1
|
Meyer CT, Smith BN, Wang J, Teuscher KB, Grieb BC, Howard GC, Silver AJ, Lorey SL, Stott GM, Moore WJ, Lee T, Savona MR, Weissmiller AM, Liu Q, Quaranta V, Fesik SW, Tansey WP. Expanded profiling of WD repeat domain 5 inhibitors reveals actionable strategies for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2408889121. [PMID: 39167600 PMCID: PMC11363251 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2408889121] [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: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
WD40 Repeat Domain 5 (WDR5) is a highly conserved nuclear protein that recruits MYC oncoprotein transcription factors to chromatin to stimulate ribosomal protein gene expression. WDR5 is tethered to chromatin via an arginine-binding cavity known as the "WIN" site. Multiple pharmacological inhibitors of the WDR5-interaction site of WDR5 (WINi) have been described, including those with picomolar affinity and oral bioavailability in mice. Thus far, however, WINi have only been shown to be effective against a number of rare cancer types retaining wild-type p53. To explore the full potential of WINi for cancer therapy, we systematically profiled WINi across a panel of cancer cells, alone and in combination with other agents. We report that WINi are unexpectedly active against cells derived from both solid and blood-borne cancers, including those with mutant p53. Among hematologic malignancies, we find that WINi are effective as a single agent against leukemia and diffuse large B cell lymphoma xenograft models, and can be combined with the approved drug venetoclax to suppress disseminated acute myeloid leukemia in vivo. These studies reveal actionable strategies for the application of WINi to treat blood-borne cancers and forecast expanded utility of WINi against other cancer types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian T. Meyer
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO80309
- Duet BioSystems, Nashville, TN37212
| | - Brianna N. Smith
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN37232
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN37232
- Center for Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN37232
| | - Kevin B. Teuscher
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN37240
| | - Brian C. Grieb
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN37232
| | - Gregory C. Howard
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN37240
| | - Alexander J. Silver
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN37232
| | - Shelly L. Lorey
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN37240
| | - Gordon M. Stott
- Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD21701-4907
| | - William J. Moore
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD21702-1201
| | - Taekyu Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN37240
| | - Michael R. Savona
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN37232
| | | | - Qi Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN37232
- Center for Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN37232
| | - Vito Quaranta
- Duet BioSystems, Nashville, TN37212
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN37240
| | - Stephen W. Fesik
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN37240
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN37240
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN37240
| | - William P. Tansey
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN37240
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN37240
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Monteith AJ, Ramsey HE, Silver AJ, Brown D, Greenwood D, Smith BN, Wise AD, Liu J, Olmstead SD, Watke J, Arrate MP, Gorska AE, Fuller L, Locasale JW, Stubbs MC, Rathmell JC, Savona MR. Lactate Utilization Enables Metabolic Escape to Confer Resistance to BET Inhibition in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancer Res 2024; 84:1101-1114. [PMID: 38285895 PMCID: PMC10984779 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-0291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Impairing the BET family coactivator BRD4 with small-molecule inhibitors (BETi) showed encouraging preclinical activity in treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, dose-limiting toxicities and limited clinical activity dampened the enthusiasm for BETi as a single agent. BETi resistance in AML myeloblasts was found to correlate with maintaining mitochondrial respiration, suggesting that identifying the metabolic pathway sustaining mitochondrial integrity could help develop approaches to improve BETi efficacy. Herein, we demonstrated that mitochondria-associated lactate dehydrogenase allows AML myeloblasts to utilize lactate as a metabolic bypass to fuel mitochondrial respiration and maintain cellular viability. Pharmacologically and genetically impairing lactate utilization rendered resistant myeloblasts susceptible to BET inhibition. Low-dose combinations of BETi and oxamate, a lactate dehydrogenase inhibitor, reduced in vivo expansion of BETi-resistant AML in cell line and patient-derived murine models. These results elucidate how AML myeloblasts metabolically adapt to BETi by consuming lactate and demonstrate that combining BETi with inhibitors of lactate utilization may be useful in AML treatment. SIGNIFICANCE Lactate utilization allows AML myeloblasts to maintain metabolic integrity and circumvent antileukemic therapy, which supports testing of lactate utilization inhibitors in clinical settings to overcome BET inhibitor resistance in AML. See related commentary by Boët and Sarry, p. 950.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J. Monteith
