Targeting tachykinin receptors in neuroblastoma

Snake and arthropod venoms: Search for inflammatory activity in human cells involved in joint diseases

Most anti-inflammatory drugs currently adopted to treat chronic inflammatory joint diseases can alleviate symptoms but they do not lead to remission. Therefore, new and more efficient drugs are needed to block the course of joint inflammatory diseases. Animal venoms, rich in bioactive compounds, can contribute as valuable tools in this field of research. In this study, we first demonstrate the direct action of venoms on cells that constitute the articular joints. We established a platform consisting of cell-based assays to evaluate the release of cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-10) by human chondrocytes, synoviocytes and THP1 macrophages, as well as the release of neuropeptides (substance-P and β-endorphin) by differentiated sensory neuron-like cells, 24 h after stimulation of cells with 21 animal venoms from snake and arthropod species, sourced from different taxonomic families and geographic origins. Results demonstrated that at non-cytotoxic concentrations, the venoms activate at varying degrees the secretion of inflammatory mediators involved in the pathology of articular diseases, such as IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α by chondrocytes, synoviocytes, and macrophages and of substance P by neuron-like cells. Venoms of the Viperidae snake family were more inflammatory than those of the Elapidae family, while venoms of Arthropods were less inflammatory than snake venoms. Notably, some venoms also induced the release of the anti-inflammatory IL-10 by macrophages. However, the scorpion Buthus occitanus venom induced the release of IL-10 without increasing the release of inflammatory cytokines by macrophages. Since the cell types used in the experiments are crucial elements in joint inflammatory processes, the results of this work may guide future research on the activation of receptors and inflammatory signaling pathways by selected venoms in these particular cells, aiming at discovering new targets for therapeutic intervention.

Biological evaluation of carbohydrate-based aprepitant analogs for neuroblastoma treatment

Different studies using Aprepitant, a NK1R antagonist currently used as a clinical drug for treating chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting, have demonstrated that pharmacological inhibition of NK1R effectively reduces the growth of several tumor types such as neuroblastoma (NB). In a previous work, we demonstrated that a series of carbohydrate-based Aprepitant analogs, derived from either d-galactose or l-arabinose, have shown high affinity and NK1R antagonistic activity with a broad-spectrum anticancer activity and an important selectivity. In this new study, we explore the selective cytotoxic effects of these derivatives for the treatment of NB. Furthermore, we describe the design and stereoselective synthesis of a new generation of d-glucose derivatives as Aprepitant analogs, supported by docking studies. This approach showed that most of our carbohydrate-based analogs are significantly more selective than Aprepitant. The galactosyl derivative 2α, has demonstrated a marked in vitro selective cytotoxic activity against NB, with IC50 values in the same range as those of Aprepitant and its prodrug Fosaprepitant. Interestingly, the derivative 2α has shown similar apoptotic effect to that of Aprepitant. Moreover, we can select the glucosyl amino derivative 10α as an interesting hit exhibiting higher in vitro cytotoxic activity against NB than Aprepitant, being 1.2 times more selective.

The Repurposing of Non-Peptide Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists as Antitumor Drugs: An Urgent Challenge for Aprepitant

The substance P (SP)/neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) system is involved in cancer progression. NK-1R, activated by SP, promotes tumor cell proliferation and migration, angiogenesis, the Warburg effect, and the prevention of apoptosis. Tumor cells overexpress NK-1R, which influences their viability. A typical specific anticancer strategy using NK-1R antagonists, irrespective of the tumor type, is possible because these antagonists block all the effects mentioned above mediated by SP on cancer cells. This review will update the information regarding using NK-1R antagonists, particularly Aprepitant, as an anticancer drug. Aprepitant shows a broad-spectrum anticancer effect against many tumor types. Aprepitant alone or in combination therapy with radiotherapy or chemotherapy could reduce the sequelae and increase the cure rate and quality of life of patients with cancer. Current data open the door to new cancer research aimed at antitumor therapeutic strategies using Aprepitant. To achieve this goal, reprofiling the antiemetic Aprepitant as an anticancer drug is urgently needed.

