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Qiao X, Wu X, Chen S, Niu MM, Hua H, Zhang Y. Discovery of novel and potent dual-targeting AXL/HDAC2 inhibitors for colorectal cancer treatment via structure-based pharmacophore modelling, virtual screening, and molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation studies, and biological evaluation. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2024; 39:2295241. [PMID: 38134358 PMCID: PMC10763849 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2023.2295241] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Nowadays, owing to the complex mechanism of tumorigenesis, simultaneous inhibition of multiple targets is an important anticancer strategy. Recent studies have demonstrated receptor tyrosine kinase AXL (AXL) and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) are closely associated with colorectal cancer. Herein, we identified five hit compounds concurrently targeting AXL and HDAC2 using virtual screening. Inhibitory experiments revealed these hit compounds potently inhibited AXL and HDAC2 in the nanomolar range. Among them, Hit-3 showed the strongest inhibitory effects which were better than that of the positive control groups. Additionally, MD assays showed that Hit-3 could bind stably to the AXL and HDAC2 active pockets. Further MTT assays demonstrated that Hit-3 showed potent anti-proliferative activity. Most importantly, Hit-3 exhibited significant in vivo antitumor efficacy in xenograft models. Collectively, this study is the first discovery of dual-targeting AXL/HDAC2 inhibitors for colorectal cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Qiao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Huaian Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Huaian, China
| | - Xiangyu Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Huaian Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Huaian, China
| | - Shutong Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Miao-Miao Niu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huilian Hua
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Taizhou People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Taizhou People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, China
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2
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Li KM, Deng LG, Xue LJ, Tan C, Yao SK. AXL inhibition prevents RPA2/CHK1-mediated homologous recombination to increase PARP inhibitor sensitivity in hepatocellular carcinoma. Heliyon 2024; 10:e36283. [PMID: 39281567 PMCID: PMC11399589 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Homologous recombination defects (HRD) render cells fail to repair DNA double-strand break (DSB), which causes synthetic lethality in these cells with punch by poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPi). Here, we reveal a receptor tyrosine kinase, AXL, whose inhibition leads to HRD in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. AXL is upregulated in HCC tumors, which is positively correlated with low survival rates. AXL knockdown or AXL inhibition by bemcentinib reduces HR efficiency in HCC cells, and AXL plays its role in HR repair through its kinase activity. Furthermore, we find that AXL interacts with RPA2, enhancing the recruitment of RPA2 to DNA damage sites. Mechanistically, AXL promotes the tyrosinization of RPA2 at tyrosine 9, promoting the phosphorylation of CHK1, thereby strengthens the HR repair ability in HCC cells to resist DNA damage. In conclusion, our results reveal that AXL is a promising therapeutic biomarker for HCC patients, and present that targeting AXL-RPA2-CHK1 pathway together with PARP inhibitor will be effective therapeutic strategy in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Min Li
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Li-Gong Deng
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Li-Jun Xue
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250013, Shandong Province, China
| | - Chang Tan
- Graduate School, Peking University China-Japan Friendship School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Shu-Kun Yao
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
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3
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Sinha S, Guo R, Del Busso MD, Han W, Boysen J, Wellik LE, Ghosh AK, Kay NE. Aberrant activation of AXL may drive progression of squamous cell carcinoma in CLL patients: a mechanistic study with clinical implications. Br J Cancer 2024; 131:589-600. [PMID: 38886556 PMCID: PMC11300914 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02752-1] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) even in early-stage, untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients can be a significant morbidity issue with occasional transformation into metastatic skin lesions. METHODS CLL cells and extracellular vesicles (EVs) from CLL patients' blood/plasma were purified and used. Expression/activation of AXL and its functions in normal keratinocytes (HEKa) were assessed in vitro co-culture system and in SCC tissues. RESULTS We detected aberrant activation of AXL, AKT and ERK-1/2 in SCC cell lines compared to HEKa. We also detected increased expression of AXL in primary SCC tissues obtained from CLL patients. Increased activation of AXL, AKT, ERK-1/2 and Src was discernible in HEKa upon co-culturing with CLL cells. Further analysis suggests that Gas6, a ligand of AXL, regulates AXL activation in co-cultured HEKa. Interestingly, exposure of HEKa cells to CLL plasma-derived EVs induced expression of AXL, P-AKT, and EMT-associated markers leading to migration of the cells. Finally, pharmacologic inhibition of AXL induced cell death in SCC lines in a dose dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS Our findings that CLL cells likely are involved in driving SCC progression, at least in part, via activation of the AXL signaling axis, indicating that AXL inhibition may be beneficial for our CLL patients with SCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sutapa Sinha
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
| | - Ray Guo
- Division of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Weiguo Han
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Justin Boysen
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Asish K Ghosh
- Stephenson Cancer Center and Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Neil E Kay
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Department of Immunology Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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Ma D, Chen J, Shi Y, Gao H, Wei Z, Fan J, Wang L. Dysregulation of TCONS_00006091 contributes to the elevated risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma by upregulating SNAI1, IRS and HMGA2. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9616. [PMID: 38671227 PMCID: PMC11053020 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60310-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to study the role of TCONS_00006091 in the pathogenesis of oral squamous cellular carcinoma (OSCC) transformed from oral lichen planus (OLP). This study recruited 108 OSCC patients which transformed from OLP as the OSCC group and 102 OLP patients with no sign of OSCC as the Control group. ROC curves were plotted to measure the diagnostic values of TCONS_00006091, miR-153, miR-370 and let-7g, and the changes in gene expressions were measured by RT-qPCR. Sequence analysis and luciferase assays were performed to analyze the molecular relationships among these genes. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were observed via MTT and FCM. TCONS_00006091 exhibited a better diagnosis value for OSCC transformed from OLP. OSCC group showed increased TCONS_00006091 expression and decreased expressions of miR-153, miR-370 and let-7g. The levels of SNAI1, IRS and HMGA2 was all significantly increased in OSCC patients. And TCONS_00006091 was found to sponge miR-153, miR-370 and let-7g, while these miRNAs were respectively found to targe SNAI1, IRS and HMGA2. The elevated TCONS_00006091 suppressed the expressions of miR-153, miR-370 and let-7g, leading to the increased expression of SNAI1, IRS and HMGA2. Also, promoted cell proliferation and suppressed apoptosis were observed upon the over-expression of TCONS_00006091. This study demonstrated that the expressions of miR-153, miR-370 and let-7g were down-regulated by the highly expressed TCONS_00006091 in OSCC patients, which accordingly up-regulated the expressions of SNAI1, IRS and HMGA2, resulting in the promoted cell proliferation and suppressed cell apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danhua Ma
- Department of Stomatology, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, No. 41 Northwest Street, Ningbo, 315010, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jijun Chen
- Department of Stomatology, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, No. 41 Northwest Street, Ningbo, 315010, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuyuan Shi
- Department of Stomatology, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, No. 41 Northwest Street, Ningbo, 315010, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongyan Gao
- Department of Stomatology, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, No. 41 Northwest Street, Ningbo, 315010, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhen Wei
- Department of Stomatology, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, No. 41 Northwest Street, Ningbo, 315010, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiayan Fan
- Department of Stomatology, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, No. 41 Northwest Street, Ningbo, 315010, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of Stomatology, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, No. 41 Northwest Street, Ningbo, 315010, Zhejiang, China.
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Wu Q, Li X, Yang Y, Huang J, Yao M, Li J, Huang Y, Cai X, Geller DA, Yan Y. MICA+ Tumor Cell Upregulated Macrophage-Secreted MMP9 via PROS1-AXL Axis to Induce Tumor Immune Escape in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:269. [PMID: 38254761 PMCID: PMC10813556 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020269] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) constitute a significant proportion of non-cancerous cells within the intricate tumor microenvironment (TME) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Understanding the communication between macrophages and tumor cells, as well as investigating potential signaling pathways, holds promise for enhancing therapeutic responses in HCC. METHODS single-cell RNA-sequencing data and bulk RNA-sequencing data were derived from open source databases Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Through this analysis, we elucidated the interactions between MICA+ tumor cells and MMP9+ macrophages, primarily mediated via the PROS1-AXL axis in advanced HCC. Subsequently, we employed a range of experimental techniques including lentivirus infection, recombinant protein stimulation, and AXL inhibition experiments to validate these interactions and unravel the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS we presented a single-cell atlas of advanced HCC, highlighting the expression patterns of MICA and MMP9 in tumor cells and macrophages, respectively. Activation of the interferon gamma (IFN-γ) signaling pathway was observed in MICA+ tumor cells and MMP9+ macrophages. We identified the existence of an interaction between MICA+ tumor cells and MMP9+ macrophages mediated via the PROS1-AXL axis. Additionally, we found MMP9+ macrophages had a positive correlation with M2-like macrophages. Subsequently, experiments validated that DNA damage not only induced MICA expression in tumor cells via IRF1, but also upregulated PROS1 levels in HCC cells, stimulating macrophages to secrete MMP9. Consequently, MMP9 led to the proteolysis of MICA. CONCLUSION MICA+ HCC cells secreted PROS1, which upregulated MMP9 expression in macrophages through AXL receptors. The increased MMP9 activity resulted in the proteolytic shedding of MICA, leading to the release of soluble MICA (sMICA) and the subsequent facilitation of tumor immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiulin Wu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530007, China; (Q.W.); (X.L.); (Y.Y.); (J.H.); (M.Y.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (X.C.)
| | - Xicai Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530007, China; (Q.W.); (X.L.); (Y.Y.); (J.H.); (M.Y.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (X.C.)
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530007, China; (Q.W.); (X.L.); (Y.Y.); (J.H.); (M.Y.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (X.C.)
| | - Jingquan Huang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530007, China; (Q.W.); (X.L.); (Y.Y.); (J.H.); (M.Y.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (X.C.)
| | - Ming Yao
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530007, China; (Q.W.); (X.L.); (Y.Y.); (J.H.); (M.Y.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (X.C.)
| | - Jianjun Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530007, China; (Q.W.); (X.L.); (Y.Y.); (J.H.); (M.Y.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (X.C.)
| | - Yubin Huang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530007, China; (Q.W.); (X.L.); (Y.Y.); (J.H.); (M.Y.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (X.C.)
| | - Xiaoyong Cai
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530007, China; (Q.W.); (X.L.); (Y.Y.); (J.H.); (M.Y.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (X.C.)
| | - David A. Geller
- Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Yihe Yan
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530007, China; (Q.W.); (X.L.); (Y.Y.); (J.H.); (M.Y.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (X.C.)
