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Wickersham KE, Hodges TK, Edelman MJ, Song Y, Nan M, Dorsey SG. Differential Gene Expression in Erlotinib-Treated Fibroblasts. Nurs Res 2019; 68:110-126. [PMID: 30540703 PMCID: PMC7580303 DOI: 10.1097/nnr.0000000000000330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Therapies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) result in a painful rash, the most common and debilitating toxicity among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who take EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy; however, predicting the development and the severity of the rash is difficult. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine how erlotinib-an EGFR TKI that NSCLC patients take to stop or slow tumor growth-altered the transcriptome of dermal fibroblasts. METHODS Dermal fibroblasts (ATCC PCS-201-012) were seeded in cell culture flasks, grown under standard conditions, and transferred to cell culture dishes. Cells were treated once daily for 3 days with erlotinib 100 nM (n = 5), erlotinib 1 μM (n = 5), vehicle 1 μM (dimethyl sulfoxide) (n = 5), or no treatment (n = 5). Total RNA was extracted using a standard TRIzol method and hybridized using Affymetrix GeneChip Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 arrays. Raw intensities generated from the arrays were normalized using a Robust Multiarray Average method and analyzed using analysis of variance in Limma R software. Differentially expressed genes were analyzed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis to identify canonical or noncanonical signaling pathways enriched in this dataset. RESULTS We selected genes for investigation based on their potential role in wound healing (AQP3), rash development (CCL2), fibroblast activation (PALLD), cancer and cancer progression (GDF-15, SLC7A11, MMP12, and DIRAS3), and cell cycle control (CDC6). We were able to validate four of these genes by both Western blot analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MMP12, CCL2, CDC6, and SLC7A11). DISCUSSION If found predictive of rash in future studies using patient samples, our findings may help to identify those at risk for severe rash so that (a) the dose of EGFR TKI therapy may be adjusted; (b) additional treatments for the rash can be developed; and/or (c) precise, patient-centered interventions can be developed so that patients with cancer can better self-manage their rash and adhere to EGFR TKI treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen E Wickersham
- Karen E. Wickersham, PhD, RN, was Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore; now Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, Columbia, South Carolina. Theresa K. Hodges, PhD, is Bioinformatics Analyst I, Institute for Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland. Martin J. Edelman, MD, was Director, Medical Thoracic Oncology, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland; now Professor and Chair, Department of Hematology/Oncology; Deputy Director, Cancer Center for Clinical Research; and G. Morris Dorrance Jr. Chair in Medical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Yang Song, PhD, is Bioinformatics Analyst II, Institute for Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland. Mintong Nan, BS, was Laboratory Research Technician, Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland. Susan G. Dorsey, PhD, RN, FAAN, is Professor and Chair, Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland; and PhD Student at the University of Maryland
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Barzegar M, Ma S, Zhang C, Chen X, Gu Y, Shang C, Jiang X, Yang J, Nathan CA, Yang S, Huang S. SKLB188 inhibits the growth of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by suppressing EGFR signalling. Br J Cancer 2017; 117:1154-1163. [PMID: 28873083 PMCID: PMC5674107 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2017.298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) occurs in approximately 90% of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and is correlated with poor prognosis. Thus, targeting EGFR is a promising strategy for treatment of HNSCC. Several small molecule EGFR inhibitors have been tested in clinical trials for treatment of HNSCC, but none of them are more effective than the current chemotherapeutic drugs. Thus, it is urgently needed to develop novel EGFR inhibitors for HNSCC treatment. METHODS By screening an in-house focused library containing approximately 650 000 known kinase inhibitors and kinase inhibitor-like compounds containing common kinase inhibitor core scaffolds, we identified SKLB188 as a lead compound for inhibition of EGFR. The anticancer effects of SKLB188 on HNSCC cells were investigated by in vitro cell growth, cell cycle and apoptosis assays, as well as in vivo FaDu xenograft mouse model. Molecular docking, in vitro kinase profiling and western blotting were performed to characterise EGFR as the molecular target. RESULTS SKLB188 inhibited HNSCC cell proliferation by inducing G1 cell cycle arrest, which was associated with downregulating the expression of Cdc25A, cyclins D1/A and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK2/4), and upregulating the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors (p21Cip1 and p27Kip1), leading to decreased phosphorylation of Rb. SKLB188 also induced caspase-dependent apoptosis of HNSCC cells by downregulating the expression of Mcl-1 and survivin. Molecular docking revealed that SKLB188 could bind to the kinase domain of EGFR through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. In vitro kinase assay showed that SKLB188 inhibited the activity of a recombinant human EGFR very potently (IC50=5 nM). Western blot analysis demonstrated that SKLB188 inhibited the phosphorylation of EGFR and its downstream targets, extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (Erk1/2) and Akt in the cells. In addition, SKLB188 dose-dependently inhibited FaDu xenograft growth in nude mice, and concurrently inhibited the phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and Akt in the tumours. CONCLUSIONS SKLB188 potently inhibits the growth of HNSCC cells in vitro and in vivo by targeting EGFR signalling. The results provide a basis for further clinical investigation of SKLB188 as a targeted therapy for HNSCC. Our findings may open a new avenue for development of novel EGFR inhibitors for treatment of HNSCC and other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansoureh Barzegar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA
| | - Shuang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA
| | - Ying Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA
| | - Chaowei Shang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA
- Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA
| | - Xiaojuan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Jiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Cherie-Ann Nathan
- Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA
| | - Shengyong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Shile Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA
- Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA
