1
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Shrestha H, Rädler PD, Dennaoui R, Wicker MN, Rajbhandari N, Sun Y, Peck AR, Vistisen K, Triplett AA, Beydoun R, Sterneck E, Saur D, Rui H, Wagner KU. The Janus kinase 1 is critical for pancreatic cancer initiation and progression. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114202. [PMID: 38733583 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-6 (IL-6)-class inflammatory cytokines signal through the Janus tyrosine kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway and promote the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC); however, the functions of specific intracellular signaling mediators in this process are less well defined. Using a ligand-controlled and pancreas-specific knockout in adult mice, we demonstrate in this study that JAK1 deficiency prevents the formation of KRASG12D-induced pancreatic tumors, and we establish that JAK1 is essential for the constitutive activation of STAT3, whose activation is a prominent characteristic of PDAC. We identify CCAAT/enhancer binding protein δ (C/EBPδ) as a biologically relevant downstream target of JAK1 signaling, which is upregulated in human PDAC. Reinstating the expression of C/EBPδ was sufficient to restore the growth of JAK1-deficient cancer cells as tumorspheres and in xenografted mice. Collectively, the findings of this study suggest that JAK1 executes important functions of inflammatory cytokines through C/EBPδ and may serve as a molecular target for PDAC prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hridaya Shrestha
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine and Tumor Biology Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Patrick D Rädler
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine and Tumor Biology Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Rayane Dennaoui
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine and Tumor Biology Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Madison N Wicker
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine and Tumor Biology Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Nirakar Rajbhandari
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Yunguang Sun
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Amy R Peck
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Kerry Vistisen
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine and Tumor Biology Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Aleata A Triplett
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Rafic Beydoun
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine and Tumor Biology Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Esta Sterneck
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Dieter Saur
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany; Translational Cancer Research and Institute of Experimental Cancer Therapy, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Hallgeir Rui
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Kay-Uwe Wagner
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine and Tumor Biology Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
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2
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Gu M, Liu Y, Xin P, Guo W, Zhao Z, Yang X, Ma R, Jiao T, Zheng W. Fundamental insights and molecular interactions in pancreatic cancer: Pathways to therapeutic approaches. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216738. [PMID: 38401887 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract can be affected by a number of diseases that pancreatic cancer (PC) is a malignant manifestation of them. The prognosis of PC patients is unfavorable and because of their diagnosis at advanced stage, the treatment of this tumor is problematic. Owing to low survival rate, there is much interest towards understanding the molecular profile of PC in an attempt in developing more effective therapeutics. The conventional therapeutics for PC include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as emerging immunotherapy. However, PC is still incurable and more effort should be performed. The molecular landscape of PC is an underlying factor involved in increase in progression of tumor cells. In the presence review, the newest advances in understanding the molecular and biological events in PC are discussed. The dysregulation of molecular pathways including AMPK, MAPK, STAT3, Wnt/β-catenin and non-coding RNA transcripts has been suggested as a factor in development of tumorigenesis in PC. Moreover, cell death mechanisms such as apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis and necroptosis demonstrate abnormal levels. The EMT and glycolysis in PC cells enhance to ensure their metastasis and proliferation. Furthermore, such abnormal changes have been used to develop corresponding pharmacological and nanotechnological therapeutics for PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Gu
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China
| | - Peng Xin
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Pancreatic-Biliary Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China
| | - Zimo Zhao
- Department of Pancreatic-Biliary Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China
| | - Xu Yang
- Department of Pancreatic-Biliary Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China
| | - Ruiyang Ma
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China.
| | - Taiwei Jiao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China.
| | - Wenhui Zheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China.
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3
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Chen H, Bian A, Zhou W, Miao Y, Ye J, Li J, He P, Zhang Q, Sun Y, Sun Z, Ti C, Chen Y, Yi Z, Liu M. Discovery of the Highly Selective and Potent STAT3 Inhibitor for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2024; 10:579-594. [PMID: 38559310 PMCID: PMC10979493 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.3c01440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is an attractive cancer therapeutic target. Unfortunately, targeting STAT3 with small molecules has proven to be very challenging, and for full activation of STAT3, the cooperative phosphorylation of both tyrosine 705 (Tyr705) and serine 727 (Ser727) is needed. Further, a selective inhibitor of STAT3 dual phosphorylation has not been developed. Here, we identified a low nanomolar potency and highly selective small-molecule STAT3 inhibitor that simultaneously inhibits both STAT3 Tyr705 and Ser727 phosphorylation. YY002 potently inhibited STAT3-dependent tumor cell growth in vitro and achieved potent suppression of tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. More importantly, YY002 exhibited favorable pharmacokinetics, an acceptable safety profile, and superior antitumor efficacy compared to BBI608 (STAT3 inhibitor that has advanced into phase III trials). For the mechanism, YY002 is selectively bound to the STAT3 Src Homology 2 (SH2) domain over other STAT members, which strongly suppressed STAT3 nuclear and mitochondrial functions in STAT3-dependent cells. Collectively, this study suggests the potential of small-molecule STAT3 inhibitors as possible anticancer therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huang Chen
- Shanghai
Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences
and School of Life Sciences, East China
Normal University, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
- Shanghai
Yuyao Biotech Co., LTD. Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Aiwu Bian
- Shanghai
Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences
and School of Life Sciences, East China
Normal University, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
- Shanghai
Yuyao Biotech Co., LTD. Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Wenbo Zhou
- Shanghai
Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences
and School of Life Sciences, East China
Normal University, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
- Shanghai
Yuyao Biotech Co., LTD. Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Ying Miao
- Shanghai
Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences
and School of Life Sciences, East China
Normal University, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
| | - Jiangnan Ye
- Shanghai
Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences
and School of Life Sciences, East China
Normal University, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
| | - Jiahui Li
- Southern
Medical University Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, Shanghai 201499, China
| | - Peng He
- Shanghai
Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences
and School of Life Sciences, East China
Normal University, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
| | - Qiansen Zhang
- Shanghai
Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences
and School of Life Sciences, East China
Normal University, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
| | - Yue Sun
- Shanghai
Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences
and School of Life Sciences, East China
Normal University, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
| | - Zhenliang Sun
- Southern
Medical University Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, Shanghai 201499, China
| | - Chaowen Ti
- Shanghai
Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences
and School of Life Sciences, East China
Normal University, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
| | - Yihua Chen
- Shanghai
Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences
and School of Life Sciences, East China
Normal University, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
| | - Zhengfang Yi
- Shanghai
Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences
and School of Life Sciences, East China
Normal University, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
| | - Mingyao Liu
- Shanghai
Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences
and School of Life Sciences, East China
Normal University, Shanghai 200241, P.R. China
- Shanghai
Yuyao Biotech Co., LTD. Shanghai 200241, China
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4
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Mijit M, Boner M, Cordova RA, Gampala S, Kpenu E, Klunk AJ, Zhang C, Kelley MR, Staschke KA, Fishel ML. Activation of the integrated stress response (ISR) pathways in response to Ref-1 inhibition in human pancreatic cancer and its tumor microenvironment. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1146115. [PMID: 37181357 PMCID: PMC10174294 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1146115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer or pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by a profound inflammatory tumor microenvironment (TME) with high heterogeneity, metastatic propensity, and extreme hypoxia. The integrated stress response (ISR) pathway features a family of protein kinases that phosphorylate eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2) and regulate translation in response to diverse stress conditions, including hypoxia. We previously demonstrated that eIF2 signaling pathways were profoundly affected in response to Redox factor-1 (Ref-1) knockdown in human PDAC cells. Ref-1 is a dual function enzyme with activities of DNA repair and redox signaling, responds to cellular stress, and regulates survival pathways. The redox function of Ref-1 directly regulates multiple transcription factors including HIF-1α, STAT3, and NF-κB, which are highly active in the PDAC TME. However, the mechanistic details of the crosstalk between Ref-1 redox signaling and activation of ISR pathways are unclear. Following Ref-1 knockdown, induction of ISR was observed under normoxic conditions, while hypoxic conditions were sufficient to activate ISR irrespective of Ref-1 levels. Inhibition of Ref-1 redox activity increased expression of p-eIF2 and ATF4 transcriptional activity in a concentration-dependent manner in multiple human PDAC cell lines, and the effect on eIF2 phosphorylation was PERK-dependent. Treatment with PERK inhibitor, AMG-44 at high concentrations resulted in activation of the alternative ISR kinase, GCN2 and induced levels of p-eIF2 and ATF4 in both tumor cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Combination treatment with inhibitors of Ref-1 and PERK enhanced cell killing effects in both human pancreatic cancer lines and CAFs in 3D co-culture, but only at high doses of PERK inhibitors. This effect was completely abrogated when Ref-1 inhibitors were used in combination with GCN2 inhibitor, GCN2iB. We demonstrate that targeting of Ref-1 redox signaling activates the ISR in multiple PDAC lines and that this activation of ISR is critical for inhibition of the growth of co-culture spheroids. Combination effects were only observed in physiologically relevant 3D co-cultures, suggesting that the model system utilized can greatly affect the outcome of these targeted agents. Inhibition of Ref-1 signaling induces cell death through ISR signaling pathways, and combination of Ref-1 redox signaling blockade with ISR activation could be a novel therapeutic strategy for PDAC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmut Mijit
