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Shahraki K, Najafi A, Ilkhani Pak V, Shahraki K, Ghasemi Boroumand P, Sheervalilou R. The Traces of Dysregulated lncRNAs-Associated ceRNA Axes in Retinoblastoma: A Systematic Scope Review. Curr Eye Res 2024; 49:551-564. [PMID: 38299506 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2024.2306859] [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: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Long non-coding RNAs are an essential component of competing endogenous RNA regulatory axes and play their role by sponging microRNAs and interfering with the regulation of gene expression. Because of the broadness of competing endogenous RNA interaction networks, they may help investigate treatment targets in complicated disorders. METHODS This study performed a systematic scoping review to assess verified loops of competing endogenous RNAs in retinoblastoma, emphasizing the competing endogenous RNAs axis related to long non-coding RNAs. We used a six-stage approach framework and the PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search of seven databases was done to locate suitable papers published before February 2022. Two reviewers worked independently to screen articles and collect data. RESULTS Out of 363 records, fifty-one articles met the inclusion criteria, and sixty-three axes were identified in desired articles. The majority of the research reported several long non-coding RNAs that were experimentally verified to act as competing endogenous RNAs in retinoblastoma: XIST/NEAT1/MALAT1/SNHG16/KCNQ1OT1, respectively. At the same time, around half of the studies investigated unique long non-coding RNAs. CONCLUSIONS Understanding the many features of this regulatory system may aid in elucidating the unknown etiology of Retinoblastoma and providing novel molecular targets for therapeutic and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kourosh Shahraki
- Ocular Tissue Engineering Research Center, Ophthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Ophthalmology, Alzahra Eye Hospital, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Amin Najafi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Vida Ilkhani Pak
- Ocular Tissue Engineering Research Center, Ophthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kianoush Shahraki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Alzahra Eye Hospital, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Paria Ghasemi Boroumand
- ENT, Head and Neck Research Center and Department, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
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2
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Gatz SA, Harttrampf AC, Brard C, Bautista F, André N, Abbou S, Rubino J, Rondof W, Deloger M, Rübsam M, Marshall LV, Hübschmann D, Nebchi S, Aerts I, Thebaud E, De Carli E, Defachelles AS, Paoletti X, Godin R, Miah K, Mortimer PGS, Vassal G, Geoerger B. Phase I/II Study of the WEE1 Inhibitor Adavosertib (AZD1775) in Combination with Carboplatin in Children with Advanced Malignancies: Arm C of the AcSé-ESMART Trial. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:741-753. [PMID: 38051741 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-2959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE AcSé-ESMART Arm C aimed to define the recommended dose and activity of the WEE1 inhibitor adavosertib in combination with carboplatin in children and young adults with molecularly enriched recurrent/refractory malignancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS Adavosertib was administered orally, twice every day on Days 1 to 3 and carboplatin intravenously on Day 1 of a 21-day cycle, starting at 100 mg/m2/dose and AUC 5, respectively. Patients were enriched for molecular alterations in cell cycle and/or homologous recombination (HR). RESULTS Twenty patients (median age: 14.0 years; range: 3.4-23.5) were included; 18 received 69 treatment cycles. Dose-limiting toxicities were prolonged grade 4 neutropenia and grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia requiring transfusions, leading to two de-escalations to adavosertib 75 mg/m2/dose and carboplatin AUC 4; no recommended phase II dose was defined. Main treatment-related toxicities were hematologic and gastrointestinal. Adavosertib exposure in children was equivalent to that in adults; both doses achieved the cell kill target. Overall response rate was 11% (95% confidence interval, 0.0-25.6) with partial responses in 2 patients with neuroblastoma. One patient with medulloblastoma experienced unconfirmed partial response and 5 patients had stable disease beyond four cycles. Seven of these eight patients with clinical benefit had alterations in HR, replication stress, and/or RAS pathway genes with or without TP53 alterations, whereas TP53 pathway alterations alone (8/10) or no relevant alterations (2/10) were present in the 10 patients without benefit. CONCLUSIONS Adavosertib-carboplatin combination exhibited significant hematologic toxicity. Activity signals and identified potential biomarkers suggest further studies with less hematotoxic DNA-damaging therapy in molecularly enriched pediatric cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne A Gatz
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham; Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Anne C Harttrampf
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Villejuif, France
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, INSERM U1015, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Caroline Brard
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Biostatistics and Epidemiology Unit, INSERM U1018, CESP, Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, UVSQ, Villejuif, France
| | - Francisco Bautista
- Hospital Niño Jesús, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nicolas André
- Hôpital de la Timone, AP-HM, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Marseille, France
- UMR INSERM 1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Aix Marseille Université U105, Marseille, Cancer Research Center (CRCM), Marseille, France
| | - Samuel Abbou
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Villejuif, France
| | - Jonathan Rubino
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Clinical Research Direction, Villejuif, France
| | - Windy Rondof
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, INSERM U1015, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Bioinformatics platform, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Marc Deloger
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Bioinformatics platform, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Marc Rübsam
- Computational Oncology Group, Molecular Precision Oncology Program, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg and German Cancer Research Center
| | - Lynley V Marshall
- Royal Marsden Hospital & The Institute of Cancer Research, Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology Drug Development Unit, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Hübschmann
- Computational Oncology Group, Molecular Precision Oncology Program, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg and German Cancer Research Center
- Pattern Recognition and Digital Medicine Group, Heidelberg Institute for Stem cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM); German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Souad Nebchi
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, INSERM U1015, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Isabelle Aerts
- Institut Curie, SIREDO Oncology Center (Care, Innovation and research for children and AYA with cancer), PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Estelle Thebaud
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Nantes, France
| | - Emilie De Carli
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Angers, France
| | | | - Xavier Paoletti
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Biostatistics and Epidemiology Unit, INSERM U1018, CESP, Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, UVSQ, Villejuif, France
| | - Robert Godin
- AstraZeneca Oncology External R&D, Waltham, Massachusetts
| | - Kowser Miah
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, AstraZeneca, Waltham, Massachusetts
| | | | - Gilles Vassal
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Clinical Research Direction, Villejuif, France
| | - Birgit Geoerger
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Villejuif, France
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, INSERM U1015, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
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Wang Z, Li W, Li F, Xiao R. An update of predictive biomarkers related to WEE1 inhibition in cancer therapy. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2024; 150:13. [PMID: 38231277 PMCID: PMC10794259 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05527-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE WEE1 is a crucial kinase involved in the regulation of G2/M checkpoint within the cell cycle. This article aims to comprehensively review the existing knowledge on the implication of WEE1 as a therapeutic target in tumor progression and drug resistance. Furthermore, we summarize the current predictive biomarkers employed to treat cancer with WEE1 inhibitors. METHODS A systematic review of the literature was conducted to analyze the association between WEE1 inhibition and cancer progression, including tumor advancement and drug resistance. Special attention was paid to the identification and utilization of predictive biomarkers related to therapeutic response to WEE1 inhibitors. RESULTS The review highlights the intricate involvement of WEE1 in tumor progression and drug resistance. It synthesizes the current knowledge on predictive biomarkers employed in WEE1 inhibitor treatments, offering insights into their prognostic significance. Notably, the article elucidates the potential for precision medicine by understanding these biomarkers in the context of tumor treatment outcomes. CONCLUSION WEE1 plays a pivotal role in tumor progression and is a promising therapeutic target. Distinguishing patients that would benefit from WEE1 inhibition will be a major direction of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizhuo Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenting Li
- Department of Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuxia Li
- Department of Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Rourou Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
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Milletti G, Colicchia V, Cecconi F. Cyclers' kinases in cell division: from molecules to cancer therapy. Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:2035-2052. [PMID: 37516809 PMCID: PMC10482880 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01196-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Faithful eucaryotic cell division requires spatio-temporal orchestration of multiple sequential events. To ensure the dynamic nature of these molecular and morphological transitions, a swift modulation of key regulatory pathways is necessary. The molecular process that most certainly fits this description is phosphorylation, the post-translational modification provided by kinases, that is crucial to allowing the progression of the cell cycle and that culminates with the separation of two identical daughter cells. In detail, from the early stages of the interphase to the cytokinesis, each critical step of this process is tightly regulated by multiple families of kinases including the Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), kinases of the Aurora, Polo, Wee1 families, and many others. While cell-cycle-related CDKs control the timing of the different phases, preventing replication machinery errors, the latter modulate the centrosome cycle and the spindle function, avoiding karyotypic abnormalities typical of chromosome instability. Such chromosomal abnormalities may result from replication stress (RS) and chromosome mis-segregation and are considered a hallmark of poor prognosis, therapeutic resistance, and metastasis in cancer patients. Here, we discuss recent advances in the understanding of how different families of kinases concur to govern cell cycle, preventing RS and mitotic infidelity. Additionally, considering the growing number of clinical trials targeting these molecules, we review to what extent and in which tumor context cell-cycle-related kinases inhibitors are worth exploiting as an effective therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Milletti
- DNA Replication and Cancer Group, Danish Cancer Institute, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology and of Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy.
