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Miao X, Koch G, Shen S, Wang X, Li J, Shen X, Qu J, Straubinger RM, Jusko WJ. Systems Pharmacodynamic Model of Combined Gemcitabine and Trabectedin in Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Part II: Cell Cycle, DNA Damage Response, and Apoptosis Pathways. J Pharm Sci 2024; 113:235-245. [PMID: 37918792 PMCID: PMC10902796 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.10.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite decades of research efforts, pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) continues to present a formidable clinical challenge, demanding innovative therapeutic approaches. In a prior study, we reported the synergistic cytotoxic effects of gemcitabine and trabectedin on pancreatic cancer cells. To investigate potential mechanisms underlying this synergistic pharmacodynamic interaction, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis was performed, and a systems pharmacodynamics model (SPD) was developed to capture pancreatic cancer cell responses to gemcitabine and trabectedin, alone and combined, at the proteome level. Companion report Part I describes the proteomic workflow and drug effects on the upstream portion of the SPD model related to cell growth and migration, specifically the RTK-, integrin-, GPCR-, and calcium-signaling pathways. This report presents Part II of the SPD model. Here we describe drug effects on pathways associated with cell cycle, DNA damage response (DDR), and apoptosis, and provide insights into underlying mechanisms. Drug combination effects on protein changes in the cell cycle- and apoptosis pathways contribute to the synergistic effects observed between gemcitabine and trabectedin. The SPD model was subsequently incorporated into our previously-established cell cycle model, forming a comprehensive, multi-scale quantification platform for evaluating drug effects across multiple scales, spanning the proteomic-, cellular-, and subcellular levels. This approach provides a quantitative mechanistic framework for evaluating drug-drug interactions in combination chemotherapy, and could potentially serve as a tool to predict combinatorial efficacy and assist in target selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Miao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Gilbert Koch
- Pediatric Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics Research Center, University of Basel, Children's Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Shichen Shen
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY, USA; New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Xue Wang
- New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences, Buffalo, NY, USA; Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jun Li
- New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Xiaomeng Shen
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY, USA; New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jun Qu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY, USA; New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Robert M Straubinger
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY, USA; New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences, Buffalo, NY, USA; Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - William J Jusko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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Wang P, Laster K, Jia X, Dong Z, Liu K. Targeting CRAF kinase in anti-cancer therapy: progress and opportunities. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:208. [PMID: 38111008 PMCID: PMC10726672 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01903-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade is commonly dysregulated in human malignancies by processes driven by RAS or RAF oncogenes. Among the members of the RAF kinase family, CRAF plays an important role in the RAS-MAPK signaling pathway, as well as in the progression of cancer. Recent research has provided evidence implicating the role of CRAF in the physiological regulation and the resistance to BRAF inhibitors through MAPK-dependent and MAPK-independent mechanisms. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of solely targeting CRAF kinase activity remains controversial. Moreover, the kinase-independent function of CRAF may be essential for lung cancers with KRAS mutations. It is imperative to develop strategies to enhance efficacy and minimize toxicity in tumors driven by RAS or RAF oncogenes. The review investigates CRAF alterations observed in cancers and unravels the distinct roles of CRAF in cancers propelled by diverse oncogenes. This review also seeks to summarize CRAF-interacting proteins and delineate CRAF's regulation across various cancer hallmarks. Additionally, we discuss recent advances in pan-RAF inhibitors and their combination with other therapeutic approaches to improve treatment outcomes and minimize adverse effects in patients with RAF/RAS-mutant tumors. By providing a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted role of CRAF in cancers and highlighting the latest developments in RAF inhibitor therapies, we endeavor to identify synergistic targets and elucidate resistance pathways, setting the stage for more robust and safer combination strategies for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penglei Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
- Tianjian Laboratory for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Kyle Laster
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Xuechao Jia
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
- Tianjian Laboratory for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Zigang Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
- Tianjian Laboratory for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, AMS, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.
| | - Kangdong Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
- Tianjian Laboratory for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, AMS, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.
