1
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Pedace L, Pizzi S, Abballe L, Vinci M, Antonacci C, Patrizi S, Nardini C, Del Bufalo F, Rossi S, Pericoli G, Gianno F, Besharat ZM, Tiberi L, Mastronuzzi A, Ferretti E, Tartaglia M, Locatelli F, Ciolfi A, Miele E. Evaluating cell culture reliability in pediatric brain tumor primary cells through DNA methylation profiling. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:92. [PMID: 38637626 PMCID: PMC11026496 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00578-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
In vitro models of pediatric brain tumors (pBT) are instrumental for better understanding the mechanisms contributing to oncogenesis and testing new therapies; thus, ideally, they should recapitulate the original tumor. We applied DNA methylation (DNAm) and copy number variation (CNV) profiling to characterize 241 pBT samples, including 155 tumors and 86 pBT-derived cell cultures, considering serum vs serum-free conditions, late vs early passages, and dimensionality (2D vs 3D cultures). We performed a t-SNE classification and identified differentially methylated regions in tumors compared to cell models. Early cell cultures recapitulate the original tumor, but serum media and 2D culturing were demonstrated to significantly contribute to the divergence of DNAm profiles from the parental ones. All divergent cells clustered together acquiring a common deregulated epigenetic signature suggesting a shared selective pressure. We identified a set of hypomethylated genes shared among unfaithful cells converging on response to growth factors and migration pathways, such as signaling cascade activation, tissue organization, and cellular migration. In conclusion, DNAm and CNV are informative tools that should be used to assess the recapitulation of pBT-cells from parental tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Pedace
- Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Pizzi
- Molecular Genetics and Functional Genomics, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Luana Abballe
- Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Vinci
- Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Celeste Antonacci
- Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Patrizi
- Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Nardini
- Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Del Bufalo
- Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabrina Rossi
- Pathology Unit, Department of Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Pericoli
- Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gianno
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomic Pathology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Luca Tiberi
- Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Brain Disorders and Cancer, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Ferretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Molecular Genetics and Functional Genomics, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Ciolfi
- Molecular Genetics and Functional Genomics, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy.
| | - Evelina Miele
- Onco-Hematology, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapies and Hemopoietic Transplant, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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2
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Fiorentino F, Fabbrizi E, Raucci A, Noce B, Fioravanti R, Valente S, Paolini C, De Maria R, Steinkühler C, Gallinari P, Rotili D, Mai A. Uracil- and Pyridine-Containing HDAC Inhibitors Displayed Cytotoxicity in Colorectal and Glioblastoma Cancer Stem Cells. ChemMedChem 2024:e202300655. [PMID: 38529661 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a niche of highly tumorigenic cells featuring self-renewal, activation of pluripotency genes, multidrug resistance, and ability to cause cancer relapse. Seven HDACi (1-7), showing either hydroxamate or 2'-aminoanilide function, were tested in colorectal cancer (CRC) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) CSCs to determine their effects on cell proliferation, H3 acetylation levels and in-cell HDAC activity. Two uracil-based hydroxamates, 5 and 6, which differ in substitution at C5 and C6 positions of the pyrimidine ring, exhibited the greatest cytotoxicity in GBM (5) and CRC (6) CSCs, followed by the pyridine-hydroxamate 2, with 2- to 6-fold higher potency than the positive control SAHA. Finally, increased H3 acetylation as well as HDAC inhibition directly in cells by selected 2'-aminoanilide 4 and hydroxamate 5 confirmed target engagement. Further investigation will be conducted into the broad-spectrum anticancer properties of the most potent derivatives and their effects in combination with approved, conventional anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Fiorentino
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo, Moro n. 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Fabbrizi
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo, Moro n. 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Raucci
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo, Moro n. 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Noce
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo, Moro n. 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Fioravanti
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo, Moro n. 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Valente
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo, Moro n. 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Chantal Paolini
- IRBM S.p.A., Via Pontina km 30.600, 00071, Pomezia, Rome, Italy
| | - Ruggero De Maria
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Christian Steinkühler
- Research and Development, Italfarmaco Group, Via dei Lavoratori 54, 20092, Cinisello Balsamo, Italy
| | - Paola Gallinari
- Exiris S.r.l., Tecnopolo Castel, Romano, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Dante Rotili
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo, Moro n. 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo, Moro n. 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
- Pasteur Institute, Cenci-Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, P. de Aldo Moro n. 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