| | - Valeria Colicchia
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- IRBM S.p.A., Via Pontina Km 30.60, 00070, Pomezia, Italy
| | - Francesco Cecconi
- Cell Stress and Survival Group, Center for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease (CARD), Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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5
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Fu S, Yao S, Yuan Y, Previs RA, Elias AD, Carvajal RD, George TJ, Yuan Y, Yu L, Westin SN, Xing Y, Dumbrava EE, Karp DD, Piha-Paul SA, Tsimberidou AM, Ahnert JR, Takebe N, Lu K, Keyomarsi K, Meric-Bernstam F. Multicenter Phase II Trial of the WEE1 Inhibitor Adavosertib in Refractory Solid Tumors Harboring CCNE1 Amplification. J Clin Oncol 2023; 41:1725-1734. [PMID: 36469840 PMCID: PMC10489509 DOI: 10.1200/jco.22.00830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Preclinical cancer models harboring CCNE1 amplification were more sensitive to adavosertib treatment, a WEE1 kinase inhibitor, than models without amplification. Thus, we conducted this phase II study to assess the antitumor activity of adavosertib in patients with CCNE1-amplified, advanced refractory solid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients aged ≥ 18 years with measurable disease and refractory solid tumors harboring CCNE1 amplification, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-1, and adequate organ function were studied. Patients received 300 mg of adavosertib once daily on days 1 through 5 and 8 through 12 of a 21-day cycle. The trial followed Bayesian optimal phase II design. The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR). RESULTS Thirty patients were enrolled. The median follow-up duration was 9.9 months. Eight patients had partial responses (PRs), and three had stable disease (SD) ≥ 6 months, with an ORR of 27% (95% CI, 12 to 46), a SD ≥ 6 months/PR rate of 37% (95% CI, 20 to 56), a median progression-free survival duration of 4.1 months (95% CI, 1.8 to 6.4), and a median overall survival duration of 9.9 months (95% CI, 4.8 to 15). Fourteen patients with epithelial ovarian cancer showed an ORR of 36% (95% CI, 13 to 65) and SD ≥ 6 months/PR of 57% (95% CI, 29 to 82), a median progression-free survival duration of 6.3 months (95% CI, 2.4 to 10.2), and a median overall survival duration of 14.9 months (95% CI, 8.9 to 20.9). Common treatment-related toxicities were GI, hematologic toxicities, and fatigue. CONCLUSION Adavosertib monotherapy demonstrates a manageable toxicity profile and promising clinical activity in refractory solid tumors harboring CCNE1 amplification, especially in epithelial ovarian cancer. Further study of adavosertib, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, in CCNE1-amplified epithelial ovarian cancer is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqing Fu
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Shuyang Yao
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Yuan Yuan
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA
| | | | | | | | | | - Ying Yuan
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Lihou Yu
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | | | - Yan Xing
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA
| | | | - Daniel D. Karp
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | | | | | | | - Naoko Takebe
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Karen Lu
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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DNA Damage Response in Cancer Therapy and Resistance: Challenges and Opportunities. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314672. [PMID: 36499000 PMCID: PMC9735783 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy is a common event among cancer patients and a reason why new cancer therapies and therapeutic strategies need to be in continuous investigation and development. DNA damage response (DDR) comprises several pathways that eliminate DNA damage to maintain genomic stability and integrity, but different types of cancers are associated with DDR machinery defects. Many improvements have been made in recent years, providing several drugs and therapeutic strategies for cancer patients, including those targeting the DDR pathways. Currently, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARP inhibitors) are the DDR inhibitors (DDRi) approved for several cancers, including breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancer. However, PARPi resistance is a growing issue in clinical settings that increases disease relapse and aggravate patients' prognosis. Additionally, resistance to other DDRi is also being found and investigated. The resistance mechanisms to DDRi include reversion mutations, epigenetic modification, stabilization of the replication fork, and increased drug efflux. This review highlights the DDR pathways in cancer therapy, its role in the resistance to conventional treatments, and its exploitation for anticancer treatment. Biomarkers of treatment response, combination strategies with other anticancer agents, resistance mechanisms, and liabilities of treatment with DDR inhibitors are also discussed.
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7
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Targeting Wee1 kinase to suppress proliferation and survival of cisplatin-resistant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2022; 89:469-478. [PMID: 35212780 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-022-04410-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated the role of Wee1 kinase in cisplatin-resistant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in multiple cisplatin-resistant HNSCC cell lines and determined the efficacy of either Wee1 inhibitor, AZD1775 alone, or in combination with cisplatin, on cisplatin-resistant HNSCC inhibition. METHODS Phosphorylation and total protein levels of cells were assessed by Western blot analysis. Cell viability and apoptosis were examined by MTS assay and flow cytometry, respectively. RESULTS Wee1 kinase protein expression levels in five cisplatin-resistant HNSCC cell types were higher than those in their parental cisplatin-sensitive partners. Importantly, Wee1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and re-sensitized cells to cisplatin treatment. Interestingly, previous studies have also shown that Wee1 inhibitor AZD1775 synergizes with cisplatin to suppress cell proliferation of cisplatin-sensitive HNSCC. We found that AZD1775 inhibited both cisplatin-sensitive and resistant HNSCC with similar IC50 values, which suggested that AZD1775 could overcome cisplatin resistance in cisplatin-resistant HNSCC. Mechanistically, AZD1775 and cisplatin cooperatively induced DNA damage and apoptosis. CONCLUSION Wee1 inhibitor, AZD1775, and cisplatin coordinately suppressed proliferation and survival of HNSCC.
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8
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Bukhari AB, Chan GK, Gamper AM. Targeting the DNA Damage Response for Cancer Therapy by Inhibiting the Kinase Wee1. Front Oncol 2022; 12:828684. [PMID: 35251998 PMCID: PMC8891215 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.828684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells typically heavily rely on the G2/M checkpoint to survive endogenous and exogenous DNA damage, such as genotoxic stress due to genome instability or radiation and chemotherapy. The key regulator of the G2/M checkpoint, the cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), is tightly controlled, including by its phosphorylation state. This posttranslational modification, which is determined by the opposing activities of the phosphatase cdc25 and the kinase Wee1, allows for a more rapid response to cellular stress than via the synthesis or degradation of modulatory interacting proteins, such as p21 or cyclin B. Reducing Wee1 activity results in ectopic activation of CDK1 activity and drives premature entry into mitosis with unrepaired or under-replicated DNA and causing mitotic catastrophe. Here, we review efforts to use small molecule inhibitors of Wee1 for therapeutic purposes, including strategies to combine Wee1 inhibition with genotoxic agents, such as radiation therapy or drugs inducing replication stress, or inhibitors of pathways that show synthetic lethality with Wee1. Furthermore, it become increasingly clear that Wee1 inhibition can also modulate therapeutic immune responses. We will discuss the mechanisms underlying combination treatments identifying both cell intrinsic and systemic anti-tumor activities.
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9
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The Current Landscape of Targeted Clinical Trials in Non-WNT/Non-SHH Medulloblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030679. [PMID: 35158947 PMCID: PMC8833659 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Medulloblastoma is a form of malignant brain tumor that arises predominantly in infants and young children and can be divided into different groups based on molecular markers. The group of non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma includes a spectrum of heterogeneous subgroups that differ in their biological characteristics, genetic underpinnings, and clinical course of disease. Non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma is currently treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy; however, new drugs are needed to treat patients who are not yet curable and to reduce treatment-related toxicity and side effects. We here review which new treatment options for non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma are currently clinically tested. Furthermore, we illustrate the challenges that have to be overcome to reach a new therapeutic standard for non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma, for instance the current lack of good preclinical models, and the necessity to conduct trials in a comparably small patient collective. Abstract Medulloblastoma is an embryonal pediatric brain tumor and can be divided into at least four molecularly defined groups. The category non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma summarizes medulloblastoma groups 3 and 4 and is characterized by considerable genetic and clinical heterogeneity. New therapeutic strategies are needed to increase survival rates and to reduce treatment-related toxicity. We performed a noncomprehensive targeted review of the current clinical trial landscape and literature to summarize innovative treatment options for non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma. A multitude of new drugs is currently evaluated in trials for which non-WNT/non-SHH patients are eligible, for instance immunotherapy, kinase inhibitors, and drugs targeting the epigenome. However, the majority of these trials is not restricted to medulloblastoma and lacks molecular classification. Whereas many new molecular targets have been identified in the last decade, which are currently tested in clinical trials, several challenges remain on the way to reach a new therapeutic strategy for non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma. These include the severe lack of faithful preclinical models and predictive biomarkers, the question on how to stratify patients for clinical trials, and the relative lack of studies that recruit large, homogeneous patient collectives. Innovative trial designs and international collaboration will be a key to eventually overcome these obstacles.
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10
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Identification of Potential Key Genes and Molecular Mechanisms of Medulloblastoma Based on Integrated Bioinformatics Approach. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:1776082. [PMID: 35127939 PMCID: PMC8816556 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1776082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most occurring brain cancer that mostly happens in childhood age. This cancer starts in the cerebellum part of the brain. This study is designed to screen novel and significant biomarkers, which may perform as potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in MB. Methods A total of 103 MB-related samples from three gene expression profiles of GSE22139, GSE37418, and GSE86574 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Applying the limma package, all three datasets were analyzed, and 1065 mutual DEGs were identified including 408 overexpressed and 657 underexpressed with the minimum cut-off criteria of ∣log fold change | >1 and P < 0.05. The Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and WikiPathways enrichment analyses were executed to discover the internal functions of the mutual DEGs. The outcomes of enrichment analysis showed that the common DEGs were significantly connected with MB progression and development. The Search Tool for Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database was used to construct the interaction network, and the network was displayed using the Cytoscape tool and applying connectivity and stress value methods of cytoHubba plugin 35 hub genes were identified from the whole network. Results Four key clusters were identified using the PEWCC 1.0 method. Additionally, the survival analysis of hub genes was brought out based on clinical information of 612 MB patients. This bioinformatics analysis may help to define the pathogenesis and originate new treatments for MB.
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11
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Esposito F, Giuffrida R, Raciti G, Puglisi C, Forte S. Wee1 Kinase: A Potential Target to Overcome Tumor Resistance to Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910689. [PMID: 34639030 PMCID: PMC8508993 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
During the cell cycle, DNA suffers several lesions that need to be repaired prior to entry into mitosis to preserve genome integrity in daughter cells. Toward this aim, cells have developed complex enzymatic machinery, the so-called DNA damage response (DDR), which is able to repair DNA, temporarily stopping the cell cycle to provide more time to repair, or if the damage is too severe, inducing apoptosis. This DDR mechanism is considered the main source of resistance to DNA-damaging therapeutic treatments in oncology. Recently, cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are a small subset of tumor cells, were identified as tumor-initiating cells. CSCs possess self-renewal potential and persistent tumorigenic capacity, allowing for tumor re-growth and relapse. Compared with cancer cells, CSCs are more resistant to therapeutic treatments. Wee1 is the principal gatekeeper for both G2/M and S-phase checkpoints, where it plays a key role in cell cycle regulation and DNA damage repair. From this perspective, Wee1 inhibition might increase the effectiveness of DNA-damaging treatments, such as radiotherapy, forcing tumor cells and CSCs to enter into mitosis, even with damaged DNA, leading to mitotic catastrophe and subsequent cell death.