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Weitsman G, Mitchell NJ, Evans R, Cheung A, Kalber TL, Bofinger R, Fruhwirth GO, Keppler M, Wright ZVF, Barber PR, Gordon P, de Koning T, Wulaningsih W, Sander K, Vojnovic B, Ameer-Beg S, Lythgoe M, Arnold JN, Årstad E, Festy F, Hailes HC, Tabor AB, Ng T. Detecting intratumoral heterogeneity of EGFR activity by liposome-based in vivo transfection of a fluorescent biosensor. Oncogene 2017; 36:3618-3628. [PMID: 28166195 PMCID: PMC5421598 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Revised: 11/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Despite decades of research in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling field, and many targeted anti-cancer drugs that have been tested clinically, the success rate for these agents in the clinic is low, particularly in terms of the improvement of overall survival. Intratumoral heterogeneity is proposed as a major mechanism underlying treatment failure of these molecule-targeted agents. Here we highlight the application of fluorescence lifetime microscopy (FLIM)-based biosensing to demonstrate intratumoral heterogeneity of EGFR activity. For sensing EGFR activity in cells, we used a genetically encoded CrkII-based biosensor which undergoes conformational changes upon tyrosine-221 phosphorylation by EGFR. We transfected this biosensor into EGFR-positive tumour cells using targeted lipopolyplexes bearing EGFR-binding peptides at their surfaces. In a murine model of basal-like breast cancer, we demonstrated a significant degree of intratumoral heterogeneity in EGFR activity, as well as the pharmacodynamic effect of a radionuclide-labeled EGFR inhibitor in situ. Furthermore, a significant correlation between high EGFR activity in tumour cells and macrophage-tumour cell proximity was found to in part account for the intratumoral heterogeneity in EGFR activity observed. The same effect of macrophage infiltrate on EGFR activation was also seen in a colorectal cancer xenograft. In contrast, a non-small cell lung cancer xenograft expressing a constitutively active EGFR conformational mutant exhibited macrophage proximity-independent EGFR activity. Our study validates the use of this methodology to monitor therapeutic response in terms of EGFR activity. In addition, we found iNOS gene induction in macrophages that are cultured in tumour cell-conditioned media as well as an iNOS activity-dependent increase in EGFR activity in tumour cells. These findings point towards an immune microenvironment-mediated regulation that gives rise to the observed intratumoral heterogeneity of EGFR signalling activity in tumour cells in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Weitsman
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Randall Division & Division of Cancer Studies, Kings College London, Guy’s Medical School Campus, London, UK
| | - N J Mitchell
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
| | - R Evans
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Randall Division & Division of Cancer Studies, Kings College London, Guy’s Medical School Campus, London, UK
| | - A Cheung
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Randall Division & Division of Cancer Studies, Kings College London, Guy’s Medical School Campus, London, UK
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - T L Kalber
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - R Bofinger
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
| | - G O Fruhwirth
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Randall Division & Division of Cancer Studies, Kings College London, Guy’s Medical School Campus, London, UK
| | - M Keppler
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Randall Division & Division of Cancer Studies, Kings College London, Guy’s Medical School Campus, London, UK
| | - Z V F Wright
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
| | - P R Barber
- Gray Laboratories, Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Oxford, UK
| | - P Gordon
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - T de Koning
- Division of Cancer Studies, Kings College London, Guy’s Medical School Campus, London, UK
| | - W Wulaningsih
- Cancer Epidemiology Group, Division of Cancer Studies, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - K Sander
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - B Vojnovic
- Gray Laboratories, Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Oxford, UK
| | - S Ameer-Beg
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Randall Division & Division of Cancer Studies, Kings College London, Guy’s Medical School Campus, London, UK
| | - M Lythgoe
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - J N Arnold
- Division of Cancer Studies, Kings College London, Guy’s Medical School Campus, London, UK
| | - E Årstad
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - F Festy
- King’s College London Dental Institute, Tissue Engineering and Biophotonics, Guy’s Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - H C Hailes
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
| | - A B Tabor
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
| | - T Ng
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Randall Division & Division of Cancer Studies, Kings College London, Guy’s Medical School Campus, London, UK
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, King’s College London, London, UK
- UCL Cancer Institute, Paul O’Gorman Building, University College London, London, UK
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Nuciforo P, Radosevic-Robin N, Ng T, Scaltriti M. Quantification of HER family receptors in breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 2015; 17:53. [PMID: 25887735 PMCID: PMC4389676 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-015-0561-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical success of trastuzumab in breast cancer taught us that appropriate tumor evaluation is mandatory for the correct identification of patients eligible for targeted therapies. Although HER2 protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and gene amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays are routinely used to select patients to receive trastuzumab, both assays only partially predict response to the drug. In the case of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), the link between the presence of the receptor or its amplification and response to anti-EGFR therapies could not be demonstrated. Even less is known for HER3 and HER4, mainly due to lack of robust and validated assays detecting these proteins. It is becoming evident that, besides FISH and IHC, we need better assays to quantify HER receptors and categorize the patients for individualized treatments. Here, we present the current available methodologies to measure HER family receptors and discuss the clinical implications of target quantification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Nuciforo
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, Barcelona, 08035, Spain.
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, 08035, Spain.
| | - Nina Radosevic-Robin
- ERTICa Research Group, University of Auvergne EA4677, 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
- Biopathology, Jean Perrin Comprehensive Cancer Center, 58 rue Montalembert, 63011, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Tony Ng
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics and Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
- UCL Cancer Institute, Paul O'Gorman Building, University College London, London, WC1E 6DD, UK.
- Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Unit, Department of Research Oncology, Guy's Hospital King's College London School of Medicine, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
| | - Maurizio Scaltriti
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, Box 20, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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Kim HK, Andreazza AC, Yeung PY, Isaacs-Trepanier C, Young LT. Oxidation and nitration in dopaminergic areas of the prefrontal cortex from patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2014; 39:276-85. [PMID: 24485387 PMCID: PMC4074239 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.130155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased oxidative stress is strongly implicated in bipolar disorder (BD), where protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage to DNA have been consistently reported. High levels of dopamine (DA) in mania are also well-recognized in patients with BD, and DA produces reactive oxygen species and electron-deficient quinones that can oxidize proteins when it is metabolized. METHODS Using immunohistochemistry and acceptor photobleaching Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), we examined oxidation and nitration of areas immunoreactive for the DA transporter (DAT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the postmortem prefrontal cortex from patients with BD, schizophrenia and major depression as well as nonpsychiatric controls. RESULTS We found increased oxidation of DAT-immunoreactive regions in patients with BD (F3,48 = 6.76, p = 0.001; Dunnett post hoc test p = 0.001) and decreased nitration of TH-immunoreactive regions in both patients with BD (F3,45 = 3.10, p = 0.036; Dunnett post hoc test p = 0.011) and schizophrenia (p = 0.027). On the other hand, we found increased global levels of oxidation in patients with BD (F3,44 = 6.74, p = 0.001; Dunnett post hoc test p = 0.001) and schizophrenia (p = 0.020), although nitration levels did not differ between the groups (F3,46 = 1.75; p = 0.17). LIMITATIONS Limitations of this study include the use of postmortem brain sections, which may have been affected by factors such as postmortem interval and antemortem agonal states, although demographic factors and postmortem interval were accounted for in our statistical analysis. CONCLUSION These findings suggest alterations in levels of protein oxidation and nitration in DA-rich regions of the prefrontal cortex in patients with BD and schizophrenia, but more markedly in those with BD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - L. Trevor Young
- Correspondence to: L.T. Young, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Clarke Site, 250 College St., Rm 835, Toronto ON M5T 1R8;
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Khong TL, Thairu N, Larsen H, Dawson PM, Kiriakidis S, Paleolog EM. Identification of the angiogenic gene signature induced by EGF and hypoxia in colorectal cancer. BMC Cancer 2013; 13:518. [PMID: 24180698 PMCID: PMC4228238 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterised by hypoxia, which activates gene transcription through hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF), as well as by expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and EGF receptors, targeting of which has been demonstrated to provide therapeutic benefit in CRC. Although EGF has been demonstrated to induce expression of angiogenic mediators, potential interactions in CRC between EGF-mediated signalling and the hypoxia/HIF pathway remain uncharacterised. METHODS PCR-based profiling was applied to identify angiogenic genes in Caco-2 CRC cells regulated by hypoxia, the hypoxia mimetic dimethyloxallylglycine (DMOG) and/or EGF. Western blotting was used to determine the role of HIF-1alpha, HIF-2alpha and MAPK cell signalling in mediating the angiogenic responses. RESULTS We identified a total of 9 angiogenic genes, including angiopoietin-like (ANGPTL) 4, ephrin (EFNA) 3, transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), to be upregulated in a HIF dependent manner in Caco-2 CRC cells in response to both hypoxia and the hypoxia mimetic dimethyloxallylglycine (DMOG). Stimulation with EGF resulted in EGFR tyrosine autophosphorylation, activation of p42/p44 MAP kinases and stabilisation of HIF-1α and HIF-2α proteins. However, expression of 84 angiogenic genes remained unchanged in response to EGF alone. Crucially, addition of DMOG in combination with EGF significantly increased expression of a further 11 genes (in addition to the 9 genes upregulated in response to either DMOG alone or hypoxia alone). These additional genes included chemokines (CCL-11/eotaxin-1 and interleukin-8), collagen type IV α3 chain, integrin β3 chain, TGFα and VEGF receptor KDR. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that although EGFR phosphorylation activates the MAP kinase signalling and promotes HIF stabilisation in CRC, this alone is not sufficient to induce angiogenic gene expression. In contrast, HIF activation downstream of hypoxia/DMOG drives expression of genes such as ANGPTL4, EFNA3, TGFβ1 and VEGF. Finally, HIF activation synergises with EGF-mediated signalling to additionally induce a unique sub-group of candidate angiogenic genes. Our data highlight the complex interrelationship between tumour hypoxia, EGF and angiogenesis in the pathogenesis of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ewa M Paleolog
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK.