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Megan Boner
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Ricardo A. Cordova
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Silpa Gampala
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Eyram Kpenu
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Angela J. Klunk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Chi Zhang
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of BioHealth Informatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - MarK R. Kelley
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Kirk A. Staschke
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Melissa L. Fishel
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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5
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Prabhu L, Martin M, Chen L, Demir Ö, Jin J, Huang X, Motolani A, Sun M, Jiang G, Nakshatri H, Fishel ML, Sun S, Safa A, Amaro RE, Kelley MR, Liu Y, Zhang ZY, Lu T. Inhibition of PRMT5 by market drugs as a novel cancer therapeutic avenue. Genes Dis 2022; 10:267-283. [PMID: 37013054 PMCID: PMC10066340 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Market drugs, such as Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or European Medicines Agency (EMA)-approved drugs for specific indications provide opportunities for repurposing for newer therapeutics. This potentially saves resources invested in clinical trials that verify drug safety and tolerance in humans prior to alternative indication approval. Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) overexpression has been linked to promoting the tumor phenotype in several cancers, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and breast cancer (BC), making PRMT5 an important target for cancer therapy. Previously, we showed that PRMT5-mediated methylation of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB, partially contributes to its constitutive activation observed in cancers. In this study, we utilized an AlphaLISA-based high-throughput screening method adapted in our lab, and identified one FDA-approved drug, Candesartan cilexetil (Can, used in hypertension treatment) and one EMA-approved drug, Cloperastine hydrochloride (Clo, used in cough treatment) that had significant PRMT5-inhibitory activity, and their anti-tumor properties were validated using cancer phenotypic assays in vitro. Furthermore, PRMT5 selective inhibition of methyltransferase activity was confirmed by reduction of both NF-κB methylation and its subsequent activation upon drug treatment. Using in silico prediction, we identified critical residues on PRMT5 targeted by these drugs that may interfere with its enzymatic activity. Finally, Clo and Can treatment have exhibited marked reduction in tumor growth in vivo. Overall, we provide basis for pursuing repurposing Clo and Can as anti-PRMT5 cancer therapies. Our study offers potential safe and fast repurposing of previously unknown PRMT5 inhibitors into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Prabhu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Matthew Martin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Lan Chen
- Chemical Genomics Core Facility, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Özlem Demir
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jiamin Jin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Xiumei Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Aishat Motolani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Mengyao Sun
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Guanglong Jiang
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Harikrishna Nakshatri
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Melissa L. Fishel
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Steven Sun
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Ahmad Safa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Rommie E. Amaro
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Mark R. Kelley
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Yunlong Liu
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Zhong-Yin Zhang
- Chemical Genomics Core Facility, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Tao Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Corresponding author. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. Tel.: +(317) 278 0520; fax: +(317) 274 7714.
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6
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Gampala S, Shah F, Lu X, Moon HR, Babb O, Umesh Ganesh N, Sandusky G, Hulsey E, Armstrong L, Mosely AL, Han B, Ivan M, Yeh JRJ, Kelley MR, Zhang C, Fishel ML. Ref-1 redox activity alters cancer cell metabolism in pancreatic cancer: exploiting this novel finding as a potential target. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:251. [PMID: 34376225 PMCID: PMC8353735 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02046-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer is a complex disease with a desmoplastic stroma, extreme hypoxia, and inherent resistance to therapy. Understanding the signaling and adaptive response of such an aggressive cancer is key to making advances in therapeutic efficacy. Redox factor-1 (Ref-1), a redox signaling protein, regulates the conversion of several transcription factors (TFs), including HIF-1α, STAT3 and NFκB from an oxidized to reduced state leading to enhancement of their DNA binding. In our previously published work, knockdown of Ref-1 under normoxia resulted in altered gene expression patterns on pathways including EIF2, protein kinase A, and mTOR. In this study, single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and proteomics were used to explore the effects of Ref-1 on metabolic pathways under hypoxia. METHODS scRNA-seq comparing pancreatic cancer cells expressing less than 20% of the Ref-1 protein was analyzed using left truncated mixture Gaussian model and validated using proteomics and qRT-PCR. The identified Ref-1's role in mitochondrial function was confirmed using mitochondrial function assays, qRT-PCR, western blotting and NADP assay. Further, the effect of Ref-1 redox function inhibition against pancreatic cancer metabolism was assayed using 3D co-culture in vitro and xenograft studies in vivo. RESULTS Distinct transcriptional variation in central metabolism, cell cycle, apoptosis, immune response, and genes downstream of a series of signaling pathways and transcriptional regulatory factors were identified in Ref-1 knockdown vs Scrambled control from the scRNA-seq data. Mitochondrial DEG subsets downregulated with Ref-1 knockdown were significantly reduced following Ref-1 redox inhibition and more dramatically in combination with Devimistat in vitro. Mitochondrial function assays demonstrated that Ref-1 knockdown and Ref-1 redox signaling inhibition decreased utilization of TCA cycle substrates and slowed the growth of pancreatic cancer co-culture spheroids. In Ref-1 knockdown cells, a higher flux rate of NADP + consuming reactions was observed suggesting the less availability of NADP + and a higher level of oxidative stress in these cells. In vivo xenograft studies demonstrated that tumor reduction was potent with Ref-1 redox inhibitor similar to Devimistat. CONCLUSION Ref-1 redox signaling inhibition conclusively alters cancer cell metabolism by causing TCA cycle dysfunction while also reducing the pancreatic tumor growth in vitro as well as in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silpa Gampala
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Fenil Shah
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Lu
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.,Department of Biohealth Informatics, IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Hye-Ran Moon
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, USA
| | - Olivia Babb
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Nikkitha Umesh Ganesh
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02115, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - George Sandusky
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.,Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 W Walnut St. R4-321, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Emily Hulsey
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Lee Armstrong
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Amber L Mosely
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 W Walnut St. R4-321, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Bumsoo Han
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, USA.,Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, USA
| | - Mircea Ivan
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 W Walnut St. R4-321, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Jing-Ruey Joanna Yeh
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02115, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Mark R Kelley
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.,Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 W Walnut St. R4-321, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA. .,Department of Biohealth Informatics, IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA. .,Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 W Walnut St. R4-321, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
| | - Melissa L Fishel
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA. .,Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 W Walnut St. R4-321, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
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7
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Ruan Z, Liang M, Shang L, Lai M, Deng X, Su X. Shikonin-mediated PD-L1 degradation suppresses immune evasion in pancreatic cancer by inhibiting NF-κB/STAT3 and NF-κB/CSN5 signaling pathways. Pancreatology 2021; 21:630-641. [PMID: 33707115 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2021.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2019] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly fatal malignancy with few effective therapies currently available. Recent studies have shown that PD-L1 inhibitors could be potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of PC. The present study aims to investigate the effect of Shikonin on immune evasion in PC with the involvement of the PD-L1 degradation. METHODS Initially, the expression patterns of PD-L1 and NF-κB in PC were predicted in-silico using the GEPIA database, and were subsequently validated using PC tissues. Thereafter, the correlation of NF-κB with STAT3, CSN5 and PD-L1 was examined. PC cells were treated with Shikonin, NF-κB inhibitor, STAT3 activator, and CSN5 overexpression plasmid to investigate effects on PD-L1 glycosylation and immune evasion in PC. Finally, in vivo tumor formation was induced in C57BL/6J mice, in order to verify the in vitro results. RESULTS PD-L1, NF-κB, NF-κB p65, STAT3, and CSN5 were highly expressed in PC samples, and NF-κB was positively correlated with STAT3/CSN5/PD-L1. Inhibition of NF-κB decreased PD-L1 glycosylation and increased PD-L1 degradation, whereas activated STAT3 and overexpressed CSN5 reversed these trends. Shikonin blocked immune evasion in PC, and lowered the expression of PD-L1, NF-κB, NF-κB p65, STAT3 and CSN5 in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSION The findings indicated Shikonin inhibited immune evasion in PC by inhibiting PD-L1 glycosylation and activating the NF-κB/STAT3 and NF-κB/CSN5 signaling pathways. These effects of Shikonin on PC cells may bear important potential therapeutic implications for the treatment of PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyan Ruan
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Food & Drug Vocational College, Guangzhou, 510520, PR China
| | - Minhua Liang
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Food & Drug Vocational College, Guangzhou, 510520, PR China
| | - Ling Shang
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Food & Drug Vocational College, Guangzhou, 510520, PR China
| | - Manxiang Lai
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Food & Drug Vocational College, Guangzhou, 510520, PR China
| | - Xiangliang Deng
- School of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
| | - Xinguo Su
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Food & Drug Vocational College, Guangzhou, 510520, PR China.