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6
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Qiu H, Shao Z, Wen X, Liu Z, Chen Z, Qu D, Ding X, Zhang L. Efferocytosis: An accomplice of cancer immune escape. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115540. [PMID: 37741255 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115540] [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: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The clearance of apoptotic cells by efferocytes such as macrophages and dendritic cells is termed as "efferocytosis", it plays critical roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis in multicellular organisms. Currently, available studies indicate that efferocytosis-related molecules and pathways are tightly associated with cancer development, metastasis and treatment resistance, efferocytosis also induces an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and assists cancer cells escape from immune surveillance. In this study, we reviewed the underlying mechanisms of efferocytosis in mediating the occurrence of cancer immune escape, and then emphatically summarized the strategies of using efferocytosis as therapeutic target to enhance the anti-tumor efficacies of immune checkpoint inhibitors, hoping to provide powerful evidences for more effective therapeutic regimens of malignant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Qiu
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiying Shao
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Wen
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhengyang Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ziqin Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Debao Qu
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Ding
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Longzhen Zhang
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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7
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DeRyckere D, Huelse JM, Earp HS, Graham DK. TAM family kinases as therapeutic targets at the interface of cancer and immunity. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:755-779. [PMID: 37667010 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00813-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Novel treatment approaches are needed to overcome innate and acquired mechanisms of resistance to current anticancer therapies in cancer cells and the tumour immune microenvironment. The TAM (TYRO3, AXL and MERTK) family receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are potential therapeutic targets in a wide range of cancers. In cancer cells, TAM RTKs activate signalling pathways that promote cell survival, metastasis and resistance to a variety of chemotherapeutic agents and targeted therapies. TAM RTKs also function in innate immune cells, contributing to various mechanisms that suppress antitumour immunity and promote resistance to immune-checkpoint inhibitors. Therefore, TAM antagonists provide an unprecedented opportunity for both direct and immune-mediated therapeutic activity provided by inhibition of a single target, and are likely to be particularly effective when used in combination with other cancer therapies. To exploit this potential, a variety of agents have been designed to selectively target TAM RTKs, many of which have now entered clinical testing. This Review provides an essential guide to the TAM RTKs for clinicians, including an overview of the rationale for therapeutic targeting of TAM RTKs in cancer cells and the tumour immune microenvironment, a description of the current preclinical and clinical experience with TAM inhibitors, and a perspective on strategies for continued development of TAM-targeted agents for oncology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Paediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Justus M Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Paediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - H Shelton Earp
- Department of Medicine, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Paediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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8
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Jagadeeshan S, Novoplansky OZ, Cohen O, Kurth I, Hess J, Rosenberg AJ, Grandis JR, Elkabets M. New insights into RAS in head and neck cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188963. [PMID: 37619805 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188963] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
RAS genes are known to be dysregulated in cancer for several decades, and substantial effort has been dedicated to develop agents that reduce RAS expression or block RAS activation. The recent introduction of RAS inhibitors for cancer patients highlights the importance of comprehending RAS alterations in head and neck cancer (HNC). In this regard, we examine the published findings on RAS alterations and pathway activations in HNC, and summarize their role in HNC initiation, progression, and metastasis. Specifically, we focus on the intrinsic role of mutated-RAS on tumor cell signaling and its extrinsic role in determining tumor-microenvironment (TME) heterogeneity, including promoting angiogenesis and enhancing immune escape. Lastly, we summarize the intrinsic and extrinsic role of RAS alterations on therapy resistance to outline the potential of targeting RAS using a single agent or in combination with other therapeutic agents for HNC patients with RAS-activated tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sankar Jagadeeshan
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel; Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
| | - Ofra Z Novoplansky
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel; Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
| | - Oded Cohen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel; Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology, Soroka Medical Center, Beersheva, Israel.
| | - Ina Kurth
- Division of Radiooncology-Radiobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Jochen Hess
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Molecular Mechanisms of Head and Neck Tumors, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Ari J Rosenberg
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Jennifer R Grandis
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Moshe Elkabets
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel; Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
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Kharouf N, Flanagan TW, Hassan SY, Shalaby H, Khabaz M, Hassan SL, Megahed M, Haikel Y, Santourlidis S, Hassan M. Tumor Microenvironment as a Therapeutic Target in Melanoma Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3147. [PMID: 37370757 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123147] [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: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of the tumor microenvironment in tumor growth and therapy has recently attracted more attention in research and drug development. The ability of the microenvironment to trigger tumor maintenance, progression, and resistance is the main cause for treatment failure and tumor relapse. Accumulated evidence indicates that the maintenance and progression of tumor cells is determined by components of the microenvironment, which include stromal cells (endothelial cells, fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, and immune cells), extracellular matrix (ECM), and soluble molecules (chemokines, cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles). As a solid tumor, melanoma is not only a tumor mass of monolithic tumor cells, but it also contains supporting stroma, ECM, and soluble molecules. Melanoma cells are continuously in interaction with the components of the microenvironment. In the present review, we focus on the role of the tumor microenvironment components in the modulation of tumor progression and treatment resistance as well as the impact of the tumor microenvironment as a therapeutic target in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naji Kharouf
- Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Strasbourg, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1121, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Department of Endodontics and Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas W Flanagan
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Sofie-Yasmin Hassan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany
| | - Hosam Shalaby
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Marla Khabaz
- Department of Production, Beta Factory for Veterinary Pharmaceutical Industries, Damascus 0100, Syria
| | - Sarah-Lilly Hassan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany
| | - Mosaad Megahed
- Clinic of Dermatology, University Hospital of Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Youssef Haikel
- Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Strasbourg, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1121, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Department of Endodontics and Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Pôle de Médecine et Chirurgie Bucco-Dentaire, Hôpital Civil, Hôpitaux Universitaire de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Simeon Santourlidis
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Mohamed Hassan
- Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Strasbourg, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1121, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Department of Endodontics and Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Research Laboratory of Surgery-Oncology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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10
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Chintala S, Dankoski MA, Anbarasu A, Ramaiah S, Miryala SK, Katzenellenbogen RA. NFX1-123: A potential therapeutic target in cervical cancer. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28856. [PMID: 37288708 PMCID: PMC10264143 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28856] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
NFX1-123 is a splice variant isoform of the NFX1 gene. It is highly expressed in cervical cancers caused by HPV, and NFX1-123 is a protein partner with the HPV oncoprotein E6. Together, NFX1-123 and E6 affect cellular growth, longevity, and differentiation. The expression status of NFX1-123 in cancers beyond cervical and head and neck cancers, and its potential as therapeutic target, have not been investigated. TSVdb of TCGA was used to quantify NFX1-123 expression in 24 cancers compared with normal tissues. The NFX1-123 protein structure was predicted and then submitted to retrieve suitable drug molecules. The top four compounds, found to bind in silico to NFX1-123, were tested experimentally to determine their effects on NFX1-123-related cellular growth, survival, and migration. 46% of cancers (11 of 24 had significant differences in NFX1-123 expression, with nine having had greater NFX1-123 expression, when compared with adjacent normal tissues. Bioinformatics and proteomic predictive analysis modeled the three-dimensional structure of NFX1-123, and drug libraries were screened for high-binding affinity compounds using this modeled structure. Seventeen drugs with binding energies ranging from -1.3 to -10 Kcal/mol were identified. The top four compounds were used to treat HPV- and HPV+ cervical cancer cell lines, three of which (Ropitoin, R428 and Ketoconazole) reduced NFX1-123 protein levels, inhibited cellular growth, survival, and migration, and enhanced the cytotoxicity of Cisplatin. These findings highlight cancers expressing high levels of NFX1-123, and drugs that target it, may reduce cellular growth, survival, and migration, making NFX1-123 a potential novel therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreenivasulu Chintala
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA
| | - Maura A. Dankoski
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA
| | - Anand Anbarasu
- School of Bio-Sciences & Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, INDIA
| | - Sudha Ramaiah
- School of Bio-Sciences & Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, INDIA
| | - Sravan Kumar Miryala
- School of Bio-Sciences & Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, INDIA
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11
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Zhai X, Pu D, Wang R, Zhang J, Lin Y, Wang Y, Zhai N, Peng X, Zhou Q, Li L. Gas6/AXL pathway: immunological landscape and therapeutic potential. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1121130. [PMID: 37265798 PMCID: PMC10231434 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1121130] [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: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a disease with ecological and evolutionary unity, which seriously affects the survival and quality of human beings. Currently, many reports have suggested Gas6 plays an important role in cancer. Binding of gas6 to TAM receptors is associated with the carcinogenetic mechanisms of multiple malignancies, such as in breast cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer, etc., and shortened overall survival. It is accepted that the Gas6/TAM pathway can promote the malignant transformation of various types of cancer cells. Gas6 has the highest affinity for Axl, an important member of the TAM receptor family. Knockdown of the TAM receptors Axl significantly affects cell cycle progression in tumor cells. Interestingly, Gas6 also has an essential function in the tumor microenvironment. The Gas6/AXL pathway regulates angiogenesis, immune-related molecular markers and the secretion of certain cytokines in the tumor microenvironment, and also modulates the functions of a variety of immune cells. In addition, evidence suggests that the Gas6/AXL pathway is involved in tumor therapy resistance. Recently, multiple studies have begun to explore in depth the importance of the Gas6/AXL pathway as a potential tumor therapeutic target as well as its broad promise in immunotherapy; therefore, a timely review of the characteristics of the Gas6/AXL pathway and its value in tumor treatment strategies is warranted. This comprehensive review assessed the roles of Gas6 and AXL receptors and their associated pathways in carcinogenesis and cancer progression, summarized the impact of Gas6/AXL on the tumor microenvironment, and highlighted the recent research progress on the relationship between Gas6/AXL and cancer drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqian Zhai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Dan Pu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Rulan Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiabi Zhang
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, College of Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Yiyun Lin
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, MD Anderson Cancer Center UT Health, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yuqing Wang
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ni Zhai
- Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit, The 987th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Baoji, Shanxi, China
| | - Xuan Peng
- Department of Pathophysiology, Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, Hubei, China
| | - Qinghua Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lu Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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12
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Kostecki KL, Iida M, Wiley AL, Kimani S, Mehall B, Tetreault K, Alexandridis R, Yu M, Hong S, Salgia R, Bruce JY, Birge RB, Harari P, Wheeler DL. Dual Axl/MerTK inhibitor INCB081776 creates a proinflammatory tumor immune microenvironment and enhances anti-PDL1 efficacy in head and neck cancer. Head Neck 2023; 45:1255-1271. [PMID: 36939040 PMCID: PMC10079616 DOI: 10.1002/hed.27340] [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: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The tyrosine kinase receptors Axl and MerTK are highly overexpressed in head and neck cancer (HNC) cells, where they are critical drivers of survival, proliferation, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. METHODS We investigated the role of Axl and MerTK in creating an immunologically "cold" tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) by targeting both receptors simultaneously with a small molecule inhibitor of Axl and MerTK (INCB081776). Effects of INCB081776 and/or anti-PDL1 on mouse oral cancer (MOC) cell growth and on the TIME were evaluated. RESULTS Targeting Axl and MerTK can reduce M2 and induce M1 macrophage polarization. In vivo, INCB081776 treatment alone or with anti-PDL1 appears to slow MOC tumor growth, increase proinflammatory immune infiltration, and decrease anti-inflammatory immune infiltration. CONCLUSIONS This data indicates that simultaneous targeting of Axl and MerTK with INCB081776, either alone or in combination with anti-PDL1, slows tumor growth and creates a proinflammatory TIME in mouse models of HNC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kourtney L Kostecki
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Mari Iida
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Anne L Wiley
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Stanley Kimani
- Rutgers Biomedical Health and Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Bridget Mehall
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kaitlin Tetreault
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Roxana Alexandridis
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Menggang Yu
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Seungpyo Hong
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Madison, WI, USA
- Yonsei Frontier Lab and Department of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Justine Y Bruce
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Raymond B Birge
- Rutgers Biomedical Health and Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Paul Harari
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Deric L Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The AXL signaling pathway is associated with tumor growth as well as poor prognosis in cancer. Here, we highlight recent strategies for targeting AXL in the treatment of solid and hematological malignancies. RECENT FINDINGS AXL is a key player in survival, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance in many cancers. A range of AXL-targeted therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and soluble receptors, have entered clinical development. Notably, AXL inhibitors in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors demonstrate early promise; however, further understanding of predictive biomarkers and treatment sequencing is necessary. Based on its role in tumor growth and drug resistance, AXL represents a promising therapeutic target in oncology. Results from ongoing clinical trials will provide valuable insights into the role of AXL inhibitors, both as single agents and in combination with other therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheena Bhalla
- Department of Internal Medicine (Division of Hematology-Oncology), UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - David E Gerber
- Department of Internal Medicine (Division of Hematology-Oncology), UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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14
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Lan Z, Li L, Sun Y, Meng X, Shi Z, Du M, Wang H, Sun Z, Cui Q, Wang L, Geng T, Zhou S, Wang Y, Hu F, Duan C, Geng Y, Zhu Y, Dai Y. A procedure for producing an anti-AXL nanobody in E. coli. Protein Expr Purif 2023; 207:106268. [PMID: 37023993 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2023.106268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
As one of the receptors of the TAM family, AXL plays a vital role in stem cell maintenance, angiogenesis, immune escape of viruses and drug resistance against tumors. In this study, the truncated extracellular segment containing two immunoglobulin-like domains of human AXL (AXL-IG), which has been confirmed to bind growth arrest specific 6 (GAS6) by structural studies [1], was expressed in a prokaryotic expression system and then purified. Immunizing camelid with the purified AXL-IG as antigen could lead to the production of unique nanobodies composed of only variable domain of heavy chain of heavy-chain antibody (VHH), which are around 15 kD and stable. We screened out a nanobody A-LY01 specific binding to AXL-IG. We further determined the affinity of A-LY01 to AXL-IG and revealed that A-LY01 could specifically recognize full-length AXL on the surface of HEK 293T/17 cells. Our study provides appropriate support for the development of diagnostic reagents and antibody therapeutics targeting AXL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyun Lan
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Aquatic Products on Storage and Preservation (Shanghai), Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai, 201306, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lingyun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yili Sun
- Drug Discovery Shandong Laboratory, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai, Shandong, 264117, China
| | - Xiangjing Meng
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceuticals, Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jinan, 250101, China
| | - Zhenzhong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Mengyang Du
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hui Wang
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Zengchao Sun
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Qianqian Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Tengjie Geng
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Siyu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yi'ang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fangzheng Hu
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Chonggang Duan
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceuticals, Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jinan, 250101, China
| | - Yong Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Yongheng Zhu
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Aquatic Products on Storage and Preservation (Shanghai), Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai, 201306, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Dai
- Department of Pharmacy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China; National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Hebei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Langfang, 065001, China.