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Matušan-Ilijaš K, Damante G, Fabbro D, Dorđević G, Hadžisejdić I, Grahovac M, Avirović M, Grahovac B, Jonjić N, Lučin K. EGFR expression is linked to osteopontin and Nf-κB signaling in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Clin Transl Oncol 2012; 15:65-71. [PMID: 22855173 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-012-0889-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2012] [Accepted: 03/19/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM AND BACKGROUND Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a receptor tyrosine kinase involved in many important aspects of cell biology that are related to tumorigenesis. There are opposite evidences of the role of EGFR in renal cancer and the outcome of EGFR-targeted therapies, suggesting the complexity of EGFR signaling pathways. In vitro, osteopontin (OPN) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) are thought to be involved in specific ligand-independent EGFR activation that could have a role in resistance to EGFR mAb therapy. Aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between EGFR and OPN at the protein and mRNA level, as well as their relation to NF-κB in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Expression of EGFR, OPN, and p65 NF-κB protein was analyzed using immunohistochemistry and compared mutually in 88 CCRCC samples. Expression of EGFR and OPN mRNAs was analyzed using quantitative Real-time PCR in 22 CCRCC samples and compared mutually and with NF-κB protein expression. RESULTS Epidermal growth factor receptor mRNA level was higher in CCRCC samples in comparison with normal renal tissue (p = 0.012) and was associated with high OPN mRNA level, and with NF-κB activation (p < 0.001 and p = 0.045, respectively). Immunohistochemical staining showed the inverse association; high EGFR protein expression was related with low OPN and NF-κB protein expression (p < 0.001 and p = 0.047, respectively). CONCLUSION Epidermal growth factor receptor gene is upregulated in CRCC and associated with OPN gene expression and NF-kB signaling. The inverse relation between OPN and EGFR at the protein level could probably reflect dynamic changes that EGFR undergoes following activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Matušan-Ilijaš
- Department of Pathology, Rijeka University School of Medicine, Braće Branchetta 20, Rijeka, Croatia
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Ledón N, Casacó A, Casanova E, Beausoleil I. Comparative analysis of binding affinities to epidermal growth factor receptor of monoclonal antibodies nimotuzumab and cetuximab using different experimental animal models. Placenta 2011; 32:531-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2011.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2010] [Revised: 04/06/2011] [Accepted: 04/07/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Matsuo T, Nishizuka SS, Ishida K, Iwaya T, Ikeda M, Wakabayashi G. Analysis of the anti-tumor effect of cetuximab using protein kinetics and mouse xenograft models. BMC Res Notes 2011; 4:140. [PMID: 21554739 PMCID: PMC3118158 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-4-140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2010] [Accepted: 05/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The binding of EGFR and its ligands leads to autophosphorylation of receptor tyrosine kinase as well as subsequent activation of signal transduction pathways that are involved in regulating cellular proliferation, differentiation, and survival. An EGFR inhibitor, cetuximab binds to EGFR and consequently blocks a variety of cellular processes. KRAS/BRAF mutations are known to be associated with a low response rate to cetuximab. In the present study, to clarify the anti-tumor mechanisms of cetuximab, we evaluated the KRAS/BRAF status, phosphorylation level of the EGFR pathway, and the tumor suppression effect in vivo, using a human colon cancer cell line HT29, which exhibited the highest EGFR expression in response to the cetuximab therapy among the 6 colorectal cancer cell lines tested. FINDINGS The conventional growth suppression assay did not work efficiently with cetuximab. EGF, TGF-α, and IGF activated the EGFR/MAPK cell signaling pathway by initiating the phosphorylation of EGFR. Cetuximab partially inhibited the EGFR/MAPK pathway induced by EGF, TGF-α, and IGF. However, cetuximab exposure induced the EGFR, MEK, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation by itself. Mouse xenograft tumor growth was significantly inhibited by cetuximab and both cetuximab-treated and -untreated xenograft specimens exhibited phosphorylations of the EGFR pathway proteins. CONCLUSIONS We have confirmed that cetuximab inhibited the EGFR/MAPK pathway and reduced tumor growth in the xenografts while the remaining tumor showed EGFR pathway activation. These results suggest that: ( i ) The effect of cetuximab in growth signaling is not sufficient to induce complete growth suppression in vitro; ( ii ) time-course monitoring may be necessary to evaluate the effect of cetuximab because EGFR signaling is transmitted in a minute order; and ( iii ) cetuximab treatment may have cells acquired resistant selectively survived in the heterogeneous cancer population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teppei Matsuo
- Molecular Therapeutics Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, 19-1 Uchimaru, Morioka 020-8505, Iwate Japan.
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Fruhwirth GO, Fernandes LP, Weitsman G, Patel G, Kelleher M, Lawler K, Brock A, Poland SP, Matthews DR, Kéri G, Barber PR, Vojnovic B, Ameer‐Beg SM, Coolen ACC, Fraternali F, Ng T. How Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Imaging Improves the Understanding of Protein Interaction Networks in Cancer Biology. Chemphyschem 2011; 12:442-61. [DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201000866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2010] [Revised: 01/07/2011] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert O. Fruhwirth
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, Guy's Medical School Campus, NHH, SE1 1UL (UK), Fax: (+44) (0) 20 7848 6220, Fax: (+44) (0) 20 7848 8056
- Comprehensive Cancer Imaging Centre, New Hunt's House, Guy's Medical School Campus, NHH, SE1 1UL (UK)
| | - Luis P. Fernandes
- Randall Division of Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, Guy's Medical School Campus, NHH, SE1 1UL (UK)
| | - Gregory Weitsman
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, Guy's Medical School Campus, NHH, SE1 1UL (UK), Fax: (+44) (0) 20 7848 6220, Fax: (+44) (0) 20 7848 8056
| | - Gargi Patel
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, Guy's Medical School Campus, NHH, SE1 1UL (UK), Fax: (+44) (0) 20 7848 6220, Fax: (+44) (0) 20 7848 8056
| | - Muireann Kelleher
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, Guy's Medical School Campus, NHH, SE1 1UL (UK), Fax: (+44) (0) 20 7848 6220, Fax: (+44) (0) 20 7848 8056
| | - Katherine Lawler
- Comprehensive Cancer Imaging Centre, New Hunt's House, Guy's Medical School Campus, NHH, SE1 1UL (UK)