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3
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Yildiz CB, Kundu T, Gehrmann J, Koesling J, Ravaei A, Wolff P, Kraft F, Maié T, Jakovcevski M, Pensold D, Zimmermann O, Rossetti G, Costa IG, Zimmer-Bensch G. EphrinA5 regulates cell motility by modulating Snhg15/DNA triplex-dependent targeting of DNMT1 to the Ncam1 promoter. Epigenetics Chromatin 2023; 16:42. [PMID: 37880732 PMCID: PMC10601256 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-023-00516-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-cell communication is mediated by membrane receptors and their ligands, such as the Eph/ephrin system, orchestrating cell migration during development and in diverse cancer types. Epigenetic mechanisms are key for integrating external "signals", e.g., from neighboring cells, into the transcriptome in health and disease. Previously, we reported ephrinA5 to trigger transcriptional changes of lncRNAs and protein-coding genes in cerebellar granule cells, a cell model for medulloblastoma. LncRNAs represent important adaptors for epigenetic writers through which they regulate gene expression. Here, we investigate a lncRNA-mediated targeting of DNMT1 to specific gene loci by the combined power of in silico modeling of RNA/DNA interactions and wet lab approaches, in the context of the clinically relevant use case of ephrinA5-dependent regulation of cellular motility of cerebellar granule cells. We provide evidence that Snhg15, a cancer-related lncRNA, recruits DNMT1 to the Ncam1 promoter through RNA/DNA triplex structure formation and the interaction with DNMT1. This mediates DNA methylation-dependent silencing of Ncam1, being abolished by ephrinA5 stimulation-triggered reduction of Snhg15 expression. Hence, we here propose a triple helix recognition mechanism, underlying cell motility regulation via lncRNA-targeted DNA methylation in a clinically relevant context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Bora Yildiz
- Institute of Zoology (Biology 2), Division of Neuroepigenetics, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 3, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Research Training Group 2416 Multi Senses - Multi Scales, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tathagata Kundu
- Jülich Supercomputing Centre, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Julia Gehrmann
- Institute for Computational Genomics, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jannis Koesling
- Institute of Zoology (Biology 2), Division of Neuroepigenetics, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 3, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Amin Ravaei
- Institute of Zoology (Biology 2), Division of Neuroepigenetics, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 3, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, Section of Medical Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Philip Wolff
- Institute of Zoology (Biology 2), Division of Neuroepigenetics, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 3, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Florian Kraft
- Institute for Human Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tiago Maié
- Institute for Computational Genomics, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Mira Jakovcevski
- Institute of Zoology (Biology 2), Division of Neuroepigenetics, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 3, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Daniel Pensold
- Institute of Zoology (Biology 2), Division of Neuroepigenetics, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 3, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Olav Zimmermann
- Jülich Supercomputing Centre, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Giulia Rossetti
- Jülich Supercomputing Centre, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-9)/Institute of Advanced Simulations (IAS-5), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Ivan G Costa
- Institute for Computational Genomics, RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Geraldine Zimmer-Bensch
- Institute of Zoology (Biology 2), Division of Neuroepigenetics, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 3, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
- Research Training Group 2416 Multi Senses - Multi Scales, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
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4
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Freire NH, Jaeger MDC, de Farias CB, Nör C, Souza BK, Gregianin L, Brunetto AT, Roesler R. Targeting the epigenome of cancer stem cells in pediatric nervous system tumors. Mol Cell Biochem 2023; 478:2241-2255. [PMID: 36637615 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-022-04655-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma, neuroblastoma, and pediatric glioma account for almost 30% of all cases of pediatric cancers. Recent evidence indicates that pediatric nervous system tumors originate from stem or progenitor cells and present a subpopulation of cells with highly tumorigenic and stem cell-like features. These cancer stem cells play a role in initiation, progression, and resistance to treatment of pediatric nervous system tumors. Histone modification, DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, and microRNA regulation display a range of regulatory activities involved in cancer origin and progression, and cellular identity, especially those associated with stem cell features, such as self-renewal and pluripotent differentiation potential. Here, we review the contribution of different epigenetic mechanisms in pediatric nervous system tumor cancer stem cells. The choice between a differentiated and undifferentiated state can be modulated by alterations in the epigenome through the regulation of stemness genes such as CD133, SOX2, and BMI1 and the activation neuronal of differentiation markers, RBFOX3, GFAP, and S100B. Additionally, we highlighted the stage of development of epigenetic drugs and the clinical benefits and efficacy of epigenetic modulators in pediatric nervous system tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Hogetop Freire
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500 (Setor IV - Campus do Vale), Porto Alegre, 91501-970, Brazil.