- Basic Medicine Sciences Research Center, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
- Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
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Cell Cycle Protein Expression in Neuroendocrine Tumors: Association of CDK4/CDK6, CCND1, and Phosphorylated Retinoblastoma Protein With Proliferative Index. Pancreas 2017; 46:1347-1353. [PMID: 28991877 PMCID: PMC5645256 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0000000000000944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Dysregulation of the cell cycle has been observed and implicated as an etiologic factor in a range of human malignancies, but remains relatively unstudied in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). We evaluated expression of key proteins involved in cell cycle regulation in a large cohort of NETs. METHODS We evaluated immunohistochemical expression of CDKN1B, CDKN1A, CDKN2A, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, cyclin D1, cyclin E1, and phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein (phospho-RB1) in a cohort of 267 patients with NETs. We then explored associations between cell cycle protein expression, mutational status, histologic features, and overall survival. RESULTS We found that high expression of CDK4, CDK6, CCND1, and phospho-RB1 was associated with higher proliferative index, as defined by MKI67. We additionally observed a trend toward shorter overall survival associated with low expression of CDKN1B. This association seemed strongest in SINETs (multivariate hazards ratio, 2.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-3.93; P = 0.03). We found no clear association between CDKN1B mutation and protein expression. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that dysregulation and activation of the CDK4/CDK6-CCND1-phospho-RB1 axis is associated with higher proliferative index in NETs. Investigation of the therapeutic potential of CDK4/CDK6 inhibitors in higher grade NETs is warranted.
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Delitto D, Zhang D, Han S, Black BS, Knowlton AE, Vlada AC, Sarosi GA, Behrns KE, Thomas RM, Lu X, Liu C, George TJ, Hughes SJ, Wallet SM, Trevino JG. Nicotine Reduces Survival via Augmentation of Paracrine HGF-MET Signaling in the Pancreatic Cancer Microenvironment. Clin Cancer Res 2015; 22:1787-99. [PMID: 26667487 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-1256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The relationship between smoking and pancreatic cancer biology, particularly in the context of the heterogeneous microenvironment, remains incompletely defined. We hypothesized that nicotine exposure would lead to the augmentation of paracrine growth factor signaling between tumor-associated stroma (TAS) and pancreatic cancer cells, ultimately resulting in accelerated tumor growth and metastasis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The effect of tobacco use on overall survival was analyzed using a prospectively maintained database of surgically resected patients with pancreatic cancer. Nicotine exposure was evaluated in vitro using primary patient-derived TAS and pancreatic cancer cells independently and in coculture. Nicotine administration was then assessed in vivo using a patient-derived pancreatic cancer xenograft model. RESULTS Continued smoking was associated with reduced overall survival after surgical resection. In culture, nicotine-stimulated hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) secretion in primary patient-derived TAS and nicotine stimulation was required for persistent pancreatic cancer cell c-Met activation in a coculture model. c-Met activation in this manner led to the induction of inhibitor of differentiation-1 (Id1) in pancreatic cancer cells, previously established as a mediator of growth, invasion and chemoresistance. HGF-induced Id1 expression was abrogated by both epigenetic and pharmacologic c-Met inhibition. In patient-derived pancreatic cancer xenografts, nicotine treatment augmented tumor growth and metastasis; tumor lysates from nicotine-treated mice demonstrated elevated HGF expression by qRT-PCR and phospho-Met levels by ELISA. Similarly, elevated levels of phospho-Met in surgically resected pancreatic cancer specimens correlated with reduced overall survival. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these data demonstrate a novel, microenvironment-dependent paracrine signaling mechanism by which nicotine exposure promotes the growth and metastasis of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Delitto
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida Health Science Center, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Dongyu Zhang
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida Health Science Center, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Song Han
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida Health Science Center, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Brian S Black
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida Health Science Center, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Andrea E Knowlton
- Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology, University of Florida Health Science Center, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Adrian C Vlada
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida Health Science Center, Gainesville, Florida
| | - George A Sarosi
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida Health Science Center, Gainesville, Florida. North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, University of Florida Health Science Center, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Kevin E Behrns
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida Health Science Center, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Ryan M Thomas
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida Health Science Center, Gainesville, Florida. North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, University of Florida Health Science Center, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Xiaomin Lu
- Department of Biostatistics and Children's Oncology Group, University of Florida Health Science Center, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, Laboratory Medicine, Colleges of Medicine, Dentistry and Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida Health Science Center, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Thomas J George
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florida Health Science Center, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Steven J Hughes
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida Health Science Center, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Shannon M Wallet
- Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology, University of Florida Health Science Center, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jose G Trevino
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida Health Science Center, Gainesville, Florida.
