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Brustolin Braga C, Milan JC, Andrade Meirelles M, Zavan B, Ferreira-Silva GÁ, Caixeta ES, Ionta M, Pilli RA. Furoxan-piplartine hybrids as effective NO donors and ROS inducers in PC3 cancer cells: design, synthesis, and biological evaluation. RSC Med Chem 2024:d4md00281d. [PMID: 39290383 PMCID: PMC11403579 DOI: 10.1039/d4md00281d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Conjugation of the naturally occurring product piplartine (PPT, 1), which is a potent cytotoxic compound and ROS inducer, with a diphenyl sulfonyl-substituted furoxan moiety (namely, 3,4-bis(phenylsulfonyl)-1,2,5-oxadiazole-2-oxide), an important type of NO donor, via an ether linker of different chain lengths is described, characterized and screened for the anticancer potential. The cytotoxicity of the new hybrids was evaluated on a panel of human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, PC3 and OVCAR-3) and two non-cancer human cells (MCF10A and PNT2). In general, the synthesized hybrids were more cytotoxic and selective compared to their furoxan precursors 4-6 and PPT in the above cancer cells. Particularly, PC3 cells are the most sensitive to hybrids 7 and 9 (IC50 values of 240 nM and 50 nM, respectively), while a lower potency was found for the prostate normal cells (IC50 = 17.8 μM and 14.1 μM, respectively), corresponding to selectivity indices of ca. 75 and 280, respectively. NO generation by the PPT-furoxan compounds in PC3 cells was confirmed using the Griess reaction. Furthermore, the cell growth inhibitory effect of 9 was significantly attenuated by the NO scavenger carboxy-PTIO. The intracellular ROS generation by 7 and 9 was also verified, and different assays showed that co-treatment with the antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) provided protection against PPT-induced ROS generation. Further mechanistic studies revealed that 7 and 9 had strong cytotoxicity to induce apoptosis in PC3 cells, being mediated, at least in part, by the NO-release and increase in ROS production. Notably, the ability of 9 to induce apoptosis was stronger than that of 7, which may be attributed to higher levels of NO released by 9. Compounds 7 and 9 modulated the expression profiles of critical regulators of cell cycle, such as CDKN1A (p21), c-MYC, and CCND1 (cyclin D1), as well as induced DNA damage. Overall, tethering the furoxan NO-releasing moiety to the cytotoxic natural product PPT had significant impact on the potential anticancer activity and selectivity of the novel hybrid drug candidates, especially 9, as a result of synergistic effects of both furoxan and PPT's ability to release NO, generate ROS, induce DNA damage, and trigger apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyne Brustolin Braga
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas UNICAMP CEP 13083-970 Campinas Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - Julio Cesar Milan
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas UNICAMP CEP 13083-970 Campinas Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - Matheus Andrade Meirelles
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas UNICAMP CEP 13083-970 Campinas Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - Bruno Zavan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas UNIFAL-MG 37130-001 Alfenas Minas Gerais Brazil
| | | | - Ester Siqueira Caixeta
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas UNIFAL-MG 37130-001 Alfenas Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Marisa Ionta
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas UNIFAL-MG 37130-001 Alfenas Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Ronaldo A Pilli
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas UNICAMP CEP 13083-970 Campinas Sao Paulo Brazil
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Farhangnia P, Ghods R, Falak R, Zarnani AH, Delbandi AA. Identification of placenta-specific protein 1 (PLAC-1) expression on human PC-3 cell line-derived prostate cancer stem cells compared to the tumor parental cells. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:251. [PMID: 38943028 PMCID: PMC11213845 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01121-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Placenta-specific protein 1 (PLAC-1) is a gene primarily expressed in the placenta and the testis. Interestingly, it is also found to be expressed in many solid tumors, and it is involved in malignant cell features. However, no evidence has been reported regarding the relationship between PLAC-1 and cancer stem cells (CSCs). In the current research, we explored the expression of the PLAC-1 molecule in prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) derived from the human PC-3 cell line. The enrichment of PCSCs was achieved using a three-dimensional cell culture technique known as the sphere-formation assay. To confirm the identity of PCSCs, we examined the expression of genes associated with stemness and pluripotency, such as SOX2, OCT4, Nanog, C-Myc, and KLF-4, as well as stem cell differentiation molecules like CD44 and CD133. These evaluations were conducted in both the PCSCs and the original tumor cells (parental cells) using real-time PCR and flow cytometry. Subsequently, we assessed the expression of the PLAC-1 molecule in both enriched cells and parental tumor cells at the gene and protein levels using the same techniques. The tumor cells from the PC-3 cell line formed spheroids with CSC characteristics in a non-adherent medium. The expression of SOX2, OCT4, Nanog, and C-Myc genes (p < 0.01), and the molecules CD44 and CD133 (p < 0.05) were significantly elevated in PCSCs compared to the parental cells. The expression of the PLAC-1 molecule in PCSCs showed a significant increase compared to the parental cells at both gene (p < 0.01) and protein (p < 0.001) levels. In conclusion, it was indicated for the first time that PLAC-1 is up-regulated in PCSCs derived from human PC-3 cell line. This study may propose PLAC-1 as a potential target in targeted therapies, which should be confirmed through further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooya Farhangnia
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roya Ghods
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Falak
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir-Hassan Zarnani
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali-Akbar Delbandi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Nyquist MD, Coleman IM, Lucas JM, Li D, Hanratty B, Meade H, Mostaghel EA, Plymate SR, Corey E, Haffner MC, Nelson PS. Supraphysiological Androgens Promote the Tumor Suppressive Activity of the Androgen Receptor through cMYC Repression and Recruitment of the DREAM Complex. Cancer Res 2023; 83:2938-2951. [PMID: 37352376 PMCID: PMC10472100 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-2613] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) pathway regulates key cell survival programs in prostate epithelium. The AR represents a near-universal driver and therapeutic vulnerability in metastatic prostate cancer, and targeting AR has a remarkable therapeutic index. Though most approaches directed toward AR focus on inhibiting AR signaling, laboratory and now clinical data have shown that high dose, supraphysiological androgen treatment (SPA) results in growth repression and improved outcomes in subsets of patients with prostate cancer. A better understanding of the mechanisms contributing to SPA response and resistance could help guide patient selection and combination therapies to improve efficacy. To characterize SPA signaling, we integrated metrics of gene expression changes induced by SPA together with cistrome data and protein-interactomes. These analyses indicated that the dimerization partner, RB-like, E2F, and multivulval class B (DREAM) complex mediates growth repression and downregulation of E2F targets in response to SPA. Notably, prostate cancers with complete genomic loss of RB1 responded to SPA treatment, whereas loss of DREAM complex components such as RBL1/2 promoted resistance. Overexpression of MYC resulted in complete resistance to SPA and attenuated the SPA/AR-mediated repression of E2F target genes. These findings support a model of SPA-mediated growth repression that relies on the negative regulation of MYC by AR leading to repression of E2F1 signaling via the DREAM complex. The integrity of MYC signaling and DREAM complex assembly may consequently serve as determinants of SPA responses and as pathways mediating SPA resistance. SIGNIFICANCE Determining the molecular pathways by which supraphysiological androgens promote growth arrest and treatment responses in prostate cancer provides opportunities for biomarker-selected clinical trials and the development of strategies to augment responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D. Nyquist
- Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Ilsa M. Coleman
- Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jared M. Lucas
- Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Dapei Li
- Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Brian Hanratty
- Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Hannah Meade
- Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Elahe A. Mostaghel
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington
| | - Stephen R. Plymate
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington
| | - Eva Corey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Michael C. Haffner
- Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Peter S. Nelson
- Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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Cazarin J, DeRollo RE, Shahidan SNABA, Burchett JB, Mwangi D, Krishnaiah S, Hsieh AL, Walton ZE, Brooks R, Mello SS, Weljie AM, Dang CV, Altman BJ. MYC disrupts transcriptional and metabolic circadian oscillations in cancer and promotes enhanced biosynthesis. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010904. [PMID: 37639465 PMCID: PMC10491404 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010904] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular circadian clock, which controls rhythmic 24-hour oscillation of genes, proteins, and metabolites in healthy tissues, is disrupted across many human cancers. Deregulated expression of the MYC oncoprotein has been shown to alter expression of molecular clock genes, leading to a disruption of molecular clock oscillation across cancer types. It remains unclear what benefit cancer cells gain from suppressing clock oscillation, and how this loss of molecular clock oscillation impacts global gene expression and metabolism in cancer. We hypothesized that MYC or its paralog N-MYC (collectively termed MYC herein) suppress oscillation of gene expression and metabolism to upregulate pathways involved in biosynthesis in a static, non-oscillatory fashion. To test this, cells from distinct cancer types with inducible MYC were examined, using time-series RNA-sequencing and metabolomics, to determine the extent to which MYC activation disrupts global oscillation of genes, gene expression pathways, and metabolites. We focused our analyses on genes, pathways, and metabolites that changed in common across multiple cancer cell line models. We report here that MYC disrupted over 85% of oscillating genes, while instead promoting enhanced ribosomal and mitochondrial biogenesis and suppressed cell attachment pathways. Notably, when MYC is activated, biosynthetic programs that were formerly circadian flipped to being upregulated in an oscillation-free manner. Further, activation of MYC ablates the oscillation of nutrient transporter proteins while greatly upregulating transporter expression, cell surface localization, and intracellular amino acid pools. Finally, we report that MYC disrupts metabolite oscillations and the temporal segregation of amino acid metabolism from nucleotide metabolism. Our results demonstrate that MYC disruption of the molecular circadian clock releases metabolic and biosynthetic processes from circadian control, which may provide a distinct advantage to cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Cazarin
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Rachel E. DeRollo
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Siti Noor Ain Binti Ahmad Shahidan
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Jamison B. Burchett
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Daniel Mwangi
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Saikumari Krishnaiah
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Institute of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Annie L. Hsieh
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Zandra E. Walton
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Rebekah Brooks
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Stephano S. Mello
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Aalim M. Weljie
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Institute of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Chi V. Dang
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, New York, New York, United States of America
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Brian J. Altman
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
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5
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Bou Antoun N, Chioni AM. Dysregulated Signalling Pathways Driving Anticancer Drug Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12222. [PMID: 37569598 PMCID: PMC10418675 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the leading causes of death worldwide, in both men and women, is cancer. Despite the significant development in therapeutic strategies, the inevitable emergence of drug resistance limits the success and impedes the curative outcome. Intrinsic and acquired resistance are common mechanisms responsible for cancer relapse. Several factors crucially regulate tumourigenesis and resistance, including physical barriers, tumour microenvironment (TME), heterogeneity, genetic and epigenetic alterations, the immune system, tumour burden, growth kinetics and undruggable targets. Moreover, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), Notch, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), integrin-extracellular matrix (ECM), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), phosphoinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR), wingless-related integration site (Wnt/β-catenin), Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) and RAS/RAF/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways are some of the key players that have a pivotal role in drug resistance mechanisms. To guide future cancer treatments and improve results, a deeper comprehension of drug resistance pathways is necessary. This review covers both intrinsic and acquired resistance and gives a comprehensive overview of recent research on mechanisms that enable cancer cells to bypass barriers put up by treatments, and, like "satellite navigation", find alternative routes by which to carry on their "journey" to cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Athina-Myrto Chioni