| | - Mariane da Cunha Jaeger
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Caroline Brunetto de Farias
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Carolina Nör
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Lauro Gregianin
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Pediatric Oncology Service, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - André Tesainer Brunetto
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Rafael Roesler
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500 (Setor IV - Campus do Vale), Porto Alegre, 91501-970, Brazil
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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5
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Gorini F, Miceli M, de Antonellis P, Amente S, Zollo M, Ferrucci V. Epigenetics and immune cells in medulloblastoma. Front Genet 2023; 14:1135404. [PMID: 36968588 PMCID: PMC10036437 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1135404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a highly malignant childhood tumor of the cerebellum. Transcriptional and epigenetic signatures have classified MB into four molecular subgroups, further stratified into biologically different subtypes with distinct somatic copy-number aberrations, driver genes, epigenetic alterations, activated pathways, and clinical outcomes. The brain tumor microenvironment (BTME) is of importance to regulate a complex network of cells, including immune cells, involved in cancer progression in brain malignancies. MB was considered with a “cold” immunophenotype due to the low influx of immune cells across the blood brain barrier (BBB). Recently, this assumption has been reconsidered because of the identification of infiltrating immune cells showing immunosuppressive phenotypes in the BTME of MB tumors. Here, we are providing a comprehensive overview of the current status of epigenetics alterations occurring during cancer progression with a description of the genomic landscape of MB by focusing on immune cells within the BTME. We further describe how new immunotherapeutic approaches could influence concurring epigenetic mechanisms of the immunosuppressive cells in BTME. In conclusion, the modulation of these molecular genetic complexes in BTME during cancer progression might enhance the therapeutic benefit, thus firing new weapons to fight MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Gorini
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Miceli
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate “Franco Salvatore”, Naples, Italy
| | - Pasqualino de Antonellis
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Amente
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo Zollo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate “Franco Salvatore”, Naples, Italy
- DAI Medicina di Laboratorio e Trasfusionale, ‘AOU Federico II Policlinico, Naples, Italy
| | - Veronica Ferrucci
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology (DMMBM), University of Naples, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate “Franco Salvatore”, Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Veronica Ferrucci,
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Cleveland AH, Malawsky D, Churiwal M, Rodriguez C, Reed F, Schniederjan M, Velazquez Vega JE, Davis I, Gershon TR. PRC2 disruption in cerebellar progenitors produces cerebellar hypoplasia and aberrant myoid differentiation without blocking medulloblastoma growth. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:8. [PMID: 36635771 PMCID: PMC9838053 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01508-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