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Downstream mediators of the intratumoral interferon response suppress antitumor immunity, induce gemcitabine resistance and associate with poor survival in human pancreatic cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2015; 64:1553-63. [PMID: 26423423 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-015-1760-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The cancer microenvironment allows tumor cells to evade immune surveillance through a variety of mechanisms. While interferon-γ (IFNγ) is central to effective antitumor immunity, its effects on the microenvironment are not as clear and have in some cancers been shown to induce immune checkpoint ligands. The heterogeneity of these responses to IFNγ remains poorly characterized in desmoplastic malignancies with minimal inflammatory cell infiltration, such as pancreatic cancer (PC). Thus, the IFNγ response within and on key cells of the PC microenvironment was evaluated. IFNγ induced expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II on PC cell lines, primary pancreatic cancer epithelial cells (PPCE) and patient-derived tumor-associated stroma, concomitant with an upregulation of PDL1 in the absence of CD80 and CD86 expression. As expected, IFNγ also induced high levels of CXCL10 from all cell types. In addition, significantly higher levels of CXCL10 were observed in PC specimens compared to those from chronic pancreatitis, whereby intratumoral CXCL10 concentration was an independent predictor of poor survival. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a subset of CXCR3-positive cancer cells in over 90 % of PC specimens, as well as on a subset of cultured PC cell lines and PPCE, whereby exposure to CXCL10 induced resistance to the chemotherapeutic gemcitabine. These findings suggest that IFNγ has multiple effects on many cell types within the PC microenvironment that may lead to immune evasion, chemoresistance and shortened survival.
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Schaal C, Chellappan SP. Nicotine-mediated cell proliferation and tumor progression in smoking-related cancers. Mol Cancer Res 2014; 12:14-23. [PMID: 24398389 PMCID: PMC3915512 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-13-0541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Tobacco smoke contains multiple classes of established carcinogens including benzo(a)pyrenes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and tobacco-specific nitrosamines. Most of these compounds exert their genotoxic effects by forming DNA adducts and generation of reactive oxygen species, causing mutations in vital genes such as K-Ras and p53. In addition, tobacco-specific nitrosamines can activate nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) and to a certain extent β-adrenergic receptors (β-AR), promoting cell proliferation. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that nicotine, the major addictive component of tobacco smoke, can induce cell-cycle progression, angiogenesis, and metastasis of lung and pancreatic cancers. These effects occur mainly through the α7-nAChRs, with possible contribution from the β-ARs and/or epidermal growth factor receptors. This review article will discuss the molecular mechanisms by which nicotine and its oncogenic derivatives such as 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone and N-nitrosonornicotine induce cell-cycle progression and promote tumor growth. A variety of signaling cascades are induced by nicotine through nAChRs, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT pathway, and janus-activated kinase/STAT signaling. In addition, studies have shown that nAChR activation induces Src kinase in a β-arrestin-1-dependent manner, leading to the inactivation of Rb protein and resulting in the expression of E2F1-regulated proliferative genes. Such nAChR-mediated signaling events enhance the proliferation of cells and render them resistant to apoptosis induced by various agents. These observations highlight the role of nAChRs in promoting the growth and metastasis of tumors and raise the possibility of targeting them for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Schaal
- Department of Tumor Biology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612.
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