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Chen Y, Ying Y, Ma W, Ma H, Shi L, Gao X, Jia M, Li M, Song X, Kong W, Chen W, Zheng X, Muluh TA, Wang X, Wang M, Shu XS. Targeting the Epigenetic Reader ENL Inhibits Super-Enhancer-Driven Oncogenic Transcription and Synergizes with BET Inhibition to Suppress Tumor Progression. Cancer Res 2024; 84:1237-1251. [PMID: 38241700 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-1836] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic alterations at cis-regulatory elements (CRE) fine-tune transcriptional output. Epigenetic readers interact with CREs and can cooperate with other chromatin regulators to drive oncogene transcription. Here, we found that the YEATS domain-containing histone acetylation reader ENL (eleven-nineteen leukemia) acts as a key regulator of super-enhancers (SE), which are highly active distal CREs, across cancer types. ENL occupied the majority of SEs with substantially higher preference over typical enhancers, and the enrichment of ENL at SEs depended on its ability to bind acetylated histones. Rapid depletion of ENL by auxin-inducible degron tagging severely repressed the transcription of SE-controlled oncogenes, such as MYC, by inducing the decommissioning of their SEs, and restoring ENL protein expression largely reversed these effects. Additionally, ENL was indispensable for the rapid activation of SE-regulated immediate early genes in response to growth factor stimulation. Furthermore, ENL interacted with the histone chaperone FACT complex and was required for the deposition of FACT over CREs, which mediates nucleosome reorganization required for transcription initiation and elongation. Proper control of transcription by ENL and ENL-associated FACT was regulated by the histone reader BRD4. ENL was overexpressed in colorectal cancer and functionally contributed to colorectal cancer growth and metastasis. ENL degradation or inhibition synergized with BET inhibitors that target BRD4 in restraining colorectal cancer progression. These findings establish the essential role of epigenetic reader ENL in governing SE-driven oncogenic transcription and uncover the potential of ENL intervention to increase sensitivity to BET inhibition. SIGNIFICANCE ENL plays a key role in decoding epigenetic marks at highly active oncogenic super-enhancers and can be targeted in combination with BET inhibition as a promising synergistic strategy for optimizing cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongheng Chen
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
- Graduate Program of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ying Ying
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenlong Ma
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hongchao Ma
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liang Shi
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xuefeng Gao
- Integrative Microecology Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Min Jia
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Meiqi Li
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoman Song
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weixiao Kong
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiangyi Zheng
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tobias Achu Muluh
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaobin Wang
- Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Maolin Wang
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
- Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Xing-Sheng Shu
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
- Graduate Program of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
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Chen X, Wu T, Du Z, Kang W, Xu R, Meng F, Liu C, Chen Y, Bao Q, Shen J, You Q, Cao D, Jiang Z, Guo X. Discovery of a brain-permeable bromodomain and extra terminal domain (BET) inhibitor with selectivity for BD1 for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116080. [PMID: 38142510 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116080] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory autoimmune disease and lacks effective therapeutic agents. Dysregulation of transcription mediated by bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins containing two different bromodomains (BD1 and BD2) is an important factor in multiple diseases, including MS. Herein, we identified a series of BD1-biased inhibitors, in which compound 16 showed nanomolar potency for BD1 (Kd = 230 nM) and a 60-fold selectivity for BRD4 BD1 over BD2. The co-crystal structure of BRD4 BD1 with 16 indicated that the hydrogen bond interaction of 16 with BD1-specific Asp145 is important for BD1 selectivity. 16 showed favorable brain distribution in mice and PK properties in rats. 16 was able to inhibit microglia activation and had significant therapeutic effects on EAE mice including improvement of spinal cord inflammatory conditions and demyelination protection. Overall, these results suggest that brain-permeable BD1 inhibitors have the potential to be further investigated as therapeutic agents for MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuetao Chen
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Tingting Wu
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Zhiyan Du
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Wenjing Kang
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Rujun Xu
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Fanying Meng
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Chihong Liu
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yali Chen
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Qichao Bao
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Jingkang Shen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Qidong You
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Danyan Cao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Zhengyu Jiang
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Xiaoke Guo
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Wang ZQ, Zhang ZC, Wu YY, Pi YN, Lou SH, Liu TB, Lou G, Yang C. Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins: biological functions, diseases, and targeted therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:420. [PMID: 37926722 PMCID: PMC10625992 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01647-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BET proteins, which influence gene expression and contribute to the development of cancer, are epigenetic interpreters. Thus, BET inhibitors represent a novel form of epigenetic anticancer treatment. Although preliminary clinical trials have shown the anticancer potential of BET inhibitors, it appears that these drugs have limited effectiveness when used alone. Therefore, given the limited monotherapeutic activity of BET inhibitors, their use in combination with other drugs warrants attention, including the meaningful variations in pharmacodynamic activity among chosen drug combinations. In this paper, we review the function of BET proteins, the preclinical justification for BET protein targeting in cancer, recent advances in small-molecule BET inhibitors, and preliminary clinical trial findings. We elucidate BET inhibitor resistance mechanisms, shed light on the associated adverse events, investigate the potential of combining these inhibitors with diverse therapeutic agents, present a comprehensive compilation of synergistic treatments involving BET inhibitors, and provide an outlook on their future prospects as potent antitumor agents. We conclude by suggesting that combining BET inhibitors with other anticancer drugs and innovative next-generation agents holds great potential for advancing the effective targeting of BET proteins as a promising anticancer strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Qiang Wang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Zhao-Cong Zhang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Yu-Yang Wu
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ya-Nan Pi
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Sheng-Han Lou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Tian-Bo Liu
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Ge Lou
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China.
| | - Chang Yang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150086, China.
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Saeed H, Leibowitz BJ, Zhang L, Yu J. Targeting Myc-driven stress addiction in colorectal cancer. Drug Resist Updat 2023; 69:100963. [PMID: 37119690 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.100963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
MYC is a proto-oncogene that encodes a powerful regulator of transcription and cellular programs essential for normal development, as well as the growth and survival of various types of cancer cells. MYC rearrangement and amplification is a common cause of hematologic malignancies. In epithelial cancers such as colorectal cancer, genetic alterations in MYC are rare. Activation of Wnt, ERK/MAPK, and PI3K/mTOR pathways dramatically increases Myc levels through enhanced transcription, translation, and protein stability. Elevated Myc promotes stress adaptation, metabolic reprogramming, and immune evasion to drive cancer development and therapeutic resistance through broad changes in transcriptional and translational landscapes. Despite intense interest and effort, Myc remains a difficult drug target. Deregulation of Myc and its targets has profound effects that vary depending on the type of cancer and the context. Here, we summarize recent advances in the mechanistic understanding of Myc-driven oncogenesis centered around mRNA translation and proteostress. Promising strategies and agents under development to target Myc are also discussed with a focus on colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haris Saeed
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 5117 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Dept. of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 5117 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Brian J Leibowitz
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 5117 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Dept. of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 5117 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Lin Zhang
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 5117 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Dept. of Chemical Biology and Pharmacology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 5117 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Jian Yu
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 5117 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Dept. of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 5117 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Dept. of Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 5117 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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Regulation of Cell Plasticity by Bromodomain and Extraterminal Domain (BET) Proteins: A New Perspective in Glioblastoma Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065665. [PMID: 36982740 PMCID: PMC10055343 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BET proteins are a family of multifunctional epigenetic readers, mainly involved in transcriptional regulation through chromatin modelling. Transcriptome handling ability of BET proteins suggests a key role in the modulation of cell plasticity, both in fate decision and in lineage commitment during embryonic development and in pathogenic conditions, including cancerogenesis. Glioblastoma is the most aggressive form of glioma, characterized by a very poor prognosis despite the application of a multimodal therapy. Recently, new insights are emerging about the glioblastoma cellular origin, leading to the hypothesis that several putative mechanisms occur during gliomagenesis. Interestingly, epigenome dysregulation associated with loss of cellular identity and functions are emerging as crucial features of glioblastoma pathogenesis. Therefore, the emerging roles of BET protein in glioblastoma onco-biology and the compelling demand for more effective therapeutic strategies suggest that BET family members could be promising targets for translational breakthroughs in glioblastoma treatment. Primarily, “Reprogramming Therapy”, which is aimed at reverting the malignant phenotype, is now considered a promising strategy for GBM therapy.