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12
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Huang PQ, Boren BC, Hegde SG, Liu H, Unni AK, Abraham S, Hopkins CD, Paliwal S, Samatar AA, Li J, Bunker KD. Discovery of ZN-c3, a Highly Potent and Selective Wee1 Inhibitor Undergoing Evaluation in Clinical Trials for the Treatment of Cancer. J Med Chem 2021; 64:13004-13024. [PMID: 34423975 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Wee1 inhibition has received great attention in the past decade as a promising therapy for cancer treatment. Therefore, a potent and selective Wee1 inhibitor is highly desirable. Our efforts to make safer and more efficacious Wee1 inhibitors led to the discovery of compound 16, a highly selective Wee1 inhibitor with balanced potency, ADME, and pharmacokinetic properties. The chiral ethyl moiety of compound 16 provided an unexpected improvement of Wee1 potency. Compound 16, known as ZN-c3, showed excellent in vivo efficacy and is currently being evaluated in phase 2 clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Q Huang
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Brant C Boren
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Sayee G Hegde
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Hui Liu
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Aditya K Unni
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Sunny Abraham
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Chad D Hopkins
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Sunil Paliwal
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Ahmed A Samatar
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Jiali Li
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Kevin D Bunker
- Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California 92121, United States
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13
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Qiu B, Kline C, Mueller S. Radiation in Combination With Targeted Agents and Immunotherapies for Pediatric Central Nervous System Tumors - Progress, Opportunities, and Challenges. Front Oncol 2021; 11:674596. [PMID: 34277419 PMCID: PMC8278144 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.674596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric brain tumors are the most common solid tumors in children and represent a heterogenous group of diagnoses. While some are treatable with current standard of care, relapsed/refractory disease is common and some high-risk diagnoses remain incurable. A growing number of therapy options are under development for treatment of CNS tumors, including targeted therapies that disrupt key tumor promoting processes and immunotherapies that promote anti-tumor immune function. While these therapies hold promise, it is likely that single agent treatments will not be sufficient for most high-risk patients and combination strategies will be necessary. Given the central role for radiotherapy for many pediatric CNS tumors, we review current strategies that combine radiation with targeted therapies or immunotherapies. To promote the ongoing development of rational combination treatments, we highlight 1) mechanistic connections between molecular drivers of tumorigenesis and radiation response, 2) ways in which molecular alterations in tumor cells shape the immune microenvironment, and 3) how radiotherapy affects the host immune system. In addition to discussing strategies to maximize efficacy, we review principles that inform safety of combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Qiu
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Cassie Kline
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Sabine Mueller
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.,Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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14
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Veo B, Danis E, Pierce A, Wang D, Fosmire S, Sullivan KD, Joshi M, Khanal S, Dahl N, Karam S, Serkova N, Venkataraman S, Vibhakar R. Transcriptional control of DNA repair networks by CDK7 regulates sensitivity to radiation in MYC-driven medulloblastoma. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109013. [PMID: 33910002 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC-driven medulloblastoma is a major therapeutic challenge due to frequent metastasis and a poor 5-year survival rate. MYC gene amplification results in transcriptional dysregulation, proliferation, and survival of malignant cells. To identify therapeutic targets in MYC-amplified medulloblastoma, we employ a CRISPR-Cas9 essentiality screen targeting 1,140 genes. We identify CDK7 as a mediator of medulloblastoma tumorigenesis. Using chemical inhibitors and genetic depletion, we observe cessation of tumor growth in xenograft mouse models and increases in apoptosis. The results are attributed to repression of a core set of MYC-driven transcriptional programs mediating DNA repair. CDK7 inhibition alters RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) and MYC association at DNA repair genes. Blocking CDK7 activity sensitizes cells to ionizing radiation leading to accrual of DNA damage, extending survival and tumor latency in xenograft mouse models. Our studies establish the selective inhibition of MYC-driven medulloblastoma by CDK7 inhibition combined with radiation as a viable therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany Veo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Etienne Danis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Angela Pierce
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's, Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Susan Fosmire
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | | | | | - Nathan Dahl
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's, Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sana Karam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Natalie Serkova
- Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sujatha Venkataraman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's, Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's, Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
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15
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Chen X, Yang D, Carey JPW, Karakas C, Albarracin C, Sahin AA, Arun BK, Guray Durak M, Li M, Kohansal M, Bui TN, Ha MJ, Hunt KK, Keyomarsi K. Targeting Replicative Stress and DNA Repair by Combining PARP and Wee1 Kinase Inhibitors Is Synergistic in Triple Negative Breast Cancers with Cyclin E or BRCA1 Alteration. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13071656. [PMID: 33916118 PMCID: PMC8036262 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of invasive breast cancer with an aggressive phenotype that has decreased survival compared with other types of breast cancers, due in part to the lack of biomarker driven targeted therapies. Here, we show that breast cancer patients whose tumors show high levels of cyclin E expression have a higher prevalence of BRCA1/2 alterations and have the worst clinical outcomes. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that combination therapies with poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and Wee1 kinase inhibitors in TNBC cells with either BRCA1 mutations or high levels of cyclin E results in synergistic cell death due to induction of replicative stress and downregulation of DNA repair. These studies suggest that by preselecting patients whose tumors have high cyclin E levels or harbor mutations in BRCA1, only those cases with the highest replicative stress properties will be subjected to combination treatment and likely result in synergistic activity of the two agents. Abstract The identification of biomarker-driven targeted therapies for patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains a major clinical challenge, due to a lack of specific targets. Here, we show that cyclin E, a major regulator of G1 to S transition, is deregulated in TNBC and is associated with mutations in DNA repair genes (e.g., BRCA1/2). Breast cancers with high levels of cyclin E not only have a higher prevalence of BRCA1/2 mutations, but also are associated with the worst outcomes. Using several in vitro and in vivo model systems, we show that TNBCs that harbor either mutations in BRCA1/2 or overexpression of cyclin E are very sensitive to the growth inhibitory effects of AZD-1775 (Wee 1 kinase inhibitor) when used in combination with MK-4837 (PARP inhibitor). Combination treatment of TNBC cell lines with these two agents results in synergistic cell killing due to induction of replicative stress, downregulation of DNA repair and cytokinesis failure that results in increased apoptosis. These findings highlight the potential clinical application of using cyclin E and BRCA mutations as biomarkers to select only those patients with the highest replicative stress properties that may benefit from combination treatment with Wee 1 kinase and PARP inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Chen
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (X.C.); (D.Y.); (J.P.W.C.); (C.K.); (M.G.D.); (M.L.); (M.K.); (T.N.B.)
| | - Dong Yang
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (X.C.); (D.Y.); (J.P.W.C.); (C.K.); (M.G.D.); (M.L.); (M.K.); (T.N.B.)
| | - Jason P. W. Carey
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (X.C.); (D.Y.); (J.P.W.C.); (C.K.); (M.G.D.); (M.L.); (M.K.); (T.N.B.)
| | - Cansu Karakas
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (X.C.); (D.Y.); (J.P.W.C.); (C.K.); (M.G.D.); (M.L.); (M.K.); (T.N.B.)
| | - Constance Albarracin
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (C.A.); (A.A.S.)
| | - Aysegul A. Sahin
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (C.A.); (A.A.S.)
| | - Banu K. Arun
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Merih Guray Durak
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (X.C.); (D.Y.); (J.P.W.C.); (C.K.); (M.G.D.); (M.L.); (M.K.); (T.N.B.)
| | - Mi Li
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (X.C.); (D.Y.); (J.P.W.C.); (C.K.); (M.G.D.); (M.L.); (M.K.); (T.N.B.)
| | - Mehrnoosh Kohansal
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (X.C.); (D.Y.); (J.P.W.C.); (C.K.); (M.G.D.); (M.L.); (M.K.); (T.N.B.)
| | - Tuyen N. Bui
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (X.C.); (D.Y.); (J.P.W.C.); (C.K.); (M.G.D.); (M.L.); (M.K.); (T.N.B.)
| | - Min-Jin Ha
- Department of Bioinformatics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Kelly K. Hunt
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Khandan Keyomarsi
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (X.C.); (D.Y.); (J.P.W.C.); (C.K.); (M.G.D.); (M.L.); (M.K.); (T.N.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-713-792-4845
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16
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Zeng Z, Lu J, Wang Y, Sheng H, Wang Y, Chen Z, Wu Q, Zheng J, Chen Y, Yang D, Yu K, Mo H, Hu J, Hu P, Liu Z, Ju H, Xu R. The lncRNA XIST/miR-125b-2-3p axis modulates cell proliferation and chemotherapeutic sensitivity via targeting Wee1 in colorectal cancer. Cancer Med 2021; 10:2423-2441. [PMID: 33666372 PMCID: PMC7982616 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.3777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Numerous reports on microRNAs have illustrated their role in tumor growth and metastasis. Recently, a new prognostic factor, miR‐125b‐2‐3p, has been identified for predicting chemotherapeutic sensitivity in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the specific mechanisms and biological functions of miR‐125b‐2‐3p in advanced CRC under chemotherapy have yet to be elucidated. Methods MiR‐125b‐2‐3p expression was detected by real‐time PCR (RT‐PCR) in CRC tissues. The effects of miR‐125b‐2‐3p on the growth, metastasis, and drug sensitivity of CRC cells were tested in vitro and in vivo. Based on multiple databases, the upstream competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) and the downstream genes for miR‐125b‐2‐3p were predicted by bioinformatic analysis, followed by the experiments including luciferase reporter assays, western blot assays, and so on. Results MiR‐125b‐2‐3p was significantly lowly expressed in the tissues and cell lines of CRC. Higher expression of miR‐125b‐2‐3p was associated with relatively lower proliferation rates and fewer metastases. Moreover, overexpressed miR‐125b‐2‐3p remarkably improved chemotherapeutic sensitivity of CRC in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, miR‐125b‐2‐3p was absorbed by long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) XIST regulating WEE1 G2 checkpoint kinase (WEE1) expression. The upregulation of miR‐125b‐2‐3p inhibited the proliferation and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) of CRC induced by lncRNA XIST. Conclusions Lower miR‐125b‐2‐3p expression resulted in lower sensitivity of CRC to chemotherapy and was correlated with poorer survival of CRC patients. LncRNA XIST promoted CRC metastasis acting as a ceRNA for miR‐125b‐2‐3p to mediate WEE1 expression. LncRNA XIST‐miR‐125b‐2‐3p‐WEE1 axis not only regulated CRC growth and metastasis but also contributed to chemotherapeutic resistance to CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao‐lei Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Jia‐huan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Yun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
- Department of Medical OncologySun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Hui Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Ying‐nan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Zhan‐hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
- Department of Medical Oncology and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Diseasethe Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Qi‐nian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
- Department of PathologySun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Jia‐Bo Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Yan‐xing Chen
- Department of Medical OncologySun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Dong‐dong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Kai Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Hai‐yu Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Jia‐jia Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Pei‐shan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Ze‐xian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Huai‐qiang Ju
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Rui‐Hua Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
- Department of Medical OncologySun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
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17
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Medulloblastoma drugs in development: Current leads, trials and drawbacks. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 215:113268. [PMID: 33636537 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Current treatment for MB includes surgical resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Despite significant progress in its management, a portion of children relapse and tumor recurrence carries a poor prognosis. Based on their molecular and clinical characteristics, MB patients are clinically classified into four groups: Wnt, Hh, Group 3, and Group 4. With our increased understanding of relevant molecular pathways disrupted in MB, the development of targeted therapies for MB has also increased. Targeted drugs have shown unique privileges over traditional cytotoxic therapies in balancing efficacy and toxicity, with many of them approved and widely used clinically. The aim of this review is to present the recent progress on targeted chemotherapies for the treatment of all classes of MB.