- School of Life Sciences Pharmacy and Chemistry, Biomolecular Sciences Department, Kingston University London, Kingston-upon-Thames KT1 2EE, UK;
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Lin M, Sun X, Lv L. New insights and options into the mechanisms and effects of combined targeted therapy and immunotherapy in prostate cancer. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2023; 29:91-106. [PMID: 37215386 PMCID: PMC10199166 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2023.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is believed to drive prostate carcinogenesis by producing reactive oxygen species or reactive nitrogen species to induce DNA damage. This effect might subsequently cause epigenetic and genomic alterations, leading to malignant transformation. Although established therapeutic advances have extended overall survival, tumors in patients with advanced prostate cancer are prone to metastasis, transformation into metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and therapeutic resistance. The tumor microenvironment (TME) of prostate cancer is involved in carcinogenesis, invasion and drug resistance. A plethora of preclinical studies have focused on immune-based therapies. Understanding the intricate TME system in prostate cancer may hold much promise for developing novel therapies, designing combinational therapeutic strategies, and further overcoming resistance to established treatments to improve the lives of prostate cancer patients. In this review, we discuss nonimmune components and various immune cells within the TME and their putative roles during prostate cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. We also outline the updated fundamental research focusing on therapeutic advances of targeted therapy as well as combinational options for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingen Lin
- Nourse Centre for Pet Nutrition, Wuhu 241200, China
| | - Xue Sun
- Nourse Centre for Pet Nutrition, Wuhu 241200, China
| | - Lei Lv
- Nourse Centre for Pet Nutrition, Wuhu 241200, China
- Shanghai Chowsing Pet Products Co., Ltd, Shanghai 201103, China
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7
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Das U, Kundu J, Shaw P, Bose C, Ghosh A, Gupta S, Sarkar S, Bhadra J, Sinha S. Self-transfecting GMO-PMO chimera targeting Nanog enable gene silencing in vitro and suppresses tumor growth in 4T1 allografts in mouse. MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:203-228. [PMID: 37078062 PMCID: PMC10106836 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotide (PMO)-based antisense reagents cannot enter cells without the help of a delivery technique, which limits their clinical applications. To overcome this problem, self-transfecting guanidinium-linked morpholino (GMO)-PMO or PMO-GMO chimeras have been explored as antisense agents. GMO facilitates cellular internalization and participates in Watson-Crick base pairing. Targeting NANOG in MCF7 cells resulted in decline of the whole epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness pathway, evident through its phenotypic manifestations, all of which were promulgated in combination with Taxol due to downregulation of MDR1 and ABCG2. GMO-PMO-mediated knockdown of no tail gene resulted in desired phenotypes in zebrafish even upon delivery after 16-cell stages. In BALB/c mice, 4T1 allografts were found to regress via intra-tumoral administration of NANOG GMO-PMO antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), which was associated with occurrence of necrotic regions. GMO-PMO-mediated tumor regression restored histopathological damage in liver, kidney, and spleen caused by 4T1 mammary carcinoma. Serum parameters of systemic toxicity indicated that GMO-PMO chimeras are safe. To the best of our knowledge, self-transfecting antisense reagent is the first report since the discovery of guanidinium-linked DNA (DNG), which could be useful as a combination cancer therapy and, in principle, can render inhibition of any target gene without using any delivery vehicle.
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8
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Ren D, Li L, Wang S, Zuo Y. The c-MYC transcription factor conduces to resistance to cisplatin by regulating MMS19 in bladder cancer cells. Tissue Cell 2023; 82:102096. [PMID: 37201439 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2023.102096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Chemoresistance is one of the dominant causes for tumor progression and recurrence of bladder cancer (BC). This paper investigated the effects of transcription factor c-MYC through promoting MMS19 expression on proliferation, metastasis and cisplatin (DDP) resistance in BC cells. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were applied to acquire the needed BC gene data. The mRNA and protein levels of c-MYC and MMS19 were verified with q-PCR or Western blot assay. MTT and Transwell assays were utilized to detect cell viability and metastasis. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay and Luciferase reporter assay were exerted to confirm the relationship between c-MYC and MMS19. TCGA and GEO BC datasets results implied MMS19 could be an independent indicator for BC patients' prognosis. MMS19 expression was dramatically augmented in BC cell lines. Overexpression of MMS19 conduced to accelerate BC cells proliferation, metastasis and increase DDP resistance. c-MYC was positively correlated with MMS19 and acted as a transcription activator for MMS19 in BC cell lines and activated MMS19 expression. Overexpression of c-MYC facilitated BC cells proliferation, metastasis and DDP resistance. In conclusions, c-MYC gene was a transcriptional regulator of MMS19. Up-regulation of c-MYC facilitated BC cells proliferation, metastasis and DDP resistance by motivating MMS19 expression. This molecular mechanism between c-MYC and MMS19 exerts a crucial mission in BC tumorigenesis and DDP resistance, and may contribute to the diagnosis and therapy of BC for the time to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Ren
- Department of Urology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan Province, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Oncology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou 256603, Shandong Province, China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Department of Urology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan Province, China
| | - Yali Zuo
- Department of Urology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan Province, China.
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9
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The Genes-Stemness-Secretome Interplay in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Molecular Dynamics and Clinical Hints. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043496. [PMID: 36834912 PMCID: PMC9963101 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043496] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
MPM has a uniquely poor somatic mutational landscape, mainly driven by environmental selective pressure. This feature has dramatically limited the development of effective treatment. However, genomic events are known to be associated with MPM progression, and specific genetic signatures emerge from the exceptional crosstalk between neoplastic cells and matrix components, among which one main area of focus is hypoxia. Here we discuss the novel therapeutic strategies focused on the exploitation of MPM genetic asset and its interconnection with the surrounding hypoxic microenvironment as well as transcript products and microvesicles representing both an insight into the pathogenesis and promising actionable targets.
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10
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Fang L, Li D, Yin J, Pan H, Ye H, Bowman J, Capaldo B, Kelly K. TMPRSS2-ERG promotes the initiation of prostate cancer by suppressing oncogene-induced senescence. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:1463-1476. [PMID: 35393570 PMCID: PMC9537368 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-022-00454-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ERG translocations are commonly involved in the initiation of prostate neoplasia, yet previous experimental approaches have not addressed mechanisms of oncogenic inception. Here, in a genetically engineered mouse model, combining TMPRSS2-driven ERG with KrasG12D led to invasive prostate adenocarcinomas, while ERG or KrasG12D alone were non-oncogenic. In primary prostate luminal epithelial cells, following inducible oncogenic Kras expression or Pten depletion, TMPRSS2-ERG suppressed oncogene-induced senescence, independent of TP53 induction and RB1 inhibition. Oncogenic KRAS and TMPRSS2-ERG synergized to promote tumorigenesis and metastasis of primary luminal cells. The presence of TMPRSS2-ERG compared to a wild-type background was associated with a stemness phenotype and with relatively increased RAS-induced differential gene expression for MYC and mTOR-regulated pathways, including protein translation and lipogenesis. In addition, mTOR inhibitors abrogated ERG-dependent senescence resistance. These studies reveal a previously unappreciated function whereby ERG expression primes preneoplastic cells for the accumulation of additional gene mutations by suppression of oncogene-induced senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Fang
- Laboratory of Genitourinary Cancer Pathogenesis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dongmei Li
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - JuanJuan Yin
- Laboratory of Genitourinary Cancer Pathogenesis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hong Pan
- Department of Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Huihui Ye
- Department of Pathology and Department of Urology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Joel Bowman
- Laboratory of Genitourinary Cancer Pathogenesis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Brian Capaldo
- Laboratory of Genitourinary Cancer Pathogenesis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kathleen Kelly
- Laboratory of Genitourinary Cancer Pathogenesis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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11
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MicroRNA-34a, Prostate Cancer Stem Cells, and Therapeutic Development. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14184538. [PMID: 36139695 PMCID: PMC9497236 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a highly heterogeneous disease and typically presents with multiple distinct cancer foci. Heterogeneity in androgen receptor (AR) expression levels in PCa has been observed for decades, from untreated tumors to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) to disseminated metastases. Current standard-of-care therapies for metastatic CRPC can only extend life by a few months. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are defined as a subpopulation of cancer cells that exists in almost all treatment-naive tumors. Additionally, non-CSCs may undergo cellular plasticity to be reprogrammed to prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) during spontaneous tumor progression or upon therapeutic treatments. Consequently, PCSCs may become the predominant population in treatment-resistant tumors, and the "root cause" for drug resistance. microRNA-34a (miR-34a) is a bona fide tumor-suppressive miRNA, and its expression is dysregulated in PCa. Importantly, miR-34a functions as a potent CSC suppressor by targeting many molecules essential for CSC survival and functions, which makes it a promising anti-PCSC therapeutic. Here, we conducted a comprehensive literature survey of miR-34a in the context of PCa and especially PCSCs. We provided an updated overview on the mechanisms of miR-34a regulation followed by discussing its tumor suppressive functions in PCa. Finally, based on current advances in miR-34a preclinical studies in PCa, we offered potential delivery strategies for miR-34a-based therapeutics for treating advanced PCa.
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12
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El Naggar O, Doyle B, Mariner K, Gilmour SK. Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) Enhances the Cytotoxicity of PARP Inhibition in Ovarian Cancer Cells. Med Sci (Basel) 2022; 10:medsci10020028. [PMID: 35736348 PMCID: PMC9230675 DOI: 10.3390/medsci10020028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer accounts for 3% of the total cancers in women, yet it is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women. The BRCA1/2 germline and somatic mutations confer a deficiency of the homologous recombination (HR) repair pathway. Inhibitors of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), another important component of DNA damage repair, are somewhat effective in BRCA1/2 mutant tumors. However, ovarian cancers often reacquire functional BRCA and develop resistance to PARP inhibitors. Polyamines have been reported to facilitate the DNA damage repair functions of PARP. Given the elevated levels of polyamines in tumors, we hypothesized that treatment with the polyamine synthesis inhibitor, α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), may enhance ovarian tumor sensitivity to the PARP inhibitor, rucaparib. In HR-competent ovarian cancer cell lines with varying sensitivities to rucaparib, we show that co-treatment with DFMO increases the sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to rucaparib. Immunofluorescence assays demonstrated that, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage, DFMO strongly inhibits PARylation, increases DNA damage accumulation, and reduces cell viability in both HR-competent and deficient cell lines. In vitro viability assays show that DFMO and rucaparib cotreatment significantly enhances the cytotoxicity of the chemotherapeutic agent, cisplatin. These results suggest that DFMO may be a useful adjunct chemotherapeutic to improve the anti-tumor efficacy of PARP inhibitors in treating ovarian cancer.