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8
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Gampala S, Shah F, Zhang C, Rhodes SD, Babb O, Grimard M, Wireman RS, Rad E, Calver B, Bai RY, Staedtke V, Hulsey EL, Saadatzadeh MR, Pollok KE, Tong Y, Smith AE, Clapp DW, Tee AR, Kelley MR, Fishel ML. Exploring transcriptional regulators Ref-1 and STAT3 as therapeutic targets in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours. Br J Cancer 2021; 124:1566-1580. [PMID: 33658640 PMCID: PMC8076291 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01270-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MPNST is a rare soft-tissue sarcoma that can arise from patients with NF1. Existing chemotherapeutic and targeted agents have been unsuccessful in MPNST treatment, and recent findings implicate STAT3 and HIF1-α in driving MPNST. The DNA-binding and transcriptional activity of both STAT3 and HIF1-α is regulated by Redox factor-1 (Ref-1) redox function. A first-generation Ref-1 inhibitor, APX3330, is being tested in cancer clinical trials and could be applied to MPNST. METHODS We characterised Ref-1 and p-STAT3 expression in various MPNST models. Tumour growth, as well as biomarkers of apoptosis and signalling pathways, were measured by qPCR and western blot following treatment with inhibitors of Ref-1 or STAT3. RESULTS MPNSTs from Nf1-Arfflox/floxPostnCre mice exhibit significantly increased positivity of p-STAT3 and Ref-1 expression when malignant transformation occurs. Inhibition of Ref-1 or STAT3 impairs MPNST growth in vitro and in vivo and induces apoptosis. Genes highly expressed in MPNST patients are downregulated following inhibition of Ref-1 or STAT3. Several biomarkers downstream of Ref-1 or STAT3 were also downregulated following Ref-1 or STAT3 inhibition. CONCLUSIONS Our findings implicate a unique therapeutic approach to target important MPNST signalling nodes in sarcomas using new first-in-class small molecules for potential translation to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silpa Gampala
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Fenil Shah
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Steven D Rhodes
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Olivia Babb
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Michelle Grimard
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Randall S Wireman
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ellie Rad
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Brian Calver
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Ren-Yuan Bai
- Neurosurgery and Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Verena Staedtke
- Neurosurgery and Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Emily L Hulsey
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - M Reza Saadatzadeh
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Karen E Pollok
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Yan Tong
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Management, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Abbi E Smith
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - D Wade Clapp
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Andrew R Tee
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Mark R Kelley
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Melissa L Fishel
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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9
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Caston RA, Shah F, Starcher CL, Wireman R, Babb O, Grimard M, McGeown J, Armstrong L, Tong Y, Pili R, Rupert J, Zimmers TA, Elmi AN, Pollok KE, Motea EA, Kelley MR, Fishel ML. Combined inhibition of Ref-1 and STAT3 leads to synergistic tumour inhibition in multiple cancers using 3D and in vivo tumour co-culture models. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:784-800. [PMID: 33274592 PMCID: PMC7812272 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
With a plethora of molecularly targeted agents under investigation in cancer, a clear need exists to understand which pathways can be targeted simultaneously with multiple agents to elicit a maximal killing effect on the tumour. Combination therapy provides the most promise in difficult to treat cancers such as pancreatic. Ref-1 is a multifunctional protein with a role in redox signalling that activates transcription factors such as NF-κB, AP-1, HIF-1α and STAT3. Formerly, we have demonstrated that dual targeting of Ref-1 (redox factor-1) and STAT3 is synergistic and decreases cell viability in pancreatic cancer cells. Data presented here extensively expands upon this work and provides further insights into the relationship of STAT3 and Ref-1 in multiple cancer types. Using targeted small molecule inhibitors, Ref-1 redox signalling was blocked along with STAT3 activation, and tumour growth evaluated in the presence and absence of the relevant tumour microenvironment. Our study utilized qPCR, cytotoxicity and in vivo analysis of tumour and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) response to determine the synergy of Ref-1 and STAT3 inhibitors. Overall, pancreatic tumours grown in the presence of CAFs were sensitized to the combination of STAT3 and Ref-1 inhibition in vivo. In vitro bladder and pancreatic cancer demonstrated the most synergistic responses. By disabling both of these important pathways, this combination therapy has the capacity to hinder crosstalk between the tumour and its microenvironment, leading to improved tumour response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A. Caston
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric ResearchIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Fenil Shah
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric ResearchIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Colton L. Starcher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Randall Wireman
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric ResearchIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Olivia Babb
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric ResearchIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Michelle Grimard
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric ResearchIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Jack McGeown
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric ResearchIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Lee Armstrong
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric ResearchIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Yan Tong
- Department of BiostatisticsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Roberto Pili
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Department of UrologyIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Department of Hematology and OncologyIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Joseph Rupert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Department of SurgeryIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Teresa A. Zimmers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Department of SurgeryIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical CenterIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Adily N. Elmi
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric ResearchIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Karen E. Pollok
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric ResearchIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Edward A. Motea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Mark R. Kelley
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric ResearchIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Melissa L. Fishel
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric ResearchIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
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10
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miRNA551b-3p Activates an Oncostatin Signaling Module for the Progression of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cell Rep 2020; 29:4389-4406.e10. [PMID: 31875548 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.11.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2018] [Revised: 06/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic amplification of 3q26.2 locus leads to the increased expression of microRNA 551b-3p (miR551b-3p) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Our results demonstrate that miR551b-3p translocates to the nucleus with the aid of importin-8 (IPO8) and activates STAT3 transcription. As a consequence, miR551b upregulates the expression of oncostatin M receptor (OSMR) and interleukin-31 receptor-α (IL-31RA) as well as their ligands OSM and IL-31 through STAT3 transcription. We defined this set of genes induced by miR551b-3p as the "oncostatin signaling module," which provides oncogenic addictions in cancer cells. Notably, OSM is highly expressed in TNBC, and the elevated expression of OSM associates with poor outcome in estrogen-receptor-negative breast cancer patients. Conversely, targeting miR551b with anti-miR551b-3p reduced the expression of the OSM signaling module and reduced tumor growth, as well as migration and invasion of breast cancer cells.
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11
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STAT3 transcription factor as target for anti-cancer therapy. Pharmacol Rep 2020; 72:1101-1124. [PMID: 32880101 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-020-00156-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
STATs constitute a large family of transcription activators and transducers of signals that have an important role in many cell functions as regulation of proliferation and differentiation of the cell also regulation of apoptosis and angiogenesis. STAT3 as a member of that family, recently was discovered to have a vital role in progression of different types of cancers. The activation of STAT3 was observed to regulate multiple gene functions during cancer-like cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, metastasis, inflammation, immunity, cell survival, and angiogenesis. The inhibition of STAT3 activation has been an important target for cancer therapy. Inhibitors of STAT3 have been used for a long time for treatment of many types of cancers like leukemia, melanoma, colon, and renal cancer. In this review article, we summarize and discuss different drugs inhibiting the action of STAT3 and used in treatment of different types of cancer.