We show that Polycomb Repressive Complex-2 (PRC2) components EED and EZH2 maintain neural identity in cerebellar granule neuron progenitors (CGNPs) and SHH-driven medulloblastoma, a cancer of CGNPs. Proliferating CGNPs and medulloblastoma cells inherit neural fate commitment through epigenetic mechanisms. The PRC2 is an epigenetic regulator that has been proposed as a therapeutic target in medulloblastoma. To define PRC2 function in cerebellar development and medulloblastoma, we conditionally deleted PRC2 components Eed or Ezh2 in CGNPs and analyzed medulloblastomas induced in Eed-deleted and Ezh2-deleted CGNPs by expressing SmoM2, an oncogenic allele of Smo. Eed deletion destabilized the PRC2, depleting EED and EZH2 proteins, while Ezh2 deletion did not deplete EED. Eed-deleted cerebella were hypoplastic, with reduced proliferation, increased apoptosis, and inappropriate muscle-like differentiation. Ezh2-deleted cerebella showed similar, milder phenotypes, with fewer muscle-like cells and without reduced growth. Eed-deleted and Ezh2-deleted medulloblastomas both demonstrated myoid differentiation and progressed more rapidly than PRC2-intact controls. The PRC2 thus maintains neural commitment in CGNPs and medulloblastoma, but is not required for SHH medulloblastoma progression. Our data define a role for the PRC2 in preventing inappropriate, non-neural fates during postnatal neurogenesis, and caution that targeting the PRC2 in SHH medulloblastoma may not produce durable therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail H. Cleveland
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Cancer Cell Biology Training Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Daniel Malawsky
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA ,grid.10306.340000 0004 0606 5382Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Mehal Churiwal
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Claudia Rodriguez
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Frances Reed
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Matthew Schniederjan
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Jose E. Velazquez Vega
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Ian Davis
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Timothy R. Gershon
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA ,grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA ,grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Children’s Center for Neurosciences Research, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA ,grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
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7
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Arakelyan J, Rusanov DA, Chang MR, Asaturova AV, Kireeva GS, Alshehri M, Ang WH, Babak MV. Targeting emerging cancer hallmarks by transition metal complexes: Epigenetic reprogramming and epitherapies. Part II. Coord Chem Rev 2023; 475:214899. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2022.214899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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8
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Gaál Z. Targeted Epigenetic Interventions in Cancer with an Emphasis on Pediatric Malignancies. Biomolecules 2022; 13. [PMID: 36671446 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, novel hallmarks of cancer have been described, including the altered epigenetic landscape of malignant diseases. In addition to the methylation and hyd-roxymethylation of DNA, numerous novel forms of histone modifications and nucleosome remodeling have been discovered, giving rise to a wide variety of targeted therapeutic interventions. DNA hypomethylating drugs, histone deacetylase inhibitors and agents targeting histone methylation machinery are of distinguished clinical significance. The major focus of this review is placed on targeted epigenetic interventions in the most common pediatric malignancies, including acute leukemias, brain and kidney tumors, neuroblastoma and soft tissue sarcomas. Upcoming novel challenges include specificity and potential undesirable side effects. Different epigenetic patterns of pediatric and adult cancers should be noted. Biological significance of epigenetic alterations highly depends on the tissue microenvironment and widespread interactions. An individualized treatment approach requires detailed genetic, epigenetic and metabolomic evaluation of cancer. Advances in molecular technologies and clinical translation may contribute to the development of novel pediatric anticancer treatment strategies, aiming for improved survival and better patient quality of life.
