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Hu C, Song J, Kwok T, Nguyen EV, Shen X, Daly RJ. Proteome-based molecular subtyping and therapeutic target prediction in gastric cancer. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:1437-1459. [PMID: 38627210 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13654] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Different molecular classifications for gastric cancer (GC) have been proposed based on multi-omics platforms with the long-term goal of improved precision treatment. However, the GC (phospho)proteome remains incompletely characterized, particularly at the level of tyrosine phosphorylation. In addition, previous multiomics-based stratification of patient cohorts has lacked identification of corresponding cell line models and comprehensive validation of broad or subgroup-selective therapeutic targets. To address these knowledge gaps, we applied a reverse approach, undertaking the most comprehensive (phospho)proteomic analysis of GC cell lines to date and cross-validating this using publicly available data. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based (phospho)proteomic and tyrosine phosphorylation datasets were subjected to individual or integrated clustering to identify subgroups that were subsequently characterized in terms of enriched molecular processes and pathways. Significant congruence was detected between cell line proteomic and specific patient-derived transcriptomic subclassifications. Many protein kinases exhibiting 'outlier' expression or phosphorylation in the cell line dataset exhibited genomic aberrations in patient samples and association with poor prognosis, with casein kinase I isoform delta/epsilon (CSNK1D/E) being experimentally validated as potential therapeutic targets. Src family kinases were predicted to be commonly hyperactivated in GC cell lines, consistent with broad sensitivity to the next-generation Src inhibitor eCF506. In addition, phosphoproteomic and integrative clustering segregated the cell lines into two subtypes, with epithelial-mesenchyme transition (EMT) and proliferation-associated processes enriched in one, designated the EMT subtype, and metabolic pathways, cell-cell junctions, and the immune response dominating the features of the other, designated the metabolism subtype. Application of kinase activity prediction algorithms and interrogation of gene dependency and drug sensitivity databases predicted that the mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (mTOR) and dual specificity mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 2 (MAP2K2) represented potential therapeutic targets for the EMT and metabolism subtypes, respectively, and this was confirmed using selective inhibitors. Overall, our study provides novel, in-depth insights into GC proteomics, kinomics, and molecular taxonomy and reveals potential therapeutic targets that could provide the basis for precision treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changyuan Hu
- Cancer Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Wenzhou Medical University-Monash BDI Alliance in Clinical and Experimental Biomedicine, Wenzhou Medical University, China
| | - Jiangning Song
- Cancer Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Terry Kwok
- Cancer Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Elizabeth V Nguyen
- Cancer Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Xian Shen
- Wenzhou Medical University-Monash BDI Alliance in Clinical and Experimental Biomedicine, Wenzhou Medical University, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, China
| | - Roger J Daly
- Cancer Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
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2
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Huerta M, Martín-Arana J, Gimeno-Valiente F, Carbonell-Asins JA, García-Micó B, Martínez-Castedo B, Robledo-Yagüe F, Camblor DG, Fleitas T, García Bartolomé M, Alfaro-Cervelló C, Garcés-Albir M, Dorcaratto D, Muñoz-Forner E, Seguí V, Mora-Oliver I, Gambardella V, Roselló S, Sabater L, Roda D, Cervantes A, Tarazona N. ctDNA whole exome sequencing in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma unveils organ-dependent metastatic mechanisms and identifies actionable alterations in fast progressing patients. Transl Res 2024; 271:105-115. [PMID: 38782356 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2024.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Understanding progression mechanisms and developing new targeted therapies is imperative in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In this study, 80 metastatic PDAC patients were prospectively recruited and divided into discovery (n=37) and validation (n=43) cohorts. Tumor and plasma samples taken at diagnosis were pair analyzed using whole exome sequencing (WES) in patients belonging to the discovery cohort alone. The variant allele frequency (VAF) of KRAS mutations was measured by ddPCR in plasma at baseline and response assessment in all patients. Plasma WES identified at least one pathogenic variant across the cohort, uncovering oncogenic mechanisms, DNA repair, microsatellite instability, and alterations in the TGFb pathway. Interestingly, actionable mutations were mostly found in plasma rather than tissue. Patients with shorter survival showed enrichment in cellular organization regulatory pathways. Through WES we could identify a specific molecular profile of patients with liver metastasis, which exhibited exclusive mutations in genes related to the adaptive immune response pathway, highlighting the importance of the immune system in liver metastasis development. Moreover, KRAS mutations in plasma (both at diagnosis and persistent at follow-up) correlated with shorter progression free survival (PFS). Patients presenting a reduction of over 84.75 % in KRAS VAF at response assessment had similar PFS to KRAS-negative patients. Overall, plasma WES reveals molecular profiles indicative of rapid progression, potentially actionable targets, and associations between adaptive immune response pathway alterations and liver tropism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisol Huerta
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Martín-Arana
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Gimeno-Valiente
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Blanca García-Micó
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Martínez-Castedo
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fabián Robledo-Yagüe
- Bioinformatics Unit, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Spain
| | - Daniel G Camblor
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Tania Fleitas
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel García Bartolomé
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Clara Alfaro-Cervelló
- Department of Pathology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marina Garcés-Albir
- Liver, Biliary and Pancreatic Unit, Department of General Surgery, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Dimitri Dorcaratto
- Liver, Biliary and Pancreatic Unit, Department of General Surgery, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Elena Muñoz-Forner
- Liver, Biliary and Pancreatic Unit, Department of General Surgery, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Víctor Seguí
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Isabel Mora-Oliver
- Liver, Biliary and Pancreatic Unit, Department of General Surgery, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Valentina Gambardella
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Roselló
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Sabater
- Liver, Biliary and Pancreatic Unit, Department of General Surgery, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Desamparados Roda
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrés Cervantes
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Noelia Tarazona
- Department of Medical Oncology, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; CIBERONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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Karolak A, Urbaniak K, Monastyrskyi A, Duckett DR, Branciamore S, Stewart PA. Structure-independent machine-learning predictions of the CDK12 interactome. Biophys J 2024:S0006-3495(24)00344-8. [PMID: 38762754 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) is a critical regulatory protein involved in transcription and DNA repair processes. Dysregulation of CDK12 has been implicated in various diseases, including cancer. Understanding the CDK12 interactome is pivotal for elucidating its functional roles and potential therapeutic targets. Traditional methods for interactome prediction often rely on protein structure information, limiting applicability to CDK12 characterized by partly disordered terminal C region. In this study, we present a structure-independent machine-learning model that utilizes proteins' sequence and functional data to predict the CDK12 interactome. This approach is motivated by the disordered character of the CDK12 C-terminal region mitigating a structure-driven search for binding partners. Our approach incorporates multiple data sources, including protein-protein interaction networks, functional annotations, and sequence-based features, to construct a comprehensive CDK12 interactome prediction model. The ability to predict CDK12 interactions without relying on structural information is a significant advancement, as many potential interaction partners may lack crystallographic data. In conclusion, our structure-independent machine-learning model presents a powerful tool for predicting the CDK12 interactome and holds promise in advancing our understanding of CDK12 biology, identifying potential therapeutic targets, and facilitating precision-medicine approaches for CDK12-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Konstancja Urbaniak
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, City of Hope, Duarte, California
| | | | - Derek R Duckett
- Department of Drug Discovery, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Sergio Branciamore
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, City of Hope, Duarte, California
| | - Paul A Stewart
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
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4
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Yamamoto H, Arai H, Oikawa R, Umemoto K, Takeda H, Mizukami T, Kubota Y, Doi A, Horie Y, Ogura T, Izawa N, Moore JA, Sokol ES, Sunakawa Y. The Molecular Landscape of Gastric Cancers for Novel Targeted Therapies from Real-World Genomic Profiling. Target Oncol 2024; 19:459-471. [PMID: 38613733 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-024-01052-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Panel-based comprehensive genomic profiling is used in clinical practice worldwide; however, large real-world datasets of patients with advanced gastric cancer are not well known. OBJECTIVE We investigated what differences exist in clinically relevant alterations for molecularly defined or age-stratified subgroups. METHODS This was a collaborative biomarker study of a real-world dataset from comprehensive genomic profiling testing (Foundation Medicine, Inc.). Hybrid capture was carried out on at least 324 cancer-related genes and select introns from 31 genes frequently rearranged in cancer. Overall, 4634 patients were available for analyses and were stratified by age (≥ 40/< 40 years), microsatellite instability status, tumor mutational burden status (high 10 ≥ /low < 10 Muts/Mb), Epstein-Barr virus status, and select gene alterations. We analyzed the frequency of alterations with a chi-square test with Yate's correction. RESULTS Genes with frequent alterations included TP53 (60.1%), ARID1A (19.6%), CDKN2A (18.2%), KRAS (16.6%), and CDH1 (15.8%). Differences in comprehensive genomic profiling were observed according to molecularly defined or age-stratified subgroups. Druggable genomic alterations were detected in 31.4% of patients; ATM (4.4%), BRAF V600E (0.4%), BRCA1 (1.5%), BRCA2 (2.9%), ERBB2 amplification (9.2%), IDH1 (0.2%), KRAS G12C (0.7%), microsatellite instability-high (4.8%), NTRK1/2/3 fusion (0.13%), PIK3CA mutation (11.4%), and tumor mutational burden-high (9.4%). CDH1 alterations and MET amplification were significantly more frequent in patients aged < 40 years (27.7 and 6.2%) than in those aged ≥ 40 years (14.7 and 4.0%). CONCLUSIONS Real-world datasets from clinical panel testing revealed the genomic landscape in gastric cancer by subgroup. These findings provide insights for the current therapeutic strategies and future development of treatments in gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Yamamoto
- Department of Bioinformatics, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 216-8511, Japan.