| | - Adrian Brock
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, Guy's Medical School Campus, NHH, SE1 1UL (UK), Fax: (+44) (0) 20 7848 6220, Fax: (+44) (0) 20 7848 8056
| | - Simon P. Poland
- Comprehensive Cancer Imaging Centre, New Hunt's House, Guy's Medical School Campus, NHH, SE1 1UL (UK)
| | - Daniel R. Matthews
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, Guy's Medical School Campus, NHH, SE1 1UL (UK), Fax: (+44) (0) 20 7848 6220, Fax: (+44) (0) 20 7848 8056
| | - György Kéri
- Vichem Chemie Research Ltd. Herman Ottó utca 15, Budapest, Hungary and Pathobiochemistry Research Group of Hungarian Academy of Science, Semmelweis University, Budapest, 1444 Bp 8. POB 260 (Hungary)
| | - Paul R. Barber
- Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology & Biology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ (UK)
| | - Borivoj Vojnovic
- Randall Division of Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, Guy's Medical School Campus, NHH, SE1 1UL (UK)
- Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology & Biology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ (UK)
| | - Simon M. Ameer‐Beg
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, Guy's Medical School Campus, NHH, SE1 1UL (UK), Fax: (+44) (0) 20 7848 6220, Fax: (+44) (0) 20 7848 8056
- Randall Division of Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, Guy's Medical School Campus, NHH, SE1 1UL (UK)
| | - Anthony C. C. Coolen
- Randall Division of Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, Guy's Medical School Campus, NHH, SE1 1UL (UK)
- Department of Mathematics, King's College London, Strand Campus, London, WC2R 2LS (UK)
| | - Franca Fraternali
- Randall Division of Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, Guy's Medical School Campus, NHH, SE1 1UL (UK)
| | - Tony Ng
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, Guy's Medical School Campus, NHH, SE1 1UL (UK), Fax: (+44) (0) 20 7848 6220, Fax: (+44) (0) 20 7848 8056
- Randall Division of Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, Guy's Medical School Campus, NHH, SE1 1UL (UK)
- Comprehensive Cancer Imaging Centre, New Hunt's House, Guy's Medical School Campus, NHH, SE1 1UL (UK)
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11
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Rojo F, Gracias E, Villena N, Cruz T, Corominas JM, Corradino I, Cedeño M, Campas C, Osorio M, Iznaga N, Bellosillo B, Rovira A, Marsoni S, Gascon P, Serrano S, Sessa C, Crombet T, Albanell J. Pharmacodynamic trial of nimotuzumab in unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a SENDO Foundation study. Clin Cancer Res 2010; 16:2474-82. [PMID: 20371675 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-09-3042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the pharmacodynamic effects of nimotuzumab, an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody with intermediate affinity for the receptor, in skin and tumor tissues from head and neck cancer patients. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Pharmacodynamic study in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, unsuitable for chemoradiotherapy, enrolled in a single-center trial. Patients received 8 weekly infusions of nimotuzumab. The first nimotuzumab infusion was administered 1 week before starting radiation, whereas the remaining doses were administered concomitantly with irradiation. Paired biopsies were taken from skin and primary tumors, before (pretherapy) and 1 week (on single-agent therapy) after first infusion. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to assay the effects of nimotuzumab on total and phosphorylated EGFR, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2), p-AKT, and proliferation (Ki-67). RESULTS Nimotuzumab was well tolerated and there was no evidence of skin rash. Objective response was achieved in 9 of 10 patients. The pharmacodynamic assays showed inhibition of p-EGFR in both skin and tumor (P = 0.042 in skin and P = 0.034 in tumor). No significant changes in p-ERK1/2, p-AKT, or Ki-67 were detected in skin. In addition, lymphocytic infiltrates, folliculitis, or perifolliculitis were not observed. In tumor samples, there was an upregulation of p-AKT (P = 0.043), a reduction in proliferation index (P = 0.012), and a nonsignificant trend toward a decrease of p-ERK1/2 (P = 0.091). CONCLUSIONS The pharmacodynamic data confirmed the ability of nimotuzumab to decrease EGFR phosphorylation. Downstream effects were observed in tumor cells but not in skin, a finding that may help to explain the lack of skin rash in patients treated with nimotuzumab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Rojo
- Cancer Research Program, IMIM-Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
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12
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Keese M, Yagublu V, Schwenke K, Post S, Bastiaens P. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy of chemotherapy-induced apoptosis resistance in a syngenic mouse tumor model. Int J Cancer 2009; 126:104-13. [PMID: 19588498 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.24730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
During cancer therapy with DNA-damaging drug-agents, the development of secondary resistance to apoptosis can be observed. In the search for novel therapeutic approaches that can be used in these cases, we monitored chemotherapy-induced apoptosis resistance in a syngenic mouse tumor model. For this, syngenic murine colorectal carcinoma cells, which stably expressed a FRET-based caspase-3 activity sensor, were introduced into animals to induce peritoneal carcinomatosis or disseminated hepatic metastases. This syngenic system allowed in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo analysis of chemotherapy induced apoptosis induction by optically monitoring the caspase-3 sensor state in the tumor cells. Tumor tissue analysis of 5-FU treated mice showed the selection of 5-FU-induced apoptosis resistant tumor cells. These and chemo-naive fluorescent tumor cells could be re-isolated from treated and untreated mice and propagated in cell culture. Re-exposure to 5-FU and second line treatment modalities in this ex-vivo setting showed that 5-FU induced apoptosis resistance could be alleviated by imatinib mesylate (Gleevec). We thus show that syngenic mouse systems that stably express a FRET-based caspase-3 sensor can be employed to analyse the therapeutic efficiency of apoptosis inducing chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Keese
- Chirurgische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
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13
