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Sabour-Takanlou M, Sabour-Takanlou L, Biray-Avci C. EZH2-associated tumor malignancy: A prominent target for cancer treatment. Clin Genet 2024. [PMID: 38881299 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The discussion in this review centers around the significant relationships between EZH2 and the initiation, progression, metastasis, metabolism, drug resistance, and immune regulation of cancer. Polycomb group (PcG) proteins, which encompass two primary Polycomb repressor complexes (PRC1 and PRC2), have been categorized. PRC2 consists mainly of four subunits, namely EZH2, EED, SUZ12, and RbAp46/48. As the crucial catalytic component within the PRC2 complex, EZH2 plays a pivotal role in controlling a wide range of biological processes. Overexpression/mutations of EZH2 have been detected in a wide variety of tumors. Several mechanisms of EZH regulation have been identified, including regulation EZH2 mRNA by miRNAs, LncRNAs, accessibility to DNA via DNA-binding proteins, post-translational modifications, and transcriptional regulation. EZH2 signaling triggers cancer progression and may intervene with anti-tumor immunity; therefore it has charmed attention as an effective therapeutic target in cancer therapy. Numerouss nucleic acid-based therapies have been used in the modification of EZH2. In addition to gene therapy approaches, pharmaceutical compounds can be used to target the EZH2 signaling pathway in the treatment of cancer. EZH2-associated tumor cells and immune cells enhance the effects of the immune response in a variety of human malignancies. The combination of epigenetic modifying agents, such as anti-EZH2 compounds with immunotherapy, could potentially be efficacious even in the context of immunosuppressive tumors. Summary, understanding the mechanisms underlying resistance to EZH2 inhibitors may facilitate the development of novel drugs to prevent or treat relapse in treated patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cigir Biray-Avci
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
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Early Cell Cultures from Prostate Cancer Tissue Express Tissue Specific Epithelial and Cancer Markers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032830. [PMID: 36769153 PMCID: PMC9917781 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a widespread oncological disease that proceeds in the indolent form in most patients. However, in some cases, the indolent form can transform into aggressive metastatic incurable cancer. The most important task of PCa diagnostics is to search for early markers that can be used for predicting the transition of indolent cancer into its aggressive form. Currently, there are two effective preclinical models to study PCa pathogenesis: patients derived xenografts (PDXs) and patients derived organoids (PDOs). Both models have limitations that restrict their use in research. In this work, we investigated the ability of the primary 2D prostate cell cultures (PCCs) from PCa patients to express epithelial and cancer markers. Early PCCs were formed by epithelial cells that were progressively replaced with the fibroblast-like cells. Early PCCs contained tissue-specific stem cells that could grow in a 3D culture and form PDOs similar to those produced from the prostate tissue. Early PCCs and PDOs derived from the tissues of PCa patients expressed prostate basal and luminal epithelial markers, as well as cancer markers AMACR, TMPRSS2-ERG, and EZH2, the latter being a promising candidate to mark the transition from the indolent to aggressive PCa. We also identified various TMPRSS2-ERG fusion transcripts in PCCs and PDOs, including new chimeric variants resulting from the intra- and interchromosomal translocations. The results suggest that early PCCs derived from cancerous and normal prostate tissues sustain the phenotype of prostate cells and can be used as a preclinical model to study the pathogenesis of PCa.
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An Axis between the Long Non-Coding RNA HOXA11-AS and NQOs Enhances Metastatic Ability in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810704. [PMID: 36142607 PMCID: PMC9506332 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in human cancers. HOXA11 anti-sense RNA (HOXA11-AS) is an lncRNA belonging to the homeobox (HOX) gene cluster that promotes liver metastasis in human colon cancer. However, its role and mechanism of action in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are unclear. In this study, we investigated HOXA11-AS expression and function in human OSCC tissues and cell lines, as well as a mouse model of OSCC. Our analyses showed that HOXA11-AS expression in human OSCC cases correlates with lymph node metastasis, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) upregulation, and dihydronicotinamide riboside (NRH): quinone oxidoreductase 2 (NQO2) downregulation. Using the human OSCC cell lines HSC3 and HSC4, we demonstrate that HOXA11-AS promotes NQO1 expression by sponging microRNA-494. In contrast, HOXA11-AS recruits zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) to the NQO2 promoter to suppress its expression via the trimethylation of H3K27. The upregulation of NQO1 enzymatic activity by HOXA11-AS results in the consumption of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), which reduces FAD-requiring glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) activity and suppresses glycolysis. However, our analyses show that lactic acid fermentation levels are preserved by glutaminolysis due to increased malic enzyme-1 expression, promoting enhanced proliferation, invasion, survival, and drug resistance. In contrast, suppression of NQO2 expression reduces the consumption of NRH via NQO2 enzymatic activity and increases NAD levels, which promotes enhanced stemness and metastatic potential. In mouse tumor models, knockdown of HOXA11-AS markedly suppressed tumor growth and lung metastasis. From these findings, targeting HOXA11-AS may strongly suppress high-grade OSCC by regulating both NQO1 and NQO2.
