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Han R, Lu CH, Hu C, Dou YY, Kang J, Lin CY, Wu D, Jiang WL, Yin GQ, He Y. Brigatinib, a newly discovered AXL inhibitor, suppresses AXL-mediated acquired resistance to osimertinib in EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024; 45:1264-1275. [PMID: 38438582 PMCID: PMC11130302 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-024-01237-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
In addition to the classical resistance mechanisms, receptor tyrosine-protein kinase AXL is a main mechanism of resistance to third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) osimertinib in EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Developing an effective AXL inhibitor is important to sensitize osimertinib in clinical application. In this study we assessed the efficacy of brigatinib, a second-generation of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-TKI, as a novel AXL inhibitor, in overcoming acquired resistance to osimertinib induced by AXL activation. We established an AXL-overexpression NSCLC cell line and conducted high-throughput screening of a small molecule chemical library containing 510 anti-tumor drugs. We found that brigatinib potently inhibited AXL expression, and that brigatinib (0.5 μM) significantly enhanced the anti-tumor efficacy of osimertinib (1 μM) in AXL-mediated osimertinib-resistant NSCLC cell lines in vitro. We demonstrated that brigatinib had a potential ability to bind AXL kinase protein and further inhibit its downstream pathways in NSCLC cell lines. Furthermore, we revealed that brigatinib might decrease AXL expression through increasing K48-linked ubiquitination of AXL and promoting AXL degradation in HCC827OR cells and PC-9OR cells. In AXL-high expression osimertinib-resistant PC-9OR and HCC827OR cells derived xenograft mouse models, administration of osimertinib (10 mg·kg-1·d-1) alone for 3 weeks had no effect, and administration of brigatinib (25 mg·kg-1·d-1) alone caused a minor inhibition on the tumor growth; whereas combination of osimertinib and brigatinib caused marked tumor shrinkages. We concluded that brigatinib may be a promising clinical strategy for enhancing osimertinib efficacy in AXL-mediated osimertinib-resistant NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Han
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Cong-Hua Lu
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Chen Hu
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Yuan-Yao Dou
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Jun Kang
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Cai-Yu Lin
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Wei-Ling Jiang
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Guo-Qing Yin
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Yong He
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China.
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2
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Ke F, Wang N, Zhang X, Liu R, Ren T, Ke J, Yang J, Yan H, Ma J. Enhancement of vincristine sensitivity in retinoblastoma through Janus kinase inhibition by ruxolitinib. Anticancer Drugs 2024:00001813-990000000-00284. [PMID: 38742728 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000001615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Chemotherapy remains the main approach conserving vision during the treatment of retinoblastoma, the most prevalent eye cancer in children. Unfortunately, the development of chemoresistance stands as the primary reason for treatment failure. Within this study, we showed that prolonged exposure to vincristine led to heightened expression of JAK1 and JAK2 in retinoblastoma cells, while the other members of the JAK family exhibited no such changes. Employing a genetic intervention, we demonstrated the efficacy of depleting either JAK1 or JAK2 in countering vincristine-resistant retinoblastoma cells. In addition, the dual depletion of both JAK1 and JAK2 produced a more potent inhibitory outcome compared to the depletion of either gene alone. We further demonstrated that ruxolitinib, a small molecular inhibitor of JAK1/2, effectively reduced viability and colony formation in vincristine-resistant retinoblastoma cells. It also acts synergistically with vincristine in retinoblastoma cells regardless of inherent cellular and genetic heterogeneity. The effectiveness of ruxolitinib as standalone treatment against chemoresistant retinoblastoma, as well as its combination with vincristine, was validated in multiple retinoblastoma mouse models. Importantly, mice exhibited favorable tolerance to ruxolitinib administration. We confirmed that the underlying mechanism of ruxolitinib's action in chemoresistant retinoblastoma cells is the inhibition of Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling. Our study reveals that the underlying mechanism driving ruxolitinib's impact on chemoresistant retinoblastoma cells is the inhibition of JAK/STAT signaling. This study reveals the contribution of JAK1/2 to the development of chemoresistance in retinoblastoma and underscores the effectiveness of targeting JAK1/2 as a strategy to sensitize retinoblastoma to chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Ke
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing
| | - Nan Wang
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing
| | - Rui Liu
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing
| | - Tingting Ren
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing
| | | | - Jianye Yang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Haihan Yan
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing
| | - Jianmin Ma
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing
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3
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Loh JJ, Ma S. Hallmarks of cancer stemness. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:617-639. [PMID: 38701757 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stemness is recognized as a key component of tumor development. Previously coined "cancer stem cells" (CSCs) and believed to be a rare population with rigid hierarchical organization, there is good evidence to suggest that these cells exhibit a plastic cellular state influenced by dynamic CSC-niche interplay. This revelation underscores the need to reevaluate the hallmarks of cancer stemness. Herein, we summarize the techniques used to identify and characterize the state of these cells and discuss their defining and emerging hallmarks, along with their enabling and associated features. We also highlight potential future directions in this field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Jian Loh
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Stephanie Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong SAR, China; Centre for Translational and Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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4
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Wang Y, Wang Z, Li S, Ma J, Dai X, Lu J. Deciphering JAK/STAT signaling pathway: A multifaceted approach to tumorigenesis, progression and therapeutic interventions. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 131:111846. [PMID: 38520787 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway, essential for cellular communication, orchestrates a myriad of physiological and pathological processes. Recently, the intricate association between the pathway's dysregulation and the progression of malignant tumors has garnered increasing attention. Nevertheless, there is no systematic summary detailing the anticancer effects of molecules targeting the JAK/STAT pathway in the context of tumor progression. This review offers a comprehensive overview of pharmaceutical agents targeting the JAK/STAT pathway, encompassing phytochemicals, synthetic drugs, and biomolecules. These agents can manifest their anticancer effects through various mechanisms, including inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, suppressing tumor metastasis, and angiogenesis. Notably, we emphasize the clinical challenges of drug resistance while spotlighting the potential of integrating JAK/STAT inhibitors with other therapies as a transformative approach in cancer treatment. Moreover, this review delves into the avant-garde strategy of employing nanocarriers to enhance the solubility and bioavailability of anticancer drugs, significantly amplifying their therapeutic prowess. Through this academic exploration of the multifaceted roles of the JAK/STAT pathway in the cancer milieu, we aim to sketch a visionary trajectory for future oncological interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihui Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China; Department of Anesthesiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China; Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Shuyu Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China; Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Juntao Ma
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China; Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Xiaoshuo Dai
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China
| | - Jing Lu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450001, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province 450052, PR China.