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
| | - Hiroyuki Arai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Ritsuko Oikawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Kumiko Umemoto
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Takeda
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Takuro Mizukami
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Yohei Kubota
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Ayako Doi
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Horie
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Takashi Ogura
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Naoki Izawa
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Jay A Moore
- Cancer Genomics Research, Foundation Medicine, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ethan S Sokol
- Cancer Genomics Research, Foundation Medicine, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yu Sunakawa
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
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5
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Khan MM, Yalamarty SSK, Rajmalani BA, Filipczak N, Torchilin VP. Recent strategies to overcome breast cancer resistance. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 197:104351. [PMID: 38615873 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104351] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is potentially a lethal disease and a leading cause of death in women. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most frequently used treatment options. Drug resistance in advanced breast cancer limits the therapeutic output of treatment. The leading cause of resistance in breast cancer is endocrine and hormonal imbalance, particularly in triple negative and HER2 positive breast cancers. The efflux of drugs due to p-gp's activity is another leading cause of resistance. Breast cancer resistant protein also contributes significantly. Strategies used to combat resistance include the use of nanoparticles to target drug delivery by co-delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs and genes (siRNA and miRNA) that help to down-regulate genes causing resistance. The siRNA is specific and effectively silences p-gp and other proteins causing resistance. The use of chemosensitizers is also effective in overcoming resistance. Chemo-sensitizers sensitize cancer cells to the effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. Novel anti-neoplastic agents such as antibody-drug conjugates and mesenchymal stem cells are also effective tools used to improve the therapeutic response in breast cancer. Similarly, combination of photo/thermal ablation with chemotherapy can act to overcome breast cancer resistance. In this review, we focus on the mechanism of breast cancer resistance and the nanoparticle-based strategies used to combat resistance in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Muzamil Khan
- Center of Nanomedicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Bharat Ashok Rajmalani
- Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nina Filipczak
- Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Vladimir P Torchilin
- Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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6
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Yalala S, Gondane A, Poulose N, Liang J, Mills IG, Itkonen HM. CDK9 inhibition activates innate immune response through viral mimicry. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23628. [PMID: 38661032 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202302375r] [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: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Cancer cells frequently exhibit hyperactivation of transcription, which can lead to increased sensitivity to compounds targeting the transcriptional kinases, in particular CDK9. However, mechanistic details of CDK9 inhibition-induced cancer cell-selective anti-proliferative effects remain largely unknown. Here, we discover that CDK9 inhibition activates the innate immune response through viral mimicry in cancer cells. In MYC over-expressing prostate cancer cells, CDK9 inhibition leads to the gross accumulation of mis-spliced RNA. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-activated kinase can recognize these mis-spliced RNAs, and we show that the activity of this kinase is required for the CDK9 inhibitor-induced anti-proliferative effects. Using time-resolved transcriptional profiling (SLAM-seq), targeted proteomics, and ChIP-seq, we show that, similar to viral infection, CDK9 inhibition significantly suppresses transcription of most genes but allows selective transcription and translation of cytokines related to the innate immune response. In particular, CDK9 inhibition activates NFκB-driven cytokine signaling at the transcriptional and secretome levels. The transcriptional signature induced by CDK9 inhibition identifies prostate cancers with a high level of genome instability. We propose that it is possible to induce similar effects in patients using CDK9 inhibition, which, we show, causes DNA damage in vitro. In the future, it is important to establish whether CDK9 inhibitors can potentiate the effects of immunotherapy against late-stage prostate cancer, a currently lethal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Yalala
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Aishwarya Gondane
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ninu Poulose
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Jing Liang
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ian G Mills
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Harri M Itkonen
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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7
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Shao W, Yao Y, Yang L, Li X, Ge T, Zheng Y, Zhu Q, Ge S, Gu X, Jia R, Song X, Zhuang A. Novel insights into TCR-T cell therapy in solid neoplasms: optimizing adoptive immunotherapy. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:37. [PMID: 38570883 PMCID: PMC10988985 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00504-8] [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: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy in the T cell landscape exhibits efficacy in cancer treatment. Over the past few decades, genetically modified T cells, particularly chimeric antigen receptor T cells, have enabled remarkable strides in the treatment of hematological malignancies. Besides, extensive exploration of multiple antigens for the treatment of solid tumors has led to clinical interest in the potential of T cells expressing the engineered T cell receptor (TCR). TCR-T cells possess the capacity to recognize intracellular antigen families and maintain the intrinsic properties of TCRs in terms of affinity to target epitopes and signal transduction. Recent research has provided critical insight into their capability and therapeutic targets for multiple refractory solid tumors, but also exposes some challenges for durable efficacy. In this review, we describe the screening and identification of available tumor antigens, and the acquisition and optimization of TCRs for TCR-T cell therapy. Furthermore, we summarize the complete flow from laboratory to clinical applications of TCR-T cells. Last, we emerge future prospects for improving therapeutic efficacy in cancer world with combination therapies or TCR-T derived products. In conclusion, this review depicts our current understanding of TCR-T cell therapy in solid neoplasms, and provides new perspectives for expanding its clinical applications and improving therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihuan Shao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiran Yao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Ludi Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoran Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Tongxin Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuyi Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang Gu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Renbing Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xin Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ai Zhuang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhi Zao Ju Road, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.
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8
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Jiang W, Jaehnig EJ, Liao Y, Yaron-Barir TM, Johnson JL, Cantley LC, Zhang B. Illuminating the Dark Cancer Phosphoproteome Through a Machine-Learned Co-Regulation Map of 26,280 Phosphosites. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.19.585786. [PMID: 38562798 PMCID: PMC10983930 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.19.585786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteomics offers a comprehensive view of protein phosphorylation, but limited knowledge about the regulation and function of most phosphosites restricts our ability to extract meaningful biological insights from phosphoproteomics data. To address this, we combine machine learning and phosphoproteomic data from 1,195 tumor specimens spanning 11 cancer types to construct CoPheeMap, a network mapping the co-regulation of 26,280 phosphosites. Integrating network features from CoPheeMap into a machine learning model, CoPheeKSA, we achieve superior performance in predicting kinase-substrate associations. CoPheeKSA reveals 24,015 associations between 9,399 phosphosites and 104 serine/threonine kinases, including many unannotated phosphosites and under-studied kinases. We validate the accuracy of these predictions using experimentally determined kinase-substrate specificities. By applying CoPheeMap and CoPheeKSA to phosphosites with high computationally predicted functional significance and cancer-associated phosphosites, we demonstrate the effectiveness of these tools in systematically illuminating phosphosites of interest, revealing dysregulated signaling processes in human cancer, and identifying under-studied kinases as putative therapeutic targets.
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9
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Lu KQ, Li ZL, Zhang Q, Yin Q, Zhang YL, Ni WJ, Jiang LZ, He W, Wang B. CDK12 is a potential biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis and immunomodulation in pan-cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6574. [PMID: 38503865 PMCID: PMC10951204 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56831-7] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell cycle-dependent protein kinase 12 (CDK12) plays a key role in a variety of carcinogenesis processes and represents a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment. However, to date, there have been no systematic studies addressing its diagnostic, prognostic and immunological value across cancers. Here, we found that CDK12 was significantly upregulated in various types of cancers, and it expression increased with progression in ten cancer types, including breast cancer, cholangiocarcinoma and colon adenocarcinoma. Moreover, the ROC curves indicated that CDK12 showed diagnostic value in eight cancer types. High CDK12 expression was associated with poor prognosis in eight types of cancer, including low-grade glioma, mesothelioma, melanoma and pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, we conducted immunoassays to explore the exact mechanisms underlying CDK12-induced carcinogenesis, which revealed that increased expression of CDK12 allowed tumours to evade immune surveillance and upregulate immune checkpoint genes. Additionally, mutational studies have shown that amplification and missense mutations are the predominant mutational events affecting CDK12 across cancers. These findings establish CDK12 as a significant biological indicator of cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and immunotherapeutic targeting. Early surveillance and employment of CDK12 inhibitors, along with concomitant immunotherapy interventions, may enhance the clinical outcomes of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Qi Lu
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zuo-Lin Li
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Qing Yin
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi-Lin Zhang
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei-Jie Ni
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - LiangYun-Zi Jiang
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jiangsu Province Geriatric Institute, and Jiangsu Province Official Hospital, Geriatric Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Bin Wang
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
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10
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Al-Danakh A, Safi M, Jian Y, Yang L, Zhu X, Chen Q, Yang K, Wang S, Zhang J, Yang D. Aging-related biomarker discovery in the era of immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer patients. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1348189. [PMID: 38590525 PMCID: PMC11000233 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1348189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Older patients with cancer, particularly those over 75 years of age, often experience poorer clinical outcomes compared to younger patients. This can be attributed to age-related comorbidities, weakened immune function, and reduced tolerance to treatment-related adverse effects. In the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) era, age has emerged as an influential factor impacting the discovery of predictive biomarkers for ICI treatment. These age-linked changes in the immune system can influence the composition and functionality of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) that play a crucial role in the cancer response. Older patients may have lower levels of TIICs infiltration due to age-related immune senescence particularly T cell function, which can limit the effectivity of cancer immunotherapies. Furthermore, age-related immune dysregulation increases the exhaustion of immune cells, characterized by the dysregulation of ICI-related biomarkers and a dampened response to ICI. Our review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to the impact of age on ICI-related biomarkers and ICI response. Understanding these mechanisms will facilitate the development of treatment approaches tailored to elderly individuals with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Al-Danakh
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Mohammed Safi
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yuli Jian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Glycobiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Linlin Yang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Xinqing Zhu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Qiwei Chen