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Selective EZH2 inhibitor zld1039 alleviates inflammation in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury partially by enhancing RKIP and suppressing NF-κB p65 pathway. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:2067-2080. [PMID: 34937916 PMCID: PMC9343430 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-021-00837-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a component of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), is a histone lysine methyltransferase mediating trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3), which is a repressive marker at the transcriptional level. EZH2 sustains normal renal function and its overexpression has bad properties. Inhibition of EZH2 overexpression exerts protective effect against acute kidney injury (AKI). A small-molecule compound zld1039 has been developed as an efficient and selective EZH2 inhibitor. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of zld1039 in the treatment of cisplatin-induced AKI in mice. Before injection of cisplatin (20 mg/kg, i.p.), mice were administered zld1039 (100, 200 mg/kg, i.g.) once, then in the following 3 days. We found that cisplatin-treated mice displayed serious AKI symptoms, evidenced by kidney dysfunction and kidney histological injury, accompanied by EZH2 upregulation in the nucleus of renal tubular epithelial cells. Administration of zld1039 dose-dependently alleviated renal dysfunction as well as the histological injury, inflammation and cell apoptosis in cisplatin-treated mice. We revealed that zld1039 administration exerted an anti-inflammatory effect in kidney of cisplatin-treated mice via H3K27me3 inhibition, raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) upregulation and NF-κB p65 repression. In the cisplatin-treated mouse renal tubular epithelial (TCMK-1) cells, silencing of RKIP with siRNA did not abolish the anti-inflammatory effect of EZH2 inhibition, suggesting that RKIP was partially involved in the anti-inflammatory effect of zld1039. Collectively, EZH2 inhibition alleviates inflammation in cisplatin-induced mouse AKI via upregulating RKIP and blocking NF-κB p65 signaling in cisplatin-induced AKI. The potent and selective EZH2 inhibitor zld1039 has the potential as a promising agent for the treatment of AKI.
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Bremer SCB, Bittner G, Elakad O, Dinter H, Gaedcke J, König AO, Amanzada A, Ellenrieder V, Freiherr von Hammerstein-Equord A, Ströbel P, Bohnenberger H. Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) Is a Marker of High-Grade Neuroendocrine Neoplasia in Gastroenteropancreatic and Pulmonary Tract and Predicts Poor Prognosis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14122828. [PMID: 35740494 PMCID: PMC9221317 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Neuroendocrine neoplasms most frequently arise in the gastroenteropancreatic and pulmonary tract and show an increasing incidence and prevalence. The prognosis and treatment depend on tumor proliferation and clinical behavior. Highly proliferating grade 3 neoplasms especially, show a wildly divergent therapy response and prognosis. In particular, it is crucial to securely separate the more indolent G3 tumors from the more aggressive carcinomas. Currently, this distinction is based on a combination of clinical, morphologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular biomarkers. However, none of these markers allow for a reliable distinction, and additional markers are needed. EZH2 has attracted increasing interest in different tumor entities. We aimed to analyze the expression of EZH2 in different neuroendocrine neoplasms and to correlate the expression with clinical parameters and survival. We demonstrate that EZH2 is nearly exclusively expressed in highly proliferative neoplasms and is a robust biomarker for identifying aggressive G3 tumors with poor prognosis. Abstract Tumor grading is a robust prognostic predictor in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) and guides therapy, especially in tumors with high proliferation. NEN can be separated into well-differentiated and poorly differentiated types. The more aggressive NEN have been further separated into neuroendocrine tumors (NET G3) with a better prognosis and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC) with a worse prognosis. Despite this distinction’s tremendous clinical and therapeutic relevance, optimal diagnostic biomarkers are still lacking. In this study, we analyzed the protein expression and prognostic impact of Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) by immunohistochemistry in 219 tissue samples of gastroenteropancreatic (GEP-NEN) and pulmonary NEN (P-NEN). EZH2 was almost exclusively expressed in NEN with a proliferation rate above 20% (G3), while all low-grade tumors were nearly negative. Among high-grade NEN, 65% showed high and 35% low expression of EZH2. In this group, the high expression of EZH2 was significantly associated with poor overall survival and NEC histology. Interestingly, EZH2 seems to act independently of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) in NEN. In conclusion, we propose EZH2 as a robust biomarker for distinguishing between NET G3 and NEC among gastroenteropancreatic and pulmonary NEN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian C. B. Bremer
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August-University, 37075 Goettingen, Germany; (A.O.K.); (A.A.); (V.E.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Gabi Bittner
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August-University, 37075 Goettingen, Germany; (G.B.); (O.E.); (H.D.); (P.S.); (H.B.)
