1
|
McCorkle JR, Ahn R, Cao CD, Hill KS, Dietrich CS, Kolesar JM. Antineoplastic Drug Synergy of Artesunate with Navitoclax in Models of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1321. [PMID: 38610999 PMCID: PMC11011058 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Artesunate belongs to a class of medications derived from the sweet wormwood plant (Artemisia annua) known as artemisinins. Artesunate has traditionally been used as a frontline treatment for severe malaria but has also demonstrated antineoplastic activity against various malignancies, including ovarian cancer. Data suggest that artesunate exacerbates cellular oxidative stress, triggering apoptosis. In the current study, we investigated the ability of navitoclax, an inhibitor of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein family, to enhance artesunate efficacy in ovarian cancer cells. Artesunate and navitoclax both demonstrated antiproliferative effects on 2D and 3D ovarian cancer cell models as single agents. Upon combination of navitoclax with artesunate, antineoplastic drug synergy was also observed in each of the 2D cell lines and ovarian tumor organoid models tested. Further investigation of this drug combination using intraperitoneal CAOV3 xenograft models in BALB/scid mice showed that the artesunate/navitoclax doublet was superior to single-agent artesunate and vehicle control treatment. However, it did not outperform single-agent navitoclax. With optimization, this drug combination could provide a new therapeutic option for ovarian cancer and warrants further preclinical investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J. Robert McCorkle
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (J.R.M.); (K.S.H.); (C.S.D.)
| | - Rebecca Ahn
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA;
| | - Connie D. Cao
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA;
| | - Kristen S. Hill
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (J.R.M.); (K.S.H.); (C.S.D.)
| | - Charles S. Dietrich
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (J.R.M.); (K.S.H.); (C.S.D.)
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA;
| | - Jill M. Kolesar
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (J.R.M.); (K.S.H.); (C.S.D.)
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Perea V, Baron KR, Dolina V, Aviles G, Kim G, Rosarda JD, Guo X, Kampmann M, Wiseman RL. Pharmacologic activation of a compensatory integrated stress response kinase promotes mitochondrial remodeling in PERK-deficient cells. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:1571-1584.e5. [PMID: 37922906 PMCID: PMC10842031 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The integrated stress response (ISR) comprises the eIF2α kinases PERK, GCN2, HRI, and PKR, which induce translational and transcriptional signaling in response to diverse insults. Deficiencies in PERK signaling lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and contribute to the pathogenesis of numerous diseases. We define the potential for pharmacologic activation of compensatory eIF2α kinases to rescue ISR signaling and promote mitochondrial adaptation in PERK-deficient cells. We show that the HRI activator BtdCPU and GCN2 activator halofuginone promote ISR signaling and rescue ER stress sensitivity in PERK-deficient cells. However, BtdCPU induces mitochondrial depolarization, leading to mitochondrial fragmentation and activation of the OMA1-DELE1-HRI signaling axis. In contrast, halofuginone promotes mitochondrial elongation and adaptive mitochondrial respiration, mimicking regulation induced by PERK. This shows halofuginone can compensate for deficiencies in PERK signaling and promote adaptive mitochondrial remodeling, highlighting the potential for pharmacologic ISR activation to mitigate mitochondrial dysfunction and motivating the pursuit of highly selective ISR activators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Perea
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Kelsey R Baron
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Vivian Dolina
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Giovanni Aviles
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry and Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Grace Kim
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jessica D Rosarda
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Xiaoyan Guo
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry and Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Martin Kampmann
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry and Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - R Luke Wiseman
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Perea V, Baron KR, Dolina V, Aviles G, Rosarda JD, Guo X, Kampmann M, Wiseman RL. Pharmacologic Activation of a Compensatory Integrated Stress Response Kinase Promotes Mitochondrial Remodeling in PERK-deficient Cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.11.532186. [PMID: 36945406 PMCID: PMC10029010 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.11.532186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