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12
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Xu D, Zhou D, Bum-Erdene K, Bailey BJ, Sishtla K, Liu S, Wan J, Aryal UK, Lee JA, Wells CD, Fishel ML, Corson TW, Pollok KE, Meroueh SO. Phenotypic Screening of Chemical Libraries Enriched by Molecular Docking to Multiple Targets Selected from Glioblastoma Genomic Data. ACS Chem Biol 2020; 15:1424-1444. [PMID: 32243127 PMCID: PMC7919753 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Like most solid tumors, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) harbors multiple overexpressed and mutated genes that affect several signaling pathways. Suppressing tumor growth of solid tumors like GBM without toxicity may be achieved by small molecules that selectively modulate a collection of targets across different signaling pathways, also known as selective polypharmacology. Phenotypic screening can be an effective method to uncover such compounds, but the lack of approaches to create focused libraries tailored to tumor targets has limited its impact. Here, we create rational libraries for phenotypic screening by structure-based molecular docking chemical libraries to GBM-specific targets identified using the tumor's RNA sequence and mutation data along with cellular protein-protein interaction data. Screening this enriched library of 47 candidates led to several active compounds, including 1 (IPR-2025), which (i) inhibited cell viability of low-passage patient-derived GBM spheroids with single-digit micromolar IC50 values that are substantially better than standard-of-care temozolomide, (ii) blocked tube-formation of endothelial cells in Matrigel with submicromolar IC50 values, and (iii) had no effect on primary hematopoietic CD34+ progenitor spheroids or astrocyte cell viability. RNA sequencing provided the potential mechanism of action for 1, and mass spectrometry-based thermal proteome profiling confirmed that the compound engages multiple targets. The ability of 1 to inhibit GBM phenotypes without affecting normal cell viability suggests that our screening approach may hold promise for generating lead compounds with selective polypharmacology for the development of treatments of incurable diseases like GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Xu
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Department of BioHealth Informatics, Indiana University School of Informatics and Computing, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Donghui Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Khuchtumur Bum-Erdene
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Barbara J Bailey
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Kamakshi Sishtla
- Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Sheng Liu
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Jun Wan
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Uma K Aryal
- Purdue Proteomics Facility, Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Jonathan A Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Clark D Wells
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Melissa L Fishel
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Timothy W Corson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Karen E Pollok
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Samy O Meroueh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
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13
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Zhang T, He L, Wang Z, Dong W, Sun W, Qin Y, Zhang P, Zhang H. Calcitriol enhances Doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in papillary thyroid carcinoma cells via regulating VDR/PTPN2/p-STAT3 pathway. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:5629-5639. [PMID: 32285621 PMCID: PMC7214146 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that vitamin D deficiency is the risk factor for multiple diseases, such as immune disorder, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Calcitriol is the active form of vitamin D with beneficial effects on anti‐cancer by binding vitamin D receptor (VDR). The primary aim of this study was to investigate the role of Calcitriol on papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and explore the possible mechanism. We found nuclear VDR expression in PTC samples was negatively correlated with STAT3 hyperphosphorylation that indicated worse PTC clinicopathologic characteristics. Calcitriol treatment up‐regulated VDR and protein tyrosine phosphatase N 2 (PTPN2) expression, down‐regulated signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT3) phosphorylation and thereby facilitating chemotherapy drug Doxorubicin‐induced apoptosis in PTC cell lines. However, the apoptosis‐promoting effect of Calcitriol and Doxorubicin co‐treatment was abrogated by STAT3 hyperphosphorylation, indicating suppression of STAT3 phosphorylation was essential for combined treatment of Calcitriol and Doxorubicin in PTC. Together, these results suggested that Calcitriol reinforced the sensitivity of PTC cells to Doxorubicin by regulating VDR/PTPN2/p‐STAT3 signalling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Liang He
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhihong Wang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wenwu Dong
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yuan Qin
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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14
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Revisiting the development of small molecular inhibitors that directly target the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) domains. Life Sci 2020; 242:117241. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.117241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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15
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Sun J, Russell CC, Scarlett CJ, McCluskey A. Small molecule inhibitors in pancreatic cancer. RSC Med Chem 2020; 11:164-183. [PMID: 33479626 PMCID: PMC7433757 DOI: 10.1039/c9md00447e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC), with a 5 year survival of <7%, is one of the most fatal of all human cancers. The highly aggressive and metastatic character of this disease poses a challenge that current therapies are failing, despite significant efforts, to meet. This review examines the current status of the 35 small molecule inhibitors targeting pancreatic cancer in clinical trials and the >50 currently under investigation. These compounds inhibit biological targets spanning protein kinases, STAT3, BET, HDACs and Bcl-2 family proteins. Unsurprisingly, protein kinase inhibitors are overrepresented. Some trials show promise; a phase I combination trial of vorinostat 11 and capecitabine 17 gave a median overall survival (MoS) of 13 months and a phase II study of pazopanib 15 showed a MoS of 25 months. The current standard of care for metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, fluorouracil/folic acid (5-FU, Adrucil®), and gemcitabine (GEMZAR®) afforded a MoS of 23 and 23.6 months (EPAC-3 study), respectively. In patients who can tolerate the FOLFIRINOX regime, this is becoming the standard of treatment with a MoS of 11.1 months. Clinical study progress has been slow with limited improvement in patient survival relative to gemcitabine 1 monotherapy. A major cause of low PC survival is the late stage of diagnosis, occurring in patients who consider typical early stage warning signs of aches and pains normal. The selection of patients with specific disease phenotypes, the use of improved efficient drug combinations, the identification of biomarkers to specific cancer subtypes and more effective designs of investigation have improved outcomes. To move beyond the current dire condition and paucity of PC treatment options, determination of the best regimes and new treatment options is a challenge that must be met. The reasons for poor PC prognosis have remained largely unchanged for 20 years. This is arguably a consequence of significant changes in the drug discovery landscape, and the increasing pressure on academia to deliver short term 'media' friendly short-term news 'bites'. PC research sits at a pivotal point. Perhaps the greatest challenge is enacting a culture change that recognises that major breakthroughs are a result of blue sky, truly innovative and curiosity driven research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jufeng Sun
- Chemistry , School of Environmental & Life Sciences , The University of Newcastle , Newcastle , Callaghan , NSW 2308 , Australia . ; ; Tel: +61 249216486
- Medicinal Chemistry , School of Pharmacy , Binzhou Medical University , Yantai , 264003 , China
| | - Cecilia C Russell
- Chemistry , School of Environmental & Life Sciences , The University of Newcastle , Newcastle , Callaghan , NSW 2308 , Australia . ; ; Tel: +61 249216486
| | - Christopher J Scarlett
- Applied Sciences , School of Environmental & Life Sciences , The University of Newcastle , Ourimbah NSW 2258 , Australia
| | - Adam McCluskey
- Chemistry , School of Environmental & Life Sciences , The University of Newcastle , Newcastle , Callaghan , NSW 2308 , Australia . ; ; Tel: +61 249216486
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16
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Abstract
Tyrosine phosphorylation is a critical component of signal transduction for multicellular organisms, particularly for pathways that regulate cell proliferation and differentiation. While tyrosine kinase inhibitors have become FDA-approved drugs, inhibitors of the other important components of these signaling pathways have been harder to develop. Specifically, direct phosphotyrosine (pTyr) isosteres have been aggressively pursued as inhibitors of Src homology 2 (SH2) domains and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). Medicinal chemists have produced many classes of peptide and small molecule inhibitors that mimic pTyr. However, balancing affinity with selectivity and cell penetration has made this an extremely difficult space for developing successful clinical candidates. This review will provide a comprehensive picture of the field of pTyr isosteres, from early beginnings to the current state and trajectory. We will also highlight the major protein targets of these medicinal chemistry efforts, the major classes of peptide and small molecule inhibitors that have been developed, and the handful of compounds which have been tested in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Cerulli
- Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Biology Program, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA
| | - Joshua A Kritzer
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA.