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15
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Chaudhary RK, Khanal P, Mateti UV, Shastry CS, Shetty J. Identification of hub genes involved in cisplatin resistance in head and neck cancer. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2023; 21:9. [PMID: 36715825 PMCID: PMC9886788 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-023-00468-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cisplatin resistance is one of the major contributors to the poor survival rate among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Focusing on the protein-protein interaction rather than a single protein could provide a better understanding of drug resistance. Thus, this study aimed to identify hub genes in a complex network of cisplatin resistance associated genes in HNC chemotherapy via a series of bioinformatic tools. METHODS The genes involved in cisplatin resistance were retrieved from the NCBI gene database using "head and neck cancer" and "cisplatin resistance" as key words. The human genes retrieved were analyzed for their interactions and enriched using the STRING database. The interaction between KEGG pathways and genes was visualized in Cytoscape 3.7.2. Further, the hub gene was identified using the Cytohubba plugin of Cytoscape and validated using UALCAN and Human Protein Atlas database. Validated genes were investigated for the drug-gene interaction using the DGIbd database. RESULTS Out of 137 genes obtained using key words, 133 were associated with cisplatin resistance in the human species. A total of 150 KEGG pathways, 82 cellular components, 123 molecular functions, and 1752 biological processes were modulated on enrichment analysis. Out of 37 hub genes, CCND1, AXL, CDKN2A, TERT, and EXH2 genes were found to have significant (p < 0.05) mRNA expression and effect on overall survival whereas protein expression was found to be positive for all the significant genes except TERT. Thus, they can be targeted with palbociclib, methotrexate, bortezomib and fluorouracil, sorafenib, dasatinib, carboplatin, paclitaxel, gemcitabine, imatinib, doxorubicin, and vorinostat. CONCLUSION As the pathogenesis of head and neck cancer is complex, targeting hub genes and associated pathways involved in cisplatin resistance could bring a milestone change in the drug discovery and management of drug resistance which might uplift overall survival among HNC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raushan Kumar Chaudhary
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, NGSM Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (NGSMIPS), Nitte (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangaluru, Karnataka 575018 India
| | - Pukar Khanal
- Department of Pharmacology, NGSM Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (NGSMIPS), Nitte (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangaluru, Karnataka 575018 India
| | - Uday Venkat Mateti
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, NGSM Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (NGSMIPS), Nitte (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangaluru, Karnataka, 575018, India.
| | - C. S. Shastry
- Department of Pharmacology, NGSM Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (NGSMIPS), Nitte (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangaluru, Karnataka 575018 India
| | - Jayarama Shetty
- grid.414809.00000 0004 1765 9194Department of Radiation Therapy and Oncology, K.S. Hegde Medical Academy (KSHEMA), Justice K.S. Hegde Charitable Hospital, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangaluru, Karnataka 575018 India
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16
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Dharavath B, Butle A, Pal A, Desai S, Upadhyay P, Rane A, Khandelwal R, Manavalan S, Thorat R, Sonawane K, Vaish R, Gera P, Bal M, D'Cruz AK, Nair S, Dutt A. Role of miR-944/MMP10/AXL- axis in lymph node metastasis in tongue cancer. Commun Biol 2023; 6:57. [PMID: 36650344 PMCID: PMC9845355 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04437-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Occult lymph-node metastasis is a crucial predictor of tongue cancer mortality, with an unmet need to understand the underlying mechanism. Our immunohistochemical and real-time PCR analysis of 208 tongue tumors show overexpression of Matrix Metalloproteinase, MMP10, in 86% of node-positive tongue tumors (n = 79; p < 0.00001). Additionally, global profiling for non-coding RNAs associated with node-positive tumors reveals that of the 11 significantly de-regulated miRNAs, miR-944 negatively regulates MMP10 by targeting its 3'-UTR. We demonstrate that proliferation, migration, and invasion of tongue cancer cells are suppressed by MMP10 knockdown or miR-944 overexpression. Further, we show that depletion of MMP10 prevents nodal metastases using an orthotopic tongue cancer mice model. In contrast, overexpression of MMP10 leads to opposite effects upregulating epithelial-mesenchymal-transition, mediated by a tyrosine kinase gene, AXL, to promote nodal and distant metastasis in vivo. Strikingly, AXL expression is essential and sufficient to mediate the functional consequence of MMP10 overexpression. Consistent with our findings, TCGA-HNSC data suggests overexpression of MMP10 or AXL positively correlates with poor survival of the patients. In conclusion, our results establish that the miR-944/MMP10/AXL- axis underlies lymph node metastases with potential therapeutic intervention and prediction of nodal metastases in tongue cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhasker Dharavath
- Integrated Cancer Genomics Laboratory, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research, and Education in Cancer, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, 410210, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400094, India
| | - Ashwin Butle
- Integrated Cancer Genomics Laboratory, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research, and Education in Cancer, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, 410210, India
| | - Ankita Pal
- Integrated Cancer Genomics Laboratory, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research, and Education in Cancer, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, 410210, India
| | - Sanket Desai
- Integrated Cancer Genomics Laboratory, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research, and Education in Cancer, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, 410210, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400094, India
| | - Pawan Upadhyay
- Integrated Cancer Genomics Laboratory, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research, and Education in Cancer, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, 410210, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400094, India
| | - Aishwarya Rane
- Integrated Cancer Genomics Laboratory, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research, and Education in Cancer, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, 410210, India
| | - Risha Khandelwal
- Integrated Cancer Genomics Laboratory, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research, and Education in Cancer, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, 410210, India
| | - Sujith Manavalan
- Integrated Cancer Genomics Laboratory, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research, and Education in Cancer, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, 410210, India
| | - Rahul Thorat
- Laboratory Animal Facility, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, 410210, India
| | - Kavita Sonawane
- Division of Head and Neck Oncology, Department of Surgical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Parel, Mumbai, 400012, India
| | - Richa Vaish
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400094, India
- Division of Head and Neck Oncology, Department of Surgical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Parel, Mumbai, 400012, India
| | - Poonam Gera
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400094, India
- Tissue Biorepository, Advanced Centre for Treatment Research and Education in Cancer, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, 410210, India
| | - Munita Bal
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400094, India
- Department of Pathology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Parel, Mumbai, 400012, India
| | - Anil K D'Cruz
- Division of Head and Neck Oncology, Department of Surgical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Parel, Mumbai, 400012, India
- Apollo Cancer Center, Apollo Hospitals, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai, 400614, India
| | - Sudhir Nair
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400094, India.
- Division of Head and Neck Oncology, Department of Surgical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Parel, Mumbai, 400012, India.
| | - Amit Dutt
- Integrated Cancer Genomics Laboratory, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research, and Education in Cancer, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, 410210, India.
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400094, India.
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Lee EK, Liu JF. Rational Combinations of PARP Inhibitors with HRD-Inducing Molecularly Targeted Agents. Cancer Treat Res 2023; 186:171-188. [PMID: 37978136 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-30065-3_10] [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] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Cancers with wild-type BRCA, homologous recombination proficiency, or de novo or acquired resistance to PARP inhibition represent a growing population of patients who may benefit from combinatorial PARP inhibitor strategies. We review targeted inhibitors of angiogenesis, epigenetic regulators, and PI3K, MAPK, and other cellular signaling pathways as inducers of homologous recombination deficiency, providing support for the use of PARP inhibitors in contexts not previously considered susceptible to PARP inhibition.