The OSR9 Regimen: A New Augmentation Strategy for Osteosarcoma Treatment Using Nine Older Drugs from General Medicine to Inhibit Growth Drive

As things stand in 2023, metastatic osteosarcoma commonly results in death. There has been little treatment progress in recent decades. To redress the poor prognosis of metastatic osteosarcoma, the present regimen, OSR9, uses nine already marketed drugs as adjuncts to current treatments. The nine drugs in OSR9 are: (1) the antinausea drug aprepitant, (2) the analgesic drug celecoxib, (3) the anti-malaria drug chloroquine, (4) the antibiotic dapsone, (5) the alcoholism treatment drug disulfiram, (6) the antifungal drug itraconazole, (7) the diabetes treatment drug linagliptin, (8) the hypertension drug propranolol, and (9) the psychiatric drug quetiapine. Although none are traditionally used to treat cancer, all nine have attributes that have been shown to inhibit growth-promoting physiological systems active in osteosarcoma. In their general medicinal uses, all nine drugs in OSR9 have low side-effect risks. The current paper reviews the collected data supporting the role of OSR9.

The structural conformation of the tachykinin domain drives the anti-tumoral activity of an octopus peptide in melanoma BRAFV600E

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Over the past decades, targeted therapies and immunotherapy have vastly improved survival and reduced the morbidity of patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma. However, drug resistance and relapse hinder overall success. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel compounds with therapeutic efficacy against BRAF- melanoma. This prompted us to investigate the antiproliferative profile of a tachykinin-peptide from the Octopus kaurna, Octpep-1 in melanoma.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

We evaluated the cytotoxicity of Octpep-1 by MTT assay. Mechanistic insights on viability and cellular damage caused by Octpep-1 were gained via flow cytometry and bioenergetics. Structural and pharmacological characterization was conducted by molecular modelling, molecular biology, CRISPR/Cas9 technology, high-throughput mRNA and calcium flux analysis. In-vivo efficacy was validated in two independent xerograph animal models (mice and zebrafish).

KEY RESULTS

Octpep-1 selectively reduced the proliferative capacity of human melanoma BRAF^V600E -mutated cells with minimal effects on fibroblasts. In melanoma-treated cells, Octpep-1 increased ROS with unaltered mitochondrial membrane potential and promoted non-mitochondrial and mitochondrial respiration with inefficient ATP coupling. Despite similarities with tachykinin peptides, knock-out or pharmacological blockade of tachykinin receptors suggested that Octpep-1 acts via a tachykinin-independent mechanism. Molecular modelling revealed that the cytotoxicity of Octpep-1 depends upon the α-helix and polyproline conformation in the C-terminal region of the peptide. Indeed, a truncated form of the C-terminal end of Octpep-1 displayed enhanced potency and efficacy against melanoma. Octpep-1 reduced the progression of tumors in xenograft melanoma mice and zebrafish, confirming its therapeutic potential in human BRAF-mutated melanoma.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

We unravel the intrinsic anti-tumoral properties of a tachykinin peptide, possessing a pharmacology independent of tachykinin-receptors. This peptide mediates the selective cytotoxicity in BRAF-mutated melanoma in-vitro and prevents tumor progression in-vivo, providing the foundation for a potential therapy against melanoma.

Neurokinin-1 Receptor (NK-1R) Antagonists as a New Strategy to Overcome Cancer Resistance

Nowadays, the identification of new therapeutic targets that allow for the development of treatments, which as monotherapy, or in combination with other existing treatments can contribute to improve response rates, prognosis and survival of oncologic patients, is a priority to optimize healthcare within sustainable health systems. Recent studies have demonstrated the role of Substance P (SP) and its preferred receptor, Neurokinin 1 Receptor (NK-1R), in human cancer and the potential antitumor activity of NK-1R antagonists as an anticancer treatment. In this review, we outline the relevant studies published to date regarding the SP/NK-1R complex as a key player in human cancer and also evaluate if the repurposing of already marketed NK-1R antagonists may be useful in the development of new treatment strategies to overcome cancer resistance.