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Cancer Biology Program, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Haley E. Ramsey
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Cancer Biology Program, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Alexander J. Silver
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Cancer Biology Program, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Donovan Brown
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Dalton Greenwood
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Brianna N. Smith
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Cancer Biology Program, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ashley D. Wise
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Juan Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sarah D. Olmstead
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jackson Watke
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Maria P. Arrate
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Agnieszka E. Gorska
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Londa Fuller
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jason W. Locasale
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey C. Rathmell
- Cancer Biology Program, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Michael R. Savona
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Cancer Biology Program, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Senapati J, Fiskus WC, Daver N, Wilson NR, Ravandi F, Garcia-Manero G, Kadia T, DiNardo CD, Jabbour E, Burger J, Short NJ, Alvarado Y, Jain N, Masarova L, Issa GC, Qiao W, Khoury JD, Pierce S, Miller D, Sasaki K, Konopleva M, Bhalla KN, Borthakur G, Pemmaraju N. Phase I Results of Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal Inhibitor PLX51107 in Combination with Azacitidine in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Myeloid Malignancies. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:4352-4360. [PMID: 37585491 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-1429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Treatment outcomes in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains dismal. On the basis of both extensive preclinical data and emerging clinical data, treatment with bromodomain and extra-terminal domain inhibitors (BETi) is a potential approach for patients with high-risk myeloid malignancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a phase I trial to study the safety and efficacy of PLX51107 (BETi) and azacitidine combination therapy in patients with R/R AML and high-risk (HR) MDS and studied mechanisms of resistance to the combination therapy. RESULTS Thirty-seven patients with HR R/R MDS (n = 4) and R/R AML (n = 33) were treated. Sixteen patients (43%) had MECOM gene rearrangement and 7 other patients had TP53 mutation. Median prior number of therapies was three (range 1-9); 97% had received prior hypomethylating agent and 84% prior venetoclax. Overall response rate was 8/37 (22%): complete remission with incomplete platelet recovery (n = 1); morphologic leukemia-free state (n = 2); hematologic improvement (n = 5). The most common nonhematologic toxicities were febrile neutropenia and pneumonia in 12 (32%) patients each; 6 patients (17%) had severe hyperbilirubinemia. RNA-sequencing analysis of mononuclear cells harvested on treatment (day 3) versus pretreatment showed significant changes in mRNA expressions in responders: downregulation of MYC, BCL2, IL7R, and CDK6 and upregulation of HEXIM1, CD93, DCXR, and CDKN1A. Immunoblot analyses confirmed reduction in protein levels of c-Myc, CDK6, BCL2, and BCL-xL, and induction of BRD4 and HEXIM1 protein levels in responders. CONCLUSIONS In a heavily pretreated patient cohort with R/R MDS and AML, PLX51107+ azacitidine was well-tolerated and resulted in modest clinical benefit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jayastu Senapati
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Warren C Fiskus
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Naval Daver
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Nathaniel R Wilson
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas
| | - Farhad Ravandi
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Tapan Kadia
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Courtney D DiNardo
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Elias Jabbour
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jan Burger
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Nicholas J Short
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Yesid Alvarado
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Nitin Jain
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Lucia Masarova
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ghayas C Issa
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Wei Qiao
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Joseph D Khoury
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Sherry Pierce
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Darla Miller
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Koji Sasaki
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Kapil N Bhalla