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18
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Hagege A, Saada-Bouzid E, Ambrosetti D, Rastoin O, Boyer J, He X, Rousset J, Montemagno C, Doyen J, Pedeutour F, Parola J, Bourget I, Luciano F, Bozec A, Cao Y, Pagès G, Dufies M. Targeting of c-MET and AXL by cabozantinib is a potential therapeutic strategy for patients with head and neck cell carcinoma. Cell Rep Med 2022; 3:100659. [PMID: 36130479 PMCID: PMC9512663 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Local or metastatic relapse following surgery, radiotherapy, and cisplatin is the leading cause of death in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Our study shows overexpression of c-MET and AXL in HNSCC cells and patients resistant to radiotherapy and cisplatin. We demonstrate that cabozantinib, an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), c-MET, and AXL, decreases migration, invasion, and proliferation and induces mitotic catastrophe and apoptotic cell death of naive and radiotherapy- and cisplatin-resistant HNSCC cells. Cabozantinib inhibits the growth and metastatic spread of experimental HNSCC in zebrafish and the growth of experimental HNSCC in mice by blocking tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis. The efficacy of cabozantinib is also confirmed on viable sections of surgically removed specimens of human HNSCC and on a patient who relapses after five lines of treatment. These results suggest that cabozantinib is relevant for the treatment of patients with HNSCC after relapse under radiotherapy and cisplatin. AXL and c-MET are overexpressed in radiotherapy- and cisplatin-resistant HNSCC Overexpression of AXL and c-MET contributes to tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis Cabozantinib has anti-tumor and anti-metastatic efficacy in mice and zebrafish models Cabozantinib efficacy is shown on HNSCC biopsies and in one patient after several relapses
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19
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Silina L, Dufour F, Rapinat A, Reyes C, Gentien D, Maksut F, Radvanyi F, Verrelle P, Bernard-Pierrot I, Mégnin-Chanet F. Tyro3 Targeting as a Radiosensitizing Strategy in Bladder Cancer through Cell Cycle Dysregulation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158671. [PMID: 35955805 PMCID: PMC9368768 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer is a common cancer; it is the tenth most common cancer in the world. Around one fourth of all diagnosed patients have muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), characterized by advanced tumors and which remains a lethal disease. The standard treatment for MIBC is the bladder removal by surgery. However, bladder-preserving alternatives are emerging by combining chemotherapy, radiotherapy and minimal surgery, aiming to increase the patient’s quality of life. The aim of the study was to improve these treatments by investigating a novel approach where in addition to radiotherapy, a receptor, TYRO3, a member of TAM receptor tyrosine kinase family known to be highly expressed on the bladder cancer cells and involved in the control of cell survival is targeted. For this, we evaluated the influence of TYRO3 expression levels on a colony or cell survival assays, DNA damage, γH2AX foci formation, gene expression profiling and cell cycle regulation, after radiation on different bladder cell models. We found that TYRO3 expression impacts the radiation response via the cell cycle dysregulation with noeffets on the DNA repair. Therefore, targeting TYRO3 is a promising sensitization marker that could be clinically employed in future treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Silina
- Institut Curie, CNRS, UMR144, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
- INSERM U 1196/CNRS UMR 9187, Paris-Saclay Research University, 91405 Orsay, France
- Institut Curie, Bat. 112, Rue H. Becquerel, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - Florent Dufour
- Institut Curie, CNRS, UMR144, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Audrey Rapinat
- Genomics Platform, Translational Research Department, Research Center, Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Cécile Reyes
- Genomics Platform, Translational Research Department, Research Center, Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - David Gentien
- Genomics Platform, Translational Research Department, Research Center, Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Fatlinda Maksut
- INSERM U 1196/CNRS UMR 9187, Paris-Saclay Research University, 91405 Orsay, France
- Institut Curie, Bat. 112, Rue H. Becquerel, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - François Radvanyi
- Institut Curie, CNRS, UMR144, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Pierre Verrelle
- INSERM U 1196/CNRS UMR 9187, Paris-Saclay Research University, 91405 Orsay, France
- Institut Curie, Bat. 112, Rue H. Becquerel, 91405 Orsay, France
- Institut Curie-Hospital, Radiation Oncology Department, 75005 Paris, France
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Clermont Auvergne University, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Isabelle Bernard-Pierrot
- Institut Curie, CNRS, UMR144, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Frédérique Mégnin-Chanet
- INSERM U 1196/CNRS UMR 9187, Paris-Saclay Research University, 91405 Orsay, France
- Institut Curie, Bat. 112, Rue H. Becquerel, 91405 Orsay, France
- Correspondence:
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20
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Engelsen AST, Lotsberg ML, Abou Khouzam R, Thiery JP, Lorens JB, Chouaib S, Terry S. Dissecting the Role of AXL in Cancer Immune Escape and Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition. Front Immunol 2022; 13:869676. [PMID: 35572601 PMCID: PMC9092944 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.869676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The development and implementation of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) in clinical oncology have significantly improved the survival of a subset of cancer patients with metastatic disease previously considered uniformly lethal. However, the low response rates and the low number of patients with durable clinical responses remain major concerns and underscore the limited understanding of mechanisms regulating anti-tumor immunity and tumor immune resistance. There is an urgent unmet need for novel approaches to enhance the efficacy of ICI in the clinic, and for predictive tools that can accurately predict ICI responders based on the composition of their tumor microenvironment. The receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) AXL has been associated with poor prognosis in numerous malignancies and the emergence of therapy resistance. AXL is a member of the TYRO3-AXL-MERTK (TAM) kinase family. Upon binding to its ligand GAS6, AXL regulates cell signaling cascades and cellular communication between various components of the tumor microenvironment, including cancer cells, endothelial cells, and immune cells. Converging evidence points to AXL as an attractive molecular target to overcome therapy resistance and immunosuppression, supported by the potential of AXL inhibitors to improve ICI efficacy. Here, we review the current literature on the prominent role of AXL in regulating cancer progression, with particular attention to its effects on anti-tumor immune response and resistance to ICI. We discuss future directions with the aim to understand better the complex role of AXL and TAM receptors in cancer and the potential value of this knowledge and targeted inhibition for the benefit of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnete S. T. Engelsen
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Maria L. Lotsberg
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Raefa Abou Khouzam
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jean-Paul Thiery
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
- Inserm, UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Villejuif, France
| | - James B. Lorens
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Salem Chouaib
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
- Inserm, UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Villejuif, France
- Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Faculty of Medicine, University Paris Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Stéphane Terry
- Inserm, UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Villejuif, France
- Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Faculty of Medicine, University Paris Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Research Department, Inovarion, Paris, France
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21
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Iida M, McDaniel NK, Kostecki KL, Welke NB, Kranjac CA, Liu P, Longhurst C, Bruce JY, Hong S, Salgia R, Wheeler DL. AXL regulates neuregulin1 expression leading to cetuximab resistance in head and neck cancer. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:447. [PMID: 35461210 PMCID: PMC9035247 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09511-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed and an important therapeutic target in Head and Neck cancer (HNC). Cetuximab is currently the only EGFR-targeting agent approved by the FDA for treatment of HNC; however, intrinsic and acquired resistance to cetuximab is a major problem in the clinic. Our lab previously reported that AXL leads to cetuximab resistance via activation of HER3. In this study, we investigate the connection between AXL, HER3, and neuregulin1 (NRG1) gene expression with a focus on understanding how their interdependent signaling promotes resistance to cetuximab in HNC. METHODS Plasmid or siRNA transfections and cell-based assays were conducted to test cetuximab sensitivity. Quantitative PCR and immunoblot analysis were used to analyze gene and protein expression levels. Seven HNC patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) were evaluated for protein expression levels. RESULTS We found that HER3 expression was necessary but not sufficient for cetuximab resistance without AXL expression. Our results demonstrated that addition of the HER3 ligand NRG1 to cetuximab-sensitive HNC cells leads to cetuximab resistance. Further, AXL-overexpressing cells regulate NRG1 at the level of transcription, thereby promoting cetuximab resistance. Immunoblot analysis revealed that NRG1 expression was relatively high in cetuximab-resistant HNC PDXs compared to cetuximab-sensitive HNC PDXs. Finally, genetic inhibition of NRG1 resensitized AXL-overexpressing cells to cetuximab. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that AXL may signal through HER3 via NRG1 to promote cetuximab resistance and that targeting of NRG1 could have significant clinical implications for HNC therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Iida
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Nellie K McDaniel
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Kourtney L Kostecki
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Noah B Welke
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Carlene A Kranjac
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Peng Liu
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Colin Longhurst
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Justine Y Bruce
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Seungpyo Hong
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Madison, WI, USA
- Wisconsin Center for NanoBioSystems, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Yonsei Frontier Lab, Department of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Deric L Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1111 highland Ave, WIMR 3159, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
- Wisconsin Center for NanoBioSystems, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
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22
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Commonly Prescribed Anticoagulants Exert Anticancer Effects in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells In Vitro. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11040596. [PMID: 35453795 PMCID: PMC9027634 DOI: 10.3390/biology11040596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide with 840,000 new cases and 420,000 deaths in 2020. Anticoagulants are widely prescribed medications routinely administered to help prevent blood clots. Despite the great relevance of these two topics, there is complete lack of knowledge regarding the potential effects that these drugs could exert on oral cancer patients. In this in vitro study, we comprehensively investigated the effect of anticoagulants on OSCC activity. This includes the effect of these drugs on cancer cell ability to survive, migrate to colonise distant sites, and resist treatment with conventional chemotherapy. We have demonstrated for the first time that various anticoagulants have anticancer effects on OSCC. Moreover, some of the anticoagulants tested were able to reduce the migratory ability of cancer cells. Finally, the great majority of anticoagulants studied reduced the effectiveness of the tested chemotherapeutic agent, allowing an increase in cancer cell proliferation. Our results highlight the need for urgent further research in the field, to improve the anticoagulant strategies in patients with oral cancer, and in turn their prognosis. Abstract Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common head and neck cancer. With anticoagulant usage on the rise, it is important to elucidate their potential effects on tumour biology and interactions with chemotherapeutics. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of anticoagulants on OSCC cell lines and their interactions with the drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Cell proliferation was assessed using an MTS in vitro assay in two human OSCC cell lines (H357/H400) and in normal oral keratinocytes (OKF6) treated with the 5-FU (0.2/1/5/10 μg/mL), conventional anticoagulants warfarin (1/5/10/20 μM) and heparin (5/20/80 U), as well as four new oral anticoagulants, dabigatran (5/10/20 μM), rivaroxaban (5/10/20 μM), apixaban (0.1/1/5 μg/mL), and edoxaban (5/10/20 μM). Cell migration was assessed at 3 h intervals up to18 h using a wound healing assay. Our results clearly demonstrate, for the first time, that commonly prescribed anticoagulants exert in vitro antiproliferative effects on OSCC cells. Furthermore, treatment with some anticoagulants reduced the migration of OSCC cell lines. Nevertheless, most of the anticoagulants tested reduced the effectiveness of the chemotherapeutic agent tested, 5-FU, highlighting potential flaws in the current pharmacological management of these patients. Our findings showed the need for the immediate translation of this research to preclinical animal models.
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23
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Tissue Microarray Analyses Suggest Axl as a Predictive Biomarker in HPV-Negative Head and Neck Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071829. [PMID: 35406601 PMCID: PMC8997923 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071829] [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: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite many efforts, no predictive biomarkers that could guide clinical decision making and personalized treatment have been established for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. We propose that high expression of the tyrosine kinase receptor Axl identifies patients as being at enhanced risk for treatment failure under surgery alone and, hence, should be treated by primary or adjuvant radiotherapy. Abstract The receptor tyrosine kinase Axl is described to promote migration, metastasis and resistance against molecular targeting, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy in various tumor entities, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Since clinical data on Axl and its ligand Gas6 in HNSCC are sparse, we assessed the association of Axl and Gas6 expression with patient survival in a single center retrospective cohort in a tissue microarray format. Expression was evaluated manually using an established algorithm and correlated with clinicopathological parameters and patient survival. A number of 362 samples yielded interpretable staining, which did not correlate with T- and N-stage. Protein expression levels were not associated with the survival of patients with p16-positive oropharyngeal SCC. In HPV-negative tumors, Axl expression did not impact patients treated with primary or adjuvant radio(chemo)therapy, but was significantly associated with inferior overall and recurrence-free survival in patients treated with surgery alone. Gas6 was a positive predictor of survival in patients whose treatment included radiotherapy. Associations remained significant in multivariable analysis. Our data question a meaningful contribution of the Axl/Gas6 pathway to radio-resistance in HNSCC and instead suggest that strong Axl expression identifies tumors requiring adjuvant radio(chemo)therapy after surgery.