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Chen X, Meng F, Zhang J, Zhang Z, Ye X, Zhang W, Tong Y, Ji X, Xu R, Xu XL, You QD, Jiang ZY. Discovery of 2-((2-methylbenzyl)thio)-6-oxo-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carbonitrile as a novel and effective bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitor for the treatment of sepsis. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 238:114423. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Zhuang Y, Che J, Wu M, Guo Y, Xu Y, Dong X, Yang H. Altered pathways and targeted therapy in double hit lymphoma. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:26. [PMID: 35303910 PMCID: PMC8932183 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01249-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
High-grade B-cell lymphoma with translocations involving MYC and BCL2 or BCL6, usually referred to as double hit lymphoma (DHL), is an aggressive hematological malignance with distinct genetic features and poor clinical prognosis. Current standard chemoimmunotherapy fails to confer satisfying outcomes and few targeted therapeutics are available for the treatment against DHL. Recently, the delineating of the genetic landscape in tumors has provided insight into both biology and targeted therapies. Therefore, it is essential to understand the altered signaling pathways of DHL to develop treatment strategies with better clinical benefits. Herein, we summarized the genetic alterations in the two DHL subtypes (DHL-BCL2 and DHL-BCL6). We further elucidate their implications on cellular processes, including anti-apoptosis, epigenetic regulations, B-cell receptor signaling, and immune escape. Ongoing and potential therapeutic strategies and targeted drugs steered by these alterations were reviewed accordingly. Based on these findings, we also discuss the therapeutic vulnerabilities that coincide with these genetic changes. We believe that the understanding of the DHL studies will provide insight into this disease and capacitate the finding of more effective treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Zhuang
- Department of Lymphoma, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinxin Che
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Meijuan Wu
- Department of Pathology, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Guo
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yongjin Xu
- Department of Lymphoma, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaowu Dong
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haiyan Yang
- Department of Lymphoma, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Marqués M, Sorolla MA, Urdanibia I, Parisi E, Hidalgo I, Morales S, Salud A, Sorolla A. Are Transcription Factors Plausible Oncotargets for Triple Negative Breast Cancers? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051101. [PMID: 35267409 PMCID: PMC8909618 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Triple negative breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that does not have a selective and effective therapy. It is known that this cancer possesses high abundance of certain proteins called transcription factors, which are essential for their growth. However, inhibiting transcription factors is very difficult with common therapeutics due to their inaccessibility inside the cell and their molecular structure. In this work, we identified the most important transcription factors for the growth of triple negative breast cancers, and that can predict worse clinical outcome. Moreover, we described different strategies that have been utilised to inhibit them. A successful inhibition of these transcription factors could reduce the mortality and convalescence associated with triple negative breast cancers. Abstract Breast cancer (BC) is the most diagnosed cancer worldwide and one of the main causes of cancer deaths. BC is a heterogeneous disease composed of different BC intrinsic subtypes such as triple-negative BC (TNBC), which is one of the most aggressive subtypes and which lacks a targeted therapy. Recent comprehensive analyses across cell types and cancer types have outlined a vast network of protein–protein associations between transcription factors (TFs). Not surprisingly, protein–protein networks central to oncogenesis and disease progression are highly altered during TNBC pathogenesis and are responsible for the activation of oncogenic programs, such as uncontrollable proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness. From the therapeutic viewpoint, inhibiting the interactions between TFs represents a very significant challenge, as the contact surfaces of TFs are relatively large and featureless. However, promising tools have emerged to offer a solution to the targeting problem. At the clinical level, some TF possess diagnostic and prognostic value in TNBC. In this review, we outline the recent advances in TFs relevant to TNBC growth and progression. Moreover, we highlight different targeting approaches to inhibit these TFs. Furthermore, the validity of such TFs as clinical biomarkers has been explored. Finally, we discuss how research is likely to evolve in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Marqués
- Research Group of Cancer Biomarkers, Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (M.M.); (M.A.S.); (I.U.); (E.P.); (I.H.); (S.M.); (A.S.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Lleida, Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Maria Alba Sorolla
- Research Group of Cancer Biomarkers, Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (M.M.); (M.A.S.); (I.U.); (E.P.); (I.H.); (S.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Izaskun Urdanibia
- Research Group of Cancer Biomarkers, Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (M.M.); (M.A.S.); (I.U.); (E.P.); (I.H.); (S.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Eva Parisi
- Research Group of Cancer Biomarkers, Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (M.M.); (M.A.S.); (I.U.); (E.P.); (I.H.); (S.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Iván Hidalgo
- Research Group of Cancer Biomarkers, Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (M.M.); (M.A.S.); (I.U.); (E.P.); (I.H.); (S.M.); (A.S.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Lleida, Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Serafín Morales
- Research Group of Cancer Biomarkers, Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (M.M.); (M.A.S.); (I.U.); (E.P.); (I.H.); (S.M.); (A.S.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital (HUAV), Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Antonieta Salud
- Research Group of Cancer Biomarkers, Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (M.M.); (M.A.S.); (I.U.); (E.P.); (I.H.); (S.M.); (A.S.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Lleida, Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital (HUAV), Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Anabel Sorolla
- Research Group of Cancer Biomarkers, Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (M.M.); (M.A.S.); (I.U.); (E.P.); (I.H.); (S.M.); (A.S.)
- Correspondence:
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Landry I, Sumbly V, Vest M. Advancements in the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Narrative Review of the Literature. Cureus 2022; 14:e21970. [PMID: 35282535 PMCID: PMC8905549 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.21970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are aggressive tumors that are more common in young women, African American populations, and those with hereditary mutations. These tumors are notable for their high recurrence rate and predilection for chemoresistance. The goal of this narrative review is to describe the current treatment options for patients diagnosed with TNBC and to review the studies that have put forward these recommendations. We searched PubMed and Cochrane databases for free full-text, English-language studies published within the last several years pertaining to the search items “triple negative breast cancer” and “treatment”. We included clinical trials and retrospective reviews that had clear designs and assessed their findings against a gold standard or placebo and included evidence of overall response and/or survival outcomes. Patients with early-stage (I-III) TNBC still benefit from treatment with chemotherapeutic regimens involving anthracyclines, taxanes, and antimetabolites. Platinum-based therapies have been shown to improve the overall pathologic complete response (pCR), but there is conflicting evidence with regard to their contribution to disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), even with the addition of a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor. Patients with residual disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgical intervention have shown a significant improvement in OS when treated with adjuvant capecitabine. The high mutation burden in metastatic TNBC (mTNBC) allows for targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors. mTNBCs that express programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) receptors may achieve improved response and survival if their regimen includes a monoclonal antibody. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) can deliver high doses of chemotherapy and significantly impact survival in mTNBC regardless of the level of biomarkers expressed by the tumor cells. PARP inhibitors significantly improve survival in newly diagnosed, treatment-naive mTNBC, but have shown mixed results in patients with a history of previous therapy. PARP inhibitors may also target patients with somatic breast cancer (BRCA) and partner and localizer of BRCA-2 (PALB2) mutations, which would allow for more options in this subset of patients. While other rare targets have shown mixed results, the future of treatment may lie in anti-androgen therapy or the development of cancer vaccinations that may increase the immunogenicity of the tumor environment. The management of TNBC includes treatment with multimodal chemotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and ADCs. The optimal approach depends on a multitude of factors, which include the stage of the tumor, its unique mutational burden, comorbid conditions, and the functional status of the patient. Physicians should be familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of each therapy in order to appropriately counsel and guide their patients.
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Brown LJ, Achinger-Kawecka J, Portman N, Clark S, Stirzaker C, Lim E. Epigenetic Therapies and Biomarkers in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030474. [PMID: 35158742 PMCID: PMC8833457 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Epigenetic therapies are promising agents for overcoming clinical resistance to conventional treatments in breast cancer. In the assessed trials, the use of epigenetic therapies for the management of breast cancer has not translated from the pre-clinical to clinical setting. However, novel epigenetic treatments remain promising, especially in the era of personalized medicine and improved genomic evaluation. The aim of our review was to assess the published evidence for the clinical utility of epigenetic therapies and their biomarkers in breast cancer and the potential value of epigenetic biomarkers to direct clinical management. Abstract Epigenetic therapies remain a promising, but still not widely used, approach in the management of patients with cancer. To date, the efficacy and use of epigenetic therapies has been demonstrated primarily in the management of haematological malignancies, with limited supportive data in solid malignancies. The most studied epigenetic therapies in breast cancer are those that target DNA methylation and histone modification; however, none have been approved for routine clinical use. The majority of pre-clinical and clinical studies have focused on triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and hormone-receptor positive breast cancer. Even though the use of epigenetic therapies alone in the treatment of breast cancer has not shown significant clinical benefit, these therapies show most promise in use in combinations with other treatments. With improving technologies available to study the epigenetic landscape in cancer, novel epigenetic alterations are increasingly being identified as potential biomarkers of response to conventional and epigenetic therapies. In this review, we describe epigenetic targets and potential epigenetic biomarkers in breast cancer, with a focus on clinical trials of epigenetic therapies. We describe alterations to the epigenetic landscape in breast cancer and in treatment resistance, highlighting mechanisms and potential targets for epigenetic therapies. We provide an updated review on epigenetic therapies in the pre-clinical and clinical setting in breast cancer, with a focus on potential real-world applications. Finally, we report on the potential value of epigenetic biomarkers in diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of response to therapy, to guide and inform the clinical management of breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Julia Brown
- School of Clinical Medicine, St. Vincent’s Campus, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (L.J.B.); (J.A.-K.); (N.P.); (S.C.); (C.S.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Joanna Achinger-Kawecka
- School of Clinical Medicine, St. Vincent’s Campus, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (L.J.B.); (J.A.-K.); (N.P.); (S.C.); (C.S.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Neil Portman
- School of Clinical Medicine, St. Vincent’s Campus, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (L.J.B.); (J.A.-K.); (N.P.); (S.C.); (C.S.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Susan Clark
- School of Clinical Medicine, St. Vincent’s Campus, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (L.J.B.); (J.A.-K.); (N.P.); (S.C.); (C.S.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Clare Stirzaker
- School of Clinical Medicine, St. Vincent’s Campus, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (L.J.B.); (J.A.-K.); (N.P.); (S.C.); (C.S.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Elgene Lim
- School of Clinical Medicine, St. Vincent’s Campus, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (L.J.B.); (J.A.-K.); (N.P.); (S.C.); (C.S.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
- Correspondence:
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11
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Das D, Karthik N, Taneja R. Epigenetic Small-Molecule Modulators Targeting Metabolic Pathways in Cancer. Subcell Biochem 2022; 100:523-555. [PMID: 36301505 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-07634-3_16] [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] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic deregulation is a key factor in cancer progression. Epigenetic changes and metabolic rewiring are intertwined in cancer. Deregulated epigenetic modifiers cause metabolic aberrations by targeting the expression of metabolic enzymes. Conversely, metabolites and cofactors affect the expression and activity of epigenetic regulators. Small molecules are promising therapeutic approaches to target the epigenetic-metabolomic crosstalk in cancer. Here, we focus on the interplay between metabolic rewiring and epigenetic landscape in the context of tumourigenesis and highlight recent advances in the use of small-molecule drug targets for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipanwita Das
- Department of Physiology and Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nandini Karthik
- Department of Physiology and Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Reshma Taneja
- Department of Physiology and Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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12