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13
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Tang DG. Understanding and targeting prostate cancer cell heterogeneity and plasticity. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 82:68-93. [PMID: 34844845 PMCID: PMC9106849 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a prevalent malignancy that occurs primarily in old males. Prostate tumors in different patients manifest significant inter-patient heterogeneity with respect to histo-morphological presentations and molecular architecture. An individual patient tumor also harbors genetically distinct clones in which PCa cells display intra-tumor heterogeneity in molecular features and phenotypic marker expression. This inherent PCa cell heterogeneity, e.g., in the expression of androgen receptor (AR), constitutes a barrier to the long-term therapeutic efficacy of AR-targeting therapies. Furthermore, tumor progression as well as therapeutic treatments induce PCa cell plasticity such that AR-positive PCa cells may turn into AR-negative cells and prostate tumors may switch lineage identity from adenocarcinomas to neuroendocrine-like tumors. This induced PCa cell plasticity similarly confers resistance to AR-targeting and other therapies. In this review, I first discuss PCa from the perspective of an abnormal organ development and deregulated cellular differentiation, and discuss the luminal progenitor cells as the likely cells of origin for PCa. I then focus on intrinsic PCa cell heterogeneity in treatment-naïve tumors with the presence of prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs). I further elaborate on PCa cell plasticity induced by genetic alterations and therapeutic interventions, and present potential strategies to therapeutically tackle PCa cell heterogeneity and plasticity. My discussions will make it clear that, to achieve enduring clinical efficacy, both intrinsic PCa cell heterogeneity and induced PCa cell plasticity need to be targeted with novel combinatorial approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean G Tang
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; Experimental Therapeutics (ET) Graduate Program, The University at Buffalo & Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
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14
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The LEDGF/p75 Integrase Binding Domain Interactome Contributes to the Survival, Clonogenicity, and Tumorsphere Formation of Docetaxel-Resistant Prostate Cancer Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102723. [PMID: 34685704 PMCID: PMC8534522 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with prostate cancer (PCa) receiving docetaxel chemotherapy invariably develop chemoresistance. The transcription co-activator lens epithelium-derived growth factor p75 (LEDGF/p75), also known as DFS70 and PSIP1, is upregulated in several human cancers, including PCa and promotes resistance to docetaxel and other drugs. The C-terminal region of LEDGF/p75 contains an integrase binding domain (IBD) that tethers nuclear proteins, including the HIV-1 integrase and transcription factors, to active chromatin to promote viral integration and transcription of cellular survival genes. Here, we investigated the contribution of the LEDGF/p75 IBD interactome to PCa chemoresistance. Quantitative immunoblotting revealed that LEDGF/p75 and its IBD-interacting partners are endogenously upregulated in docetaxel-resistant PCa cell lines compared to docetaxel-sensitive parental cells. Using specific human autoantibodies, we co-immunoprecipitated LEDGF/p75 with its endogenous IBD-interacting partners JPO2, menin, MLL, IWS1, ASK1, and PogZ, as well as transcription factors c-MYC and HRP2, in docetaxel-resistant cells, and confirmed their nuclear co-localization by confocal microscopy. Depletion of LEDGF/p75 and selected interacting partners robustly decreased the survival, clonogenicity, and tumorsphere formation capacity of docetaxel-resistant cells. These results implicate the LEDGF/p75 IBD interactome in PCa chemoresistance and could lead to novel therapeutic strategies targeting this protein complex for the treatment of docetaxel-resistant tumors.
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15
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The metabolic flexibility of quiescent CSC: implications for chemotherapy resistance. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:835. [PMID: 34482364 PMCID: PMC8418609 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04116-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Quiescence has been observed in stem cells (SCs), including adult SCs and cancer SCs (CSCs). Conventional chemotherapies mostly target proliferating cancer cells, while the quiescent state favors CSCs escape to chemotherapeutic drugs, leaving risks for tumor recurrence or metastasis. The tumor microenvironment (TME) provides various signals that maintain resident quiescent CSCs, protect them from immune surveillance, and facilitates their recurrence potential. Since the TME has the potential to support and initiate stem cell-like programs in cancer cells, targeting the TME components may prove to be a powerful modality for the treatment of chemotherapy resistance. In addition, an increasing number of studies have discovered that CSCs exhibit the potential of metabolic flexibility when metabolic substrates are limited, and display increased robustness in response to stress. Accompanied by chemotherapy that targets proliferative cancer cells, treatments that modulate CSC quiescence through the regulation of metabolic pathways also show promise. In this review, we focus on the roles of metabolic flexibility and the TME on CSCs quiescence and further discuss potential treatments of targeting CSCs and the TME to limit chemotherapy resistance.
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16
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Peña-Hernández R, Aprigliano R, Carina Frommel S, Pietrzak K, Steiger S, Roganowicz M, Lerra L, Bizzarro J, Santoro R. BAZ2A-mediated repression via H3K14ac-marked enhancers promotes prostate cancer stem cells. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e53014. [PMID: 34403195 PMCID: PMC8567280 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202153014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most prevalent cancers in men. Cancer stem cells are thought to be associated with PCa relapse. Here, we show that BAZ2A is required for PCa cells with a cancer stem‐like state. BAZ2A genomic occupancy in PCa cells coincides with H3K14ac‐enriched chromatin regions. This association is mediated by BAZ2A‐bromodomain (BAZ2A‐BRD) that specifically binds H3K14ac. BAZ2A associates with inactive enhancers marked by H3K14ac and repressing transcription of genes frequently silenced in aggressive and poorly differentiated PCa. BAZ2A‐mediated repression is also linked to EP300 that acetylates H3K14ac. BAZ2A‐BRD mutations or treatment with inhibitors abrogating BAZ2A‐BRD/H3K14ac interaction impair PCa stem cells. Furthermore, pharmacological inactivation of BAZ2A‐BRD impairs Pten‐loss oncogenic transformation of prostate organoids. Our findings indicate a role of BAZ2A‐BRD in PCa stem cell features and suggest potential epigenetic‐reader therapeutic strategies to target BAZ2A in aggressive PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Peña-Hernández
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, DMMD, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Molecular Life Science Program, Life Science Zurich Graduate School, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rossana Aprigliano
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, DMMD, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Carina Frommel
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, DMMD, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Karolina Pietrzak
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, DMMD, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Molecular Life Science Program, Life Science Zurich Graduate School, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Seraina Steiger
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, DMMD, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marcin Roganowicz
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, DMMD, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,RNA Biology Program, Life Science Zurich Graduate School, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Luigi Lerra
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, DMMD, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,RNA Biology Program, Life Science Zurich Graduate School, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Juliana Bizzarro
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, DMMD, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Raffaella Santoro
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, DMMD, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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17
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Kukkonen K, Taavitsainen S, Huhtala L, Uusi-Makela J, Granberg KJ, Nykter M, Urbanucci A. Chromatin and Epigenetic Dysregulation of Prostate Cancer Development, Progression, and Therapeutic Response. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3325. [PMID: 34283056 PMCID: PMC8268970 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The dysregulation of chromatin and epigenetics has been defined as the overarching cancer hallmark. By disrupting transcriptional regulation in normal cells and mediating tumor progression by promoting cancer cell plasticity, this process has the ability to mediate all defined hallmarks of cancer. In this review, we collect and assess evidence on the contribution of chromatin and epigenetic dysregulation in prostate cancer. We highlight important mechanisms leading to prostate carcinogenesis, the emergence of castration-resistance upon treatment with androgen deprivation therapy, and resistance to antiandrogens. We examine in particular the contribution of chromatin structure and epigenetics to cell lineage commitment, which is dysregulated during tumorigenesis, and cell plasticity, which is altered during tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konsta Kukkonen
- Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, 33520 Tampere, Finland; (K.K.); (S.T.); (L.H.); (J.U.-M.); (K.J.G.); (M.N.)
| | - Sinja Taavitsainen
- Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, 33520 Tampere, Finland; (K.K.); (S.T.); (L.H.); (J.U.-M.); (K.J.G.); (M.N.)
| | - Laura Huhtala
- Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, 33520 Tampere, Finland; (K.K.); (S.T.); (L.H.); (J.U.-M.); (K.J.G.); (M.N.)
| | - Joonas Uusi-Makela
- Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, 33520 Tampere, Finland; (K.K.); (S.T.); (L.H.); (J.U.-M.); (K.J.G.); (M.N.)
| | - Kirsi J. Granberg
- Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, 33520 Tampere, Finland; (K.K.); (S.T.); (L.H.); (J.U.-M.); (K.J.G.); (M.N.)
| | - Matti Nykter
- Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, 33520 Tampere, Finland; (K.K.); (S.T.); (L.H.); (J.U.-M.); (K.J.G.); (M.N.)
| | - Alfonso Urbanucci
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
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18
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Baptista B, Riscado M, Queiroz J, Pichon C, Sousa F. Non-coding RNAs: Emerging from the discovery to therapeutic applications. Biochem Pharmacol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114469 order by 22025--] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2022]
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19
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Baptista B, Riscado M, Queiroz JA, Pichon C, Sousa F. Non-coding RNAs: Emerging from the discovery to therapeutic applications. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 189:114469. [PMID: 33577888 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The knowledge about non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) is rapidly increasing with new data continuously emerging, regarding their diverse types, applications, and roles. Particular attention has been given to ncRNA with regulatory functions, which may have a critical role both in biological and pathological conditions. As a result of the diversity of ncRNAs and their ubiquitous involvement in several biologic processes, ncRNA started to be considered in the biomedical field, with immense potential to be exploited either as biomarkers or as therapeutic agents in certain pathologies. Indeed, ncRNA-based therapeutics have been proposed in many disorders and some even reached clinical trials. However, to prepare an RNA product suitable for pharmacological applications, certain criteria must be fulfilled, and it has to be guaranteed RNA purity, stability, and bioactivity. So, in this review, the different types of ncRNAs are identified and characterized, by describing their biogenesis, functions, and applications. A perspective on the main challenges and innovative approaches for the future and broad therapeutic application of RNA is also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Baptista
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - M Riscado
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - J A Queiroz
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - C Pichon
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire (CBM), UPR 4301 CNRS & University of Orléans Orléans, France
| | - F Sousa
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal.
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20
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Abstract
Over the last few years, cancer immunotherapy experienced tremendous developments and it is nowadays considered a promising strategy against many types of cancer. However, the exclusion of lymphocytes from the tumor nest is a common phenomenon that limits the efficiency of immunotherapy in solid tumors. Despite several mechanisms proposed during the years to explain the immune excluded phenotype, at present, there is no integrated understanding about the role played by different models of immune exclusion in human cancers. Hypoxia is a hallmark of most solid tumors and, being a multifaceted and complex condition, shapes in a unique way the tumor microenvironment, affecting gene transcription and chromatin remodeling. In this review, we speculate about an upstream role for hypoxia as a common biological determinant of immune exclusion in solid tumors. We also discuss the current state of ex vivo and in vivo imaging of hypoxic determinants in relation to T cell distribution that could mechanisms of immune exclusion and discover functional-morphological tumor features that could support clinical monitoring.
