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Quenneville J, Feghaly A, Tual M, Thomas K, Major F, Gagnon E. Long-term severe hypoxia adaptation induces non-canonical EMT and a novel Wilms Tumor 1 (WT1) isoform. Cancer Gene Ther 2024; 31:1237-1250. [PMID: 38977895 PMCID: PMC11327107 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-024-00795-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
The majority of cancer deaths are caused by solid tumors, where the four most prevalent cancers (breast, lung, colorectal and prostate) account for more than 60% of all cases (1). Tumor cell heterogeneity driven by variable cancer microenvironments, such as hypoxia, is a key determinant of therapeutic outcome. We developed a novel culture protocol, termed the Long-Term Hypoxia (LTHY) time course, to recapitulate the gradual development of severe hypoxia seen in vivo to mimic conditions observed in primary tumors. Cells subjected to LTHY underwent a non-canonical epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) based on miRNA and mRNA signatures as well as displayed EMT-like morphological changes. Concomitant to this, we report production of a novel truncated isoform of WT1 transcription factor (tWt1), a non-canonical EMT driver, with expression driven by a yet undescribed intronic promoter through hypoxia-responsive elements (HREs). We further demonstrated that tWt1 initiates translation from an intron-derived start codon, retains proper subcellular localization and DNA binding. A similar tWt1 is also expressed in LTHY-cultured human cancer cell lines as well as primary cancers and predicts long-term patient survival. Our study not only demonstrates the importance of culture conditions that better mimic those observed in primary cancers, especially with regards to hypoxia, but also identifies a novel isoform of WT1 which correlates with poor long-term survival in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Quenneville
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Molecular Biology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | - Albert Feghaly
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Margaux Tual
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology, and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Kiersten Thomas
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Research Center, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - François Major
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Computer Science and Operations Research, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Etienne Gagnon
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology, and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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Poyrazlı F, Okuyan D, Köçkar F, Türkoğlu SA. Hypoxic Regulation of the KLK4 Gene in two Different Prostate Cancer Cells Treated with TGF- β. Cell Biochem Biophys 2024:10.1007/s12013-024-01396-5. [PMID: 39026058 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-024-01396-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
The human kallikrein-related peptidase (KLK) family which consists of 15 members is associated with prostate cancer and other cancers. It has been reported that overexpression of KLK4 in prostate cancer correlates with bone metastasis or advanced stage. Hypoxia occurs in the early stages of prostate cancer due to the accumulation of acidic metabolites or reactive oxygen species (ROS). In our study, KLK4 gene expression in hypoxic conditions in PC-3 and LNCaP cells which are treated with TGF-β was evaluated with mRNA, protein, and promoter activity levels. A chemical hypoxia model was created and confirmed at mRNA and protein level. No statistically significant cytotoxic effect of CoCl2 and TGF-β was observed in PC-3 and LNCaP cells with the MTT test. Four different truncated KLK4 gene promoter constructs were cloned in pmetLuc expression vector and basal activities of all promoter fragments were analyzed. The activities of P1 (-447/ + 657), P2 (-103/ + 657), and P3 (-267/ + 657) promoter fragments increased in hypoxic conditions except P4 (+555/ + 657), which does not contain the SMAD and HRE region. KLK4 mRNA levels in both PC-3 and LNCaP cells increased in the hypoxia and hypoxia/TGF groups compared to the non-treated groups. The stimulating effect of TGF-β is correlated with the increase in SMAD2/3 mRNA levels. KLK4 expression is up-regulated by TGF-β, especially under hypoxic conditions, and its interaction with the SMAD pathway is determined with different inhibitor experiments. HIF-1α and SMAD transcription factors bind to the KLK4 promoter showing the direct interaction of HIF-1α (-80/-52) and SMAD (+163/+194) regions with EMSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Poyrazlı
- University of Balikesir, Faculty of Science and Literature, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Balikesir, Turkey
| | - Derya Okuyan
- University of Bandırma, Susurluk Vocational Training Schools, Laboratory and Veterinary Health Program, Balikesir, Turkey
| | - Feray Köçkar
- University of Balikesir, Faculty of Science and Literature, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Balikesir, Turkey
| | - Sümeyye Aydoğan Türkoğlu
- University of Balikesir, Faculty of Science and Literature, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Balikesir, Turkey.