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Scuderi SA, Filippone A, Basilotta R, Mannino D, Casili G, Capra AP, Chisari G, Colarossi L, Sava S, Campolo M, Esposito E, Paterniti I. GSK343, an Inhibitor of Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2, Reduces Glioblastoma Progression through Inflammatory Process Modulation: Focus on Canonical and Non-Canonical NF-κB/IκBα Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213915. [PMID: 36430394 PMCID: PMC9694970 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GB) is a tumor of the central nervous system characterized by high proliferation and invasiveness. The standard treatment for GB includes radiotherapy and chemotherapy; however, new therapies are needed. Particular attention was given to the role of histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste-homolog-2 (EZH2) in GB. Recently, several EZH2-inhibitors have been developed, particularly GSK343 is well-known to regulate apoptosis and autophagy processes; however, its abilities to modulate canonical/non-canonical NF-κB/IκBα pathways or an immune response in GB have not yet been investigated. Therefore, this study investigated for the first time the effect of GSK343 on canonical/non-canonical NF-κB/IκBα pathways and the immune response, by an in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo model of GB. In vitro results demonstrated that GSK343 treatments 1, 10 and 25 μM significantly reduced GB cell viability, showing the modulation of canonical/non-canonical NF-κB/IκBα pathway activation. In vivo GSK343 reduced subcutaneous tumor mass, regulating canonical/non-canonical NF-κB/IκBα pathway activation and the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Ex vivo results confirmed the anti-proliferative effect of GSK343 and also demonstrated its ability to regulate immune response through CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 expression in GB. Thus, GSK343 could represent a therapeutic strategy to counteract GB progression, thanks to its ability to modulate canonical/non-canonical NF-κB/IκBα pathways and immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Adriana Scuderi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Alessia Filippone
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Rossella Basilotta
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Deborah Mannino
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanna Casili
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Anna Paola Capra
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Giulia Chisari
- Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo, Via Penninazzo 7, 95029 Viagrande, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Colarossi
- Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo, Via Penninazzo 7, 95029 Viagrande, Italy
| | - Serena Sava
- Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo, Via Penninazzo 7, 95029 Viagrande, Italy
| | - Michela Campolo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Emanuela Esposito
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Irene Paterniti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D’Alcontres, 98166 Messina, Italy
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10
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Zeng J, Zhang J, Sun Y, Wang J, Ren C, Banerjee S, Ouyang L, Wang Y. Targeting EZH2 for cancer therapy: From current progress to novel strategies. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 238:114419. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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11
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Zhang Q, Yang H, Feng Q, Cao J, Zhang Y, Li L, Yu L. Focus on the classical and non-classical functions of EZH2: Guide the development of inhibitors and degraders. Pharmacol Res 2022; 178:106159. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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12
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Badodi S, Marino S. Epigenetic mechanisms in paediatric brain tumours: regulators lose control. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:167-85. [PMID: 35076654 DOI: 10.1042/BST20201227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms are essential to regulate gene expression during normal development. However, they are often disrupted in pathological conditions including tumours, where they contribute to their formation and maintenance through altered gene expression. In recent years, next generation genomic techniques has allowed a remarkable advancement of our knowledge of the genetic and molecular landscape of paediatric brain tumours and have highlighted epigenetic deregulation as a common hallmark in their pathogenesis. This review describes the main epigenetic dysregulations found in paediatric brain tumours, including at DNA methylation and histone modifications level, in the activity of chromatin-modifying enzymes and in the expression of non-coding RNAs. How these altered processes influence tumour biology and how they can be leveraged to dissect the molecular heterogeneity of these tumours and contribute to their classification is also addressed. Finally, the availability and value of preclinical models as well as the current clinical trials exploring targeting key epigenetic mediators in paediatric brain tumours are discussed.
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13
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Paskeh MDA, Mehrabi A, Gholami MH, Zabolian A, Ranjbar E, Saleki H, Ranjbar A, Hashemi M, Ertas YN, Hushmandi K, Mirzaei S, Ashrafizadeh M, Zarrabi A, Samarghandian S. EZH2 as a new therapeutic target in brain tumors: Molecular landscape, therapeutic targeting and future prospects. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 146:112532. [PMID: 34906772 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors are responsible for high mortality and morbidity worldwide. The brain tumor treatment depends on identification of molecular pathways involved in progression and malignancy. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) has obtained much attention in recent years in field of cancer therapy due to its aberrant expression and capacity in modulating expression of genes by binding to their promoter and affecting methylation status. The present review focuses on EZH2 signaling in brain tumors including glioma, glioblastoma, astrocytoma, ependymomas, medulloblastoma and brain rhabdoid tumors. EZH2 signaling mainly participates in increasing proliferation and invasion of cancer cells. However, in medulloblastoma, EZH2 demonstrates tumor-suppressor activity. Furthermore, EZH2 can regulate response of brain tumors to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Various molecular pathways can function as upstream mediators of EZH2 in brain tumors including lncRNAs and miRNAs. Owing to its enzymatic activity, EZH2 can bind to promoter of target genes to induce methylation and affects their expression. EZH2 can be considered as an independent prognostic factor in brain tumors that its upregulation provides undesirable prognosis. Both anti-tumor agents and gene therapies such as siRNA have been developed for targeting EZH2 in cancer therapy.