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Kangkang Yang
- Institute for Genome Engineered Animal Models of Human Diseases, National Center of Genetically Engineered Animal Models for International Research, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Shujing Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Glycobiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jianjun Zhang
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Deyong Yang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
- Department of Surgery, Healinghands Clinic, Dalian, Liaoning, China
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11
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Sobsey CA, Mady N, Richard VR, LeBlanc A, Zakharov T, Borchers CH, Jagoe RT. Measurement of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 activity by a simplified Geneva cocktail approach in a cohort of free-living individuals: a pilot study. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1232595. [PMID: 38370474 PMCID: PMC10869543 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1232595] [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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The cytochrome P450 enzyme subfamilies, including CYP3A4 and CYP1A2, have a major role in metabolism of a range of drugs including several anti-cancer treatments. Many factors including environmental exposures, diet, diseaserelated systemic inflammation and certain genetic polymorphisms can impact the activity level of these enzymes. As a result, the net activity of each enzyme subfamily can vary widely between individuals and in the same individual over time. This variability has potential major implications for treatment efficacy and risk of drug toxicity, but currently no assays are available for routine use to guide clinical decision-making. Methods: To address this, a mass spectrometry-based method to measure activities of CYP3A4, CYP1A2 was adapted and tested in free-living participants. The assay results were compared with the predicted activity of each enzyme, based on a self-report tool capturing diet, medication, chronic disease state, and tobacco usage. In addition, a feasibility test was performed using a low-volume dried blood spots (DBS) on two different filter-paper supports, to determine if the same assay could be deployed without the need for repeated standard blood tests. Results: The results confirmed the methodology is safe and feasible to perform in free-living participants using midazolam and caffeine as test substrates for CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 respectively. Furthermore, though similar methods were previously shown to be compatible with the DBS format, the assay can also be performed successfully while incorporating glucuronidase treatment into the DBS approach. The measured CYP3A4 activity score varied 2.6-fold across participants and correlated with predicted activity score obtained with the self-report tool. The measured CYP1A2 activity varied 3.5-fold between participants but no correlation with predicted activity from the self-report tool was found. Discussion: The results confirm the wide variation in CYP activity between individuals and the important role of diet and other exposures in determining CYP3A4 activity. This methodology shows great potential and future cross-sectional and longitudinal studies using DBS are warranted to determine how best to use the assay results to guide drug treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constance A. Sobsey
- Segal Cancer Proteomics Centre, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Noor Mady
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Peter Brojde Lung Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Vincent R. Richard
- Segal Cancer Proteomics Centre, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Andre LeBlanc
- Segal Cancer Proteomics Centre, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Thomas Zakharov
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Peter Brojde Lung Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Christoph H. Borchers
- Segal Cancer Proteomics Centre, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - R. Thomas Jagoe
- Peter Brojde Lung Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
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12
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Kuchukulla RR, Hwang I, Kim SH, Kye Y, Park N, Cha H, Moon S, Chung HW, Lee C, Kong G, Hur W. Identification of a novel potent CDK inhibitor degrading cyclinK with a superb activity to reverse trastuzumab-resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer in vivo. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 264:116014. [PMID: 38061230 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116014] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
CDK12 is overexpressed in HER2-positive breast cancers and promotes tumorigenesis and trastuzumab resistance. Thus CDK12 is a good therapeutic target for the HER2-positive breast tumors resistant to trastuzumab. We previously reported a novel purine-based CDK inhibitor with an ability to degrade cyclinK. Herein, we further explored and synthesized new derivatives, and identified a new potent pan-CDK inhibitor degrading cyclinK (32e). Compound 32e potently inhibited CDK12/cyclinK with IC50 = 3 nM, and suppressed the growth of the both trastuzumab-sensitive and trastuzumab-resistant HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines (GI50's = 9-21 nM), which is superior to a potent, clinical pan-CDK inhibitor dinaciclib. Moreover, 32e (10, 20 mg/kg, ip, twice a week) showed a dose-dependent inhibition of tumor growth and a more dramatic anti-cancer effect than dinaciclib in mouse in vivo orthotopic breast cancer model of trastuzumab-resistant HCC1954 cells. Kinome-wide inhibition profiling revealed that 32e at 1 μM exhibits a decent selectivity toward CDK-family kinases including CDK12 over other wildtype protein kinases. Quantitative global proteomic analysis of 32e-treated HCC1954 cells demonstrated that 32e also showed a decent selectivity in degrading cyclinK over other cyclins. Compound 32e could be developed as a drug for intractable trastuzumab-resistant HER2-positive breast cancers. Our current study would provide a useful insight in designing potent cyclinK degraders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratnakar Reddy Kuchukulla
- HY-KIST Bioconvergence, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimniro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Injeoung Hwang
- HY-KIST Bioconvergence, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimniro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea; Medicinal Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), 5 Hwarangro 14 gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Suhn Hyung Kim
- Medicinal Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), 5 Hwarangro 14 gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Younghyeon Kye
- HY-KIST Bioconvergence, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimniro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Narae Park
- Chemical & Biological Integrative Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), 5 Hwarangro 14 gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea; KHU-KIST Department of Converging Science and Technology, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedaero, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Heary Cha
- HY-KIST Bioconvergence, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimniro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Sojeong Moon
- HY-KIST Bioconvergence, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimniro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwan Won Chung
- Computational Science Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), 5 Hwarangro 14 gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Cheolju Lee
- Chemical & Biological Integrative Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), 5 Hwarangro 14 gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Gu Kong
- HY-KIST Bioconvergence, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimniro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea; Medicinal Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), 5 Hwarangro 14 gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea; Department of Pathology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimniro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea.
| | - Wooyoung Hur
- HY-KIST Bioconvergence, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimniro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea; Medicinal Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), 5 Hwarangro 14 gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea.
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13
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Kozicka Z, Suchyta DJ, Focht V, Kempf G, Petzold G, Jentzsch M, Zou C, Di Genua C, Donovan KA, Coomar S, Cigler M, Mayor-Ruiz C, Schmid-Burgk JL, Häussinger D, Winter GE, Fischer ES, Słabicki M, Gillingham D, Ebert BL, Thomä NH. Design principles for cyclin K molecular glue degraders. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:93-102. [PMID: 37679459 PMCID: PMC10746543 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-023-01409-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Molecular glue degraders are an effective therapeutic modality, but their design principles are not well understood. Recently, several unexpectedly diverse compounds were reported to deplete cyclin K by linking CDK12-cyclin K to the DDB1-CUL4-RBX1 E3 ligase. Here, to investigate how chemically dissimilar small molecules trigger cyclin K degradation, we evaluated 91 candidate degraders in structural, biophysical and cellular studies and reveal all compounds acquire glue activity via simultaneous CDK12 binding and engagement of DDB1 interfacial residues, in particular Arg928. While we identify multiple published kinase inhibitors as cryptic degraders, we also show that these glues do not require pronounced inhibitory properties for activity and that the relative degree of CDK12 inhibition versus cyclin K degradation is tuneable. We further demonstrate cyclin K degraders have transcriptional signatures distinct from CDK12 inhibitors, thereby offering unique therapeutic opportunities. The systematic structure-activity relationship analysis presented herein provides a conceptual framework for rational molecular glue design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna Kozicka
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Biology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dakota J Suchyta
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Vivian Focht
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Georg Kempf
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Georg Petzold
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
- Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marius Jentzsch
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Charles Zou
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Cristina Di Genua
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- VantAI, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katherine A Donovan
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Seemon Coomar
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marko Cigler
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Cristina Mayor-Ruiz
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- IRB Barcelona-Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jonathan L Schmid-Burgk
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Georg E Winter
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mikołaj Słabicki
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Benjamin L Ebert
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicolas H Thomä
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.
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14
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Larsen TV, Maansson CT, Daugaard TF, Andresen BS, Sorensen BS, Nielsen AL. Trans-Regulation of Alternative PD-L1 mRNA Processing by CDK12 in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells. Cells 2023; 12:2844. [PMID: 38132164 PMCID: PMC10741404 DOI: 10.3390/cells12242844] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy using checkpoint inhibitors targeting the interaction between PD-1 on T cells and PD-L1 on cancer cells has shown significant results in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Not all patients respond to the therapy, and PD-L1 expression heterogeneity is proposed to be one determinant for this. The alternative processing of PD-L1 RNA, which depends on an alternative poly-A site in intron 4, generates a shorter mRNA variant (PD-L1v4) encoding soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1), relative to the canonical PD-L1v1 mRNA encoding membrane-associated PD-L1 (mPD-L1). This study aimed to identify factors influencing the ratio between these two PD-L1 mRNAs in NSCLC cells. First, we verified the existence of the alternative PD-L1 RNA processing in NSCLC cells, and from in silico analyses, we identified a candidate list of regulatory factors. Examining selected candidates showed that CRISPR/Cas9-generated loss-of-function mutations in CDK12 increased the PD-L1v4/PD-L1v1 mRNA ratio and, accordingly, the sPD-L1/mPD-L1 balance. The CDK12/13 inhibitor THZ531 could also increase the PD-L1v4/PD-L1v1 mRNA ratio and impact the PD-L1 transcriptional response to IFN-γ stimulation. The fact that CDK12 regulates PD-L1 transcript variant formation in NSCLC cells is consistent with CDK12's role in promoting transcriptional elongation over intron-located poly-A sites. This study lays the groundwork for clinical investigations to delineate the implications of the CDK12-mediated balancing of sPD-L1 relative to mPD-L1 for immunotherapeutic responses in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trine V. Larsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (T.V.L.); (C.T.M.); (T.F.D.)
| | - Christoffer T. Maansson
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (T.V.L.); (C.T.M.); (T.F.D.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark;
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Tina F. Daugaard
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (T.V.L.); (C.T.M.); (T.F.D.)
| | - Brage S. Andresen
- Department of Biology and Molecular Biology, Southern University of Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark;
| | - Boe S. Sorensen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark;
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anders L. Nielsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (T.V.L.); (C.T.M.); (T.F.D.)