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17
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Oatmen KE, Cull E, Spinale FG. Heart failure as interstitial cancer: emergence of a malignant fibroblast phenotype. Nat Rev Cardiol 2019; 17:523-531. [DOI: 10.1038/s41569-019-0286-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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18
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Fishel ML, Xia H, McGeown J, McIlwain DW, Elbanna M, Craft AA, Kaimakliotis HZ, Sandusky GE, Zhang C, Pili R, Kelley MR, Jerde TJ. Antitumor Activity and Mechanistic Characterization of APE1/Ref-1 Inhibitors in Bladder Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 18:1947-1960. [PMID: 31413178 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-18-1166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Bladder cancer is the ninth most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although cisplatin is used routinely in treating bladder cancer, refractory disease remains lethal for many patients. The recent addition of immunotherapy has improved patient outcomes; however, a large cohort of patients does not respond to these treatments. Therefore, identification of innovative molecular targets for bladder cancer is crucial. Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor-1 (APE1/Ref-1) is a multifunctional protein involved in both DNA repair and activation of transcription factors through reduction-oxidation (redox) regulation. High APE1/Ref-1 expression is associated with shorter patient survival time in many cancer types. In this study, we found high APE1/Ref-1 expression in human bladder cancer tissue relative to benign urothelium. Inhibition of APE1/Ref-1 redox signaling using APE1/Ref-1-specific inhibitors attenuates bladder cancer cell proliferation in monolayer, in three-dimensional cultures, and in vivo. This inhibition corresponds with an increase in apoptosis and decreased transcriptional activity of NF-κB and STAT3, transcription factors known to be regulated by APE1/Ref-1, resulting in decreased expression of downstream effectors survivin and Cyclin D1 in vitro and in vivo. We also demonstrate that in vitro treatment of bladder cancer cells with APE1/Ref-1 redox inhibitors in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy cisplatin is more effective than cisplatin alone at inhibiting cell proliferation. Collectively, our data demonstrate that APE1/Ref-1 is a viable drug target for the treatment of bladder cancer, provide a mechanism of APE1/Ref-1 action in bladder cancer cells, and support the use of novel redox-selective APE1/Ref-1 inhibitors in clinical studies. SIGNIFICANCE: This work identifies a critical mechanism for APE1/Ref-1 in bladder cancer growth and provides compelling preclinical data using selective redox activity inhibitors of APE1/Ref-1 in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa L Fishel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Department of Pediatrics, Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Hanyu Xia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Jack McGeown
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland
| | - David W McIlwain
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Department of Pediatrics, Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - May Elbanna
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Ariel A Craft
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | - George E Sandusky
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Roberto Pili
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Department of Urology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Department of Hematology and Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Mark R Kelley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Department of Pediatrics, Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Travis J Jerde
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana. .,Department of Urology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
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19
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Song J, Li J, Yang F, Ning G, Zhen L, Wu L, Zheng Y, Zhang Q, Lin D, Xie C, Peng L. Nicotinamide mononucleotide promotes osteogenesis and reduces adipogenesis by regulating mesenchymal stromal cells via the SIRT1 pathway in aged bone marrow. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:336. [PMID: 31000692 PMCID: PMC6472410 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1569-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can differentiate to various cell types including osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes. This cellular flexibility contributes to widespread clinical use of MSCs in tissue repair. However, challenges remain in efficient cellular expansion of MSCs for stem cell therapy. Current MSC culture methods have resulted in reduced self-renewal of MSCs and compromised therapeutic outcomes. This study identifies that nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), a key natural NAD+ intermediate, effectively encourages MSC expansion in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro expanded MSCs had heightened osteogenesis, but reduced adipogenesis. Furthermore, NMN supplementation stimulated osteogenesis of endogenous MSCs, and protected bone from aging and irradiation induced damage in mice. Mechanistically, we found that NMN treatment upregulated SIRT1. Genetically overexpressing SIRT1 in MSCs by using Prx1 cre; ColA1flox-stop-flox-SIRT1 mice promoted osteogenesis and reduced adipogenesis in aged mice. Overall, our data demonstrate that NMN promoted MSC self-renewal with strengthened osteogenesis and reduced adipogenesis via upregulating SIRT1 in aged mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Li
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fangji Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gang Ning
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Limin Zhen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lina Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongyuan Zheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Cell-Gene Therapy Translational Medicine Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongjun Lin
- Department of Haematology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Chan Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Liang Peng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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20
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Trinklein ND, Pham D, Schellenberger U, Buelow B, Boudreau A, Choudhry P, Clarke SC, Dang K, Harris KE, Iyer S, Jorgensen B, Pratap PP, Rangaswamy US, Ugamraj HS, Vafa O, Wiita AP, van Schooten W, Buelow R, Force Aldred S. Efficient tumor killing and minimal cytokine release with novel T-cell agonist bispecific antibodies. MAbs 2019; 11:639-652. [PMID: 30698484 PMCID: PMC6601548 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2019.1574521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell-recruiting bispecific antibodies (T-BsAbs) have shown potent tumor killing activity in humans, but cytokine release-related toxicities have affected their clinical utility. The use of novel anti-CD3 binding domains with more favorable properties could aid in the creation of T-BsAbs with improved therapeutic windows. Using a sequence-based discovery platform, we identified new anti-CD3 antibodies from humanized rats that bind to multiple epitopes and elicit varying levels of T-cell activation. In T-BsAb format, 12 different anti-CD3 arms induce equivalent levels of tumor cell lysis by primary T-cells, but potency varies by a thousand-fold. Our lead CD3-targeting arm stimulates very low levels of cytokine release, but drives robust tumor antigen-specific killing in vitro and in a mouse xenograft model. This new CD3-targeting antibody underpins a next-generation T-BsAb platform in which potent cytotoxicity is uncoupled from high levels of cytokine release, which may lead to a wider therapeutic window in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Duy Pham
- a Teneobio, Inc ., Menlo Park , CA , USA
| | | | - Ben Buelow
- a Teneobio, Inc ., Menlo Park , CA , USA
| | | | - Priya Choudhry
- b Department of Laboratory Medicine , University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | | | - Kevin Dang
- a Teneobio, Inc ., Menlo Park , CA , USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Omid Vafa
- a Teneobio, Inc ., Menlo Park , CA , USA
| | - Arun P Wiita
- b Department of Laboratory Medicine , University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
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21
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Two decades of research in discovery of anticancer drugs targeting STAT3, how close are we? Pharmacol Ther 2018; 191:74-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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22
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Plens-Galaska M, Szelag M, Collado A, Marques P, Vallejo S, Ramos-González M, Wesoly J, Sanz MJ, Peiró C, Bluyssen HAR. Genome-Wide Inhibition of Pro-atherogenic Gene Expression by Multi-STAT Targeting Compounds as a Novel Treatment Strategy of CVDs. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2141. [PMID: 30283459 PMCID: PMC6156247 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including atherosclerosis, are globally the leading cause of death. Key factors contributing to onset and progression of atherosclerosis include the pro-inflammatory cytokines Interferon (IFN)α and IFNγ and the Pattern Recognition Receptor (PRR) Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Together, they trigger activation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT)s. Searches for compounds targeting the pTyr-SH2 interaction area of STAT3, yielded many small molecules, including STATTIC and STX-0119. However, many of these inhibitors do not seem STAT3-specific. We hypothesized that multi-STAT-inhibitors that simultaneously block STAT1, STAT2, and STAT3 activity and pro-inflammatory target gene expression may be a promising strategy to treat CVDs. Using comparative in silico docking of multiple STAT-SH2 models on multi-million compound libraries, we identified the novel multi-STAT inhibitor, C01L_F03. This compound targets the SH2 domain of STAT1, STAT2, and STAT3 with the same affinity and simultaneously blocks their activity and expression of multiple STAT-target genes in HMECs in response to IFNα. The same in silico and in vitro multi-STAT inhibiting capacity was shown for STATTIC and STX-0119. Moreover, C01L_F03, STATTIC and STX-0119 were also able to affect genome-wide interactions between IFNγ and TLR4 by commonly inhibiting pro-inflammatory and pro-atherogenic gene expression directed by cooperative involvement of STATs with IRFs and/or NF-κB. Moreover, we observed that multi-STAT inhibitors could be used to inhibit IFNγ+LPS-induced HMECs migration, leukocyte adhesion to ECs as well as impairment of mesenteric artery contractility. Together, this implicates that application of a multi-STAT inhibitory strategy could provide great promise for the treatment of CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martyna Plens-Galaska
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Szelag
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Aida Collado
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.,Institute of Health Research INCLIVA, University Clinic Hospital of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Patrice Marques
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.,Institute of Health Research INCLIVA, University Clinic Hospital of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Susana Vallejo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariella Ramos-González
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Joanna Wesoly
- Laboratory of High Throughput Technologies, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - María Jesus Sanz
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.,Institute of Health Research INCLIVA, University Clinic Hospital of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Concepción Peiró
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Hans A R Bluyssen
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
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23
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Blocking HIF signaling via novel inhibitors of CA9 and APE1/Ref-1 dramatically affects pancreatic cancer cell survival. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13759. [PMID: 30214007 PMCID: PMC6137035 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32034-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has reactive stroma that promotes tumor signaling, fibrosis, inflammation, and hypoxia, which activates HIF-1α to increase tumor cell metastasis and therapeutic resistance. Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA9) stabilizes intracellular pH following induction by HIF-1α. Redox effector factor-1 (APE1/Ref-1) is a multifunctional protein with redox signaling activity that converts certain oxidized transcription factors to a reduced state, enabling them to upregulate tumor-promoting genes. Our studies evaluate PDAC hypoxia responses and APE1/Ref-1 redox signaling contributions to HIF-1α-mediated CA9 transcription. Our previous studies implicated this pathway in PDAC cell survival under hypoxia. We expand those studies, comparing drug responses using patient-derived PDAC cells displaying differential hypoxic responses in 3D spheroid tumor-stroma models to characterize second generation APE1/Ref-1 redox signaling and CA9 inhibitors. Our data demonstrates that HIF-1α-mediated CA9 induction differs between patient-derived PDAC cells and that APE1/Ref-1 redox inhibition attenuates this induction by decreasing hypoxia-induced HIF-1 DNA binding. Dual-targeting of APE1/Ref-1 and CA9 in 3D spheroids demonstrated that this combination effectively kills PDAC tumor cells displaying drastically different levels of CA9. New APE1/Ref-1 and CA9 inhibitors were significantly more potent alone and in combination, highlighting the potential of combination therapy targeting the APE1-Ref-1 signaling axis with significant clinical potential.