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14
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Souza BK, Freire NH, Jaeger M, de Farias CB, Brunetto AL, Brunetto AT, Roesler R. EHMT2/G9a as an Epigenetic Target in Pediatric and Adult Brain Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11292. [PMID: 34681949 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms, including post-translational modifications of DNA and histones that influence chromatin structure, regulate gene expression during normal development and are also involved in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. The histone methyltransferase G9a (euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 2, EHMT2), which mostly mediates mono- and dimethylation by histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9), influences gene expression involved in embryonic development and tissue differentiation. Overexpression of G9a has been observed in several cancer types, and different classes of G9a inhibitors have been developed as potential anticancer agents. Here, we review the emerging evidence suggesting the involvement of changes in G9a activity in brain tumors, namely glioblastoma (GBM), the main type of primary malignant brain cancer in adults, and medulloblastoma (MB), the most common type of malignant brain cancer in children. We also discuss the role of G9a in neuroblastoma (NB) and the drug development of G9a inhibitors.
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15
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Abballe L, Miele E. Epigenetic modulators for brain cancer stem cells: Implications for anticancer treatment. World J Stem Cells 2021; 13:670-684. [PMID: 34367473 PMCID: PMC8316861 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v13.i7.670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary malignant brain tumors are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in both adults and children, with a dismal prognosis despite multimodal therapeutic approaches. In the last years, a specific subpopulation of cells within the tumor bulk, named cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells, have been identified in brain tumors as responsible for cancer growth and disease progression. Stemness features of tumor cells strongly affect treatment response, leading to the escape from conventional therapeutic approaches and subsequently causing tumor relapse. Recent research efforts have focused at identifying new therapeutic strategies capable of specifically targeting CSCs in cancers by taking into consideration their complex nature. Aberrant epigenetic machinery plays a key role in the genesis and progression of brain tumors as well as inducing CSC reprogramming and preserving CSC characteristics. Thus, reverting the cancer epigenome can be considered a promising therapeutic strategy. Three main epigenetic mechanisms have been described: DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA, particularly microRNAs. Each of these mechanisms has been proven to be targetable by chemical compounds, known as epigenetic-based drugs or epidrugs, that specifically target epigenetic marks. We review here recent advances in the study of epigenetic modulators promoting and sustaining brain tumor stem-like cells. We focus on their potential role in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Abballe
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Cellular and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy
| | - Evelina Miele
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Cellular and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy.
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16
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Huq S, Kannapadi NV, Casaos J, Lott T, Felder R, Serra R, Gorelick NL, Ruiz-Cardozo MA, Ding AS, Cecia A, Medikonda R, Ehresman J, Brem H, Skuli N, Tyler BM. Preclinical efficacy of ribavirin in SHH and group 3 medulloblastoma. J Neurosurg Pediatr 2021; 27:482-488. [PMID: 33545678 DOI: 10.3171/2020.8.peds20561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Medulloblastoma, the most common pediatric brain malignancy, has Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) and group 3 (Myc driven) subtypes that are associated with the activity of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), a critical mediator of translation, and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase and master regulator of transcription. Recent drug repurposing efforts in multiple solid and hematologic malignancies have demonstrated that eIF4E and EZH2 are both pharmacologically inhibited by the FDA-approved antiviral drug ribavirin. Given the molecular overlap between medulloblastoma biology and known ribavirin activity, the authors investigated the preclinical efficacy of repurposing ribavirin as a targeted therapeutic in cell and animal models of medulloblastoma. METHODS Multiple in vitro assays were performed using human ONS-76 (a primitive SHH model) and D425 (an aggressive group 3 model) cells. The impacts of ribavirin on cellular growth, death, migration, and invasion were quantified using proliferation and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, flow cytometry with annexin V (AnnV) staining, scratch wound assays, and Matrigel invasion chambers, respectively. Survival following daily ribavirin treatment (100 mg/kg) was assessed in vivo in immunodeficient mice intracranially implanted with D425 cells. RESULTS Compared to controls, ribavirin treatment led to a significant reduction in