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Kelleher MT, Fruhwirth G, Patel G, Ofo E, Festy F, Barber PR, Ameer-Beg SM, Vojnovic B, Gillett C, Coolen A, Kéri G, Ellis PA, Ng T. The potential of optical proteomic technologies to individualize prognosis and guide rational treatment for cancer patients. Target Oncol 2009; 4:235-52. [PMID: 19756916 PMCID: PMC2778706 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-009-0116-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2009] [Accepted: 08/28/2009] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Genomics and proteomics will improve outcome prediction in cancer and have great potential to help in the discovery of unknown mechanisms of metastasis, ripe for therapeutic exploitation. Current methods of prognosis estimation rely on clinical data, anatomical staging and histopathological features. It is hoped that translational genomic and proteomic research will discriminate more accurately than is possible at present between patients with a good prognosis and those who carry a high risk of recurrence. Rational treatments, targeted to the specific molecular pathways of an individual's high-risk tumor, are at the core of tailored therapy. The aim of targeted oncology is to select the right patient for the right drug at precisely the right point in their cancer journey. Optical proteomics uses advanced optical imaging technologies to quantify the activity states of and associations between signaling proteins by measuring energy transfer between fluorophores attached to specific proteins. Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) assays are suitable for use in cell line models of cancer, fresh human tissues and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE). In animal models, dynamic deep tissue FLIM/FRET imaging of cancer cells in vivo is now also feasible. Analysis of protein expression and post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination can be performed in cell lines and are remarkably efficiently in cancer tissue samples using tissue microarrays (TMAs). FRET assays can be performed to quantify protein-protein interactions within FFPE tissue, far beyond the spatial resolution conventionally associated with light or confocal laser microscopy. Multivariate optical parameters can be correlated with disease relapse for individual patients. FRET-FLIM assays allow rapid screening of target modifiers using high content drug screens. Specific protein-protein interactions conferring a poor prognosis identified by high content tissue screening will be perturbed with targeted therapeutics. Future targeted drugs will be identified using high content/throughput drug screens that are based on multivariate proteomic assays. Response to therapy at a molecular level can be monitored using these assays while the patient receives treatment: utilizing re-biopsy tumor tissue samples in the neoadjuvant setting or by examining surrogate tissues. These technologies will prove to be both prognostic of risk for individuals when applied to tumor tissue at first diagnosis and predictive of response to specifically selected targeted anticancer drugs. Advanced optical assays have great potential to be translated into real-life benefit for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muireann T. Kelleher
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Randall Division & Division of Cancer Studies, Kings College London, 2nd Floor, New Hunt House, Guy’s Medical School Campus, London, SE1 1UL UK
- Department Medical Oncology, Guy’s Hospital, London, SE1 9RT UK
| | - Gilbert Fruhwirth
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Randall Division & Division of Cancer Studies, Kings College London, 2nd Floor, New Hunt House, Guy’s Medical School Campus, London, SE1 1UL UK
| | - Gargi Patel
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Randall Division & Division of Cancer Studies, Kings College London, 2nd Floor, New Hunt House, Guy’s Medical School Campus, London, SE1 1UL UK
| | - Enyinnaya Ofo
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Randall Division & Division of Cancer Studies, Kings College London, 2nd Floor, New Hunt House, Guy’s Medical School Campus, London, SE1 1UL UK
| | - Frederic Festy
- Biomaterial, Biomimetics & Biophotonics Research Group, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Paul R. Barber
- Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology & Biology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | - Simon M. Ameer-Beg
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Randall Division & Division of Cancer Studies, Kings College London, 2nd Floor, New Hunt House, Guy’s Medical School Campus, London, SE1 1UL UK
| | - Borivoj Vojnovic
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Randall Division & Division of Cancer Studies, Kings College London, 2nd Floor, New Hunt House, Guy’s Medical School Campus, London, SE1 1UL UK
- Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology & Biology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | - Cheryl Gillett
- Guy’s & St Thomas’ Breast Tissue & Data Bank, King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, London, SE1 9RT UK
| | - Anthony Coolen
- Department of Mathematics, King’s College London, Strand Campus, London, WC2R 2LS UK
| | - György Kéri
- Vichem Chemie Research Ltd., Herman Ottó utca 15, Budapest, Hungary
- Pathobiochemistry Research Group of Hungarian Academy of Science, Semmelweis University, Budapest, 1444 Bp 8. POB 260, Hungary
| | - Paul A. Ellis
- Department Medical Oncology, Guy’s Hospital, London, SE1 9RT UK
| | - Tony Ng
- Richard Dimbleby Department of Cancer Research, Randall Division & Division of Cancer Studies, Kings College London, 2nd Floor, New Hunt House, Guy’s Medical School Campus, London, SE1 1UL UK
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14
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Talavera A, Friemann R, Gómez-Puerta S, Martinez-Fleites C, Garrido G, Rabasa A, López-Requena A, Pupo A, Johansen RF, Sánchez O, Krengel U, Moreno E. Nimotuzumab, an antitumor antibody that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor, blocks ligand binding while permitting the active receptor conformation. Cancer Res 2009; 69:5851-9. [PMID: 19584289 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-4518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) in cancer cells correlates with tumor malignancy and poor prognosis for cancer patients. For this reason, the EGFR has become one of the main targets of anticancer therapies. Structural data obtained in the last few years have revealed the molecular mechanism for ligand-induced EGFR dimerization and subsequent signal transduction, and also how this signal is blocked by either monoclonal antibodies or small molecules. Nimotuzumab (also known as h-R3) is a humanized antibody that targets the EGFR and has been successful in the clinics. In this work, we report the crystal structure of the Fab fragment of Nimotuzumab, revealing some unique structural features in the heavy variable domain. Furthermore, competition assays show that Nimotuzumab binds to domain III of the extracellular region of the EGFR, within an area that overlaps with both the surface patch recognized by Cetuximab (another anti-EGFR antibody) and the binding site for EGF. A computer model of the Nimotuzumab-EGFR complex, constructed by docking and molecular dynamics simulations and supported by mutagenesis studies, unveils a novel mechanism of action, with Nimotuzumab blocking EGF binding while still allowing the receptor to adopt its active conformation, hence warranting a basal level of signaling.
