1
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Segeren HA, Westendorp B. Mechanisms used by cancer cells to tolerate drug-induced replication stress. Cancer Lett 2022; 544:215804. [PMID: 35750276 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Activation of oncogenes in cancer cells forces cell proliferation, leading to DNA replication stress (RS). As a consequence, cancer cells heavily rely on the intra S-phase checkpoint for survival. This fundamental principle formed the basis for the development of inhibitors against key players of the intra S-phase checkpoint, ATR and CHK1. These drugs are often combined with chemotherapeutic drugs that interfere with DNA replication to exacerbate RS and exhaust the intra S-phase checkpoint in cancer cells. However, drug resistance impedes efficient clinical use, suggesting that some cancer cells tolerate severe RS. In this review, we describe how an increased nucleotide pool, boosted stabilization and repair of stalled forks and firing of dormant origins fortify the RS response in cancer cells. Notably, the vast majority of the genes that confer RS tolerance are regulated by the E2F and NRF2 transcription factors. These transcriptional programs are frequently activated in cancer cells, allowing simultaneous activation of multiple tolerance avenues. We propose that the E2F and NRF2 transcriptional programs can be used as biomarker to select patients for treatment with RS-inducing drugs and as novel targets to kill RS-tolerant cancer cells. Together, this review aims to provide a framework to maximally exploit RS as an Achilles' heel of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrika A Segeren
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Bart Westendorp
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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2
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Maresca L, Stecca B, Carrassa L. Novel Therapeutic Approaches with DNA Damage Response Inhibitors for Melanoma Treatment. Cells 2022; 11:1466. [PMID: 35563772 PMCID: PMC9099918 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted therapies against components of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and immunotherapies, which block immune checkpoints, have shown important clinical benefits in melanoma patients. However, most patients develop resistance, with consequent disease relapse. Therefore, there is a need to identify novel therapeutic approaches for patients who are resistant or do not respond to the current targeted and immune therapies. Melanoma is characterized by homologous recombination (HR) and DNA damage response (DDR) gene mutations and by high replicative stress, which increase the endogenous DNA damage, leading to the activation of DDR. In this review, we will discuss the current experimental evidence on how DDR can be exploited therapeutically in melanoma. Specifically, we will focus on PARP, ATM, CHK1, WEE1 and ATR inhibitors, for which preclinical data as single agents, taking advantage of synthetic lethal interactions, and in combination with chemo-targeted-immunotherapy, have been growing in melanoma, encouraging the ongoing clinical trials. The overviewed data are suggestive of considering DDR inhibitors as a valid therapeutic approach, which may positively impact the future of melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Maresca
- Tumor Cell Biology Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Viale Gaetano Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy;
| | - Barbara Stecca
- Tumor Cell Biology Unit, Core Research Laboratory, Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Viale Gaetano Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy;
| | - Laura Carrassa
- Fondazione Cesalpino, Arezzo Hospital, USL Toscana Sud-Est, Via Pietro Nenni 20, 52100 Arezzo, Italy
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3
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Misek SA, Foda BM, Dexheimer TS, Akram M, Conrad SE, Schmidt JC, Neubig RR, Gallo KA. BRAF Inhibitor Resistance Confers Increased Sensitivity to Mitotic Inhibitors. Front Oncol 2022; 12:766794. [PMID: 35444937 PMCID: PMC9015667 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.766794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Single agent and combination therapy with BRAFV600E/K and MEK inhibitors have remarkable efficacy against melanoma tumors with activating BRAF mutations, but in most cases BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) resistance eventually develops. One resistance mechanism is reactivation of the ERK pathway. However, only about half of BRAFi resistance is due to ERK