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Xu J, Dong X, Huang DCS, Xu P, Zhao Q, Chen B. Current Advances and Future Strategies for BCL-2 Inhibitors: Potent Weapons against Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4957. [PMID: 37894324 PMCID: PMC10605442 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15204957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting the intrinsic apoptotic pathway regulated by B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) antiapoptotic proteins can overcome the evasion of apoptosis in cancer cells. BCL-2 inhibitors have evolved into an important means of treating cancers by inducing tumor cell apoptosis. As the most extensively investigated BCL-2 inhibitor, venetoclax is highly selective for BCL-2 and can effectively inhibit tumor survival. Its emergence and development have significantly influenced the therapeutic landscape of hematological malignancies, especially in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia, in which it has been clearly incorporated into the recommended treatment regimens. In addition, the considerable efficacy of venetoclax in combination with other agents has been demonstrated in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma and certain lymphomas. Although venetoclax plays a prominent antitumor role in preclinical experiments and clinical trials, large individual differences in treatment outcomes have been characterized in real-world patient populations, and reduced drug sensitivity will lead to disease recurrence or progression. The therapeutic efficacy may vary widely in patients with different molecular characteristics, and key genetic mutations potentially result in differential sensitivities to venetoclax. The identification and validation of more novel biomarkers are required to accurately predict the effectiveness of BCL-2 inhibition therapy. Furthermore, we summarize the recent research progress relating to the use of BCL-2 inhibitors in solid tumor treatment and demonstrate that a wealth of preclinical models have shown promising results through combination therapies. The applications of venetoclax in solid tumors warrant further clinical investigation to define its prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxuan Xu
- Department of Hematology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, China-Australia Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; (J.X.); (X.D.); (P.X.)
| | - Xiaoqing Dong
- Department of Hematology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, China-Australia Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; (J.X.); (X.D.); (P.X.)
| | - David C. S. Huang
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Peipei Xu
- Department of Hematology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, China-Australia Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; (J.X.); (X.D.); (P.X.)
| | - Quan Zhao
- Department of Hematology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, China-Australia Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; (J.X.); (X.D.); (P.X.)
| | - Bing Chen
- Department of Hematology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, China-Australia Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; (J.X.); (X.D.); (P.X.)
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2
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Pizzimenti C, Fiorentino V, Franchina M, Martini M, Giuffrè G, Lentini M, Silvestris N, Di Pietro M, Fadda G, Tuccari G, Ieni A. Autophagic-Related Proteins in Brain Gliomas: Role, Mechanisms, and Targeting Agents. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092622. [PMID: 37174088 PMCID: PMC10177137 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The present review focuses on the phenomenon of autophagy, a catabolic cellular process, which allows for the recycling of damaged organelles, macromolecules, and misfolded proteins. The different steps able to activate autophagy start with the formation of the autophagosome, mainly controlled by the action of several autophagy-related proteins. It is remarkable that autophagy may exert a double role as a tumour promoter and a tumour suppressor. Herein, we analyse the molecular mechanisms as well as the regulatory pathways of autophagy, mainly addressing their involvement in human astrocytic neoplasms. Moreover, the relationships between autophagy, the tumour immune microenvironment, and glioma stem cells are discussed. Finally, an excursus concerning autophagy-targeting agents is included in the present review in order to obtain additional information for the better treatment and management of therapy-resistant patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Pizzimenti
- Translational Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Fiorentino
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", Pathology Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Mariausilia Franchina
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", Pathology Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Maurizio Martini
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", Pathology Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giuffrè
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", Pathology Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Lentini
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", Pathology Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", Oncology Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Martina Di Pietro
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", Oncology Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Guido Fadda
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", Pathology Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tuccari
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", Pathology Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Antonio Ieni
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", Pathology Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
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3
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Re-purposing the pro-senescence properties of doxorubicin to introduce immunotherapy in breast cancer brain metastasis. Cell Rep Med 2022; 3:100821. [PMID: 36384097 PMCID: PMC9729880 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
An increasing number of breast cancer patients develop brain metastases (BM). Standard-of-care treatments are largely inefficient, and breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) patients are considered untreatable. Immunotherapies are not successfully employed in BCBM, in part because breast cancer is a "cold" tumor and also because the brain tissue has a unique immune landscape. Here, we generate and characterize immunocompetent models of BCBM derived from PyMT and Neu mammary tumors to test how harnessing the pro-senescence properties of doxorubicin can be used to prime the specific immune BCBM microenvironment. We reveal that BCBM senescent cells, induced by doxorubicin, trigger the recruitment of PD1-expressing T cells to the brain. Importantly, we demonstrate that induction of senescence with doxorubicin improves the efficacy of immunotherapy with anti-PD1 in BCBM in a CD8 T cell-dependent manner, thereby providing an optimized strategy to introduce immune-based treatments in this lethal disease. In addition, our BCBM models can be used for pre-clinical testing of other therapeutic strategies in the future.