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24
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Synn CB, Kim SE, Lee HK, Kim MH, Kim JH, Lee JM, Jo HN, Lee W, Kim DK, Byeon Y, Kim YS, Yun MR, Park CW, Yun J, Lim S, Heo SG, Yang SD, Lee EJ, Lee S, Choi H, Lee YW, Cho JS, Kim DH, Park S, Kim JH, Choi Y, Lee SS, Ahn BC, Kim CG, Lim SM, Hong MH, Kim HR, Pyo KH, Cho BC. SKI-G-801, an AXL kinase inhibitor, blocks metastasis through inducing anti-tumor immune responses and potentiates anti-PD-1 therapy in mouse cancer models. Clin Transl Immunology 2022; 11:e1364. [PMID: 35003748 PMCID: PMC8716998 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1364] [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: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives AXL‐mediated activation of aberrant tyrosine kinase drives various oncogenic processes and facilitates an immunosuppressive microenvironment. We evaluated the anti‐tumor and anti‐metastatic activities of SKI‐G‐801, a small‐molecule inhibitor of AXL, alone and in combination with anti‐PD‐1 therapy. Methods In vitro pAXL inhibition by SKI‐G‐801 was performed in both human and mouse cancer cell lines. Immunocompetent mouse models of tumor were established to measure anti‐metastatic potential of SKI‐G‐801. Furthermore, SKI‐G‐801, anti‐PD‐1 or their combination was administered as an adjuvant or neoadjuvant in the 4T1 tumor model to assess their potential for clinical application. Results SKI‐G‐801 robustly inhibited pAXL expression in various cell lines. SKI‐G‐801 alone or in combination with anti‐PD‐1 potently inhibited metastasis in B16F10 melanoma, CT26 colon and 4T1 breast models. SKI‐G‐801 inhibited the growth of B16F10 and 4T1 tumor‐bearing mice but not immune‐deficient mice. An antibody depletion assay revealed that CD8+ T cells significantly contributed to SKI‐G‐801‐mediated survival. Anti‐PD‐1 and combination group were observed the increased CD8+Ki67+ and effector T cells and M1 macrophage and decreased M2 macrophage, and granulocytic myeloid‐derived suppressor cell (G‐MDSC) compared to the control group. The neoadjuvant combination of SKI‐G‐801 and anti‐PD‐1 therapy achieved superior survival benefits by inducing more profound T‐cell responses in the 4T1 syngeneic mouse model. Conclusion SKI‐G‐801 significantly suppressed tumor metastasis and growth by enhancing anti‐tumor immune responses. Our results suggest that SKI‐G‐801 has the potential to overcome anti‐PD‐1 therapy resistance and allow more patients to benefit from anti‐PD‐1 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Bong Synn
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea.,Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| | - Sung Eun Kim
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | | | - Min-Hwan Kim
- Yonsei Cancer Center Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| | - Jae Hwan Kim
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Ji Min Lee
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| | - Ha Ni Jo
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Wongeun Lee
- JEUK Institute for Cancer Research Gumi Korea
| | - Dong Kwon Kim
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Youngseon Byeon
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Young Seob Kim
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Mi Ran Yun
- JEUK Institute for Cancer Research Gumi Korea
| | - Chae-Won Park
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Jiyeon Yun
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Sangbin Lim
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Seong Gu Heo
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - San-Duk Yang
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Eun Ji Lee
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Seul Lee
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Hunmi Choi
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - You Won Lee
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Jae Seok Cho
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea
| | - Do Hee Kim
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea.,Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| | | | | | | | - Sung Sook Lee
- Department of Hematology-Oncology Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital Busan Korea
| | - Beung-Chul Ahn
- Yonsei Cancer Center Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| | - Chang Gon Kim
- Yonsei Cancer Center Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| | - Sun Min Lim
- Yonsei Cancer Center Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| | - Min Hee Hong
- Yonsei Cancer Center Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| | - Hye Ryun Kim
- Yonsei Cancer Center Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| | - Kyoung-Ho Pyo
- Department of Medical Science College of Medicine Yonsei University Seoul Korea.,Yonsei Cancer Center Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
| | - Byoung Chul Cho
- Yonsei Cancer Center Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea
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25
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Wang Y, Tian Y, Liu S, Wang Z, Xing Q. Prognostic value and immunological role of AXL gene in clear cell renal cell carcinoma associated with identifying LncRNA/RBP/AXL mRNA networks. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:625. [PMID: 34838035 PMCID: PMC8626946 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02322-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds This article aimed to explore the prognostic and immunological roles of AXL gene in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) for overall survival (OS) and to identify the LncRNA/RBP/AXL mRNA networks. Methods AXL-related gene expression matrix and clinical data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and AXL-related pathways were identified by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). We performed univariate/multivariate Cox regression analysis to evaluate independent prognostic factors and the relationships between AXL and immunity were also investigated. Results The outcomes of us indicated that the AXL mRNA expression was up-regulated in ccRCC samples and high expression of AXL was associated with worse OS in TCGA dataset (P < 0.01). Further external verification results from HPA, UALCAN, ICGC dataset, GSE6344, GSE14994, and qRT-PCR remained consistent (all P < 0.05). AXL was also identified as an independent prognostic factor for ccRCC by univariate/multivariate Cox regression analysis (both P < 0.05). A nomogram including AXL expression and clinicopathological factors was established by us and GSEA results found that elevated AXL expression was associated with the JAK-STAT, P53, WNT, VEGF and MAPK signaling pathways. In terms of immunity, AXL was dramatically linked to tumor microenvironment, immune cells, immune infiltration, immune checkpoint molecules and tumor mutational burden (TMB). As for its potential mechanisms, we also identified several LncRNA/RBP/AXL mRNA axes. Conclusions AXL was revealed to play prognostic and immunological roles in ccRCC and LncRNA/RBP/AXL mRNA axes were also identified by us for its potential mechanisms. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-021-02322-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, No. 20 West Temple Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ye Tian
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Shouyong Liu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zengjun Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Qianwei Xing
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, No. 20 West Temple Road, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu Province, China.
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26
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Mullen MM, Lomonosova E, Toboni MD, Oplt A, Cybulla E, Blachut B, Zhao P, Noia H, Wilke D, Rankin EB, Kuroki LM, Hagemann AR, Hagemann IS, McCourt CK, Thaker PH, Mutch DG, Powell MA, Mosammaparast N, Vindigni A, Fuh KC. GAS6/AXL Inhibition Enhances Ovarian Cancer Sensitivity to Chemotherapy and PARP Inhibition through Increased DNA Damage and Enhanced Replication Stress. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 20:265-279. [PMID: 34670865 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-21-0302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Over 80% of women with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) develop tumor resistance to chemotherapy and die of their disease. There are currently no FDA-approved agents to improve sensitivity to first-line platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy or to PARP inhibitors. Here, we tested the hypothesis that expression of growth arrest-specific 6 (GAS6), the ligand of receptor tyrosine kinase AXL, is associated with chemotherapy response and that sequestration of GAS6 with AVB-S6-500 (AVB-500) could improve tumor response to chemotherapy and PARP inhibitors. We found that GAS6 levels in patient tumor and serum samples collected before chemotherapy correlated with ovarian cancer chemoresponse and patient survival. Compared with chemotherapy alone, AVB-500 plus carboplatin and/or paclitaxel led to decreased ovarian cancer-cell survival in vitro and tumor burden in vivo. Cells treated with AVB-500 plus carboplatin had more DNA damage, slower DNA replication fork progression, and fewer RAD51 foci than cells treated with carboplatin alone, indicating AVB-500 impaired homologous recombination (HR). Finally, treatment with the PARP inhibitor olaparib plus AVB-500 led to decreased ovarian cancer-cell survival in vitro and less tumor burden in vivo. Importantly, this effect was seen in HR-proficient and HR-deficient ovarian cancer cells. Collectively, our findings suggest that GAS6 levels could be used to predict response to carboplatin and AVB-500 could be used to treat platinum-resistant, HR-proficient HGSOC. IMPLICATIONS: GAS6/AXL is a novel target to sensitize ovarian cancers to carboplatin and olaparib. Additionally, GAS6 levels can be associated with response to carboplatin treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary M Mullen
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Elena Lomonosova
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Michael D Toboni
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Alyssa Oplt
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Emily Cybulla
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri.,Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Barbara Blachut
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Peinan Zhao
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Hollie Noia
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Daniel Wilke
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Erinn B Rankin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California. Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Lindsay M Kuroki
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Andrea R Hagemann
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Ian S Hagemann
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri.,Division of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Carolyn K McCourt
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Premal H Thaker
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - David G Mutch
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Matthew A Powell
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Nima Mosammaparast
- Division of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Alessandro Vindigni
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Katherine C Fuh
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri.
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27
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Oliva M, Chepeha D, Araujo DV, Diaz-Mejia JJ, Olson P, Prawira A, Spreafico A, Bratman SV, Shek T, de Almeida J, R Hansen A, Hope A, Goldstein D, Weinreb I, Smith S, Perez-Ordoñez B, Irish J, Torti D, Bruce JP, Wang BX, Fortuna A, Pugh TJ, Der-Torossian H, Shazer R, Attanasio N, Au Q, Tin A, Feeney J, Sethi H, Aleshin A, Chen I, Siu L. Antitumor immune effects of preoperative sitravatinib and nivolumab in oral cavity cancer: SNOW window-of-opportunity study. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-003476. [PMID: 34599023 PMCID: PMC8488751 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sitravatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets TYRO3, AXL, MERTK and the VEGF receptor family, is predicted to increase the M1 to M2-polarized tumor-associated macrophages ratio in the tumor microenvironment and have synergistic antitumor activity in combination with anti-programmed death-1/ligand-1 agents. SNOW is a window-of-opportunity study designed to evaluate the immune and molecular effects of preoperative sitravatinib and nivolumab in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS Patients with newly-diagnosed untreated T2-4a, N0-2 or T1 >1 cm-N2 oral cavity carcinomas were eligible. All patients received sitravatinib 120 mg daily from day 1 up to 48 hours pre-surgery and one dose of nivolumab 240 mg on day 15. Surgery was planned between day 23 and 30. Standard of care adjuvant radiotherapy was given based on clinical stage. Tumor photographs, fresh tumor biopsies and blood samples were collected at baseline, at day 15 after sitravatinib alone, and at surgery after sitravatinib-nivolumab combination. Tumor flow cytometry, multiplex immunofluorescence staining and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) were performed on tumor biopsies to study changes in immune-cell populations. Tumor whole-exome sequencing and circulating tumor DNA and cell-free DNA were evaluated at each time point. RESULTS Ten patients were included. Grade 3 toxicity occurred in one patient (hypertension); one patient required sitravatinib dose reduction, and one patient required discontinuation and surgery delay due to G2 thrombocytopenia. Nine patients had clinical-to-pathological downstaging, with one complete response. Independent pathological treatment response (PTR) assessment confirmed a complete PTR and two major PTRs. With a median follow-up of 21 months, all patients are alive with no recurrence. Circulating tumor DNA and cell-free DNA dynamics correlated with clinical and pathological response and distinguished two patient groups with different tumor biological behavior after sitravatinib alone (1A) versus sitravatinib-nivolumab (1B). Tumor immunophenotyping and scRNAseq analyses revealed differential changes in the expression of immune cell populations and sitravatinib-targeted and hypoxia-related genes in group 1A vs 1B patients. CONCLUSIONS The SNOW study shows sitravatinib plus nivolumab is safe and leads to deep clinical and pathological responses in oral cavity carcinomas. Multi-omic biomarker analyses dissect the differential molecular effects of sitravatinib versus the sitravatinib-nivolumab and revealed patients with distinct tumor biology behavior. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03575598.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Oliva
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Catala d' Oncologia, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Division of Medical Oncology and Haematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Douglas Chepeha
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel V Araujo
- Division of Medical Oncology and Haematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Medical Oncology, Hospital de Base São Jose do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - J Javier Diaz-Mejia
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter Olson
- Department of Research, Mirati Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Amy Prawira
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, St Vincent's Hospital, Sidney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anna Spreafico
- Division of Medical Oncology and Haematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Scott V Bratman
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tina Shek
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - John de Almeida
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aaron R Hansen
- Division of Medical Oncology and Haematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew Hope
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Goldstein
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ilan Weinreb
- Department of Pathology, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen Smith
- Department of Pathology, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Jonathan Irish
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dax Torti
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeffrey P Bruce
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ben X Wang
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anthony Fortuna
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Trevor J Pugh
- Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Ronald Shazer
- Clinical Development, Mirati Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA
| | | | - Qingyan Au
- Neogenomics Laboratories, Fort Myers, Florida, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Isan Chen
- Clinical Development, Mirati Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Lillian Siu
- Division of Medical Oncology and Haematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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28
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Therapeutic Targeting of the Gas6/Axl Signaling Pathway in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189953. [PMID: 34576116 PMCID: PMC8469858 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Many signaling pathways are dysregulated in cancer cells and the host tumor microenvironment. Aberrant receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) pathways promote cancer development, progression, and metastasis. Hence, numerous therapeutic interventions targeting RTKs have been actively pursued. Axl is an RTK that belongs to the Tyro3, Axl, MerTK (TAM) subfamily. Axl binds to a high affinity ligand growth arrest specific 6 (Gas6) that belongs to the vitamin K-dependent family of proteins. The Gas6/Axl signaling pathway has been implicated to promote progression, metastasis, immune evasion, and therapeutic resistance in many cancer types. Therapeutic agents targeting Gas6 and Axl have been developed, and promising results have been observed in both preclinical and clinical settings when such agents are used alone or in combination therapy. This review examines the current state of therapeutics targeting the Gas6/Axl pathway in cancer and discusses Gas6- and Axl-targeting agents that have been evaluated preclinically and clinically.