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15
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Sarott R, Gourisankar S, Karim B, Nettles S, Yang H, Dwyer BG, Simanauskaite JM, Tse J, Abuzaid H, Krokhotin A, Zhang T, Hinshaw SM, Green MR, Crabtree GR, Gray NS. Borrowing Transcriptional Kinases to Activate Apoptosis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.23.563687. [PMID: 37961702 PMCID: PMC10634765 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.23.563687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Protein kinases are disease drivers whose therapeutic targeting traditionally centers on inhibition of enzymatic activity. Here chemically induced proximity is leveraged to convert kinase inhibitors into context-specific activators of therapeutic genes. Bivalent molecules that link ligands of the transcription factor B-cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6) to ATP-competitive inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) were developed to re-localize CDK to BCL6-bound loci on chromatin and direct phosphorylation of RNA Pol II. The resulting BCL6-target proapoptotic gene expression translated into killing of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cells at 72 h with EC50s of 0.9 - 10 nM and highly specific ablation of the BCL6-regulated germinal center response in mice. The molecules exhibited 10,000-fold lower cytotoxicity in normal lymphocytes and are well tolerated in mice. Genomic and proteomic evidence corroborated a gain-of-function mechanism where, instead of global enzyme inhibition, a fraction of total kinase activity is borrowed and re-localized to BCL6-bound loci. The strategy demonstrates how kinase inhibitors can be used to context-specifically activate transcription, accessing new therapeutic space.
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16
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Liu X, Liu Y, Chai W, Yan M, Li H, Li J, Sun L, Cao Y, Liu Q, Sun Y, Pan H. CDK12 loss inhibits cell proliferation by regulating TBK1 in non-small cell lung cancer cells. Mol Cell Probes 2023; 71:101923. [PMID: 37517598 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2023.101923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors and has a poor prognosis and a low survival rate. Traditional treatments, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, still face some challenges because of high drug resistance and toxicity. Therefore, it is necessary to discover a new kind of targeted drug with low toxicity and high efficiency. CDK12 is a cell cycle-dependent kinase whose main function is to activate RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) and promote the transcriptional extension of RNA. However, the role and molecular mechanism of CDK12 in lung cancer are still unclear. In this study, the mutation and RNA-Seq data of CDK12 in lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and analyzed with the custom scripts. Cell proliferation was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and cell colony formation assays. A subcutaneous tumor experiment in nude mice was used to examine the effects of CDK12 knockdown on the in vivo tumor growth of NSCLC cells. The cell cycle distribution and the apoptosis rate of lung cancer cells were assessed by flow cytometry. Regulation of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) by CDK12 was evaluated by quantitative PCR, immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis. In this study we have analyzed the mutation and expression data of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and found that CDK12 is highly expressed in lung cancer tissues. Clinical correlation analysis showed that high expression of CDK12 in NSCLC reduces patient survival, but its high expression is only related to early tumor progression and has no significant correlation with late tumor progression and metastasis. Furthermore, we present evidence that CDK12 depletion in lung cancer cell lines not only leads to the inhibition of cell growth and induces apoptosis but also inhibits tumor growth of NSCLC cells in vivo. CDK12 positively regulates the expression of the oncogene TBK1 in lung cancer cells. These results revealed that CDK12 affects the progression of non-small cell lung cancer through positive regulation of TBK1 expression, suggesting that CDK12 might be a potential molecular target for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Liu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 688, Hongqu Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yangdong Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tai'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, No.58 Dongyue Street, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, 271000, China
| | - Wenjun Chai
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 688, Hongqu Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Mingxia Yan
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 688, Hongqu Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hui Li
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 688, Hongqu Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jing Li
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 688, Hongqu Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lei Sun
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 688, Hongqu Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yue Cao
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 688, Hongqu Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, No.1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Yuexi Sun
- Department of Emergency, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, No.389 Xincun Road, Shanghai, 200065, China.
| | - Hongyu Pan
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 688, Hongqu Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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17
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Ang HX, Sutiman N, Deng XL, Liu A, Cerda-Smith CG, Hutchinson HM, Kim H, Bartelt LC, Chen Q, Barrera A, Lin J, Sheng Z, McDowell IC, Reddy TE, Nicchitta CV, Wood KC. Cooperative regulation of coupled oncoprotein synthesis and stability in triple-negative breast cancer by EGFR and CDK12/13. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2221448120. [PMID: 37695916 PMCID: PMC10515179 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2221448120] [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: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence has long suggested that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) may play a prominent role in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) pathogenesis, but clinical trials of EGFR inhibitors have yielded disappointing results. Using a candidate drug screen, we identified that inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases 12 and 13 (CDK12/13) dramatically sensitizes diverse models of TNBC to EGFR blockade. This combination therapy drives cell death through the 4E-BP1-dependent suppression of the translation and translation-linked turnover of driver oncoproteins, including MYC. A genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screen identified the CCR4-NOT complex as a major determinant of sensitivity to the combination therapy whose loss renders 4E-BP1 unresponsive to drug-induced dephosphorylation, thereby rescuing MYC translational suppression and promoting MYC stability. The central roles of CCR4-NOT and 4E-BP1 in response to the combination therapy were further underscored by the observation of CNOT1 loss and rescue of 4E-BP1 phosphorylation in TNBC cells that naturally evolved therapy resistance. Thus, pharmacological inhibition of CDK12/13 reveals a long-proposed EGFR dependence in TNBC that functions through the cooperative regulation of translation-coupled oncoprotein stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazel X Ang
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 22710
| | - Natalia Sutiman
- Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Xinyue L Deng
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 22710
| | - Annie Liu
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 22710
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 22710
| | - Christian G Cerda-Smith
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 22710
| | - Haley M Hutchinson
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 22710
| | - Holly Kim
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 22710
| | - Luke C Bartelt
- Duke Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 22710
| | - Alejandro Barrera
- Duke Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27708
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Jiaxing Lin
- Bioinformatics Shared Resources, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705
| | - Zhecheng Sheng
- Bioinformatics Shared Resources, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705
| | - Ian C McDowell
- Duke Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27708
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Timothy E Reddy
- Duke Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27708
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27708
| | | | - Kris C Wood
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 22710
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18
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Pluta AJ, Studniarek C, Murphy S, Norbury CJ. Cyclin-dependent kinases: Masters of the eukaryotic universe. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 15:e1816. [PMID: 37718413 PMCID: PMC10909489 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
A family of structurally related cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs) drives many aspects of eukaryotic cell function. Much of the literature in this area has considered individual members of this family to act primarily either as regulators of the cell cycle, the context in which CDKs were first discovered, or as regulators of transcription. Until recently, CDK7 was the only clear example of a CDK that functions in both processes. However, new data points to several "cell-cycle" CDKs having important roles in transcription and some "transcriptional" CDKs having cell cycle-related targets. For example, novel functions in transcription have been demonstrated for the archetypal cell cycle regulator CDK1. The increasing evidence of the overlap between these two CDK types suggests that they might play a critical role in coordinating the two processes. Here we review the canonical functions of cell-cycle and transcriptional CDKs, and provide an update on how these kinases collaborate to perform important cellular functions. We also provide a brief overview of how dysregulation of CDKs contributes to carcinogenesis, and possible treatment avenues. This article is categorized under: RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA-Protein Complexes RNA Processing > 3' End Processing RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shona Murphy
- Sir William Dunn School of PathologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Chris J. Norbury
- Sir William Dunn School of PathologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
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19
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Kobayashi K, Saito Y, Kage H, Fukuoka O, Yamamura K, Mukai T, Oda K, Yamasoba T. CDK12 alterations and ARID1A mutations are predictors of poor prognosis and therapeutic targets in high-grade salivary gland carcinoma: analysis of the National Genomic Profiling Database. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2023; 53:798-807. [PMID: 37357968 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyad066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the diversity of histopathologic types in salivary gland carcinoma, genomic analysis of large cohorts with next-generation sequencing by histologic type has not been adequately performed. METHODS We analysed data from 93 patients with salivary duct carcinoma and 243 patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma who underwent comprehensive genomic profiling testing in the Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics database, a Japanese national genome profiling database. We visualised gene mutation profiles using the OncoPrinter platform. Fisher's exact test, Kaplan-Meier analysis, log-rank test and Cox regression models were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS In salivary duct carcinoma, a population with CDK12 and ERBB2 co-amplification was detected in 20 of 37 (54.1%) patients with ERBB2 amplification. We identified five loss-of-function variants in genes related to homologous recombination deficiency, such as BRCA2 and CDK12. Cox survival analysis showed that CDK12 and ERBB2 co-amplification is associated with overall survival (hazard ratio, 3.597; P = 0.045). In salivary duct carcinoma, NOTCH1 mutations were the most common, followed by mutations in chromatin modification genes such as KMT2D, BCOR, KDM6A, ARID1A, EP300 and CREBBP. In the multivariate Cox analysis, activating NOTCH1 mutations (hazard ratio, 3.569; P = 0.009) and ARID1A mutations (hazard ratio, 4.029; P = 0.034) were significantly associated with overall survival. CONCLUSION CDK12 and ERBB2 co-amplification is associated with a poor prognosis in salivary duct carcinoma. Chromatin remodelling genes are deeply involved in tumour progression in adenoid cystic carcinoma. One such gene, ARID1A, was an independent prognostic factor. In salivary duct carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma, there might be minor populations with mutations that could be targeted for treatment with the synthetic lethality approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenya Kobayashi
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Saito
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hidenori Kage
- Department of Next-Generation Precision Medicine Development Laboratory, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Osamu Fukuoka
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Yamamura
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Mukai
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsutoshi Oda
- Department of Integrative Genomics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Yamasoba
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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20
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Charles Coombes R, Howell S, Lord SR, Kenny L, Mansi J, Mitri Z, Palmieri C, Chap LI, Richards P, Gradishar W, Sardesai S, Melear J, O'Shaughnessy J, Ward P, Chalasani P, Arkenau T, Baird RD, Jeselsohn R, Ali S, Clack G, Bahl A, McIntosh S, Krebs MG. Dose escalation and expansion cohorts in patients with advanced breast cancer in a Phase I study of the CDK7-inhibitor samuraciclib. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4444. [PMID: 37488191 PMCID: PMC10366102 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40061-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Samuraciclib is a selective oral CDK7-inhibitor. A multi-modular, open-label Phase I study to evaluate safety and tolerability of samuraciclib in patients with advanced malignancies was designed (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03363893). Here we report results from dose escalation and 2 expansion cohorts: Module 1A dose escalation with paired biopsy cohort in advanced solid tumor patients, Module 1B-1 triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) monotherapy expansion, and Module 2A fulvestrant combination in HR+/HER2- breast cancer patients post-CDK4/6-inhibitor. Core study primary endpoints are safety and tolerability, and secondary endpoints are pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD) activity, and anti-tumor activity. Common adverse events are low grade nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Maximum tolerated dose is 360 mg once daily. PK demonstrates dose proportionality (120 mg-480 mg), a half-life of approximately 75 hours, and no fulvestrant interaction. In dose escalation, one partial response (PR) is identified with disease control rate of 53% (19/36) and reduction of phosphorylated RNA polymerase II, a substrate of CDK7, in circulating lymphocytes and tumor tissue. In TNBC expansion, one PR (duration 337 days) and clinical benefit rate at 24 weeks (CBR) of 20.0% (4/20) is achieved. In combination with fulvestrant, 3 patients achieve PR with CBR 36.0% (9/25); in patients without detectable TP53-mutation CBR is 47.4% (9/19). In this study, samuraciclib exhibits tolerable safety and PK is supportive of once-daily oral administration. Clinical activity in TNBC and HR+/HER2-breast cancer post-CDK4/6-inhibitor settings warrants further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sacha Howell
- Division of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Simon R Lord
- Early Phase Clinical Trials Unit, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Laura Kenny
- Imperial College, South Kensington, London, UK
| | - Janine Mansi
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Zahi Mitri
- OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jason Melear
- Baylor University Medical Center, Texas Oncology, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Simak Ali
- Imperial College, South Kensington, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Matthew G Krebs
- Division of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.