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18
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Du X, Li J, Luo X, Li R, Li F, Zhang Y, Shi J, He J. Structure-activity relationships of Wee1 inhibitors: A review. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 203:112524. [PMID: 32688199 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Wee1 kinase plays an important role in regulating G2/M checkpoint and S phase, and the inhibition of it will lead to mitotic catastrophe in cancer cells with p53 mutation or deletion. Therefore, the mechanism of Wee1 kinase in cancer treatment and the development of its inhibitors have become a research hotspot. However, although a variety of Wee1 inhibitors with different scaffolds and considerable activity have been successfully identified, so far no one has systematically summarized the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of Wee1 inhibitors. Previous reviews mainly focused on its mechanism and clinical application. To facilitate the rational design and development of Wee1 inhibitors in the future, this paper systematically summarizes its structural types, SARs and binding modes according to the Wee1 inhibitors reported in scientific journals, and also summarizes the regulatory effect of Wee1 kinase on cell cycle and the progress of its inhibitors in clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingkai Du
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy & Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Hospital Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaojiao Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy & Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Rong Li
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Feng Li
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy & Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Jianyou Shi
- Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of pharmacy, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, China.
| | - Jun He
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy & Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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19
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Haltom AR, Toll SA, Cheng D, Maegawa S, Gopalakrishnan V, Khatua S. Medulloblastoma epigenetics and the path to clinical innovation. J Neurooncol 2020; 150:35-46. [PMID: 32816225 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-020-03591-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the last decade, a number of genomic and pharmacological studies have demonstrated the importance of epigenetic dysregulation in medulloblastoma initiation and progression. High throughput approaches including gene expression array, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and methylation profiling have now clearly identified at least four molecular subgroups within medulloblastoma, each with distinct clinical and prognostic characteristics. These studies have clearly shown that despite the overall paucity of mutations, clinically relevant events do occur within the cellular epigenetic machinery. Thus, this review aims to provide an overview of our current understanding of the spectrum of epi-oncogenetic perturbations in medulloblastoma. METHODS Comprehensive review of epigenetic profiles of different subgroups of medulloblastoma in the context of molecular features. Epigenetic regulation is mediated mainly by DNA methylation, histone modifications and microRNAs (miRNA). Importantly, epigenetic mis-events are reversible and have immense therapeutic potential. CONCLUSION The widespread epigenetic alterations present in these tumors has generated intense interest in their use as therapeutic targets. We provide an assessment of the progress that has been made towards the development of molecular subtypes-targeted therapies and the current status of clinical trials that have leveraged these recent advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda R Haltom
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Stephanie A Toll
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, USA
| | - Donghang Cheng
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shinji Maegawa
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vidya Gopalakrishnan
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. .,Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. .,Center for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. .,Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Soumen Khatua
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. .,Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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20
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Moreira DC, Venkataraman S, Subramanian A, Desisto J, Balakrishnan I, Prince E, Pierce A, Griesinger A, Green A, Eberhardt CG, Foreman NK, Vibhakar R. Targeting MYC-driven replication stress in medulloblastoma with AZD1775 and gemcitabine. J Neurooncol 2020; 147:531-545. [PMID: 32180106 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-020-03457-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE MYC-driven medulloblastomas are highly aggressive childhood tumors with dismal outcomes and a lack of new treatment paradigms. We identified that targeting replication stress through WEE1 inhibition to suppress the S-phase replication checkpoint, combined with the attenuation of nucleotide synthesis with gemcitabine, is an effective strategy to induce apoptosis in MYC-driven medulloblastoma that could be rapidly translated into early phase clinical trials in children. Attenuation of replication stress is a key component of MYC-driven oncogenesis. Previous studies revealed a vulnerability in MYC medulloblastoma through WEE1 inhibition. Here, we focused on elucidating combinations of agents to synergize with WEE1 inhibition and drive replication stress toward cell death. METHODS We first analyzed WEE1 expression in patient tissues by immunohistochemistry. Next, we used high-throughput drug screens to identify agents that would synergize with WEE1 inhibition. Synergy was confirmed by in vitro live cell imaging, ex vivo slice culture models, and in vivo studies using orthotopic and flank xenograft models. RESULTS WEE1 expression was significantly higher in Group 3 and 4 medulloblastoma patients. The WEE1 inhibitor AZD1775 synergized with inhibitors of nucleotide synthesis, including gemcitabine. AZD1775 with gemcitabine suppressed proliferation and induced apoptosis. Ex vivo modeling demonstrated efficacy in Group 3 medulloblastoma patients, and in vivo modeling confirmed that combining AZD1775 and gemcitabine effectively suppressed tumor growth. CONCLUSION Our results identified a potent new synergistic treatment combination for MYC-driven medulloblastoma that warrants exploration in early phase clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C Moreira
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Sujatha Venkataraman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Apurva Subramanian
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - John Desisto
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ilango Balakrishnan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Eric Prince
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Angela Pierce
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Andrea Griesinger
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Adam Green
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Charles G Eberhardt
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicholas K Foreman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
- Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
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21
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Patel M, Nowsheen S, Maraboyina S, Xia F. The role of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors in the treatment of cancer and methods to overcome resistance: a review. Cell Biosci 2020; 10:35. [PMID: 32180937 PMCID: PMC7065339 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-020-00390-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors represent one of the successful novel approaches to targeted cancer treatment. Indeed, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved PARP inhibitors for the treatment of breast and ovarian cancers. Despite the proven efficacy of these agents, certain challenges remain with their use. Among the most important are primary and secondary resistance. Here, we review the mechanism of action of PARP inhibitors and their ability to exploit certain inherent deficiencies among malignant cells to improve cell killing, with a focus on deficiencies in homologous recombination among cells with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. Moreover, we discuss the different mechanisms of resistance including development of secondary resistance and strategies to overcome them. Finally, we discuss the limitations of novel therapeutic interventions and possible future studies to exploit biochemical pathways in order to improve therapeutic efficacy of PARP inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mausam Patel
- 1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., #771, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199 USA
| | - Somaira Nowsheen
- 2Mayo Clinic Medical Scientist Training Program, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN USA
| | - Sanjay Maraboyina
- 1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., #771, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199 USA
| | - Fen Xia
- 1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., #771, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199 USA
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Garcia TB, Uluisik RC, van Linden AA, Jones KL, Venkataraman S, Vibhakar R, Porter CC. Increased HDAC Activity and c-MYC Expression Mediate Acquired Resistance to WEE1 Inhibition in Acute Leukemia. Front Oncol 2020; 10:296. [PMID: 32195191 PMCID: PMC7066074 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
WEE1 is a cell cycle and DNA damage response kinase that is emerging as a therapeutic target for cancer. AZD1775 is a small molecule inhibitor of WEE1, currently in early phase clinical trials as a single agent and in combination with more conventional anti-neoplastic agents. As resistance to kinase inhibitors is frequent, we sought to identify mechanisms of resistance to WEE1 inhibition in acute leukemia. We found that AZD1775 resistant cell lines are dependent upon increased HDAC activity for their survival, in part due to increased KDM5A activity. In addition, gene expression analyses demonstrate HDAC dependent increase in MYC expression and c-MYC activity in AZD1775 treated resistant cells. Overexpression of c-MYC confers resistance to AZD1775 in cell lines with low baseline expression. Pharmacologic inhibition of BRD4, and thereby c-MYC, partially abrogated resistance to AZD1775. Thus, acquired resistance to WEE1 inhibition may be reversed by HDAC or BRD4 inhibition in leukemia cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara B. Garcia
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Rizvan C. Uluisik
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Annemie A. van Linden
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Kenneth L. Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Sujatha Venkataraman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Christopher C. Porter
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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23
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Cole KA, Pal S, Kudgus RA, Ijaz H, Liu X, Minard CG, Pawel BR, Maris JM, Haas-Kogan DA, Voss SD, Berg SL, Reid JM, Fox E, Weigel BJ. Phase I Clinical Trial of the Wee1 Inhibitor Adavosertib (AZD1775) with Irinotecan in Children with Relapsed Solid Tumors: A COG Phase I Consortium Report (ADVL1312). Clin Cancer Res 2019; 26:1213-1219. [PMID: 31857431 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-3470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Adavosertib (AZD1775), an inhibitor of WEE1 kinase, potentiates replicative stress induced by oncogenes or chemotherapy. Antitumor activity of adavosertib has been demonstrated in preclinical models of pediatric cancer. This phase I trial was performed to define dose-limiting toxicities (DLT), recommended phase II dose (RP2D), and pharmacokinetics of adavosertib in combination with irinotecan in children and adolescents with relapsed or refractory solid tumors or primary central nervous system tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS Using a 3+3 escalation design, five dose cohorts of the combination of adavosertib and irinotecan (50/70; 65/70; 65/90; 85/90; 110/90 mg/m2/day) delivered on days 1-5 of a 21-day cycle were studied. Pharmacokinetics and analysis of peripheral blood γH2AX was performed. RESULTS Thirty-seven patients were enrolled; 27 were evaluable. The median (range) age was 14 (2-20) years. Twenty-five (93%) received prior chemotherapy (median, three regimens) and 21 (78%) received prior radiotherapy. Eleven patients had a primary central nervous system (CNS) malignancy. Common toxicities were hematologic and gastrointestinal. Two patients receiving adavosertib (110 mg/m2) in combination with irinotecan (90 mg/m2) experienced dose-limiting grade 3 dehydration. A patient with Ewing sarcoma had a confirmed partial response and 2 patients (ependymoma and neuroblastoma) had prolonged stable disease (≥ 6 cycles). Pharmacokinetics of adavosertib were variable but generally dose proportional and clearance was lower in younger patients. CONCLUSIONS Adavosertib (85 mg/m2) in combination with irinotecan (90 mg/m2) administered orally for 5 days was the MTD in children and adolescents with solid and CNS tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina A Cole
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Sharmistha Pal
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Heba Ijaz
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Xiaowei Liu
- Children's Oncology Group, Monravia, California
| | | | - Bruce R Pawel
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - John M Maris
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Stephan D Voss
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Elizabeth Fox
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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24
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Sequential combination of bortezomib and WEE1 inhibitor, MK-1775, induced apoptosis in multiple myeloma cell lines. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 519:597-604. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.08.163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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25