Human Sensory Neuron-like Cells and Glycated Collagen Matrix as a Model for the Screening of Analgesic Compounds

Increased collagen-derived advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are consistently related to painful diseases, including osteoarthritis, diabetic neuropathy, and neurodegenerative disorders. We have recently developed a model combining a two-dimensional glycated extracellular matrix (ECM-GC) and primary dorsal root ganglion (DRG) that mimicked a pro-nociceptive microenvironment. However, culturing primary cells is still a challenge for large-scale screening studies. Here, we characterized a new model using ECM-GC as a stimulus for human sensory-like neurons differentiated from SH-SY5Y cell lines to screen for analgesic compounds. First, we confirmed that the differentiation process induces the expression of neuron markers (MAP2, RBFOX3 (NeuN), and TUBB3 (β-III tubulin), as well as sensory neuron markers critical for pain sensation (TRPV1, SCN9A (Nav1.7), SCN10A (Nav1.8), and SCN11A (Nav1.9). Next, we showed that ECM-GC increased c-Fos expression in human sensory-like neurons, which is suggestive of neuronal activation. In addition, ECM-GC upregulated the expression of critical genes involved in pain, including SCN9A and TACR1. Of interest, ECM-GC induced substance P release, a neuropeptide widely involved in neuroinflammation and pain. Finally, morphine, the prototype opiate, decreased ECM-GC-induced substance P release. Together, our results suggest that we established a functional model that can be useful as a platform for screening candidates for the management of painful conditions.

The Neurokinin-1 Receptor Is a Target in Pediatric Rhabdoid Tumors

Rhabdoid tumors (RT) are among the most aggressive tumors in early childhood. Overall survival remains poor, and treatment only effectively occurs at the cost of high toxicity and late adverse effects. It has been reported that the neurokinin-1 receptor/ substance P complex plays an important role in cancer and proved to be a promising target. However, its role in RT has not yet been described. This study aims to determine whether the neurokinin-1 receptor is expressed in RT and whether neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) antagonists can serve as a novel therapeutic approach in treating RTs. By in silico analysis using the cBio Cancer Genomics Portal we found that RTs highly express neurokinin-1 receptor. We confirmed these results by RT-PCR in both tumor cell lines and in human tissue samples of various affected organs. We demonstrated a growth inhibitory and apoptotic effect of aprepitant in viability assays and flow cytometry. Furthermore, this effect proved to remain when used in combination with the cytostatic cisplatin. Western blot analysis showed an upregulation of apoptotic signaling pathways in rhabdoid tumors when treated with aprepitant. Overall, our findings suggest that NK1R may be a promising target for the treatment of RT in combination with other anti-cancer therapies and can be targeted with the NK1R antagonist aprepitant.

The Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonist Aprepitant: An Intelligent Bullet against Cancer?

Neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) antagonists exert antitumor action, are safe and do not cause serious side-effects. These antagonists (via the NK-1R) exert multiple actions against cancer: antiproliferative and anti-Warburg effects and apoptotic, anti-angiogenic and antimetastatic effects. These multiple effects have been shown for a broad spectrum of cancers. The drug aprepitant (an NK-1R antagonist) is currently used in clinical practice as an antiemetic. In in vivo and in vitro studies, aprepitant also showed the aforementioned multiple antitumor actions against many types of cancer. A successful combination therapy (aprepitant and radiotherapy) has recently been reported in a patient suffering from lung carcinoma: the tumor mass disappeared and side-effects were not observed. Aprepitant could be considered as an intelligent bullet against cancer. The administration of aprepitant in cancer patients to prevent recurrence and metastasis after surgical procedures, thrombosis and thromboembolism is discussed, as is the possible link, through the substance P (SP)/NK-1R system, between cancer and depression. Our main aim is to review the multiple antitumor actions exerted by aprepitant, and the use of this drug is suggested in cancer patients. Altogether, the data support the reprofiling of aprepitant for a new therapeutic use as an antitumor agent.