| | - Omar Elakad
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August-University, 37075 Goettingen, Germany; (G.B.); (O.E.); (H.D.); (P.S.); (H.B.)
| | - Helen Dinter
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August-University, 37075 Goettingen, Germany; (G.B.); (O.E.); (H.D.); (P.S.); (H.B.)
| | - Jochen Gaedcke
- Clinic for General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August-University, 37075 Goettingen, Germany;
| | - Alexander O. König
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August-University, 37075 Goettingen, Germany; (A.O.K.); (A.A.); (V.E.)
| | - Ahmad Amanzada
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August-University, 37075 Goettingen, Germany; (A.O.K.); (A.A.); (V.E.)
| | - Volker Ellenrieder
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August-University, 37075 Goettingen, Germany; (A.O.K.); (A.A.); (V.E.)
| | | | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August-University, 37075 Goettingen, Germany; (G.B.); (O.E.); (H.D.); (P.S.); (H.B.)
| | - Hanibal Bohnenberger
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August-University, 37075 Goettingen, Germany; (G.B.); (O.E.); (H.D.); (P.S.); (H.B.)
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Zhang X, Ma X, Wang Q, Kong Z. EZH2 targeting to improve the sensitivity of acquired radio-resistance bladder cancer cells. Transl Oncol 2022; 16:101316. [PMID: 34952334 PMCID: PMC8695351 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the many treatments for Bladder cancer (BCa) patients, radiotherapy is an effective way to preserve the bladder. However, as the frequency of irradiation increases, the tumor cells appear "acquired radio-resistance" (ARR) and loss the sensitivity to radiotherapy. To explore the molecular mechanism of ARR, two BCa cell lines, 5637 and T24, were enrolled here and their ARR counterparts, 5637R and T24R, were obtained by exposure to γ-ray of 2 Gy for 30 times. Compared to parental cells, ARR cells have significantly enhanced stem cell-like phenotype, robust DNA damage repair capabilities and elevated expression of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). Decreasing EZH2 expression, both parental and ARR cells exhibited reduced abilities of forming microsphere and repairing DNA damage, but enhanced cells radio-sensitivity and intracellular autophagy compared to untreated cells. Down-regulation the expression of EZH2 induced an increasing of both LC3 and P62 in parental cells, while in ARR cells, only LC3 increased upon EZH2 reduction. On the other hand, UNC1999 treatment caused the increasing of LC3B and P62 in all cells, suggested that siEZH2 and UNC1999 affect ARR cells autophagy through different mechanisms. In vivo study showed that pre-treated with UNC1999 greatly enhanced T24R cells sensitivity to IR, and knocking down the expression of EZH2 significantly suppressed the tumor growth. Combined with bioinformatics data analysis, we speculate that EZH2 is an important biomolecule linking the diagnosis, radiotherapy and prognosis of BCa. EZH2 targeted therapy may be an effective way to overcome ARR of BCa, and is worthy of in-depth study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyan Zhang
- The Institute of Radiation Medicine, Fudan University, 2094 Xietu Road, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Xiangli Ma
- The Institute of Radiation Medicine, Fudan University, 2094 Xietu Road, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Quanxin Wang
- The Institute of Radiation Medicine, Fudan University, 2094 Xietu Road, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Zhaolu Kong
- The Institute of Radiation Medicine, Fudan University, 2094 Xietu Road, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.