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21
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Wang X, Liu R, Li S, Xia W, Guo H, Yao W, Liang X, Lu Y, Zhang H. The roles, molecular interactions, and therapeutic value of CDK16 in human cancers. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 164:114929. [PMID: 37236028 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 16 (CDK16) is an orphan "cyclin-dependent kinase" (CDK) involved in the cell cycle, vesicle trafficking, spindle orientation, skeletal myogenesis, neurite outgrowth, secretory cargo transport, spermatogenesis, glucose transportation, cell apoptosis, cell growth and proliferation, metastasis, and autophagy. Human CDK16 is located on chromosome Xp11.3 and is related to X-linked congenital diseases. CDK16 is commonly expressed in mammalian tissues and may act as an oncoprotein. It is a PCTAIRE kinase in which Cyclin Y or its homologue, Cyclin Y-like 1, regulates activity by binding to the N- and C- terminal regions of CDK16. CDK16 plays a vital role in various cancers, including lung cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, malignant melanoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma. CDK16 is a promising biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. In this review, we summarized and discussed the roles and mechanisms of CDK16 in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wang
- Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ruiqi Liu
- Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Graduate Department, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Shuang Li
- Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenjie Xia
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haiwei Guo
- Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People' s Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, 310014, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weiping Yao
- Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Graduate Department, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaodong Liang
- Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanwei Lu
- Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Haibo Zhang
- Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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22
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Liu S, Wu J, Lu X, Guo C, Zheng Q, Wang Y, Hu Q, Bian S, Luo L, Cheng Q, Liu Z, Dai W. Targeting CDK12 obviates the malignant phenotypes of colorectal cancer through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Exp Cell Res 2023; 428:113613. [PMID: 37100369 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113613] [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: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality and lies third in terms of morbidity due to the limited number of effective druggable targets. Since cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered to be one of the roots of tumorigenesis, outgrowth and metastasis, targeting CSCs may be a promising strategy to reverse the malignant phenotypes of CRC. Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) has been reported to be involved in the self-renewal of CSCs in various cancers, rendering it an attractive potential target against CSCs to consequently limit the malignant phenotypes in CRC. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether CDK12 can be a potential therapeutic target for patients with CRC and clarify its underlying mechanism. We found that CDK12, but not CDK13 is required for CRC survival. CDK12 was found to drive tumor initiation according to the colitis-associated colorectal cancer mouse model. In addition, CDK12 promoted CRC outgrowth and hepatic metastasis in the subcutaneous allograft and liver metastasis mouse models, respectively. In particular, CDK12 was able to induce the self-renewal of CRC CSCs. Mechanistically, the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling mediated by CDK12 was implicated in stemness regulation and malignant phenotype maintenance. These findings indicate that CDK12 is a candidate druggable target in CRC. Therefore, the CDK12 inhibitor SR-4835 warrants clinical trial testing in patients with CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenglan Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Junhong Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Xiaolu Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Caiyao Guo
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Qisheng Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Yu Wang
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Qiao Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Shuigen Bian
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Li Luo
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Qilai Cheng
- School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Zhiping Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China.
| | - Wei Dai
- School of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China.
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23
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Maity TK, Kim EY, Cultraro CM, Venugopalan A, Khare L, Poddutoori R, Marappan S, Syed SD, Telford WG, Samajdar S, Ramachandra M, Guha U. Novel CDK12/13 Inhibitors AU-15506 and AU-16770 Are Potent Anti-Cancer Agents in EGFR Mutant Lung Adenocarcinoma with and without Osimertinib Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082263. [PMID: 37190191 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082263] [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: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Osimertinib is a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor and tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) approved for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma patients harboring EGFR mutations. However, acquired resistance to this targeted therapy is inevitable, leading to disease relapse within a few years. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms of osimertinib resistance and identifying novel targets to overcome such resistance are unmet needs of cancer patients. Here, we investigated the efficacy of two novel CDK12/13 inhibitors, AU-15506 and AU-16770, in osimertinib-resistant EGFR mutant lung adenocarcinoma cells in culture and xenograft models in vivo. We demonstrate that these drugs, either alone or in combination with osimertinib, are potent inhibitors of osimertinib-resistant as well as -sensitive lung adenocarcinoma cells in culture. Interestingly, only the CDK12/13 inhibitor in combination with osimertinib, although not as monotherapy, suppresses the growth of resistant tumors in xenograft models in vivo. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that inhibition of CDK12/13 in combination with osimertinib has the potential to overcome osimertinib resistance in EGFR mutant lung adenocarcinoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tapan K Maity
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, CCR, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Eun Young Kim
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, CCR, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | | | | | - Leena Khare
- Aurigene Discovery Technologies Ltd., Bangalore 560100, India
| | | | | | - Samiulla D Syed
- Aurigene Discovery Technologies Ltd., Bangalore 560100, India
| | - William G Telford
- Experimental Transplantation & Immunotherapy Branch, CCR, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | | | | | - Udayan Guha
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, CCR, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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24
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Song M, Pang L, Zhang M, Qu Y, Laster KV, Dong Z. Cdc2-like kinases: structure, biological function, and therapeutic targets for diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:148. [PMID: 37029108 PMCID: PMC10082069 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01409-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The CLKs (Cdc2-like kinases) belong to the dual-specificity protein kinase family and play crucial roles in regulating transcript splicing via the phosphorylation of SR proteins (SRSF1-12), catalyzing spliceosome molecular machinery, and modulating the activities or expression of non-splicing proteins. The dysregulation of these processes is linked with various diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, inflammatory diseases, viral replication, and cancer. Thus, CLKs have been considered as potential therapeutic targets, and significant efforts have been exerted to discover potent CLKs inhibitors. In particular, clinical trials aiming to assess the activities of the small molecules Lorecivivint on knee Osteoarthritis patients, and Cirtuvivint and Silmitasertib in different advanced tumors have been investigated for therapeutic usage. In this review, we comprehensively documented the structure and biological functions of CLKs in various human diseases and summarized the significance of related inhibitors in therapeutics. Our discussion highlights the most recent CLKs research, paving the way for the clinical treatment of various human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqiu Song
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No.127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450008, China
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Luping Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Academy of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Mengmeng Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
- Academy of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Yingzi Qu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
- Academy of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Kyle Vaughn Laster
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No.127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450008, China
| | - Zigang Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China.
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No.127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450008, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
- Academy of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China.
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25
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Wen T, Wang J, Lu R, Tan S, Li P, Yao X, Liu H, Yi Z, Li L, Liu S, Gao P, Qian H, Xie G, Ma F. Development, validation, and evaluation of a deep learning model to screen cyclin-dependent kinase 12 inhibitors in cancers. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 250:115199. [PMID: 36827953 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115199] [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: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Deep learning-based in silico alternatives have been demonstrated to be of significant importance in the acceleration of the drug discovery process and enhancement of success rates. Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) is a transcription-related cyclin-dependent kinase that may act as a biomarker and therapeutic target for cancers. However, currently, there is no high selective CDK12 inhibitor in clinical development and the identification of new specific CDK12 inhibitors has become increasingly challenging due to their similarity with CDK13. In this study, we developed a virtual screening workflow that combines deep learning with virtual screening tools and can be applied rapidly to millions of molecules. We designed a Transformer architecture Drug-Target Interaction (DTI) model with dual-branched self-supervised pre-trained molecular graph models and protein sequence models. Our predictive model produced satisfactory predictions for various targets, including CDK12, with several novel hits. We screened a large compound library consisting of 4.5 million drug-like molecules and recommended a list of potential CDK12 inhibitors for further experimental testing. In kinase assay, compared to the positive CDK12 inhibitor THZ531, the compounds CICAMPA-01, 02, 03 displayed more effective inhibition of CDK12, up to three times as much as THZ531. The compounds CICAMPA-03, 05, 04, 07 showed less inhibition of CDK13 compare to THZ531. In vitro, the IC50 of CICAMPA-01, 04, 05, 06, 09 was less than 3 μM in the HER2 positive CDK12 amplification breast cancer cell line BT-474. Overall, this study provides a highly efficient and end-to-end deep learning protocol, in conjunction with molecular docking, for discovering CDK12 inhibitors in cancers. Additionally, we disclose five novel CDK12 inhibitors. These results may accelerate the discovery of novel chemical-class drugs for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingyu Wen
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center / National Clinical Research Center for Cancer / Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Ping An Healthcare Technology, Beijing, 100027, China
| | - Ruiqiang Lu
- Ping An Healthcare Technology, Beijing, 100027, China; College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Shuoyan Tan
- Ping An Healthcare Technology, Beijing, 100027, China; College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Pengyong Li
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, 710126, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaojun Yao
- College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, 999078, Macau
| | - Huanxiang Liu
- Faculty of Applied Science, Macao Polytechnic University, 999078, Macau
| | - Zongbi Yi
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center / National Clinical Research Center for Cancer / Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China; Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Lixi Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center / National Clinical Research Center for Cancer / Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Shuning Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center / National Clinical Research Center for Cancer / Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Peng Gao
- Ping An Healthcare Technology, Beijing, 100027, China
| | - Haili Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Guotong Xie
- Ping An Healthcare Technology, Beijing, 100027, China; Ping An Health Cloud Company Limited, Beijing, 100027, China; Ping An International Smart City Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing, 100027, China.