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21
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Sistigu A, Musella M, Galassi C, Vitale I, De Maria R. Tuning Cancer Fate: Tumor Microenvironment's Role in Cancer Stem Cell Quiescence and Reawakening. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2166. [PMID: 33193295 PMCID: PMC7609361 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cell dormancy is a common feature of human tumors and represents a major clinical barrier to the long-term efficacy of anticancer therapies. Dormant cancer cells, either in primary tumors or disseminated in secondary organs, may reawaken and relapse into a more aggressive disease. The mechanisms underpinning dormancy entry and exit strongly resemble those governing cancer cell stemness and include intrinsic and contextual cues. Cellular and molecular components of the tumor microenvironment persistently interact with cancer cells. This dialog is highly dynamic, as it evolves over time and space, strongly cooperates with intrinsic cell nets, and governs cancer cell features (like quiescence and stemness) and fate (survival and outgrowth). Therefore, there is a need for deeper insight into the biology of dormant cancer (stem) cells and the mechanisms regulating the equilibrium quiescence-versus-proliferation are vital in our pursuit of new therapeutic opportunities to prevent cancer from recurring. Here, we review and discuss microenvironmental regulations of cancer dormancy and its parallels with cancer stemness, and offer insights into the therapeutic strategies adopted to prevent a lethal recurrence, by either eradicating resident dormant cancer (stem) cells or maintaining them in a dormant state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Sistigu
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Musella
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Galassi
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilio Vitale
- IIGM - Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine, c/o IRCSS Candiolo (TO), Candiolo, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Ruggero De Maria
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" - IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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22
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Zhang D, Zhang M, Zhang Q, Zhao Z, Nie Y. Identification of Prognostic Biomarkers Associated with Cancer Stem Cell Features in Prostate Adenocarcinoma. Med Sci Monit 2020; 26:e924543. [PMID: 32735556 PMCID: PMC7418486 DOI: 10.12659/msm.924543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) is the second most common malignancy in males and the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an important role in the occurrence and development of PRAD, however, the prognostic biomarkers associated with CSC features have not been identified in PRAD. Material/Methods In order to identify the prognostic stemness-related genes (SRGs) of PRAD, the RNA sequencing data of patients with PRAD were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. The mRNA expression-based stemness index (mRNAsi) and the differential expressed genes (DEGs) were evaluated and identified. The associations between the mRNAsi and tumorigenesis, overall survival (OS), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value, and Gleason score were also established by nonparametric test and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The SRGs were identified as the overlapped DEGs of PRAD-associated DEGs and the mRNAsi-associated DEGs. Based on the prognostic SRGs, the predict model was constructed. Its accuracy was tested by the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve and the risk score. Results A total of 6005 PRAD-associated DEGs and 2462 mRNAsi-associated DEGs were identified. The mRNAsi was significantly upregulated in PRAD and associated with the PSA value and Gleason score. A total of 1631 SRGs were identified, with 36 prognostic SRGs screened by the univariate Cox analysis. Based on the prognostic SRGs, the predict model was constructed with the AUC of 0.986. Moreover, the risk score of the model was proved to be an independent prognostic factor, indicating its significant applicability. Conclusions Our data demonstrate the mRNAsi as a reliable index for the tumorigenesis, PSA value, and Gleason score of PRAD. Additionally, this study provides a well-applied model for predicting the OS for patients with PRAD based on prognostic SRGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dehua Zhang
- Department of Urology, Yiling Hospital of Yichang, Yichang, Hubei, China (mainland)
| | - Muchun Zhang
- Department of Urology, Bethune First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China (mainland)
| | - Qifu Zhang
- Department of Urology, Jilin Provincial Cancer Hospital, Changchun, Jilin, China (mainland)
| | - Zhiyi Zhao
- Department of Urology, Jilin Provincial Cancer Hospital, Changchun, Jilin, China (mainland)
| | - Yong Nie
- Department of Urology, Yiling Hospital of Yichang, Yichang, Hubei, China (mainland)
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23
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Emerging Contribution of PancRNAs in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082035. [PMID: 32722129 PMCID: PMC7464463 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
“Cancer” includes a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by abnormal growth beyond natural boundaries. Neoplastic transformation of cells is orchestrated by multiple molecular players, including oncogenic transcription factors, epigenetic modifiers, RNA binding proteins, and coding and noncoding transcripts. The use of computational methods for global and quantitative analysis of RNA processing regulation provides new insights into the genomic and epigenomic features of the cancer transcriptome. In particular, noncoding RNAs are emerging as key molecular players in oncogenesis. Among them, the promoter-associated noncoding RNAs (pancRNAs) are noncoding transcripts acting in cis to regulate their host genes, including tumor suppressors and oncogenes. In this review, we will illustrate the role played by pancRNAs in cancer biology and will discuss the latest findings that connect pancRNAs with cancer risk and progression. The molecular mechanisms involved in the function of pancRNAs may open the path to novel therapeutic opportunities, thus expanding the repertoire of targets to be tested as anticancer agents in the near future.
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24
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Yang L, Shi P, Zhao G, Xu J, Peng W, Zhang J, Zhang G, Wang X, Dong Z, Chen F, Cui H. Targeting cancer stem cell pathways for cancer therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:8. [PMID: 32296030 PMCID: PMC7005297 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-0110-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 959] [Impact Index Per Article: 239.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Since cancer stem cells (CSCs) were first identified in leukemia in 1994, they have been considered promising therapeutic targets for cancer therapy. These cells have self-renewal capacity and differentiation potential and contribute to multiple tumor malignancies, such as recurrence, metastasis, heterogeneity, multidrug resistance, and radiation resistance. The biological activities of CSCs are regulated by several pluripotent transcription factors, such as OCT4, Sox2, Nanog, KLF4, and MYC. In addition, many intracellular signaling pathways, such as Wnt, NF-κB (nuclear factor-κB), Notch, Hedgehog, JAK-STAT (Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription), PI3K/AKT/mTOR (phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin), TGF (transforming growth factor)/SMAD, and PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor), as well as extracellular factors, such as vascular niches, hypoxia, tumor-associated macrophages, cancer-associated fibroblasts, cancer-associated mesenchymal stem cells, extracellular matrix, and exosomes, have been shown to be very important regulators of CSCs. Molecules, vaccines, antibodies, and CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T cell) cells have been developed to specifically target CSCs, and some of these factors are already undergoing clinical trials. This review summarizes the characterization and identification of CSCs, depicts major factors and pathways that regulate CSC development, and discusses potential targeted therapy for CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Pengfei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Gaichao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Wen Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiayi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Guanghui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaowen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhen Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China.
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China.
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25
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Hen O, Barkan D. Dormant disseminated tumor cells and cancer stem/progenitor-like cells: Similarities and opportunities. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 60:157-165. [PMID: 31491559 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Distant recurrences occurring years after removal of the primary tumor arise from disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) that lie dormant (quiescent/asymptomatic) until they emerge to overt metastases. These quiescent DTCs are resistant to conventional treatments. Hence, to date there is no available treatment which targets dormant DTCs before they form overt metastases. Therefore, understanding the biology of dormant DTCs and the mechanisms of their reactivation is vital in our pursuit to develop therapies to prevent cancer from ever recurring. This review will address the striking similarities between the biology of DTCs and the biology of cancer stem cells (CSCs) or CSC-like cells including cancer progenitor-like cells. These similarities are related to intrinsic mechanisms of survival and quiescence, and their cross-talk with mediators, produced in their surrounding niches that may support either dormancy or outgrowth. Unraveling these similarities may provide us with exciting opportunities to either mitigate the survival of residing dormant DTCs/CSCs or maintain them in a dormant state. Whether the stemness properties of CSCs/cancer progenitor-like cells already comprising the recurring tumor can be exploited in order to differentiate them, and thus promote their dormancy, will be explored as well. Overall, these emerging concepts may provide us with new opportunities to prevent lethal recurrences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omri Hen
- Department of Human Biology and Medical Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Dalit Barkan
- Department of Human Biology and Medical Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
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Vázquez R, Civenni G, Kokanovic A, Shinde D, Cantergiani J, Marchetti M, Zoppi G, Ruggeri B, Liu PCC, Carbone GM, Catapano CV. Efficacy of Novel Bromodomain and Extraterminal Inhibitors in Combination with Chemotherapy for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. Eur Urol Oncol 2019; 4:437-446. [PMID: 31402217 DOI: 10.1016/j.euo.2019.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 05/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) nonresponsive to androgen receptor-targeted therapies. Nevertheless, the impact of chemotherapy on patient survival is limited and clinical outcome remain dismal. Bromodomain and extraterminal inhibitors (BETis) are attractive therapeutic agents and currently in clinical trials to be tested for their efficacy in prostate cancer patients. OBJECTIVE In this study, we evaluated the activity of two clinical stage BETis, INCB054329 and INCB057643, alone and in combination with chemotherapeutics used for the treatment of mCRPC. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Drug activity was evaluated in vitro by MTT, clonogenic, prostato-sphere, and flow cytometry assays. The activity in vivo was evaluated in mice bearing prostate tumor (22Rv1) xenografts. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Cell growth data were analyzed to determine the maximum effect and the concentration that reduces by 50%. For concomitant treatments, the combination index was determined according to the Chou-Talalay method. For in vivo activity, changes in tumor size (T/Ci%), weight (T/Cd%), doubling time, and mouse body weight were monitored. Statistical significance was determined by one-way analysis of variance followed by a Student-Newman-Keuls or Turkey a posteriori test. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS INCB054329 and INCB057643 had significant activity as single agents in human prostate cancer cell lines and 22Rv1 tumor xenografts. Combined treatment with INCB057643 and any of docetaxel, olaparib, or carboplatin was synergistic/additive in vitro. Notably, INCB057643, given with a low-intensity dosing schedule, greatly enhanced the anti-tumor activity of docetaxel, carboplatin, and olaparib in 22Rv1 tumor xenografts. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these results provide the first evidence of the therapeutic benefit obtainable by combining BETis with non-androgen receptor-targeted therapies for the treatment of mCRPC. PATIENT SUMMARY Chemotherapy has limited efficacy in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. This study provides evidence of enhanced efficacy of clinically used chemotherapeutics when given in combination with the bromodomain and extraterminal inhibitor INCB057643, expanding the horizon of the current options for the treatment of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramiro Vázquez
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Gianluca Civenni
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Aleksandra Kokanovic
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Dheeraj Shinde
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Jasmine Cantergiani
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Martina Marchetti
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Giada Zoppi
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Giuseppina M Carbone
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Carlo V Catapano
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
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27
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Civenni G, Bosotti R, Timpanaro A, Vàzquez R, Merulla J, Pandit S, Rossi S, Albino D, Allegrini S, Mitra A, Mapelli SN, Vierling L, Giurdanella M, Marchetti M, Paganoni A, Rinaldi A, Losa M, Mira-Catò E, D'Antuono R, Morone D, Rezai K, D'Ambrosio G, Ouafik L, Mackenzie S, Riveiro ME, Cvitkovic E, Carbone GM, Catapano CV. Epigenetic Control of Mitochondrial Fission Enables Self-Renewal of Stem-like Tumor Cells in Human Prostate Cancer. Cell Metab 2019; 30:303-318.e6. [PMID: 31130467 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to disease progression and treatment failure in human cancers. The balance among self-renewal, differentiation, and senescence determines the expansion or progressive exhaustion of CSCs. Targeting these processes might lead to novel anticancer therapies. Here, we uncover a novel link between BRD4, mitochondrial dynamics, and self-renewal of prostate CSCs. Targeting BRD4 by genetic knockdown or chemical inhibitors blocked mitochondrial fission and caused CSC exhaustion and loss of tumorigenic capability. Depletion of CSCs occurred in multiple prostate cancer models, indicating a common vulnerability and dependency on mitochondrial dynamics. These effects depended on rewiring of the BRD4-driven transcription and repression of mitochondrial fission factor (Mff). Knockdown of Mff reproduced the effects of BRD4 inhibition, whereas ectopic Mff expression rescued prostate CSCs from exhaustion. This novel concept of targeting mitochondrial plasticity in CSCs through BRD4 inhibition provides a new paradigm for developing more effective treatment strategies for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Civenni
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Roberto Bosotti
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Timpanaro
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Ramiro Vàzquez
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Jessica Merulla
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Shusil Pandit
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Simona Rossi
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Domenico Albino
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Sara Allegrini
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Abhishek Mitra
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Sarah N Mapelli
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland; Institute of Computational Science, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Lugano 6900, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Luca Vierling
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Martina Giurdanella
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Martina Marchetti
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Alyssa Paganoni
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Rinaldi
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Marco Losa
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Enrica Mira-Catò
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Rocco D'Antuono
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Diego Morone
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Keyvan Rezai
- Institute Curie-Hospital René Huguenin, Saint Cloud 92210, France
| | | | | | - Sarah Mackenzie
- Oncology Therapeutic Development (OTD), Clichy 92110, France
| | - Maria E Riveiro
- Oncology Therapeutic Development (OTD), Clichy 92110, France
| | - Esteban Cvitkovic
- Oncology Therapeutic Development (OTD), Clichy 92110, France; Oncoethix GmbH, Merck Sharp and Dohme Corp., Lucerne 6006, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppina M Carbone
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Carlo V Catapano
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland; Department of Oncology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1005, Switzerland.