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Inhibition of the deubiquitinating enzyme USP47 as a novel targeted therapy for hematologic malignancies expressing mutant EZH2. Leukemia 2022; 36:1048-1057. [PMID: 35034955 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01494-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Activating mutations in EZH2, the catalytic component of PRC2, promote cell proliferation, tumorigenesis, and metastasis through enzymatic or non-enzymatic activity. The EZH2-Y641 gain-of-function mutation is one of the most significant in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Although EZH2 kinase inhibitors, such as EPZ-6438, provide clinical benefit, certain cancer cells are resistant to the enzymatic inhibition of EZH2 because of the inability to functionally target mutant EZH2, or because of cells' dependence on the non-histone methyltransferase activity of EZH2. Consequently, destroying mutant EZH2 protein may be more effective in targeting EZH2 mutant cancers that are dependent on the non-catalytic activity of EZH2. Here, using extensive selectivity profiling, combined with genetic and animal model studies, we identified USP47 as a novel regulator of mutant EZH2. Inhibition of USP47 would be anticipated to block the function of mutated EZH2 through induction of EZH2 degradation by promoting its ubiquitination. Moreover, targeting of USP47 leads to death of mutant EZH2-positive cells in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, we propose targeting USP47 with a small molecule inhibitor as a novel potential therapy for DLBCL and other hematologic malignancies characterized by mutant EZH2 expression.
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Down-regulation of ADRB2 expression is associated with small cell neuroendocrine prostate cancer and adverse clinical outcomes in castration-resistant prostate cancer. Urol Oncol 2020; 38:931.e9-931.e16. [PMID: 32624423 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2020.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The net oncogenic effect of β2-adrenergic receptor ADRB2, whose downstream elements induce neuroendocrine differentiation and whose expression is regulated by EZH2, is unclear. ADRB2 expression and associated clinical outcomes in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) are unknown. METHODS AND MATERIALS This was a retrospective analysis of a multi-center, prospectively enrolled cohort of mCRPC patients. Metastatic biopsies were obtained at progression, and specimens underwent laser capture microdissection and RNA-seq. ADRB2 expression was stratified by histology and clustering based on unsupervised hierarchical transcriptome analysis and correlated with EZH2 expression; an external dataset was used for validation. The association between ADRB2 expression and overall survival (OS) was assessed by log-rank test and a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS One hundred and twenty-seven patients with progressive mCRPC had sufficient metastatic tumor for RNA-seq. ADRB2 expression was lowest in the small cell-enriched transcriptional cluster (P < 0.01) and correlated inversely with EZH2 expression (r = -0.28, P < 0.01). These findings were validated in an external cohort enriched for neuroendocrine differentiation. Patients with tumors harboring low ADRB2 expression (lowest quartile) had a shorter median OS than those with higher (9.5 vs. 20.5 months, P = 0.02). In multivariable analysis, low ADRB2 expression was associated with a trend toward shorter OS (HR for death = 1.54, 95%CI 0.98-2.44). Conversely, higher expression of upstream transcriptional regulator EZH2 was associated with shortened OS (HR for death = 3.01, 95%CI 1.12-8.09). CONCLUSIONS Low ADRB2 expression is associated with neuroendocrine differentiation and is associated with shortened survival. EZH2 is a potential therapeutic target for preventing neuroendocrine transdifferentiation and improving outcomes in mCRPC. Further studies of agents targeting β-adrenergic signaling are warranted.