reactivation. The purpose of this study is to uncover pharmacological vulnerabilities of BRAFi-resistant melanoma cells, with the goal of identifying new therapeutic options for patients whose tumors have developed resistance to BRAFi/MEKi therapy. We screened a well-annotated compound library against a panel of isogenic pairs of parental and BRAFi-resistant melanoma cell lines to identify classes of compounds that selectively target BRAFi-resistant cells over their BRAFi-sensitive counterparts. Two distinct patterns of increased sensitivity to classes of pharmacological inhibitors emerged. In two cell line pairs, BRAFi resistance conferred increased sensitivity to compounds that share the property of cell cycle arrest at M-phase, including inhibitors of aurora kinase (AURK), polo-like kinase (PLK), tubulin, and kinesin. Live cell microscopy, used to track mitosis in real time, revealed that parental but not BRAFi-resistant melanoma cells were able to exit from compound-induced mitotic arrest through mitotic slippage, thus escaping death. Consistent with the key role of Cyclin B1 levels in regulating mitosis at the spindle checkpoint in arrested cells, we found lower Cyclin B1 levels in parental compared with BRAFi-resistant melanoma cells, suggesting that inability to down-regulate Cyclin B1 expression levels may explain the increased vulnerability of resistant cells to mitotic inhibitors. Another BRAFi-resistant cell line showed increased sensitivity to Chk1/2 inhibitors, which was associated with an accumulation of DNA damage, resulting in mitotic failure. This study demonstrates that BRAFi-resistance, in at least a subset of melanoma cells, confers vulnerability to pharmacological disruption of mitosis and suggests a targeted synthetic lethal approach for overcoming resistance to BRAF/MEK-directed therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean A Misek
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Bardees M Foda
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Molecular Genetics and Enzymology Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Thomas S Dexheimer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Maisah Akram
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Susan E Conrad
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Jens C Schmidt
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Richard R Neubig
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,"Nicholas V. Perricone, M.D.", Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Kathleen A Gallo
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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4
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Oncogenic RAS sensitizes cells to drug-induced replication stress via transcriptional silencing of P53. Oncogene 2022; 41:2719-2733. [PMID: 35393546 PMCID: PMC9076537 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02291-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells often experience high basal levels of DNA replication stress (RS), for example due to hyperactivation of oncoproteins like MYC or RAS. Therefore, cancer cells are considered to be sensitive to drugs that exacerbate the level of RS or block the intra S-phase checkpoint. Consequently, RS-inducing drugs including ATR and CHK1 inhibitors are used or evaluated as anti-cancer therapies. However, drug resistance and lack of biomarkers predicting therapeutic efficacy limit efficient use. This raises the question what determines sensitivity of individual cancer cells to RS. Here, we report that oncogenic RAS does not only enhance the sensitivity to ATR/CHK1 inhibitors by directly causing RS. Instead, we observed that HRASG12V dampens the activation of the P53-dependent transcriptional response to drug-induced RS, which in turn confers sensitivity to RS. We demonstrate that inducible expression of HRASG12V sensitized cells to ATR and CHK1 inhibitors. Using RNA-sequencing of FACS-sorted cells we discovered that P53 signaling is the sole transcriptional response to RS. However, oncogenic RAS attenuates the transcription of P53 and TGF-β pathway components which consequently dampens P53 target gene expression. Accordingly, live cell imaging showed that HRASG12V exacerbates RS in S/G2-phase, which could be rescued by stabilization of P53. Thus, our results demonstrate that transcriptional control of P53 target genes is the prime determinant in the response to ATR/CHK1 inhibitors and show that hyperactivation of the MAPK pathway impedes this response. Our findings suggest that the level of oncogenic MAPK signaling could predict sensitivity to intra-S-phase checkpoint inhibition in cancers with intact P53.