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Gautam Borthakur
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Naveen Pemmaraju
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bouligny IM, Maher KR, Grant S. Secondary-Type Mutations in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Updates from ELN 2022. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3292. [PMID: 37444402 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133292] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The characterization of the molecular landscape and the advent of targeted therapies have defined a new era in the prognostication and treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Recent revisions in the European LeukemiaNet 2022 guidelines have refined the molecular, cytogenetic, and treatment-related boundaries between myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS) and AML. This review details the molecular mechanisms and cellular pathways of myeloid maturation aberrancies contributing to dysplasia and leukemogenesis, focusing on recent molecular categories introduced in ELN 2022. We provide insights into novel and rational therapeutic combination strategies that exploit mechanisms of leukemogenesis, highlighting the underpinnings of splicing factors, the cohesin complex, and chromatin remodeling. Areas of interest for future research are summarized, and we emphasize approaches designed to advance existing treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ian M Bouligny
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Keri R Maher
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Steven Grant
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Moreno V, Vieito M, Sepulveda JM, Galvao V, Hernández-Guerrero T, Doger B, Saavedra O, Carlo-Stella C, Michot JM, Italiano A, Magagnoli M, Carpio C, Pinto A, Sarmiento R, Amoroso B, Aronchik I, Filvaroff E, Hanna B, Wei X, Nikolova Z, Braña I. BET inhibitor trotabresib in heavily pretreated patients with solid tumors and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1359. [PMID: 36914652 PMCID: PMC10011554 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36976-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Bromodomain and extraterminal proteins (BET) play key roles in regulation of gene expression, and may play a role in cancer-cell proliferation, survival, and oncogenic progression. CC-90010-ST-001 (NCT03220347) is an open-label phase I study of trotabresib, an oral BET inhibitor, in heavily pretreated patients with advanced solid tumors and relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Primary endpoints were the safety, tolerability, maximum tolerated dose, and RP2D of trotabresib. Secondary endpoints were clinical benefit rate (complete response [CR] + partial response [PR] + stable disease [SD] of ≥4 months' duration), objective response rate (CR + PR), duration of response or SD, progression-free survival, overall survival, and the pharmacokinetics (PK) of trotabresib. In addition, part C assessed the effects of food on the PK of trotabresib as a secondary endpoint. The dose escalation (part A) showed that trotabresib was well tolerated, had single-agent activity, and determined the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) and schedule for the expansion study. Here, we report long-term follow-up results from part A (N = 69) and data from patients treated with the RP2D of 45 mg/day 4 days on/24 days off or an alternate RP2D of 30 mg/day 3 days on/11 days off in the dose-expansion cohorts (parts B [N = 25] and C [N = 41]). Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) are reported in almost all patients. The most common severe TRAEs are hematological. Toxicities are generally manageable, allowing some patients to remain on treatment for ≥2 years, with two patients receiving ≥3 years of treatment. Trotabresib monotherapy shows antitumor activity, with an ORR of 13.0% (95% CI, 2.8-33.6) in patients with R/R DLBCL (part B) and an ORR of 0.0% (95% CI, 0.0-8.6) and a CBR of 31.7% (95% CI, 18.1-48.1) in patients with advanced solid tumors (part C). These results support further investigation of trotabresib in combination with other anticancer agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor Moreno
- START Madrid-FJD, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jimenez Diaz, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Maria Vieito
- Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Vladimir Galvao
- Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Bernard Doger
- START Madrid-FJD, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jimenez Diaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Omar Saavedra
- Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmelo Carlo-Stella
- Department of Biological Sciences, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milano, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Humanitas Research Hospital - IRCCS, Rozzano, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Antoine Italiano
- Institut Bergonie Centre Regional de Lutte Contre Le Cancer de Bordeaux et Sud Ouest, Bordeaux, France
| | - Massimo Magagnoli
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Humanitas Research Hospital - IRCCS, Rozzano, Milano, Italy
| | - Cecilia Carpio
- Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Pinto