medulloblastoma cell growth (ONS-76 proliferation assay, p = 0.0001; D425 CCK-8 assay, p < 0.0001) and a significant increase in cell death (flow cytometry for AnnV, ONS-76, p = 0.0010; D425, p = 0.0284). In ONS-76 cells, compared to controls, ribavirin significantly decreased cell migration and invasion (Matrigel invasion chamber assay, p = 0.0012). In vivo, ribavirin significantly extended survival in an aggressive group 3 medulloblastoma mouse model compared to vehicle-treated controls (p = 0.0004). CONCLUSIONS The authors demonstrate that ribavirin, a clinically used drug known to inhibit eIF4E and EZH2, has significant antitumor effects in multiple preclinical models of medulloblastoma, including an aggressive group 3 animal model. Ribavirin may represent a promising targeted therapeutic in medulloblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakibul Huq
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nivedha V. Kannapadi
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Joshua Casaos
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Tarik Lott
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Raphael Felder
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Riccardo Serra
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Noah L. Gorelick
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Miguel A. Ruiz-Cardozo
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Andy S. Ding
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Arba Cecia
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ravi Medikonda
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jeff Ehresman
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Henry Brem
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nicolas Skuli
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Betty M. Tyler
- Hunterian Neurosurgical Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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17
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Miele E, Po A, Mastronuzzi A, Carai A, Besharat ZM, Pediconi N, Abballe L, Catanzaro G, Sabato C, De Smaele E, Canettieri G, Di Marcotullio L, Vacca A, Mai A, Levrero M, Pfister SM, Kool M, Giangaspero F, Locatelli F, Ferretti E. Downregulation of miR-326 and its host gene β-arrestin1 induces pro-survival activity of E2F1 and promotes medulloblastoma growth. Mol Oncol 2020; 15:523-542. [PMID: 32920979 PMCID: PMC7858128 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent mortality rates of medulloblastoma (MB) and severe side effects of the current therapies require the definition of the molecular mechanisms that contribute to tumor progression. Using cultured MB cancer stem cells and xenograft tumors generated in mice, we show that low expression of miR-326 and its host gene β-arrestin1 (ARRB1) promotes tumor growth enhancing the E2F1 pro-survival function. Our models revealed that miR-326 and ARRB1 are controlled by a bivalent domain, since the H3K27me3 repressive mark is found at their regulatory region together with the activation-associated H3K4me3 mark. High levels of EZH2, a feature of MB, are responsible for the presence of H3K27me3. Ectopic expression of miR-326 and ARRB1 provides hints into how their low levels regulate E2F1 activity. MiR-326 targets E2F1 mRNA, thereby reducing its protein levels; ARRB1, triggering E2F1 acetylation, reverses its function into pro-apoptotic activity. Similar to miR-326 and ARRB1 overexpression, we also show that EZH2 inhibition restores miR-326/ARRB1 expression, limiting E2F1 pro-proliferative activity. Our results reveal a new regulatory molecular axis critical for MB progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelina Miele
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Agnese Po
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Carai
- Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Natalia Pediconi
- Center for Life NanoScience@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Luana Abballe
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Sabato
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico De Smaele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessandra Vacca
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Levrero
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), UMR Inserm 1052 CNRS 5286 Mixte CLB, Université de Lyon 1 (UCBL1), France.,Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcel Kool
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felice Giangaspero
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Science, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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18
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Suter RK, Rodriguez-Blanco J, Ayad NG. Epigenetic pathways and plasticity in brain tumors. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 145:105060. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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19