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Uo T, Ojo KK, Sprenger CC, Soriano Epilepsia K, Perera BGK, Damodarasamy M, Sun S, Kim S, Hogan HH, Hulverson MA, Choi R, Whitman GR, Barrett LK, Michaels SA, Xu LH, Sun VL, Arnold SL, Pang HJ, Nguyen MM, Vigil ALB, Kamat V, Sullivan LB, Sweet IR, Vidadala R, Maly DJ, Van Voorhis WC, Plymate SR. A Compound That Inhibits Glycolysis in Prostate Cancer Controls Growth of Advanced Prostate Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2024; 23:973-994. [PMID: 38507737 PMCID: PMC11219269 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer remains incurable regardless of recent therapeutic advances. Prostate cancer tumors display highly glycolytic phenotypes as the cancer progresses. Nonspecific inhibitors of glycolysis have not been utilized successfully for chemotherapy, because of their penchant to cause systemic toxicity. This study reports the preclinical activity, safety, and pharmacokinetics of a novel small-molecule preclinical candidate, BKIDC-1553, with antiglycolytic activity. We tested a large battery of prostate cancer cell lines for inhibition of cell proliferation, in vitro. Cell-cycle, metabolic, and enzymatic assays were used to demonstrate their mechanism of action. A human patient-derived xenograft model implanted in mice and a human organoid were studied for sensitivity to our BKIDC preclinical candidate. A battery of pharmacokinetic experiments, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion experiments, and in vitro and in vivo toxicology experiments were carried out to assess readiness for clinical trials. We demonstrate a new class of small-molecule inhibitors where antiglycolytic activity in prostate cancer cell lines is mediated through inhibition of hexokinase 2. These compounds display selective growth inhibition across multiple prostate cancer models. We describe a lead BKIDC-1553 that demonstrates promising activity in a preclinical xenograft model of advanced prostate cancer, equivalent to that of enzalutamide. BKIDC-1553 demonstrates safety and pharmacologic properties consistent with a compound that can be taken into human studies with expectations of a good safety margin and predicted dosing for efficacy. This work supports testing BKIDC-1553 and its derivatives in clinical trials for patients with advanced prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuma Uo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Kayode K. Ojo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Cynthia C.T. Sprenger
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Kathryn Soriano Epilepsia
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - B. Gayani K. Perera
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Mamatha Damodarasamy
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Shihua Sun
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Soojin Kim
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Hannah H. Hogan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Matthew A. Hulverson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Ryan Choi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Grant R. Whitman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Lynn K. Barrett
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Samantha A. Michaels
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Linda H. Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Vicky L. Sun
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Samuel L.M. Arnold
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Haley J. Pang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Matthew M. Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Anna-Lena B.G. Vigil
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Varun Kamat
- Department of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Diabetes Center, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Lucas B. Sullivan
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Ian R. Sweet
- Department of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Diabetes Center, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Ram Vidadala
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Dustin J. Maly
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Wesley C. Van Voorhis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Center for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease (CERID), University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Stephen R. Plymate
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System; Seattle, Washington 98108, USA
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Alva R, Wiebe JE, Stuart JA. The effect of baseline O 2 conditions on the response of prostate cancer cells to hypoxia. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 327:C97-C112. [PMID: 38646786 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00155.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The transcriptional response to hypoxia is largely regulated by the hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), which induce the expression of genes involved in glycolysis, angiogenesis, proliferation, and migration. Virtually all cell culture-based hypoxia experiments have used near-atmospheric (18% O2) oxygen levels as the baseline for comparison with hypoxia. However, this is hyperoxic compared with mammalian tissue microenvironments, where oxygen levels range from 2% to 9% O2 (physioxia). Thus, these experiments actually compare hyperoxia to hypoxia. To determine how the baseline O2 level affects the subsequent response to hypoxia, we cultured PC-3 prostate cancer cells in either 18% or 5% O2 for 2 wk before exposing them to hypoxia (∼1.1% pericellular O2) for 12-48 h. RNA-seq revealed that the transcriptional response to hypoxia was dependent on the baseline O2 level. Cells grown in 18% O2 before hypoxia exposure showed an enhanced induction of HIF targets, particularly genes involved in glucose metabolism, compared with cells grown in physioxia before hypoxia. Consistent with this, hypoxia significantly increased glucose consumption and metabolic activity only in cells previously cultured in 18% O2, but not in cells preadapted to 5% O2. Transcriptomic analyses also indicated effects on cell proliferation and motility, which were followed up by functional assays. Although unaffected by hypoxia, both proliferation and migration rates were greater in cells cultured in 5% O2 versus 18% O2. We conclude that an inappropriately hyperoxic starting condition affects the transcriptional and metabolic responses of PC-3 cells to hypoxia, which may compromise experiments on cancer metabolism in vitro.