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Tarantelli C, Cannas E, Ekeh H, Moscatello C, Gaudio E, Cascione L, Napoli S, Rech C, Testa A, Maniaci C, Rinaldi A, Zucca E, Stathis A, Ciulli A, Bertoni F. The bromodomain and extra-terminal domain degrader MZ1 exhibits preclinical anti-tumoral activity in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the activated B cell-like type. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2021; 2:586-601. [PMID: 36046113 PMCID: PMC9400774 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2021.00065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins are epigenetic readers that play a fundamental role in transcription regulation. Preclinical and early clinical evidence sustain BET targeting as an anti-cancer approach. BET degraders are chimeric compounds comprising of a BET inhibitor, which allows the binding to BET bromodomains, linked to a small molecule, binder for an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, triggering BET proteins degradation via the proteasome. These degraders, called proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), can exhibit greater target specificity compared to BET inhibitors and overcome some of their limitations, such as the upregulation of the BET proteins themselves. Here are presented data on the anti-tumor activity and the mechanism of action of the BET degrader MZ1 in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the activated B-cell like (ABC, ABC DLBCL), using a BET inhibitor as a comparison. Methods Established lymphoma cell lines were exposed for 72 h to increasing doses of the compounds. Cell proliferation was evaluated by using an 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay. Fluorescent-Activated Cell Sorter (FACS) analysis was performed to measure apoptotic activation and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to study the transcriptional changes induced by the compounds. Results MZ1, and not its negative control epimer cisMZ1, was very active with a median half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 49 nmol/L. MZ1 was more in vitro active than the BET inhibitor birabresib (OTX015). Importantly, MZ1 induced cell death in all the ABC DLBCL cell lines, while the BET inhibitor was cytotoxic only in a fraction of them. BET degrader and inhibitor shared partially similar changes at transcriptome level but the MZ1 effect was stronger and overlapped with that caused cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) inhibition. Conclusions The BET degrader MZ1 had strong cytotoxic activity in all the ABC DLBCL cell lines that were tested, and, at least in vitro, it elicited more profound effects than BET inhibitors, and encourages further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Tarantelli
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Eleonora Cannas
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Hillarie Ekeh
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Carmelo Moscatello
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, I-66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Eugenio Gaudio
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Luciano Cascione
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1000 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sara Napoli
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Cesare Rech
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Testa
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, Scotland, UK
| | - Chiara Maniaci
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, Scotland, UK
| | - Andrea Rinaldi
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Emanuele Zucca
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Anastasios Stathis
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Alessio Ciulli
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, Scotland, UK
| | - Francesco Bertoni
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
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13
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Liao X, Qian X, Zhang Z, Tao Y, Li Z, Zhang Q, Liang H, Li X, Xie Y, Zhuo R, Chen Y, Jiang Y, Cao H, Niu J, Xue C, Ni J, Pan J, Cui D. ARV-825 Demonstrates Antitumor Activity in Gastric Cancer via MYC-Targets and G2M-Checkpoint Signaling Pathways. Front Oncol 2021; 11:753119. [PMID: 34733788 PMCID: PMC8559897 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.753119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Suppression of bromodomain and extra terminal (BET) proteins has a bright prospect to treat MYC-driven tumors. Bromodomain containing 4 (BRD4) is one of the BET proteins. ARV-825, consisting of a BRD4 inhibitor conjugated with a cereblon ligand using proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology, was proven to decrease the tumor growth effectively and continuously. Nevertheless, the efficacy and mechanisms of ARV-825 in gastric cancer are still poorly understood. Methods Cell counting kit 8 assay, lentivirus infection, Western blotting analysis, Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining, RNA sequencing, a xenograft model, and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the efficacy of ARV-825 in cell level and animal model. Results The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of BRD4 in gastric cancer raised significantly than those in normal tissues, which suggested poor outcome of patients with gastric cancer. ARV-825 displayed higher anticancer efficiency in gastric cancer cells than OTX015 and JQ1. ARV-825 could inhibit cell growth, inducing cell cycle block and apoptosis in vitro. ARV-825 induced degradation of BRD4, BRD2, BRD3, c-MYC, and polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) proteins in four gastric cancer cell lines. In addition, cleavage of caspase 3 and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) was elevated. Knockdown or overexpression CRBN could increase or decrease, respectively, the ARV-825 IC50 of gastric cancer cells. ARV-825 reduced MYC and PLK1 expression in gastric cancer cells. ARV-825 treatment significantly reduced tumor growth without toxic side effects and downregulated the expression of BRD4 in vivo. Conclusions High mRNA expression of BRD4 in gastric cancer indicated poor prognosis. ARV-825, a BRD4 inhibitor, could effectively suppress the growth and elevate the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells via transcription downregulation of c-MYC and PLK1. These results implied that ARV-825 could be a good therapeutic strategy to treat gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinmei Liao
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Centre for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoqing Qian
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Centre for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zimu Zhang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yanfang Tao
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhiheng Li
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Centre for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Liang
- Institute of Nanomedicine, National Engineering Research Centre for Nanotechnology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaolu Li
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yi Xie
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ran Zhuo
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yanling Chen
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - You Jiang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Haibo Cao
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jiaqi Niu
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Centre for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cuili Xue
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Centre for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Ni
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Centre for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Pan
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Daxiang Cui
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Centre for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Nanomedicine, National Engineering Research Centre for Nanotechnology, Shanghai, China
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14
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BET Proteins as Attractive Targets for Cancer Therapeutics. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222011102. [PMID: 34681760 PMCID: PMC8538173 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional dysregulation is a hallmark of cancer and can be an essential driver of cancer initiation and progression. Loss of transcriptional control can cause cancer cells to become dependent on certain regulators of gene expression. Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins are epigenetic readers that regulate the expression of multiple genes involved in carcinogenesis. BET inhibitors (BETis) disrupt BET protein binding to acetylated lysine residues of chromatin and suppress the transcription of various genes, including oncogenic transcription factors. Phase I and II clinical trials demonstrated BETis’ potential as anticancer drugs against solid tumours and haematological malignancies; however, their clinical success was limited as monotherapies. Emerging treatment-associated toxicities, drug resistance and a lack of predictive biomarkers limited BETis’ clinical progress. The preclinical evaluation demonstrated that BETis synergised with different classes of compounds, including DNA repair inhibitors, thus supporting further clinical development of BETis. The combination of BET and PARP inhibitors triggered synthetic lethality in cells with proficient homologous recombination. Mechanistic studies revealed that BETis targeted multiple essential homologous recombination pathway proteins, including RAD51, BRCA1 and CtIP. The exact mechanism of BETis’ anticancer action remains poorly understood; nevertheless, these agents provide a novel approach to epigenome and transcriptome anticancer therapy.
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15
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Zhang Z, Zhang Q, Xie J, Zhong Z, Deng C. Enzyme-responsive micellar JQ1 induces enhanced BET protein inhibition and immunotherapy of malignant tumors. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:6915-6926. [PMID: 34524279 DOI: 10.1039/d1bm00724f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins are attractive targets for treating various malignancies including melanoma. The inhibition of BET bromodomains, e.g. with JQ1, is found to downregulate the expression of both c-MYC oncoprotein and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), which play a crucial role in tumor growth and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, respectively. The BET bromodomain inhibitors like JQ1 though exhibiting high selectivity and affinity show usually low bioavailability and efficacy in vivo due to fast clearance and inferior uptake by tumor cells. The therapeutic effect of JQ1 might further be lowered by drug resistance. Here, enzyme-responsive micellar JQ1 (mJQ1) was fabricated from a poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-tyrosine) copolypeptide to enhance JQ1 delivery and the immunotherapy of malignant melanoma. The in vitro results showed that mJQ1 induced clearly better repression of c-MYC and PD-L1 proteins, cell cycle arrest, cell inhibition, and apoptotic activity than free JQ1 in B16F10 cancer cells. The intratumoral administration of mJQ1 at 2.5 mg of JQ1 equiv. per kg was found to show better inhibition of B16F10 tumors in C57BL/6 mice than the intraperitoneal administration of free JQ1 at 50 mg kg-1. In particular, when combined with radiotherapy, mJQ1 effectively suppressed tumor growth and brought about strong local and systemic antitumor immunity as evidenced by elevated CD8+ T cells and increased ratios of CD8+ T cells to Tregs, affording significantly improved survival of B16F10 tumor-bearing mice than their JQ1 counterparts and marked growth suppression of distant tumors. The great potency of enzyme-responsive micellar JQ1 makes it interesting for immunotherapy of various tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenqi Zhang
- Biomedical Polymers Laboratory, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, and State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Biomedical Polymers Laboratory, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, and State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
| | - Jiguo Xie
- Biomedical Polymers Laboratory, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, and State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
| | - Zhiyuan Zhong
- Biomedical Polymers Laboratory, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, and State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
| | - Chao Deng
- Biomedical Polymers Laboratory, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, and State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
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16
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Li W, Wu H, Sui S, Wang Q, Xu S, Pang D. Targeting Histone Modifications in Breast Cancer: A Precise Weapon on the Way. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:736935. [PMID: 34595180 PMCID: PMC8476812 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.736935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone modifications (HMs) contribute to maintaining genomic stability, transcription, DNA repair, and modulating chromatin in cancer cells. Furthermore, HMs are dynamic and reversible processes that involve interactions between numerous enzymes and molecular components. Aberrant HMs are strongly associated with tumorigenesis and progression of breast cancer (BC), although the specific mechanisms are not completely understood. Moreover, there is no comprehensive overview of abnormal HMs in BC, and BC therapies that target HMs are still in their infancy. Therefore, this review summarizes the existing evidence regarding HMs that are involved in BC and the potential mechanisms that are related to aberrant HMs. Moreover, this review examines the currently available agents and approved drugs that have been tested in pre-clinical and clinical studies to evaluate their effects on HMs. Finally, this review covers the barriers to the clinical application of therapies that target HMs, and possible strategies that could help overcome these barriers and accelerate the use of these therapies to cure patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Harbin Medical University Third Hospital: Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Harbin Medical University Third Hospital: Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shiyao Sui
- Harbin Medical University Third Hospital: Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Qin Wang
- Harbin Medical University Third Hospital: Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shouping Xu
- Harbin Medical University Third Hospital: Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Da Pang
- Harbin Medical University Third Hospital: Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, China
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Strachowska M, Gronkowska K, Michlewska S, Robaszkiewicz A. CBP/p300 Bromodomain Inhibitor-I-CBP112 Declines Transcription of the Key ABC Transporters and Sensitizes Cancer Cells to Chemotherapy Drugs. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184614. [PMID: 34572840 PMCID: PMC8467251 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184614] [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: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite tremendous advances in cancer treatment, chemotherapy remains the first-line choice in many tumor types. The action of numerous chemotherapy drugs is limited by the occurrence of ABC proteins in cancer cell membranes, which remove medicines from cell compartments. In this paper, we show that one of bromodomain inhibitors, namely I-CBP112, was capable of repressing genes that are responsible for multidrug resistance in all three studied cancer cell lines. CBP/p300 bromodomain inhibitor allows for the higher drug accumulation inside cells and considerably potentiated drug effects. At the molecular level, I-CBP112 caused rearrangement of chromatin at the ABC gene promoters by inducing recruitment of LSD1, which removes transcription-promoting histone marks. I-CBP112 emerges as a promising compound to overcome ABC-dependent cancer drug resistance. Abstract The high expression of some ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters is linked to multidrug resistance in cancer cells. We aimed to determine if I-CBP112, which is a CBP/p300 bromodomain inhibitor, altered the vulnerability of the MDA-MB-231 cell line to chemotherapy drugs, which are used in neoadjuvant therapy in patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). MDA-MB-231 cells represent TNBC, which is negative for the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors and HER2 protein. An I-CBP112-induced decrease in the expression of all the studied ABCs in the breast, but also in the lung (A549), and hepatic (HepG2) cancer cell lines was associated with increased accumulation of doxorubicin, daunorubicin, and methotrexate inside the cells as well as with considerable cell sensitization to a wide range of chemotherapeutics. Gene promoters repressed by I-CBP112 in MDA-MB-231 cells, such as ABCC1 and ABCC10, were characterized by enhanced nucleosome acetylation and, simultaneously, by considerably lower trimethylation in the transcription-promoting form of H3K4me3. The CBP/p300 bromodomain inhibitor induced the recruitment of LSD1 to the gene promoters. The inhibition of this demethylase in the presence of I-CBP112 prevented the repression of ABCC1 and ABCC10 and, to a considerable extent, cancer cells’ sensitization to drugs. In conclusion, the CBP/p300 bromodomain inhibitor I-CBP112 can be considered as a potent anti-multidrug-resistance agent, capable of repressing key ABC transporters responsible for drug efflux in various cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Strachowska
- Department of General Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland; (M.S.); (K.G.)
| | - Karolina Gronkowska
- Department of General Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland; (M.S.); (K.G.)
