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Mohan CD, Shanmugam MK, Gowda SGS, Chinnathambi A, Rangappa KS, Sethi G. c-MET pathway in human malignancies and its targeting by natural compounds for cancer therapy. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 128:155379. [PMID: 38503157 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND c-MET is a receptor tyrosine kinase which is classically activated by HGF to activate its downstream signaling cascades such as MAPK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, and STAT3. The c-MET modulates cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), immune response, morphogenesis, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. The c-MET has been shown to serve a prominent role in embryogenesis and early development. The c-MET pathway is deregulated in a broad range of malignancies, due to overexpression of ligands or receptors, genomic amplification, and MET mutations. The link between the deregulation of c-MET signaling and tumor progression has been well-documented. Overexpression or overactivation of c-MET is associated with dismal clinical outcomes and acquired resistance to targeted therapies. Since c-MET activation results in the triggering of oncogenic pathways, abrogating the c-MET pathway is considered to be a pivotal strategy in cancer therapeutics. Herein, an analysis of role of the c-MET pathway in human cancers and its relevance in bone metastasis and therapeutic resistance has been undertaken. Also, an attempt has been made to summarize the inhibitory activity of selected natural compounds towards c-MET signaling in cancers. METHODS The publications related to c-MET pathway in malignancies and its natural compound modulators were obtained from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar and summarized based on PRISMA guidelines. Some of the keywords used for extracting relevant literature are c-MET, natural compound inhibitors of c-MET, c-MET in liver cancer, c-MET in breast cancer, c-MET in lung cancer, c-MET in pancreatic cancer, c-MET in head and neck cancer, c-MET in bone metastasis, c-MET in therapeutic resistance, and combination of c-MET inhibitors and chemotherapeutic agents. The chemical structure of natural compounds was verified in PubChem database. RESULTS The search yielded 3935 publications, of which 195 reference publications were used for our analysis. Clinical trials were referenced using ClinicalTrials.gov identifier. The c-MET pathway has been recognized as a prominent target to combat the growth, metastasis, and chemotherapeutic resistance in cancers. The key role of the c-MET in bone metastasis as well as therapeutic resistance has been elaborated. Also, suppressive effect of selected natural compounds on the c-MET pathway in clinical/preclinical studies has been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chakrabhavi Dhananjaya Mohan
- FEST Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226 001, India
| | - Muthu K Shanmugam
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
| | | | - Arunachalam Chinnathambi
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kanchugarakoppal S Rangappa
- Institution of Excellence, Vijnana Bhavan, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore, Karnataka 570006, India.
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore.
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Arfin S, Kumar D, Lomagno A, Mauri PL, Di Silvestre D. Differentially Expressed Genes, miRNAs and Network Models: A Strategy to Shed Light on Molecular Interactions Driving HNSCC Tumorigenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4420. [PMID: 37686696 PMCID: PMC10563081 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is among the most common cancer worldwide, accounting for hundreds thousands deaths annually. Unfortunately, most patients are diagnosed in an advanced stage and only a percentage respond favorably to therapies. To help fill this gap, we hereby propose a retrospective in silico study to shed light on gene-miRNA interactions driving the development of HNSCC. Moreover, to identify topological biomarkers as a source for designing new drugs. To achieve this, gene and miRNA profiles from patients and controls are holistically reevaluated using protein-protein interaction (PPI) and bipartite miRNA-target networks. Cytoskeletal remodeling, extracellular matrix (ECM), immune system, proteolysis, and energy metabolism have emerged as major functional modules involved in the pathogenesis of HNSCC. Of note, the landscape of our findings depicts a concerted molecular action in activating genes promoting cell cycle and proliferation, and inactivating those suppressive. In this scenario, genes, including VEGFA, EMP1, PPL, KRAS, MET, TP53, MMPs and HOXs, and miRNAs, including mir-6728 and mir-99a, emerge as key players in the molecular interactions driving HNSCC tumorigenesis. Despite the heterogeneity characterizing these HNSCC subtypes, and the limitations of a study pointing to relationships that could be context dependent, the overlap with previously published studies is encouraging. Hence, it supports further investigation for key molecules, both those already and not correlated to HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saniya Arfin
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun 248007, Uttrakhand, India; (S.A.); (D.K.)
| | - Dhruv Kumar
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun 248007, Uttrakhand, India; (S.A.); (D.K.)
| | - Andrea Lomagno
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, F.lli Cervi 93, Segrate, 20054 Milan, Italy; (A.L.); (P.L.M.)
- IRCCS Foundation, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian, 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Luigi Mauri
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, F.lli Cervi 93, Segrate, 20054 Milan, Italy; (A.L.); (P.L.M.)
| | - Dario Di Silvestre
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, F.lli Cervi 93, Segrate, 20054 Milan, Italy; (A.L.); (P.L.M.)