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5
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Wang R, Yan Z. Cancer spreading patterns based on epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1259953. [PMID: 38665432 PMCID: PMC11043583 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1259953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Metastasis is a major cause of cancer-related deaths, underscoring the necessity to discern the rules and patterns of cancer cell spreading. Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity contributes to cancer aggressiveness and metastasis. Despite establishing key determinants of cancer aggressiveness and metastatic ability, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanism is unknown. We aimed to propose a classification system for cancer cells based on epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity, focusing on hysteresis of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype. Methods: We extensively reviewed the concept of epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity, specifically considering the hysteresis of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype. Results: In this review and hypothesis article, based on epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity, especially the hysteresis of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype, we proposed a classification of cancer cells, indicating that cancer cells with epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity potential could be classified into four types: irreversible hysteresis, weak hysteresis, strong hysteresis, and hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype. These four types of cancer cells had varied biology, spreading features, and prognoses. Discussion: Our results highlight that the proposed classification system offers insights into the diverse behaviors of cancer cells, providing implications for cancer aggressiveness and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhaopeng Yan
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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6
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Taverna JA, Hung CN, Williams M, Williams R, Chen M, Kamali S, Sambandam V, Hsiang-Ling Chiu C, Osmulski PA, Gaczynska ME, DeArmond DT, Gaspard C, Mancini M, Kusi M, Pandya AN, Song L, Jin L, Schiavini P, Chen CL. Ex vivo drug testing of patient-derived lung organoids to predict treatment responses for personalized medicine. Lung Cancer 2024; 190:107533. [PMID: 38520909 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2024.107533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of global cancer-related mortality resulting in ∼ 1.8 million deaths annually. Systemic, molecular targeted, and immune therapies have provided significant improvements of survival outcomes for patients. However, drug resistance usually arises and there is an urgent need for novel therapy screening and personalized medicine. 3D patient-derived organoid (PDO) models have emerged as a more effective and efficient alternative for ex vivo drug screening than 2D cell culture and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. In this review, we performed an extensive search of lung cancer PDO-based ex vivo drug screening studies. Lung cancer PDOs were successfully established from fresh or bio-banked sections and/or biopsies, pleural effusions and PDX mouse models. PDOs were subject to ex vivo drug screening with chemotherapy, targeted therapy and/or immunotherapy. PDOs consistently recapitulated the genomic alterations and drug sensitivity of primary tumors. Although sample sizes of the previous studies were limited and some technical challenges remain, PDOs showed great promise in the screening of novel therapy drugs. With the technical advances of high throughput, tumor-on-chip, and combined microenvironment, the drug screening process using PDOs will enhance precision care of lung cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine A Taverna
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA; Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.
| | - Chia-Nung Hung
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Madison Williams
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA; Department of General Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ryan Williams
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA; Department of General Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Meizhen Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Cheryl Hsiang-Ling Chiu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Pawel A Osmulski
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Maria E Gaczynska
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Daniel T DeArmond
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA; Department of General Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Baptist Health System, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Christine Gaspard
- Dolph Briscoe, Jr. Library, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | | | - Meena Kusi
- Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, LLC., Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Abhishek N Pandya
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Lina Song
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Lingtao Jin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | | | - Chun-Liang Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA; Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA; School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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7
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Seghers S, Le Compte M, Hendriks JMH, Van Schil P, Janssens A, Wener R, Komen N, Prenen H, Deben C. A systematic review of patient-derived tumor organoids generation from malignant effusions. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 195:104285. [PMID: 38311013 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
This review assesses the possibility of utilizing malignant effusions (MEs) for generating patient-derived tumor organoids (PDTOs). Obtained through minimally invasive procedures MEs broaden the spectrum of organoid sources beyond resection specimens and tissue biopsies. A systematic search yielded 11 articles, detailing the successful generation of 190 ME-PDTOs (122 pleural effusions, 54 malignant ascites). Success rates ranged from 33% to 100%, with an average of 84% and median of 92%. A broad and easily applicable array of techniques can be employed, encompassing diverse collection methods, variable centrifugation speeds, and the inclusion of approaches like RBC lysis buffer or centrifuged ME supernatants supplementation, enhancing the versatility and accessibility of the methodology. ME-PDTOs were found to recapitulate primary tumor characteristics and were primarily used for drug screening applications. Thus, MEs are a reliable source for developing PDTOs, emphasizing the need for further research to maximize their potential, validate usage, and refine culturing processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Seghers
- Department of Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium; Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Maxim Le Compte
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Jeroen M H Hendriks
- Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium; Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium; Antwerp ReSURG Group, Antwerp Surgical Training, Anatomy and Research Centre (ASTARC), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Paul Van Schil
- Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium; Antwerp ReSURG Group, Antwerp Surgical Training, Anatomy and Research Centre (ASTARC), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Annelies Janssens
- Department of Thoracic Oncology Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Reinier Wener
- Department of Thoracic Oncology Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium; Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Niels Komen
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium; Antwerp ReSURG Group, Antwerp Surgical Training, Anatomy and Research Centre (ASTARC), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Hans Prenen
- Department of Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium; Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium; Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Christophe Deben
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium; Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
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Zhao S, Ma Y, Liu L, Fang J, Ma H, Feng G, Xie B, Zeng S, Chang J, Ren J, Zhang Y, Xi N, Zhuang Y, Jiang Y, Zhang Q, Kang N, Zhang L, Zhao H. Ningetinib plus gefitinib in EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer with MET and AXL dysregulations: A phase 1b clinical trial and biomarker analysis. Lung Cancer 2024; 188:107468. [PMID: 38181454 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2024.107468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MET and AXL dysregulations are implicated in acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs in NSCLC. But consensus on the optimal definition for MET/AXL dysregulations in EGFR-mutant NSCLC is lacking. Here, we investigated the efficacy and tolerability of ningetinib (a MET/AXL inhibitor) plus gefitinib in EGFR-mutant NSCLC, and evaluated the clinical relevance of MET/AXL dysregulations by different definitions. METHODS Patients in this phase 1b dose-escalation/dose-expansion trial received ningetinib 30 mg/40 mg/60 mg plus gefitinib 250 mg once daily. Primary endpoints were tolerability (dose-escalation) and objective response rate (dose-expansion). MET/AXL status were analyzed using FISH and IHC. RESULTS Between March 2017 and January 2021, 108 patients were enrolled. The proportion of MET focal amplification, MET polysomy, MET overexpression, AXL amplification and AXL overexpression is 18.1 %, 5.6 %, 55.8 %, 8.1 % and 45.3 %, respectively. 6.8 % patients have concurrent MET amplification and AXL overexpression. ORR is 30.8 % for tumors with MET amplification, 0 % for MET polysomy, 24.1 % for MET overexpression, 20 % for AXL amplification and 27.6 % for AXL overexpression. For patients with concurrent MET amplification and AXL overexpression, ningetinib plus gefitinib provides an ORR of 80 %, DCR of 100 % and median PFS of 4.7 months. Tumors with higher MET copy number and AXL expression tend to have higher likelihood of response. Biomarker analyses show that MET focal amplification and overexpression are complementary in predicting clinical benefit from MET inhibition, while AXL dysregulations defined by an arbitrary level may dilute the efficacy of AXL blockade. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that combined blockade of MET, AXL and EGFR is a feasible strategy for a subset of EGFR-mutant NSCLC. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinadrugtrials.org.cn, CTR20160875.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuxiang Ma
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lianke Liu
- Department of Oncology, Jiangsu Provincial Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian Fang
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Beijing Cancer Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Haiqing Ma
- Department of Oncology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Guosheng Feng
- Department of Oncology, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Bo Xie
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital of the PLA South Military Command, PLA, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shan Zeng
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jianhua Chang
- Department of Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Ren
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | - Ning Xi
- Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., Ltd, Dongguan, China; Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | | | | | - Qi Zhang
- Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., Ltd, Dongguan, China
| | - Ning Kang
- Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., Ltd, Dongguan, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Hongyun Zhao
- Department of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
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9
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Wei XH, Liu YY. Potential applications of JAK inhibitors, clinically approved drugs against autoimmune diseases, in cancer therapy. Front Pharmacol 2024; 14:1326281. [PMID: 38235120 PMCID: PMC10792058 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1326281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Disturbances in immunoregulation may lead to both cancer and autoimmune diseases. Many therapeutic drugs for autoimmune diseases also display anti-tumor efficacy. The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathways are involved in the secretion of more than 50 distinct cytokines, which have critical roles in inducing autoimmune diseases and tumorigenesis. Thus, Janus kinases have become classical immunotherapeutic targets for immune disease. More than 70 Janus kinase inhibitors have been approved as immunomodulatory drugs for clinical use, of which 12 are used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. This systematic review aims to elucidate the anti-tumor role of clinically approved Janus kinase inhibitors that were primarily designed for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and their potential for clinical translation as cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Huan Wei
- Respiratory and Critical Care Department, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Oncology Department, People’s Hospital of Peixian, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Liu
- Respiratory and Critical Care Department, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
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10