- Hematology-Oncology & Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Fondazione G. Pascale, IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Rafael Sarmiento
- Centre for Innovation and Translational Research Europe, a Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Seville, Spain
| | - Barbara Amoroso
- Centre for Innovation and Translational Research Europe, a Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Seville, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Xin Wei
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Zariana Nikolova
- Centre for Innovation and Translational Research Europe, a Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Seville, Spain
| | - Irene Braña
- Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bouligny IM, Maher KR, Grant S. Mechanisms of myeloid leukemogenesis: Current perspectives and therapeutic objectives. Blood Rev 2023; 57:100996. [PMID: 35989139 PMCID: PMC10693933 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2022.100996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematopoietic neoplasm which results in clonal proliferation of abnormally differentiated hematopoietic cells. In this review, mechanisms contributing to myeloid leukemogenesis are summarized, highlighting aberrations of epigenetics, transcription factors, signal transduction, cell cycling, and the bone marrow microenvironment. The mechanisms contributing to AML are detailed to spotlight recent findings that convey clinical impact. The applications of current and prospective therapeutic targets are accentuated in addition to reviews of treatment paradigms stratified for each characteristic molecular lesion - with a focus on exploring novel treatment approaches and combinations to improve outcomes in AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ian M Bouligny
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Keri R Maher
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Steven Grant
- Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Tang L, Peng L, Tan C, Liu H, Chen P, Wang H. Role of HOXA9 in solid tumors: mechanistic insights and therapeutic potential. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:349. [PMID: 36376832 PMCID: PMC9664671 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02767-9] [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: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
HOXA9 functioning as a transcription factor is one of the members of HOX gene family, which governs multiple cellular activities by facilitating cellular signal transduction. In addition to be a driver in AML which has been widely studied, the role of HOXA9 in solid tumor progression has also received increasing attention in recent years, where the aberrant expression of HOXA9 is closely associated with the prognosis of patient. This review details the signaling pathways, binding partners, post-transcriptional regulation of HOXA9, and possible inhibitors of HOXA9 in solid tumors, which provides a reference basis for further study on the role of HOXA9 in solid tumors.
Collapse
|
8
|
Anwar Z, Ali MS, Galvano A, Perez A, La Mantia M, Bukhari I, Swiatczak B. PROTACs: The Future of Leukemia Therapeutics. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:851087. [PMID: 36120561 PMCID: PMC9479449 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.851087] [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: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The fight to find effective, long-lasting treatments for cancer has led many researchers to consider protein degrading entities. Recent developments in PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) have signified their potential as possible cancer therapies. PROTACs are small molecule, protein degraders that function by hijacking the built-in Ubiquitin-Proteasome pathway. This review mainly focuses on the general design and functioning of PROTACs as well as current advancements in the development of PROTACs as anticancer therapies. Particular emphasis is given to PROTACs designed against various types of Leukemia/Blood malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zubair Anwar
- Department of Surgical, Oncological, and Oral Sciences, Section of Medical Oncology, Uiniversity of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- *Correspondence: Zubair Anwar, ; Bartlomiej Swiatczak,
| | - Muhammad Shahzad Ali
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, San Luigi Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Galvano
- Department of Surgical, Oncological, and Oral Sciences, Section of Medical Oncology, Uiniversity of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandro Perez
- Department of Surgical, Oncological, and Oral Sciences, Section of Medical Oncology, Uiniversity of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria La Mantia
- Department of Surgical, Oncological, and Oral Sciences, Section of Medical Oncology, Uiniversity of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Ihtisham Bukhari
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Bartlomiej Swiatczak
- Department of History of Science and Scientific Archeology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Zubair Anwar, ; Bartlomiej Swiatczak,