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Palumbo C, Benvenuto M, Focaccetti C, Albonici L, Cifaldi L, Rufini A, Nardozi D, Angiolini V, Bei A, Masuelli L, Bei R. Recent findings on the impact of ErbB receptors status on prognosis and therapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1066021. [PMID: 36817764 PMCID: PMC9932042 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1066021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer type, has often an aggressive course and is poorly responsive to current therapeutic approaches, so that 5-year survival rates for patients diagnosed with advanced disease is lower than 50%. The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) has emerged as an established oncogene in HNSCC. Indeed, although HNSCCs are a heterogeneous group of cancers which differ for histological, molecular and clinical features, EGFR is overexpressed or mutated in a percentage of cases up to about 90%. Moreover, aberrant expression of the other members of the ErbB receptor family, ErbB2, ErbB3 and ErbB4, has also been reported in variable proportions of HNSCCs. Therefore, an increased expression/activity of one or multiple ErbB receptors is found in the vast majority of patients with HNSCC. While aberrant ErbB signaling has long been known to play a critical role in tumor growth, angiogenesis, invasion, metastatization and resistance to therapy, more recent evidence has revealed its impact on other features of cancer cells' biology, such as the ability to evade antitumor immunity. In this paper we will review recent findings on how ErbB receptors expression and activity, including that associated with non-canonical signaling mechanisms, impacts on prognosis and therapy of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Palumbo
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Benvenuto
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy,Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Focaccetti
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Albonici
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Cifaldi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy,Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Rufini
- Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Rome, Italy,Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Nardozi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Angiolini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Bei
- Medical School, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Masuelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Bei
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy,*Correspondence: Roberto Bei,
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Bhattacharjee B, Syeda AF, Rynjah D, Hussain SM, Chandra Bora S, Pegu P, Sahu RK, Khan J. Pharmacological impact of microRNAs in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Prevailing insights on molecular pathways, diagnosis, and nanomedicine treatment. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1174330. [PMID: 37205904 PMCID: PMC10188950 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1174330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is a disease that most commonly produce tumours from the lining of the epithelial cells of the lips, larynx, nasopharynx, mouth, or oro-pharynx. It is one of the most deadly forms of cancer. About one to two percent of all neo-plasm-related deaths are attributed to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, which is responsible for about six percent of all cancers. MicroRNAs play a critical role in cell proliferation, differentiation, tumorigenesis, stress response, triggering apoptosis, and other physiological process. MicroRNAs regulate gene expression and provide new diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic options for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In this work, the role of molecular signaling pathways related to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is emphasized. We also provide an overview of MicroRNA downregulation and overexpression and its role as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In recent years, MicroRNA nano-based therapies for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma have been explored. In addition, nanotechnology-based alternatives have been discussed as a promising strategy in exploring therapeutic paradigms aimed at improving the efficacy of conventional cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents against head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and attenuating their cytotoxicity. This article also provides information on ongoing and recently completed clinical trials for therapies based on nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ayesha Farhana Syeda
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Unaiza College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Unaizah, Saudi Arabia
- *Correspondence: Ayesha Farhana Syeda, ; Ram Kumar Sahu, ; Jiyauddin Khan,
| | | | - Shalam M. Hussain
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Al-Rayyan Medical College, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Padmanath Pegu
- Girijananda Chowdhury Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Tezpur, India
| | - Ram Kumar Sahu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University (A Central University), Chauras Campus, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India
- *Correspondence: Ayesha Farhana Syeda, ; Ram Kumar Sahu, ; Jiyauddin Khan,
| | - Jiyauddin Khan
- School of Pharmacy, Management and Science University, Shah Alam, Malaysia
- *Correspondence: Ayesha Farhana Syeda, ; Ram Kumar Sahu, ; Jiyauddin Khan,
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Katase N, Nishimatsu SI, Yamauchi A, Okano S, Fujita S. Establishment of anti-DKK3 peptide for the cancer control in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:352. [PMID: 36376957 PMCID: PMC9664703 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02783-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the head and neck. We identified cancer-specific genes in HNSCC and focused on DKK3 expression. DKK3 gene codes two isoforms of proteins (secreted and non-secreted) with two distinct cysteine rich domains (CRDs). It is reported that DKK3 functions as a negative regulator of oncogenic Wnt signaling and, is therefore, considered to be a tumor suppressor gene. However, our series of studies have demonstrated that DKK3 expression is specifically high in HNSCC tissues and cells, and that DKK3 might determine the malignant potentials of HNSCC cells via the activation of Akt. Further analyses strongly suggested that both secreted DKK3 and non-secreted DKK3 could activate Akt signaling in discrete ways, and consequently exert tumor promoting effects. We hypothesized that DKK3 might be a specific druggable target, and it is necessary to establish a DKK3 inhibitor that can inhibit both secreted and non-secreted isoforms of DKK3. Methods Using inverse polymerase chain reaction, we generated mutant expression plasmids that express DKK3 without CRD1, CRD2, or both CRD1 and CRD2 (DKK3ΔC1, DKK3ΔC2, and DKK3ΔC1ΔC2, respectively). These plasmids were then transfected into HNSCC-derived cells to determine the domain responsible for DKK3-mediated Akt activation. We designed antisense peptides using the MIMETEC program, targeting DKK3-specific amino acid sequences within CRD1 and CRD2. The structural models for peptides and DKK3 were generated using Raptor X, and then a docking simulation was performed using CluPro2. Afterward, the best set of the peptides was applied into HNSCC-derived cells, and the effects on Akt phosphorylation, cellular proliferation, invasion, and migration were assessed. We also investigated the therapeutic effects of the peptides in the xenograft models. Results Transfection of mutant expression plasmids and subsequent functional analyses revealed that it is necessary to delete both CRD1 and CRD2 to inhibit Akt activation and inhibition of proliferation, migration, and invasion. The inhibitory peptides for CRD1 and CRD2 of DKK3 significantly reduced the phosphorylation of Akt, and consequently suppressed cellular proliferation, migration, invasion and in vivo tumor growth at very low doses. Conclusions This inhibitory peptide represents a promising new therapeutic strategy for HNSCC treatment. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-022-02783-9.
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