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Liu Y, Zhou Y, Chen P. Lung cancer organoids: models for preclinical research and precision medicine. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1293441. [PMID: 37941550 PMCID: PMC10628480 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1293441] [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: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is a malignancy with high incidence and mortality rates globally, and it has a 5-year survival rate of only 10%-20%. The significant heterogeneity in clinical presentation, histological features, multi-omics findings, and drug sensitivity among different lung cancer patients necessitate the development of personalized treatment strategies. The current precision medicine for lung cancer, primarily based on pathological and genomic multi-omics testing, fails to meet the needs of patients with clinically refractory lung cancer. Lung cancer organoids (LCOs) are derived from tumor cells within tumor tissues and are generated through three-dimensional tissue culture, enabling them to faithfully recapitulate in vivo tumor characteristics and heterogeneity. The establishment of a series of LCOs biobanks offers promising platforms for efficient screening and identification of novel targets for anti-tumor drug discovery. Moreover, LCOs provide supplementary decision-making factors to enhance the current precision medicine for lung cancer, thereby addressing the limitations associated with pathology-guided approaches in managing refractory lung cancer. This article presents a comprehensive review on the construction methods and potential applications of LCOs in both preclinical and clinical research. It highlights the significance of LCOs in biomarker exploration, drug resistance investigation, target identification, clinical precision drug screening, as well as microfluidic technology-based high-throughput drug screening strategies. Additionally, it discusses the current limitations and future prospects of this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Research and Development Department, NanoPeptide (Qingdao) Biotechnology Ltd., Qingdao, China
| | - Yanbing Zhou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Pu Chen
- Research and Development Department, NanoPeptide (Qingdao) Biotechnology Ltd., Qingdao, China
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
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11
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Hou Y, Yao H, Lin JM. Recent advancements in single-cell metabolic analysis for pharmacological research. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:1102-1116. [PMID: 38024859 PMCID: PMC10658044 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.08.014] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular heterogeneity is crucial for understanding tissue biology and disease pathophysiology. Pharmacological research is being advanced by single-cell metabolic analysis, which offers a technique to identify variations in RNA, proteins, metabolites, and drug molecules in cells. In this review, the recent advancement of single-cell metabolic analysis techniques and their applications in drug metabolism and drug response are summarized. High-precision and controlled single-cell isolation and manipulation are provided by microfluidics-based methods, such as droplet microfluidics, microchamber, open microfluidic probe, and digital microfluidics. They are used in tandem with variety of detection techniques, including optical imaging, Raman spectroscopy, electrochemical detection, RNA sequencing, and mass spectrometry, to evaluate single-cell metabolic changes in response to drug administration. The advantages and disadvantages of different techniques are discussed along with the challenges and future directions for single-cell analysis. These techniques are employed in pharmaceutical analysis for studying drug response and resistance pathway, therapeutic targets discovery, and in vitro disease model evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Hou
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Hongren Yao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jin-Ming Lin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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12
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Hung CN, Chen M, DeArmond DT, Chiu CHL, Limboy CA, Tan X, Kusi M, Chou CW, Lin LL, Zhang Z, Wang CM, Chen CL, Mitsuya K, Osmulski PA, Gaczynska ME, Kirma NB, Vadlamudi RK, Gibbons DL, Warner S, Brenner AJ, Mahadevan D, Michalek JE, Huang THM, Taverna JA. AXL-initiated paracrine activation of pSTAT3 enhances mesenchymal and vasculogenic supportive features of tumor-associated macrophages. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113067. [PMID: 37659081 PMCID: PMC10577802 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are integral to the development of complex tumor microenvironments (TMEs) and can execute disparate cellular programs in response to extracellular cues. However, upstream signaling processes underpinning this phenotypic plasticity remain to be elucidated. Here, we report that concordant AXL-STAT3 signaling in TAMs is triggered by lung cancer cells or cancer-associated fibroblasts in the cytokine milieu. This paracrine action drives TAM differentiation toward a tumor-promoting "M2-like" phenotype with upregulation of CD163 and putative mesenchymal markers, contributing to TAM heterogeneity and diverse cellular functions. One of the upregulated markers, CD44, mediated by AXL-IL-11-pSTAT3 signaling cascade, enhances macrophage ability to interact with endothelial cells and facilitate formation of primitive vascular networks. We also found that AXL-STAT3 inhibition can impede the recruitment of TAMs in a xenograft mouse model, thereby suppressing tumor growth. These findings suggest the potential application of AXL-STAT3-related markers to quantitatively assess metastatic potential and inform therapeutic strategies in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Nung Hung
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Meizhen Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Daniel T DeArmond
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Cheryl H-L Chiu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Catherine A Limboy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Xi Tan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Meena Kusi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Chih-Wei Chou
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Li-Ling Lin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Zhao Zhang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Chiou-Miin Wang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Chun-Liang Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA; Office of Nursing Research & Scholarship, School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Kohzoh Mitsuya
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Pawel A Osmulski
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Maria E Gaczynska
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Nameer B Kirma
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Ratna K Vadlamudi
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Don L Gibbons
- Department of Thoracic, Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Andrew J Brenner
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA; Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Daruka Mahadevan
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA; Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Joel E Michalek
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Tim H-M Huang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA; Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.
| | - Josephine A Taverna
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA; Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA; Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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13
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Haerinck J, Goossens S, Berx G. The epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity landscape: principles of design and mechanisms of regulation. Nat Rev Genet 2023; 24:590-609. [PMID: 37169858 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-023-00601-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) enables cells to interconvert between several states across the epithelial-mesenchymal landscape, thereby acquiring hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotypic features. This plasticity is crucial for embryonic development and wound healing, but also underlies the acquisition of several malignant traits during cancer progression. Recent research using systems biology and single-cell profiling methods has provided novel insights into the main forces that shape EMP, which include the microenvironment, lineage specification and cell identity, and the genome. Additionally, key roles have emerged for hysteresis (cell memory) and cellular noise, which can drive stochastic transitions between cell states. Here, we review these forces and the distinct but interwoven layers of regulatory control that stabilize EMP states or facilitate epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) and discuss the therapeutic potential of manipulating the EMP landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jef Haerinck
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steven Goossens
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Unit for Translational Research in Oncology, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Geert Berx
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
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14
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Guldberg SM, Okholm TLH, McCarthy EE, Spitzer MH. Computational Methods for Single-Cell Proteomics. Annu Rev Biomed Data Sci 2023; 6:47-71. [PMID: 37040735 PMCID: PMC10621466 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biodatasci-020422-050255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Advances in single-cell proteomics technologies have resulted in high-dimensional datasets comprising millions of cells that are capable of answering key questions about biology and disease. The advent of these technologies has prompted the development of computational tools to process and visualize the complex data. In this review, we outline the steps of single-cell and spatial proteomics analysis pipelines. In addition to describing available methods, we highlight benchmarking studies that have identified advantages and pitfalls of the currently available computational toolkits. As these technologies continue to advance, robust analysis tools should be developed in tandem to take full advantage of the potential biological insights provided by these data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia M Guldberg
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA;
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute for Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Trine Line Hauge Okholm
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA;
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute for Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, California, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth E McCarthy
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA;
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics; Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine; Medical Scientist Training Program; and Biological and Medical Informatics Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Matthew H Spitzer
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA;
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute for Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, California, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, California, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California, USA
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15
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Faida P, Attiogbe MKI, Majeed U, Zhao J, Qu L, Fan D. Lung cancer treatment potential and limits associated with the STAT family of transcription factors. Cell Signal 2023:110797. [PMID: 37423343 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110797] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the mortal cancers and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with a cancer survival rate of fewer than 5% in developing nations. This low survival rate can be linked to things like late-stage detection, quick postoperative recurrences in patients receiving therapy, and chemoresistance developing against various lung cancer treatments. Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family of transcription factors are involved in lung cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, immunological control, and treatment resistance. By interacting with specific DNA sequences, STAT proteins trigger the production of particular genes, which in turn result in adaptive and incredibly specific biological responses. In the human genome, seven STAT proteins have been discovered (STAT1 to STAT6, including STAT5a and STAT5b). Many external signaling proteins can activate unphosphorylated STATs (uSTATs), which are found inactively in the cytoplasm. When STAT proteins are activated, they can increase the transcription of several target genes, which leads to unchecked cellular proliferation, anti-apoptotic reactions, and angiogenesis. The effects of STAT transcription factors on lung cancer are variable; some are either pro- or anti-tumorigenic, while others maintain dual, context-dependent activities. Here, we give a succinct summary of the various functions that each member of the STAT family plays in lung cancer and go into more detail about the advantages and disadvantages of pharmacologically targeting STAT proteins and their upstream activators in the context of lung cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paison Faida
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Degradable Biomedical Materials and Shaanxi R&D Center of Biomaterials and Fermentation Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Taibai North Road 229, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China; Biotech. & Biomed. Research Institute, Northwest University, Taibai North Road 229, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China
| | - Mawusse K I Attiogbe
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Usman Majeed
- College of Food Science and Technology, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Degradable Biomedical Materials and Shaanxi R&D Center of Biomaterials and Fermentation Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Taibai North Road 229, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China; Biotech. & Biomed. Research Institute, Northwest University, Taibai North Road 229, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China
| | - Linlin Qu
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Degradable Biomedical Materials and Shaanxi R&D Center of Biomaterials and Fermentation Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Taibai North Road 229, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China; Biotech. & Biomed. Research Institute, Northwest University, Taibai North Road 229, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China
| | - Daidi Fan
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Degradable Biomedical Materials and Shaanxi R&D Center of Biomaterials and Fermentation Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Taibai North Road 229, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China; Biotech. & Biomed. Research Institute, Northwest University, Taibai North Road 229, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, China.