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5
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Shariev A, Painter N, Reeve VE, Haass NK, Rybchyn MS, Ince FA, Mason RS, Dixon KM. PTEN: A novel target for vitamin D in melanoma. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2022; 218:106059. [PMID: 35033661 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2022.106059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, with poor prognosis in advanced stages. Vitamin D, also produced by ultraviolet radiation, is known for its anti-proliferative properties in some cancers including melanoma. While vitamin D deficiency has been associated with advanced melanoma stage and higher levels of vitamin D have been associated with better outcomes, the role for vitamin D in melanoma remains unclear. Vitamin D synthesis is initiated upon UVB exposure of skin cells and results in formation of the active metabolite 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D). We have previously demonstrated that 1,25D plays a role in protection against ultraviolet radiation-induced DNA damage, immune suppression, and skin carcinogenesis. In this study 1,25D significantly reduced cell viability and increased caspase levels in human melanoma cell lines. This effect was not present in cells that lacked both phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), a well-known tumour suppressor, and the vitamin D receptor (VDR). PTEN is frequently lost or mutated in melanoma. Incubation of selected melanoma cell lines with 1,25D resulted in significant increases in PTEN levels and downregulation of the AKT pathway and its downstream effectors. This suggests that 1,25D may act to reduce melanoma cell viability by targeting PTEN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Shariev
- Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Nicole Painter
- Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Vivienne E Reeve
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Nikolas K Haass
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Mark S Rybchyn
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2033, Australia
| | - Furkan A Ince
- Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Rebecca S Mason
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Katie M Dixon
- Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
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Pan Y, Yang Y, Huang R, Yang H, Huang Q, Ji Y, Dai J, Qiao K, Tang W, Xie L, Yin M, Ouyang J, Ning S, Su D. Ring finger protein 126 promotes breast cancer metastasis and serves as a potential target to improve the therapeutic sensitivity of ATR inhibitors. Breast Cancer Res 2022; 24:92. [PMID: 36539893 PMCID: PMC9764525 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-022-01586-0] [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: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS This study explores the relationship between the E3 ubiquitin ligase Ring finger protein 126 (RNF126) and early breast cancer metastasis and tests the hypothesis that RNF126 determines the efficacy of inhibitors targeting Ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related kinase (ATR). METHODS Various metastasis-related genes were identified by univariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis based on the GSE11121 dataset. The RNF126-related network modules were identified by WGCNA, whereas cell viability, invasion, and migration assays were performed to evaluate the biological characteristics of breast cancer cells with or without RNF126 knockdown. MTT, immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, and DNA fiber assays were conducted to determine the efficiency of ATR inhibitor in cells with or without RNF126 knockdown. RESULTS RNF126 was associated with early breast cancer metastasis. RNF126 promoted breast cancer cell proliferation, growth, migration, and invasion. ATR inhibitors were more effective at killing breast cancer cells with intact RNF126 due to replication stress compared with the corresponding cells with RNF126 knockdown. Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) was involved in regulating replication stress in breast cancer cells with intact RNF126. CONCLUSION A high level of expression of RNF126 in early breast cancer patients without lymph node metastases may indicate a high-risk type of metastatic disease, possibly due to RNF126, which may increase breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion. RNF126-expressing breast cancer cells exhibit CDK2-mediated replication stress that makes them potential targets for ATR inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Pan
- grid.256607.00000 0004 1798 2653Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research of Guangxi Department of Education, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530000 China
| | - Yuchao Yang
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics & Nation Key Discipline of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Rong Huang
- grid.256607.00000 0004 1798 2653Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research of Guangxi Department of Education, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530000 China
| | - Huawei Yang
- grid.256607.00000 0004 1798 2653Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research of Guangxi Department of Education, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530000 China
| | - Qinghua Huang
- grid.256607.00000 0004 1798 2653Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research of Guangxi Department of Education, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530000 China