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Karimi Kelaye S, Najafi F, Kazemi B, Foruzandeh Z, Seif F, Solali S, Alivand MR. The contributing factors of resistance or sensitivity to epigenetic drugs in the treatment of AML. Clin Transl Oncol 2022; 24:1250-1261. [PMID: 35076883 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-022-02776-0] [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: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Drug resistance is the drug-effectiveness reduction in treatment and is a serious problem in oncology and infections. In oncology, drug resistance is a complicated process resulting from enhancing the function of a pump that transports drugs out of tumor cells, or acquiring mutations in drug target. Surprisingly, most drugs are very effective in the early stages, but the response to the drug wears off over time and resistance eventually develops. Drug resistance is caused by genetic and epigenetic changes that affect cancer cells and the tumor environment. The study of inherited changes in the phenotype without changes in the DNA sequence is called epigenetics. Because of reversible changes in epigenetics, they are an attractive target for therapy. Some of these epigenetic drugs are effective in treating cancers like acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is characterized by the accumulation and proliferation of immature hematopoietic cells in the blood and bone marrow. In this article, we outlined the various contributing factors involved in resistance or sensitivity to epigenetic drugs in the treatment of AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shohre Karimi Kelaye
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Najafi
- Division of Hematology and Blood Banking, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Bahareh Kazemi
- Division of Hematology and Blood Banking, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zahra Foruzandeh
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Farhad Seif
- Department of Immunology and Allergy, Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Solali
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Mohammad-Reza Alivand
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yamatani K, Ai T, Saito K, Suzuki K, Hori A, Kinjo S, Ikeo K, Ruvolo V, Zhang W, Mak PY, Kaczkowski B, Harada H, Katayama K, Sugimoto Y, Myslinski J, Hato T, Miida T, Konopleva M, Hayashizaki Y, Carter BZ, Tabe Y, Andreeff M. Inhibition of BCL2A1 by STAT5 inactivation overcomes resistance to targeted therapies of FLT3-ITD/D835 mutant AML. Transl Oncol 2022; 18:101354. [PMID: 35114569 PMCID: PMC8818561 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BCL2A1 is upregulated and exerts a pro-survival function in FLT3-ITD/D835 AML cells. Upregulation of BCL2A1 attenuates sensitivity to quizartinib in FLT3-ITD/D835 cells. Gilteritinib decreases BCL2A1 through inactivation of STAT5 in FLT3-ITD/D835 cells. Gilteritinib/Venetoclax has a synergistic anti-tumor activity in FLT3-ITD/D835 cells.
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are established drugs in the therapy of FLT3-ITD mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, acquired mutations, such as D835 in the tyrosine kinase domain (FLT3-ITD/D835), can induce resistance to TKIs. A cap analysis gene expression (CAGE) technology revealed that the gene expression of BCL2A1 transcription start sites was increased in primary AML cells bearing FLT3-ITD/D835 compared to FLT3-ITD. Overexpression of BCL2A1 attenuated the sensitivity to quizartinib, a type II TKI, and venetoclax, a selective BCL2 inhibitor, in AML cell lines. However, a type I TKI, gilteritinib, inhibited the expression of BCL2A1 through inactivation of STAT5 and alleviated TKI resistance of FLT3-ITD/D835. The combination of gilteritinib and venetoclax showed synergistic effects in the FLT3-ITD/D835 positive AML cells. The promoter region of BCL2A1 contains a BRD4 binding site. Thus, the blockade of BRD4 with a BET inhibitor (CPI-0610) downregulated BCL2A1 in FLT3-mutated AML cells and extended profound suppression of FLT3-ITD/D835 mutant cells. Therefore, we propose that BCL2A1 has the potential to be a novel therapeutic target in treating FLT3-ITD/D835 mutated AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kotoko Yamatani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Ai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Kaori Saito
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Koya Suzuki
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Atsushi Hori
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; Center for Genomic and Regenerative Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sonoko Kinjo
- Center for Information Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Kazuho Ikeo
- Center for Information Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Vivian Ruvolo
- Department of Leukemia, Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 448, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Weiguo Zhang
- Department of Leukemia, Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 448, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Po Yee Mak
- Department of Leukemia, Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 448, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Bogumil Kaczkowski
- Preventive Medicine and Diagnosis Innovation Program, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hironori Harada
- Department of Hematology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Katayama
- Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Sugimoto
- Division of Chemotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jered Myslinski