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24
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Puls TJ, Tan X, Husain M, Whittington CF, Fishel ML, Voytik-Harbin SL. Development of a Novel 3D Tumor-tissue Invasion Model for High-throughput, High-content Phenotypic Drug Screening. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13039. [PMID: 30158688 PMCID: PMC6115445 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31138-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
While much progress has been made in the war on cancer, highly invasive cancers such as pancreatic cancer remain difficult to treat and anti-cancer clinical trial success rates remain low. One shortcoming of the drug development process that underlies these problems is the lack of predictive, pathophysiologically relevant preclinical models of invasive tumor phenotypes. While present-day 3D spheroid invasion models more accurately recreate tumor invasion than traditional 2D models, their shortcomings include poor reproducibility and inability to interface with automated, high-throughput systems. To address this gap, a novel 3D tumor-tissue invasion model which supports rapid, reproducible setup and user-definition of tumor and surrounding tissue compartments was developed. High-cell density tumor compartments were created using a custom-designed fabrication system and standardized oligomeric type I collagen to define and modulate ECM physical properties. Pancreatic cancer cell lines used within this model showed expected differential invasive phenotypes. Low-passage, patient-derived pancreatic cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts were used to increase model pathophysiologic relevance, yielding fibroblast-mediated tumor invasion and matrix alignment. Additionally, a proof-of-concept multiplex drug screening assay was applied to highlight this model's ability to interface with automated imaging systems and showcase its potential as a predictive tool for high-throughput, high-content drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Puls
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Xiaohong Tan
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Mahera Husain
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Catherine F Whittington
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Department of Oncology, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, 46285, USA
| | - Melissa L Fishel
- Department of Pediatrics, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Pancreatic Cancer Signature Center, Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Sherry L Voytik-Harbin
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
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25
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Portugal J. Challenging transcription by DNA-binding antitumor drugs. Biochem Pharmacol 2018; 155:336-345. [PMID: 30040927 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cancer has been associated with altered gene expression. Therefore, transcription and its regulation by transcription factors are considered key points to be explored in the pursuit of more efficient antitumor agents. This paper reviews the effects of DNA-binding drugs on the interaction between transcription factors and DNA, and it discusses recent advances in the understanding of the mechanisms by which small compounds interfere with the activity of transcription factors and gene expression. Many DNA-binding drugs, some of them in clinical use, can compete with a variety of transcription factors for their preferred binding sites in gene promoters, or they can covalently modify DNA, thus preventing transcription factors from recognizing their binding sites. On the other hand, transcription factor activity can be impaired through modification of the protein factors or their complexes. Several "omic" tools have been developed to explore the genome-wide changes in gene expression induced by DNA-binding drugs, which reveal details of the mechanisms of action. Transcriptomic profiles obtained from drug-treated cells and of samples collected from patients upon treatment provide insights into the in vivo mechanisms of drug action related to the inhibition of gene transcription. The information available about the molecular structure and mechanisms of action of both transcription factors and DNA-binding drugs, together with the new opportunities provided by functional genomics, should encourage the development of new more-selective DNA-binding antitumor drugs to target a single gene with little effect on others.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Portugal
- Instituto de Diagnóstico Ambiental y Estudios del Agua, CSIC, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.
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26
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Structural Biology of STAT3 and Its Implications for Anticancer Therapies Development. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19061591. [PMID: 29843450 PMCID: PMC6032208 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19061591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors are proteins able to bind DNA and induce the transcription of specific genes. Consequently, they play a pivotal role in multiple cellular pathways and are frequently over-expressed or dysregulated in cancer. Here, we will focus on a specific “signal transducer and activator of transcription” (STAT3) factor that is involved in several pathologies, including cancer. For long time, the mechanism by which STAT3 exerts its cellular functions has been summarized by a three steps process: (1) Protein phosphorylation by specific kinases, (2) dimerization promoted by phosphorylation, (3) activation of gene expression by the phosphorylated dimer. Consequently, most of the inhibitors reported in literature aimed at blocking phosphorylation and dimerization. However, recent observations reopened the debate and the entire functional mechanism has been revisited stimulating the scientific community to pursue new inhibition strategies. In particular, the dimerization of the unphosphorylated species has been experimentally demonstrated and specific roles proposed also for these dimers. Despite difficulties in the expression and purification of the full length STAT3, structural biology investigations allowed the determination of atomistic structures of STAT3 dimers and several protein domains. Starting from this information, computational methods have been used both to improve the understanding of the STAT3 functional mechanism and to design new inhibitors to be used as anticancer drugs. In this review, we will focus on the contribution of structural biology to understand the roles of STAT3, to design new inhibitors and to suggest new strategies of pharmacological intervention.