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Zomerman WW, Plasschaert SLA, Conroy S, Scherpen FJ, Meeuwsen-de Boer TGJ, Lourens HJ, Guerrero Llobet S, Smit MJ, Slagter-Menkema L, Seitz A, Gidding CEM, Hulleman E, Wesseling P, Meijer L, van Kempen LC, van den Berg A, Warmerdam DO, Kruyt FAE, Foijer F, van Vugt MATM, den Dunnen WFA, Hoving EW, Guryev V, de Bont ESJM, Bruggeman SWM. Identification of Two Protein-Signaling States Delineating Transcriptionally Heterogeneous Human Medulloblastoma. Cell Rep 2019; 22:3206-3216. [PMID: 29562177 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.02.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The brain cancer medulloblastoma consists of different transcriptional subgroups. To characterize medulloblastoma at the phosphoprotein-signaling level, we performed high-throughput peptide phosphorylation profiling on a large cohort of SHH (Sonic Hedgehog), group 3, and group 4 medulloblastomas. We identified two major protein-signaling profiles. One profile was associated with rapid death post-recurrence and resembled MYC-like signaling for which MYC lesions are sufficient but not necessary. The second profile showed enrichment for DNA damage, as well as apoptotic and neuronal signaling. Integrative analysis demonstrated that heterogeneous transcriptional input converges on these protein-signaling profiles: all SHH and a subset of group 3 patients exhibited the MYC-like protein-signaling profile; the majority of the other group 3 subset and group 4 patients displayed the DNA damage/apoptotic/neuronal signaling profile. Functional analysis of enriched pathways highlighted cell-cycle progression and protein synthesis as therapeutic targets for MYC-like medulloblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walderik W Zomerman
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology/Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sabine L A Plasschaert
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology/Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands; Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Lundlaan 6, 3584 EA Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Siobhan Conroy
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Frank J Scherpen
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology/Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Tiny G J Meeuwsen-de Boer
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology/Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Harm J Lourens
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology/Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sergi Guerrero Llobet
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marlinde J Smit
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology/Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Lorian Slagter-Menkema
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Annika Seitz
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Corrie E M Gidding
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Pediatrics, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, Geert Groteplein Zuid 10, 6525 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Esther Hulleman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Neuro-oncology Research Group, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Pieter Wesseling
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Lundlaan 6, 3584 EA Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lisethe Meijer
- Beatrix Children's Hospital, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Leon C van Kempen
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Pathology, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Anke van den Berg
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Daniël O Warmerdam
- iPSC CRISPR Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Frank A E Kruyt
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Floris Foijer
- iPSC CRISPR Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands; ERIBA, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marcel A T M van Vugt
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Wilfred F A den Dunnen
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Eelco W Hoving
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands; Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Lundlaan 6, 3584 EA Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Victor Guryev
- ERIBA, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Eveline S J M de Bont
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology/Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sophia W M Bruggeman
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology/Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Bi S, Wei Q, Zhao Z, Chen L, Wang C, Xie S. Wee1 Inhibitor AZD1775 Effectively Inhibits the Malignant Phenotypes of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Vitro and In Vivo. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:864. [PMID: 31427973 PMCID: PMC6688135 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common malignant diagnosed cancer with increasing incidence rate and few treatment options. As a specific small-molecule inhibitor of the Wee1 tyrosine kinase, AZD1775 has previously shown potent antitumor effect on multiple types of cancer in various preclinical studies and clinical trials. However, the expression of Wee1 and the role of AZD1775 in ESCC remain unclear. In the present study, we found that the expression of Wee1 was much higher in ESCC cell lines and clinical samples than that of the corresponding controls. In addition, we demonstrated that AZD1775 exhibited strong inhibitory effect against Wee1 kinase in both tested ESCC cells at nanomolar concentrations. Moreover, AZD1775 effectively suppressed ESCC cell growth and triggered apoptosis via the mitochondrial-dependent signaling pathway. AZD1775 also diminished cell migration and invasion as well as the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Interestingly, knockdown of Wee1 displayed a similar inhibitory effect of AZD1775 on ESCC cells. In addition, there was a synergism between AZD1775 and 5-fluorouracil or cisplatin in inducing cell death. More importantly, the in vivo experiments also demonstrated that AZD1775 potently inhibited ESCC cell growth and metastasis. In summary, our data suggest that the Wee1 inhibitor AZD1775 may be a potential therapeutic agent and warrants a clinical trial for patients with ESCC, even those with metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuning Bi
- Institute of Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Qiuren Wei
- Institute of Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Zhijun Zhao
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Luohe Medical College, Luohe, China
| | - Liang Chen
- Institute of Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Chaojie Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Songqiang Xie
- Institute of Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
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27
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Yang B, Dai JX, Pan YB, Ma YB, Chu SH. Examining the biomarkers and molecular mechanisms of medulloblastoma based on bioinformatics analysis. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:433-441. [PMID: 31289514 PMCID: PMC6540325 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. The aim of the present study was to predict biomarkers and reveal their potential molecular mechanisms in MB. The gene expression profiles of GSE35493, GSE50161, GSE74195 and GSE86574 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Using the Limma package in R, a total of 1,006 overlapped differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with the cut-off criteria of P<0.05 and |log2fold-change (FC)|>1 were identified between MB and normal samples, including 540 upregulated and 466 downregulated genes. Furthermore, the Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were also performed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) online tool to analyze functional and pathway enrichment. The Search Tool for Retrieval of Interacting Genes database was subsequently used to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and the network was visualized in Cytoscape. The top 11 hub genes, including CDK1, CCNB1, CCNB2, PLK1, CDC20, MAD2L1, AURKB, CENPE, TOP2A, KIF2C and PCNA, were identified from the PPI network. The survival curves for hub genes in the dataset GSE85217 predicted the association between the genes and survival of patients with MB. The top 3 modules were identified by the Molecular Complex Detection plugin. The results indicated that the pathways of DEGs in module 1 were primarily enriched in cell cycle, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation and oocyte meiosis; and the most significant functional pathways in modules 2 and 3 were primarily enriched in mismatch repair and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, respectively. These results may help elucidate the pathogenesis and design novel treatments for MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201999, P.R. China
| | - Jun-Xi Dai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201999, P.R. China
| | - Yuan-Bo Pan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201999, P.R. China
| | - Yan-Bin Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201999, P.R. China
| | - Sheng-Hua Chu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201999, P.R. China
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28
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Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) comprises a biologically heterogeneous group of embryonal tumours of the cerebellum. Four subgroups of MB have been described (WNT, sonic hedgehog (SHH), Group 3 and Group 4), each of which is associated with different genetic alterations, age at onset and prognosis. These subgroups have broadly been incorporated into the WHO classification of central nervous system tumours but still need to be accounted for to appropriately tailor disease risk to therapy intensity and to target therapy to disease biology. In this Primer, the epidemiology (including MB predisposition), molecular pathogenesis and integrative diagnosis taking histomorphology, molecular genetics and imaging into account are reviewed. In addition, management strategies, which encompass surgical resection of the tumour, cranio-spinal irradiation and chemotherapy, are discussed, together with the possibility of focusing more on disease biology and robust molecularly driven patient stratification in future clinical trials.
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29
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Fu S, Wang Y, Keyomarsi K, Meric-Bernstein F. Strategic development of AZD1775, a Wee1 kinase inhibitor, for cancer therapy. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2018; 27:741-751. [DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2018.1511700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Siqing Fu
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yudong Wang
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Khandan Keyomarsi
- Department of Experimental Radiation, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Funda Meric-Bernstein
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Matheson CJ, Casalvieri KA, Backos DS, Reigan P. Development of Potent Pyrazolopyrimidinone-Based WEE1 Inhibitors with Limited Single-Agent Cytotoxicity for Cancer Therapy. ChemMedChem 2018; 13:1681-1694. [PMID: 29883531 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
WEE1 kinase regulates the G2 /M cell-cycle checkpoint, a critical mechanism for DNA repair in cancer cells that can confer resistance to DNA-damaging agents. We previously reported a series of pyrazolopyrimidinones based on AZD1775, a known WEE1 inhibitor, as an initial investigation into the structural requirements for WEE1 inhibition. Our lead inhibitor demonstrated WEE1 inhibition in the same nanomolar range as AZD1775, and potentiated the effects of cisplatin in medulloblastoma cells, but had reduced single-agent cytotoxicity. These results prompted the development of a more comprehensive series of WEE1 inhibitors. Herein we report a series of pyrazolopyrimidinones and identify a more potent WEE1 inhibitor than AZD1775 and additional compounds that demonstrate that WEE1 inhibition can be achieved with reduced single-agent cytotoxicity. These studies support that WEE1 inhibition can be uncoupled from the potent cytotoxic effects observed with AZD1775, and this may have important ramifications in the clinical setting where WEE1 inhibitors are used as chemosensitizers for DNA-targeted chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Matheson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Kimberly A Casalvieri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Donald S Backos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Philip Reigan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
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31
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Wee1 Inhibitor AZD1775 Combined with Cisplatin Potentiates Anticancer Activity against Gastric Cancer by Increasing DNA Damage and Cell Apoptosis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:5813292. [PMID: 29977914 PMCID: PMC6011131 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5813292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 05/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Based on the mechanisms by which Wee1 inhibitor and cisplatin played their own role, a promising strategy of Wee1 inhibitor combined with cisplatin was proposed, which was investigated in gastric cancer (GC). Either Wee1 inhibitor AZD1775 or cisplatin alone had a certain inhibitory effect on in vitro cell proliferation; however, the inhibitory effect was more significant when AZD1775 combined with cisplatin in vitro and in vivo. The underlying mechanisms unveiled that the increased DNA damage indicated by increased γH2AX protein, as well as augmented cell apoptosis indicated by upregulated proapoptotic proteins, was responsible for the significant inhibitory effect of AZD1775 plus cisplatin. Moreover, compared to any single drug, in vitro cell migration and invasion abilities were further attenuated by AZD1775 combined with cisplatin. There were suggestive results that the potentiated cytotoxicity between AZD1775 and cisplatin deserved a deep exploration in the future.