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Marion, IN, United States
| | - Takashi Hato
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Marion, IN, United States
| | - Takashi Miida
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Leukemia, Section of Leukemia Biology Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Bing Z Carter
- Department of Leukemia, Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 448, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Yoko Tabe
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; Department of Leukemia, Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 448, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Department of Next Generation Hematology Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Michael Andreeff
- Department of Leukemia, Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 448, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Xu H, Wen Y, Jin R, Chen H. Epigenetic modifications and targeted therapy in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:975819. [PMID: 36147798 PMCID: PMC9485478 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.975819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy resulting from the genetic alterations and epigenetic dysregulations of the hematopoietic progenitor cells. One-third of children with AML remain at risk of relapse even though outcomes have improved in recent decades. Epigenetic dysregulations have been identified to play a significant role during myeloid leukemogenesis. In contrast to genetic changes, epigenetic modifications are typically reversible, opening the door to the development of epigenetic targeted therapy. In this review, we provide an overview of the landscape of epigenetic alterations and describe the current progress that has been made in epigenetic targeted therapy, and pay close attention to the potential value of epigenetic abnormalities in the precision and combinational therapy of pediatric AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huan Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuxi Wen
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Runming Jin
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongbo Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Romine KA, Nechiporuk T, Bottomly D, Jeng S, McWeeney SK, Kaempf A, Corces MR, Majeti R, Tyner JW. Monocytic differentiation and AHR signaling as Primary Nodes of BET Inhibitor Response in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Blood Cancer Discov 2021; 2:518-531. [PMID: 34568834 DOI: 10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-21-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
To understand mechanisms of response to BET inhibitors (BETi), we mined the Beat AML functional genomic dataset and performed genome-wide CRISPR screens on BETi- sensitive and BETi- resistant AML cells. Both strategies revealed regulators of monocytic differentiation, SPI1, JUNB, FOS, and aryl-hydrocarbon receptor signaling (AHR/ARNT), as determinants of BETi response. AHR activation synergized with BETi while inhibition antagonized BETi-mediated cytotoxicity. Consistent with BETi sensitivity dependence on monocytic differentiation, ex vivo sensitivity to BETi in primary AML patient samples correlated with higher expression of monocytic markers CSF1R, LILRs, and VCAN. In addition, HL-60 cell line differentiation enhanced its sensitivity to BETi. Further, screens to rescue BETi sensitivity identified BCL2 and CDK6 as druggable vulnerabilities. Finally, monocytic AML patient samples refractory to venetoclax ex vivo were significantly more sensitive to combined BETi + venetoclax. Together, our work highlights mechanisms that could predict BETi response and identifies combination strategies to overcome resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyle A Romine
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Tamilla Nechiporuk
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Daniel Bottomly
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.,Division of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Sophia Jeng
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.,Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Shannon K McWeeney
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.,Division of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Portland, OR, USA.,Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Andy Kaempf
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.,Biostatistics Shared Resource, Portland, OR, USA
| | - M Ryan Corces
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ravindra Majeti
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Cancer Institute, and Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Tyner