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29
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Osrodek M, Wozniak M. Targeting Genome Stability in Melanoma-A New Approach to an Old Field. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3485. [PMID: 33800547 PMCID: PMC8036881 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite recent groundbreaking advances in the treatment of cutaneous melanoma, it remains one of the most treatment-resistant malignancies. Due to resistance to conventional chemotherapy, the therapeutic focus has shifted away from aiming at melanoma genome stability in favor of molecularly targeted therapies. Inhibitors of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK (MAPK) pathway significantly slow disease progression. However, long-term clinical benefit is rare due to rapid development of drug resistance. In contrast, immune checkpoint inhibitors provide exceptionally durable responses, but only in a limited number of patients. It has been increasingly recognized that melanoma cells rely on efficient DNA repair for survival upon drug treatment, and that genome instability increases the efficacy of both MAPK inhibitors and immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss recent developments in the field of melanoma research which indicate that targeting genome stability of melanoma cells may serve as a powerful strategy to maximize the efficacy of currently available therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michal Wozniak
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland;
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30
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Wium M, Ajayi-Smith AF, Paccez JD, Zerbini LF. The Role of the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Axl in Carcinogenesis and Development of Therapeutic Resistance: An Overview of Molecular Mechanisms and Future Applications. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1521. [PMID: 33806258 PMCID: PMC8037968 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance to chemotherapeutic agents by cancer cells has remained a major obstacle in the successful treatment of various cancers. Numerous factors such as DNA damage repair, cell death inhibition, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and evasion of apoptosis have all been implicated in the promotion of chemoresistance. The receptor tyrosine kinase Axl, a member of the TAM family (which includes TYRO3 and MER), plays an important role in the regulation of cellular processes such as proliferation, motility, survival, and immunologic response. The overexpression of Axl is reported in several solid and hematological malignancies, including non-small cell lung, prostate, breast, liver and gastric cancers, and acute myeloid leukaemia. The overexpression of Axl is associated with poor prognosis and the development of resistance to therapy. Reports show that Axl overexpression confers drug resistance in lung cancer and advances the emergence of tolerant cells. Axl is, therefore, an important candidate as a prognostic biomarker and target for anticancer therapies. In this review, we discuss the consequence of Axl upregulation in cancers, provide evidence for its role in cancer progression and the development of drug resistance. We will also discuss the therapeutic potential of Axl in the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Wium
- Cancer Genomics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.W.); (A.F.A.-S.)
| | - Aderonke F. Ajayi-Smith
- Cancer Genomics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.W.); (A.F.A.-S.)
| | - Juliano D. Paccez
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Luiz F. Zerbini
- Cancer Genomics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.W.); (A.F.A.-S.)
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31
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The role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-regulating transcription factors in anti-cancer drug resistance. Arch Pharm Res 2021; 44:281-292. [PMID: 33768509 PMCID: PMC8009775 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-021-01321-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The complex orchestration of gene expression that mediates the transition of epithelial cells into mesenchymal cells is implicated in cancer development and metastasis. As the primary regulator of the process, epithelial-mesenchymal transition-regulating transcription factors (EMT-TFs) play key roles in metastasis. They are also highlighted in recent preclinical studies on resistance to cancer therapy. This review describes the role of three main EMT-TFs, including Snail, Twist1, and zinc-finger E homeobox-binding 1 (ZEB1), relating to drug resistance and current possible approaches for future challenges targeting EMT-TFs.
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32
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Ramkumar K, Stewart CA, Cargill KR, Corte CMD, Wang Q, Shen L, Diao L, Cardnell RJ, Peng DH, Rodriguez BL, Fan YH, Heymach JV, Wang J, Gay CM, Gibbons DL, Byers LA. AXL Inhibition Induces DNA Damage and Replication Stress in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells and Promotes Sensitivity to ATR Inhibitors. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 19:485-497. [PMID: 33172976 PMCID: PMC7925356 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
AXL, a TAM (TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK) family receptor tyrosine kinase, is increasingly being recognized as a key determinant of resistance to targeted therapies, as well as chemotherapy and radiation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other cancers. We further show here that high levels of AXL and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition were frequently expressed in subsets of both treatment-naïve and treatment-relapsed NSCLC. Previously, we and others have demonstrated a role for AXL in mediating DNA damage response (DDR), as well as resistance to inhibition of WEE1, a replication stress response kinase. Here, we show that BGB324 (bemcentinib), a selective small-molecule AXL inhibitor, caused DNA damage and induced replication stress, indicated by ATR/CHK1 phosphorylation, more significantly in TP53-deficient NSCLC cell lines. Similar effects were also observed in large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) cell lines. High AXL protein levels were also associated with resistance to ATR inhibition. Combined inhibition of AXL and ATR significantly decreased cell proliferation of NSCLC and LCNEC cell lines. Mechanistically, combined inhibition of AXL and ATR significantly increased RPA32 hyperphosphorylation and DNA double-strand breaks and induced markers of mitotic catastrophe. Notably, NSCLC cell lines with low levels of SLFN11, a known predictive biomarker for platinum and PARP inhibitor sensitivity, were more sensitive to AXL/ATR cotargeting. These findings demonstrate a novel and unexpected role for AXL in replication stress tolerance, with potential therapeutic implications. IMPLICATIONS: These findings demonstrate that the combination of AXL and ATR inhibitors could be a promising therapeutic combination for NSCLC, LCNEC, and other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavya Ramkumar
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - C. Allison Stewart
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kasey R. Cargill
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Carminia M. Della Corte
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Current affiliation: University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Qi Wang
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Li Shen
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lixia Diao
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Robert J. Cardnell
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - David H. Peng
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Current affiliation: Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - B. Leticia Rodriguez
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - You-Hong Fan
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - John V. Heymach
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Carl M. Gay
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Don L. Gibbons
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lauren A. Byers
- Departments of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Corresponding author: Lauren A. Byers, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 432, Houston, Texas, 77030. Phone: (713) 745-2982; Fax: (713) 792-1220;
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33
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Chabot T, Cheraud Y, Fleury F. Relationships between DNA repair and RTK-mediated signaling pathways. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1875:188495. [PMID: 33346130 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTK) are an important family involved in numerous signaling pathways essential for proliferation, cell survival, transcription or cell-cycle regulation. Their role and involvement in cancer cell survival have been widely described in the literature, and are generally associated with overexpression and/or excessive activity in the cancer pathology. Because of these characteristics, RTKs are relevant targets in the fight against cancer. In the last decade, increasingly numerous works describe the role of RTK signaling in the modulation of DNA repair, thus providing evidence of the relationship between RTKs and the protein actors in the repair pathways. In this review, we propose a summary of RTKs described as potential modulators of double-stranded DNA repair pathways in order to put forward new lines of research aimed at the implementation of new therapeutic strategies targeting both DNA repair pathways and RTK-mediated signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Chabot
- Mechanism and regulation of DNA repair team, UFIP, CNRS UMR 6286, Université de Nantes, 2 rue de la Houssinière, 44322 Nantes, France
| | - Yvonnick Cheraud
- Mechanism and regulation of DNA repair team, UFIP, CNRS UMR 6286, Université de Nantes, 2 rue de la Houssinière, 44322 Nantes, France
| | - Fabrice Fleury
- Mechanism and regulation of DNA repair team, UFIP, CNRS UMR 6286, Université de Nantes, 2 rue de la Houssinière, 44322 Nantes, France.
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34
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Shah PA, Huang C, Li Q, Kazi SA, Byers LA, Wang J, Johnson FM, Frederick MJ. NOTCH1 Signaling in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cells 2020; 9:cells9122677. [PMID: 33322834 PMCID: PMC7764697 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomarker-driven targeted therapies are lacking for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), which is common and lethal. Efforts to develop such therapies are hindered by a genomic landscape dominated by the loss of tumor suppressor function, including NOTCH1 that is frequently mutated in HNSCC. Clearer understanding of NOTCH1 signaling in HNSCCs is crucial to clinically targeting this pathway. Structural characterization of NOTCH1 mutations in HNSCC demonstrates that most are predicted to cause loss of function, in agreement with NOTCH1's role as a tumor suppressor in this cancer. Experimental manipulation of NOTCH1 signaling in HNSCC cell lines harboring either mutant or wild-type NOTCH1 further supports a tumor suppressor function. Additionally, the loss of NOTCH1 signaling can drive HNSCC tumorigenesis and clinical aggressiveness. Our recent data suggest that NOTCH1 controls genes involved in early differentiation that could have different phenotypic consequences depending on the cancer's genetic background, including acquisition of pseudo-stem cell-like properties. The presence of NOTCH1 mutations may predict response to treatment with an immune checkpoint or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors. The latter is being tested in a clinical trial, and if validated, it may lead to the development of the first biomarker-driven targeted therapy for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja A. Shah
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (P.A.S.); (L.A.B.)
| | - Chenfei Huang
- Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (C.H.); (M.J.F.)
| | - Qiuli Li
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China;
| | - Sawad A. Kazi
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA;
| | - Lauren A. Byers
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (P.A.S.); (L.A.B.)
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Jing Wang
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Faye M. Johnson
- Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (P.A.S.); (L.A.B.)
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-713–792-6363; Fax: +1-713-792-1220
| | - Mitchell J. Frederick
- Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (C.H.); (M.J.F.)
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35
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Srivastava S, Pang KM, Iida M, Nelson MS, Liu J, Nam A, Wang J, Mambetsariev I, Pillai R, Mohanty A, McDaniel N, Behal A, Kulkarni P, Wheeler DL, Salgia R. Activation of EPHA2-ROBO1 Heterodimer by SLIT2 Attenuates Non-canonical Signaling and Proliferation in Squamous Cell Carcinomas. iScience 2020; 23:101692. [PMID: 33196021 PMCID: PMC7644594 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The tyrosine kinase receptor ephrin receptor A2 (EPHA2) is overexpressed in lung (LSCC) and head and neck (HNSCC) squamous cell carcinomas. Although EPHA2 can inhibit tumorigenesis in a ligand-dependent fashion via phosphorylation of Y588 and Y772, it can promote tumorigenesis in a ligand-independent manner via phosphorylation of S897. Here, we show that EPHA2 and Roundabout Guidance Receptor 1 (ROBO1) interact to form a functional heterodimer. Furthermore, we show that the ROBO1 ligand Slit Guidance Ligand 2 (SLIT2) and ensartinib, an inhibitor of EPHA2, can attenuate growth of HNSCC cells and act synergistically in LSCC cells. Our results suggest that patients with LSCC and HNSCC may be stratified and treated based on their EPHA2 and ROBO1 expression patterns. Although ~73% of patients with LSCC could benefit from SLIT2+ensartinib treatment, ~41% of patients with HNSCC could be treated with either SLIT2 or ensartinib. Thus, EPHA2 and ROBO1 represent potential LSCC and HNSCC theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saumya Srivastava
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Ka Ming Pang
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Mari Iida
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Wisconsin Institute for Medical Research, Madison, WI 53705-2275, USA
| | - Michael S. Nelson
- Light Microscopy Core, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jiayi Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Arin Nam
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Jiale Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Isa Mambetsariev
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Raju Pillai
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Atish Mohanty
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Nellie McDaniel
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Wisconsin Institute for Medical Research, Madison, WI 53705-2275, USA
| | - Amita Behal
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Prakash Kulkarni
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Deric L. Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Wisconsin Institute for Medical Research, Madison, WI 53705-2275, USA
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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Wang KH, Ding DC. Dual targeting of TAM receptors Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK: Role in tumors and the tumor immune microenvironment. Tzu Chi Med J 2020; 33:250-256. [PMID: 34386362 PMCID: PMC8323642 DOI: 10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_129_20] [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: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In both normal and tumor tissues, receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) may be pleiotropically expressed. The RTKs not only regulate ordinary cellular processes, including proliferation, survival, adhesion, and migration, but also have a critical role in the development of many types of cancer. The Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK (TAM) family of RTKs (Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK) plays a pleiotropic role in phagocytosis, inflammation, and normal cellular processes. In this article, we highlight the cellular activities of TAM receptors and discuss their roles in cancer and immune cells. We also discuss cancer therapies that target TAM receptors. Further research is needed to elucidate the function of TAM receptors in immune cells toward the development of new targeted immunotherapies for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Hung Wang
- Department of Medical Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Dah-Ching Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation and Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
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Di Stasi R, De Rosa L, D'Andrea LD. Therapeutic aspects of the Axl/Gas6 molecular system. Drug Discov Today 2020; 25:2130-2148. [PMID: 33002607 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Axl receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) and its ligand, growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6), are involved in several biological functions and participate in the development and progression of a range of malignancies and autoimmune disorders. In this review, we present this molecular system from a drug discovery perspective, highlighting its therapeutic implications and challenges that need to be addressed. We provide an update on Axl/Gas6 axis biology, exploring its role in fields ranging from angiogenesis, cancer development and metastasis, immune response and inflammation to viral infection. Finally, we summarize the molecules that have been developed to date to target the Axl/Gas6 molecular system for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Di Stasi
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Lucia De Rosa
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Luca D D'Andrea
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy.