| | - Sylwia Michlewska
- Laboratory of Microscopic Imaging and Specialized Biological Techniques, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Robaszkiewicz
- Department of General Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland; (M.S.); (K.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +4-84-2635-4144
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Llinàs-Arias P, Íñiguez-Muñoz S, McCann K, Voorwerk L, Orozco JIJ, Ensenyat-Mendez M, Sesé B, DiNome ML, Marzese DM. Epigenetic Regulation of Immunotherapy Response in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4139. [PMID: 34439290 PMCID: PMC8394958 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is defined by the absence of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression. This malignancy, representing 15-20% of breast cancers, is a clinical challenge due to the lack of targeted treatments, higher intrinsic aggressiveness, and worse outcomes than other breast cancer subtypes. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising efficacy for early-stage and advanced TNBC, but this seems limited to a subgroup of patients. Understanding the underlying mechanisms that determine immunotherapy efficiency is essential to identifying which TNBC patients will respond to immunotherapy-based treatments and help to develop new therapeutic strategies. Emerging evidence supports that epigenetic alterations, including aberrant chromatin architecture conformation and the modulation of gene regulatory elements, are critical mechanisms for immune escape. These alterations are particularly interesting since they can be reverted through the inhibition of epigenetic regulators. For that reason, several recent studies suggest that the combination of epigenetic drugs and immunotherapeutic agents can boost anticancer immune responses. In this review, we focused on the contribution of epigenetics to the crosstalk between immune and cancer cells, its relevance on immunotherapy response in TNBC, and the potential benefits of combined treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pere Llinàs-Arias
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory at the Cancer Cell Biology Group, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Spain; (P.L.-A.); (S.Í.-M.); (M.E.-M.); (B.S.)
| | - Sandra Íñiguez-Muñoz
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory at the Cancer Cell Biology Group, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Spain; (P.L.-A.); (S.Í.-M.); (M.E.-M.); (B.S.)
| | - Kelly McCann
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
| | - Leonie Voorwerk
- Division of Tumor Biology & Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Javier I. J. Orozco
- Saint John’s Cancer Institute, Providence Saint John’s Health Center, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA;
| | - Miquel Ensenyat-Mendez
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory at the Cancer Cell Biology Group, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Spain; (P.L.-A.); (S.Í.-M.); (M.E.-M.); (B.S.)
| | - Borja Sesé
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory at the Cancer Cell Biology Group, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Spain; (P.L.-A.); (S.Í.-M.); (M.E.-M.); (B.S.)
| | - Maggie L. DiNome
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA;
| | - Diego M. Marzese
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory at the Cancer Cell Biology Group, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Illes Balears (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Spain; (P.L.-A.); (S.Í.-M.); (M.E.-M.); (B.S.)
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19
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Boyson SP, Gao C, Quinn K, Boyd J, Paculova H, Frietze S, Glass KC. Functional Roles of Bromodomain Proteins in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3606. [PMID: 34298819 PMCID: PMC8303718 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone acetylation is generally associated with an open chromatin configuration that facilitates many cellular processes including gene transcription, DNA repair, and DNA replication. Aberrant levels of histone lysine acetylation are associated with the development of cancer. Bromodomains represent a family of structurally well-characterized effector domains that recognize acetylated lysines in chromatin. As part of their fundamental reader activity, bromodomain-containing proteins play versatile roles in epigenetic regulation, and additional functional modules are often present in the same protein, or through the assembly of larger enzymatic complexes. Dysregulated gene expression, chromosomal translocations, and/or mutations in bromodomain-containing proteins have been correlated with poor patient outcomes in cancer. Thus, bromodomains have emerged as a highly tractable class of epigenetic targets due to their well-defined structural domains, and the increasing ease of designing or screening for molecules that modulate the reading process. Recent developments in pharmacological agents that target specific bromodomains has helped to understand the diverse mechanisms that bromodomains play with their interaction partners in a variety of chromatin processes, and provide the promise of applying bromodomain inhibitors into the clinical field of cancer treatment. In this review, we explore the expression and protein interactome profiles of bromodomain-containing proteins and discuss them in terms of functional groups. Furthermore, we highlight our current understanding of the roles of bromodomain-containing proteins in cancer, as well as emerging strategies to specifically target bromodomains, including combination therapies using bromodomain inhibitors alongside traditional therapeutic approaches designed to re-program tumorigenesis and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel P. Boyson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Colchester, VT 05446, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA;
| | - Cong Gao
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (C.G.); (J.B.); (H.P.)
| | - Kathleen Quinn
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA;
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (C.G.); (J.B.); (H.P.)
| | - Joseph Boyd
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (C.G.); (J.B.); (H.P.)
| | - Hana Paculova
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (C.G.); (J.B.); (H.P.)
| | - Seth Frietze
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (C.G.); (J.B.); (H.P.)
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Karen C. Glass
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Colchester, VT 05446, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA;
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
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20
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Kanojia D, Panek WK, Cordero A, Fares J, Xiao A, Savchuk S, Kumar K, Xiao T, Pituch KC, Miska J, Zhang P, Kam KL, Horbinski C, Balyasnikova IV, Ahmed AU, Lesniak MS. BET inhibition increases βIII-tubulin expression and sensitizes metastatic breast cancer in the brain to vinorelbine. Sci Transl Med 2021; 12:12/558/eaax2879. [PMID: 32848091 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aax2879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Metastases from primary breast cancer result in poor survival. βIII-tubulin (TUBB3) has been established as a therapeutic target for breast cancer metastases specifically to the brain. In this study, we conducted a systematic analysis to determine the regulation of TUBB3 expression in breast cancer metastases to the brain and strategically target these metastases using vinorelbine (VRB), a drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We found that human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) signaling regulates TUBB3 expression in both trastuzumab-sensitive and trastuzumab-resistant neoplastic cells. We further discovered that bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) inhibition increases TUBB3 expression, rendering neoplastic cells more susceptible to apoptosis by VRB. Orthotopic xenograft assays using two different breast cancer cell models revealed a reduction in tumor volume with BET inhibition and VRB treatment. In addition, in vivo studies using a model of multiple brain metastasis (BM) showed improved survival with the combination of radiation + BET inhibitor (iBET-762) + VRB (75% long-term survivors, P < 0.05). Using in silico analysis and BET inhibition, we found that the transcription factor myeloid zinc finger-1 (MZF-1) protein binds to the TUBB3 promoter. BET inhibition decreases MZF-1 expression and subsequently increases TUBB3 expression. Overexpression of MZF-1 decreases TUBB3 expression and reduces BM in vivo, whereas its knockdown increases TUBB3 expression in breast cancer cells. In summary, this study demonstrates a regulatory mechanism of TUBB3 and provides support for an application of BET inhibition to sensitize breast cancer metastases to VRB-mediated therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Kanojia
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Wojciech K Panek
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Alex Cordero
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jawad Fares
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Annie Xiao
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Solomiia Savchuk
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Krishan Kumar
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Ting Xiao
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Katarzyna C Pituch
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jason Miska
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Kwok-Ling Kam
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.,Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Craig Horbinski
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.,Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Irina V Balyasnikova
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Atique U Ahmed
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Maciej S Lesniak
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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21
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Quinlan RBA, Brennan PE. Chemogenomics for drug discovery: clinical molecules from open access chemical probes. RSC Chem Biol 2021; 2:759-795. [PMID: 34458810 PMCID: PMC8341094 DOI: 10.1039/d1cb00016k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years chemical probes have proved valuable tools for the validation of disease-modifying targets, facilitating investigation of target function, safety, and translation. Whilst probes and drugs often differ in their properties, there is a belief that chemical probes are useful for translational studies and can accelerate the drug discovery process by providing a starting point for small molecule drugs. This review seeks to describe clinical candidates that have been inspired by, or derived from, chemical probes, and the process behind their development. By focusing primarily on examples of probes developed by the Structural Genomics Consortium, we examine a variety of epigenetic modulators along with other classes of probe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert B A Quinlan
- Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford Old Road Campus Oxford OX3 7FZ UK
| | - Paul E Brennan
- Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford Old Road Campus Oxford OX3 7FZ UK
- Alzheimer's Research (UK) Oxford Drug Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford Oxford OX3 7FZ UK
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22
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Zhang S, Chen Y, Tian C, He Y, Tian Z, Wan Y, Liu T. Dual-target Inhibitors Based on BRD4: Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Cancer. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:1775-1795. [PMID: 32520674 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200610174453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, cancer continues being a dramatically increasing and serious threat to public health. Although many anti-tumor agents have been developed in recent years, the survival rate of patients is not satisfactory. The poor prognosis of cancer patients is closely related to the occurrence of drug resistance. Therefore, it is urgent to develop new strategies for cancer treatment. Multi-target therapies aim to have additive or synergistic effects and reduce the potential for the development of resistance by integrating different pharmacophores into a single drug molecule. Given the fact that majority of diseases are multifactorial in nature, multi-target therapies are being exploited with increasing intensity, which has brought improved outcomes in disease models and obtained several compounds that have entered clinical trials. Thus, it is potential to utilize this strategy for the treatment of BRD4 related cancers. This review focuses on the recent research advances of dual-target inhibitors based on BRD4 in the aspect of anti-tumor. METHODS We have searched the recent literatures about BRD4 inhibitors from the online resources and databases, such as pubmed, elsevier and google scholar. RESULTS In the recent years, many efforts have been taken to develop dual-target inhibitors based on BRD4 as anti-cancer agents, such as HDAC/BRD4 dual inhibitors, PLK1/BRD4 dual inhibitors and PI3K/BRD4 dual inhibitors and so on. Most compounds display good anti-tumor activities. CONCLUSION Developing new anti-cancer agents with new scaffolds and high efficiency is a big challenge for researchers. Dual-target inhibitors based on BRD4 are a class of important bioactive compounds. Making structural modifications on the active dual-target inhibitors according to the corresponding structure-activity relationships is of benefit to obtain more potent anti-cancer leads or clinical drugs. This review will be useful for further development of new dual-target inhibitors based on BRD4 as anti-cancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sitao Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271000, Shandong, China
| | - Yanzhao Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271000, Shandong, China
| | - Chengsen Tian
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu Normal University, Jinan, Shandong 250200, China
| | - Yujing He
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271000, Shandong, China
| | - Zeru Tian
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Yichao Wan
- Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Functional Molecule, Ministry of Education, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Functional Application of Fine Polymers, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan 411201, China
| | - Tingting Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271000, Shandong, China
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23
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Enhancer rewiring in tumors: an opportunity for therapeutic intervention. Oncogene 2021; 40:3475-3491. [PMID: 33934105 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01793-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Enhancers are cis-regulatory sequences that fine-tune expression of their target genes in a spatiotemporal manner. They are recognized by sequence-specific transcription factors, which in turn recruit transcriptional coactivators that facilitate transcription by promoting assembly and activation of the basal transcriptional machinery. Their functional importance is underscored by the fact that they are often the target of genetic and nongenetic events in human disease that disrupt their sequence, interactome, activation potential, and/or chromatin environment. Dysregulation of transcription and addiction to transcriptional effectors that interact with and modulate enhancer activity are common features of cancer cells and are amenable to therapeutic intervention. Here, we discuss the current knowledge on enhancer biology, the broad spectrum of mechanisms that lead to their malfunction in tumor cells, and recent progress in developing drugs that efficaciously target their dependencies.