| | - Yinan Ji
- grid.256607.00000 0004 1798 2653Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research of Guangxi Department of Education, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530000 China
| | - Jingxing Dai
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics & Nation Key Discipline of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Kun Qiao
- grid.412651.50000 0004 1808 3502Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150000 China
| | - Wei Tang
- grid.256607.00000 0004 1798 2653Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research of Guangxi Department of Education, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530000 China
| | - Longgui Xie
- grid.256607.00000 0004 1798 2653Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research of Guangxi Department of Education, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530000 China
| | - Ming Yin
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Department of Imaging, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Jun Ouyang
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics & Nation Key Discipline of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Shipeng Ning
- grid.256607.00000 0004 1798 2653Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research of Guangxi Department of Education, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530000 China
| | - Danke Su
- grid.256607.00000 0004 1798 2653Department of Radiology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530000 China
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Proctor M, Gonzalez Cruz JL, Daignault-Mill SM, Veitch M, Zeng B, Ehmann A, Sabdia M, Snell C, Keane C, Dolcetti R, Haass NK, Wells JW, Gabrielli B. Targeting Replication Stress Using CHK1 Inhibitor Promotes Innate and NKT Cell Immune Responses and Tumour Regression. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3733. [PMID: 34359633 PMCID: PMC8345057 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Drugs selectively targeting replication stress have demonstrated significant preclinical activity, but this has not yet translated into an effective clinical treatment. Here we report that targeting increased replication stress with a combination of Checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitor (CHK1i) with a subclinical dose of hydroxyurea targets also promotes pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine expression that is independent of cGAS-STING pathway activation and immunogenic cell death in human and murine melanoma cells. In vivo, this drug combination induces tumour regression which is dependent on an adaptive immune response. It increases cytotoxic CD8+ T cell activity, but the major adaptive immune response is a pronounced NKT cell tumour infiltration. Treatment also promotes an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment through CD4+ Treg and FoxP3+ NKT cells. The number of these accumulated during treatment, the increase in FoxP3+ NKT cells numbers correlates with the decrease in activated NKT cells, suggesting they are a consequence of the conversion of effector to suppressive NKT cells. Whereas tumour infiltrating CD8+ T cell PD-1 and tumour PD-L1 expression was increased with treatment, peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells retained strong anti-tumour activity. Despite increased CD8+ T cell PD-1, combination with anti-PD-1 did not improve response, indicating that immunosuppression from Tregs and FoxP3+ NKT cells are major contributors to the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment. This demonstrates that therapies targeting replication stress can be well tolerated, not adversely affect immune responses, and trigger an effective anti-tumour immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Proctor
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (M.P.); (A.E.); (M.S.); (C.K.)
| | - Jazmina L. Gonzalez Cruz
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (J.L.G.C.); (S.M.D.-M.); (M.V.); (B.Z.); (R.D.); (N.K.H.); (J.W.W.)
| | - Sheena M. Daignault-Mill
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (J.L.G.C.); (S.M.D.-M.); (M.V.); (B.Z.); (R.D.); (N.K.H.); (J.W.W.)
| | - Margaret Veitch
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (J.L.G.C.); (S.M.D.-M.); (M.V.); (B.Z.); (R.D.); (N.K.H.); (J.W.W.)
| | - Bijun Zeng
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (J.L.G.C.); (S.M.D.-M.); (M.V.); (B.Z.); (R.D.); (N.K.H.); (J.W.W.)
| | - Anna Ehmann
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (M.P.); (A.E.); (M.S.); (C.K.)
| | - Muhammed Sabdia
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (M.P.); (A.E.); (M.S.); (C.K.)
| | - Cameron Snell
- Mater Pathology, Mater Research, Mater Hospital, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia;
| | - Colm Keane
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (M.P.); (A.E.); (M.S.); (C.K.)
| | - Riccardo Dolcetti
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (J.L.G.C.); (S.M.D.-M.); (M.V.); (B.Z.); (R.D.); (N.K.H.); (J.W.W.)
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Nikolas K. Haass
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (J.L.G.C.); (S.M.D.-M.); (M.V.); (B.Z.); (R.D.); (N.K.H.); (J.W.W.)
| | - James W. Wells
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (J.L.G.C.); (S.M.D.-M.); (M.V.); (B.Z.); (R.D.); (N.K.H.); (J.W.W.)
| | - Brian Gabrielli
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (M.P.); (A.E.); (M.S.); (C.K.)