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4
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Liu Z, Shah N, Marshall KL, Sprowls SA, Saralkar P, Mohammad A, Blethen KE, Arsiwala TA, Fladeland R, Lockman PR, Gao W. Overcoming the acquired resistance to gefitinib in lung cancer brain metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:3575-3587. [PMID: 34455456 PMCID: PMC9511176 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03147-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
In our previous work, PC-9-Br, a PC-9 brain seeking line established via a preclinical animal model of lung cancer brain metastasis (LCBM), exhibited not only resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) gefitinib in vitro, but also chemotherapy regimens of cisplatin plus etoposide in vivo. Using this cell line, we investigated novel potential targeted therapeutics for treating LCBM in vitro and in vivo to combat drug resistance. Significant increases in mRNA and protein expression levels of Bcl-2 were found in PC-9-Br compared with parental PC-9 (PC-9-P), but no significant changes of Bcl-XL were observed. A remarkable synergistic effect between EGFR-TKI gefitinib and Bcl-2 inhibitors ABT-263 (0.17 ± 0.010 µM at 48 h and 0.02 ± 0.004 µM at 72 h), or ABT-199 (0.22 ± 0.008 µM at 48 h and 0.02 ± 0.001 µM at 72 h) to overcome acquired resistance to gefitinib (> 0.5 µM at 48 h and 0.10 ± 0.007 µM at 72 h) in PC-9-Br was observed in MTT assays. AZD9291 was also shown to overcome acquired resistance to gefitinib in PC-9-Br in MTT assays (0.23 ± 0.031 µM at 48 h and 0.03 ± 0.008 µM at 72 h). Western blot showed significantly decreased phospho-Erk1/2 and increased cleaved-caspase-3 expressions were potential synergistic mechanisms for gefitinib + ABT263/ABT199 in PC-9-Br. Significantly decreased protein expressions of phospho-EGFR, phospho-Akt, p21, and survivin were specific synergistic mechanism for gefitinib + ABT199 in PC-9-Br. In vivo studies demonstrated afatinib (30 mg/kg) and AZD9291 (25 mg/kg) could significantly reduce the LCBM in vivo and increase survival percentages of treated mice compared with mice treated with vehicle and gefitinib (6.25 mg/kg). In conclusion, our study demonstrated gefitinib + ABT263/ABT199, afatinib, and AZD9291 have clinical potential to treat LCBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongwei Liu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, 64 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Neal Shah
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, 108 Biomedical Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, USA
| | - Kent L Marshall
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, 64 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
- School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, USA
- West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Morgantown, USA
| | - Samuel A Sprowls
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, 108 Biomedical Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Pushkar Saralkar
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, 108 Biomedical Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Afroz Mohammad
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, 108 Biomedical Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Kathryn E Blethen
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, 108 Biomedical Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Tasneem A Arsiwala
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, 108 Biomedical Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Ross Fladeland
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, 108 Biomedical Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Paul R Lockman
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, 108 Biomedical Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA.
| | - Weimin Gao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, 64 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA.
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5
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Programmed cell death, redox imbalance, and cancer therapeutics. Apoptosis 2021; 26:385-414. [PMID: 34236569 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-021-01682-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells are disordered by nature and thus featured by higher internal redox level than healthy cells. Redox imbalance could trigger programmed cell death if exceeded a certain threshold, rendering therapeutic strategies relying on redox control a possible cancer management solution. Yet, various programmed cell death events have been consecutively discovered, complicating our understandings on their associations with redox imbalance and clinical implications especially therapeutic design. Thus, it is imperative to understand differences and similarities among programmed cell death events regarding their associations with redox imbalance for improved control over these events in malignant cells as well as appropriate design on therapeutic approaches relying on redox control. This review addresses these issues and concludes by bringing affront cold atmospheric plasma as an emerging redox controller with translational potential in clinics.