The integrated stress response (ISR) comprises the eIF2α kinases PERK, GCN2, HRI, and PKR, which induce translational and transcriptional signaling in response to diverse insults. Deficiencies in PERK signaling lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and contribute to the pathogenesis of numerous diseases. We define the potential for pharmacologic activation of compensatory eIF2α kinases to rescue ISR signaling and promote mitochondrial adaptation in PERK-deficient cells. We show that the HRI activator BtdCPU and GCN2 activator halofuginone promote ISR signaling and rescue ER stress sensitivity in PERK-deficient cells. However, BtdCPU induces mitochondrial depolarization, leading to mitochondrial fragmentation and activation of the OMA1-DELE1-HRI signaling axis. In contrast, halofuginone promotes mitochondrial elongation and adaptive mitochondrial respiration, mimicking regulation induced by PERK. This shows halofuginone can compensate for deficiencies in PERK signaling and promote adaptive mitochondrial remodeling, highlighting the potential for pharmacologic ISR activation to mitigate mitochondrial dysfunction and motivating the pursuit of highly-selective ISR activators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Perea
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Authors contributed equally
| | - Kelsey R. Baron
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Authors contributed equally
| | - Vivian Dolina
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Giovanni Aviles
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry and Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Jessica D. Rosarda
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Xiaoyan Guo
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry and Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030
| | - Martin Kampmann
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry and Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - R. Luke Wiseman
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Garciaz S, Miller T, Collette Y, Vey N. Targeting regulated cell death pathways in acute myeloid leukemia. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2023; 6:151-168. [PMID: 37065864 PMCID: PMC10099605 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2022.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
The use of the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax has transformed the management of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. By triggering intrinsic apoptosis, the drug is an excellent illustration of how our greater understanding of molecular cell death pathways can be translated into the clinic. Nevertheless, most venetoclax-treated patients will relapse, suggesting the need to target additional regulated cell death pathways. To highlight advances in this strategy, we review the recognized regulated cell death pathways, including apoptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis and autophagy. Next, we detail the therapeutic opportunities to trigger regulated cell death in AML. Finally, we describe the main drug discovery challenges for regulated cell death inducers and their translation into clinical trials. A better knowledge of the molecular pathways regulating cell death represents a promising strategy to develop new drugs to cure resistant or refractory AML patients, particularly those resistant to intrinsic apoptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Garciaz
- Hematology Department, Integrative Structural and Chemical Biology, Aix-Marseille Université, Inserm U1068, CNRS UMR7258, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Marseille 13009, France
| | - Thomas Miller
- Integrative Structural and Chemical Biology, Aix-Marseille Université, Inserm U1068, CNRS UMR7258, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Marseille 13009, France
| | - Yves Collette
- Integrative Structural and Chemical Biology, Aix-Marseille Université, Inserm U1068, CNRS UMR7258, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Marseille 13009, France
| | - Norbert Vey
- Hematology Department, Aix-Marseille Université, Inserm U1068, CNRS UMR7258, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), Marseille 13009, France
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nwosu GO, Powell JA, Pitson SM. Targeting the integrated stress response in hematologic malignancies. Exp Hematol Oncol 2022; 11:94. [DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00348-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractWhile numerous targeted therapies have been recently adopted to improve the treatment of hematologic malignancies, acquired or intrinsic resistance poses a significant obstacle to their efficacy. Thus, there is increasing need to identify novel, targetable pathways to further improve therapy for these diseases. The integrated stress response is a signaling pathway activated in cancer cells in response to both dysregulated growth and metabolism, and also following exposure to many therapies that appears one such targetable pathway for improved treatment of these diseases. In this review, we discuss the role of the integrated stress response in the biology of hematologic malignancies, its critical involvement in the mechanism of action of targeted therapies, and as a target for pharmacologic modulation as a novel strategy for the treatment of hematologic malignancies.