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24
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Servidei T, Meco D, Martini M, Battaglia A, Granitto A, Buzzonetti A, Babini G, Massimi L, Tamburrini G, Scambia G, Ruggiero A, Riccardi R. The BET Inhibitor OTX015 Exhibits In Vitro and In Vivo Antitumor Activity in Pediatric Ependymoma Stem Cell Models. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041877. [PMID: 33668642 PMCID: PMC7918371 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood ependymomas are heterogenous chemoresistant neoplasms arising from aberrant stem-like cells. Epigenome deregulation plays a pivotal role in ependymoma pathogenesis, suggesting that epigenetic modifiers hold therapeutic promise against this disease. Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins are epigenome readers of acetylated signals in histones and coactivators for oncogenic and stemness-related transcriptional networks, including MYC/MYCN (Proto-Oncogene, BHLH Transcritpion Factor)-regulated genes. We explored BET inhibition as an anticancer strategy in a panel of pediatric patient-derived ependymoma stem cell models by OTX015-mediated suppression of BET/acetylated histone binding. We found that ependymoma tissues and lines express BET proteins and their targets MYC and MYCN. In vitro, OTX015 reduced cell proliferation by inducing G0/G1-phase accumulation and apoptosis at clinically tolerable doses. Mechanistically, inhibitory p21 and p27 increased in a p53-independent manner, whereas the proliferative driver, phospho-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), decreased. Upregulation of apoptosis-related proteins and survivin downregulation were correlated with cell line drug sensitivity. Minor alterations of MYC/MYCN expression were reported. In vivo, OTX015 significantly improved survival in 2/3 orthotopic ependymoma models. BET proteins represent promising targets for pharmaceutical intervention with OTX015 against ependymoma. The identification of predictive determinants of sensitivity may help identify ependymoma molecular subsets more likely to benefit from BET inhibitor therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Servidei
- UOC Pediatric Oncology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (D.M.); (A.R.); (R.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-30155165
| | - Daniela Meco
- UOC Pediatric Oncology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (D.M.); (A.R.); (R.R.)
| | - Maurizio Martini
- Department of Pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Alessandra Battaglia
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alessia Granitto
- Department of Pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Alexia Buzzonetti
- UOC Oncological Gynecology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.B.); (G.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Gabriele Babini
- UOC Oncological Gynecology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.B.); (G.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Luca Massimi
- UOC Neurochirurgia Infantile, Dipartimento di Scienze Dell’Invecchiamento, Neurologiche, Ortopediche e della Testa-Collo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli—IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy; (L.M.); (G.T.)
| | - Gianpiero Tamburrini
- UOC Neurochirurgia Infantile, Dipartimento di Scienze Dell’Invecchiamento, Neurologiche, Ortopediche e della Testa-Collo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli—IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy; (L.M.); (G.T.)
| | - Giovanni Scambia
- UOC Oncological Gynecology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.B.); (G.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Antonio Ruggiero
- UOC Pediatric Oncology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (D.M.); (A.R.); (R.R.)
| | - Riccardo Riccardi
- UOC Pediatric Oncology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (D.M.); (A.R.); (R.R.)
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25
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Buocikova V, Rios-Mondragon I, Pilalis E, Chatziioannou A, Miklikova S, Mego M, Pajuste K, Rucins M, Yamani NE, Longhin EM, Sobolev A, Freixanet M, Puntes V, Plotniece A, Dusinska M, Cimpan MR, Gabelova A, Smolkova B. Epigenetics in Breast Cancer Therapy-New Strategies and Future Nanomedicine Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3622. [PMID: 33287297 PMCID: PMC7761669 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic dysregulation has been recognized as a critical factor contributing to the development of resistance against standard chemotherapy and to breast cancer progression via epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Although the efficacy of the first-generation epigenetic drugs (epi-drugs) in solid tumor management has been disappointing, there is an increasing body of evidence showing that epigenome modulation, in synergy with other therapeutic approaches, could play an important role in cancer treatment, reversing acquired therapy resistance. However, the epigenetic therapy of solid malignancies is not straightforward. The emergence of nanotechnologies applied to medicine has brought new opportunities to advance the targeted delivery of epi-drugs while improving their stability and solubility, and minimizing off-target effects. Furthermore, the omics technologies, as powerful molecular epidemiology screening tools, enable new diagnostic and prognostic epigenetic biomarker identification, allowing for patient stratification and tailored management. In combination with new-generation epi-drugs, nanomedicine can help to overcome low therapeutic efficacy in treatment-resistant tumors. This review provides an overview of ongoing clinical trials focusing on combination therapies employing epi-drugs for breast cancer treatment and summarizes the latest nano-based targeted delivery approaches for epi-drugs. Moreover, it highlights the current limitations and obstacles associated with applying these experimental strategies in the clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verona Buocikova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia; (V.B.); (S.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Ivan Rios-Mondragon
- Department of Clinical Dentistry, University of Bergen, Aarstadveien 19, 5009 Bergen, Norway; (I.R.-M.); (M.R.C.)
| | - Eleftherios Pilalis
- e-NIOS Applications Private Company, Alexandrou Pantou 25, 17671 Kallithea, Greece; (E.P.); (A.C.)
- Center of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Aristotelis Chatziioannou
- e-NIOS Applications Private Company, Alexandrou Pantou 25, 17671 Kallithea, Greece; (E.P.); (A.C.)
- Center of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Svetlana Miklikova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia; (V.B.); (S.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Michal Mego
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, Klenova 1, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Karlis Pajuste
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles str. 21, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (K.P.); (M.R.); (A.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Martins Rucins
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles str. 21, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (K.P.); (M.R.); (A.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Naouale El Yamani
- Health Effects Laboratory, NILU-Norwegian Institute for Air Research, 2007 Kjeller, Norway; (N.E.Y.); (E.M.L.); (M.D.)
| | - Eleonora Marta Longhin
- Health Effects Laboratory, NILU-Norwegian Institute for Air Research, 2007 Kjeller, Norway; (N.E.Y.); (E.M.L.); (M.D.)
| | - Arkadij Sobolev
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles str. 21, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (K.P.); (M.R.); (A.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Muriel Freixanet
- Vall d Hebron, Institut de Recerca (VHIR), 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (M.F.); (V.P.)
| | - Victor Puntes
- Vall d Hebron, Institut de Recerca (VHIR), 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (M.F.); (V.P.)
- Institut Català de Nanosciència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aiva Plotniece
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles str. 21, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (K.P.); (M.R.); (A.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Maria Dusinska
- Health Effects Laboratory, NILU-Norwegian Institute for Air Research, 2007 Kjeller, Norway; (N.E.Y.); (E.M.L.); (M.D.)
| | - Mihaela Roxana Cimpan
- Department of Clinical Dentistry, University of Bergen, Aarstadveien 19, 5009 Bergen, Norway; (I.R.-M.); (M.R.C.)
| | - Alena Gabelova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia; (V.B.); (S.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Bozena Smolkova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia; (V.B.); (S.M.); (A.G.)
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26
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Islam R, Lam KW. Recent progress in small molecule agents for the targeted therapy of triple-negative breast cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 207:112812. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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27
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Li Z, Lim SL, Tao Y, Li X, Xie Y, Yang C, Zhang Z, Jiang Y, Zhang X, Cao X, Wang H, Qian G, Wu Y, Li M, Fang F, Liu Y, Fu M, Ding X, Zhu Z, Lv H, Lu J, Xiao S, Hu S, Pan J. PROTAC Bromodomain Inhibitor ARV-825 Displays Anti-Tumor Activity in Neuroblastoma by Repressing Expression of MYCN or c-Myc. Front Oncol 2020; 10:574525. [PMID: 33324552 PMCID: PMC7726414 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.574525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the most common solid tumors in childhood. To date, targeting MYCN, a well-established driver gene in high-risk neuroblastoma, is still challenging. In recent years, inhibition of bromodomain and extra terminal (BET) proteins shows great potential in multiple of Myc-driven tumors. ARV-825 is a novel BET inhibitor using proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology which degrades target proteins by the proteasome. In this study, we investigated the effect of ARV-825 in neuroblastoma in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that ARV-825 treatment robustly induced proliferative suppression, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in NB cells. Moreover, ARV-825 efficiently depleted BET protein expression, subsequently repressing the expression of MYCN or c-Myc. In the NB xenograft model, ARV-825 profoundly reduced tumor growth and led to the downregulation of BRD4 and MYCN expression in mice. Taken together, these findings provide evidence that PROTAC BET inhibitor is an efficient way to achieve MYCN/c-Myc manipulation, and ARV-825 can be used as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiheng Li
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Su Lin Lim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Michael's Medical Center, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Yanfang Tao
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaolu Li
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yi Xie
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chun Yang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zimu Zhang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - You Jiang
- Department of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xianbing Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Kunshan, Suzhou, China
| | - Xu Cao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hairong Wang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Guanghui Qian
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yi Wu
- Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Mei Li
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Mingcui Fu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xin Ding
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhenghong Zhu
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Haitao Lv
- Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jun Lu
- Department of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Sheng Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Shaoyan Hu
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Department of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jian Pan
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Chen NC, Borthakur G, Pemmaraju N. Bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitors in treating myeloid neoplasms. Leuk Lymphoma 2020; 62:528-537. [DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2020.1842399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Cheng Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas School of Health Sciences at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gautam Borthakur
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Naveen Pemmaraju
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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A review on kinases phosphorylating the carboxyl-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II-Biological functions and inhibitors. Bioorg Chem 2020; 104:104318. [PMID: 33142427 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) plays a major role in gene transcription for eukaryote. One of the major modes of regulation in eukaryotes is the phosphorylation of the carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA Pol II. The current study found that the phosphorylation of Ser2, Ser5, Ser7, Thr4 and Tyr1 among the heptapeptide repeats of CTD plays a key role in the transcription process. We therefore review the biological functions and inhibitors of kinases that phosphorylate these amino acid residues including transcriptional cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs), bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), Polo-like kinases 3 (Plk3) and Abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene 1 and 2 (c-Abl1/2).
