably revealed to induce caspase-independent cell death. Of interest, we provided evidence that PEA inhibits melanoma cells proliferation through the reduction of C-RAF. Molecular docking of PEA evidenced that this compound indeed fits satisfactory in the binding site located between the dimers of C-RAF protein with 107,01 Å and score of -29,62. Also, PEA arrested A2058 cells at G2/M phase in the cell cycle. Moreover, cell proliferation, migration and adhesion capacities of A2058 cells were also inhibited by PEA. Most importantly, PEA inhibited tumor growth of melanoma tumors and prolonged survival rate of mice. Also, PEA induced a significant immune response in a syngeneic metastatic melanoma model. Taken together, these data indicate that PEA is a promising candidate for future developments in cancer field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisley I Mambelli
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Sarah F Teixeira
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Salomão D Jorge
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Alchemy, Innovation, Research & Development, Department of Oncology, CIETEC/IPEN, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Kawamura
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Medical Science, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renato Meneguelo
- Instituto Tecnológico da Aeronáutica, Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - José A M Barbuto
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo A de Azevedo
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Alchemy, Innovation, Research & Development, Department of Oncology, CIETEC/IPEN, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adilson K Ferreira
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Alchemy, Innovation, Research & Development, Department of Oncology, CIETEC/IPEN, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Medical Science, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Vitiello M, Tuccoli A, D'Aurizio R, Sarti S, Giannecchini L, Lubrano S, Marranci A, Evangelista M, Peppicelli S, Ippolito C, Barravecchia I, Guzzolino E, Montagnani V, Gowen M, Mercoledi E, Mercatanti A, Comelli L, Gurrieri S, Wu LW, Ope O, Flaherty K, Boland GM, Hammond MR, Kwong L, Chiariello M, Stecca B, Zhang G, Salvetti A, Angeloni D, Pitto L, Calorini L, Chiorino G, Pellegrini M, Herlyn M, Osman I, Poliseno L. Context-dependent miR-204 and miR-211 affect the biological properties of amelanotic and melanotic melanoma cells. Oncotarget 2018; 8:25395-25417. [PMID: 28445987 PMCID: PMC5421939 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite increasing amounts of experimental evidence depicting the involvement of non-coding RNAs in cancer, the study of BRAFV600E-regulated genes has thus far focused mainly on protein-coding ones. Here, we identify and study the microRNAs that BRAFV600E regulates through the ERK pathway. By performing small RNA sequencing on A375 melanoma cells and a vemurafenib-resistant clone that was taken as negative control, we discover miR-204 and miR-211 as the miRNAs most induced by vemurafenib. We also demonstrate that, although belonging to the same family, these two miRNAs have distinctive features. miR-204 is under the control of STAT3 and its expression is induced in amelanotic melanoma cells, where it acts as an effector of vemurafenib's anti-motility activity by targeting AP1S2. Conversely, miR-211, a known transcriptional target of MITF, is induced in melanotic melanoma cells, where it targets EDEM1 and consequently impairs the degradation of TYROSINASE (TYR) through the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway. In doing so, miR-211 serves as an effector of vemurafenib's pro-pigmentation activity. We also show that such an increase in pigmentation in turn represents an adaptive response that needs to be overcome using appropriate inhibitors in order to increase the efficacy of vemurafenib. In summary, we unveil the distinct and context-dependent activities exerted by miR-204 family members in melanoma cells. Our work challenges the widely accepted “same miRNA family = same function” rule and provides a rationale for a novel treatment strategy for melanotic melanomas that is based on the combination of ERK pathway inhibitors with pigmentation inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Vitiello
- Oncogenomics Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUP, Pisa, Italy.,Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Tuccoli
- Oncogenomics Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUP, Pisa, Italy
| | - Romina D'Aurizio
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Medicine (LISM), Institute of Informatics and Telematics (IIT), CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - Samanta Sarti
- Oncogenomics Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUP, Pisa, Italy.,University of Siena, Italy
| | - Laura Giannecchini
- Oncogenomics Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUP, Pisa, Italy
| | - Simone Lubrano
- Oncogenomics Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUP, Pisa, Italy.,University of Siena, Italy
| | - Andrea Marranci
- Oncogenomics Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUP, Pisa, Italy.,University of Siena, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Peppicelli
- Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Firenze, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Unit of Histology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Valentina Montagnani
- Tumor Cell Biology Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUC, Firenze, Italy
| | | | - Elisa Mercoledi
- Oncogenomics Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUP, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Laura Comelli
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - Salvatore Gurrieri
- Oncogenomics Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUP, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mario Chiariello
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), CNR, Pisa, Italy.,Signal Transduction Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUS, Siena, Italy
| | - Barbara Stecca
- Tumor Cell Biology Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUC, Firenze, Italy
| | - Gao Zhang
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alessandra Salvetti
- Unit of Experimental Biology and Genetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Letizia Pitto
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lido Calorini
- Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Firenze, Italy
| | | | - Marco Pellegrini
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Medicine (LISM), Institute of Informatics and Telematics (IIT), CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Laura Poliseno
- Oncogenomics Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Istituto Toscano Tumori (ITT), AOUP, Pisa, Italy.,Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), CNR, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Krepler C, Xiao M, Samanta M, Vultur A, Chen HY, Brafford P, Reyes-Uribe PI, Halloran M, Chen T, He X, Hristova D, Liu Q, Samatar AA, Davies MA, Nathanson KL, Fukunaga-Kalabis M, Herlyn M, Villanueva J. Targeting Notch enhances the efficacy of ERK inhibitors in BRAF-V600E melanoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:71211-71222. [PMID: 27655717 PMCID: PMC5342073 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of activating BRAF mutations in approximately 50% of melanomas has led to the development of MAPK pathway inhibitors, which have transformed melanoma therapy. However, not all BRAF-V600E melanomas respond to MAPK inhibition. Therefore, it is important to understand why tumors with the same oncogenic driver have variable responses to MAPK inhibitors. Here, we show that concurrent loss of PTEN and activation of the Notch pathway is associated with poor response to the ERK inhibitor SCH772984, and that co-inhibition of Notch and ERK decreased viability in BRAF-V600E melanomas. Additionally, patients with low PTEN and Notch activation had significantly shorter progression free survival when treated with BRAF inhibitors. Our studies provide a rationale to further develop combination strategies with Notch antagonists to maximize the efficacy of MAPK inhibition in melanoma. Our findings should prompt the evaluation of combinations co-targeting MAPK/ERK and Notch as a strategy to improve current therapies and warrant further evaluation of co-occurrence of aberrant PTEN and Notch activation as predictive markers of response to therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Krepler
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Min Xiao
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Minu Samanta
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adina Vultur
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hsin-Yi Chen
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Patricia Brafford
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Molly Halloran
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Thomas Chen
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Xu He
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Denitsa Hristova
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qin Liu
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ahmed A Samatar
- Discovery Oncology Merck Research Laboratories, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael A Davies
- Melanoma Medical Oncology and Systems Biology University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Katherine L Nathanson
- Division of Medical Genetics and The Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia PA, USA
| | | | - Meenhard Herlyn
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jessie Villanueva
- The Wistar Institute, Melanoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Shannan B, Watters A, Chen Q, Mollin S, Dörr M, Meggers E, Xu X, Gimotty PA, Perego M, Li L, Benci J, Krepler C, Brafford P, Zhang J, Wei Z, Zhang G, Liu Q, Yin X, Nathanson KL, Herlyn M, Vultur A. PIM kinases as therapeutic targets against advanced melanoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:54897-54912. [PMID: 27448973 PMCID: PMC5342389 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic strategies for the treatment of metastatic melanoma show encouraging results in the clinic; however, not all patients respond equally and tumor resistance still poses a challenge. To identify novel therapeutic targets for melanoma, we screened a panel of structurally diverse organometallic inhibitors against human-derived normal and melanoma cells. We observed that a compound that targets PIM kinases (a family of Ser/Thr kinases) preferentially inhibited melanoma cell proliferation, invasion, and viability