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32
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Prince EW, Balakrishnan I, Shah M, Mulcahy Levy JM, Griesinger AM, Alimova I, Harris PS, Birks DK, Donson AM, Davidson N, Remke M, Taylor MD, Handler MH, Foreman NK, Venkataraman S, Vibhakar R. Checkpoint kinase 1 expression is an adverse prognostic marker and therapeutic target in MYC-driven medulloblastoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:53881-53894. [PMID: 27449089 PMCID: PMC5288228 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) is an integral component of the cell cycle as well as the DNA Damage Response (DDR) pathway. Previous work has demonstrated the effectiveness of inhibiting CHK1 with small-molecule inhibitors, but the role of CHK1 mediated DDR in medulloblastoma is unknown. CHK1, both at the mRNA and protein level, is highly expressed in medulloblastoma and elevated CHK1 expression in Group3 medulloblastoma is an adverse prognostic marker. CHK1 inhibition with the small-molecule drug AZD7762, results in decreased cell growth, increased DNA damage and cell apoptosis. Furthermore, AZD7762 acts in synergy with cisplatin in reducing cell proliferation in medulloblastoma. Similar phenotypic changes were observed with another CHK1 inhibitor, PF477736, as well as genetic knockdown using siRNA against CHK1. Treatments with small-molecule inhibitors of CHK1 profoundly modulated the expression of both upstream and downstream target proteins within the CHK1 signaling pathways. This suggests the presence of a feedback loop in activating CHK1. Overall, our results demonstrate that small-molecule inhibition of CHK1 in combination with, cisplatin, is more advantageous than either treatment alone, especially for Group 3 medulloblastoma, and therefore this combined therapeutic approach serves as an avenue for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric W Prince
- Department of Pediatrics and Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Ilango Balakrishnan
- Department of Pediatrics and Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Monil Shah
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Jean M Mulcahy Levy
- Department of Pediatrics and Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Andrea M Griesinger
- Department of Pediatrics and Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Irina Alimova
- Department of Pediatrics and Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Peter S Harris
- Department of Pediatrics and Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Diane K Birks
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Andrew M Donson
- Department of Pediatrics and Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Nathan Davidson
- Department of Pediatrics and Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Marc Remke
- DKFZ German Cancer Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael D Taylor
- Division of Neurosurgery, Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael H Handler
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Nicholas K Foreman
- Department of Pediatrics and Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States.,University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States.,Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Sujatha Venkataraman
- Department of Pediatrics and Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department of Pediatrics and Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States.,University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States.,Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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33
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Wang X, Chen Z, Mishra AK, Silva A, Ren W, Pan Z, Wang JH. Chemotherapy-induced differential cell cycle arrest in B-cell lymphomas affects their sensitivity to Wee1 inhibition. Haematologica 2017; 103:466-476. [PMID: 29217775 PMCID: PMC5830367 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2017.175992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapeutic agents, e.g., cytarabine and doxorubicin, cause DNA damage. However, it remains unknown whether such agents differentially regulate cell cycle arrest in distinct types of B-cell lymphomas, and whether this phenotype can be exploited for developing new therapies. We treated various types of B cells, including primary and B lymphoma cells, with cytarabine or doxorubicin, and determined DNA damage responses, cell cycle regulation and sensitivity to a Wee1 inhibitor. We found that cyclin A2/B1 upregulation appears to be an intrinsic programmed response to DNA damage; however, different types of B cells arrest in distinct phases of the cell cycle. The Wee1 inhibitor significantly enhanced the apoptosis of G2 phase-arrested B-cell lymphomas by inducing premature entry into mitosis and mitotic catastrophe, whereas it did not affect G1/S-phase-arrested lymphomas. Cytarabine-induced G1-arrest can be converted to G2-arrest by doxorubicin treatment in certain B-cell lymphomas, which correlates with newly acquired sensitivity to the Wee1 inhibitor. Consequently, the Wee1 inhibitor together with cytarabine or doxorubicin inhibited tumor growth in vitro and in vivo more effectively, providing a potential new therapy for treating B-cell lymphomas. We propose that the differential cell cycle arrest can be exploited to enhance the chemosensitivity of B-cell lymphomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoguang Wang
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Zhangguo Chen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ameet K Mishra
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Alexa Silva
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Wenhua Ren
- Department of Medicine Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Zenggang Pan
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jing H Wang
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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Foy V, Schenk MW, Baker K, Gomes F, Lallo A, Frese KK, Forster M, Dive C, Blackhall F. Targeting DNA damage in SCLC. Lung Cancer 2017; 114:12-22. [PMID: 29173760 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
SCLC accounts for 15% of lung cancer worldwide. Characterised by early dissemination and rapid development of chemo-resistant disease, less than 5% of patients survive 5 years. Despite 3 decades of clinical trials there has been no change to the standard platinum and etoposide regimen for first line treatment developed in the 1970's. The exceptionally high number of genomic aberrations observed in SCLC combined with the characteristic rapid cellular proliferation results in accumulation of DNA damage and genomic instability. To flourish in this precarious genomic context, SCLC cells are reliant on functional DNA damage repair pathways and cell cycle checkpoints. Current cytotoxic drugs and radiotherapy treatments for SCLC have long been known to act by induction of DNA damage and the response of cancer cells to such damage determines treatment efficacy. Recent years have witnessed improved understanding of strategies to exploit DNA damage and repair mechanisms in order to increase treatment efficacy. This review will summarise the rationale to target DNA damage response in SCLC, the progress made in evaluating novel DDR inhibitors and highlight various ongoing challenges for their clinical development in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Foy
- Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Maximilian W Schenk
- Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Katie Baker
- Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, UK
| | - Fabio Gomes
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK; Oncologia Medica, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Alice Lallo
- Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Kristopher K Frese
- Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Martin Forster
- Department of Oncology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Caroline Dive
- Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, UK
| | - Fiona Blackhall
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK; Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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35
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Alimova I, Pierce AM, Harris P, Donson A, Birks DK, Prince E, Balakrishnan I, Foreman NK, Kool M, Hoffman L, Venkataraman S, Vibhakar R. Targeting Polo-like kinase 1 in SMARCB1 deleted atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor. Oncotarget 2017; 8:97290-97303. [PMID: 29228610 PMCID: PMC5722562 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) is an aggressive and malignant pediatric brain tumor. Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is highly expressed in many cancers and essential for mitosis. Overexpression of PLK1 promotes chromosome instability and aneuploidy by overriding the G2-M DNA damage and spindle checkpoints. Recent studies suggest that targeting PLK1 by small molecule inhibitors is a promising approach to tumor therapy. We investigated the effect of PLK1 inhibition in ATRT. Gene expression analysis showed that PLK1 was overexpressed in ATRT patient samples and tumor cell lines. Genetic inhibition of PLK1 with shRNA potently suppressed ATRT cell growth in vitro. Treatment with the PLK1 inhibitor BI 6727 (Volasertib) significantly decreased cell growth, inhibited clonogenic potential, and induced apoptosis. BI6727 treatment led to G2-M phase arrest, consistent with PLK1's role as a critical regulator of mitosis. Moreover, inhibition of PLK1 by BI6727 suppressed the tumor-sphere formation of ATRT cells. Treatment also significantly decreased levels of the DNA damage proteins Ku80 and RAD51 and increased γ-H2AX expression, indicating that BI 6727 can induce DNA damage. Importantly, BI6727 significantly enhanced radiation sensitivity of ATRT cells. In vivo, BI6727 slowed growth of ATRT tumors and prolonged survival in a xenograft model. PLK1 inhibition is a compelling new therapeutic approach for treating ATRT, and the use of BI6727 should be evaluated in clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Alimova
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Angela M Pierce
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Peter Harris
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Andrew Donson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Diane K Birks
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Eric Prince
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Ilango Balakrishnan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Nicholas K Foreman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States.,Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Marcel Kool
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lindsey Hoffman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Sujatha Venkataraman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States.,Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States.,Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, United States
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36
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Carrassa L, Damia G. DNA damage response inhibitors: Mechanisms and potential applications in cancer therapy. Cancer Treat Rev 2017; 60:139-151. [PMID: 28961555 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2017.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Over the last decade the unravelling of the molecular mechanisms of the DNA damage response pathways and of the genomic landscape of human tumors have paved the road to new therapeutic approaches in oncology. It is now clear that tumors harbour defects in different DNA damage response steps, mainly signalling and repair, rendering them more dependent on the remaining pathways. We here focus on the proteins ATM, ATR, CHK1 and WEE1, reviewing their roles in the DNA damage response and as targets in cancer therapy. In the last decade specific inhibitors of these proteins have been designed, and their potential antineoplastic activity has been explored both in monotherapy strategies against tumors with specific defects (synthetic lethality approach) and in combination with radiotherapy or chemotherapeutic or molecular targeted agents. The preclinical and clinical evidence of antitumor activity of these inhibitors emanating from these research efforts will be critically reviewed. Lastly, the potential therapeutic feasibility of combining together such inhibitors with the aim to target particular subsets of tumors will be also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Carrassa
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Oncology, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Milan, Italy.
| | - Giovanna Damia
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Oncology, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Milan, Italy.