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27
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Herrera-Perez RM, Voytik-Harbin SL, Sarkaria JN, Pollok KE, Fishel ML, Rickus JL. Presence of stromal cells in a bioengineered tumor microenvironment alters glioblastoma migration and response to STAT3 inhibition. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194183. [PMID: 29566069 PMCID: PMC5863989 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the increasingly recognized importance of the tumor microenvironment (TME) as a regulator of tumor progression, only few in vitro models have been developed to systematically study the effects of TME on tumor behavior in a controlled manner. Here we developed a three-dimensional (3D) in vitro model that recapitulates the physical and compositional characteristics of Glioblastoma (GBM) extracellular matrix (ECM) and incorporates brain stromal cells such as astrocytes and endothelial cell precursors. The model was used to evaluate the effect of TME components on migration and survival of various patient-derived GBM cell lines (GBM10, GBM43 and GBAM1) in the context of STAT3 inhibition. Migration analysis of GBM within the 3D in vitro model demonstrated that the presence of astrocytes significantly increases the migration of GBM, while presence of endothelial precursors has varied effects on the migration of different GBM cell lines. Given the role of the tumor microenvironment as a regulator of STAT3 activity, we tested the effect of the STAT3 inhibitor SH-4-54 on GBM migration and survival. SH-4-54 inhibited STAT3 activity and reduced 3D migration and survival of GBM43 but had no effect on GBM10. SH-4-54 treatment drastically reduced the viability of the stem-like line GBAM1 in liquid culture, but its effect lessened in presence of a 3D ECM and stromal cells. Our results highlight the interplay between the ECM and stromal cells in the microenvironment with the cancer cells and indicate that the impact of these relationships may differ for GBM cells of varying genetic and clinical histories.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Marisol Herrera-Perez
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- Physiological Sensing Facility at the Bindley Bioscience Center and the Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Sherry L. Voytik-Harbin
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Jann N. Sarkaria
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Karen E. Pollok
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
- Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Melissa L. Fishel
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
- Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Jenna L. Rickus
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- Physiological Sensing Facility at the Bindley Bioscience Center and the Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
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28
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Siddiqui I, Erreni M, Kamal MA, Porta C, Marchesi F, Pesce S, Pasqualini F, Schiarea S, Chiabrando C, Mantovani A, Allavena P. Differential role of Interleukin-1 and Interleukin-6 in K-Ras-driven pancreatic carcinoma undergoing mesenchymal transition. Oncoimmunology 2017; 7:e1388485. [PMID: 29308316 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1388485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
K-Ras mutations are a hallmark of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) is a driver of progression. Oncogenic K-Ras causes the constitutive activation of NF-kB and the switch-on of an inflammatory program, which further fuels NF-kB and STAT3 activation. In this study we investigated how inflammatory pathways triggered by oncogenic K-Ras are regulated in human pancreatic cancer cells with distict epithelial or mesenchymal phenotype. Our results demonstrate that in cells with epithelial features, K-Ras driven inflammation is under the control of IL-1, while in cells undergoing EMT, is IL-1 independent. In pancreatic tumor cells with EMT phenotype, treatment with IL-1R antagonist (Anakinra) did not inhibit inflammatory cytokine production and tumor growth in mice. In these cells IL-6 is actively transcribed by the EMT transcription factor TWIST. Targeting of mesenchymal pancreatic tumors in vivo with anti-IL-6RmAb (RoActemra) successfully decreased tumor growth in immunodeficient mice, inhibited the inflammatory stroma and NF-kB-p65 and STAT3 phosphorylation in cancer cells. The results confirm that IL-1 is an important driver of inflammation in epithelial pancreatic tumors; however, tumor cells undergoing EMT will likely escape IL-1R inhibition, as IL-6 is continuously transcribed by TWIST. These findings have implications for the rational targeting of inflammatory pathways in human pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Siddiqui
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Clinical and Research Institute Humanitas, Rozzano (Milano), Italy
| | - Marco Erreni
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Clinical and Research Institute Humanitas, Rozzano (Milano), Italy
| | - Mohammad Azhar Kamal
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Clinical and Research Institute Humanitas, Rozzano (Milano), Italy
| | - Chiara Porta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Federica Marchesi
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Clinical and Research Institute Humanitas, Rozzano (Milano), Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Samantha Pesce
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Clinical and Research Institute Humanitas, Rozzano (Milano), Italy
| | - Fabio Pasqualini
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Clinical and Research Institute Humanitas, Rozzano (Milano), Italy
| | - Silvia Schiarea
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Chiabrando
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Milano, Italy
| | - Alberto Mantovani
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Clinical and Research Institute Humanitas, Rozzano (Milano), Italy.,Humanitas University, Rozzano (Milano), Italy
| | - Paola Allavena
- Department of Immunology, IRCCS Clinical and Research Institute Humanitas, Rozzano (Milano), Italy.,Humanitas University, Rozzano (Milano), Italy
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Corrêa LH, Corrêa R, Farinasso CM, de Sant'Ana Dourado LP, Magalhães KG. Adipocytes and Macrophages Interplay in the Orchestration of Tumor Microenvironment: New Implications in Cancer Progression. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1129. [PMID: 28970834 PMCID: PMC5609576 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation has been known as one of the main keys to the establishment and progression of cancers. Chronic low-grade inflammation is also a strategic condition that underlies the causes and development of metabolic syndrome and obesity. Moreover, obesity has been largely related to poor prognosis of tumors by modulating tumor microenvironment with secretion of several inflammatory mediators by tumor-associated adipocytes (TAAs), which can modulate and recruit tumor-associated macrophages. Thus, the understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlay and link inflammation, obesity, and cancer is crucial to identify potential targets that interfere with this important route. Knowledge about the exact role of each component of the tumor microenvironment is not yet fully understood, but the new insights in literature highlight the essential role of adipocytes and macrophages interplay as key factor to determine the fate of cancer progression. In this review article, we focus on the functions of adipocytes and macrophages orchestrating cellular and molecular mechanisms that lead to inflammatory modulation in tumor microenvironment, which will be crucial to cancer establishment. We also emphasized the mechanisms by which the tumor promotes itself by recruiting and polarizing macrophages, discussing the role of adipocytes in this process. In addition, we discuss here the newest possible anticancer therapeutic treatments aiming to retard the development of the tumor based on what is known about cancer, adipocyte, and macrophage polarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Henrique Corrêa
- Laboratory of Immunology and Inflammation, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Rafael Corrêa
- Laboratory of Immunology and Inflammation, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Cecília Menezes Farinasso
- Laboratory of Immunology and Inflammation, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | | | - Kelly Grace Magalhães
- Laboratory of Immunology and Inflammation, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
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30
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Abstract
Reduction-oxidation factor 1-apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (Ref-1/APE1) is a critical node in tumor cells, both as a redox regulator of transcription factor activation and as part of the DNA damage response. As a redox signaling protein, Ref-1/APE1 enhances the transcriptional activity of STAT3, HIF-1α, nuclear factor kappa B, and other transcription factors to promote growth, migration, and survival in tumor cells as well as inflammation and angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment. Ref-1/APE1 is activated in a variety of cancers, including prostate, colon, pancreatic, ovarian, lung and leukemias, leading to increased aggressiveness. Transcription factors downstream of Ref-1/APE1 are key contributors to many cancers, and Ref-1/APE1 redox signaling inhibition slows growth and progression in a number of tumor types. Ref-1/APE1 inhibition is also highly effective when paired with other drugs, including standard-of-care therapies and therapies targeting pathways affected by Ref-1/APE1 redox signaling. Additionally, Ref-1/APE1 plays a role in a variety of other indications, such as retinopathy, inflammation, and neuropathy. In this review, we discuss the functional consequences of activation of the Ref-1/APE1 node in cancer and other diseases, as well as potential therapies targeting Ref-1/APE1 and related pathways in relevant diseases. APX3330, a novel oral anticancer agent and the first drug to target Ref-1/APE1 for cancer is entering clinical trials and will be explored in various cancers and other diseases bringing bench discoveries to the clinic.
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31
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Crosstalk between stromal cells and cancer cells in pancreatic cancer: New insights into stromal biology. Cancer Lett 2017; 392:83-93. [PMID: 28189533 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.01.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2016] [Revised: 01/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide. Increasing evidence has confirmed the pivotal role of stromal components in the regulation of carcinogenesis, invasion, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance in PC. Interaction between neoplastic cells and stromal cells builds a specific microenvironment, which further modulates the malignant properties of cancer cells. Instead of being a "passive bystander", stroma may play a role as a "partner in crime" in PC. However, the role of stromal components in PC is complex and requires further investigation. In this article, we review recent advances regarding the regulatory roles and mechanisms of stroma biology, especially the cellular components such as pancreatic stellate cells, macrophages, neutrophils, adipocytes, epithelial cells, pericytes, mast cells, and lymphocytes, in PC. Crosstalk between stromal cells and cancer cells is thoroughly investigated. We also review the prognostic value and molecular therapeutic targets of stroma in PC. This review may help us further understand the molecular mechanisms of stromal biology and its role in PC development and therapeutic resistance. Moreover, targeting stroma components may provide new therapeutic strategies for this stubborn disease.