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15
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Solmi R, Lauriola M, Francesconi M, Martini D, Voltattorni M, Ceccarelli C, Ugolini G, Rosati G, Zanotti S, Montroni I, Mattei G, Taffurelli M, Santini D, Pezzetti F, Ruggeri A, Castellani G, Guidotti L, Coppola D, Strippoli P. Displayed correlation between gene expression profiles and submicroscopic alterations in response to cetuximab, gefitinib and EGF in human colon cancer cell lines. BMC Cancer 2008; 8:227. [PMID: 18691415 PMCID: PMC2528013 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-8-227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2007] [Accepted: 08/08/2008] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background EGFR is frequently overexpressed in colon cancer. We characterized HT-29 and Caco-2, human colon cancer cell lines, untreated and treated with cetuximab or gefitinib alone and in combination with EGF. Methods Cell growth was determined using a variation on the MTT assay. Cell-cycle analysis was conducted by flow cytometry. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate EGFR expression and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evidenced the ultrastructural morphology. Gene expression profiling was performed using hybridization of the microarray Ocimum Pan Human 40 K array A. Results Caco-2 and HT-29 were respectively 66.25 and 59.24 % in G0/G1. They maintained this level of cell cycle distribution after treatment, suggesting a predominantly differentiated state. Treatment of Caco-2 with EGF or the two EGFR inhibitors produced a significant reduction in their viability. SEM clearly showed morphological cellular transformations in the direction of cellular death in both cell lines treated with EGFR inhibitors. HT-29 and Caco-2 displayed an important reduction of the microvilli (which also lose their erect position in Caco-2), possibly invalidating microvilli absorption function. HT-29 treated with cetuximab lost their boundary contacts and showed filipodi; when treated with gefitinib, they showed some vesicles: generally membrane reshaping is evident. Both cell lines showed a similar behavior in terms of on/off switched genes upon treatment with cetuximab. The gefitinib global gene expression pattern was different for the 2 cell lines; gefitinib treatment induced more changes, but directly correlated with EGF treatment. In cetuximab or gefitinib plus EGF treatments there was possible summation of the morphological effects: cells seemed more weakly affected by the transformation towards apoptosis. The genes appeared to be less stimulated than for single drug cases. Conclusion This is the first study to have systematically investigated the effect of cetuximab or gefitinib, alone and in combination with EGF, on human colon cancer cell lines. The EGFR inhibitors have a weaker effect in the presence of EGF that binds EGFR. Cetuximab treatment showed an expression pattern that inversely correlates with EGF treatment. We found interesting cyto-morphological features closely relating to gene expression profile. Both drugs have an effect on differentiation towards cellular death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Solmi
- Dipartimento di Istologia, Embriologia e Biologia Applicata, Università di Bologna, Via Belmeloro 8, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
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16
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Mankoff DA, Link JM, Linden HM, Sundararajan L, Krohn KA. Tumor receptor imaging. J Nucl Med 2008; 49 Suppl 2:149S-63S. [PMID: 18523071 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.107.045963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor receptors play an important role in carcinogenesis and tumor growth and have been some of the earliest targets for tumor-specific therapy, for example, the estrogen receptor in breast cancer. Knowledge of receptor expression is key for therapy directed at tumor receptors and traditionally has been obtained by assay of biopsy material. Tumor receptor imaging offers complementary information that includes evaluation of the entire tumor burden and characterization of the heterogeneity of tumor receptor expression. The nature of the ligand-receptor interaction poses a challenge for imaging--notably, the requirement for a low molecular concentration of the imaging probe to avoid saturating the receptor and increasing the background because of nonspecific uptake. For this reason, much of the work to date in tumor receptor imaging has been done with radionuclide probes. In this overview of tumor receptor imaging, aspects of receptor biochemistry and biology that underlie tumor receptor imaging are reviewed, with the estrogen-estrogen receptor system in breast cancer as an illustrative example. Examples of progress in radionuclide receptor imaging for 3 receptor systems--steroid receptors, somatostatin receptors, and growth factor receptors-are highlighted, and recent investigations of receptor imaging with other molecular imaging modalities are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Mankoff
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
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17
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Mandell JW. Immunohistochemical assessment of protein phosphorylation state: the dream and the reality. Histochem Cell Biol 2008; 130:465-71. [PMID: 18648845 PMCID: PMC2522329 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-008-0474-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/30/2008] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The development of phosphorylation state-specific antibodies (PSSAs) in the 1980s, and their subsequent proliferation promised to enable in situ analysis of the activation states of complex intracellular signaling networks. The extent to which this promise has been fulfilled is the topic of this review. I review some applications of PSSAs primarily in the assessment of solid tumor signaling pathway activation status. PSSAs have received considerable attention for their potential to reveal cell type-specific activation status, provide added prognostic information, aid in the prediction of response to therapy, and most recently, demonstrate the efficacy of kinase-targeted chemotherapies. However, despite some successes, many studies have failed to demonstrate added value of PSSAs over general antibody immunohistochemistry. Moreover, there is still a large degree of uncertainty about the interpretation of complex and heterogeneous staining patterns in tissue samples and their relationship to the actual phosphorylation states in vivo. The next phase of translational research in applications of PSSAs will entail the hard work of antibody validation, gathering of detailed information about epitope-specific lability, and implementation of methods for standardization.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Mandell
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, PO Box 800904, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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18
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Lacouture ME. Insights into the pathophysiology and management of dermatologic toxicities to EGFR-targeted therapies in colorectal cancer. Cancer Nurs 2007; 30:S17-26. [PMID: 17666987 DOI: 10.1097/01.ncc.0000281758.85704.9b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) play an important role in the development of the skin and up-regulation of these receptors is associated with many cancer-related processes, such as inhibition of apoptosis and uncontrolled cell proliferation. Accordingly, treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer with EGFR inhibitors may lead to adverse cutaneous effects that can decrease the patient's quality of life and could possibly lead to reduced, interrupted, or discontinued therapy. Effective management of these adverse effects may lessen the chance of suboptimal therapy and requires an understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, as well as knowledge of useful strategies for alleviating these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario E Lacouture
- Cancer Skin Care Program and SERIES Clinic, Department of Dermatology, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill 60611-2941, USA.