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Batara DCR, Choi MC, Shin HU, Kim H, Kim SH. Friend or Foe: Paradoxical Roles of Autophagy in Gliomagenesis. Cells 2021; 10:1411. [PMID: 34204169 PMCID: PMC8227518 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive type of primary brain tumor in adults, with a poor median survival of approximately 15 months after diagnosis. Despite several decades of intensive research on its cancer biology, treatment for GBM remains a challenge. Autophagy, a fundamental homeostatic mechanism, is responsible for degrading and recycling damaged or defective cellular components. It plays a paradoxical role in GBM by either promoting or suppressing tumor growth depending on the cellular context. A thorough understanding of autophagy's pleiotropic roles is needed to develop potential therapeutic strategies for GBM. In this paper, we discussed molecular mechanisms and biphasic functions of autophagy in gliomagenesis. We also provided a summary of treatments for GBM, emphasizing the importance of autophagy as a promising molecular target for treating GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don Carlo Ramos Batara
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea; (D.C.R.B.); (H.-U.S.)
| | - Moon-Chang Choi
- Department of Biomedical Science, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Korea;
| | - Hyeon-Uk Shin
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea; (D.C.R.B.); (H.-U.S.)
| | - Hyunggee Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea;
| | - Sung-Hak Kim
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea; (D.C.R.B.); (H.-U.S.)
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7
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Bcl-xL: A Focus on Melanoma Pathobiology. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052777. [PMID: 33803452 PMCID: PMC7967179 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis is the main mechanism by which multicellular organisms eliminate damaged or unwanted cells. To regulate this process, a balance between pro-survival and pro-apoptotic proteins is necessary in order to avoid impaired apoptosis, which is the cause of several pathologies, including cancer. Among the anti-apoptotic proteins, Bcl-xL exhibits a high conformational flexibility, whose regulation is strictly controlled by alternative splicing and post-transcriptional regulation mediated by transcription factors or microRNAs. It shows relevant functions in different forms of cancer, including melanoma. In melanoma, Bcl-xL contributes to both canonical roles, such as pro-survival, protection from apoptosis and induction of drug resistance, and non-canonical functions, including promotion of cell migration and invasion, and angiogenesis. Growing evidence indicates that Bcl-xL inhibition can be helpful for cancer patients, but at present, effective and safe therapies targeting Bcl-xL are lacking due to toxicity to platelets. In this review, we summarized findings describing the mechanisms of Bcl-xL regulation, and the role that Bcl-xL plays in melanoma pathobiology and response to therapy. From these findings, it emerged that even if Bcl-xL plays a crucial role in melanoma pathobiology, we need further studies aimed at evaluating the involvement of Bcl-xL and other members of the Bcl-2 family in the progression of melanoma and at identifying new non-toxic Bcl-xL inhibitors.