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16
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Advances in Mass Spectrometry-Based Single Cell Analysis. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12030395. [PMID: 36979087 PMCID: PMC10045136 DOI: 10.3390/biology12030395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Technological developments and improvements in single-cell isolation and analytical platforms allow for advanced molecular profiling at the single-cell level, which reveals cell-to-cell variation within the admixture cells in complex biological or clinical systems. This helps to understand the cellular heterogeneity of normal or diseased tissues and organs. However, most studies focused on the analysis of nucleic acids (e.g., DNA and RNA) and mass spectrometry (MS)-based analysis for proteins and metabolites of a single cell lagged until recently. Undoubtedly, MS-based single-cell analysis will provide a deeper insight into cellular mechanisms related to health and disease. This review summarizes recent advances in MS-based single-cell analysis methods and their applications in biology and medicine.
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17
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The application of patient-derived organoid in the research of lung cancer. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2023; 46:503-519. [PMID: 36696006 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00771-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. However, mechanisms of its progression remained unclear and new treatments against this disease are rapidly emerging. As a novel preclinical model, patient-derived organoid (PDO) can also be established from the patient's tumor tissue and cultured in the laboratory, which preserves the key biological characteristics of the original tumor. Compared to the patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model of lung cancer, the culture success rate is improved, and the time and cost of model establishment are largely reduced. PDO is also expected to provide a more individual model to predict the efficacy of anti-cancer treatment in vitro. This paper summarizes the current application of PDO in the translational research of lung cancer.
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18
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A roadmap for translational cancer glycoimmunology at single cell resolution. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:143. [PMID: 35428302 PMCID: PMC9013178 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02335-z] [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] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells can evade immune responses by exploiting inhibitory immune checkpoints. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapies based on anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies have been extensively explored over the recent years to unleash otherwise compromised anti-cancer immune responses. However, it is also well established that immune suppression is a multifactorial process involving an intricate crosstalk between cancer cells and the immune systems. The cancer glycome is emerging as a relevant source of immune checkpoints governing immunosuppressive behaviour in immune cells, paving an avenue for novel immunotherapeutic options. This review addresses the current state-of-the-art concerning the role played by glycans controlling innate and adaptive immune responses, while shedding light on available experimental models for glycoimmunology. We also emphasize the tremendous progress observed in the development of humanized models for immunology, the paramount contribution of advances in high-throughput single-cell analysis in this context, and the importance of including predictive machine learning algorithms in translational research. This may constitute an important roadmap for glycoimmunology, supporting careful adoption of models foreseeing clinical translation of fundamental glycobiology knowledge towards next generation immunotherapies.
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19
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Padinharayil H, Alappat RR, Joy LM, Anilkumar KV, Wilson CM, George A, Valsala Gopalakrishnan A, Madhyastha H, Ramesh T, Sathiyamoorthi E, Lee J, Ganesan R. Advances in the Lung Cancer Immunotherapy Approaches. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1963. [PMID: 36423060 PMCID: PMC9693102 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10111963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the progress in the comprehension of LC progression, risk, immunologic control, and treatment choices, it is still the primary cause of cancer-related death. LC cells possess a very low and heterogeneous antigenicity, which allows them to passively evade the anticancer defense of the immune system by educating cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs), tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), regulatory T cells (Treg), immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Though ICIs are an important candidate in first-line therapy, consolidation therapy, adjuvant therapy, and other combination therapies involving traditional therapies, the need for new predictive immunotherapy biomarkers remains. Furthermore, ICI-induced resistance after an initial response makes it vital to seek and exploit new targets to benefit greatly from immunotherapy. As ICIs, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI) are not ideal LC predictive markers, a multi-parameter analysis of the immune system considering tumor, stroma, and beyond can be the future-oriented predictive marker. The optimal patient selection with a proper adjuvant agent in immunotherapy approaches needs to be still revised. Here, we summarize advances in LC immunotherapy approaches with their clinical and preclinical trials considering cancer models and vaccines and the potential of employing immunology to predict immunotherapy effectiveness in cancer patients and address the viewpoints on future directions. We conclude that the field of lung cancer therapeutics can benefit from the use of combination strategies but with comprehension of their limitations and improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafiza Padinharayil
- Jubilee Centre for Medical Research, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur 680005, Kerala, India
| | - Reema Rose Alappat
- Jubilee Centre for Medical Research, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur 680005, Kerala, India
| | - Liji Maria Joy
- Jubilee Centre for Medical Research, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur 680005, Kerala, India
| | - Kavya V. Anilkumar
- Jubilee Centre for Medical Research, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur 680005, Kerala, India
| | - Cornelia M. Wilson
- Life Sciences Industry Liaison Lab, School of Psychology and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, Sandwich CT13 9ND, UK
| | - Alex George
- Jubilee Centre for Medical Research, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur 680005, Kerala, India
| | - Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Harishkumar Madhyastha
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Thiyagarajan Ramesh
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 173, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Jintae Lee
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Raja Ganesan
- Institute for Liver and Digestive Diseases, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24253, Republic of Korea
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20
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Alexa-Stratulat T, Pavel-Tanasa M, Cianga VA, Antoniu S. Immune senescence in non-small cell lung cancer management: therapeutic relevance, biomarkers, and mitigating approaches. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2022; 22:1197-1210. [PMID: 36270650 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2022.2139242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lung cancer and mainly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) still remain a prevalent malignancy worldwide despite sustained screening approaches. Furthermore, a significant proportion of the cases are diagnosed at advanced stages when conservative therapy is often unsuccessful. Cell senescence is an endogenous antitumor weapon but when it is upregulated exerts opposite activities favoring tumor metastasizing and poor response to therapy. However, little is known about this dangerous relationship between cell senescence and NSCLC outcome or on potential approaches to mitigate its unfavorable consequences. AREAS COVERED We discuss cell senescence focusing on immune senescence, its cell and humoral effectors (namely immune senescence associated secretory phenotype-iSASP), its impact on NSCLC outcome, and its biomarkers. Senotherapeutics as mitigating approaches are also considered based on the availability of experimental data pertinent to NSCLC. EXPERT OPINION Characterization of NSCLC subsets in which immune senescence is a risk factor for poor prognosis and poor therapeutic response might be very helpful in supporting the addition of senotherapeutics to conventional cancer therapy. This approach has the potential to improve disease outcome but more studies in this area are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodora Alexa-Stratulat
- Department of Medicine III-Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Mariana Pavel-Tanasa
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Vlad-Andrei Cianga
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Sabina Antoniu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
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21