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Antal DS, Ardelean F, Avram S, Pavel IZ, Danciu C, Soica C, Dehelean C. Flavonolignans: One Step Further in the Broad-Spectrum Approach of Cancer. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2020; 20:1817-1830. [PMID: 31976848 DOI: 10.2174/1871520620666200124112649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The small chemical class of flavonolignans encompasses unique hybrid molecules with versatile biological activities. Their anticancer effects have received considerable attention, and a large body of supporting evidence has accumulated. Moreover, their ability to interact with proteins involved in drug resistance, and to enhance the effects of conventional chemotherapeutics in decreasing cell viability make them influential partners in addressing cancer. OBJECTIVE The review provides an outline of the various ways in which flavonolignans advance the combat against cancer. While the main focus falls on flavonolignans from milk thistle, attention is drawn to the yet, underexplored potential of less known flavonolignan subgroups derived from isoflavonoids and aurones. METHODS Proceeding from the presentation of natural flavonolignan subtypes and their occurrence, the present work reviews these compounds with regard to their molecular targets in cancer, anti-angiogenetic effects, synergistic efficacy in conjunction with anticancer agents, reversal of drug resistance, and importance in overcoming the side effects of anticancer therapy. Recent advances in the endeavor to improve flavonolignan bioavailability in cancer are also presented. CONCLUSIONS Significant progress has been achieved in detailing the molecular mechanisms of silybin and its congeners in experimental models of cancer. The availability of novel formulations with improved bioavailability, and data from phase I clinical trials in cancer patients provide an encouraging basis for more extensive trials aimed at evaluating the benefits of Silybum flavonolignans in cancer management. On the other hand, further research on the antitumor efficacy of iso-flavonolignans and other subtypes of flavonolignans should be pursued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana S Antal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Florina Ardelean
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Stefana Avram
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ioana Z Pavel
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Corina Danciu
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Codruta Soica
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Cristina Dehelean
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
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Clinical Utility of Ghrelin-O-Acyltransferase (GOAT) Enzyme as a Diagnostic Tool and Potential Therapeutic Target in Prostate Cancer. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8122056. [PMID: 31766715 PMCID: PMC6947219 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8122056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent data suggested that plasma Ghrelin O-Acyl Transferase enzyme (GOAT) levels could represent a new diagnostic biomarker for prostate cancer (PCa). In this study, we aimed to explore the diagnostic and prognostic/aggressiveness capacity of GOAT in urine, as well as to interrogate its putative pathophysiological role in PCa. We analysed urine/plasma levels of GOAT in a cohort of 993 patients. In vitro (i.e., cell-proliferation) and in vivo (tumor-growth in a xenograft-model) approaches were performed in response to the modulation of GOAT expression/activity in PCa cells. Our results demonstrate that plasma and urine GOAT levels were significantly elevated in PCa patients compared to controls. Remarkably, GOAT significantly outperformed PSA in the diagnosis of PCa and significant PCa in patients with PSA levels ranging from 3 to 10 ng/mL (the so-called PSA grey-zone). Additionally, urine GOAT levels were associated to clinical (e.g., Gleason-score, PSA levels) and molecular (e.g., CDK2/CDK6/CDKN2A expression) aggressiveness parameters. Indeed, GOAT overexpression increased, while its silencing/blockade decreased cell-proliferation in PCa cells. Moreover, xenograft tumors derived from GOAT-overexpressing PCa (DU145) cells were significantly higher than those derived from the mock-overexpressing cells. Altogether, our results demonstrate that GOAT could be used as a diagnostic and aggressiveness marker in urine and a therapeutic target in PCa.
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Shi Y, Tao M, Wang Y, Zang X, Ma X, Qiu A, Zhuang S, Liu N. Genetic or pharmacologic blockade of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 inhibits the progression of peritoneal fibrosis. J Pathol 2019; 250:79-94. [PMID: 31579944 DOI: 10.1002/path.5352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 09/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many cancers. However, the role of EZH2 in peritoneal fibrosis remains unknown. We investigated EZH2 expression in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and assessed its role in peritoneal fibrosis in cultured human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) and murine models of peritoneal fibrosis induced by chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) or high glucose peritoneal dialysis fluid (PDF) by using 3-deazaneplanocin A (3-DZNeP), and EZH2 conditional knockout mice. An abundance of EZH2 was detected in the peritoneum of patients with PD associated peritonitis and the dialysis effluent of long-term PD patients, which was positively correlated with expression of TGF-β1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and IL-6. EZH2 was found highly expressed in the peritoneum of mice following injury by CG or PDF. In both mouse models, treatment with 3-DZNeP attenuated peritoneal fibrosis and inhibited activation of several profibrotic signaling pathways, including TGF-β1/Smad3, Notch1, epidermal growth factor receptor and Src. EZH2 inhibition also inhibited STAT3 and nuclear factor-κB phosphorylation, and reduced lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration and angiogenesis in the injured peritoneum. 3-DZNeP effectively improved high glucose PDF-associated peritoneal dysfunction by decreasing the dialysate-to-plasma ratio of blood urea nitrogen and increasing the ratio of dialysate glucose at 2 h after PDF injection to initial dialysate glucose. Moreover, delayed administration of 3-DZNeP inhibited peritoneal fibrosis progression, reversed established peritoneal fibrosis and reduced expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9. Finally, EZH2-KO mice exhibited less peritoneal fibrosis than EZH2-WT mice. In HPMCs, treatment with EZH2 siRNA or 3-DZNeP suppressed TGF-β1-induced upregulation of α-SMA and Collagen I and preserved E-cadherin. These results indicate that EZH2 is a key epigenetic regulator that promotes peritoneal fibrosis. Targeting EZH2 may have the potential to prevent and treat peritoneal fibrosis. © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingfeng Shi