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8
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Mehdipour M, Mehdipour T, Skinner CM, Wong N, Liu C, Chen CC, Jeon OH, Zuo Y, Conboy MJ, Conboy IM. Plasma dilution improves cognition and attenuates neuroinflammation in old mice. GeroScience 2020; 43:1-18. [PMID: 33191466 PMCID: PMC8050203 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-020-00297-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Our recent study has established that young blood factors are not causal, nor necessary, for the systemic rejuvenation of mammalian tissues. Instead, a procedure referred to as neutral blood exchange (NBE) that resets signaling milieu to a pro-regenerative state through dilution of old plasma, enhanced the health and repair of the muscle and liver, and promoted better hippocampal neurogenesis in 2-year-old mice (Mehdipour et al., Aging 12:8790–8819, 2020). Here we expand the rejuvenative phenotypes of NBE, focusing on the brain. Namely, our results demonstrate that old mice perform much better in novel object and novel texture (whisker discrimination) tests after a single NBE, which is accompanied by reduced neuroinflammation (less-activated CD68+ microglia). Evidence against attenuation/dilution of peripheral senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) as the main mechanism behind NBE was that the senolytic ABT 263 had limited effects on neuroinflammation and did not enhance hippocampal neurogenesis in the old mice. Interestingly, peripherally acting ABT 263 and NBE both diminished SA-βGal signal in the old brain, demonstrating that peripheral senescence propagates to the brain, but NBE was more robustly rejuvenative than ABT 263, suggesting that rejuvenation was not simply by reducing senescence. Explaining the mechanism of the positive effects of NBE on the brain, our comparative proteomics analysis demonstrated that dilution of old blood plasma yields an increase in the determinants of brain maintenance and repair in mice and in people. These findings confirm the paradigm of rejuvenation through dilution of age-elevated systemic factors and extrapolate it to brain health and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melod Mehdipour
- Department of Bioengineering and QB3, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Taha Mehdipour
- Department of Bioengineering and QB3, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Colin M Skinner
- Department of Bioengineering and QB3, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nathan Wong
- Department of Bioengineering and QB3, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Bioengineering and QB3, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Chia-Chien Chen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and QB3, UCSC, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Ok Hee Jeon
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Boulevard, Novato, CA, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yi Zuo
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and QB3, UCSC, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Michael J Conboy
- Department of Bioengineering and QB3, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Irina M Conboy
- Department of Bioengineering and QB3, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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Dieffenbach M, Pastan I. Mechanisms of Resistance to Immunotoxins Containing Pseudomonas Exotoxin A in Cancer Therapy. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E979. [PMID: 32630017 PMCID: PMC7408526 DOI: 10.3390/biom10070979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotoxins are a class of targeted cancer therapeutics in which a toxin such as Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) is linked to an antibody or cytokine to direct the toxin to a target on cancer cells. While a variety of PE-based immunotoxins have been developed and a few have demonstrated promising clinical and preclinical results, cancer cells frequently have or develop resistance to these immunotoxins. This review presents our current understanding of the mechanism of action of PE-based immunotoxins and discusses cellular mechanisms of resistance that interfere with various steps of the pathway. These steps include binding of the immunotoxin to the target antigen, internalization, intracellular processing and trafficking to reach the cytosol, inhibition of protein synthesis through ADP-ribosylation of elongation factor 2 (EF2), and induction of apoptosis. Combination therapies that increase immunotoxin action and overcome specific mechanisms of resistance are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ira Pastan
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-4264, USA;
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D’Aguanno S, Del Bufalo D. Inhibition of Anti-Apoptotic Bcl-2 Proteins in Preclinical and Clinical Studies: Current Overview in Cancer. Cells 2020; 9:cells9051287. [PMID: 32455818 PMCID: PMC7291206 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The dynamic interplay between pro-death and pro-survival Bcl-2 family proteins is responsible for a cell’s fate. Due to the recognized relevance of this family in cancer progression and response to therapy, different efforts have made in recent years in order to develop small molecules able to target anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1. The limitations of the first Bcl-2 family targeted drugs, regarding on-target and off-target toxicities, have been overcome with the development of venetoclax (ABT-199), the first BH3 mimetic inhibitor approved by the FDA. The purpose of this review is to discuss the state-of-the-art in the development of drugs targeting Bcl-2 anti-apoptotic proteins and to highlight the potential of their application as single agents or in combination for improving anti-cancer therapy, focusing in particular on solid tumors.
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Hsin IL, Chou YH, Hung WL, Ko JL, Wang PH. The Application of Arsenic Trioxide in Ameliorating ABT-737 Target Therapy on Uterine Cervical Cancer Cells through Unique Pathways in Cell Death. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 12:cancers12010108. [PMID: 31906234 PMCID: PMC7016694 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
ABT-737, a B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family inhibitor, activates apoptosis in cancer cells. Arsenic trioxide is an apoptosis activator that impairs cancer cell survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a combination treatment with ABT-737 and arsenic trioxide on uterine cervical cancer cells. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-25-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay revealed that ABT-737 and arsenic trioxide induced a synergistic effect on uterine cervical cancer cells. Arsenic trioxide enhanced ABT-737-induced apoptosis and caspase-7 activation and the ABT-737-mediated reduction of anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 in Caski cells. Western blot assay revealed that arsenic trioxide promoted the ABT-737-mediated reduction of CDK6 and thymidylate synthetase in Caski cells. Arsenic trioxide promoted ABT-737-inhibited mitochondrial membrane potential and ABT-737-inhibited ANT expression in Caski cells. However, ABT-737-elicited reactive oxygen species were not enhanced by arsenic trioxide. The combined treatment induced an anti-apoptosis autophagy in SiHa cells. This study is the first to demonstrate that a combination treatment with ABT-737 and arsenic trioxide induces a synergistic effect on uterine cervical cancer cells through apoptosis. Our findings provide new insights into uterine cervical cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- I-Lun Hsin
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan (Y.-H.C.); (W.-L.H.); (J.-L.K.)