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Zhang M, Dominguez D, Chen S, Fan J, Qin L, Long A, Li X, Zhang Y, Shi H, Zhang B. WEE1 inhibition by MK1775 as a single-agent therapy inhibits ovarian cancer viability. Oncol Lett 2017; 14:3580-3586. [PMID: 28927115 PMCID: PMC5588002 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.6584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Wee1-like protein kinase (WEE1) physiologically serves a key function in maintaining the integrity of the cell genome through mediating the activation of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)1 and CDK2. Increased expression of WEE1 has been associated with the poor prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer. The present study aimed at examining the in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of MK1775, a potent pharmacological inhibitor of WEE1, as a single agent against ovarian cancer cells. The cytotoxicity of MK1775 was examined in a panel of tumor cells using MTT in vitro. Subsequently, a cell apoptosis assay was performed in ovarian cancer SKOV3 and ID8 cells to characterize the function of MK1775 in tumor cell apoptosis, under either wild-type tumor protein 53 (p53) or null p53 status. In addition, cell cycle analysis and a western blot analysis were performed to validate the effect of MK1775 on cell cycle progression and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism of cell death. Finally, the in vivo antitumor efficacy of MK1775 as a single agent at a clinical well-tolerated dose was determined. A dose-dependent inhibitory effect of MK1775 on tumor cell viability was determined in distinct cell lines, including B16F10, LLC1, BPS1, EG7, ID8 and SKOV3. Results from the cell cycle analysis and western blotting indicated that MK1775 abrogated the G2/M checkpoint through inhibiting the phosphorylation of CDK1 and inducing the apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells that lacked mutations in p53 and breast cancer 1 (BRCA1). Additionally, a significant antitumor effect of MK1775 was observed in C57BL/6 mice bearing syngeneic ID8 ovarian tumors. The results of the present study supported the use of MK1775 as a monotherapy agent in ovarian cancer. MK1775 was effective at inducing mitotic catastrophe, independent of p53 and BRCA1 mutations. Therefore, WEE1 inhibition by MK1775 requires additional investigation to identify novel combination approaches in ovarian cancer therapy with the current DNA damaging agents, including irradiation treatment and cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Donye Dominguez
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Siqi Chen
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jie Fan
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lei Qin
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Alan Long
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Xia Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Huirong Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.,Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
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38
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Garcia TB, Snedeker JC, Baturin D, Gardner L, Fosmire SP, Zhou C, Jordan CT, Venkataraman S, Vibhakar R, Porter CC. A Small-Molecule Inhibitor of WEE1, AZD1775, Synergizes with Olaparib by Impairing Homologous Recombination and Enhancing DNA Damage and Apoptosis in Acute Leukemia. Mol Cancer Ther 2017; 16:2058-2068. [PMID: 28655785 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-16-0660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Although some patients with acute leukemia have good prognoses, the prognosis of adult and pediatric patients who relapse or cannot tolerate standard chemotherapy is poor. Inhibition of WEE1 with AZD1775 has been shown to sensitize cancer cells to genotoxic chemotherapies, including cytarabine in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and T-ALL. Inhibition of WEE1 impairs homologous recombination by indirectly inhibiting BRCA2. Thus, we sought to determine whether AZD1775 could sensitize cells to the PARP1/2 inhibitor olaparib. We found that combined treatment with AZD1775 and olaparib was synergistic in AML and ALL cells, and this combination impaired proliferative capacity upon drug withdrawal. AZD1775 impaired homologous recombination in olaparib-treated cells, resulting in enhanced DNA damage accumulation and apoptosis induction. This combination enhanced disease control and increased survival in a murine AML model. Furthermore, we demonstrated that combined treatment with AZD1775 and olaparib reduces proliferation and colony formation and increases apoptosis in AML patient samples. In aggregate, these studies raise the possibility of rational combinations of targeted agents for leukemia in patients for whom conventional chemotherapeutics may not be effective or well tolerated. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(10); 2058-68. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara B Garcia
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jonathan C Snedeker
- Department of Pediatrics Summer Internship Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Dmitry Baturin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Lori Gardner
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Susan P Fosmire
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Chengjing Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Craig T Jordan
- Division of Hematology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Sujatha Venkataraman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Christopher C Porter
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado. .,Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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39
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Lin AB, McNeely SC, Beckmann RP. Achieving Precision Death with Cell-Cycle Inhibitors that Target DNA Replication and Repair. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 23:3232-3240. [PMID: 28331049 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-0083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
All cancers are characterized by defects in the systems that ensure strict control of the cell cycle in normal tissues. The consequent excess tissue growth can be countered by drugs that halt cell division, and, indeed, the majority of chemotherapeutics developed during the last century work by disrupting processes essential for the cell cycle, particularly DNA synthesis, DNA replication, and chromatid segregation. In certain contexts, the efficacy of these classes of drugs can be impressive, but because they indiscriminately block the cell cycle of all actively dividing cells, their side effects severely constrain the dose and duration with which they can be administered, allowing both normal and malignant cells to escape complete growth arrest. Recent progress in understanding how cancers lose control of the cell cycle, coupled with comprehensive genomic profiling of human tumor biopsies, has shown that many cancers have mutations affecting various regulators and checkpoints that impinge on the core cell-cycle machinery. These defects introduce unique vulnerabilities that can be exploited by a next generation of drugs that promise improved therapeutic windows in patients whose tumors bear particular genomic aberrations, permitting increased dose intensity and efficacy. These developments, coupled with the success of new drugs targeting cell-cycle regulators, have led to a resurgence of interest in cell-cycle inhibitors. This review in particular focuses on the newer strategies that may facilitate better therapeutic targeting of drugs that inhibit the various components that safeguard the fidelity of the fundamental processes of DNA replication and repair. Clin Cancer Res; 23(13); 3232-40. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee Bence Lin
- Early Phase Medical-Oncology, Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Samuel C McNeely
- Oncology Business Unit-Patient Tailoring, Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Richard P Beckmann
- Oncology Translational Research, Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana.
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40
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Boulay G, Awad ME, Riggi N, Archer TC, Iyer S, Boonseng WE, Rossetti NE, Naigles B, Rengarajan S, Volorio A, Kim JC, Mesirov JP, Tamayo P, Pomeroy SL, Aryee MJ, Rivera MN. OTX2 Activity at Distal Regulatory Elements Shapes the Chromatin Landscape of Group 3 Medulloblastoma. Cancer Discov 2017; 7:288-301. [PMID: 28213356 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-16-0844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most frequent malignant pediatric brain tumor and is divided into at least four subgroups known as WNT, SHH, Group 3, and Group 4. Here, we characterized gene regulation mechanisms in the most aggressive subtype, Group 3 tumors, through genome-wide chromatin and expression profiling. Our results show that most active distal sites in these tumors are occupied by the transcription factor OTX2. Highly active OTX2-bound enhancers are often arranged as clusters of adjacent peaks and are also bound by the transcription factor NEUROD1. These sites are responsive to OTX2 and NEUROD1 knockdown and could also be generated de novo upon ectopic OTX2 expression in primary cells, showing that OTX2 cooperates with NEUROD1 and plays a major role in maintaining and possibly establishing regulatory elements as a pioneer factor. Among OTX2 target genes, we identified the kinase NEK2, whose knockdown and pharmacologic inhibition decreased cell viability. Our studies thus show that OTX2 controls the regulatory landscape of Group 3 medulloblastoma through cooperative activity at enhancer elements and contributes to the expression of critical target genes.Significance: The gene regulation mechanisms that drive medulloblastoma are not well understood. Using chromatin profiling, we find that the transcription factor OTX2 acts as a pioneer factor and, in cooperation with NEUROD1, controls the Group 3 medulloblastoma active enhancer landscape. OTX2 itself or its target genes, including the mitotic kinase NEK2, represent attractive targets for future therapies. Cancer Discov; 7(3); 288-301. ©2017 AACR.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 235.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaylor Boulay
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Mary E Awad
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nicolo Riggi
- Institute of Pathology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tenley C Archer
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sowmya Iyer
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Wannaporn E Boonseng
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nikki E Rossetti
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Beverly Naigles
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shruthi Rengarajan
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Angela Volorio
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Institute of Pathology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - James C Kim
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jill P Mesirov
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Pablo Tamayo
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Scott L Pomeroy
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Martin J Aryee
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Miguel N Rivera
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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41
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Alimova I, Ng J, Harris P, Birks D, Donson A, Taylor MD, Foreman NK, Venkataraman S, Vibhakar R. MPS1 kinase as a potential therapeutic target in medulloblastoma. Oncol Rep 2016; 36:2633-2640. [PMID: 27633003 PMCID: PMC5055207 DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.5085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common type of malignant brain tumor that affects children. Although recent advances in chemotherapy and radiation have improved outcomes, high-risk patients perform poorly with significant morbidity. Gene expression profiling has revealed that monopolar spindle 1 (MPS1) (TTK1) is highly expressed in medulloblastoma patient samples compared to that noted in normal cerebellum. MPS1 is a key regulator of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), a mitotic mechanism specifically required for proper chromosomal alignment and segregation. The SAC can be activated in aneuploid cancer cells and MPS1 is overexpressed in many types of cancers. A previous study has demonstrated the effectiveness of inhibiting MPS1 with small-molecule inhibitors, but the role of MPS1 in medulloblastoma is unknown. In the present study, we demonstrated that MPS1 inhibition by shRNA or with a small-molecule drug, NMS-P715, resulted in decreased cell growth, inhibition of clonogenic potential and induction of apoptosis in cells belonging to both the Shh and group 3 medulloblastoma genomic signature. These findings highlight MPS1 as a rational therapeutic target for medulloblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Alimova
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - June Ng
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Peter Harris
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Diane Birks
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Andrew Donson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Michael D Taylor
- Division of Neurosurgery, Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Nicholas K Foreman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Sujatha Venkataraman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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Li Y, Saini P, Sriraman A, Dobbelstein M. Mdm2 inhibition confers protection of p53-proficient cells from the cytotoxic effects of Wee1 inhibitors. Oncotarget 2016; 6:32339-52. [PMID: 26431163 PMCID: PMC4741697 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pharmacological inhibition of the cell cycle regulatory kinase Wee1 represents a promising strategy to eliminate cancer cells. Wee1 inhibitors cooperate with chemotherapeutics, e. g. nucleoside analogues, pushing malignant cells from S phase towards premature mitosis and death. However, considerable toxicities are observed in preclinical and clinical trials. A high proportion of tumor cells can be distinguished from all other cells of a patient's body by inactivating mutations in the tumor suppressor p53. Here we set out to develop an approach for the selective protection of p53-proficient cells against the cytotoxic effects of Wee1 inhibitors. We pretreated such cells with Nutlin-3a, a prototype inhibitor of the p53-antagonist Mdm2. The resulting transient cell cycle arrest effectively increased the survival of cells that were subsequently treated with combinations of the Wee1 inhibitor MK-1775 and/or the nucleoside analogue gemcitabine. In this constellation, Nutlin-3a reduced caspase activation and diminished the phosphorylation of Histone 2AX, an indicator of the DNA damage response. Both effects were strictly dependent on the presence of p53. Moreover, Nutlin pre-treatment reduced the fraction of cells that were undergoing premature mitosis in response to Wee1 inhibition. We conclude that the pre-activation of p53 through Mdm2 antagonists serves as a viable option to selectively protect p53-proficient cells against the cytotoxic effects of Wee1 inhibitors, especially when combined with a nucleoside analogue. Thus, Mdm2 antagonists might prove useful to avoid unwanted side effects of Wee1 inhibitors. On the other hand, when a tumor contains wild type p53, care should be taken not to induce its activity before applying Wee1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhu Li
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Centre of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Faculty of Medicine, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Priyanka Saini
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Centre of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Faculty of Medicine, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Anusha Sriraman
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Centre of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Faculty of Medicine, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Dobbelstein
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Centre of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Faculty of Medicine, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Targeting WEE1 Kinase in Cancer. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2016; 37:872-881. [PMID: 27427153 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2016.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 242] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
WEE1 kinase plays a crucial role in the G2-M cell-cycle checkpoint arrest for DNA repair before mitotic entry. Normal cells repair damaged DNA during G1 arrest; however, cancer cells often have a deficient G1-S checkpoint and depend on a functional G2-M checkpoint for DNA repair. WEE1 is expressed at high levels in various cancer types including breast cancers, leukemia, melanoma, and adult and pediatric brain tumors. Many of these cancers are treated with DNA-damaging agents; therefore, targeting WEE1 for inhibition and compromising the G2-M checkpoint presents an opportunity to potentiate therapy. In this review we summarize the current WEE1 inhibitors, the potential for further inhibitor development, and the challenges in the clinic for the WEE1 inhibitor strategy.