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19
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Keese M, Offterdinger M, Tischer C, Girod A, Lommerse PHM, Yagublu V, Magdeburg R, Bastiaens PIH. Quantitative imaging of apoptosis commitment in colorectal tumor cells. Differentiation 2007; 75:809-18. [PMID: 17511782 DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-0436.2007.00186.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
We have studied caspase-3 activation by combined DNA damage induction and EGFR kinase inhibition in order to identify potential EGFR-mediated survival signals conferring resistance to apoptosis in human colorectal tumor cells. The onset of apoptosis was microscopically imaged with a newly developed caspase-3 substrate sensor based on EGFP and tHcred1, enabling us to monitor caspase-3 activation in cells by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy or fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Both optical approaches provide parameters quantitatively reporting the ratio between cleaved and uncleaved sensor, thereby facilitating the comparison of caspase-3 activation between different cells. Using these methods, we show that EGFR kinase inhibitors sensitize colorectal SW-480 tumor cells for 5-fluorouracil-induced apoptosis, indicating that EGFR-mediated survival signaling contributes to apoptosis resistance via its intrinsic kinase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Keese
- Chirurgische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
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20
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Festy F, Ameer-Beg SM, Ng T, Suhling K. Imaging proteins in vivo using fluorescence lifetime microscopy. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2007; 3:381-91. [PMID: 17533451 DOI: 10.1039/b617204k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) represents a key optical technique for imaging proteins and protein interaction in vivo. We review the principles and recent advances in the application of the technique, instrumentation and molecular probe development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic Festy
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK SE1 1UL
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21
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Hawcroft G, Ko CWS, Hull MA. Prostaglandin E2-EP4 receptor signalling promotes tumorigenic behaviour of HT-29 human colorectal cancer cells. Oncogene 2006; 26:3006-19. [PMID: 17130837 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1210113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The predominant product of cyclooxygenase (COX) activity in the colon, prostaglandin (PG) E2 promotes intestinal tumorigenesis. Expression of the PGE2 receptor EP4 is upregulated during colorectal carcinogenesis. Therefore, we investigated the role of elevated PGE2-EP4 receptor signalling in the protumorigenic activity of PGE2 by increasing EP4 receptor expression in HT-29 human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells (HT-29-EP4) by stable transfection. Elevated PGE2-induced EP4 receptor activity in HT-29 cells increased resistance to spontaneous apoptosis and promoted anchorage-independent growth, but had no effect on proliferation of HT-29-EP4 cells. EP4 receptor activation by PGE2 in HT-29-EP4 cells also led to development of fluid-filled cysts, which was associated with increased tight junction protein (occludin and zonula occludens-1) expression. Overexpression of the EP4 receptor in HT-29 cells led to basal EP4 receptor signalling in the absence of exogenous PGE2, which was explained by autocrine activity of endogenous, COX-2-derived PGE2 and constitutive, ligand-independent EP4 receptor activity. The predominant signalling pathway mediating antiapoptotic activity downstream of PGE2-EP4 receptor activation in HT-29-EP4 cells was elevation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, which was associated with phosphorylation of cAMP-response element binding protein. EP4 receptor activation led to a small increase in phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 2 protein levels but inhibition of ERK phosphorylation did not abrogate the antiapoptotic activity of PGE2. However, PGE2-EP4 receptor signalling did not lead to trans-activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor in HT-29 cells. Inhibition of protumorigenic PGE2-EP4 receptor signalling represents a potential strategy for anti-CRC therapy that may avoid the toxicity associated with systemic COX inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Hawcroft
- Section of Molecular Gastroenterology, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, St James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK.
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22
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Piazzi G, Paterini P, Ceccarelli C, Pantaleo MA, Biasco G. Molecular determination of epidermal growth factor receptor in normal and neoplastic colorectal mucosa. Br J Cancer 2006; 95:1525-8. [PMID: 17088913 PMCID: PMC2360732 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6603441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) is considered a major target for treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). We found a mean EGFr content significantly lower but more activated in colonic neoplastic tissue than in paired normal mucosa. Phosphorylated (pY1068) EGFr detection in CRC may be a better tool than EGFr detection to select patients for targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Piazzi
- 1Centre of Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), S Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, Bologna 40138, Italy.
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23
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Kong A, Leboucher P, Leek R, Calleja V, Winter S, Harris A, Parker PJ, Larijani B. Prognostic Value of an Activation State Marker for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Tissue Microarrays of Head and Neck Cancer. Cancer Res 2006; 66:2834-43. [PMID: 16510606 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-05-2994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Overexpression and mutation of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) have been shown to be important in the prognosis of several cancers, including head and neck cancers. However, our inability to define the activation status of these and other receptors limits our ability to assess the importance of these pathways and to exploit effectively new molecularly targeted treatments directed at their catalytic activities. Here we describe the use of automated, high-throughput fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy to measure EGFR autophosphorylation status by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) in head and neck tumors. We have correlated FRET efficiency with the clinical and survival data. The results from head and neck arrays show that high FRET efficiency is correlated with worsening disease-free survival but not with overall survival. This powerful tool could be exploited as a new independent quantitative prognostic factor in clinical decisions and cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Kong
- Cell Biophysics Lab, London Research Institute, Cancer Research UK, London, UK
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