| | - Fei Ma
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center / National Clinical Research Center for Cancer / Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
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26
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Huang J, Tan X, Liu Y, Jiang K, Luo J. Knockdown of UBE2I inhibits tumorigenesis and enhances chemosensitivity of cholangiocarcinoma via modulating p27kip1 nuclear export. Mol Carcinog 2023; 62:700-715. [PMID: 36825757 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23518] [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: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
The asymptomatic nature of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), particularly during its early stages, in combination with its high aggressiveness and chemoresistance, significantly compromises the efficacy of current therapeutic options, contributing to a dismal prognosis. As a tumor suppressor that inhibits the cell cycle, abnormal cytoplasmic p27kip1 localization is related to chemotherapy resistance and often occurs in various cancers, including CCA. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism is unclear. SUMOylation, which is involved in regulating subcellular localization and the cell cycle, is a posttranslational modification that regulates p27kip1 activity. Here, we confirmed that UBE2I, as the only key enzyme for SUMOylation, was highly expressed and p27kip1 was downregulated in CCA tissues, which were associated with poor outcomes in CCA. Moreover, UBE2I silencing inhibited CCA cell proliferation, delayed xenograft tumor growth in vivo, and sensitized CCA cells to the chemotherapeutics, which may be due to cell cycle arrest induced by p27kip1 nuclear accumulation. According to the immunoprecipitation result, we found that UBE2I could bind p27kip1, and the binding amount of p27kip1 and SUMO-1 decreased after UBE2I silencing. Moreover, nuclear retention of p27kip1 was induced by UBE2I knockdown and SUMOylation or CRM1 inhibition, further suggesting that UBE2I could cooperate with CRM1 in the nuclear export of p27kip1. These data indicate that UBE2I-mediated SUMOylation is a novel regulatory mechanism that underlies p27kip1 export and controls CCA tumorigenesis, providing a therapeutic option for CCA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Huang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Xiaolong Tan
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Kainian Jiang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Jian Luo
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
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Zhang K, Yin W, Ma L, Liu Z, Li Q. HSPB8 facilitates prostate cancer progression via activating the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway. Biochem Cell Biol 2023; 101:1-11. [PMID: 36318825 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2022-0205] [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: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PC) is a clinically and biologically heterogeneous disease that lacks effective treatment. Heat shock protein B8 (HSPB8) is an important factor in the progression of various types of cancer. However, the clinical significance and biological role of HSPB8 in PC are still unclear. In this study, we determined HSPB8 expression in PC tissues by immunohistochemical staining and explored the in vitro functions of HSPB8 using HSPB8 knockdown DU145 and LNcap PC cell lines. The in vivo effect of HSPB8 was explored by a subcutaneous xenograft mice model. The human phospho-kinase array and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 activator were utilized to explore the potential mechanism of HSPB8-induced PC progression. As a result, we found that HSPB8 was abundantly expressed in PC tissues and cell lines. HSPB8 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and migration, promoted apoptosis and cycle repression, as well as weakened tumorigenesis ability. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that HSPB8 facilitates the malignant phenotypes of PC by activating the Janus kinase/STAT3 signaling pathway. These results proposed that HSPB8 seems to be an attractive therapeutic target for PC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kan Zhang
- Department of urinary surgery, Ningbo First Hospital, No.59, Liuting Street, Haishu District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315000, China
| | - Weiqi Yin
- Department of urinary surgery, Ningbo First Hospital, No.59, Liuting Street, Haishu District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315000, China
| | - Luping Ma
- Department of urinary surgery, First Affiliated Hospital School of Medicine, Shihezi University, No.107, North 2nd Road, Shihezi, Xinjiang Province 832008, China
| | - Zhili Liu
- Department of urinary surgery, First Affiliated Hospital School of Medicine, Shihezi University, No.107, North 2nd Road, Shihezi, Xinjiang Province 832008, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of urinary surgery, First Affiliated Hospital School of Medicine, Shihezi University, No.107, North 2nd Road, Shihezi, Xinjiang Province 832008, China
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28
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Wang L, Xu L, Wang Z, Hou T, Hao H, Sun H. Cooperation of structural motifs controls drug selectivity in cyclin-dependent kinases: an advanced theoretical analysis. Brief Bioinform 2023; 24:6964518. [PMID: 36578163 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbac544] [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: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding drug selectivity mechanism is a long-standing issue for helping design drugs with high specificity. Designing drugs targeting cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) with high selectivity is challenging because of their highly conserved binding pockets. To reveal the underlying general selectivity mechanism, we carried out comprehensive analyses from both the thermodynamics and kinetics points of view on a representative CDK12 inhibitor. To fully capture the binding features of the drug-target recognition process, we proposed to use kinetic residue energy analysis (KREA) in conjunction with the community network analysis (CNA) to reveal the underlying cooperation effect between individual residues/protein motifs to the binding/dissociating process of the ligand. The general mechanism of drug selectivity in CDKs can be summarized as that the difference of structural cooperation between the ligand and the protein motifs leads to the difference of the energetic contribution of the key residues to the ligand. The proposed mechanisms may be prevalent in drug selectivity issues, and the insights may help design new strategies to overcome/attenuate the drug selectivity associated problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Lei Xu
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou 213001, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | | | - Haiping Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Key Lab of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, 210009 Nanjing, China
| | - Huiyong Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, P. R. China
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29
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Wu W, Yu S, Yu X. Transcription-associated cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) as a potential target for cancer therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188842. [PMID: 36460141 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12), a transcription-related cyclin dependent kinase (CDK), plays a momentous part in multitudinous biological functions, such as replication, transcription initiation to elongation and termination, precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) splicing, intron polyadenylation (IPA), and translation. CDK12 can act as a tumour suppressor or oncogene in disparate cellular environments, and its dysregulation likely provokes tumorigenesis. A comprehensive understanding of CDK12 will tremendously facilitate the exploitation of novel tactics for the treatment and precaution of cancer. Currently, CDK12 inhibitors are nonspecific and nonselective, which profoundly hinders the pharmacological target validation and drug exploitation process. Herein, we summarize the newly comprehension of the biological functions of CDK12 with a focus on recently emerged advancements of CDK12-associated therapeutic approaches in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wence Wu
- Departments of Orthopedics, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shengji Yu
- Departments of Orthopedics, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiying Yu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
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30
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Guo J, Huang X, Dou L, Yan M, Shen T, Tang W, Li J. Aging and aging-related diseases: from molecular mechanisms to interventions and treatments. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:391. [PMID: 36522308 PMCID: PMC9755275 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01251-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 88.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is a gradual and irreversible pathophysiological process. It presents with declines in tissue and cell functions and significant increases in the risks of various aging-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, and immune system diseases. Although the development of modern medicine has promoted human health and greatly extended life expectancy, with the aging of society, a variety of chronic diseases have gradually become the most important causes of disability and death in elderly individuals. Current research on aging focuses on elucidating how various endogenous and exogenous stresses (such as genomic instability, telomere dysfunction, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, compromise of autophagy, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, altered intercellular communication, deregulated nutrient sensing) participate in the regulation of aging. Furthermore, thorough research on the pathogenesis of aging to identify interventions that promote health and longevity (such as caloric restriction, microbiota transplantation, and nutritional intervention) and clinical treatment methods for aging-related diseases (depletion of senescent cells, stem cell therapy, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory treatments, and hormone replacement therapy) could decrease the incidence and development of aging-related diseases and in turn promote healthy aging and longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Guo
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, 100730 China
| | - Xiuqing Huang
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, 100730 China
| | - Lin Dou
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, 100730 China
| | - Mingjing Yan
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, 100730 China
| | - Tao Shen
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, 100730 China
| | - Weiqing Tang
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, 100730 China
| | - Jian Li
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, 100730 China