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Ding YG, Ren YL, Xu YS, Wei CS, Zhang YB, Zhang SK, Guo CA. Identification of key candidate genes and pathways in anaplastic thyroid cancer by bioinformatics analysis. Am J Otolaryngol 2020; 41:102434. [PMID: 32093976 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2020.102434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a refractory and poor prognosis tumor Present study aimed to investigate the underlying biological functions and pathways involved in the development of ATC and to identify potential hub genes and candidate biomarkers of ATC. MATERIALS AND METHODS Bioinformatics analyses were performed to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between ATC tissue samples and adjacent normal tissue samples. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks of the DEGs were constructed using Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes online tool and Cytoscape software and divided into sub-networks using the Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) plug-in. DEGs in each module was analyzed by enrichment analysis of the KEGG Orthology Based Annotation System (KOBAS) web software version 3.0. Eventually, the hub genes from bioinformatics analysis were verified by qRT-PCR assay in different ATC cell lines. RESULTS Thirty hub genes were selected and three modules were built by the Cytoscape software from the PPI network. Seven genes (CDK1, CCNB2, BUB1B, CDC20, RRM2, CHEK1 and CDC45) were screened from thirty hub genes. Enrichment analysis showed that these hub genes were primarily accumulated in 'cell cycle', 'p53 signaling pathway', 'viral carcinogenesis', 'pyrimidine metabolism' and 'ubiquitin mediated proteolysis'. The results of qRT-PCR indicated that seven hub genes were unregulated in three ATC cell lines compared with normal thyroid gland cell. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that CDK1, CCNB2, BUB1B, CDC20, RRM2, CHEK1 and CDC45 may serve as novel diagnosis biomarkers and potential therapeutic target for ATC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Gang Ding
- Emergency Department, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu, PR China
| | - Yu-Lin Ren
- Department of Urology Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Northwest Minzu University, Second People's Hospital of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu, PR China
| | - Yang-Shan Xu
- Department of Surgery, Liujiaxia Hospital of Fourth Engineering Bureau of China Water Resources and Hydropower, Linxia 731801, Gansu, PR China
| | - Chang-Sheng Wei
- Department of Thyroid Mammary Gland, Gansu Provincial Cancer Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu, PR China
| | - Yong-Bin Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu, PR China
| | - Shou-Kai Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu, PR China.
| | - Chang-An Guo
- Emergency Department, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu, PR China.
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9
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Jiang T, Si L. Identification of the molecular mechanisms associated with acute type A aortic dissection through bioinformatics methods. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 52:e8950. [PMID: 31721906 PMCID: PMC6853077 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x20198950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Aortic dissection is characterized by the redirection of blood flow, which flows through an intimal tear into the aortic media. The purpose of this study was to find potential acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD)-related genes and molecular mechanisms by bioinformatics. The gene expression profiles of GSE52093 were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, including 7 AAAD samples and 5 normal samples. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected between AAAD and normal samples. The functional annotation and pathway enrichment analysis were conducted through the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integration Discovery (DAVID). A protein-protein interaction network was established by the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) software. The microRNAs (miRNAs) of these differentially expressed genes were predicted using <microRNA.org> database. Moreover, DEGs were analyzed in the comparative toxicogenomics (CTD) database to screen out the potential therapeutic small molecules. As a result, there were 172 DEGs identified in patients with AAAD. These DEGs were significantly enriched in 6 pathways, including cell cycle, oocyte meiosis, DNA replication, extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, and mineral absorption pathway. Notably, CDC20, CDK1, CHEK1, KIF20A, MCM10, PBK, PTTG1, RACGAP, and TOP2A were crucial genes with a high degree in the protein-protein interaction network. Furthermore, potential miRNAs (miR-301, miR-302 family, and miR-130 family) were identified. In addition, small molecules like azathioprine and zoledronic acid were identified to be potential drugs for AAAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Jiang
- Cardiovascular Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liangyi Si
- Cardiovascular Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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10
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Everything in Moderation: Lessons Learned by Exploiting Moderate Replication Stress in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11091320. [PMID: 31500184 PMCID: PMC6769680 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11091320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The poor selectivity of standard cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens causes severe side-effects in patients and reduces the quality of life during treatment. Targeting cancer-specific vulnerabilities can improve response rates, increase overall survival and limit toxic side effects in patients. Oncogene-induced replication stress serves as a tumour specific vulnerability and rationale for the clinical development of inhibitors targeting the DNA damage response (DDR) kinases (CHK1, ATR, ATM and WEE1). CHK1 inhibitors (CHK1i) have served as the pilot compounds in this class and their efficacy in clinical trials as single agents has been disappointing. Initial attempts to combine CHK1i with chemotherapies agents that enhance replication stress (such as gemcitabine) were reported to be excessively toxic. More recently, it has emerged that combining CHK1i with subclinical doses of replication stress inducers is more effective, better tolerated and more compatible with immunotherapies. Here we focus on the lessons learned during the clinical development of CHK1i with the goal of improving the design of future clinical trials utilizing DDR inhibitors to target replication stress in cancer.