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Schuch LF, Silveira FM, Wagner VP, Borgato GB, Rocha GZ, Castilho RM, Vargas PA, Martins MD. Head and neck cancer patient-derived xenograft models - A systematic review. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2020; 155:103087. [PMID: 32992152 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.103087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) involve the direct surgical transfer of fresh human tumor samples to immunodeficient mice. This systematic review aimed to identify publications of head and neck cancer PDX (HNC-PDX) models, describing the main methodological characteristics and outcomes. METHODS An electronic search was undertaken in four databases, including publications having used HNC-PDX. Data were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS 63 articles were yielded. The nude mouse was one most commonly animal model used (38.8 %), and squamous cell carcinoma accounted for the majority of HNC-PDX (80.6 %). Tumors were mostly implanted in the flank (86.3 %), and the latency period ranged from 30 to 401 days. The successful rate ranged from 17 % to 100 %. Different drugs and pathways were identified. CONCLUSION HNC-PDX appears to significantly recapitulate the morphology of the original HNC and represents a valuable method in translational research for the assessment of the in vivo effect of novel therapies for HNC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren F Schuch
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, Universidade de Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Felipe M Silveira
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, Universidade de Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Vivian P Wagner
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, Universidade de Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriell B Borgato
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, Universidade de Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Z Rocha
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, Universidade de Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Rogerio M Castilho
- Laboratory of Epithelial Biology, Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1078, United States; Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, United States
| | - Pablo A Vargas
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, Universidade de Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Manoela D Martins
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, Universidade de Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil; Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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McDaniel NK, Iida M, Nickel KP, Longhurst CA, Fischbach SR, Rodems TS, Kranjac CA, Bo AY, Luo Q, Gallagher MM, Welke NB, Mitchell KR, Schulz AE, Eckers JC, Hu R, Salgia R, Hong S, Bruce JY, Kimple RJ, Wheeler DL. AXL Mediates Cetuximab and Radiation Resistance Through Tyrosine 821 and the c-ABL Kinase Pathway in Head and Neck Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:4349-4359. [PMID: 32439698 PMCID: PMC7442604 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-3142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Radiation and cetuximab are therapeutics used in management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Despite clinical success with these modalities, development of both intrinsic and acquired resistance is an emerging problem in the management of this disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate signaling of the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL in resistance to radiation and cetuximab treatment. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN To study AXL signaling in the context of treatment-resistant HNSCC, we used patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) implanted into mice and evaluated the tumor response to AXL inhibition in combination with cetuximab or radiation treatment. To identify molecular mechanisms of how AXL signaling leads to resistance, three tyrosine residues of AXL (Y779, Y821, Y866) were mutated and examined for their sensitivity to cetuximab and/or radiation. Furthermore, reverse phase protein array (RPPA) was employed to analyze the proteomic architecture of signaling pathways in these genetically altered cell lines. RESULTS Treatment of cetuximab- and radiation-resistant PDXs with AXL inhibitor R428 was sufficient to overcome resistance. RPPA analysis revealed that such resistance emanates from signaling of tyrosine 821 of AXL via the tyrosine kinase c-ABL. In addition, inhibition of c-ABL signaling resensitized cells and tumors to cetuximab or radiotherapy even leading to complete tumor regression without recurrence in head and neck cancer models. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, the studies presented herein suggest that tyrosine 821 of AXL mediates resistance to cetuximab by activation of c-ABL kinase in HNSCC and that targeting of both EGFR and c-ABL leads to a robust antitumor response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nellie K McDaniel
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Mari Iida
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Kwangok P Nickel
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Colin A Longhurst
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Samantha R Fischbach
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Tamara S Rodems
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Carlene A Kranjac
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Amber Y Bo
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Qianyun Luo
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Meghan M Gallagher
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Noah B Welke
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Kaitlyn R Mitchell
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Alison E Schulz
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Jaimee C Eckers
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Rong Hu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California
| | - Seungpyo Hong
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Madison, Wisconsin
- Yonsei Frontier Lab and Department of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Justine Y Bruce
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Randall J Kimple
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Deric L Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
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40
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Li J, Shi C, Zhou R, Han Y, Xu S, Ma H, Zhang Z. The crosstalk between AXL and YAP promotes tumor progression through STAT3 activation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:3222-3235. [PMID: 32589311 PMCID: PMC7469783 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and Yes-associated protein (YAP) are critical driving factors in tumors. Currently, the regulation of RTKs in the Hippo-YAP pathway has been recognized as an important issue. However, the relationship between AXL, one of the RTKs, and YAP in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains unknown. In this study, the crosstalk between AXL and YAP was thoroughly investigated in vitro and in vivo. We determined that there was a positive correlation between AXL and YAP in the HNSCC tissue samples and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset, and high co-expression was associated with poor prognosis. Inhibiting YAP decreased AXL expression in HNSCC cells, while YAP overexpression increased AXL. Moreover, ectopic expression of AXL reversed tumor suppressor phenotypes mediated by YAP silencing. This reversal effect was also confirmed in vivo. In addition, AXL overexpression and Gas6, a ligand of AXL, stimulated YAP dephosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and target gene transcription. AXL inhibition decreased YAP dephosphorylation and nuclear translocation. Mechanistically, Gas6 induced a competitive binding to phosphorylated signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) with large tumor suppressor kinase 1 (LATS1) and inhibited the Hippo pathway. This study revealed a novel non-transcriptional effect of STAT3 in Gas6/AXL-induced YAP activity, suggesting that STAT3 acted as a critical "molecular switch" during the mutual promotion between AXL and YAP, which might be a promising therapeutic target in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Li
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Chaoji Shi
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Zhou
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Han
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengming Xu
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Hailong Ma
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyuan Zhang
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
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He L, Lei Y, Hou J, Wu J, Lv G. Implications of the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Axl in Gastric Cancer Progression. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:5901-5911. [PMID: 32606800 PMCID: PMC7319943 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s257606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer (GC) is an aggressive malignancy with high lethality. Systematic chemotherapy is the main therapeutic strategy for advanced GC patients. The overexpression of Axl is associated with poor prognosis and regulates tumor growth and metastasis in many types of cancer. However, the role of Axl in GC progression remains elusive. MATERIALS AND METHODS Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR assay (RT-PCR) assays were used to detect the expression of Gas6, Axl, ZEB1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers in GC cells. Cell proliferation was determined by EdU cell proliferation assay and CCK-8 assay. Transwell invasion assay was performed to explore the effect of Axl and ZEB1 on cell invasion. Tumor xenografts and lung metastasis models were conducted to examine the effect of Axl on the growth and lung metastasis of GC cells. RESULTS In our study, we found that high levels of Gas6 and Axl expression were associated with reduced overall survival (OS) in GC patients and the expression of Gas6 and Axl was upregulated in GC cell lines. Ectopic expression of Axl induced EMT and promoted GC cell invasion and proliferation. The knockdown of Axl inhibited EMT and suppressed the proliferation and invasion of GC cell. In vivo study showed that inhibition of Axl impaired tumor growth and lung metastasis of GC cells. Mechanistic investigations revealed that Axl promoted EMT, invasion, and proliferation via upregulating ZEB1 expression in GC cells. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that the Gas6/Axl/ZEB1 signaling pathway regulated EMT, invasion, and proliferation in GC cells and might represent a potential therapeutic target for GC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lirui He
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong518000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yunpeng Lei
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong518000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianing Hou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong518000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianlong Wu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong518000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guoqing Lv
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong518000, People’s Republic of China
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Abstract
Non-communicable diseases contribute to 71% of the deaths worldwide, of which cancers rank second after cardiovascular diseases. Among all the cancers, head and neck cancers (HNC) are consequential in augmenting the global cancer incidence as well as mortality. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are emphatic for the matter that they serve as biomarkers aiding the analysis of tumor progression and metastasis as well as diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic progression in the patients. The extensive researches on HNC have made significant furtherance in numerous targeted therapies, but for the escalating therapeutic resistance. This review explicates RTKs in HNC, their signaling pathways involved in tumorigenesis, metastasis and stemness induction, the association of non-coding RNAs with RTKs, an overview of RTK based therapy and associated resistance in HNC, as well as a sneak peek into the HPV positive HNC and its therapy. The review extrapolates the cardinal role of RTKs and RTK based therapy as superior to other existing therapeutic interventions for HNC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Revathy Nadhan
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Priya Srinivas
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
| | - M Radhakrishna Pillai
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
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43
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Development and Radiation Response Assessment in A Novel Syngeneic Mouse Model of Tongue Cancer: 2D Culture, 3D Organoids and Orthotopic Allografts. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12030579. [PMID: 32131500 PMCID: PMC7139805 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12030579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are aggressive cancers that contribute to significant morbidity and mortality in humans. Although numerous human xenograft models of OSCC have been developed, only a few syngeneic models of OSCC exist. Here, we report on a novel murine model of OSCC, RP-MOC1, derived from a tongue tumor in a C57Bl/6 mouse exposed to the carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide. Phenotypic characterization and credentialing (STR profiling, exome sequencing) of RP-MOC1 cells was performed in vitro. Radiosensitivity was evaluated in 2D culture, 3D organoids, and in vivo using orthotopic allografts. RP-MOC1 cells exhibited a stable epithelial phenotype with proliferative, migratory and invasive properties. Exome sequencing identified several mutations commonly found in OSCC patients. The LD50 for RP-MOC1 cells in 2D culture and 3D organoids was found to be 2.4 Gy and 12.6 Gy, respectively. Orthotopic RP-MOC1 tumors were pan-cytokeratin+ and Ki-67+. Magnetic resonance imaging of orthotopic RP-MOC1 tumors established in immunocompetent mice revealed marked growth inhibition following 10 Gy and 15 Gy fractionated radiation regimens. This radiation response was completely abolished in tumors established in immunodeficient mice. This novel syngeneic model of OSCC can serve as a valuable platform for the evaluation of combination strategies to enhance radiation response against this deadly disease.