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Tang R, Liu J, Li S, Zhang J, Yu C, Liu H, Chen F, Lv L, Zhang Q, Yuan K, Shao H. A patent and literature review of CDK12 inhibitors. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2022; 32:1055-1065. [PMID: 36120913 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2022.2126765] [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] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) belongs to the CDK family of serine/threonine protein kinases and associates with cyclin K to exert its biological functions, including regulating gene transcription, mRNA processing and translation. Increasing evidences demonstrate the importance of CDK12 in various human cancers, illustrating its potential as both biomarker and therapeutic target. In addition, CDK12 is also a promising target for the treatment of myotonic dystrophy type 1. Efforts have been taken to discover small molecule inhibitors to validate this important therapeutic target. AREAS COVERED This review covers the patented CDK12 inhibitors from 2016 to present, as well as these from peer-reviewed literature. It provides the reader an update of the discovery strategies, chemical structures and molecular profiling of all available CDK12 inhibitors. EXPERT OPINION CDK12 inhibitors with various mechanism of actions have been discovered and it is a great set of tools to evaluate the therapeutic potential of CDK12 in different disease models. CDK12 inhibitors have shown promising results in myotonic dystrophy type 1 mouse model and several preclinical cancer models either as single agent or combination with other anti-cancer agents. Its therapeutic value awaits more rigorous preclinical testing and further clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijun Tang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China.,Center for Clinical Biorepositories and Biospecimen & Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Shuyao Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Junjie Zhang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Chunhong Yu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Honglu Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Fang Chen
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Lu Lv
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Kai Yuan
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China.,The Biobank of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China.,College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Hao Shao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
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Umemoto K, Yamamoto H, Oikawa R, Takeda H, Doi A, Horie Y, Arai H, Ogura T, Mizukami T, Izawa N, Moore JA, Sokol ES, Sunakawa Y. The Molecular Landscape of Pancreatobiliary Cancers for Novel Targeted Therapies From Real-World Genomic Profiling. J Natl Cancer Inst 2022; 114:1279-1286. [PMID: 35583261 PMCID: PMC9468278 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djac106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemotherapies have limited efficacy in pancreatic cancer (PC) and biliary tract cancer (BTC), underscoring the need for new regimens. Recently, tumor-agnostic approaches have been developed for some targeted therapies in advanced solid tumors; however, the frequency of alterations by clinical and genomic background is unclear in PC and BTC. METHODS To assess the frequencies of druggable gene alterations and investigate new potential therapeutic targetable genomic alterations, advanced PC and BTC patients were tested with comprehensive genomic profiling at Foundation Medicine during the course of clinical care. RESULTS A total of 16 913 PC patients and 3031 BTC patients were available for analyses, and frequencies of genomic alterations were stratified by age (≥40 years or <40 years), microsatellite instability status, tumor mutational burden status (high ≥10 or low <10 Muts/Mb), and select genomic alterations. Alterations in BRCA2, BRAF, ERBB2, CDK12, PIK3CA, FGFR2, EGFR, and other potential targets were seen across cohorts, with enrichment observed within particular subsets such as in PC patients lacking a KRAS mutation. In BTC patients, the rate of ERBB2 amplification was statistically significantly higher in the tumor mutational burden-high population (23.3% vs 13.7%). Interestingly, CDK12 rearrangement was observed in BTC patients with ERBB2 amplification tumors. In patients younger than 40 years, FGFR2 rearrangement (4%) was observed in PC: GATA6 amplification (11.1%) and rearrangement of BRAF (2.8%)FGFR2 (5.6%) was observed in BTC patients. CONCLUSIONS We identified an appreciable frequency of immunotherapy biomarkers and targetable gene alterations in both PC and BTC, with notable frequencies in PC samples lacking KRAS mutations and children or adolescent and young adult populations, that should encourage comprehensive genomic profiling testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumiko Umemoto
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yamamoto
- Department of Bioinformatics, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Ritsuko Oikawa
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Takeda
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Ayako Doi
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Horie
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Arai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Takashi Ogura
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Takuro Mizukami
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Naoki Izawa
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Jay A Moore
- Cancer Genomics Research, Foundation Medicine, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ethan S Sokol
- Cancer Genomics Research, Foundation Medicine, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yu Sunakawa
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
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Novel 2,6,9-Trisubstituted Purines as Potent CDK Inhibitors Alleviating Trastuzumab-Resistance of HER2-Positive Breast Cancers. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15091041. [PMID: 36145262 PMCID: PMC9506414 DOI: 10.3390/ph15091041] [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: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer is defined by HER2 oncogene amplification on chromosome 17q12 and accounts for 15−20% population of breast-cancer patients. Therapeutic anti-HER2 antibody such as trastuzumab is used as the first-line therapy for HER2-positive breast cancers. However, more than 50% of the patients respond poorly to trastuzumab, illustrating that novel therapy is warranted to overcome the resistance. We previously reported that in the majority of HER2+ breast-cancer patients, CDK12 is co-amplified on 17q12 and involved in developing tumors and trastuzumab resistance, proposing CDK12 as a potential drug target for HER2+ breast cancers. Here, we designed and synthesized novel 2,6,9-trisubstituted purines as potent CDK12 inhibitors showing strong, equipotent antiproliferative activity against trastuzumab-sensitive HER2+ SK-Br3 cells and trastuzumab-resistant HER2+ HCC1954 cells (GI50 values < 50 nM) both of which express a high level of CDK12. Two potent analogue 30d and 30e at 40, 200 nM greatly downregulated the levels of cyclinK and Pol II p-CTD (Ser2), as well as the expression of CDK12 downstream genes (IRS1 and WNT1) in a dose-dependent manner. We also observed structure-property relationship for a subset of potent analogues, and found that 30e is highly stable in liver microsomes with lack of CYP inhibition. In addition, 30d exhibited a synergy with trastuzumab in the both cells, suggesting that our inhibitors could be applied to alleviate trastuzumab-resistance of HER2+ breast cancers and escalate the efficacy of trastuzumab as well. Our study may provide insight into developing a novel therapy for HER2+ breast cancers.
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Huang Y, Lu S, Chen Y, Qing Y, Wu R, Ma T, Zhang Z, Wang Y, Li K. Verification of cell cycle-associated cyclin-dependent kinases facilitated prostate cancer progression by integrated bioinformatic analysis and experimental validation. Heliyon 2022; 8:e10081. [PMID: 36033322 PMCID: PMC9404285 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10081] [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: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cell cycle-associated cyclin-dependent kinases (ccCDKs) are essential regulators known to control cell division and facilitate tumorigenesis and progression. However, there is currently no comprehensive study of distinct ccCDKs in prostate cancer (PCa). The purpose of this study was to determine the value of ccCDK expression in predicting the prognosis of patients with PCa and to identify the gene functions of ccCDK in PCa. Methods The UALCAN databases were analyzed to examine the expression of CDKs in prostate cancer. The Human Protein Atlas was used to verify the expression of CDKs online. Then, we assessed the prognostic values of CDKs using GEPIA. GeneMANIA and Metascape analyses were used to predict biological functions. We analyzed the mutation of CDKs by cBioPortal. The TIMER database was used to evaluate the correlation of CDKs and immune infiltration. The expression of CDKs in tissue was examined through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. After that, we focused on CDK3 and identified the expression of CDK3 by immunohistochemistry and western blot. The functions of CDK3 in C4-2 cell proliferation were determined by CCK-8 assays. C4-2 cells were tested for their ability to invade and migrate through transwell and wound healing assays. Results The results showed that CDK1/3/4/5/6/16 was expressed at relatively higher levels in PCa tissues than in normal tissues. Patients with low expression of CDK1/3/5/16 exhibited significantly better disease-free survival than those with high expression. ccCDKs were enriched in the IL-18 signaling pathway and correlated with the infiltration of immune cells in PCa. Moreover, our cohort study data verified that there were significantly higher expression of CDK1/3/5/16 in PCa tissues compared to benign prostate hyperplasia tissues, and CDK3 was remarkably associated with a shorter progression-free survival for biochemical recurrence in PCa patients. CDK3 was positively expressed in PCa cells and tissues, and functional experiments demonstrated that silencing CDK3 inhibited PCa cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Conclusions Our study provides new evidence of ccCDKS in promoting PCa progression and implies that CDK3 may serve as an oncogene in PCa and may be valuable in the prognosis of biochemical recurrence in PCa patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yean Huang
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Tianhe Road 600, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Shuo Lu
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Tianhe Road 600, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Surgery, Su Fengxi Clinic, Zhongshan 2nd Rd 54th and 56th, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Yunhao Qing
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Tianhe Road 600, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Ruji Wu
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Tianhe Road 600, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Tan Ma
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Tianhe Road 600, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Zixiao Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Tianhe Road 600, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Tianhe Road 600, Guangzhou 510630, China
- Corresponding author.
| | - Ke Li
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Tianhe Road 600, Guangzhou 510630, China
- Corresponding author.
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Selective targeting of metastatic ovarian cancer using an engineered anthrax prodrug activated by membrane-anchored serine proteases. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2201423119. [PMID: 35867758 PMCID: PMC9282395 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2201423119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatments for advanced and recurrent ovarian cancer remain a challenge due to a lack of potent, selective, and effective therapeutics. Here, we developed the basis for a transformative anticancer strategy based on anthrax toxin that has been engineered to be selectively activated by the catalytic power of zymogen-activating proteases on the surface of malignant tumor cells to induce cell death. Exposure to the engineered toxin is cytotoxic to ovarian tumor cell lines and ovarian tumor spheroids derived from patient ascites. Preclinical studies demonstrate that toxin treatment induces tumor regression in several in vivo ovarian cancer models, including patient-derived xenografts, without adverse side effects, supportive of progression toward clinical evaluation. These data lay the groundwork for developing therapeutics for treating women with late-stage and recurrent ovarian cancers, utilizing a mechanism distinct from current anticancer therapies.