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28
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Hu WY, Xu L, Chen B, Ou S, Muzzarelli KM, Hu DP, Li Y, Yang Z, Vander Griend DJ, Prins GS, Qin Z. Targeting prostate cancer cells with enzalutamide-HDAC inhibitor hybrid drug 2-75. Prostate 2019; 79:1166-1179. [PMID: 31135075 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) still relies on the function of androgen receptor (AR), achieved by evolving mechanisms to reactivate AR signaling under hormonal therapy. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) disrupt cytoplasmic AR chaperone heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) via HDAC6 inhibition, leading to AR degradation and growth suppression of prostate cancer (PCa) cells. However, current HDACis are not effective in clinical trials treating CRPC. METHODS We designed hybrid molecules containing partial chemical scaffolds of AR antagonist enzalutamide (Enz) and HDACi suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) as new anti-PCa agents. We previously demonstrated that Enz-HDACi hybrid drug 2-75 targets both AR and Hsp90, which inhibits the growth of Enz-resistant C4-2 cells. In the current study, we further investigate the molecular and cellular actions of 2-75 and test its anti-PCa effects in vivo. RESULTS Compared with Enz, 2-75 had greater AR antagonistic effects by decreasing the stability, transcriptional activity, and nuclear translocation of intracellular AR. In addition to inhibition of full-length AR (FL AR), 2-75 downregulated the AR-V7 variant in multiple PCa cell lines. Mechanistic studies indicated that the AR affinity of 2-75 retains the drug in the cytoplasm of AR + PCa cells and further directs 2-75 to the AR-associated protein complex, which permits localized effects on AR-associated Hsp90. Further, unlike pan-HDACi SAHA, the cytoplasm-retaining property allows 2-75 to significantly inhibit cytoplasmic HDAC6 with limited impact on nuclear HDACs. These selective cytoplasmic actions of 2-75 overcome the unfavorable resistance and toxicity properties associated with classical AR antagonists, HDACis, and Hsp90 inhibitors. Finally, 2-75 showed greater antitumor activities than Enz in vivo on SQ xenografts derived from LNCaP cells. CONCLUSIONS Novel therapeutic strategy using newly designed 2-75 and related AR antagonist-HDACi hybrid drugs has great potential for effective treatment of CRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Yang Hu
- Department of Urology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Liping Xu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Bailing Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Siyu Ou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Kendall M Muzzarelli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Dan-Ping Hu
- Department of Urology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Ye Li
- Department of Urology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Zhe Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | | | - Gail S Prins
- Department of Urology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Zhihui Qin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
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29
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Civenni G, Albino D, Shinde D, Vázquez R, Merulla J, Kokanovic A, Mapelli SN, Carbone GM, Catapano CV. Transcriptional Reprogramming and Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Targeting Prostate Cancer Stem Cells. Front Oncol 2019; 9:385. [PMID: 31143708 PMCID: PMC6521702 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men and the second cause of cancer-related deaths in western countries. Despite the progress in the treatment of localized prostate cancer, there is still lack of effective therapies for the advanced forms of the disease. Most patients with advanced prostate cancer become resistant to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), which remains the main therapeutic option in this setting, and progress to lethal metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Current therapies for prostate cancer preferentially target proliferating, partially differentiated, and AR-dependent cancer cells that constitute the bulk of the tumor mass. However, the subpopulation of tumor-initiating or tumor-propagating stem-like cancer cells is virtually resistant to the standard treatments causing tumor relapse at the primary or metastatic sites. Understanding the pathways controlling the establishment, expansion and maintenance of the cancer stem cell (CSC) subpopulation is an important step toward the development of more effective treatment for prostate cancer, which might enable ablation or exhaustion of CSCs and prevent treatment resistance and disease recurrence. In this review, we focus on the impact of transcriptional regulators on phenotypic reprogramming of prostate CSCs and provide examples supporting the possibility of inhibiting maintenance and expansion of the CSC pool in human prostate cancer along with the currently available methodological approaches. Transcription factors are key elements for instructing specific transcriptional programs and inducing CSC-associated phenotypic changes implicated in disease progression and treatment resistance. Recent studies have shown that interfering with these processes causes exhaustion of CSCs with loss of self-renewal and tumorigenic capability in prostate cancer models. Targeting key transcriptional regulators in prostate CSCs is a valid therapeutic strategy waiting to be tested in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Carlo V. Catapano
- Institute of Oncology (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
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30
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Chen Z, Wu Y, Kong J, Li Y, Wang H, Zhao H, Wu Z. Insertion/deletion polymorphism in the 3' untranslated region of COL1A2 disrupts its interaction with microRNA-382 and leads to decreased susceptibility to osteoporotic fracture. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:12402-12411. [PMID: 30825231 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.28506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence has proved that the expression of COL1A2 is associated with a reduced risk of osteoporotic fracture. One single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs3917) located within the 3'-untranslated region of COL1A2 may "alter" binding site of miR-382 and thereby associated with the risk of osteoporotic fracture. Bioinformatic analysis, luciferase reporter assay, site-directed mutagenesis, Western blot and real-time PCR were performed in this study. In this study, we validated COL1A2 as a target of miR-382 in osteoblast. In addition, bone tissue samples were genotyped as wild-type rs3917, heterozygous rs3917, and homozygous rs3917. The expression of miR-382 was comparable between the genotype groups, whereas the expression of COL1A2 mRNA and protein was much higher in heterozygous rs3917 and homozygous rs3917 than the wild-type rs3917 group. Furthermore, we transfected the wild-type rs3917 and heterozygous rs3917 cells with miR-382 mimics or inhibitors and found that the transfection with miR-382 mimics significantly increased the level of the miR-382 in the cells of both genotypes, and the introduction of miR-382 inhibitors substantially suppressed the level of miR-382 in both cells. In wild-type rs3917 cells, transfection of miR-382 mimics and COL1A2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) similarly and substantially downregulated the expression of COL1A2, while in heterozygous rs3917 cells, only COL1A2 siRNA notably reduced the expression of COL1A2, whereas introduction of miR-382 mimics left expression of COL1A2 intact. The findings showed rs3917 polymorphism interfered with the interaction between COL1A2 mRNA and miR-382, and minor allele is associated with a reduced risk of osteoporotic fracture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqi Chen
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Orthopedic Hospital of Xingtai, Xingtai, Hebei, China
| | - Yanping Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, First Hospital of Xingtai, Xingtai, Hebei, China
| | - Jianjun Kong
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Orthopedic Hospital of Xingtai, Xingtai, Hebei, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Orthopedic Hospital of Xingtai, Xingtai, Hebei, China
| | - Hongbin Wang
- Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Orthopedic Hospital of Xingtai, Xingtai, Hebei, China
| | - Hongbin Zhao
- Department of Orthopedics, First Hospital of Xingtai, Xingtai, Hebei, China
| | - Zhanyong Wu
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Orthopedic Hospital of Xingtai, Xingtai, Hebei, China
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31
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Calcinotto A, Kohli J, Zagato E, Pellegrini L, Demaria M, Alimonti A. Cellular Senescence: Aging, Cancer, and Injury. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:1047-1078. [PMID: 30648461 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00020.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 635] [Impact Index Per Article: 127.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular senescence is a permanent state of cell cycle arrest that occurs in proliferating cells subjected to different stresses. Senescence is, therefore, a cellular defense mechanism that prevents the cells to acquire an unnecessary damage. The senescent state is accompanied by a failure to re-enter the cell cycle in response to mitogenic stimuli, an enhanced secretory phenotype and resistance to cell death. Senescence takes place in several tissues during different physiological and pathological processes such as tissue remodeling, injury, cancer, and aging. Although senescence is one of the causative processes of aging and it is responsible of aging-related disorders, senescent cells can also play a positive role. In embryogenesis and tissue remodeling, senescent cells are required for the proper development of the embryo and tissue repair. In cancer, senescence works as a potent barrier to prevent tumorigenesis. Therefore, the identification and characterization of key features of senescence, the induction of senescence in cancer cells, or the elimination of senescent cells by pharmacological interventions in aging tissues is gaining consideration in several fields of research. Here, we describe the known key features of senescence, the cell-autonomous, and noncell-autonomous regulators of senescence, and we attempt to discuss the functional role of this fundamental process in different contexts in light of the development of novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Calcinotto
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland , Bellinzona , Switzerland ; University of Groningen, European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University Medical Center Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands ; IOR, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland , Bellinzona , Switzerland ; Università della Svizzera Italiana, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences , Lugano , Italy ; Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne UNIL , Lausanne , Switzerland ; and Department of Medicine, Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova , Padova , Italy
| | - Jaskaren Kohli
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland , Bellinzona , Switzerland ; University of Groningen, European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University Medical Center Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands ; IOR, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland , Bellinzona , Switzerland ; Università della Svizzera Italiana, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences , Lugano , Italy ; Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne UNIL , Lausanne , Switzerland ; and Department of Medicine, Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova , Padova , Italy
| | - Elena Zagato
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland , Bellinzona , Switzerland ; University of Groningen, European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University Medical Center Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands ; IOR, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland , Bellinzona , Switzerland ; Università della Svizzera Italiana, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences , Lugano , Italy ; Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne UNIL , Lausanne , Switzerland ; and Department of Medicine, Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova , Padova , Italy
| | - Laura Pellegrini
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland , Bellinzona , Switzerland ; University of Groningen, European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University Medical Center Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands ; IOR, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland , Bellinzona , Switzerland ; Università della Svizzera Italiana, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences , Lugano , Italy ; Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne UNIL , Lausanne , Switzerland ; and Department of Medicine, Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova , Padova , Italy
| | - Marco Demaria
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland , Bellinzona , Switzerland ; University of Groningen, European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University Medical Center Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands ; IOR, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland , Bellinzona , Switzerland ; Università della Svizzera Italiana, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences , Lugano , Italy ; Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne UNIL , Lausanne , Switzerland ; and Department of Medicine, Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova , Padova , Italy
| | - Andrea Alimonti
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland , Bellinzona , Switzerland ; University of Groningen, European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University Medical Center Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands ; IOR, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland , Bellinzona , Switzerland ; Università della Svizzera Italiana, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences , Lugano , Italy ; Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne UNIL , Lausanne , Switzerland ; and Department of Medicine, Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova , Padova , Italy