in adherent and three-dimensional (3D) melanoma models. Assessment of tumor tissue from melanoma patients showed that PIM kinases are expressed in pre- and post-treatment tumors, suggesting PIM kinases as promising targets in the clinic. Using knockdown studies, we showed that PIM1 contributes to melanoma cell proliferation and tumor growth in vivo; however, the presence of PIM2 and PIM3 could also influence the outcome. The inhibition of all PIM isoforms using SGI-1776 (a clinically-available PIM inhibitor) reduced melanoma proliferation and survival in preclinical models of melanoma. This was potentiated in the presence of the BRAF inhibitor PLX4720 and in the presence of PI3K inhibitors. Our findings suggest that PIM inhibitors provide promising additions to the targeted therapies available to melanoma patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Batool Shannan
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Andrea Watters
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Quan Chen
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stefan Mollin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Markus Dörr
- Department of Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Eric Meggers
- Department of Chemistry, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Xiaowei Xu
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Phyllis A Gimotty
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michela Perego
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ling Li
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joseph Benci
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Clemens Krepler
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Patricia Brafford
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Computer Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Zhi Wei
- Department of Computer Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Gao Zhang
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qin Liu
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Xiangfan Yin
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Katherine L Nathanson
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adina Vultur
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Oncogenesis, Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Abstract
Inhibition of the BRAF/MAPK pathway belongs to the standard therapies for patients with activating BRAFV600E/K mutations. However, even in well-responding tumors, anti-tumorigenic effect and clinical benefit are only transient, and the original tumors often relapse. This demonstrates that there are remaining residual tumors, which have withstood therapy-induced apoptosis and which have the potential to resume growth. Although BRAF mutant melanoma cells seem to depend on BRAF/MAPK signaling, the inhibition of this pathway triggers several events, which modulate the tumor as well as the tumor niche. After a certain adaptation period, this can turn out to be beneficial for tumor growth and metastasis-even in cases of good initial tumor response. This review sheds light on the biology of BRAF/MEK inhibitor-sensitive melanoma cells, which survive targeted therapy and will address the crosstalk signaling events occurring in BRAF mutant melanomas when the BRAF/MAPK pathway is fully blocked. The knowledge of these events is important for potential future drug combinations, which enhance the inhibitory effect of BRAF/MEK inhibition, particularly in patients not eligible for immune therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Meierjohann
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany. .,Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Tevis KM, Colson YL, Grinstaff MW. Embedded Spheroids as Models of the Cancer Microenvironment. ADVANCED BIOSYSTEMS 2017; 1:1700083. [PMID: 30221187 PMCID: PMC6135264 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201700083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
To more accurately study the complex mechanisms behind cancer invasion, progression, and response to treatment, researchers require models that replicate both the multicellular nature and 3D stromal environment present in an in vivo tumor. Multicellular aggregates (i.e., spheroids) embedded in an extracellular matrix mimic are a prevalent model. Recently, quantitative metrics that fully utilize the capability of spheroids are described along with conventional experiments, such as invasion into a matrix, to provide additional details and insights into the underlying cancer biology. The review begins with a discussion of the salient features of the tumor microenvironment, introduces the early work on non-embedded spheroids as tumor models, and then concentrates on the successes achieved with the study of embedded spheroids. Examples of studies include cell movement, drug response, tumor cellular heterogeneity, stromal effects, and cancer progression. Additionally, new methodologies and those borrowed from other research fields (e.g., vascularization and tissue engineering) are highlighted that expand the capability of spheroids to aid future users in designing their cancer-related experiments. The convergence of spheroid research among the various fields catalyzes new applications and leads to a natural synergy. Finally, the review concludes with a reflection and future perspectives for cancer spheroid research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristie M. Tevis