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Shi Y, Liu J, Zhao Y, Cao J, Li Y, Guo F. Bromodomain-Containing Protein 4: A Druggable Target. Curr Drug Targets 2020; 20:1517-1536. [PMID: 31215391 DOI: 10.2174/1574885514666190618113519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) belongs to the bromodomain and extraterminal family. BRD4 inhibitors can regulate acetylated lysine and form protein complexes that initiate transcriptional programs as an epigenetic regulator of the histone code. BRD4 was initially considered to be one of the most promising targets for combating malignant tumors. However, many recent studies have shown that BRD4 plays a crucial role in various kinds of diseases, including cancer, coronary heart disease, neurological disorder, and obesity. Currently, several BRD4 inhibitors are undergoing clinical trials. A search for new BRD4 inhibitors appears to be of great utility for developing novel drugs. In this mini-review, we highlight the inhibitors of BRD4 from natural products and synthesized sources, as well as their applications in cancer, glucolipid metabolism, inflammation, neuronal stimulation activation, human immunodeficiency virus and renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jingwen Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jiaoxian Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yiming Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Fujiang Guo
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
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31
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Lv K, Chen W, Chen D, Mou J, Zhang H, Fan T, Li Y, Cao D, Wang X, Chen L, Shen J, Pei D, Xiong B. Rational Design and Evaluation of 6-(Pyrimidin-2-ylamino)-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2(1 H)-ones as Polypharmacological Inhibitors of BET and Kinases. J Med Chem 2020; 63:9787-9802. [PMID: 32787081 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cancer exhibits diverse heterogeneity with a complicated molecular basis that usually harbors genetic and epigenetic abnormality, which poses a big challenge for single-target agents. In the current work, we proposed a hybrid strategy by incorporating pharmacophores that bind to the acetylated lysine binding pocket of BET proteins with a typical kinase hinge binder to generate novel polypharmacological inhibitors of BET and kinases. Through elaborating the core structure of 6-(pyrimidin-2-ylamino)-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2(1H)-one, we demonstrated that this rational design can produce high potent inhibitors of CDK9 and BET proteins. In this series, compound 40 was identified as the potential lead compound with balanced activities of BRD4 (IC50 = 12.7 nM) and CDK9 (IC50 = 22.4 nM), as well as good antiproliferative activities on a small cancer cell panel. Together, the current study provided a new method for the discovery of bromodomain and kinase dual inhibitors rather than only being discovered by serendipity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaikai Lv
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Weicong Chen
- Department of Pathology, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou 221006, China
| | - Danqi Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jie Mou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou 221006, China
| | - Huijie Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tiantian Fan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yanlian Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Danyan Cao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jingkang Shen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Dongsheng Pei
- Department of Pathology, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou 221006, China
| | - Bing Xiong
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
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32
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Andrikopoulou A, Liontos M, Koutsoukos K, Dimopoulos MA, Zagouri F. The emerging role of BET inhibitors in breast cancer. Breast 2020; 53:152-163. [PMID: 32827765 PMCID: PMC7451423 DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2020.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins are epigenetic molecules that regulate the expression of multiple genes involved in carcinogenesis. Breast cancer is an heterogenous disease emerging from aberrant gene expression and epigenetic alteration patterns. Amplification or overexpression of BET proteins has been identified in breast tumors highlighting their clinical significance. Development of BET inhibitors that disrupt BET protein binding to acetylated lysine residues of chromatin and suppress transcription of various oncogenes has shown promising results in breast cancer cells and xenograft models. Currently, Phase I/II clinical trials explore safety and efficacy of BET inhibitors in solid tumors and breast cancer. Treatment-emergent toxicities have been reported, including thrombocytopenia and gastrointestinal disorders. Preliminary results demonstrated greater response rates to BET inhibitors in combination with already approved anticancer agents. Consistently, BET inhibition sensitized breast tumors to chemotherapy drugs, hormone therapy and PI3K inhibitors in vitro. This article aims to review all existing preclinical and clinical evidence regarding BET inhibitors in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angeliki Andrikopoulou
- Oncology Unit, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.
| | - Michalis Liontos
- Oncology Unit, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.
| | - Konstantinos Koutsoukos
- Oncology Unit, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.
| | - Meletios-Athanasios Dimopoulos
- Oncology Unit, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.
| | - Flora Zagouri
- Oncology Unit, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.
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33
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Verma N, Vinik Y, Saroha A, Nair NU, Ruppin E, Mills G, Karn T, Dubey V, Khera L, Raj H, Maina F, Lev S. Synthetic lethal combination targeting BET uncovered intrinsic susceptibility of TNBC to ferroptosis. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:6/34/eaba8968. [PMID: 32937365 PMCID: PMC7442484 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aba8968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Identification of targeted therapies for TNBC is an urgent medical need. Using a drug combination screen reliant on synthetic lethal interactions, we identified clinically relevant combination therapies for different TNBC subtypes. Two drug combinations targeting the BET family were further explored. The first, targeting BET and CXCR2, is specific for mesenchymal TNBC and induces apoptosis, whereas the second, targeting BET and the proteasome, is effective for major TNBC subtypes and triggers ferroptosis. Ferroptosis was induced at low drug doses and was associated with increased cellular iron and decreased glutathione levels, concomitant with reduced levels of GPX4 and key glutathione biosynthesis genes. Further functional studies, analysis of clinical datasets and breast cancer specimens revealed a unique vulnerability of TNBC to ferroptosis inducers, enrichment of ferroptosis gene signature, and differential expression of key proteins that increase labile iron and decrease glutathione levels. This study identified potent combination therapies for TNBC and unveiled ferroptosis as a promising therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandini Verma
- Molecular Cell Biology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 20892, Israel
| | - Yaron Vinik
- Molecular Cell Biology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 20892, Israel
| | - Ashish Saroha
- Molecular Cell Biology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 20892, Israel
| | - Nishanth Ulhas Nair
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Eytan Ruppin
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gordon Mills
- Knight Cancer Institute, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Thomas Karn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Goethe University, D-60323 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Vinay Dubey
- Molecular Cell Biology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 20892, Israel
| | - Lohit Khera
- Molecular Cell Biology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 20892, Israel
| | - Harsha Raj
- Molecular Cell Biology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 20892, Israel
| | - Flavio Maina
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Developmental Biology Institute of Marseille (IBDM) UMR 7288, Marseille, France
| | - Sima Lev
- Molecular Cell Biology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 20892, Israel.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Emerging evidence has shown that epigenetic derangements might drive and promote tumorigenesis in various types of malignancies and is prevalent in both B cell and T cell lymphomas. The purpose of this review is to explain how the epigenetic derangements result in a chromatin-remodeled state in lymphoma and contribute to the biology and clinical features of these tumors. RECENT FINDINGS Studies have explored on the functional role of epigenetic derangements in chromatin remodeling and lymphomagenesis. For example, the haploinsufficiency of CREBBP facilitates malignant transformation in mice and directly implicates the importance to re-establish the physiologic acetylation level. New findings identified 4 prominent DLBCL subtypes, including EZB-GC-DLBCL subtype that enriched in mutations of CREBBP, EP300, KMT2D, and SWI/SNF complex genes. EZB subtype has a worse prognosis than other GCB-tumors. Moreover, the action of the histone modifiers as well as chromatin-remodeling factors (e.g., SWI/SNF complex) cooperates to influence the chromatin state resulting in transcription repression. Drugs that alter the epigenetic landscape have been approved in T cell lymphoma. In line with this finding, epigenetic lesions in histone modifiers have recently been uncovered in this disease, further confirming the vulnerability to the therapies targeting epigenetic derangements. Modulating the chromatin state by epigenetic-modifying agents provides precision-medicine opportunities to patients with lymphomas that depend on this biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Liu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA
| | - Yulissa Gonzalez
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA
| | - Jennifer E Amengual
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA.
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Lu Y, Chan YT, Tan HY, Li S, Wang N, Feng Y. Epigenetic regulation in human cancer: the potential role of epi-drug in cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2020; 19:79. [PMID: 32340605 PMCID: PMC7184703 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-020-01197-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics is dynamic and heritable modifications to the genome that occur independently of DNA sequence. It requires interactions cohesively with various enzymes and other molecular components. Aberrant epigenetic alterations can lead to inappropriate onset of genetic expressions and promote tumorigenesis. As the epigenetic modifiers are susceptible to extrinsic factors and reversible, they are becoming promising targets in multiple cancer therapies. Recently, various epi-drugs have been developed and implicated in clinical use. The use of epi-drugs alone, or in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy, has shown compelling outcomes, including augmentation of anti-tumoral effects, overcoming drug resistance, and activation of host immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjun Lu
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 10 Sassoon Road, Pofulam, 000000, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Yau-Tuen Chan
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 10 Sassoon Road, Pofulam, 000000, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Hor-Yue Tan
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 10 Sassoon Road, Pofulam, 000000, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Sha Li
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 10 Sassoon Road, Pofulam, 000000, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Ning Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 10 Sassoon Road, Pofulam, 000000, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China.
| | - Yibin Feng
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 10 Sassoon Road, Pofulam, 000000, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China.
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36
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Role of BET Inhibitors in Triple Negative Breast Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12040784. [PMID: 32218352 PMCID: PMC7226117 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins have evolved as key multifunctional super-regulators that control gene expression. These proteins have been shown to upregulate transcriptional machinery leading to over expression of genes involved in cell proliferation and carcinogenesis. Based on favorable preclinical evidence of BET inhibitors in various cancer models; currently, 26 clinical trials are underway in various stages of study on various hematological and solid organ cancers. Unfortunately, preliminary evidence for these clinical studies does not support the application of BET inhibitors as monotherapy in cancer treatment. Furthermore, the combinatorial efficiency of BET inhibitors with other chemo-and immunotherapeutic agents remain elusive. In this review, we will provide a concise summary of the molecular basis and preliminary clinical outcomes of BET inhibitors in cancer therapy, with special focus on triple negative breast cancer.