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Lei P, Zhang J, Liao P, Ren C, Wang J, Wang Y. Current progress and novel strategies that target CDK12 for drug discovery. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 240:114603. [PMID: 35868123 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
CDK12 is a cyclin-dependent kinase that plays critical roles in DNA replication, transcription, mRNA splicing, and DNA damage repair. CDK12 genomic changes, including mutation, amplification, deletion, and fusion, lead to various cancers, such as colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and ovarian cancer. An increasing number of CDK12 inhibitors have been reported since CDK12 was identified as a biomarker and cancer therapeutic target. A major challenge lies in that CDK12 and CDK13 share highly similar sequences, which leads to great difficulties in the development of highly selective CDK12 inhibitors. In recent years, great efforts were made in developing selective CDK12 blockers. Techniques including PROTAC and molecular glue degraders were also applied to facilitate their development. Also, the drug combination strategy of CDK12 small molecule inhibitors were studied. This review discusses the latest studies on CDK12 inhibitors and analyzes their structure-activity relationships, shedding light on their further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Lei
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jifa Zhang
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Peiyu Liao
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, Sichuan, China
| | - Changyu Ren
- Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiaxing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, 38163, Tennessee, United States
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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Hou Z, Meng C, Yang F, Deng Y, Han X, Liu H. Mapping Tyrosine Kinases Based on a TK Activity-Representing Peptide Library Reveals a Role for SRC in H1975 Drug Resistance. J Proteome Res 2022; 21:1105-1113. [PMID: 35293747 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.1c00980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Tyrosine kinases (TKs) are prominent targets in cancer therapies, and more than 30 TK inhibitors have been approved for treatments in tumors with abnormal TK. Disappointingly, an incomplete response can occur with the long-term use of TK inhibitors, known as cancer drug resistance, which can be caused by kinome reprogramming. Hence, monitoring the status of TKs is crucial for revealing the underlying drug resistance mechanism. Here, we describe a TK activity-representing peptide library-based multiple reaction monitoring (TARPL-MRM) strategy for directly inferring TK activities. The strategy facilitated the assay of 87 human TKs through target quantification of 301 phosphorylation sites. Using this strategy, we demonstrated the heterogeneity of TK activity in different non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines and assessed the response of TK activities to the EGFR inhibitor AZD9291 in NSCLC cells. We found that the acquired resistance of H1975 cells to AZD9291 requires SRC activity, and inhibition of SRC plays potential roles in overcoming this resistance. In summary, our work reveals that this strategy has the potential to become a powerful tool for TK studies, clinical diagnostics, and the discovery of new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanwu Hou
- Center for Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine & Douglas C. Wallace Institute for Mitochondrial and Epigenetic Information Sciences, The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, China
| | - Caiting Meng
- Center for Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine & Douglas C. Wallace Institute for Mitochondrial and Epigenetic Information Sciences, The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, China
| | - Fei Yang
- Center for Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine & Douglas C. Wallace Institute for Mitochondrial and Epigenetic Information Sciences, The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, China
| | - Yujiao Deng
- Center for Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine & Douglas C. Wallace Institute for Mitochondrial and Epigenetic Information Sciences, The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, China
| | - Xiao Han
- Center for Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine & Douglas C. Wallace Institute for Mitochondrial and Epigenetic Information Sciences, The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, China
| | - Huadong Liu
- Center for Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine & Douglas C. Wallace Institute for Mitochondrial and Epigenetic Information Sciences, The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, China
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38
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Vervoort SJ, Devlin JR, Kwiatkowski N, Teng M, Gray NS, Johnstone RW. Targeting transcription cycles in cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2022; 22:5-24. [PMID: 34675395 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-021-00411-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Accurate control of gene expression is essential for normal development and dysregulation of transcription underpins cancer onset and progression. Similar to cell cycle regulation, RNA polymerase II-driven transcription can be considered as a unidirectional multistep cycle, with thousands of unique transcription cycles occurring in concert within each cell. Each transcription cycle comprises recruitment, initiation, pausing, elongation, termination and recycling stages that are tightly controlled by the coordinated action of transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases and their cognate cyclins as well as the opposing activity of transcriptional phosphatases. Oncogenic dysregulation of transcription can entail defective control of gene expression, either at select loci or more globally, impacting a large proportion of the genome. The resultant dependency on the core-transcriptional machinery is believed to render 'transcriptionally addicted' cancers sensitive to perturbation of transcription. Based on these findings, small molecules targeting transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases and associated proteins hold promise for the treatment of cancer. Here, we utilize the transcription cycles concept to explain how dysregulation of these finely tuned gene expression processes may drive tumorigenesis and how therapeutically beneficial responses may arise from global or selective transcriptional perturbation. This conceptual framework helps to explain tumour-selective transcriptional dependencies and facilitates the rational design of combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephin J Vervoort
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jennifer R Devlin
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicholas Kwiatkowski
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mingxing Teng
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, CHEM-H and SCI, Stanford Medical School, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Ricky W Johnstone
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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Zhang Y, He L, Huang L, Yao S, Lin N, Li P, Xu H, Wu X, Xu J, Lu Y, Li Y, Zhu S. Oncogenic PAX6 elicits CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance by epigenetically inactivating the LATS2-Hippo signaling pathway. Clin Transl Med 2021; 11:e503. [PMID: 34459131 PMCID: PMC8382979 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrinsic resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors hinders their clinical utility in cancer treatment. Furthermore, the predictive markers of CDK4/6 inhibitors in gastric cancer (GC) remain incompletely described. Here, we found that PAX6 expression was negatively correlated with the response to palbociclib in vitro and in vivo in GC. We observed that the PAX6 expression level was negatively correlated with the overall survival of GC patients and further showed that PAX6 can promote GC cell proliferation and the cell cycle. The cell cycle is regulated by the interaction of cyclins with their partner serine/threonine cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), and the G1/S-phase transition is the main target of CDK4/6 inhibitors. Therefore, we tested whether PAX6 expression was correlated with the GC response to palbociclib. We found that PAX6 hypermethylates the promoter of LATS2 and inactivates the Hippo pathway, which upregulates cyclin D1 (CCND1) expression. This results in a suppressed response to palbociclib in GC. Furthermore, we found that the induction of the Hippo signaling pathway or treatment with a DNA methylation inhibitor could overcome PAX6-induced palbociclib resistance in GC. These findings uncover a tumor promoter function of PAX6 in GC and establish overexpressed PAX6 as a mechanism of resistance to palbociclib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityNo.58 Zhongshan 2nd RoadGuangzhou510630China
- Department of Hepatobiliary surgery, the Third Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityNo.600 Tian he RoadGuangzhou510630China
- Department of Hepatic surgery, the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityNo.58 Zhongshan 2nd RoadGuangzhou510080China
| | - Long‐Jun He
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCancer CenterSun Yat‐sen UniversityNo.651 Dongfeng Road EastGuangzhou510060China
| | - Lin‐Lin Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityNo.58 Zhongshan 2nd RoadGuangzhou510630China
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyGuangdong Provincial People's Hospital/Guangdong Academy of Medical
SciencesNo.106 Zhongshan 2nd RoadGuangzhou510080China
| | - Sheng Yao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityNo.58 Zhongshan 2nd RoadGuangzhou510630China
| | - Nan Lin
- Department of Hepatobiliary surgery, the Third Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityNo.600 Tian he RoadGuangzhou510630China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityNo.58 Zhongshan 2nd RoadGuangzhou510630China
| | - Hui‐Wen Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityNo.58 Zhongshan 2nd RoadGuangzhou510630China
| | - Xi‐Wen Wu
- Department of Hepatic surgery, the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityNo.58 Zhongshan 2nd RoadGuangzhou510080China
| | - Jian‐Liang Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary surgery, the Third Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityNo.600 Tian he RoadGuangzhou510630China
| | - Yi Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary surgery, the Third Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityNo.600 Tian he RoadGuangzhou510630China
| | - Yan‐Jie Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary surgery, the Third Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityNo.600 Tian he RoadGuangzhou510630China
| | - Sen‐Lin Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityNo.58 Zhongshan 2nd RoadGuangzhou510630China
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Kwon DH, Chou J, Yip SM, Reimers MA, Zhang L, Wright F, Dhawan MS, Borno HT, Desai A, Aggarwal RR, Wyatt AW, Small EJ, Alva AS, Chi KN, Feng FY, Koshkin VS. Differential treatment outcomes in BRCA1/2-, CDK12-, and ATM-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Cancer 2021; 127:1965-1973. [PMID: 33690902 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND DNA damage repair mutations (DDRm) are common in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The optimal standard therapy for this population is not well described. METHODS A multi-institutional, retrospective study of patients with mCRPC and DDRm was conducted. Patient data, including systemic therapies and responses, were collected. The decline in prostate-specific antigen ≥ 50% from baseline (PSA50) and overall survival (OS) from the treatment start were compared by mutation and treatment type. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model for OS was created that controlled for DDRm, first-line treatment received for mCRPC, and clinical factors. RESULTS The most common DDRm observed among 149 men with mCRPC were BRCA1/2 (44%), CDK12 (32%), and ATM (15%). The majority received first-line abiraterone (40%) or enzalutamide (30%). The PSA50 rate with first-line abiraterone was lower for CDK12 (52%) than BRCA1/2 (89%; P = .02). After first-line abiraterone or enzalutamide, the median OS was longest with second-line carboplatin-chemotherapy (38 months) in comparison with abiraterone or enzalutamide (33 months), docetaxel (17 months), or cabazitaxel (11 months; P = .02). PSA50 responses to carboplatin-based chemotherapy were higher for BRCA1/2 (79%) than ATM (14%; P = .02) or CDK12 (38%; P = .08). In a multivariable analysis, neither the specific DDRm type nor the first-line treatment was associated with improved OS. CONCLUSIONS Responses to standard therapies were generally superior in patients with BRCA1/2 mutations and inferior in patients with ATM or CDK12 mutations. The DDRm type did not independently predict OS. After progression on first-line abiraterone or enzalutamide, carboplatin-based chemotherapy was associated with the longest OS. These findings may inform treatment discussions and clinical trial design and require prospective validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel H Kwon
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Jonathan Chou
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Steven M Yip
- Tom Baker Cancer Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Melissa A Reimers
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Li Zhang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Francis Wright
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Mallika S Dhawan
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Hala T Borno
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Arpita Desai
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Rahul R Aggarwal
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Alexander W Wyatt
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Eric J Small
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Ajjai S Alva
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Kim N Chi
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Felix Y Feng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Vadim S Koshkin
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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41
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Cancer cells employ an evolutionarily conserved polyploidization program to resist therapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 81:145-159. [PMID: 33276091 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Unusually large cancer cells with abnormal nuclei have been documented in the cancer literature since 1858. For more than 100 years, they have been generally disregarded as irreversibly senescent or dying cells, too morphologically misshapen and chromatin too disorganized to be functional. Cell enlargement, accompanied by whole genome doubling or more, is observed across organisms, often associated with mitigation strategies against environmental change, severe stress, or the lack of nutrients. Our comparison of the mechanisms for polyploidization in other organisms and non-transformed tissues suggest that cancer cells draw from a conserved program for their survival, utilizing whole genome doubling and pausing proliferation to survive stress. These polyaneuploid cancer cells (PACCs) are the source of therapeutic resistance, responsible for cancer recurrence and, ultimately, cancer lethality.
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