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Sarveswaran S, Varma NRS, Morisetty S, Ghosh J. Inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase downregulates stemness and kills prostate cancer stem cells by triggering apoptosis via activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Oncotarget 2019; 10:424-436. [PMID: 30728896 PMCID: PMC6355185 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The cancer stem cell (CSC) concept suggests that neoplastic clones are maintained exclusively by a rare group of cells possessed with stem cell properties. CSCs are characterized by features that include self-renewal, pluripotency and tumorigenicity, and are thought to be solely responsible for tumor recurrence and metastasis. A hierarchically organized CSC model is becoming increasingly evident for various types of cancer, including prostate cancer. The CD44 (+), CD133 (+) cell subpopulations were isolated from human prostate tumors which exhibit stem-like properties showing therapeutic-resistance, capacity of self-renewal, and exact recapitulation of the original tumor in vivo. Thus, an important challenge is to find measures to eliminate these cancer stem cells, which will stop tumor growth and prevent disease-recurrence. However, knowledge about molecular features critical for the survival of prostate cancer stem cells (PCSC) is meager. Here we report that inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase (5-Lox) by shRNA or MK591 dramatically kills PCSC by inducing apoptosis, suggesting that 5-Lox plays an essential role in the survival of PCSC. Interestingly, MK591 treatment decreases protein levels and inhibits transcriptional activities of Nanog and c-Myc. Since Nanog and c-Myc play important roles as stemness factors, our findings indicate that the 5-Lox activity plays a causal role in maintaining prostate cancer stemness via regulation of Nanog and c-Myc, and suggest that further exploration of 5-Lox-mediated signaling in PCSC may lead to development of novel, target-based, durable strategies to effectively block development and growth of prostate tumors, and prevent prostate cancer recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivalokanathan Sarveswaran
- Vattikuti Urology Institute and Josephine Ford Cancer Center, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Nadimpalli R S Varma
- Vattikuti Urology Institute and Josephine Ford Cancer Center, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Shravan Morisetty
- Vattikuti Urology Institute and Josephine Ford Cancer Center, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Jagadananda Ghosh
- Vattikuti Urology Institute and Josephine Ford Cancer Center, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
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33
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Shinde D, Albino D, Zoma M, Mutti A, Mapelli SN, Civenni G, Kokanovic A, Merulla J, Perez-Escuredo J, Costales P, Morìs F, Catapano CV, Carbone GM. Transcriptional Reprogramming and Inhibition of Tumor-propagating Stem-like Cells by EC-8042 in ERG-positive Prostate Cancer. Eur Urol Oncol 2018; 2:415-424. [PMID: 31277777 DOI: 10.1016/j.euo.2018.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion is the most frequent genetic rearrangement in prostate cancers and results in broad transcriptional reprogramming and major phenotypic changes. Interaction and cooperation of ERG and SP1 may be instrumental in sustaining the tumorigenic and metastatic phenotype and could represent a potential vulnerability in ERG fusion-positive tumors. OBJECTIVE To test the activity of EC-8042, a compound able to block SP1, in cellular and mouse models of ERG-positive prostate cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS We evaluated the activity of EC-8042 in cell cultures and ERG/PTEN transgenic/knockout mice that provide reliable models for testing novel therapeutics in this specific disease context. Using a new protocol to generate tumor spheroids from ERG/PTEN mice, we also examined the effects of EC-8042 on tumor-propagating stem-like cancer cells with high self-renewal and tumorigenic capabilities. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS The efficacy of EC-8042 was determined by measuring the proliferative capacity and target gene expression in cell cultures, invasive and metastatic capabilities in chick chorioallantoic membrane assays, and tumor development in mice. Significance was determined using statistical test. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS EC-8042 blocked transcription of ERG-regulated genes and reverted the invasive and metastatic phenotype of VCaP cells. EC-8042 blocked the expansion of stem-like tumor cells in tumor spheroids from VCaP cells and mouse-derived tumors. In ERG/PTEN mice, systemic treatment with EC-8042 inhibited ERG-regulated gene transcription, tumor progression, and tumor-propagating stem-like tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS Our data support clinical testing of EC-8042 for the treatment of ERG-positive prostate cancer in precision medicine approaches. PATIENT SUMMARY In this study, EC-8042, a novel compound with a favorable pharmacological and toxicological profile, exhibited relevant activity in cell cultures and in vivo in a genetically engineered mouse model that closely recapitulates the features of clinically aggressive ERG-positive prostate cancer. Our data indicate that further evaluation of EC-8042 in clinical trials is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dheeraj Shinde
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Domenico Albino
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Marita Zoma
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Azzurra Mutti
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Sarah N Mapelli
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Gianluca Civenni
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Aleksandra Kokanovic
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Jessica Merulla
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Carlo V Catapano
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppina M Carbone
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
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Skvortsov S, Skvortsova II, Tang DG, Dubrovska A. Concise Review: Prostate Cancer Stem Cells: Current Understanding. Stem Cells 2018; 36:1457-1474. [PMID: 29845679 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is heterogeneous, harboring phenotypically diverse cancer cell types. PCa cell heterogeneity is caused by genomic instability that leads to the clonal competition and evolution of the cancer genome and by epigenetic mechanisms that result in subclonal cellular differentiation. The process of tumor cell differentiation is initiated from a population of prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) that possess many phenotypic and functional properties of normal stem cells. Since the initial reports on PCSCs in 2005, there has been much effort to elucidate their biological properties, including unique metabolic characteristics. In this Review, we discuss the current methods for PCSC enrichment and analysis, the hallmarks of PCSC metabolism, and the role of PCSCs in tumor progression. Stem Cells 2018;36:1457-1474.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergej Skvortsov
- Laboratory for Experimental and Translational Research on Radiation Oncology (EXTRO-Lab), Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.,Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ira-Ida Skvortsova
- Laboratory for Experimental and Translational Research on Radiation Oncology (EXTRO-Lab), Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.,Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dean G Tang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, USA.,Cancer Stem Cell Institute, Research Center for Translational Medicine, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Dresden, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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35
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Civenni G, Carbone GM, Catapano CV. Overview of Genetically Engineered Mouse Models of Prostate Cancer and Their Applications in Drug Discovery. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 81:e39. [PMID: 29927081 DOI: 10.1002/cpph.39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignant visceral neoplasm in males in Western countries. Despite progress made in the early treatment of localized malignancies, there remains a need for therapies effective against advanced forms of the disease. Genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models are valuable tools for addressing this issue, particularly in defining the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for tumor initiation and progression. While cell and tissue culture systems are important models for this purpose as well, they cannot recapitulate the complex interactions within heterotypic cells and the tumor microenvironment that are crucial in the initiation and progression of prostate tumors. Limitations of GEM models include resistance to developing invasive and metastatic tumors that resemble the advanced stages of human PCa. Nonetheless, because genetic models provide valuable information on the human condition that would otherwise be impossible to obtain, they are increasingly employed to identify molecular targets and to examine the efficacy of cancer therapeutics. The aim of this overview is to provide a brief but comprehensive summary of GEM models for PCa, with particular emphasis on the strengths and weaknesses of this experimental approach. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Civenni
- Experimental Therapeutics Group, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppina M Carbone
- Prostate Cancer Biology Group, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Carlo V Catapano
- Experimental Therapeutics Group, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona, Switzerland.,Department of Oncology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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36
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Lin Z, Chen B, Wu T, Xu X. Highly Tumorigenic Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Cells Are Produced by Coculture with Stromal Cells. Acta Haematol 2018; 139:201-216. [PMID: 29791894 DOI: 10.1159/000488385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is heterogeneous. We aimed to explore how tumor microenvironment promotes lymphoma cell aggressiveness and heterogeneity. METHODS We created a coculture system using human DLBCL cells and mouse bone marrow stromal cells. Proliferative capacity, drug resistance, clonogenicity, and tumorigenicity were compared in lymphoma cells from the coculture system and lymphoma cells cultured alone. Expression of Notch signaling associated genes was evaluated using real-time reverse transcriptase PCR and Western blot. RESULTS Lymphoma cells in the coculture system differentiated into a suspended cell group and an adherent cell group. They acquired a stronger proliferative capacity and drug resistance than lymphoma cells cultured alone, and differences existed between the adherent cell and suspended cell groups. The suspended cell group acquired the most powerful clonogenic and tumorigenic potential. However, Notch3 was exclusively expressed in the adherent lymphoma cell group and the use of N-[N-(3, 5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester, an inhibitor of Notch pathway, could abolish the emergence of highly aggressive lymphoma cells. CONCLUSION Highly tumorigenic lymphoma cells could be generated by coculture with stromal cells, and it was dependent on Notch3 expression in the adjacent lymphoma cells through interaction with stromal cells.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
- Apoptosis
- Biomarkers
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
- Coculture Techniques
- Disease Models, Animal
- Disease Progression
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/drug therapy
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/metabolism
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology
- Mice
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Stromal Cells/metabolism
- Tumor Microenvironment
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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miR-199a-3p targets stemness-related and mitogenic signaling pathways to suppress the expansion and tumorigenic capabilities of prostate cancer stem cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:56628-56642. [PMID: 27447749 PMCID: PMC5302940 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cancers exhibit significant cellular heterogeneity featuring tumorigenic cancer stem cells (CSCs) in addition to more differentiated progeny with limited tumor-initiating capabilities. Recent studies suggest that microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate CSCs and tumor development. A previous library screening for differential miRNA expression in CD44+ (and other) prostate CSC vs. non-CSC populations identified miR-199a-3p to be among the most highly under-expressed miRNAs in CSCs. In this study, we characterized the biological functions of miR-199a-3p in CD44+ prostate cancer (PCa) cells and in tumor regeneration. Overexpression of miR-199a-3p in purified CD44+ or bulk PCa cells, including primary PCa, inhibited proliferation and clonal expansion without inducing apoptosis. miR-199a-3p overexpression also diminished tumor-initiating capacities of CD44+ PCa cells as well as tumor regeneration from bulk PCa cells. Importantly, inducible miR-199a-3p expression in pre-established prostate tumors in NOD/SCID mice inhibited tumor growth. Using target prediction program and luciferase assays, we show mechanistically that CD44 is a direct functional target of miR-199a-3p in PCa cells. Moreover, miR-199a-3p also directly or indirectly targeted several additional mitogenic molecules, including c-MYC, cyclin D1 (CCND1) and EGFR. Taken together, our results demonstrate how the aberrant loss of a miRNA-mediated mechanism can lead to the expansion and tumorigenic activity of prostate CSCs, further supporting the development and implementation of miRNA mimics for cancer treatment.