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Co-Inhibition of the DNA Damage Response and CHK1 Enhances Apoptosis of Neuroblastoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20153700. [PMID: 31362335 PMCID: PMC6696225 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20153700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) is a central mediator of the DNA damage response (DDR) at the S and G2/M cell cycle checkpoints, and plays a crucial role in preserving genomic integrity. CHK1 overexpression is thought to contribute to cancer aggressiveness, and several selective inhibitors of this kinase are in clinical development for various cancers, including neuroblastoma (NB). Here, we examined the sensitivity of MYCN-amplified NB cell lines to the CHK1 inhibitor PF-477736 and explored mechanisms to increase its efficacy. PF-477736 treatment of two sensitive NB cell lines, SMS-SAN and CHP134, increased the expression of two pro-apoptotic proteins, BAX and PUMA, providing a mechanism for the effect of the CHK1 inhibitor. In contrast, in NB-39-nu and SK-N-BE cell lines, PF-477736 induced DNA double-strand breaks and activated the ataxia telangiectasia mutated serine/threonine kinase (ATM)-p53-p21 axis of the DDR pathway, which rendered the cells relatively insensitive to the antiproliferative effects of the CHK1 inhibitor. Interestingly, combined treatment with PF-477736 and the ATM inhibitor Ku55933 overcame the insensitivity of NB-39-nu and SK-N-BE cells to CHK1 inhibition and induced mitotic cell death. Similarly, co-treatment with PF-477736 and NU7441, a pharmacological inhibitor of DNA-PK, which is also essential for the DDR pathway, rendered the cells sensitive to CHK1 inhibition. Taken together, our results suggest that synthetic lethality between inhibitors of CHK1 and the DDR drives G2/M checkpoint abrogation and could be a novel potential therapeutic strategy for NB.
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Oo ZY, Proctor M, Stevenson AJ, Nazareth D, Fernando M, Daignault SM, Lanagan C, Walpole S, Bonazzi V, Škalamera D, Snell C, Haass NK, Larsen JE, Gabrielli B. Combined use of subclinical hydroxyurea and CHK1 inhibitor effectively controls melanoma and lung cancer progression, with reduced normal tissue toxicity compared to gemcitabine. Mol Oncol 2019; 13:1503-1518. [PMID: 31044505 PMCID: PMC6599846 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Drugs such as gemcitabine that increase replication stress are effective chemotherapeutics in a range of cancer settings. These drugs effectively block replication and promote DNA damage, triggering a cell cycle checkpoint response through the ATR–CHK1 pathway. Inhibiting this signalling pathway sensitises cells to killing by replication stress‐inducing drugs. Here, we investigated the effect of low‐level replication stress induced by low concentrations (> 0.2 mm) of the reversible ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor hydroxyurea (HU), which slows S‐phase progression but has little effect on cell viability or proliferation. We demonstrate that HU effectively synergises with CHK1, but not ATR inhibition, in > 70% of melanoma and non‐small‐cell lung cancer cells assessed, resulting in apoptosis and complete loss of proliferative potential in vitro and in vivo. Normal fibroblasts and haemopoietic cells retain viability and proliferative potential following exposure to CHK1 inhibitor plus low doses of HU, but normal cells exposed to CHK1 inhibitor combined with submicromolar concentrations of gemcitabine exhibited complete loss of proliferative potential. The effects of gemcitabine on normal tissue correlate with irreversible ATR–CHK1 pathway activation, whereas low doses of HU reversibly activate CHK1 independently of ATR. The combined use of CHK1 inhibitor and subclinical HU also triggered an inflammatory response involving the recruitment of macrophages in vivo. These data indicate that combining CHK1 inhibitor with subclinical HU is superior to combination with gemcitabine, as it provides equal anticancer efficacy but with reduced normal tissue toxicity. These data suggest a significant proportion of melanoma and lung cancer patients could benefit from treatment with this drug combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zay Yar Oo
- Smiling for Smiddy Research Group, Translational Research Institute, Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland-Diamantina Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Martina Proctor
- Smiling for Smiddy Research Group, Translational Research Institute, Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Alexander J Stevenson
- Smiling for Smiddy Research Group, Translational Research Institute, Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Deborah Nazareth
- Smiling for Smiddy Research Group, Translational Research Institute, Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Madushan Fernando
- Smiling for Smiddy Research Group, Translational Research Institute, Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sheena M Daignault
- Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland-Diamantina Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Catherine Lanagan
- Smiling for Smiddy Research Group, Translational Research Institute, Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sebastian Walpole
- Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland-Diamantina Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Vanessa Bonazzi
- Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland-Diamantina Institute, Brisbane, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Dubravka Škalamera
- Smiling for Smiddy Research Group, Translational Research Institute, Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Cameron Snell