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, and Medicine, Metcalf Center for Science and Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Yolonda L. Colson
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Mark W. Grinstaff
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, and Medicine, Metcalf Center for Science and Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Shien K, Papadimitrakopoulou VA, Ruder D, Behrens C, Shen L, Kalhor N, Song J, Lee JJ, Wang J, Tang X, Herbst RS, Toyooka S, Girard L, Minna JD, Kurie JM, Wistuba II, Izzo JG. JAK1/STAT3 Activation through a Proinflammatory Cytokine Pathway Leads to Resistance to Molecularly Targeted Therapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2017; 16:2234-2245. [PMID: 28729401 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-0148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 06/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Molecularly targeted drugs have yielded significant therapeutic advances in oncogene-driven non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but a majority of patients eventually develop acquired resistance. Recently, the relation between proinflammatory cytokine IL6 and resistance to targeted drugs has been reported. We investigated the functional contribution of IL6 and the other members of IL6 family proinflammatory cytokine pathway to resistance to targeted drugs in NSCLC cells. In addition, we examined the production of these cytokines by cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). We also analyzed the prognostic significance of these molecule expressions in clinical NSCLC samples. In NSCLC cells with acquired resistance to targeted drugs, we observed activation of the IL6-cytokine pathway and STAT3 along with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) features. In particular, IL6 family cytokine oncostatin-M (OSM) induced a switch to the EMT phenotype and protected cells from targeted drug-induced apoptosis in OSM receptors (OSMRs)/JAK1/STAT3-dependent manner. The cross-talk between NSCLC cells and CAFs also preferentially activated the OSM/STAT3 pathway via a paracrine mechanism and decreased sensitivity to targeted drugs. The selective JAK1 inhibitor filgotinib effectively suppressed STAT3 activation and OSMR expression, and cotargeting inhibition of the oncogenic pathway and JAK1 reversed resistance to targeted drugs. In the analysis of clinical samples, OSMR gene expression appeared to be associated with worse prognosis in patients with surgically resected lung adenocarcinoma. Our data suggest that the OSMRs/JAK1/STAT3 axis contributes to resistance to targeted drugs in oncogene-driven NSCLC cells, implying that this pathway could be a therapeutic target. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(10); 2234-45. ©2017 AACR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiko Shien
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Dennis Ruder
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Carmen Behrens
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Li Shen
- Department of Bioinformatics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Neda Kalhor
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Juhee Song
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - J Jack Lee
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ximing Tang
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Roy S Herbst
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Shinichi Toyooka
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | - Luc Girard
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - John D Minna
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Jonathan M Kurie
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ignacio I Wistuba
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
| | - Julie G Izzo
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Arozarena I, Wellbrock C. Targeting invasive properties of melanoma cells. FEBS J 2017; 284:2148-2162. [PMID: 28196297 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/11/2024]
Abstract
Melanoma is a skin cancer notorious for its metastatic potential. As an initial step of the metastatic cascade, melanoma cells part from the primary tumour and invade the surrounding tissue, which is crucial for their dissemination and the formation of distant secondary tumours. Over the last two decades, our understanding of both, general and melanoma specific mechanisms of invasion has significantly improved, but to date no efficient therapeutic strategy tackling the invasive properties of melanoma cells has reached the clinic. In this review, we assess the major contributions towards the understanding of the molecular biology of melanoma cell invasion with a focus on melanoma specific traits. These traits are based on the neural crest origin of melanoma cells and explain their intrinsic invasive nature. A particular emphasis is given not only to lineage specific signalling mediated by TGFβ, and noncanonical and canonical WNT signalling, but also to the role of PDE5A and RHO-GTPases in modulating modes of melanoma cell invasion. We discuss existing caveats in the current understanding of the metastatic properties of melanoma cells, as well as the relevance of the 'phenotype switch' model and 'co-operativity' between different phenotypes in heterogeneous tumours. At the centre of these phenotypes is the lineage commitment factor microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, one of the most crucial regulators of the balance between de-differentiation (neural crest specific gene expression) and differentiation (melanocyte specific gene expression) that defines invasive and noninvasive melanoma cell phenotypes. Finally, we provide insight into the current evidence linking resistance to targeted therapies to invasive properties of melanoma cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Imanol Arozarena