Developing preclinical models of neuroblastoma: driving therapeutic testing

Despite advances in cancer therapeutics, particularly in the area of immuno-oncology, successful treatment of neuroblastoma (NB) remains a challenge. NB is the most common cancer in infants under 1 year of age, and accounts for approximately 10% of all pediatric cancers. Currently, children with high-risk NB exhibit a survival rate of 40–50%. The heterogeneous nature of NB makes development of effective therapeutic strategies challenging. Many preclinical models attempt to mimic the tumor phenotype and tumor microenvironment. In vivo mouse models, in the form of genetic, syngeneic, and xenograft mice, are advantageous as they replicated the complex tumor-stroma interactions and represent the gold standard for preclinical therapeutic testing. Traditional in vitro models, while high throughput, exhibit many limitations. The emergence of new tissue engineered models has the potential to bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo models for therapeutic testing. Therapeutics continue to evolve from traditional cytotoxic chemotherapies to biologically targeted therapies. These therapeutics act on both the tumor cells and other cells within the tumor microenvironment, making development of preclinical models that accurately reflect tumor heterogeneity more important than ever. In this review, we will discuss current in vitro and in vivo preclinical testing models, and their potential applications to therapeutic development.

Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists as Anticancer Drugs

Background::

Human tumor cells lines and tumor samples overexpress the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R). Substance P (SP), after binding to NK-1Rs, induces tumor cell proliferation, an antiapoptotic effect and promotes angiogenesis and the migration of cancer cells for invasion and metastasis.

Methods: :

In contrast, NK-1R antagonists block the previous pathophysiological actions mediated by SP. These antagonists promote the death of tumor cells by apoptosis. Peptide and non-peptide NK-1R antagonists have been reported.

Results: :

Peptide NK-1R antagonists show chemical modifications of the SP molecule (L-amino acids being replaced by D-amino acids), whereas non-peptide NK-1R antagonists include numerous compounds with different chemical compositions while showing similar stereochemical features (affinity for the NK- 1R). Currently, there are more than 300 NK-1R antagonists.

Conclusion::

In combination therapy with classic cytostatics, NK-1R antagonists have additive or synergic effects and minimize the side-effects of cytostatics. The effect of NK-1R antagonists as broad-spectrum anticancer drugs is reviewed and the use of these antagonists for the treatment of cancer is suggested.

The emerging role of substance P/neurokinin-1 receptor signaling pathways in growth and development of tumor cells

Tachykinins (TKs) include an evolutionarily conserved group of small bio-active peptides which possess a common carboxyl-terminal sequence, Phe-X-Gly-Leu-Met-NH2. TKs also have been shown to have implications in different steps of carcinogenesis, such as angiogenesis, mitogenesis, metastasis, and other growth-related events. The biological actions of substance P (SP), as the most important member of the TK family, are mainly mediated through a G protein-coupled receptor named neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R). More recently, it has become clear that SP/NK1R system is involved in the initiation and activation of signaling pathways involved in cancer development and progression. Therefore, SP may contribute to triggering a variety of effector mechanisms including protein synthesis and a number of transcription factors that modulate the expression of genes involved in these processes. The overwhelming insights into the blockage of NK1R using specific antagonists could suggest a therapeutic approach in cancer therapy. In this review, we focus on evidence supporting an association between the signaling pathways of the SP/NK1R system and cancer cell proliferation and development.