- Smiling for Smiddy Research Group, Translational Research Institute, Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,Mater Pathology, Mater Adults Hospital, Mater Misericordiae Limited, South Brisbane, Australia
| | - Nikolas K Haass
- Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland-Diamantina Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jill E Larsen
- QIMR-Berghofer Medical Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Brian Gabrielli
- Smiling for Smiddy Research Group, Translational Research Institute, Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland-Diamantina Institute, Brisbane, Australia
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Boudny M, Zemanova J, Khirsariya P, Borsky M, Verner J, Cerna J, Oltova A, Seda V, Mraz M, Jaros J, Jaskova Z, Spunarova M, Brychtova Y, Soucek K, Drapela S, Kasparkova M, Mayer J, Paruch K, Trbusek M. Novel CHK1 inhibitor MU380 exhibits significant single-agent activity in TP53-mutated chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. Haematologica 2019; 104:2443-2455. [PMID: 30975914 PMCID: PMC6959166 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2018.203430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction of small-molecule inhibitors of B-cell receptor signaling and BCL2 protein significantly improves therapeutic options in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. However, some patients suffer from adverse effects mandating treatment discontinuation, and cases with TP53 defects more frequently experience early progression of the disease. Development of alternative therapeutic approaches is, therefore, of critical importance. Here we report details of the anti-chronic lymphocytic leukemia single-agent activity of MU380, our recently identified potent, selective, and metabolically robust inhibitor of checkpoint kinase 1. We also describe a newly developed enantioselective synthesis of MU380, which allows preparation of gram quantities of the substance. Checkpoint kinase 1 is a master regulator of replication operating primarily in intra-S and G2/M cell cycle checkpoints. Initially tested in leukemia and lymphoma cell lines, MU380 significantly potentiated efficacy of gemcitabine, a clinically used inducer of replication stress. Moreover, MU380 manifested substantial single-agent activity in both TP53-wild type and TP53-mutated leukemia and lymphoma cell lines. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia-derived cell lines MEC-1, MEC-2 (both TP53-mut), and OSU-CLL (TP53-wt) the inhibitor impaired cell cycle progression and induced apoptosis. In primary clinical samples, MU380 used as a single-agent noticeably reduced the viability of unstimulated chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells as well as those induced to proliferate by anti-CD40/IL-4 stimuli. In both cases, effects were comparable in samples harboring p53 pathway dysfunction (TP53 mutations or ATM mutations) and TP53-wt/ATM-wt cells. Lastly, MU380 also exhibited significant in vivo activity in a xenotransplant mouse model (immunodeficient strain NOD-scid IL2Rγnull) where it efficiently suppressed growth of subcutaneous tumors generated from MEC-1 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Boudny
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University
| | - Jana Zemanova
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University
| | - Prashant Khirsariya
- Department of Chemistry, CZ Openscreen, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University.,Center of Biomolecular and Cellular Engineering, International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital
| | - Marek Borsky
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University
| | - Jan Verner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University
| | - Jana Cerna
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University
| | - Alexandra Oltova
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University
| | - Vaclav Seda
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University.,Center of Molecular Medicine, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University
| | - Marek Mraz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University.,Center of Molecular Medicine, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University
| | - Josef Jaros
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University
| | - Zuzana Jaskova
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University
| | - Michaela Spunarova
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University
| | - Yvona Brychtova
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University
| | - Karel Soucek
- Center of Biomolecular and Cellular Engineering, International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital.,Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics CAS, v.v.i.,Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Stanislav Drapela
- Center of Biomolecular and Cellular Engineering, International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital.,Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics CAS, v.v.i.,Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Kasparkova
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University
| | - Jiri Mayer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University
| | - Kamil Paruch
- Department of Chemistry, CZ Openscreen, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University .,Center of Biomolecular and Cellular Engineering, International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital
| | - Martin Trbusek
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University
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