- Cancer Signalling Group, Navarrabiomed (Miguel Servet Foundation), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Claudia Wellbrock
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Kong LR, Tan TZ, Ong WR, Bi C, Huynh H, Lee SC, Chng WJ, Eichhorn PJA, Goh BC. Belinostat exerts antitumor cytotoxicity through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in lung squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Oncol 2017; 11:965-980. [PMID: 28397399 PMCID: PMC5537703 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Revised: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There have been advances in personalized therapy directed by molecular profiles in lung adenocarcinoma, but not in lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The lack of actionable driver oncogenes in SCC has restricted the use of small‐molecule inhibitors. Here, we show that SCC cell lines displayed differential sensitivities to belinostat, a pan‐histone deacetylase inhibitor. Phosphoproteomic analysis of belinostat‐treated SCC cells revealed significant downregulation of the MAPK pathway, along with the induction of apoptosis. In cisplatin‐resistant cells that demonstrated aberrant MAPK activation, combined treatment with belinostat significantly inhibited cisplatin‐induced ERK phosphorylation and exhibited strong synergistic cytotoxicity. Furthermore, belinostat transcriptionally upregulated the F‐box proteins FBXO3 and FBXW10, which directly targeted son of sevenless (SOS), an upstream regulator of the MAPK pathway, for proteasome‐mediated degradation. Supporting this, suppression of SOS/ERK pathway by belinostat could be abrogated by inhibiting proteasomal activity either with bortezomib or with siRNA knockdown of FBXO3/FBXW10. Taken together, these preclinical data offer a novel understanding of the epigenetic mechanism by which belinostat exerts its cytotoxicity and supports the combination with cisplatin in clinical settings for chemorefractory SCC tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li R Kong
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tuan Z Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Chonglei Bi
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Soo C Lee
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,National University Cancer Institute, Singapore.,Department of Hematology-Oncology, National University Hospital, Singapore
| | - Wee J Chng
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,National University Cancer Institute, Singapore.,Department of Hematology-Oncology, National University Hospital, Singapore
| | - Pieter J A Eichhorn
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,National University Cancer Institute, Singapore.,Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Boon C Goh
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,National University Cancer Institute, Singapore.,Department of Hematology-Oncology, National University Hospital, Singapore.,Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Abl kinase regulation by BRAF/ERK and cooperation with Akt in melanoma. Oncogene 2017; 36:4585-4596. [PMID: 28368422 PMCID: PMC5552414 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The melanoma incidence continues to increase, and the disease remains incurable for many due to its metastatic nature and high rate of therapeutic resistance. In particular, melanomas harboring BRAFV600E and PTEN mutations often are resistant to current therapies, including BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Abl kinases (Abl/Arg) are activated in melanomas and drive progression; however, their mechanism of activation has not been established. Here we elucidate a novel link between BRAFV600E/ERK signaling and Abl kinases. We demonstrate that BRAFV600E/ERK play a critical role in binding, phosphorylating and regulating Abl localization and Abl/Arg activation by Src family kinases. Importantly, Abl/Arg activation downstream of BRAFV600E has functional and biological significance, driving proliferation, invasion, as well as switch in epithelial-mesenchymal-transition transcription factor expression, which is known to be critical for melanoma cells to shift between differentiated and invasive states. Finally, we describe findings of high translational significance by demonstrating that Abl/Arg cooperate with PI3K/Akt/PTEN, a parallel pathway that is associated with intrinsic resistance to BRAFi and immunotherapy, as Abl/Arg and Akt inhibitors cooperate to prevent viability, cell cycle progression and in vivo growth of melanomas harboring mutant BRAF/PTEN. Thus, these data not only provide mechanistic insight into Abl/Arg regulation during melanoma development, but also pave the way for the development of new strategies for treating patients with melanomas harboring mutant BRAF/PTEN, which often are refractory to current therapies.