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Matheson CJ, Venkataraman S, Amani V, Harris PS, Backos DS, Donson AM, Wempe MF, Foreman NK, Vibhakar R, Reigan P. A WEE1 Inhibitor Analog of AZD1775 Maintains Synergy with Cisplatin and Demonstrates Reduced Single-Agent Cytotoxicity in Medulloblastoma Cells. ACS Chem Biol 2016; 11:921-30. [PMID: 26745241 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.5b00725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The current treatment for medulloblastoma includes surgical resection, radiation, and cytotoxic chemotherapy. Although this approach has improved survival rates, the high doses of chemotherapy required for clinical efficacy often result in lasting neurocognitive defects and other adverse events. Therefore, the development of chemosensitizing agents that allow dose reductions of cytotoxic agents, limiting their adverse effects but maintaining their clinical efficacy, would be an attractive approach to treat medulloblastoma. We previously identified WEE1 kinase as a new molecular target for medulloblastoma from an integrated genomic analysis of gene expression and a kinome-wide siRNA screen of medulloblastoma cells and tissue. In addition, we demonstrated that WEE1 prevents DNA damage-induced cell death by cisplatin and that the WEE1 inhibitor AZD1775 displays synergistic activity with cisplatin. AZD1775 was developed as a WEE1 inhibitor from an initial hit from a high-throughput screen. However, given the lack of structure-activity data for AZD1775, we developed a small series of analogs to determine the requirements for WEE1 inhibition and further examine the effects of WEE1 inhibition in medulloblastoma. Interestingly, the compounds that inhibited WEE1 in the same nanomolar range as AZD1775 had significantly reduced single-agent cytotoxicity compared with AZD1775 and displayed synergistic activity with cisplatin in medulloblastoma cells. The potent cytotoxicity of AZD1775, unrelated to WEE1 inhibition, may result in dose-limiting toxicities and exacerbate adverse effects; therefore, WEE1 inhibitors that demonstrate low cytotoxicity could be dosed at higher concentrations to chemosensitize the tumor and potentiate the effect of DNA-damaging agents such as cisplatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Matheson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, V20-2102, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Sujatha Venkataraman
- Department
of Pediatrics and Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E 19th Ave, Mail Stop 8302, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Vladimir Amani
- Department
of Pediatrics and Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E 19th Ave, Mail Stop 8302, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Peter S. Harris
- Department
of Pediatrics and Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E 19th Ave, Mail Stop 8302, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Donald S. Backos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, V20-2102, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Andrew M. Donson
- Department
of Pediatrics and Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E 19th Ave, Mail Stop 8302, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Michael F. Wempe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, V20-2102, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Nicholas K. Foreman
- Department
of Pediatrics and Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E 19th Ave, Mail Stop 8302, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department
of Pediatrics and Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E 19th Ave, Mail Stop 8302, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Philip Reigan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, V20-2102, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
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Schummer P, Kuphal S, Vardimon L, Bosserhoff AK, Kappelmann M. Specific c-Jun target genes in malignant melanoma. Cancer Biol Ther 2016; 17:486-97. [PMID: 27050748 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2016.1156264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A fundamental event in the development and progression of malignant melanoma is the de-regulation of cancer-relevant transcription factors. We recently showed that c-Jun is a main regulator of melanoma progression and, thus, is the most important member of the AP-1 transcription factor family in this disease. Surprisingly, no cancer-related specific c-Jun target genes in melanoma were described in the literature, so far. Therefore, we focused on pre-existing ChIP-Seq data (Encyclopedia of DNA Elements) of 3 different non-melanoma cell lines to screen direct c-Jun target genes. Here, a specific c-Jun antibody to immunoprecipitate the associated promoter DNA was used. Consequently, we identified 44 direct c-Jun targets and a detailed analysis of 6 selected genes confirmed their deregulation in malignant melanoma. The identified genes were differentially regulated comparing 4 melanoma cell lines and normal human melanocytes and we confirmed their c-Jun dependency. Direct interaction between c-Jun and the promoter/enhancer regions of the identified genes was confirmed by us via ChIP experiments. Interestingly, we revealed that the direct regulation of target gene expression via c-Jun can be independent of the existence of the classical AP-1 (5´-TGA(C/G)TCA-3´) consensus sequence allowing for the subsequent down- or up-regulation of the expression of these cancer-relevant genes. In summary, the results of this study indicate that c-Jun plays a crucial role in the development and progression of malignant melanoma via direct regulation of cancer-relevant target genes and that inhibition of direct c-Jun targets through inhibition of c-Jun is a potential novel therapeutic option for treatment of malignant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Schummer
- a Institute of Biochemistry (Emil-Fischer Center), Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen , Germany
| | - Silke Kuphal
- a Institute of Biochemistry (Emil-Fischer Center), Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen , Germany
| | - Lily Vardimon
- b Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , Tel Aviv University , Israel
| | - Anja K Bosserhoff
- a Institute of Biochemistry (Emil-Fischer Center), Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen , Germany
| | - Melanie Kappelmann
- a Institute of Biochemistry (Emil-Fischer Center), Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen , Germany
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Music D, Dahlrot RH, Hermansen SK, Hjelmborg J, de Stricker K, Hansen S, Kristensen BW. Expression and prognostic value of the WEE1 kinase in gliomas. J Neurooncol 2016; 127:381-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s11060-015-2050-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Mueller
- University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
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Cytotoxic activity of the MK2 inhibitor CMPD1 in glioblastoma cells is independent of MK2. Cell Death Discov 2015; 1:15028. [PMID: 27551460 PMCID: PMC4979411 DOI: 10.1038/cddiscovery.2015.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) is a checkpoint kinase involved in the DNA damage response. MK2 inhibition enhances the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents; however, whether MK2 inhibition alone, without concurrent chemotherapy, would attenuate survival of cancer cells has not been investigated. CMPD1 is a widely used non-ATP competitive inhibitor that prevents MK2 phosphorylation. We employed CMPD1 together with MK2 knock-down and ATP-competitive MK2 inhibitor III (MK2i) in a panel of glioblastoma cells to assess whether MK2 inhibition could induce cancer cell death. While CMPD1 was effective at selective killing of cancer cells, MK2i and MK2 knock-down had no effect on viability of glioblastoma cells. CMPD1 treatment induced a significant G2/M arrest but MK2i-treated cells were only minimally arrested at G1 phase. Intriguingly, at doses that were cytotoxic to glioblastoma cells, CMPD1 did not inhibit phosphorylation of MK2 and of its downstream substrate Hsp27. These results suggest that CMPD1 exhibits cytotoxic activity independently of MK2 inhibition. Indeed, we identified tubulin as a primary target of the CMPD1 cytotoxic activity. This study demonstrates how functional and mechanistic studies with appropriate selection of test compounds, combining genetic knock-down and pharmacological inhibition, coordinating timing and dose levels enabled us to uncover the primary target of an MK2 inhibitor commonly used in the research community. Tubulin is emerging as one of the most common non-kinase targets for kinase inhibitors and we propose that potential tubulin-targeting activity should be assessed in preclinical pharmacology studies of all novel kinase inhibitors.
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Geron L, Borges KS, Andrade AF, Suazo VK, Scrideli CA, Tone LG. Antitumour activity of AMG 900 alone or in combination with histone deacetylase inhibitor SaHa on medulloblastoma cell lines. Neurol Res 2015; 37:703-11. [PMID: 26000978 DOI: 10.1179/1743132815y.0000000048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant childhood brain tumour. Aurora kinases are essential for cell division and are primarily active during mitosis. Recently, the combination of aurora kinases inhibitors (iAURK) and histone deacetylase inhibitors (iHDAC) has shown potential antitumour effects and had significant biological effects in preclinical cancer models. In this study, we analysed the effects of the pan-aurora kinases inhibitor AMG 900 alone or in combination with the iHDAC SaHa (Vorinostat) on paediatric MB cell lines (UW402, UW473 and ONS-76). METHODS Cell proliferation was measured by XTT assay, apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and clonogenic capacity was studied. qRT-PCR assays were used to determine the mRNA expression in MB cell lines after treatment. Drug combination analyses were made based on Chou-Talalay method. RESULTS AMG 900 caused the inhibition of cell proliferation, diminution of clonogenic capacity and increased the apoptosis rate in cell lines (P < 0.05). A synergistic effect in the AMG900-SaHa combination was evidenced on the inhibition of cell proliferation in all cell lines, especially in sequential drug treatment. Moreover, the combination of these drugs reached 100% of the inhibition in colony formation (synergistic effect). The treatment with AMG 900 increased the p21 and GDF15 expression, but did not alter the TP53 in one of the cell lines. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that AMG 900 may be a promising drug for the adjuvant treatment of MB, mainly when combined with iHDAC.
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50
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Aleem E, Arceci RJ. Targeting cell cycle regulators in hematologic malignancies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2015; 3:16. [PMID: 25914884 PMCID: PMC4390903 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2015.00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematologic malignancies represent the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer in economically developed countries. In hematologic malignancies normal hematopoiesis is interrupted by uncontrolled growth of a genetically altered stem or progenitor cell (HSPC) that maintains its ability of self-renewal. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) not only regulate the mammalian cell cycle, but also influence other vital cellular processes, such as stem cell renewal, differentiation, transcription, epigenetic regulation, apoptosis, and DNA repair. Chromosomal translocations, amplification, overexpression and altered CDK activities have been described in different types of human cancer, which have made them attractive targets for pharmacological inhibition. Mouse models deficient for one or more CDKs have significantly contributed to our current understanding of the physiological functions of CDKs, as well as their roles in human cancer. The present review focuses on selected cell cycle kinases with recent emerging key functions in hematopoiesis and in hematopoietic malignancies, such as CDK6 and its role in MLL-rearranged leukemia and acute lymphocytic leukemia, CDK1 and its regulator WEE-1 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and cyclin C/CDK8/CDK19 complexes in T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia. The knowledge gained from gene knockout experiments in mice of these kinases is also summarized. An overview of compounds targeting these kinases, which are currently in clinical development in various solid tumors and hematopoietic malignances, is presented. These include the CDK4/CDK6 inhibitors (palbociclib, LEE011, LY2835219), pan-CDK inhibitors that target CDK1 (dinaciclib, flavopiridol, AT7519, TG02, P276-00, terampeprocol and RGB 286638) as well as the WEE-1 kinase inhibitor, MK-1775. The advantage of combination therapy of cell cycle inhibitors with conventional chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of AML, such as cytarabine, is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiman Aleem
- Department of Child Health, The Ronald A. Matricaria Institute of Molecular Medicine at Phoenix Children's Hospital, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix Phoenix, AZ, USA ; Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Robert J Arceci
- Department of Child Health, The Ronald A. Matricaria Institute of Molecular Medicine at Phoenix Children's Hospital, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix Phoenix, AZ, USA
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