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.,Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Sasca D, Guezguez B, Kühn MWM. Next generation epigenetic modulators to target myeloid neoplasms. Curr Opin Hematol 2021; 28:356-363. [PMID: 34267079 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Comprehensive sequencing studies aimed at determining the genetic landscape of myeloid neoplasms have identified epigenetic regulators to be among the most commonly mutated genes. Detailed studies have also revealed a number of epigenetic vulnerabilities. The purpose of this review is to outline these vulnerabilities and to discuss the new generation of drugs that exploit them. RECENT FINDINGS In addition to deoxyribonucleic acid-methylation, novel epigenetic dependencies have recently been discovered in various myeloid neoplasms and many of them can be targeted pharmacologically. These include not only chromatin writers, readers, and erasers but also chromatin movers that shift nucleosomes to allow access for transcription. Inhibitors of protein-protein interactions represent a novel promising class of drugs that allow disassembly of oncogenic multiprotein complexes. SUMMARY An improved understanding of disease-specific epigenetic vulnerabilities has led to the development of second-generation mechanism-based epigenetic drugs against myeloid neoplasms. Many of these drugs have been introduced into clinical trials and synergistic drug combination regimens have been shown to enhance efficacy and potentially prevent drug resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sasca
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Pulmonary Medicine, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz
| | - Borhane Guezguez
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Pulmonary Medicine, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael W M Kühn
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Pulmonary Medicine, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zhang Q, Liu Q, Zheng S, Liu T, Yang L, Han X, Lu X. Shikonin Inhibits Tumor Growth of ESCC by suppressing PKM2 mediated Aerobic Glycolysis and STAT3 Phosphorylation. J Cancer 2021; 12:4830-4840. [PMID: 34234853 PMCID: PMC8247391 DOI: 10.7150/jca.58494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Shikonin, a small molecule inhibitor of pyruvate kinase 2 (PKM2), has been demonstrated to play the antitumor effect in various cancers. However, the specific effects and related regulatory mechanism of Shikonin in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have not been clearly declared. Materials and methods: Cell viability was valued through 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Glucose consumption, lactate production, glycolytic intermediates and pyruvate kinase enzymatic activity were measured using corresponding assay kits. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models were constructed to observe the anti-ESCC effect of Shikonin in vivo. PKM2, p-PKM2, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), p-STAT3, glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and hexokinase 2 (HK2) in ESCC tissues were assessed by western blot. The expression of PKM2, p-PKM2, p-STAT3, GLUT1 and HK2 was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in ESCC tissue based on PDXs. Results: Shikonin effectively inhibited cell proliferation in dose-dependent and time-dependent manner compared with the control group. The detection of glycolysis showed that Shikonin suppressed the glucose consumption, lactate production, glycolytic intermediates and pyruvate kinase enzymatic activity. Furthermore, Shikonin not only inhibited the growth of ESCC, but also decreased the expression of p-PKM2 and p-STAT3 in vivo. Finally, Shikonin suppressed the expression of GLUT1 and HK2 proteins which are related to glycolysis. Conclusion: Shikonin has a significant antitumor effect in the ESCC by suppressing PKM2 mediated aerobic glycolysis and regulating PKM2/STAT3 signal pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Qing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Shutao Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Lifei Yang
- Cancer Hospital Affiliated of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Xiujuan Han
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Xiaomei Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Fairlie WD, Lee EF. Co-Operativity between MYC and BCL-2 Pro-Survival Proteins in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2841. [PMID: 33799592 PMCID: PMC8000576 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22062841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
B-Cell Lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), c-MYC and related proteins are arguably amongst the most widely studied in all of biology. Every year there are thousands of papers reporting on different aspects of their biochemistry, cellular and physiological mechanisms and functions. This plethora of literature can be attributed to both proteins playing essential roles in the normal functioning of a cell, and by extension a whole organism, but also due to their central role in disease, most notably, cancer. Many cancers arise due to genetic lesions resulting in deregulation of both proteins, and indeed the development and survival of tumours is often dependent on co-operativity between these protein families. In this review we will discuss the individual roles of both proteins in cancer, describe cancers where co-operativity between them has been well-characterised and finally, some strategies to target these proteins therapeutically.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Walter Douglas Fairlie
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia;
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3084, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Erinna F. Lee
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia;
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3084, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3084, Australia
| |
Collapse
|