Collapse
|
47
|
Chung V, McDonough S, Philip PA, Cardin D, Wang-Gillam A, Hui L, Tejani MA, Seery TE, Dy IA, Baghdadi TA, Hendifar AE, Doyle LA, Lowy AM, Guthrie KA, Blanke CD, Hochster HS. Effect of Selumetinib and MK-2206 vs Oxaliplatin and Fluorouracil in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer After Prior Therapy: SWOG S1115 Study Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol 2017; 3:516-522. [PMID: 27978579 PMCID: PMC5665683 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2016.5383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE KRAS mutations are common in pancreatic cancer, but directly targeting the KRAS protein has thus far been unsuccessful. The aim of this trial was to block the MEK and PI3K/AKT pathways downstream of the KRAS protein as an alternate treatment strategy to slow cancer growth and prolong survival. This was the first cooperative group trial to evaluate this strategy using molecularly targeted oral combination therapy for the treatment of chemotherapy-refractory pancreatic cancer. OBJECTIVE To compare selumetinib and MK-2206 vs modified FOLFOX (mFOLFOX) in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer for whom gemcitabine-based therapy had failed. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS SWOG S1115 was a randomized phase 2 clinical trial. Between September 2012 and May 2014, 137 patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma for whom gemcitabine-based chemotherapy had failed were randomized to selumetinib plus MK-2206 or mFOLFOX. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 fashion and stratified according to duration of prior systemic therapy and presence of liver metastases. INTERVENTIONS Patients received selumetinib 100 mg orally per day plus MK-2206 135 mg orally once per week or mFOLFOX (oxaliplatin, 85 mg/m2 intravenous, and fluorouracil, 2400 mg/m2 intravenous infusion over 46-48 hours) on days 1 and 15 of a 28-day cycle. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary end point of the study was overall survival. Secondary objectives included evaluating toxic effects, objective tumor response, and progression-free survival. RESULTS There were 58 patients in the selumetinib plus MK-2206 (experimental) arm (60% male; median [range] age, 69 [54-88] years) and 62 patients in the mFOLFOX arm (35% male; median [range] age, 65 [34-82] years). In the experimental arm, median overall survival was shorter (3.9 vs 6.7 months; HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 0.90-2.08; P = .15), as was median progression-free survival (1.9 vs 2.0 months; HR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.07-2.43; P = .02). One vs 5 patients had a partial response and 12 vs 14 patients had stable disease in the experimental arm vs mFOLFOX arm. Grade 3 or higher toxic effects were observed in 39 patients treated with selumetinib and MK-2206 vs 23 patients treated with mFOLFOX. More patients in the experimental arm discontinued therapy due to adverse events (13 vs 7 patients). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Dual targeting of the MEK and PI3K/AKT pathways downstream of KRAS by selumetinib plus MK-2206 did not improve overall survival in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma for whom gemcitabine-based chemotherapy had failed. This was the first randomized prospective evaluation of mFOLFOX in the US population that showed comparable results to CONKO-003 and PANCREOX. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01658943.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Shannon McDonough
- SWOG Statistical Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Dana Cardin
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | | | | | | | | | - Irene A. Dy
- Crossroads Cancer Center/Heartland NCORP, Effingham, IL
| | | | | | - L. Austin Doyle
- Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | | | | | - Charles D. Blanke
- SWOG Group Chair’s Office/Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
| | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Potential therapeutic targets of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in melanoma. Cancer Lett 2017; 391:125-140. [PMID: 28131904 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Revised: 01/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is a cutaneous neoplastic growth of melanocytes with great potential to invade and metastasize, especially when not treated early and effectively. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the process by which melanocytes lose their epithelial characteristics and acquire mesenchymal phenotypes. Mesenchymal protein expression increases the motility, invasiveness, and metastatic potential of melanoma. Many pathways play a role in promotion of mesenchymal protein expression including RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, Wnt/β-catenin, and several others. Downstream effectors of these pathways induce expression of EMT transcription factors including Snail, Slug, Twist, and Zeb that promote repression of epithelial and induction of mesenchymal character. Emerging research has demonstrated that a variety of small molecule inhibitors as well as phytochemicals can influence the progression of EMT and may even reverse the process, inducing re-expression of epithelial markers. Phytochemicals are of particular interest as supplementary treatment options because of their relatively low toxicities and anti-EMT properties. Modulation of EMT signaling pathways using synthetic small molecules and phytochemicals is a potential therapeutic strategy for reducing the aggressive progression of metastatic melanoma. In this review, we discuss the emerging pathways and transcription factor targets that regulate EMT and evaluate potential synthetic small molecules and naturally occurring compounds that may reduce metastatic melanoma progression.