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Manni W, Min W. Signaling pathways in the regulation of cancer stem cells and associated targeted therapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2022; 3:e176. [PMID: 36226253 PMCID: PMC9534377 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are defined as a subpopulation of malignant tumor cells with selective capacities for tumor initiation, self-renewal, metastasis, and unlimited growth into bulks, which are believed as a major cause of progressive tumor phenotypes, including recurrence, metastasis, and treatment failure. A number of signaling pathways are involved in the maintenance of stem cell properties and survival of CSCs, including well-established intrinsic pathways, such as the Notch, Wnt, and Hedgehog signaling, and extrinsic pathways, such as the vascular microenvironment and tumor-associated immune cells. There is also intricate crosstalk between these signal cascades and other oncogenic pathways. Thus, targeting pathway molecules that regulate CSCs provides a new option for the treatment of therapy-resistant or -refractory tumors. These treatments include small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies that target key signaling in CSCs, as well as CSC-directed immunotherapies that harness the immune systems to target CSCs. This review aims to provide an overview of the regulating networks and their immune interactions involved in CSC development. We also address the update on the development of CSC-directed therapeutics, with a special focus on those with application approval or under clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Manni
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduP. R. China
| | - Wu Min
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health SciencesUniversity of North DakotaGrand ForksNorth DakotaUSA
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22
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Krebs N, Klein L, Wegwitz F, Espinet E, Maurer HC, Tu M, Penz F, Küffer S, Xu X, Bohnenberger H, Cameron S, Brunner M, Neesse A, Kishore U, Hessmann E, Trumpp A, Ströbel P, Brekken RA, Ellenrieder V, Singh SK. Axon guidance receptor ROBO3 modulates subtype identity and prognosis via AXL-associated inflammatory network in pancreatic cancer. JCI Insight 2022; 7:154475. [PMID: 35993361 PMCID: PMC9462476 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.154475] [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] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic pancreatic cancer (PDAC) has a poor clinical outcome with a 5-year survival rate below 3%. Recent transcriptome profiling of PDAC biopsies has identified 2 clinically distinct subtypes - the "basal-like" (BL) subtype with poor prognosis and therapy resistance compared with the less aggressive and drug-susceptible "classical" (CLA) subtype. However, the mechanistic events and environmental factors that promote the BL subtype identity are not very clear. Using preclinical models, patient-derived xenografts, and FACS-sorted PDAC patient biopsies, we report here that the axon guidance receptor, roundabout guidance receptor 3 (ROBO3), promotes the BL metastatic program via a potentially unique AXL/IL-6/phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) regulatory axis. RNA-Seq identified a ROBO3-mediated BL-specific gene program, while tyrosine kinase profiling revealed AXL as the key mediator of the p-STAT3 activation. CRISPR/dCas9-based ROBO3 silencing disrupted the AXL/p-STAT3 signaling axis, thereby halting metastasis and enhancing therapy sensitivity. Transcriptome analysis of resected patient tumors revealed that AXLhi neoplastic cells associated with the inflammatory stromal program. Combining AXL inhibitor and chemotherapy substantially restored a CLA phenotypic state and reduced disease aggressiveness. Thus, we conclude that a ROBO3-driven hierarchical network determines the inflammatory and prometastatic programs in a specific PDAC subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Krebs
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and
| | - Lukas Klein
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and
| | - Florian Wegwitz
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Elisa Espinet
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,HI-STEM: The Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine gGmbH, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapy, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology Program (Oncobell), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hans Carlo Maurer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Mengyu Tu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and
| | - Frederike Penz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and
| | | | - Xingbo Xu
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, and
| | | | - Silke Cameron
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and
| | - Marius Brunner
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and
| | - Albrecht Neesse
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and,Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Uday Kishore
- Biosciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Elisabeth Hessmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and,Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Trumpp
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,HI-STEM: The Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine gGmbH, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology,,Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rolf A. Brekken
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, Departments of Surgery and Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Volker Ellenrieder
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and,Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Shiv K. Singh
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and,Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Lung Cancer Organoids: The Rough Path to Personalized Medicine. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153703. [PMID: 35954367 PMCID: PMC9367558 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Lung cancer is very difficult to cure, especially when it has spread to other parts of the body. One of the main reasons that delay the identification of effective therapies is the complexity of lung cancer cells, which can be very different among individual patients. Organoids are small aggregates of tumor cells that are generated from lung tumors and used in cancer research laboratories to study the features of tumor cells. Organoids have unique properties, as they reproduce many characteristics of the tumor derived from each specific patient. Due to their capacity to reproduce individual tumor features in the laboratory setting, organoids are an excellent system to study lung cancer and to identify functional therapies. This review summarizes the challenges encountered by researchers in the field of lung cancer organoids and describes how the advances in organoid technology may allow the future development of individualized therapies for lung cancer patients. Abstract Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Despite significant advances in research and therapy, a dismal 5-year survival rate of only 10–20% urges the development of reliable preclinical models and effective therapeutic tools. Lung cancer is characterized by a high degree of heterogeneity in its histology, a genomic landscape, and response to therapies that has been traditionally difficult to reproduce in preclinical models. However, the advent of three-dimensional culture technologies has opened new perspectives to recapitulate in vitro individualized tumor features and to anticipate treatment efficacy. The generation of lung cancer organoids (LCOs) has encountered greater challenges as compared to organoids derived from other tumors. In the last two years, many efforts have been dedicated to optimizing LCO-based platforms, resulting in improved rates of LCO production, purity, culture timing, and long-term expansion. However, due to the complexity of lung cancer, further advances are required in order to meet clinical needs. Here, we discuss the evolution of LCO technology and the use of LCOs in basic and translational lung cancer research. Although the field of LCOs is still in its infancy, its prospective development will likely lead to new strategies for drug testing and biomarker identification, thus allowing a more personalized therapeutic approach for lung cancer patients.
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Bae J, Choi YS, Cho G, Jang SJ. The Patient-Derived Cancer Organoids: Promises and Challenges as Platforms for Cancer Discovery. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092144. [PMID: 35565273 PMCID: PMC9105149 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The cancer burden is rapidly increasing in most countries, and thus, new anticancer drugs for effective cancer therapy must be developed. Cancer model systems that recapitulate the biological processes of human cancers are one of the cores of the drug development process. PDCO has emerged as a unique model that preserves the genetic, physiological, and histologic characteristics of original cancer, including inter- and intratumoral heterogeneities. Due to these advantages, the PCDO model is increasingly investigated for anticancer drug screening and efficacy testing, preclinical patient stratification, and precision medicine for selecting the most effective anticancer therapy for patients. Here, we review the prospects and limitations of PDCO compared to the conventional cancer models. With advances in culture success rates, co-culture systems with the tumor microenvironment, organoid-on-a-chip technology, and automation technology, PDCO will become the most promising model to develop anticancer drugs and precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- JuneSung Bae
- Department of Research and Development, OncoClew Co., Ltd., Seoul 04778, Korea; (J.B.); (Y.S.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Yun Sik Choi
- Department of Research and Development, OncoClew Co., Ltd., Seoul 04778, Korea; (J.B.); (Y.S.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Gunsik Cho
- Department of Research and Development, OncoClew Co., Ltd., Seoul 04778, Korea; (J.B.); (Y.S.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Se Jin Jang
- Department of Research and Development, OncoClew Co., Ltd., Seoul 04778, Korea; (J.B.); (Y.S.C.); (G.C.)