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Min Tao
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Xiujuan Zang
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Ma
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Andong Qiu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Advanced Institute of Translational Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Shougang Zhuang
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China.,Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital and Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
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Li T, Wang F, Dang Y, Dong J, Zhang Y, Zhang C, Liu P, Gao Y, Wang X, Yang S, Lu S. P21 and P27 promote tumorigenesis and progression via cell cycle acceleration in seminal vesicles of TRAMP mice. Int J Biol Sci 2019; 15:2198-2210. [PMID: 31592235 PMCID: PMC6775302 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.35092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate (TRAMP) model is established to mimic human prostate cancer progression, where seminal vesicle lesions often occur and has been described as phyllodes-like epithelial-stromal tumors. However, the molecular mechanism regulating tumorigenesis and progression in seminal vesicles of TRAMP mice remains largely unknown. In this study, C57BL/6 TRAMP mice were found to have a significantly shorter lifespan than wild-type (WT) mice and all of the seminal vesicles were markedly increased in size and weight with age from 24 weeks exhibiting a clearly papillary-phyllode pattern, though no obvious difference was observed in multiple organs including heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, testicles and bone between TRAMP and WT mice, and less than 10% of TRAMP mice developed prostate tumors. Western blotting showed Cyclin (CCN) B1 and CCND1 were remarkably overexpressed in seminal vesicle tumors of TRAMP mice at 24 weeks of age and increased with age till the end of trial, which was confirmed by Immunohistochemistry (IHC). P21 and P27 were also significantly augmented, whereas P53 and phosphorylated P53 (p-P53) were constantly expressed in normal controls and P53 did not appear to be mutated. Not only cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 1 and phosphorylated forkhead box protein (FOX) O1 but also CDK4, CDK6 and phosphorylated retinoblastoma-associated protein (RB) had similar increase trends, so did epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), AKT serine/threonine kinase (AKT), and their respective phosphorylation levels. Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3, p-STAT3, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and EZH2 mediated trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) were considerably elevated, too. Taken together, this finding suggests P21 and P27 promote carcinogenesis and development in seminal vesicles of TRAMP mice via accelerating cell cycle progression, in which oncogenic transformation of P21 and P27 might be through regulation of EGFR-AKT signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tonghui Li
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Fangfang Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yanmei Dang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jiajie Dong
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Ping Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yanhong Gao
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xiaojun Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Sijun Yang
- ABSL-3 Laboratory at the Center for Animal Experiment and State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan University School of Medicine, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Shan Lu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
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13
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Wu X, Scott H, Carlsson SV, Sjoberg DD, Cerundolo L, Lilja H, Prevo R, Rieunier G, Macaulay V, Higgins GS, Verrill CL, Lamb AD, Cunliffe VT, Bountra C, Hamdy FC, Bryant RJ. Increased EZH2 expression in prostate cancer is associated with metastatic recurrence following external beam radiotherapy. Prostate 2019; 79:1079-1089. [PMID: 31104332 PMCID: PMC6563086 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Enhancer of zeste 2 (EZH2) promotes prostate cancer progression. We hypothesized that increased EZH2 expression is associated with postradiotherapy metastatic disease recurrence, and may promote radioresistance. METHODS EZH2 expression was investigated using immunohistochemistry in diagnostic prostate biopsies of 113 prostate cancer patients treated with radiotherapy with curative intent. Associations between EZH2 expression in malignant and benign tissue in prostate biopsy cores and outcomes were investigated using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. LNCaP and PC3 cell radiosensitivity was investigated using colony formation and γH2AX assays following UNC1999 chemical probe-mediated EZH2 inhibition. RESULTS While there was no significant association between EZH2 expression and biochemical recurrence following radiotherapy, univariate analysis revealed that prostate cancer cytoplasmic and total EZH2 expression were significantly associated with metastasis development postradiotherapy (P = 0.034 and P = 0.003, respectively). On multivariate analysis, the prostate cancer total EZH2 expression score remained statistically significant (P = 0.003), while cytoplasmic EZH2 expression did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.053). No association was observed between normal adjacent prostate EZH2 expression and biochemical recurrence or metastasis. LNCaP and PC3 cell treatment with UNC1999 reduced histone H3 lysine 27 tri-methylation levels. Irradiation of LNCaP or PC3 cells with a single 2 Gy fraction with UNC1999-mediated EZH2 inhibition resulted in a statistically significant, though modest, reduction in cell colony number for both cell lines. Increased γH2AX foci were observed 24 hours after ionizing irradiation in LNCaP cells, but not in PC3, following UNC1999-mediated EZH2 inhibition vs controls. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these results reveal that high pretreatment EZH2 expression in prostate cancer in diagnostic biopsies is associated with an increased risk of postradiotherapy metastatic disease recurrence, but EZH2 function may only at most play a modest role in promoting prostate cancer cell radioresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoning Wu