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Camero S, Camicia L, Marampon F, Ceccarelli S, Shukla R, Mannarino O, Pizer B, Schiavetti A, Pizzuti A, Tombolini V, Marchese C, Dominici C, Megiorni F. BET inhibition therapy counteracts cancer cell survival, clonogenic potential and radioresistance mechanisms in rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Cancer Lett 2020; 479:71-88. [PMID: 32200036 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The antitumour effects of OTX015, a first-in-class BET inhibitor (BETi), were investigated as a single agent or in combination with ionizing radiation (IR) in preclinical in vitro models of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common childhood soft tissue sarcoma. Herein, we demonstrated the upregulation of BET Bromodomain gene expression in RMS tumour biopsies and cell lines compared to normal skeletal muscle. In vitro experiments showed that OTX015 significantly reduced RMS cell proliferation by altering cell cycle modulators and apoptotic related proteins due to the accumulation of DNA breaks that cells are unable to repair. Interestingly, OTX015 also impaired migration capacity and tumour-sphere architecture by downregulating pro-stemness genes and was able to potentiate ionizing radiation effects by reducing the expression of different drivers of tumour dissemination and resistance mechanisms, including the GNL3 gene, that we correlated for the first time with the RMS phenotype. In conclusion, our research sheds further light on the molecular events of OTX015 action against RMS cells and indicates this novel BETi as an effective option to improve therapeutic strategies and overcome the development of resistant cancer cells in patients with RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Camero
- Department of Maternal, Infantile, and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Lucrezia Camicia
- Department of Maternal, Infantile, and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Simona Ceccarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Rajeev Shukla
- Department of Perinatal and Paediatric Pathology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Olga Mannarino
- Department of Maternal, Infantile, and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Barry Pizer
- Department of Oncology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Eaton Road, Liverpool, L12 2AP, UK.
| | - Amalia Schiavetti
- Department of Maternal, Infantile, and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Antonio Pizzuti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Tombolini
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Cinzia Marchese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Carlo Dominici
- Department of Maternal, Infantile, and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesca Megiorni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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Wisniewski A, Georg GI. BET proteins: Investigating BRDT as a potential target for male contraception. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:126958. [PMID: 32019712 PMCID: PMC7023680 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.126958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
While many contraception options are available for women, birth control methods for men are limited to condoms and vasectomy. Past research into male contraceptives has focused on hormonal options but the associated side effects have thus far precluded this method from reaching the market. Non-hormonal male contraceptives and vas occlusion have also been explored, but to date no method has progressed past clinical testing. Recent interest in epigenetic research has unveiled a new potential non-hormonal male contraceptive target: the testis-specific bromodomain BRDT. Potent inhibitors for bromodomain-containing proteins are described in the literature, but a BRDT-specific compound has yet to be designed, prepared and tested. The high similarity between bromodomain proteins of the BET family makes development of selective and specific inhibitors both difficult and necessary. Selective inhibition of BRDT by a small molecule is an exciting new target in the search for a new non-hormonal male contraceptive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Wisniewski
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, United States
| | - Gunda I Georg
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, United States.
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Wang S, Shen D, Zhao L, Yuan X, Cheng J, Yu B, Zheng Y, Liu H. Discovery of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives as new bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) inhibitors. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2019.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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40
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Targeting BRD/BET proteins inhibits adaptive kinome upregulation and enhances the effects of BRAF/MEK inhibitors in melanoma. Br J Cancer 2020; 122:789-800. [PMID: 31932756 PMCID: PMC7078299 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-019-0724-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background BRAF-mutant melanoma patients respond to BRAF inhibitors and MEK inhibitors (BRAFi/MEKi), but drug-tolerant cells persist, which may seed disease progression. Adaptive activation of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) has been associated with melanoma cell drug tolerance following targeted therapy. While co-targeting individual RTKs can enhance the efficacy of BRAFi/MEKi effects, it remains unclear how to broadly target multiple RTKs to achieve more durable tumour growth inhibition. Methods The blockage of adaptive RTK responses by the new BET inhibitor (BETi), PLX51107, was measured by RPPA and Western blot. Melanoma growth was evaluated in vitro by colony assay and EdU staining, as well as in skin reconstructs, xenografts and PDX models following BRAFi, MEKi and/or PLX51107 treatment. Results Treatment with PLX51107 limited BRAFi/MEKi upregulation of ErbB3 and PDGFR-β expression levels. Similar effects were observed following BRD2/4 depletion. In stage III melanoma patients, expression of BRD2/4 was strongly correlated with ErbB3. PLX51107 enhanced the effects of BRAFi/MEKi on inhibiting melanoma growth in vitro, in human skin reconstructs and in xenografts in vivo. Continuous triple drug combination treatment resulted in significant weight loss in mice, but intermittent BETi combined with continuous BRAFi/MEKi treatment was tolerable and improved durable tumour inhibition outcomes. Conclusions Together, our data suggest that intermittent inhibition of BET proteins may improve the duration of responses following BRAFi/MEKi treatment in BRAF-mutant melanoma.
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41
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Wellaway CR, Amans D, Bamborough P, Barnett H, Bit RA, Brown JA, Carlson NR, Chung CW, Cooper AWJ, Craggs PD, Davis RP, Dean TW, Evans JP, Gordon L, Harada IL, Hirst DJ, Humphreys PG, Jones KL, Lewis AJ, Lindon MJ, Lugo D, Mahmood M, McCleary S, Medeiros P, Mitchell DJ, O’Sullivan M, Le Gall A, Patel VK, Patten C, Poole DL, Shah RR, Smith JE, Stafford KAJ, Thomas PJ, Vimal M, Wall ID, Watson RJ, Wellaway N, Yao G, Prinjha RK. Discovery of a Bromodomain and Extraterminal Inhibitor with a Low Predicted Human Dose through Synergistic Use of Encoded Library Technology and Fragment Screening. J Med Chem 2020; 63:714-746. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dominique Amans
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Paul Bamborough
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Heather Barnett
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Rino A. Bit
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Jack A. Brown
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Neil R. Carlson
- GSK, 200 Cambridge Park Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
| | - Chun-wa Chung
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | | | - Peter D. Craggs
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Robert P. Davis
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Tony W. Dean
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - John P. Evans
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Laurie Gordon
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | | | - David J. Hirst
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | | | | | | | | | - Dave Lugo
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Mahnoor Mahmood
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Scott McCleary
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Patricia Medeiros
- GSK, 200 Cambridge Park Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
| | | | | | - Armelle Le Gall
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | | | - Chris Patten
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Darren L. Poole
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Rishi R. Shah
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Jane E. Smith
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | | | | | - Mythily Vimal
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | - Ian D. Wall
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
| | | | | | - Gang Yao
- GSK, 200 Cambridge Park Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140, United States
| | - Rab K. Prinjha
- GSK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K
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Maggisano V, Celano M, Malivindi R, Barone I, Cosco D, Mio C, Mignogna C, Panza S, Damante G, Fresta M, Andò S, Russo D, Catalano S, Bulotta S. Nanoparticles Loaded with the BET Inhibitor JQ1 Block the Growth of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Vivo. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 12:cancers12010091. [PMID: 31905936 PMCID: PMC7016573 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of bromo-and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins, epigenetic regulators of genes involved in cell viability, has been efficiently tested in preclinical models of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the use of the selective BET-inhibitor JQ1 on humans is limited by its very short half-life. Herein, we developed, characterized and tested a novel formulation of nanoparticles containing JQ1 (N-JQ1) against TNBC in vitro and in vivo. N-JQ1, prepared using the nanoprecipitation method of preformedpoly-lactid-co-glycolic acid in an aqueous solution containing JQ1 and poloxamer-188 as a stabilizer, presented a high physico-chemical stability. Treatment of MDA-MB 157 and MDA-MB 231 TNBC cells with N-JQ1 determined a significant decrease in cell viability, adhesion and migration. Intra-peritoneal administration (5 days/week for two weeks) of N-JQ1 in nude mice hosting a xenograft TNBC after flank injection of MDA-MB-231 cells determined a great reduction in the growth and vascularity of the neoplasm. Moreover, the treatment resulted in a minimal infiltration of nearby tissues. Finally, the encapsulation of JQ1 in nanoparticles improved the anticancer efficacy of this epigenetic compound against TNBC in vitro and in vivo, opening the way to test it in the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Maggisano
- Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (V.M.); (M.C.); (D.C.); (M.F.); (S.B.)
| | - Marilena Celano
- Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (V.M.); (M.C.); (D.C.); (M.F.); (S.B.)
| | - Rocco Malivindi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (R.M.); (I.B.); (S.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Ines Barone
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (R.M.); (I.B.); (S.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Donato Cosco
- Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (V.M.); (M.C.); (D.C.); (M.F.); (S.B.)
| | - Catia Mio
- Department of Medical Area, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy; (C.M.); (G.D.)
| | - Chiara Mignogna
- Interdepartmental Service Center, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Salvatore Panza
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (R.M.); (I.B.); (S.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Giuseppe Damante
- Department of Medical Area, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy; (C.M.); (G.D.)
| | - Massimo Fresta
- Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (V.M.); (M.C.); (D.C.); (M.F.); (S.B.)
| | - Sebastiano Andò
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (R.M.); (I.B.); (S.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Diego Russo
- Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (V.M.); (M.C.); (D.C.); (M.F.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence: (D.R.); (S.C.); Tel.: +39-09613694224 (D.R.); +39-0984496207 (S.C.)
| | - Stefania Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (R.M.); (I.B.); (S.P.); (S.A.)
- Correspondence: (D.R.); (S.C.); Tel.: +39-09613694224 (D.R.); +39-0984496207 (S.C.)
| | - Stefania Bulotta
- Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (V.M.); (M.C.); (D.C.); (M.F.); (S.B.)
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Timme N, Han Y, Liu S, Yosief HO, García HD, Bei Y, Klironomos F, MacArthur IC, Szymansky A, von Stebut J, Bardinet V, Dohna C, Künkele A, Rolff J, Hundsdörfer P, Lissat A, Seifert G, Eggert A, Schulte JH, Zhang W, Henssen AG. Small-Molecule Dual PLK1 and BRD4 Inhibitors are Active Against Preclinical Models of Pediatric Solid Tumors. Transl Oncol 2019; 13:221-232. [PMID: 31869746 PMCID: PMC6931204 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2019.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Simultaneous inhibition of multiple molecular targets is an established strategy to improve the continuance of clinical response to therapy. Here, we screened 49 molecules with dual nanomolar inhibitory activity against BRD4 and PLK1, best classified as dual kinase-bromodomain inhibitors, in pediatric tumor cell lines for their antitumor activity. We identified two candidate dual kinase-bromodomain inhibitors with strong and tumor-specific activity against neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma tumor cells. Dual PLK1 and BRD4 inhibitor treatment suppressed proliferation and induced apoptosis in pediatric tumor cell lines at low nanomolar concentrations. This was associated with reduced MYCN-driven gene expression as assessed by RNA sequencing. Treatment of patient-derived xenografts with dual inhibitor UMB103 led to significant tumor regression. We demonstrate that concurrent inhibition of two central regulators of MYC protein family of protooncogenes, BRD4, and PLK1, with single small molecules has strong and specific antitumor effects in preclinical pediatric cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Timme
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the Charité and the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Youjia Han
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the Charité and the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Shuai Liu
- Department of Chemistry, UMass Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Heathcliff Dorado García
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the Charité and the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yi Bei
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the Charité and the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Filippos Klironomos
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ian C MacArthur
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the Charité and the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annabell Szymansky
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
| | - Jennifer von Stebut
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the Charité and the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Victor Bardinet
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the Charité and the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Constantin Dohna
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annette Künkele
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jana Rolff
- Experimental Pharmacology and Oncology Berlin-Buch GmbH (EPO), Berlin, Germany
| | - Patrick Hundsdörfer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany; Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch, Germany
| | - Andrej Lissat
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Georg Seifert
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Angelika Eggert
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes H Schulte
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, UMass Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anton G Henssen
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the Charité and the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany; Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.