| | - Ying-Hsiang Chou
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan (Y.-H.C.); (W.-L.H.); (J.-L.K.)
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Li Hung
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan (Y.-H.C.); (W.-L.H.); (J.-L.K.)
| | - Jiunn-Liang Ko
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan (Y.-H.C.); (W.-L.H.); (J.-L.K.)
| | - Po-Hui Wang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan (Y.-H.C.); (W.-L.H.); (J.-L.K.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-4-24739595 (ext. 21721); Fax: +886-4-24738493
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12
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Zhu Y, Weldon JE. Evaluating the influence of common antibiotics on the efficacy of a recombinant immunotoxin in tissue culture. BMC Res Notes 2019; 12:293. [PMID: 31133049 PMCID: PMC6537151 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4337-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recombinant immunotoxins (RITs) are antibody-toxin fusion proteins that can selectively eliminate populations of cells expressing specific surface receptors. They are in evaluation as therapeutic agents for cancer. RITs based on Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) are in use clinically for the treatment of hairy cell leukemia, and under trial for the treatment of other cancers. In an effort to improve the efficacy of PE-based RITs, we evaluated the potential of combination therapy with several common antibiotics (tetracycline, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, linezolid, fusidic acid, and kanamycin) on human cell lines HEK293, OVCAR8, and CA46. Antibiotics were selected based on their potential to inhibit mitochondrial protein synthesis and disrupt energy metabolism in cancer cells. RESULTS Tetracycline, chloramphenicol, linezolid, and fusidic acid alone killed cultured human cells at high concentrations. At high but nontoxic concentrations of each antibiotic, only chloramphenicol treatment of the Burkitt's lymphoma cell line CA46 showed enhanced cytotoxicity when paired with an anti-transferrin receptor/PE RIT. This result, however, could not be replicated in additional Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines Ramos and Raji. Although the six antibiotics we tested are not promising candidates for RIT combination therapy, we suggest that fusidic acid could be considered independently as a potential cancer therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyi Zhu
- Department of Biological Sciences, The Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics, Towson University, Towson, MD 21252 USA
| | - John E. Weldon
- Department of Biological Sciences, The Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics, Towson University, Towson, MD 21252 USA
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Eberle J. Countering TRAIL Resistance in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11050656. [PMID: 31083589 PMCID: PMC6562618 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11050656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma of the skin has become a prime example for demonstrating the success of targeted cancer therapy. Nevertheless, high mortality has remained, mainly related to tumor heterogeneity and inducible therapy resistance. But the development of new therapeutic strategies and combinations has raised hope of finally defeating this deadly disease. TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) represents a promising antitumor strategy. The principal sensitivity of melanoma cells for TRAIL was demonstrated in previous studies; however, inducible resistance appeared as a major problem. To address this issue, combination strategies were tested, and survival pathway inhibitors were shown to sensitize melanoma cells for TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Finally, cell cycle inhibition was identified as a common principle of TRAIL sensitization in melanoma cells. Mitochondrial apoptosis pathways, pro- and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins as well as the rheostat consisted of Smac (Second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase) and XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein) appeared to be of particular importance. Furthermore, the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was recognized in this setting. Inducible TRAIL resistance in melanoma can be explained by (i) high levels of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, (ii) high levels of XIAP, and (iii) suppressed Bax activity. These hurdles have to be overcome to enable the use of TRAIL in melanoma therapy. Several strategies appear as particularly promising, including new TRAIL receptor agonists, Smac and BH3 mimetics, as well as selective kinase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Eberle
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Skin Cancer Center Charité, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin (University Medical Center Charité), 10117 Berlin, Germany.
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