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Asan Center for Cancer Genome Discovery, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Seoul 05505, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-498-2644; Fax: +82-2-498-2655
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Effects of Ruxolitinib and Calcitriol Combination Treatment on Various Molecular Subtypes of Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052535. [PMID: 35269680 PMCID: PMC8910493 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The anticancer effects of ruxolitinib and calcitriol against breast cancer were reported previously. However, the effect of ruxolitinib and calcitriol combination treatment on various molecular subtypes of breast cancer remains unexplored. In this study, we used MCF-7, SKBR3, and MDA-MB-468 cells to investigate the effect of ruxolitinib and calcitriol combination treatment on cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and cell signaling markers, in vitro and in vivo. Our results revealed the synergistic anticancer effect of ruxolitinib and calcitriol combination treatment in SKBR3 and MDA-MB-468 cells, but not in MCF-7 cells in vitro, via cell proliferation inhibition, apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, and the alteration of cell signaling protein expression, including cell cycle-related (cyclin D1, CDK1, CDK4, p21, and p27), apoptosis-related (c-caspase and c-PARP), and cell proliferation-related (c-Myc, p-p53, and p-JAK2) proteins. Furthermore, in the MDA-MB-468 xenograft mouse model, we demonstrated the synergistic antitumor effect of ruxolitinib and calcitriol combination treatment, including the alteration of c-PARP, cyclin D1, and c-Myc expression, without significant drug toxicity. The combination exhibited a synergistic effect in HER2-enriched and triple-negative breast cancer subtypes. In conclusion, our results suggest different effects of the combination treatment of ruxolitinib and calcitriol depending on the molecular subtype of breast cancer.
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26
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Ma HC, Zhu YJ, Zhou R, Yu YY, Xiao ZZ, Zhang HB. Lung cancer organoids, a promising model still with long way to go. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2022; 171:103610. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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Parakh S, Ernst M, Poh AR. Multicellular Effects of STAT3 in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Opportunities. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6228. [PMID: 34944848 PMCID: PMC8699548 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer and accounts for 85% of lung cancer cases. Aberrant activation of the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) is frequently observed in NSCLC and is associated with a poor prognosis. Pre-clinical studies have revealed an unequivocal role for tumor cell-intrinsic and extrinsic STAT3 signaling in NSCLC by promoting angiogenesis, cell survival, cancer cell stemness, drug resistance, and evasion of anti-tumor immunity. Several STAT3-targeting strategies have also been investigated in pre-clinical models, and include preventing upstream receptor/ligand interactions, promoting the degradation of STAT3 mRNA, and interfering with STAT3 DNA binding. In this review, we discuss the molecular and immunological mechanisms by which persistent STAT3 activation promotes NSCLC development, and the utility of STAT3 as a prognostic and predictive biomarker in NSCLC. We also provide a comprehensive update of STAT3-targeting therapies that are currently undergoing clinical evaluation, and discuss the challenges associated with these treatment modalities in human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagun Parakh
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia;
- Tumor Targeting Laboratory, The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia;
| | - Matthias Ernst
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia;
- Cancer and Inflammation Laboratory, The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Ashleigh R. Poh
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia;
- Cancer and Inflammation Laboratory, The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
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28
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Yan D, Earp HS, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. Targeting MERTK and AXL in EGFR Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5639. [PMID: 34830794 PMCID: PMC8616094 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
MERTK and AXL are members of the TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases and are abnormally expressed in 69% and 93% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), respectively. Expression of MERTK and/or AXL provides a survival advantage for NSCLC cells and correlates with lymph node metastasis, drug resistance, and disease progression in patients with NSCLC. The TAM receptors on host tumor infiltrating cells also play important roles in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Thus, MERTK and AXL are attractive biologic targets for NSCLC treatment. Here, we will review physiologic and oncologic roles for MERTK and AXL with an emphasis on the potential to target these kinases in NSCLCs with activating EGFR mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Yan
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (D.Y.); (D.D.)
| | - H. Shelton Earp
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (D.Y.); (D.D.)
| | - Douglas K. Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (D.Y.); (D.D.)
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29
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Chen Y, Liu Y, Gao X. The Application of Single-Cell Technologies in Cardiovascular Research. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:751371. [PMID: 34708045 PMCID: PMC8542723 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.751371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of deaths in the world. The intricacies of the cellular composition and tissue microenvironment in heart and vasculature complicate the dissection of molecular mechanisms of CVDs. Over the past decade, the rapid development of single-cell omics technologies generated vast quantities of information at various biological levels, which have shed light on the cellular and molecular dynamics in cardiovascular development, homeostasis and diseases. Here, we summarize the latest single-cell omics techniques, and show how they have facilitated our understanding of cardiovascular biology. We also briefly discuss the clinical value and future outlook of single-cell applications in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinan Chen
- Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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30
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AXL Receptor in Cancer Metastasis and Drug Resistance: When Normal Functions Go Askew. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194864. [PMID: 34638349 PMCID: PMC8507788 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary AXL is a member of the TAM (TYRO3, AXL, MER) family of receptor tyrosine kinases. In normal physiological conditions, AXL is involved in removing dead cells and their remains, and limiting the duration of immune responses. Both functions are utilized by cancers in the course of tumour progression. Cancer cells use the AXL pathway to detect toxic environments and to activate molecular mechanisms, thereby ensuring their survival or escape from the toxic zone. AXL is instrumental in controlling genetic programs of epithelial-mesenchymal and mesenchymal-epithelial transitions, enabling cancer cells to metastasize. Additionally, AXL signaling suppresses immune responses in tumour microenvironment and thereby helps cancer cells to evade immune surveillance. The broad role of AXL in tumour biology is the reason why its inhibition sensitizes tumours to a broad spectrum of anti-cancer drugs. In this review, we outline molecular mechanisms underlying AXL function in normal tissues, and discuss how these mechanisms are adopted by cancers to become metastatic and drug-resistant. Abstract The TAM proteins TYRO3, AXL, and MER are receptor tyrosine kinases implicated in the clearance of apoptotic debris and negative regulation of innate immune responses. AXL contributes to immunosuppression by terminating the Toll-like receptor signaling in dendritic cells, and suppressing natural killer cell activity. In recent years, AXL has been intensively studied in the context of cancer. Both molecules, the receptor, and its ligand GAS6, are commonly expressed in cancer cells, as well as stromal and infiltrating immune cells. In cancer cells, the activation of AXL signaling stimulates cell survival and increases migratory and invasive potential. In cells of the tumour microenvironment, AXL pathway potentiates immune evasion. AXL has been broadly implicated in the epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity of cancer cells, a key factor in drug resistance and metastasis. Several antibody-based and small molecule AXL inhibitors have been developed and used in preclinical studies. AXL inhibition in various mouse cancer models reduced metastatic spread and improved the survival of the animals. AXL inhibitors are currently being tested in several clinical trials as monotherapy or in combination with other drugs. Here, we give a brief overview of AXL structure and regulation and discuss the normal physiological functions of TAM receptors, focusing on AXL. We present a theory of how epithelial cancers exploit AXL signaling to resist cytotoxic insults, in order to disseminate and relapse.
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31
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The deubiquitinase USP16 functions as an oncogenic factor in K-RAS-driven lung tumorigenesis. Oncogene 2021; 40:5482-5494. [PMID: 34294846 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01964-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
K-RAS mutation and molecular alterations of its surrogates function essentially in lung tumorigenesis and malignant progression. However, it remains elusive how tumor-promoting and deleterious events downstream of K-RAS signaling are coordinated in lung tumorigenesis. Here, we show that USP16, a deubiquitinase involved in various biological processes, functions as a promoter for the development of K-RAS-driven lung tumor. Usp16 deletion significantly attenuates K-rasG12D-mutation-induced lung tumorigenesis in mice. USP16 upregulation upon RAS activation averts reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced p38 activation that would otherwise detrimentally influence the survival and proliferation of tumor cells. In addition, USP16 interacts with and deubiquitinates JAK1, and thereby promoting lung tumor growth by augmenting JAK1 signaling. Therefore, our results reveal that USP16 functions critically in the K-RAS-driven lung tumorigenesis through modulating the strength of p38 and JAK1 signaling.