- Department of Oncology, CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Helen Scott
- Department of Oncology, CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Surgical SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Sigrid V. Carlsson
- Department of Epidemiology & BiostatisticsMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNew York
- Urology Service at the Department of SurgeryMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNew York
- Department of UrologyInstitute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg UniversityGothenburgSweden
| | - Daniel D. Sjoberg
- Department of Epidemiology & BiostatisticsMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNew York
| | - Lucia Cerundolo
- Nuffield Department of Surgical SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Hans Lilja
- Nuffield Department of Surgical SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Surgery (Urology), and Medicine (GU‐Oncology)Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNew York
- Department of Translational MedicineLund UniversityMalmöSweden
| | - Remko Prevo
- Department of Oncology, CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | | | | | - Geoffrey S. Higgins
- Department of Oncology, CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Clare L. Verrill
- Nuffield Department of Surgical SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research CentreUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Alastair D. Lamb
- Nuffield Department of Surgical SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Vincent T. Cunliffe
- Department of Biomedical ScienceUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
| | - Chas Bountra
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Structural Genomics ConsortiumUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Freddie C. Hamdy
- Nuffield Department of Surgical SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Richard J. Bryant
- Department of Oncology, CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation OncologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Surgical SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
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14
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Yu M, Li Y, Li M, Lu D. Eudesmin exerts antitumor effects by down-regulating EZH2 expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Chem Biol Interact 2019; 307:51-57. [PMID: 31026422 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2019.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a head and neck epithelial malignancy with high prevalence and represents a significant disease burden. Eudesmin is a natural lignin that has been reported to exhibit antitumor effect on lung cancer. However, the effect of eudesmin on NPC has not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of eudesmin in NPC and to explore the underlying mechanism. The NPC cell lines CNE-1 and HONE-1 were treated with eudesmin for 48 h. Cell viability was measured using MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry. The expression levels of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), Akt, and p-Akt were measured using Western blot analysis. We found that eudesmin inhibited cell viability and induced cell apoptosis of NPC cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Eudesmin suppressed the expression of EZH2 and blocked the activation of Akt signaling pathway. Inhibition of Akt signaling pathway caused significant decrease in EZH2 expression. Moreover, knockdown of EZH2 attenuated the effects of Akt overexpression on cell viability and apoptosis in NPC cells. In conclusion, eudesmin exhibited antitumor activity via downregulating EZH2 expression through the inhibition of Akt signaling pathway. Eudesmin could be developed as a new pharmacologic approach for NPC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450007, China.
| | - Yujie Li
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450007, China
| | - Mingyan Li
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450007, China
| | - Dayun Lu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450007, China
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15
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Das R, Feng FY, Selth LA. Long non-coding RNAs in prostate cancer: Biological and clinical implications. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 480:142-152. [PMID: 30391670 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a major health issue in the Western world. Current clinical imperatives for this disease include better stratification of indolent versus aggressive disease to enable improved patient management, as well as the identification of more effective therapies for the prevention and treatment of metastatic and therapy-resistant PCa. The advent of next-generation transcriptomics led to the identification of an important class of molecules, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). LncRNAs have critical functions in normal physiology, but their dysregulation has also been implicated in the development and progression of a variety of cancers, including PCa. Importantly, a subset of lncRNAs are highly prostate-specific, suggesting potential for utility as both biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In this review, we summarise the biology of lncRNAs and their mechanisms of action in the development and progression of prostate cancer. Additionally, we cast a critical eye over the potential for this class of molecules to impact on clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajdeep Das
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California San Francisco, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, USA.