Collapse
|
6
|
Winter JM, Yadav T, Rutter J. Stressed to death: Mitochondrial stress responses connect respiration and apoptosis in cancer. Mol Cell 2022; 82:3321-3332. [PMID: 35961309 PMCID: PMC9481690 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial energetics and respiration have emerged as important factors in how cancer cells respond to or evade apoptotic signals. The study of the functional connection between these two processes may provide insight into following questions old and new: how might we target respiration or downstream signaling pathways to amplify apoptotic stress in the context of cancer therapy? Why are respiration and apoptotic regulation housed in the same organelle? Here, we briefly review mitochondrial respiration and apoptosis and then focus on how the intersection of these two processes is regulated by cytoplasmic signaling pathways such as the integrated stress response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob M Winter
- Department of Biochemistry, Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Tarun Yadav
- Department of Biochemistry, Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Jared Rutter
- Department of Biochemistry, Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA; Huntsman Cancer Institute, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Yerlikaya A. Heme-regulated inhibitor: an overlooked eIF2α kinase in cancer investigations. Med Oncol 2022; 39:73. [PMID: 35568791 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01668-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Heme-regulated inhibitor (HRI) kinase is a serine-threonine kinase, controlling the initiation of protein synthesis via phosphorylating α subunit of eIF2 on serine 51 residue, mainly in response to heme deprivation in erythroid cells. However, recent studies showed that HRI is also activated by several diverse signals, causing dysregulations in intracellular homeostatic mechanisms in non-erythroid cells. For instance, it was reported that the decrease in protein synthesis upon the 26S proteasomal inhibition by MG132 or bortezomib is mediated by increased eIF2α phosphorylation in an HRI-dependent manner in mouse embryonic fibroblast cells. The increase in eIF2α phosphorylation level through the activation of HRI upon 26S proteasomal inhibition is believed to protect cells against the buildup of misfolded and ubiquitinated proteins, having the potential to trigger the apoptotic response. In contrast, prolonged and sustained HRI-mediated eIF2α phosphorylation can induce cell death, which may involve ATF4 and CHOP expression. Altogether, these studies suggest that HRI-mediated eIF2α phosphorylation may be cytoprotective or cytotoxic depending on the cells, type, and duration of pharmacological agents used. It is thus hypothesized that both HRI activators, inducing eIF2α phosphorylation or HRI inhibitors causing disturbances in eIF2α phosphorylation, may be effective as novel strategies in cancer treatment if the balance in eIF2α phosphorylation is shifted in favor of autophagic or apoptotic response in cancer cells. It is here aimed to review the role of HRI in various biological mechanisms as well as the therapeutic potentials of recently developed HRI activators and inhibitors, targeting eIF2α phosphorylation in cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Azmi Yerlikaya
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Kutahya Health Sciences University, Kutahya, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Curcumin as an Epigenetic Therapeutic Agent in Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS). Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010411. [PMID: 35008835 PMCID: PMC8745143 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Growth Factor Independence 1 (GFI1) is a transcription factor with an important role in the regulation of development of myeloid and lymphoid cell lineages and was implicated in the development of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Reduced expression of GFI1 or presence of the GFI1-36N (serine replaced with asparagine) variant leads to epigenetic changes in human and murine AML blasts and accelerated the development of leukaemia in a murine model of human MDS and AML. We and other groups previously showed that the GFI1-36N allele or reduced expression of GFI1 in human AML blasts is associated with an inferior prognosis. Using GFI1-36S, -36N -KD, NUP98-HOXD13-tg mice and curcumin (a natural histone acetyltransferase inhibitor (HATi)), we now demonstrate that expansion of GFI1-36N or –KD, NUP98-HODXD13 leukaemic cells can be delayed. Curcumin treatment significantly reduced AML progression in GFI1-36N or -KD mice and prolonged AML-free survival. Of note, curcumin treatment had no effect in GFI1-36S, NUP98-HODXD13 expressing mice. On a molecular level, curcumin treatment negatively affected open chromatin structure in the GFI1-36N or -KD haematopoietic cells but not GFI1-36S cells. Taken together, our study thus identified a therapeutic role for curcumin treatment in the treatment of AML patients (homo or heterozygous for GFI1-36N or reduced GFI1 expression) and possibly improved therapy outcome.
Collapse
|
9
|
Inhibiting Casein Kinase 2 Sensitizes Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells to Venetoclax Via MCL1 Degradation. Blood Adv 2021; 5:5501-5506. [PMID: 34610112 PMCID: PMC8714730 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021004513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
|