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38
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Russo MV, Esposito S, Tupone MG, Manzoli L, Airoldi I, Pompa P, Cindolo L, Schips L, Sorrentino C, Di Carlo E. SOX2 boosts major tumor progression genes in prostate cancer and is a functional biomarker of lymph node metastasis. Oncotarget 2017; 7:12372-85. [PMID: 26540632 PMCID: PMC4914291 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Critical issues in prostate cancer (PC) are a. identification of molecular drivers of the highly aggressive neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) in adenocarcinoma, and b. early assessment of disease progression. The SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 2 gene, SOX2, is an essential embryonic stem cell gene involved in prostate tumorigenesis. Here we assessed its implications in NED and progression of PC and its diagnostic and prognostic value. Laser microdissection, qRT-PCR, quantitative Methylation-Specific PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze SOX2 gene expression and regulation in 206 PC samples. Results were examined according to the patient's clinical pathological profile and follow-ups. Functional studies were performed using PC cells transfected to overexpress or silence SOX2. SOX2 was consistently downregulated in PC, except in cell clusters lying within lymph node (LN)-positive PC. Multivariate analysis revealed that SOX2 mRNA expression in the primary tumor was significantly associated with LN metastasis. When SOX2 mRNA levels were ≥1.00, relative to (XpressRef) Universal Total RNA, adjusted Odds Ratio was 24.4 (95% CI: 7.54–79.0), sensitivity 0.81 (95% CI: 0.61–0.93) and specificity 0.87 (95% CI: 0.81–0.91). Patients experiencing biochemical recurrence had high median levels of SOX2 mRNA. In both PC and LN metastasis, SOX2 and NED marker, Chromogranin-A, were primarily co-expressed. In PC cells, NED genes were upregulated by SOX2 overexpression and downregulated by its silencing, which also abolished SNAI2/Slug dependent NED. Moreover, SOX2 upregulated neural CAMs, neurotrophins/neurotrophin receptors, pluripotency and epithelial-mesenchymal transition transcription factors, growth, angiogenic and lymphangiogenic factors, and promoted PC cell invasiveness and motility. This study discloses novel SOX2 target genes driving NED and spread of PC and proposes SOX2 as a functional biomarker of LN metastasization for PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Vincenzo Russo
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy.,Ce.S.I. Biotech, Aging Research Center, "G. d'Annunzio" University Foundation, Chieti, Italy
| | - Silvia Esposito
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy.,Ce.S.I. Biotech, Aging Research Center, "G. d'Annunzio" University Foundation, Chieti, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Tupone
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy.,Ce.S.I. Biotech, Aging Research Center, "G. d'Annunzio" University Foundation, Chieti, Italy
| | - Lamberto Manzoli
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Irma Airoldi
- Laboratory of Oncology, Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Pompa
- Operative Unit of Urology, "Santo Spirito" Hospital, Pescara, Italy
| | - Luca Cindolo
- Department of Urology, "San Pio da Pietrelcina" Hospital, Vasto, Italy
| | - Luigi Schips
- Department of Urology, "San Pio da Pietrelcina" Hospital, Vasto, Italy
| | - Carlo Sorrentino
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy.,Ce.S.I. Biotech, Aging Research Center, "G. d'Annunzio" University Foundation, Chieti, Italy
| | - Emma Di Carlo
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy.,Ce.S.I. Biotech, Aging Research Center, "G. d'Annunzio" University Foundation, Chieti, Italy
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39
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Li X, Wu JB, Li Q, Shigemura K, Chung LWK, Huang WC. SREBP-2 promotes stem cell-like properties and metastasis by transcriptional activation of c-Myc in prostate cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 7:12869-84. [PMID: 26883200 PMCID: PMC4914327 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) transcription factor mainly controls cholesterol biosynthesis and homeostasis in normal cells. The role of SREBP-2 in lethal prostate cancer (PCa) progression remains to be elucidated. Here, we showed that expression of SREBP-2 was elevated in advanced pathologic grade and metastatic PCa and significantly associated with poor clinical outcomes. Biofunctional analyses demonstrated that SREBP-2 induced PCa cell proliferation, invasion and migration. Furthermore, overexpression of SREBP-2 increased the PCa stem cell population, prostasphere-forming ability and tumor-initiating capability, whereas genetic silencing of SREBP-2 inhibited PCa cell growth, stemness, and xenograft tumor growth and metastasis. Clinical and mechanistic data showed that SREBP-2 was positively correlated with c-Myc and induced c-Myc activation by directly interacting with an SREBP-2-binding element in the 5′-flanking c-Myc promoter region to drive stemness and metastasis. Collectively, these clinical and experimental results reveal a novel role of SREBP-2 in the induction of a stem cell-like phenotype and PCa metastasis, which sheds light on translational potential by targeting SREBP-2 as a promising therapeutic approach in PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyan Li
- Uro-Oncology Research Program, Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jason Boyang Wu
- Uro-Oncology Research Program, Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Qinlong Li
- Uro-Oncology Research Program, Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Katsumi Shigemura
- Department of Urology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Japan
| | - Leland W K Chung
- Uro-Oncology Research Program, Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Wen-Chin Huang
- Uro-Oncology Research Program, Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
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40
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Haq S, Suresh B, Ramakrishna S. Deubiquitylating enzymes as cancer stem cell therapeutics. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2017; 1869:1-10. [PMID: 29054474 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The focus of basic and applied research on core stem cell transcription factors has paved the way to initial delineation of their characteristics, their regulatory mechanisms, and the applicability of their regulatory proteins for protein-induced pluripotent stem cells (protein-IPSC) generation and in further clinical settings. Striking parallels have been observed between cancer stem cells (CSCs) and stem cells. For the maintenance of stem cells and CSC pluripotency and differentiation, post translational modifications (i.e., ubiquitylation and deubiquitylation) are tightly regulated, as these modifications result in a variety of stem cell fates. The identification of deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs) involved in the regulation of core stem cell transcription factors and CSC-related proteins might contribute to providing novel insights into the implications of DUB regulatory mechanisms for governing cellular reprogramming and carcinogenesis. Moreover, we propose the novel possibility of applying DUBs coupled with core transcription factors to improve protein-iPSC generation efficiency. Additionally, this review article further illustrates the potential of applying DUB inhibitors as a novel therapeutic intervention for targeting CSCs. Thus, defining DUBs as core pharmacological targets implies that future endeavors to develop their inhibitors may revolutionize our ability to regulate stem cell maintenance and differentiation, somatic cell reprogramming, and cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Haq
- Department of Lifesciences, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Bharathi Suresh
- Department of Pharmacology and Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Suresh Ramakrishna
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea; College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea.