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Tian Y, Wang X, Zhao S, Liao X, Younis MR, Wang S, Zhang C, Lu G. JQ1-Loaded Polydopamine Nanoplatform Inhibits c-MYC/Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 to Enhance Photothermal Therapy for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:46626-46636. [PMID: 31751121 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b18730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) blockade has achieved great success in cancer immunotherapy; however, the response of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) to PD-L1 antibodies is limited. To address this challenge, we use the bromodomain and extra-terminal inhibitor JQ1 to down-regulate the expression of PD-L1 and thus elicit the immune response to TNBC instead of using antibodies to block PD-L1. JQ1 also inhibits the growth of TNBC as a targeted therapeutic agent by inhibiting the BRD4-c-MYC axis. The polydopamine nanoparticles (PDMNs) are introduced as a biodegradable and adaptable platform to load JQ1 and induce photothermal therapy (PTT) as another synergistic therapeutic modality. Because the JQ1-loaded PDMNs (PDMN-JQ1) are self-degradable and release JQ1 continuously, this synergistic treatment can lead to remarkable activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and induce a strong immune-memory effect to protect mice from tumor re-challenge. Taken together, our study demonstrates a compact and simple nanoplatform for triple therapy, including targeted therapy, PTT, and immunotherapy, for TNBC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Muhammad Rizwan Younis
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Nanjing University , Nanjing 210093 , Jiangsu , P.R. China
| | - Shouju Wang
- Department of Radiology , First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing 210029 , Jiangsu , P.R. China
| | | | - Guangming Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Nanjing University , Nanjing 210093 , Jiangsu , P.R. China
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45
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Sermer D, Pasqualucci L, Wendel HG, Melnick A, Younes A. Emerging epigenetic-modulating therapies in lymphoma. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2019; 16:494-507. [PMID: 30837715 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-019-0190-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Despite considerable advances in the treatment of lymphoma, the prognosis of patients with relapsed and/or refractory disease continues to be poor; thus, a continued need exists for the development of novel approaches and therapies. Epigenetic dysregulation might drive and/or promote tumorigenesis in various types of malignancies and is prevalent in both B cell and T cell lymphomas. Over the past decade, a large number of epigenetic-modifying agents have been developed and introduced into the clinical management of patients with haematological malignancies. In this Review, we provide a concise overview of the most promising epigenetic therapies for the treatment of lymphomas, including inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACs), DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2), bromodomain and extra-terminal domain proteins (BETs), protein arginine N-methyltransferases (PRMTs) and isocitrate dehydrogenases (IDHs), and highlight the most promising future directions of research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Sermer
- Department of Medicine, Lymphoma Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura Pasqualucci
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hans-Guido Wendel
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ari Melnick
- Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anas Younes
- Department of Medicine, Lymphoma Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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46
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Morel D, Jeffery D, Aspeslagh S, Almouzni G, Postel-Vinay S. Combining epigenetic drugs with other therapies for solid tumours - past lessons and future promise. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2019; 17:91-107. [PMID: 31570827 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-019-0267-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic dysregulation has long been recognized as a key factor contributing to tumorigenesis and tumour maintenance that can influence all of the recognized hallmarks of cancer. Despite regulatory approvals for the treatment of certain haematological malignancies, the efficacy of the first generation of epigenetic drugs (epi-drugs) in patients with solid tumours has been disappointing; however, successes have now been achieved in selected solid tumour subtypes, thanks to the development of novel compounds and a better understanding of cancer biology that have enabled precision medicine approaches. Several lines of evidence support that, beyond their potential as monotherapies, epigenetic drugs could have important roles in synergy with other anticancer therapies or in reversing acquired therapy resistance. Herein, we review the mechanisms by which epi-drugs can modulate the sensitivity of cancer cells to other forms of anticancer therapy, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, molecularly targeted therapy and immunotherapy. We provide a critical appraisal of the preclinical rationale, completed clinical studies and ongoing clinical trials relating to combination therapies incorporating epi-drugs. Finally, we propose and discuss rational clinical trial designs and drug development strategies, considering key factors including patient selection, tumour biomarker evaluation, drug scheduling and response assessment and study end points, with the aim of optimizing the development of such combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphné Morel
- ATIP-Avenir Group, UMR981, INSERM (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Daniel Jeffery
- Nuclear Dynamics Unit - UMR3664, National Centre for Scientific Research, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | | | - Geneviève Almouzni
- Nuclear Dynamics Unit - UMR3664, National Centre for Scientific Research, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
| | - Sophie Postel-Vinay
- ATIP-Avenir Group, UMR981, INSERM (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France. .,Drug Development Department (DITEP), Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Paris-Saclay University, Villejuif, France.
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47
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Civenni G, Bosotti R, Timpanaro A, Vàzquez R, Merulla J, Pandit S, Rossi S, Albino D, Allegrini S, Mitra A, Mapelli SN, Vierling L, Giurdanella M, Marchetti M, Paganoni A, Rinaldi A, Losa M, Mira-Catò E, D'Antuono R, Morone D, Rezai K, D'Ambrosio G, Ouafik L, Mackenzie S, Riveiro ME, Cvitkovic E, Carbone GM, Catapano CV. Epigenetic Control of Mitochondrial Fission Enables Self-Renewal of Stem-like Tumor Cells in Human Prostate Cancer. Cell Metab 2019; 30:303-318.e6. [PMID: 31130467 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to disease progression and treatment failure in human cancers. The balance among self-renewal, differentiation, and senescence determines the expansion or progressive exhaustion of CSCs. Targeting these processes might lead to novel anticancer therapies. Here, we uncover a novel link between BRD4, mitochondrial dynamics, and self-renewal of prostate CSCs. Targeting BRD4 by genetic knockdown or chemical inhibitors blocked mitochondrial fission and caused CSC exhaustion and loss of tumorigenic capability. Depletion of CSCs occurred in multiple prostate cancer models, indicating a common vulnerability and dependency on mitochondrial dynamics. These effects depended on rewiring of the BRD4-driven transcription and repression of mitochondrial fission factor (Mff). Knockdown of Mff reproduced the effects of BRD4 inhibition, whereas ectopic Mff expression rescued prostate CSCs from exhaustion. This novel concept of targeting mitochondrial plasticity in CSCs through BRD4 inhibition provides a new paradigm for developing more effective treatment strategies for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Civenni
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Roberto Bosotti
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Timpanaro
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Ramiro Vàzquez
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Jessica Merulla
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Shusil Pandit
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Simona Rossi
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Domenico Albino
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Sara Allegrini
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Abhishek Mitra
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Sarah N Mapelli
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland; Institute of Computational Science, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Lugano 6900, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Luca Vierling
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Martina Giurdanella
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Martina Marchetti
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Alyssa Paganoni
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Rinaldi
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Marco Losa
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Enrica Mira-Catò
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Rocco D'Antuono
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Diego Morone
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Keyvan Rezai
- Institute Curie-Hospital René Huguenin, Saint Cloud 92210, France
| | | | | | - Sarah Mackenzie
- Oncology Therapeutic Development (OTD), Clichy 92110, France
| | - Maria E Riveiro
- Oncology Therapeutic Development (OTD), Clichy 92110, France
| | - Esteban Cvitkovic
- Oncology Therapeutic Development (OTD), Clichy 92110, France; Oncoethix GmbH, Merck Sharp and Dohme Corp., Lucerne 6006, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppina M Carbone
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Carlo V Catapano
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland; Department of Oncology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1005, Switzerland.
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48
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Dilworth D, Barsyte-Lovejoy D. Targeting protein methylation: from chemical tools to precision medicines. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:2967-2985. [PMID: 31104094 PMCID: PMC11105543 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03147-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The methylation of proteins is integral to the execution of many important biological functions, including cell signalling and transcriptional regulation. Protein methyltransferases (PMTs) are a large class of enzymes that carry out the addition of methyl marks to a broad range of substrates. PMTs are critical for normal cellular physiology and their dysregulation is frequently observed in human disease. As such, PMTs have emerged as promising therapeutic targets with several inhibitors now in clinical trials for oncology indications. The discovery of chemical inhibitors and antagonists of protein methylation signalling has also profoundly impacted our general understanding of PMT biology and pharmacology. In this review, we present general principles for drugging protein methyltransferases or their downstream effectors containing methyl-binding modules, as well as best-in-class examples of the compounds discovered and their impact both at the bench and in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Dilworth
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Dalia Barsyte-Lovejoy
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada.
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49
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Astorgues-Xerri L, Vázquez R, Odore E, Rezai K, Kahatt C, Mackenzie S, Bekradda M, Coudé MM, Dombret H, Gardin C, Lokiec F, Raymond E, Noel K, Cvitkovic E, Herait P, Bertoni F, Riveiro ME. Insights into the cellular pharmacological properties of the BET-inhibitor OTX015/MK-8628 (birabresib), alone and in combination, in leukemia models. Leuk Lymphoma 2019; 60:3067-3070. [DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2019.1617860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ramiro Vázquez
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Elodie Odore
- RadioPharmacology Department, Curie Institute–Rene Huguenin Hospital, Saint Cloud, France
| | - Keyvan Rezai
- RadioPharmacology Department, Curie Institute–Rene Huguenin Hospital, Saint Cloud, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Herve Dombret
- Laboratoire de Transfert des Leucémies, Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Claude Gardin
- Laboratoire de Transfert des Leucémies, Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Francois Lokiec
- RadioPharmacology Department, Curie Institute–Rene Huguenin Hospital, Saint Cloud, France
| | - Eric Raymond
- Medical Oncology Department, CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kay Noel
- Oncoethix SA, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Francesco Bertoni
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
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Chen CH, Yang N, Zhang Y, Ding J, Zhang W, Liu R, Liu W, Chen C. Inhibition of super enhancer downregulates the expression of KLF5 in basal-like breast cancers. Int J Biol Sci 2019; 15:1733-1742. [PMID: 31360115 PMCID: PMC6643226 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.35138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor KLF5 (Krüpple-like factor 5) is highly expressed in basal-like breast cancer (BLBC), which promotes cell proliferation, survival, migration and stemness, serving as a potential therapeutic target. In the current study, a super-enhancer (SE) was identified to be located downstream of the KLF5 gene in BLBC cell lines, HCC1806 and HCC1937. JQ-1, a BRD4 inhibitor, inhibits the expression and activity of KLF5 in both HCC1806 and HCC1937 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Compound 870, an in-house BRD4 inhibitor, exhibited higher potency than JQ-1 to inhibit KLF5 and BLBC growth by arresting cells in G1 phase. Additionally, THZ1, a CDK7 inhibitor, also inhibits KLF5 and BLBC growth in a similar manner. Our findings suggested that KLF5 is regulated by SE, and modulation of SE could be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating BLBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan-Huizi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China.,School of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Nong Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Lung Cancer and Gastrointestinal Unit, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Yongchang Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Lung Cancer and Gastrointestinal Unit, Hunan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Jiancheng Ding
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Wenjuan Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Rong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China
| | - Wen Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Ceshi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China.,Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China, 510095
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