State of the art in immunotherapy of neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a common and deadly malignancy mostly observed in children. Evolution of therapeutic options for NB led to the addition of immunotherapeutic modalities to the previously recruited chemotherapeutic options. Molecular studies of the NB cells resulted in the discovery of many tumor-associated genes and antigens such as MYCN gene and GD2. MYCN gene and GD2 surface antigen are two of the most practical discoveries regarding immunotherapy of neuroblastoma. The GD2 antigen has been targeted in many animal and human studies including Phase III clinical trials. Even though these antigens have changed the face of pediatric neuroblastoma, they do not take as much credit in immunotherapy of adult-onset neuroblastoma. Monoclonal antibodies have been designed to detect this antigen on the surface of NB tumor cells. Despite bettering the outcomes for NB patients, current therapies still fail in many cases. Studies are underway to discover more specific tumor-associated antigens and more effective treatment options. In the current narrative, immunotherapy of NB - from emerging of this therapeutic backbone in NB to the latest discoveries regarding this malignancy - has been reviewed.

LncRNA RMRP silence curbs neonatal neuroblastoma progression by regulating microRNA-206/tachykinin-1 receptor axis via inactivating extracellular signal-regulated kinases

BACKGROUND

Neuroblastoma is the commonest malignancy in neonates. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) RNA component of mitochondrial RNA processing endoribonuclease (RMRP) has been reported to be an oncogenic factor in some malignancies. However, its roles and molecular mechanisms in neuroblastoma progression are poor defined.

METHODS

The expression of RMRP, microRNA-206 (miR-206), and tachykinin-1 receptor (TACR1) mRNA was measured by RT-qPCR assay. Protein levels of TACR1, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) and ERK1/2 were detected by western blot assay. Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 and colony formation assays. Cell migratory and invasive capacities were determined using Transwell migration and invasion assays. The interaction between miR-206 and RMRP or TACR1 was verified by luciferase assay. The roles and molecular mechanisms of RMRP knockdown on the growth of neuroblastoma xenografts were examined in vivo.

RESULTS

RMRP was highly expressed in neuroblastoma tissues. RMRP knockdown inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion in neuroblastoma cells. Moreover, TACR1 was a target of miR-206 and RMRP performed as a molecular sponge of miR-206 to sequester miR-206 from TACR1 in neuroblastoma cells. TACR1 overexpression abrogated the inhibitory effect of RMRP downregulation on neuroblastoma cell progression by activating ERK1/2 pathway. Inhibition of TACR1 and ERK1/2 pathway abated RMRP-mediated pro-proliferation effect in neuroblastoma cells. RMRP knockdown hindered neuroblastoma xenograft growth by regulating miR-206/TACR1 axis via inactivating ERK1/2 pathway in vivo.

CONCLUSION

RMRP knockdown hindered the tumorigenesis and progression of neuroblastoma by regulating miR-206/TACR1 axis via inactivating ERK1/2 pathway, hinting a potential therapeutic target for neuroblastoma.

Lymph microvascularization as a prognostic indicator in neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is the most common extra-cranial solid pediatric cancer and causes approximately 15% of all childhood deaths from cancer. Although lymphatic vasculature is a prerequisite for the maintenance of tissue fluid balance and immunity in the body, little is known about the relationship between lymphatic vascularization and prognosis in neuroblastoma. We used our previously-published custom-designed tool to close open-outline vessels and measure the density, size and shape of all lymphatic vessels and microvascular segments in 332 primary neuroblastoma contained in tissue microarrays. The results were correlated with clinical and biological features of known prognostic value and with risk of progression to establish histological lymphatic vascular patterns associated with unfavorable histology. A high proportion of irregular intermediate lymphatic capillaries and irregular small collector vessels were present in tumors from patients with metastatic stage, undifferentiating neuroblasts and/or classified in the high risk. In addition, a higher lymphatic microvascularization density was found to be predictive of overall survival. Our findings show the crucial role of lymphatic vascularization in metastatic development and maintenance of tumor tissue homeostasis. These patterns may therefore help to indicate more accurate pre-treatment risk stratification and could provide candidate targets for novel therapies.