Collapse
|
49
|
Tokuda EY, Jones CE, Anseth KS. PEG-peptide hydrogels reveal differential effects of matrix microenvironmental cues on melanoma drug sensitivity. Integr Biol (Camb) 2017; 9:76-87. [PMID: 28001152 PMCID: PMC5258768 DOI: 10.1039/c6ib00229c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma is highly drug resistant, though the exact mechanisms of this resistance are not completely understood. One method to study melanoma drug responsiveness in vitro is through the use of multicellular spheroids, which have been found to exhibit decreased drug sensitivity compared to traditional 2D culture on various substrates. Because it is unclear whether dimensionality, cell-matrix interactions, and/or cell-cell contacts may influence melanoma drug responsiveness, we utilized a synthetic PEG-based hydrogel to compare the responses of cells cultured on top of or encapsulated within matrices with the same adhesive ligand density, polymer density, and material properties. We found that depending on the stage of progression at which the melanoma cells were derived, the cells responded differently to PLX4032 treatment, a commercially available melanoma drug. In particular, early stage WM35 cells were insensitive to dimensionality (i.e., 2D versus 3D culture), while metastatic A375 cells exhibited decreased responsiveness in 3D compared to 2D. To further understand the role of the microenvironment in early stage melanoma cells, we tested single WM35 cells and multicellular WM35 spheroids in 3D. The results revealed that the spheroids were similarly sensitive to PLX4032 treatment compared to single cell encapsulations. Collectively, this study implicates the role that 3D microenvironments (i.e., dimensionality) may play in observed melanoma drug responsiveness, and the potential lack of influence of cell-matrix interactions over cell-cell contacts in early stages of melanoma resistance to PLX4032-induced apoptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emi Y Tokuda
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA. and Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Caitlin E Jones
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA. and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Kristi S Anseth
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA. and Howard Hughes Medical Institute and The BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Bryson BL, Junk DJ, Cipriano R, Jackson MW. STAT3-mediated SMAD3 activation underlies Oncostatin M-induced Senescence. Cell Cycle 2016; 16:319-334. [PMID: 27892764 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2016.1259037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytokines in the developing tumor microenvironment (TME) can drive transformation and subsequent progression toward metastasis. Elevated levels of the Interleukin-6 (IL-6) family cytokine Oncostatin M (OSM) in the breast TME correlate with aggressive, metastatic cancers, increased tumor recurrence, and poor patient prognosis. Paradoxically, OSM engages a tumor-suppressive, Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3)-dependent senescence response in normal and non-transformed human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC). Here, we identify a novel link between OSM-activated STAT3 signaling and the Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway that engages senescence in HMEC. Inhibition of functional TGF-β/SMAD signaling by expressing a dominant-negative TGF-β receptor, treating with a TGF-β receptor inhibitor, or suppressing SMAD3 expression using a SMAD3-shRNA prevented OSM-induced senescence. OSM promoted a protein complex involving activated-STAT3 and SMAD3, induced the nuclear localization of SMAD3, and enhanced SMAD3-mediated transcription responsible for senescence. In contrast, expression of MYC (c-MYC) from a constitutive promoter abrogated senescence and strikingly, cooperated with OSM to promote a transformed phenotype, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and invasiveness. Our findings suggest that a novel STAT3/SMAD3-signaling axis is required for OSM-mediated senescence that is coopted during the transformation process to confer aggressive cancer cell properties. Understanding how developing cancer cells bypass OSM/STAT3/SMAD3-mediated senescence may help identify novel targets for future "pro-senescence" therapies aiming to reengage this hidden tumor-suppressive response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin L Bryson
- a Department of Pathology , School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland , OH , USA
| | - Damian J Junk
- a Department of Pathology , School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland , OH , USA
| | - Rocky Cipriano
- a Department of Pathology , School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland , OH , USA
| | - Mark W Jackson
- a Department of Pathology , School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland , OH , USA.,b Case Comprehensive Cancer Center , Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland , OH , USA
| |
Collapse
|