| | - Felix Y Feng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California San Francisco, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, USA; Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco, USA
| | - Luke A Selth
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men's Health, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
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16
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Nevedomskaya E, Baumgart SJ, Haendler B. Recent Advances in Prostate Cancer Treatment and Drug Discovery. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19051359. [PMID: 29734647 PMCID: PMC5983695 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel drugs, drug sequences and combinations have improved the outcome of prostate cancer in recent years. The latest approvals include abiraterone acetate, enzalutamide and apalutamide which target androgen receptor (AR) signaling, radium-223 dichloride for reduction of bone metastases, sipuleucel-T immunotherapy and taxane-based chemotherapy. Adding abiraterone acetate to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in order to achieve complete androgen blockade has proven highly beneficial for treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer and metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Also, ADT together with docetaxel treatment showed significant benefit in mHSPC. Ongoing clinical trials for different subgroups of prostate cancer patients include the evaluation of the second-generation AR antagonists enzalutamide, apalutamide and darolutamide, of inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, of inhibitors of DNA damage response, of targeted alpha therapy and of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeting approaches. Advanced clinical studies with immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown limited benefits in prostate cancer and more trials are needed to demonstrate efficacy. The identification of improved, personalized treatments will be much supported by the major progress recently made in the molecular characterization of early- and late-stage prostate cancer using “omics” technologies. This has already led to novel classifications of prostate tumors based on gene expression profiles and mutation status, and should greatly help in the choice of novel targeted therapies best tailored to the needs of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Nevedomskaya
- Therapeutic Research Groups, Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Müllerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Simon J Baumgart
- Therapeutic Research Groups, Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Müllerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Bernard Haendler
- Therapeutic Research Groups, Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Müllerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
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17
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Antognelli C, Talesa VN. Glyoxalases in Urological Malignancies. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19020415. [PMID: 29385039 PMCID: PMC5855637 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19020415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Urological cancers include a spectrum of malignancies affecting organs of the reproductive and/or urinary systems, such as prostate, kidney, bladder, and testis. Despite improved primary prevention, detection and treatment, urological cancers are still characterized by an increasing incidence and mortality worldwide. While advances have been made towards understanding the molecular bases of these diseases, a complete understanding of the pathological mechanisms remains an unmet research goal that is essential for defining safer pharmacological therapies and prognostic factors, especially for the metastatic stage of these malignancies for which no effective therapies are currently being used. Glyoxalases, consisting of glyoxalase 1 (Glo1) and glyoxalase 2 (Glo2), are enzymes that catalyze the glutathione-dependent metabolism of cytotoxic methylglyoxal (MG), thus protecting against cellular damage and apoptosis. They are generally overexpressed in numerous cancers as a survival strategy by providing a safeguard through enhancement of MG detoxification. Increasing evidence suggests that glyoxalases, especially Glo1, play an important role in the initiation and progression of urological malignancies. In this review, we highlight the critical role of glyoxalases as regulators of tumorigenesis in the prostate through modulation of various critical signaling pathways, and provide an overview of the current knowledge on glyoxalases in bladder, kidney and testis cancers. We also discuss the promise and challenges for Glo1 inhibitors as future anti-prostate cancer (PCa) therapeutics and the potential of glyoxalases as biomarkers for PCa diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Antognelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy.
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18
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Abstract
The ARF and INK4a genes are located in the same CDKN2a locus, both showing its tumor suppressive activity. ARF has been shown to detect potentially harmful oncogenic signals, making incipient cancer cells undergo senescence or apoptosis. INK4a, on the other hand, responds to signals from aging in a variety of tissues including islets of Langerhans, neuronal cells, and cancer stem cells in general. It also detects oncogenic signals from incipient cancer cells to induce them senescent to prevent neoplastic transformation. Both of these genes are inactivated by gene deletion, promoter methylation, frame shift, and aberrant splicing although mutations changing the amino acid sequences affect only the latter. Recent studies indicated that polycomb gene products EZH2 and BMI1 repressed p16INK4a expression in primary cells, but not in cells deficient for pRB protein function. It was also reported that that p14ARF inhibits the stability of the p16INK4a protein in human cancer cell lines and mouse embryonic fibroblasts through its interaction with regenerating islet-derived protein 3γ. Overexpression of INK4a is associated with better prognosis of cancer when it is associated with human papilloma virus infection. However, it has a worse prognostic value in other tumors since it is an indicator of pRB loss. The p16INK4a tumor suppressive protein can thus be used as a biomarker to detect early stage cancer cells as well as advanced tumor cells with pRB inactivation since it is not expressed in normal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazushi Inoue
- The Department of Pathology, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27157
| | - Elizabeth A Fry
- The Department of Pathology, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27157
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