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41
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Lee KM, Giltnane JM, Balko JM, Schwarz LJ, Guerrero-Zotano AL, Hutchinson KE, Nixon MJ, Estrada MV, Sánchez V, Sanders ME, Lee T, Gómez H, Lluch A, Pérez-Fidalgo JA, Wolf MM, Andrejeva G, Rathmell JC, Fesik SW, Arteaga CL. MYC and MCL1 Cooperatively Promote Chemotherapy-Resistant Breast Cancer Stem Cells via Regulation of Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation. Cell Metab 2017; 26:633-647.e7. [PMID: 28978427 PMCID: PMC5650077 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2017.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 411] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Most patients with advanced triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) develop drug resistance. MYC and MCL1 are frequently co-amplified in drug-resistant TNBC after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Herein, we demonstrate that MYC and MCL1 cooperate in the maintenance of chemotherapy-resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs) in TNBC. MYC and MCL1 increased mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (mtOXPHOS) and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), processes involved in maintenance of CSCs. A mutant of MCL1 that cannot localize in mitochondria reduced mtOXPHOS, ROS levels, and drug-resistant CSCs without affecting the anti-apoptotic function of MCL1. Increased levels of ROS, a by-product of activated mtOXPHOS, led to the accumulation of HIF-1α. Pharmacological inhibition of HIF-1α attenuated CSC enrichment and tumor initiation in vivo. These data suggest that (1) MYC and MCL1 confer resistance to chemotherapy by expanding CSCs via mtOXPHOS and (2) targeting mitochondrial respiration and HIF-1α may reverse chemotherapy resistance in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Min Lee
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jennifer M Giltnane
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Justin M Balko
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Luis J Schwarz
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | | | | | - Mellissa J Nixon
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Mónica V Estrada
- Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Violeta Sánchez
- Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Melinda E Sanders
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Taekyu Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Henry Gómez
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas, 15038 Lima, Perú
| | - Ana Lluch
- Hospital Clínico Universitario, Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - J Alejandro Pérez-Fidalgo
- Hospital Clínico Universitario, Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Melissa Magdalene Wolf
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Gabriela Andrejeva
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jeffrey C Rathmell
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Stephen W Fesik
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Carlos L Arteaga
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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42
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Yang A, Qin S, Schulte BA, Ethier SP, Tew KD, Wang GY. MYC Inhibition Depletes Cancer Stem-like Cells in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancer Res 2017; 77:6641-6650. [PMID: 28951456 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-3452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2016] [Revised: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
There is mounting evidence that cancer stem-like cells (CSC) are selectively enriched in residual tumors after anticancer therapies, which may account for tumor recurrence and metastasis by regenerating new tumors. Thus, there is a critical need to develop new therapeutic agents that can effectively eliminate drug-resistant CSCs and improve the efficacy of cancer therapy. Here, we report that Triptolide (C1572), a small-molecule natural product, selectively depletes CSCs in a dose-dependent fashion in human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines. Nanomolar concentrations of C1572 markedly reduced c-MYC (MYC) protein levels via a proteasome-dependent mechanism. Silencing MYC expression phenocopied the CSC depletion effects of C1572 and induced senescence in TNBC cells. Limited dilution assays revealed that ex vivo treatment of TNBC cells with C1572 reduced CSC levels by 28-fold. In mouse xenograft models of human TNBC, administration of C1572 suppressed tumor growth and depleted CSCs in a manner correlated with diminished MYC expression in residual tumor tissues. Together, these new findings provide a preclinical proof of concept defining C1572 as a promising therapeutic agent to eradicate CSCs for drug-resistant TNBC treatment. Cancer Res; 77(23); 6641-50. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimin Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Shenghui Qin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Bradley A Schulte
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Stephen P Ethier
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Kenneth D Tew
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Gavin Y Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
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43
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Methylisoindigo and Its Bromo-Derivatives Are Selective Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors, Repressing Cellular Stat3 Activity, and Target CD133+ Cancer Stem Cells in PDAC. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22091546. [PMID: 32961646 PMCID: PMC6151689 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22091546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Indirubin is an active component of the herbal ingredient ‘Danggui Longhui wan’, which was used for the treatment of inflammation and chronic myeloid leukemia in China. The recent study showed its derivative methylisoindigo (also known as meisoindigo) preferentially targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs) in interference with AMPK and LKB1, the cellular metabolic sensors. In this study, we screened the effect of meisoindigo on a panel of 300 protein kinases and found that it selectively inhibited Stat3-associated tyrosine kinases and further confirmed its activity in cell based assays. To gain a deeper insight into the structure–activity relationship we produced 7 bromo-derivatives exhausting the accessible positions on the bisindole backbone except for in the 4-position due to the space limitation. We compared their anti-proliferative effects on tumor cells. We found that 6-bromomeisoindigo showed improved toxicity in company with increased Stat3 inhibition. Moreover, we detected that 6-bromomeisoindigo induced apoptosis of 95% of CD133+ pancreatic cancer cells. Considering that CD133 is a common marker highly expressed in a range of CSCs, our results imply the potential application of 6-bromomeisoindigo for the treatment of CSCs in different types of cancers.
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Mitochondrial dysfunction induced by a SH2 domain-targeting STAT3 inhibitor leads to metabolic synthetic lethality in cancer cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E4924-E4933. [PMID: 28584133 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1615730114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to its canonical role in nuclear transcription, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is emerging as an important regulator of mitochondrial function. Here, we demonstrate that a novel inhibitor that binds with high affinity to the STAT3 SH2 domain triggers a complex cascade of events initiated by interference with mitochondrial STAT3 (mSTAT3). The mSTAT3-drug interaction leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, accumulation of proteotoxic STAT3 aggregates, and cell death. The cytotoxic effects depend directly on the drug's ability to interfere with mSTAT3 and mitochondrial function, as demonstrated by site-directed mutagenesis and use of STAT3 knockout and mitochondria-depleted cells. Importantly, the lethal consequences of mSTAT3 inhibition are enhanced by glucose starvation and by increased reliance of cancer cells and tumor-initiating cells on mitochondria, resulting in potent activity in cell cultures and tumor xenografts in mice. These findings can be exploited for eliciting synthetic lethality in metabolically stressed cancer cells using high-affinity STAT3 inhibitors. Thus, this study provides insights on the role of mSTAT3 in cancer cells and a conceptual framework for developing more effective cancer therapies.
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Peitzsch C, Tyutyunnykova A, Pantel K, Dubrovska A. Cancer stem cells: The root of tumor recurrence and metastases. Semin Cancer Biol 2017; 44:10-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2017.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 02/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Pisignano G, Napoli S, Magistri M, Mapelli SN, Pastori C, Di Marco S, Civenni G, Albino D, Enriquez C, Allegrini S, Mitra A, D'Ambrosio G, Mello-Grand M, Chiorino G, Garcia-Escudero R, Varani G, Carbone GM, Catapano CV. A promoter-proximal transcript targeted by genetic polymorphism controls E-cadherin silencing in human cancers. Nat Commun 2017; 8:15622. [PMID: 28555645 PMCID: PMC5459991 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs are emerging players in the epigenetic machinery with key roles in development and diseases. Here we uncover a complex network comprising a promoter-associated noncoding RNA (paRNA), microRNA and epigenetic regulators that controls transcription of the tumour suppressor E-cadherin in epithelial cancers. E-cadherin silencing relies on the formation of a complex between the paRNA and microRNA-guided Argonaute 1 that, together, recruit SUV39H1 and induce repressive chromatin modifications in the gene promoter. A single nucleotide polymorphism (rs16260) linked to increased cancer risk alters the secondary structure of the paRNA, with the risk allele facilitating the assembly of the microRNA-guided Argonaute 1 complex and gene silencing. Collectively, these data demonstrate the role of a paRNA in E-cadherin regulation and the impact of a noncoding genetic variant on its function. Deregulation of paRNA-based epigenetic networks may contribute to cancer and other diseases making them promising targets for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Pisignano
- Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), and Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Sara Napoli
- Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), and Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Marco Magistri
- Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), and Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Sarah N Mapelli
- Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), and Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Pastori
- Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), and Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Di Marco
- Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), and Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Gianluca Civenni
- Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), and Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Domenico Albino
- Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), and Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Enriquez
- Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), and Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Sara Allegrini
- Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), and Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Abhishek Mitra
- Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), and Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Giovanna Chiorino
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics, Fondo Edo Tempia, Biella 13900, Italy
| | - Ramon Garcia-Escudero
- Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), and Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland.,Molecular Oncology Unit, CIEMAT and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Gabriele Varani
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-1700, USA
| | - Giuseppina M Carbone
- Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), and Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Carlo V Catapano
- Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), and Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland.,Department of Oncology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1066, Switzerland
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Degradable Polyethylenimine-Based Gene Carriers for Cancer Therapy. Top Curr Chem (Cham) 2017; 375:34. [DOI: 10.1007/s41061-017-0124-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Yang XH, Tang F, Shin J, Cunningham JM. A c-Myc-regulated stem cell-like signature in high-risk neuroblastoma: A systematic discovery (Target neuroblastoma ESC-like signature). Sci Rep 2017; 7:41. [PMID: 28246384 PMCID: PMC5427913 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00122-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
c-Myc dysregulation is hypothesized to account for the ‘stemness’ – self-renewal and pluripotency – shared between embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and adult aggressive tumours. High-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB) is the most frequent, aggressive, extracranial solid tumour in childhood. Using HR-NB as a platform, we performed a network analysis of transcriptome data and presented a c-Myc subnetwork enriched for genes previously reported as ESC-like cancer signatures. A subsequent drug-gene interaction analysis identified a pharmacogenomic agent that preferentially interacted with this HR-NB-specific, ESC-like signature. This agent, Roniciclib (BAY 1000394), inhibited neuroblastoma cell growth and induced apoptosis in vitro. It also repressed the expression of the oncogene c-Myc and the neural ESC marker CDK2 in vitro, which was accompanied by altered expression of the c-Myc-targeted cell cycle regulators CCND1, CDKN1A and CDKN2D in a time-dependent manner. Further investigation into this HR-NB-specific ESC-like signature in 295 and 243 independent patients revealed and validated the general prognostic index of CDK2 and CDKN3 compared with CDKN2D and CDKN1B. These findings highlight the very potent therapeutic benefits of Roniciclib in HR-NB through the targeting of c-Myc-regulated, ESC-like tumorigenesis. This work provides a hypothesis-driven systems computational model that facilitates the translation of genomic and transcriptomic signatures to molecular mechanisms underlying high-risk tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinan Holly Yang
- Section of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
| | - Fangming Tang
- Section of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Jisu Shin
- Section of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - John M Cunningham
- Section of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
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Calcinotto A, Alimonti A. Aging tumour cells to cure cancer: “pro-senescence” therapy for cancer. Swiss Med Wkly 2017; 147:w14367. [DOI: 10.57187/smw.2017.14367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Robust scientific evidence demonstrates that senescence induction in cancer works as a potent weapon to eradicate tumorigenesis. Therapies that enhance senescence not only promote a stable cell growth arrest but also work as a strong stimulus for the activation of the antitumour immune response. However, recent advances suggest that if senescent tumour cells are not cleared from the tumours, they may promote tumour progression and metastasis. In this article, we focus on concepts that are relevant to a pro-senescence therapeutic approach, including caveats, and we propose therapeutic strategies that involve the combined use of pro-senescence therapies with immunotherapies to promote the clearance of senescent tumour cells. In our opinion, these approaches may avoid potential negative effects of pro-senescence therapies and may also enhance the efficacy of currently available immunotherapies.
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Abstract
There are many classes of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), with wide-ranging functionalities (e.g., RNA editing, mediation of mRNA splicing, ribosomal function). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in a wide variety of cellular processes, including the regulation of gene expression. Incorrect expression or mutation of lncRNAs has been reported to be associated with several disease conditions, such a malignant transformation in humans. Importantly, pivotal players in tumorigenesis and cancer progression, such as c-Myc, may be regulated by lncRNA at promoter level. The function of lncRNA can be reduced with antisense oligonucleotides that sequester or degrade mature lncRNAs. In alternative, lncRNA transcription can be blocked by small interference RNA (RNAi), which had acquired, recently, broad interested in clinical applications. In vivo-jetPEI™ is a linear polyethylenimine mediating nucleic acid (DNA, shRNA, siRNA, oligonucelotides) delivery with high efficiency. Different in vivo delivery routes have been validated: intravenous (IV), intraperitoneal (IP), intratumoral, subcutaneous, topical, and intrathecal. High levels of nucleic acid delivery are achieved into a broad range of tissues, such as lung, salivary glands, heart, spleen, liver, and prostate upon systemic administration. In addition, in vivo-jetPEI™ is also an efficient carrier for local gene and siRNA delivery such as intratumoral or topical application on the skin. After systemic injection, siRNA can be detected and the levels can be validated in target tissues by qRT-PCR. Targeting promoter-associated lncRNAs with siRNAs (small interfering RNAs) in vivo is becoming an exciting breakthrough for the treatment of human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Civenni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapeutics, IOR, Institute of Oncology Research, Via Vela 6, Bellinzona, 6500, Switzerland.
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