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32
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Bautista F, Van der Lugt J, Kearns PR, Mussai FJ, Zwaan CM, Moreno L. The development of targeted new agents to improve the outcome for children with leukemia. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2016; 11:1111-1122. [PMID: 27670965 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2016.1237939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Survival rates in pediatric leukemia have greatly improved in the last decades but still a substantial number of patients will relapse and die. New agents are necessary to overcome the limitations of conventional chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and to reduce their undesirable long-term toxicities. The identification of driving molecular alterations of leukemogenesis in subsets of patients will allow the incorporation of new-targeted therapies. Areas covered: In this article the authors present a detailed review of the most recent advances in targeted therapies for pediatric leukemias. A comprehensive description of the biological background, adult data and early clinical trials in pediatrics is provided. Expert opinion: Clinical trials are the way to evaluate new agents in pediatric cancer. The development of new drugs in pediatric leukemia must be preceded by a solid biological rationale. Agents in development exploit all possible vulnerabilities of leukemic cells. Drugs targeting cell surface antigens, intracellular signaling pathways and cell cycle inhibitors or epigenetic regulators are most prominent. Major advances have occurred thanks to new developments in engineering leading to optimized molecules such as anti-CD19 bi-specific T-cell engagers (e.g. blinatumomab) and antibody-drug conjugates. The integration of new-targeted therapies in pediatric chemotherapy-based regimens will lead to improved outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Bautista
- a Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation , Hospital Niño Jesús , Madrid , Spain
| | - Jasper Van der Lugt
- b Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology , Erasmus-MC Sophia Children's Hospital , Rotterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Pamela R Kearns
- c Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, School of Cancer Sciences , University of Birmingham , Birmingham , UK
| | - Francis J Mussai
- c Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, School of Cancer Sciences , University of Birmingham , Birmingham , UK
| | - C Michel Zwaan
- b Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology , Erasmus-MC Sophia Children's Hospital , Rotterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Lucas Moreno
- a Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation , Hospital Niño Jesús , Madrid , Spain
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33
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Kelley MR, Wikel JH, Guo C, Pollok KE, Bailey BJ, Wireman R, Fishel ML, Vasko MR. Identification and Characterization of New Chemical Entities Targeting Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endonuclease 1 for the Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2016; 359:300-309. [PMID: 27608656 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.116.235283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a potentially debilitating side effect of a number of chemotherapeutic agents. There are currently no U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved interventions or prevention strategies for CIPN. Although the cellular mechanisms mediating CIPN remain to be determined, several lines of evidence support the notion that DNA damage caused by anticancer therapies could contribute to the neuropathy. DNA damage in sensory neurons after chemotherapy correlates with symptoms of CIPN. Augmenting apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APE)-1 function in the base excision repair pathway reverses this damage and the neurotoxicity caused by anticancer therapies. This neuronal protection is accomplished by either overexpressing APE1 or by using a first-generation targeted APE1 small molecule, E3330 [(2E)-2-[(4,5-dimethoxy-2-methyl-3,6-dioxo-1,4-cyclohexadien-1-yl)methylene]-undecanoic acid; also called APX3330]. Although E3330 has been approved for phase 1 clinical trials (Investigational New Drug application number IND125360), we synthesized novel, second-generation APE1-targeted molecules and determined whether they would be protective against neurotoxicity induced by cisplatin or oxaliplatin while not diminishing the platins' antitumor effect. We measured various endpoints of neurotoxicity using our ex vivo model of sensory neurons in culture, and we determined that APX2009 [(2E)-2-[(3-methoxy-1,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)methylidene]-N,N-diethylpentanamide] is an effective small molecule that is neuroprotective against cisplatin and oxaliplatin-induced toxicity. APX2009 also demonstrated a strong tumor cell killing effect in tumor cells and the enhanced tumor cell killing was further substantiated in a more robust three-dimensional pancreatic tumor model. Together, these data suggest that the second-generation compound APX2009 is effective in preventing or reversing platinum-induced CIPN while not affecting the anticancer activity of platins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Kelley
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research (M.R.K., J.H.W., K.E.P., B.J.B., R.W., M.L.F.), and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (M.R.K., C.G., K.E.P.,M.L.F., M.R.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana; and ApeX Therapeutics, Indianapolis, Indiana (J.H.W.)
| | - James H Wikel
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research (M.R.K., J.H.W., K.E.P., B.J.B., R.W., M.L.F.), and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (M.R.K., C.G., K.E.P.,M.L.F., M.R.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana; and ApeX Therapeutics, Indianapolis, Indiana (J.H.W.)
| | - Chunlu Guo
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research (M.R.K., J.H.W., K.E.P., B.J.B., R.W., M.L.F.), and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (M.R.K., C.G., K.E.P.,M.L.F., M.R.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana; and ApeX Therapeutics, Indianapolis, Indiana (J.H.W.)
| | - Karen E Pollok
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research (M.R.K., J.H.W., K.E.P., B.J.B., R.W., M.L.F.), and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (M.R.K., C.G., K.E.P.,M.L.F., M.R.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana; and ApeX Therapeutics, Indianapolis, Indiana (J.H.W.)
| | - Barbara J Bailey
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research (M.R.K., J.H.W., K.E.P., B.J.B., R.W., M.L.F.), and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (M.R.K., C.G., K.E.P.,M.L.F., M.R.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana; and ApeX Therapeutics, Indianapolis, Indiana (J.H.W.)
| | - Randy Wireman
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research (M.R.K., J.H.W., K.E.P., B.J.B., R.W., M.L.F.), and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (M.R.K., C.G., K.E.P.,M.L.F., M.R.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana; and ApeX Therapeutics, Indianapolis, Indiana (J.H.W.)
| | - Melissa L Fishel
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research (M.R.K., J.H.W., K.E.P., B.J.B., R.W., M.L.F.), and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (M.R.K., C.G., K.E.P.,M.L.F., M.R.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana; and ApeX Therapeutics, Indianapolis, Indiana (J.H.W.)
| | - Michael R Vasko
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research (M.R.K., J.H.W., K.E.P., B.J.B., R.W., M.L.F.), and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (M.R.K., C.G., K.E.P.,M.L.F., M.R.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana; and ApeX Therapeutics, Indianapolis, Indiana (J.H.W.)
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34
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Logsdon DP, Grimard M, Luo M, Shahda S, Jiang Y, Tong Y, Yu Z, Zyromski N, Schipani E, Carta F, Supuran CT, Korc M, Ivan M, Kelley MR, Fishel ML. Regulation of HIF1α under Hypoxia by APE1/Ref-1 Impacts CA9 Expression: Dual Targeting in Patient-Derived 3D Pancreatic Cancer Models. Mol Cancer Ther 2016; 15:2722-2732. [PMID: 27535970 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-16-0253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. Aggressive treatment regimens have not changed the disease course, and the median survival has just recently reached a year. Several mechanisms are proposed to play a role in PDAC therapeutic resistance, including hypoxia, which creates a more aggressive phenotype with increased metastatic potential and impaired therapeutic efficacy. AP Endonuclease-1/Redox Effector Factor 1 (APE1/Ref-1) is a multifunctional protein possessing a DNA repair function in base excision repair and the ability to reduce oxidized transcription factors, enabling them to bind to their DNA target sequences. APE1/Ref-1 regulates several transcription factors involved in survival mechanisms, tumor growth, and hypoxia signaling. Here, we explore the mechanisms underlying PDAC cell responses to hypoxia and modulation of APE1/Ref-1 redox signaling activity, which regulates the transcriptional activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1α). Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA9) is regulated by HIF1α and functions as a part of the cellular response to hypoxia to regulate intracellular pH, thereby promoting cell survival. We hypothesized that modulating APE1/Ref-1 function will block activation of downstream transcription factors, STAT3 and HIF1α, interfering with the hypoxia-induced gene expression. We demonstrate APE1/Ref-1 inhibition in patient-derived and established PDAC cells results in decreased HIF1α-mediated induction of CA9. Furthermore, an ex vivo three-dimensional tumor coculture model demonstrates dramatic enhancement of APE1/Ref-1-induced cell killing upon dual targeting of APE1/Ref-1 and CA9. Both APE1/Ref-1 and CA9 are under clinical development; therefore, these studies have the potential to direct novel PDAC therapeutic treatment. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(11); 2722-32. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek P Logsdon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Michelle Grimard
- Department of Pediatrics, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Meihua Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Safi Shahda
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Pancreatic Cancer Signature Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Yanlin Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Yan Tong
- Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Zhangsheng Yu
- Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Nicholas Zyromski
- Pancreatic Cancer Signature Center, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Ernestina Schipani
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Fabrizio Carta
- Neurofarba Department, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- Neurofarba Department, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Murray Korc
- Pancreatic Cancer Signature Center, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Mircea Ivan
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Pancreatic Cancer Signature Center, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Mark R Kelley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Department of Pediatrics, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Pancreatic Cancer Signature Center, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Melissa L Fishel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana. .,Department of Pediatrics, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Pancreatic Cancer Signature Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
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