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32
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Osmulski PA, Cunsolo A, Chen M, Qian Y, Lin CL, Hung CN, Mahalingam D, Kirma NB, Chen CL, Taverna JA, Liss MA, Thompson IM, Huang THM, Gaczynska ME. Contacts with Macrophages Promote an Aggressive Nanomechanical Phenotype of Circulating Tumor Cells in Prostate Cancer. Cancer Res 2021; 81:4110-4123. [PMID: 34045187 PMCID: PMC8367292 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-3595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Aggressive tumors of epithelial origin shed cells that intravasate and become circulating tumor cells (CTC). The CTCs that are able to survive the stresses encountered in the bloodstream can then seed metastases. We demonstrated previously that CTCs isolated from the blood of prostate cancer patients display specific nanomechanical phenotypes characteristic of cell endurance and invasiveness and patient sensitivity to androgen deprivation therapy. Here we report that patient-isolated CTCs are nanomechanically distinct from cells randomly shed from the tumor, with high adhesion as the most distinguishing biophysical marker. CTCs uniquely coisolated with macrophage-like cells bearing the markers of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM). The presence of these immune cells was indicative of a survival-promoting phenotype of "mechanical fitness" in CTCs based on high softness and high adhesion as determined by atomic force microscopy. Correlations between enumeration of macrophages and mechanical fitness of CTCs were strong in patients before the start of hormonal therapy. Single-cell proteomic analysis and nanomechanical phenotyping of tumor cell-macrophage cocultures revealed that macrophages promoted epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in prostate cancer cells, manifesting in their mechanical fitness. The resulting softness and adhesiveness of the mechanically fit CTCs confer resistance to shear stress and enable protective cell clustering. These findings suggest that selected tumor cells are coached by TAMs and accompanied by them to acquire intermediate epithelial/mesenchymal status, thereby facilitating survival during the critical early stage leading to metastasis. SIGNIFICANCE: The interaction between macrophages and circulating tumor cells increases the capacity of tumor cells to initiate metastasis and may constitute a new set of blood-based targets for pharmacologic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel A Osmulski
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
| | - Alessandra Cunsolo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Meizhen Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Yusheng Qian
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Chun-Lin Lin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Chia-Nung Hung
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Devalingam Mahalingam
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio/Mays Cancer Center, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Nameer B Kirma
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Chun-Liang Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Josephine A Taverna
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio/Mays Cancer Center, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Michael A Liss
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Health Science Center/Mays Cancer Center, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Ian M Thompson
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Health Science Center/Mays Cancer Center, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Tim H-M Huang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Maria E Gaczynska
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
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Lei Y, Tang R, Xu J, Wang W, Zhang B, Liu J, Yu X, Shi S. Applications of single-cell sequencing in cancer research: progress and perspectives. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:91. [PMID: 34108022 PMCID: PMC8190846 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01105-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-cell sequencing, including genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics and metabolomics sequencing, is a powerful tool to decipher the cellular and molecular landscape at a single-cell resolution, unlike bulk sequencing, which provides averaged data. The use of single-cell sequencing in cancer research has revolutionized our understanding of the biological characteristics and dynamics within cancer lesions. In this review, we summarize emerging single-cell sequencing technologies and recent cancer research progress obtained by single-cell sequencing, including information related to the landscapes of malignant cells and immune cells, tumor heterogeneity, circulating tumor cells and the underlying mechanisms of tumor biological behaviors. Overall, the prospects of single-cell sequencing in facilitating diagnosis, targeted therapy and prognostic prediction among a spectrum of tumors are bright. In the near future, advances in single-cell sequencing will undoubtedly improve our understanding of the biological characteristics of tumors and highlight potential precise therapeutic targets for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Lei
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Tang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiang Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. .,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. .,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Mohan A, Raj Rajan R, Mohan G, Kollenchery Puthenveettil P, Maliekal TT. Markers and Reporters to Reveal the Hierarchy in Heterogeneous Cancer Stem Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:668851. [PMID: 34150761 PMCID: PMC8209516 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.668851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A subpopulation within cancer, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), regulates tumor initiation, chemoresistance, and metastasis. At a closer look, CSCs show functional heterogeneity and hierarchical organization. The present review is an attempt to assign marker profiles to define the functional heterogeneity and hierarchical organization of CSCs, based on a series of single-cell analyses. The evidences show that analogous to stem cell hierarchy, self-renewing Quiescent CSCs give rise to the Progenitor CSCs with limited proliferative capacity, and later to a Progenitor-like CSCs, which differentiates to Proliferating non-CSCs. Functionally, the CSCs can be tumor-initiating cells (TICs), drug-resistant CSCs, or metastasis initiating cells (MICs). Although there are certain marker profiles used to identify CSCs of different cancers, molecules like CD44, CD133, ALDH1A1, ABCG2, and pluripotency markers [Octamer binding transcriptional factor 4 (OCT4), SOX2, and NANOG] are used to mark CSCs of a wide range of cancers, ranging from hematological malignancies to solid tumors. Our analysis of the recent reports showed that a combination of these markers can demarcate the heterogeneous CSCs in solid tumors. Reporter constructs are widely used for easy identification and quantification of marker molecules. In this review, we discuss the suitability of reporters for the widely used CSC markers that can define the heterogeneous CSCs. Since the CSC-specific functions of CD44 and CD133 are regulated at the post-translational level, we do not recommend the reporters for these molecules for the detection of CSCs. A promoter-based reporter for ABCG2 may also be not relevant in CSCs, as the expression of the molecule in cancer is mainly regulated by promoter demethylation. In this context, a dual reporter consisting of one of the pluripotency markers and ALDH1A1 will be useful in marking the heterogeneous CSCs. This system can be easily adapted to high-throughput platforms to screen drugs for eliminating CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrutha Mohan
- Cancer Research, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Reshma Raj Rajan
- Cancer Research, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Gayathri Mohan
- Cancer Research, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
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Employing siRNA tool and its delivery platforms in suppressing cisplatin resistance: Approaching to a new era of cancer chemotherapy. Life Sci 2021; 277:119430. [PMID: 33789144 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Although chemotherapy is a first option in treatment of cancer patients, drug resistance has led to its failure, requiring strategies to overcome it. Cancer cells are capable of switching among molecular pathways to ensure their proliferation and metastasis, leading to their resistance to chemotherapy. The molecular pathways and mechanisms that are responsible for cancer progression and growth, can be negatively affected for providing chemosensitivity. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a powerful tool extensively applied in cancer therapy in both pre-clinical (in vitro and in vivo) and clinical studies because of its potential in suppressing tumor-promoting factors. As such oncogene pathways account for cisplatin (CP) resistance, their targeting by siRNA plays an important role in reversing chemoresistance. In the present review, application of siRNA for suppressing CP resistance is discussed. The first priority of using siRNA is sensitizing cancer cells to CP-mediated apoptosis via down-regulating survivin, ATG7, Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and XIAP. The cancer stem cell properties and related molecular pathways including ID1, Oct-4 and nanog are inhibited by siRNA in CP sensitivity. Cell cycle arrest and enhanced accumulation of CP in cancer cells can be obtained using siRNA. In overcoming siRNA challenges such as off-targeting feature and degradation, carriers including nanoparticles and biological carriers have been applied. These carriers are important in enhancing cellular accumulation of siRNA, elevating gene silencing efficacy and reversing CP resistance.