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44
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Sarukhanyan E, Shityakov S, Dandekar T. Rational Drug Design of Axl Tyrosine Kinase Type I Inhibitors as Promising Candidates Against Cancer. Front Chem 2020; 7:920. [PMID: 32117858 PMCID: PMC7010640 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The high level of Axl tyrosine kinase expression in various cancer cell lines makes it an attractive target for the development of anti-cancer drugs. In this study, we carried out several sets of in silico screening for the ATP-competitive Axl kinase inhibitors based on different molecular docking protocols. The best drug-like candidates were identified, after parental structure modifications, by their highest affinity to the target protein. We found that our newly designed compound R5, a derivative of the R428 patented analog, is the most promising inhibitor of the Axl kinase according to the three molecular docking algorithms applied in the study. The molecular docking results are in agreement with the molecular dynamics simulations using the MM-PBSA/GBSA implicit solvation models, which confirm the high affinity of R5 toward the protein receptor. Additionally, the selectivity test against other kinases also reveals a high affinity of R5 toward ABL1 and Tyro3 kinases, emphasizing its promising potential for the treatment of malignant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edita Sarukhanyan
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sergey Shityakov
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Mind-Body Interface Laboratory (MBI-Lab), China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Thomas Dandekar
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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45
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Agarwal A, Garg C, Ganesh MS, Reddy S. Molecular mechanisms of tobacco induced oral and oropharyngeal cancer: Results of a tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry-based study from a tertiary cancer center in India. INDIAN J PATHOL MICR 2020; 63:7-12. [PMID: 32031115 DOI: 10.4103/ijpm.ijpm_783_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is well established that chronic exposure to tobacco induces head and neck cancers but the exact etiopathogenesis is not known. Though studies have shown expression of TIMP1, EPS8 and AXL in cancers, their role in tobacco-induced cancers is not known. We aimed this study to evaluate the role of these molecules in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell cancers (SCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS In this single institutional study, 31 patients of oral and oropharyngeal SCC with history of chewing tobacco were included. Smokers were excluded from the study. After informed consent biopsies were taken from affected and contralateral normal mucosa. Paraffin blocks were made and tissue microarray (TMA) were constructed using these blocks. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for TIMP1, EPS8, AXL kinase was carried out on these tissue microarrays. The intensity of staining was scored from 0 to 3+, related to expression of each of the three molecules. RESULTS The expression of TIMP1, EPS8 and AXL kinase was significantly more in the cancerous mucosa versus non-cancerous mucosa (P = 0.000 in all three) in oral and oropharyngeal SCC exposed to chewing tobacco. CONCLUSION Immunohistochemical expression of these molecular markers in oral and oropharyngeal SCC correlated with their molecular based studies. Significant IHC expression of TIMP1, EPS8 and AXL establishes their role in the pathogenesis of oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas. Novel targeted therapies may be researched that can detect and target these molecules at an earlier stage of pathogenesis of these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Agarwal
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Vydehi Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Cheena Garg
- Department of Pathology, Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - M S Ganesh
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Vydehi Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Sreekanth Reddy
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Vydehi Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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Flem-Karlsen K, McFadden E, Omar N, Haugen MH, Øy GF, Ryder T, Gullestad HP, Hermann R, Mælandsmo GM, Flørenes VA. Targeting AXL and the DNA Damage Response Pathway as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy in Melanoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 19:895-905. [PMID: 31871265 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-19-0290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinase AXL is found upregulated in various types of cancer, including melanoma, and correlates with an aggressive cancer phenotype, inducing cell proliferation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. In addition, AXL has recently been linked to chemotherapy resistance, and inhibition of AXL is found to increase DNA damage and reduce expression of DNA repair proteins. In light of this, we aimed to investigate whether targeting AXL together with DNA damage response proteins would be therapeutically beneficial. Using melanoma cell lines, we observed that combined reduction of AXL and CHK1/CHK2 signaling decreased proliferation, deregulated cell-cycle progression, increased apoptosis, and reduced expression of DNA damage response proteins. Enhanced therapeutic effect of combined treatment, as compared with mono-treatment, was further observed in a patient-derived xenograft model and, of particular interest, when applying a three-dimensional ex vivo spheroid drug sensitivity assay on tumor cells harvested directly from 27 patients with melanoma lymph node metastases. Together, these results indicate that targeting AXL together with the DNA damage response pathway could be a promising treatment strategy in melanoma, and that further investigations in patient groups lacking treatment alternatives should be pursued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Flem-Karlsen
- Department of Pathology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. .,Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Erin McFadden
- Department of Pathology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nasrin Omar
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mads H Haugen
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Geir Frode Øy
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Truls Ryder
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hans Petter Gullestad
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Robert Hermann
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gunhild Mari Mælandsmo
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Vivi Ann Flørenes
- Department of Pathology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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47
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AXL receptor tyrosine kinase as a promising anti-cancer approach: functions, molecular mechanisms and clinical applications. Mol Cancer 2019; 18:153. [PMID: 31684958 PMCID: PMC6827209 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-019-1090-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 286] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular targeted therapy for cancer has been a research hotspot for decades. AXL is a member of the TAM family with the high-affinity ligand growth arrest-specific protein 6 (GAS6). The Gas6/AXL signalling pathway is associated with tumour cell growth, metastasis, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, drug resistance, immune regulation and stem cell maintenance. Different therapeutic agents targeting AXL have been developed, typically including small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), nucleotide aptamers, soluble receptors, and several natural compounds. In this review, we first provide a comprehensive discussion of the structure, function, regulation, and signalling pathways of AXL. Then, we highlight recent strategies for targeting AXL in the treatment of cancer.AXL-targeted drugs, either as single agents or in combination with conventional chemotherapy or other small molecule inhibitors, are likely to improve the survival of many patients. However, future investigations into AXL molecular signalling networks and robust predictive biomarkers are warranted to select patients who could receive clinical benefit and to avoid potential toxicities.
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48
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Arner EN, Du W, Brekken RA. Behind the Wheel of Epithelial Plasticity in KRAS-Driven Cancers. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1049. [PMID: 31681587 PMCID: PMC6798880 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular plasticity, a feature associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), contributes to tumor cell survival, migration, invasion, and therapy resistance. Phenotypic plasticity of the epithelium is a critical feature in multiple phases of human cancer in an oncogene- and tissue-specific context. Many factors can drive epithelial plasticity, including activating mutations in KRAS, which are found in an estimated 30% of all cancers. In this review, we will introduce cellular plasticity and its effect on cancer progression and therapy resistance and then summarize the drivers of EMT with an emphasis on KRAS effector signaling. Lastly, we will discuss the contribution of cellular plasticity to metastasis and its potential clinical implications. Understanding oncogenic KRAS cellular reprogramming has the potential to reveal novel strategies to control metastasis in KRAS-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily N Arner
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Department of Surgery and the Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Wenting Du
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Department of Surgery and the Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Rolf A Brekken
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Department of Surgery and the Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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49
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Lee N, Jang WJ, Seo JH, Lee S, Jeong CH. 2-Deoxy-d-Glucose-Induced Metabolic Alteration in Human Oral Squamous SCC15 Cells: Involvement of N-Glycosylation of Axl and Met. Metabolites 2019; 9:E188. [PMID: 31533338 PMCID: PMC6780519 DOI: 10.3390/metabo9090188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most prominent hallmarks of cancer cells is their dependency on the glycolytic pathway for energy production. As a potent inhibitor of glycolysis, 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2DG) has been proposed for cancer treatment and extensively investigated in clinical studies. Moreover, 2DG has been reported to interfere with other biological processes including glycosylation. To further understand the overall effect of and metabolic alteration by 2DG, we performed biochemical and metabolomics analyses on oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. In this study, we found that 2DG more effectively reduced glucose consumption and lactate level in SCC15 cells than in SCC4 cells, which are less dependent on glycolysis. Coincidentally, 2DG impaired N-linked glycosylation of the key oncogenic receptors Axl and Met in SCC15 cells, thereby reducing the cell viability and colony formation ability. The impaired processes of glycolysis and N-linked glycosylation were restored by exogenous addition of pyruvate and mannose, respectively. Additionally, our targeted metabolomics analysis revealed significant alterations in the metabolites, including amino acids, biogenic amines, glycerophospholipids, and sphingolipids, caused by the impairment of glycolysis and N-linked glycosylation. These observations suggest that alterations of these metabolites may be responsible for the phenotypic and metabolic changes in SCC15 cells induced by 2DG. Moreover, our data suggest that N-linked glycosylation of Axl and Met may contribute to the maintenance of cancer properties in SCC15 cells. Further studies are needed to elucidate the roles of these altered metabolites to provide novel therapeutic targets for treating human oral cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naeun Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Korea.
| | - Won-Jun Jang
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Korea.
| | - Ji Hae Seo
- Department of Biochemistry, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu 42601, Korea.
| | - Sooyeun Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Korea.
| | - Chul-Ho Jeong
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Korea.
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50
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Terry S, Abdou A, Engelsen AST, Buart S, Dessen P, Corgnac S, Collares D, Meurice G, Gausdal G, Baud V, Saintigny P, Lorens JB, Thiery JP, Mami-Chouaib F, Chouaib S. AXL Targeting Overcomes Human Lung Cancer Cell Resistance to NK- and CTL-Mediated Cytotoxicity. Cancer Immunol Res 2019; 7:1789-1802. [PMID: 31488404 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-18-0903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Immune resistance may arise from both genetic instability and tumor heterogeneity. Microenvironmental stresses such as hypoxia and various resistance mechanisms promote carcinoma cell plasticity. AXL, a member of the TAM (Tyro3, Axl, and Mer) receptor tyrosine kinase family, is widely expressed in human cancers and increasingly recognized for its role in cell plasticity and drug resistance. To investigate mechanisms of immune resistance, we studied multiple human lung cancer clones derived from a model of hypoxia-induced tumor plasticity that exhibited mesenchymal or epithelial features. We demonstrate that AXL expression is increased in mesenchymal lung cancer clones. Expression of AXL in the cells correlated with increased cancer cell-intrinsic resistance to both natural killer (NK)- and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated killing. A small-molecule targeting AXL sensitized mesenchymal lung cancer cells to cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated killing. Mechanistically, we showed that attenuation of AXL-dependent immune resistance involved a molecular network comprising NF-κB activation, increased ICAM1 expression, and upregulation of ULBP1 expression coupled with MAPK inhibition. Higher ICAM1 and ULBP1 tumor expression correlated with improved patient survival in two non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cohorts. These results reveal an AXL-mediated immune-escape regulatory pathway, suggest AXL as a candidate biomarker for tumor resistance to NK and CTL immunity, and support AXL targeting to optimize immune response in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Terry
- INSERM UMR1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue Contre le Cancer, EPHE, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Abderemane Abdou
- INSERM UMR1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue Contre le Cancer, EPHE, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Agnete S T Engelsen
- INSERM UMR1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue Contre le Cancer, EPHE, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France.,Department of Biomedicine, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, Norwegian Centre of Excellence, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Stéphanie Buart
- INSERM UMR1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue Contre le Cancer, EPHE, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Philippe Dessen
- Plateforme de Bioinformatique, UMS AMMICA, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Stéphanie Corgnac
- INSERM UMR1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue Contre le Cancer, EPHE, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Davi Collares
- NF-κB, Differentiation and Cancer, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Meurice
- Plateforme de Bioinformatique, UMS AMMICA, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Véronique Baud
- NF-κB, Differentiation and Cancer, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Saintigny
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, CNRS, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France.,Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - James B Lorens
- Department of Biomedicine, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, Norwegian Centre of Excellence, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jean-Paul Thiery
- INSERM UMR1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue Contre le Cancer, EPHE, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France.,Department of Biomedicine, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, Norwegian Centre of Excellence, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A-STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Fathia Mami-Chouaib
- INSERM UMR1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue Contre le Cancer, EPHE, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Salem Chouaib
- INSERM UMR1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue Contre le Cancer, EPHE, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France. .,Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
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