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Although human cell culture models have been instrumental to our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the cellular response to hypoxia, in virtually all experiments, cells are routinely cultured in near-atmospheric (∼18% O2) oxygen levels, which are hyperoxic relative to physiological conditions in vivo. Here, we show for the first time that cells cultured in physiological O2 levels (5% O2) respond differently to subsequent hypoxia than cells grown at 18%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Alva
- Department of Biological SciencesBrock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jacob E Wiebe
- Department of Biological SciencesBrock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeffrey A Stuart
- Department of Biological SciencesBrock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
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Uo T, Ojo KK, Sprenger CC, Epilepsia KS, Perera BGK, Damodarasamy M, Sun S, Kim S, Hogan HH, Hulverson MA, Choi R, Whitman GR, Barrett LK, Michaels SA, Xu LH, Sun VL, Arnold SLM, Pang HJ, Nguyen MM, Vigil ALBG, Kamat V, Sullivan LB, Sweet IR, Vidadala R, Maly DJ, Van Voorhis WC, Plymate SR. A Compound that Inhibits Glycolysis in Prostate Cancer Controls Growth of Advanced Prostate Cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.07.01.547355. [PMID: 37461469 PMCID: PMC10350011 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.01.547355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer remains incurable regardless of recent therapeutic advances. Prostate cancer tumors display highly glycolytic phenotypes as the cancer progresses. Non-specific inhibitors of glycolysis have not been utilized successfully for chemotherapy, because of their penchant to cause systemic toxicity. This study reports the preclinical activity, safety, and pharmacokinetics of a novel small molecule preclinical candidate, BKIDC-1553, with antiglycolytic activity. Experimental design We tested a large battery of prostate cancer cell lines for inhibition of cell proliferation, in vitro. Cell cycle, metabolic and enzymatic assays were used to demonstrate their mechanism of action. A human PDX model implanted in mice and a human organoid were studied for sensitivity to our BKIDC preclinical candidate. A battery of pharmacokinetic experiments, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion experiments, and in vitro and in vivo toxicology experiments were carried out to assess readiness for clinical trials. Results We demonstrate a new class of small molecule inhibitors where antiglycolytic activity in prostate cancer cell lines is mediated through inhibition of hexokinase 2. These compounds display selective growth inhibition across multiple prostate cancer models. We describe a lead BKIDC-1553 that demonstrates promising activity in a preclinical xenograft model of advanced prostate cancer, equivalent to that of enzalutamide. BKIDC-1553 demonstrates safety and pharmacologic properties consistent with a compound that can be taken into human studies with expectations of a good safety margin and predicted dosing for efficacy. Conclusion This work supports testing BKIDC-1553 and its derivatives in clinical trials for patients with advanced prostate cancer.
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Stracker TH, Osagie OI, Escorcia FE, Citrin DE. Exploiting the DNA Damage Response for Prostate Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:83. [PMID: 38201511 PMCID: PMC10777950 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancers that progress despite androgen deprivation develop into castration-resistant prostate cancer, a fatal disease with few treatment options. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of prostate cancer subtypes and alterations in the DNA damage response (DDR) that can predispose to the development of prostate cancer and affect its progression. We identify barriers to conventional treatments, such as radiotherapy, and discuss the development of new therapies, many of which target the DDR or take advantage of recurring genetic alterations in the DDR. We place this in the context of advances in understanding the genetic variation and immune landscape of CRPC that could help guide their use in future treatment strategies. Finally, we discuss several new and emerging agents that may advance the treatment of lethal disease, highlighting selected clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis H. Stracker
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (O.I.O.); (F.E.E.); (D.E.C.)
| | - Oloruntoba I. Osagie
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (O.I.O.); (F.E.E.); (D.E.C.)
| | - Freddy E. Escorcia
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (O.I.O.); (F.E.E.); (D.E.C.)
- Molecular Imaging Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Deborah E. Citrin
- Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (O.I.O.); (F.E.E.); (D.E.C.)
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