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Konen JM, Rodriguez BL, Padhye A, Ochieng JK, Gibson L, Diao L, Fowlkes NW, Fradette JJ, Peng DH, Cardnell RJ, Kovacs JJ, Wang J, Byers LA, Gibbons DL. Dual Inhibition of MEK and AXL Targets Tumor Cell Heterogeneity and Prevents Resistant Outgrowth Mediated by the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in NSCLC. Cancer Res 2021; 81:1398-1412. [PMID: 33402388 PMCID: PMC8026531 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-1895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a dynamic epigenetic reprogramming event that occurs in a subset of tumor cells and is an initiating step toward invasion and distant metastasis. The process is reversible and gives plasticity to cancer cells to survive under variable conditions, with the acquisition of cancer stem cell-like characteristics and features such as drug resistance. Therefore, understanding survival dependencies of cells along the phenotypic spectrum of EMT will provide better strategies to target the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of tumors and prevent their ability to bypass single-inhibitor treatment strategies. To address this, we integrated the data from a selective drug screen in epithelial and mesenchymal KRAS/p53 (KP)-mutant lung tumor cells with separate datasets including reverse-phase protein array and an in vivo shRNA dropout screen. These orthogonal approaches identified AXL and MEK as potential mesenchymal and epithelial cell survival dependencies, respectively. To capture the dynamicity of EMT, incorporation of a dual fluorescence EMT sensor system into murine KP lung cancer models enabled real-time analysis of the epigenetic state of tumor cells and assessment of the efficacy of single agent or combination treatment with AXL and MEK inhibitors. Both two- and three-dimensional culture systems and in vivo models revealed that this combination treatment strategy of MEK plus AXL inhibition synergistically killed lung cancer cells by specifically targeting each phenotypic subpopulation. In conclusion, these results indicate that cotargeting the specific vulnerabilities of EMT subpopulations can prevent EMT-mediated drug resistance, effectively controlling tumor cell growth and metastasis. SIGNIFICANCE: This study shows that a novel combination of MEK and AXL inhibitors effectively bypasses EMT-mediated drug resistance in KRAS/p53-mutant non-small cell lung cancer by targeting EMT subpopulations, thereby preventing tumor cell survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Konen
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - B Leticia Rodriguez
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Aparna Padhye
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- MD Anderson Cancer Center UT Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas
| | - Joshua K Ochieng
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Laura Gibson
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Lixia Diao
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Natalie W Fowlkes
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jared J Fradette
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - David H Peng
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Oncology & Angiogenesis, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, New York
| | - Robert J Cardnell
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jeffrey J Kovacs
- TRACTION, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Lauren A Byers
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Don L Gibbons
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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Post SM, Andreeff M, DiNardo C, Khoury JD, Ruvolo PP. TAM kinases as regulators of cell death. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2021; 1868:118992. [PMID: 33647320 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2021.118992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases are critical regulators of signal transduction that support cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Dysregulation of normal Receptor Tyrosine Kinase function by mutation or other activity-altering event can be oncogenic or can impact the transformed malignant cell so it becomes particularly resistant to stress challenge, have increased proliferation, become evasive to immune surveillance, and may be more prone to metastasis of the tumor to other organ sites. The TAM family of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (TYRO3, AXL, MERTK) is emerging as important components of malignant cell survival in many cancers. The TAM kinases are important regulators of cellular homeostasis and proper cell differentiation in normal cells as receptors for their ligands GAS6 and Protein S. They also are critical to immune and inflammatory processes. In malignant cells, the TAM kinases can act as ligand independent co-receptors to mutant Receptor Tyrosine Kinases and in some cases (e.g. FLT3-ITD mutant) are required for their function. They also have a role in immune checkpoint surveillance. At the time of this review, the Covid-19 pandemic poses a global threat to world health. TAM kinases play an important role in host response to many viruses and it is suggested the TAM kinases may be important in aspects of Covid-19 biology. This review will cover the TAM kinases and their role in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean M Post
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Michael Andreeff
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America; Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Courtney DiNardo
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Joseph D Khoury
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Peter P Ruvolo
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America; Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America.
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Chen CJ, Liu YP. MERTK Inhibition: Potential as a Treatment Strategy in EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-Resistant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14020130. [PMID: 33562150 PMCID: PMC7915726 DOI: 10.3390/ph14020130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are currently the most effective treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, who carry primary EGFR mutations. However, the patients eventually develop drug resistance to EGFR-TKIs after approximately one year. In addition to the acquisition of the EGFR T790M mutation, the activation of alternative receptor-mediated signaling pathways is a common mechanism for conferring the insensitivity of EGFR-TKI in NSCLC. Upregulation of the Mer receptor tyrosine kinase (MERTK), which is a member of the Tyro3-Axl-MERTK (TAM) family, is associated with a poor prognosis of many cancers. The binding of specific ligands, such as Gas6 and PROS1, to MERTK activates phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, which are the signaling pathways shared by EGFR. Therefore, the inhibition of MERTK can be considered a new therapeutic strategy for overcoming the resistance of NSCLC to EGFR-targeted agents. Although several small molecules and monoclonal antibodies targeting the TAM family are being developed and have been described to enhance the chemosensitivity and converse the resistance of EGFR-TKI, few have specifically been developed as MERTK inhibitors. The further development and investigation of biomarkers which can accurately predict MERTK activity and the response to MERTK inhibitors and MERTK-specific drugs are vitally important for obtaining appropriate patient stratification and increased benefits in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Ju Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Yu-Peng Liu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-7-3121101
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Huelse JM, Fridlyand DM, Earp S, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. MERTK in cancer therapy: Targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase in tumor cells and the immune system. Pharmacol Ther 2020. [PMID: 32417270 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107577107577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase MERTK is aberrantly expressed in numerous human malignancies, and is a novel target in cancer therapeutics. Physiologic roles of MERTK include regulation of tissue homeostasis and repair, innate immune control, and platelet aggregation. However, aberrant expression in a wide range of liquid and solid malignancies promotes neoplasia via growth factor independence, cell cycle progression, proliferation and tumor growth, resistance to apoptosis, and promotion of tumor metastases. Additionally, MERTK signaling contributes to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment via induction of an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile and regulation of the PD-1 axis, as well as regulation of macrophage, myeloid-derived suppressor cell, natural killer cell and T cell functions. Various MERTK-directed therapies are in preclinical development, and clinical trials are underway. In this review we discuss MERTK inhibition as an emerging strategy for cancer therapy, focusing on MERTK expression and function in neoplasia and its role in mediating resistance to cytotoxic and targeted therapies as well as in suppressing anti-tumor immunity. Additionally, we review preclinical and clinical pharmacological strategies to target MERTK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justus M Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Diana M Fridlyand
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shelton Earp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Targeting the JAK/STAT pathway in solid tumors. JOURNAL OF CANCER METASTASIS AND TREATMENT 2020; 6:27. [PMID: 33521321 PMCID: PMC7845926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins is associated with the development and progression of solid tumors. However, as transcription factors, these proteins are difficult to target directly. In this review, we summarize the role of targeting Janus kinases (JAKs), upstream activators of STATs, as a strategy for decreasing STAT activation in solid tumors. Preclinical studies in solid tumor cell line models show that JAK inhibitors decrease STAT activation, cell proliferation, and cell survival; in in vivo models, they also inhibit tumor growth. JAK inhibitors, particularly the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib, sensitize cell lines and murine models to chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and oncolytic viral therapy. Ten JAK inhibitors have been or are actively being tested in clinical trials as monotherapy or in combination with other agents in patients with solid tumors; two of these inhibitors are already Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for the treatment of myeloproliferative disorders and rheumatoid arthritis, making them attractive agents for use in patients with solid tumors as they are known to be well-tolerated. Four JAK inhibitors (two of which are FDA approved for other indications) have exhibited promising anti-cancer effects in preclinical studies; however, clinical studies specifically assessing their activity against the JAK/STAT pathway in solid tumors have not yet been conducted. In summary, JAK inhibition is a viable option for targeting the JAK/STAT pathway in solid tumors and merits further testing in clinical trials.
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