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Bass AKA, El-Zoghbi MS, Nageeb ESM, Mohamed MFA, Badr M, Abuo-Rahma GEDA. Comprehensive review for anticancer hybridized multitargeting HDAC inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 209:112904. [PMID: 33077264 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite the encouraging clinical progress of chemotherapeutic agents in cancer treatment, innovation and development of new effective anticancer candidates still represents a challenging endeavor. With 15 million death every year in 2030 according to the estimates, cancer has increased rising of an alarm as a real crisis for public health and health systems worldwide. Therefore, scientist began to introduce innovative solutions to control the cancer global health problem. One of the promising strategies in this issue is the multitarget or smart hybrids having two or more pharmacophores targeting cancer. These rationalized hybrid molecules have gained great interests in cancer treatment as they are capable to simultaneously inhibit more than cancer pathway or target without drug-drug interactions and with less side effects. A prime important example of these hybrids, the HDAC hybrid inhibitors or referred as multitargeting HDAC inhibitors. The ability of HDAC inhibitors to synergistically improve the efficacy of other anti-cancer drugs and moreover, the ease of HDAC inhibitors cap group modification prompt many medicinal chemists to innovate and develop new generation of HDAC hybrid inhibitors. Notably, and during this short period, there are four HDAC inhibitor hybrids have entered different phases of clinical trials for treatment of different types of blood and solid tumors, namely; CUDC-101, CUDC-907, Tinostamustine, and Domatinostat. This review shed light on the most recent hybrids of HDACIs with one or more other cancer target pharmacophore. The designed multitarget hybrids include topoisomerase inhibitors, kinase inhibitors, nitric oxide releasers, antiandrogens, FLT3 and JAC-2 inhibitors, PDE5-inhibitors, NAMPT-inhibitors, Protease inhibitors, BRD4-inhibitors and other targets. This review may help researchers in development and discovery of new horizons in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr K A Bass
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Mona S El-Zoghbi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - El-Shimaa M Nageeb
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia, 61519, Egypt
| | - Mamdouh F A Mohamed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sohag University, 82524 Sohag, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Badr
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Gamal El-Din A Abuo-Rahma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia, 61519, Egypt; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Deraya University, New Minia, Minia, Egypt.
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20
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Po A, Citarella A, Catanzaro G, Besharat ZM, Trocchianesi S, Gianno F, Sabato C, Moretti M, De Smaele E, Vacca A, Fiori ME, Ferretti E. Hedgehog-GLI signalling promotes chemoresistance through the regulation of ABC transporters in colorectal cancer cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13988. [PMID: 32814794 PMCID: PMC7438531 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70871-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer death. Chemoresistance is a pivotal feature of cancer cells leading to treatment failure and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are responsible for the efflux of several molecules, including anticancer drugs. The Hedgehog-GLI (HH-GLI) pathway is a major signalling in CRC, however its role in chemoresistance has not been fully elucidated. Here we show that the HH-GLI pathway favours resistance to 5-fluorouracil and Oxaliplatin in CRC cells. We identified potential GLI1 binding sites in the promoter region of six ABC transporters, namely ABCA2, ABCB1, ABCB4, ABCB7, ABCC2 and ABCG1. Next, we investigated the binding of GLI1 using chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments and we demonstrate that GLI1 transcriptionally regulates the identified ABC transporters. We show that chemoresistant cells express high levels of GLI1 and of the ABC transporters and that GLI1 inhibition disrupts the transporters up-regulation. Moreover, we report that human CRC tumours express high levels of the ABCG1 transporter and that its expression correlates with worse patients' prognosis. This study identifies a new mechanism where HH-GLI signalling regulates CRC chemoresistance features. Our results indicate that the inhibition of Gli1 regulates the ABC transporters expression and therefore should be considered as a therapeutic option in chemoresistant patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnese Po
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Citarella
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Catanzaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Zein Mersini Besharat
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Sofia Trocchianesi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gianno
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Sabato
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Moretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico De Smaele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Vacca
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Micol Eleonora Fiori
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Ferretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy.
- Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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21
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Romanelli A, Stazi G, Fioravanti R, Zwergel C, Di Bello E, Pomella S, Perrone C, Battistelli C, Strippoli R, Tripodi M, del Bufalo D, Rota R, Trisciuoglio D, Mai A, Valente S. Design of First-in-Class Dual EZH2/HDAC Inhibitor: Biochemical Activity and Biological Evaluation in Cancer Cells. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:977-983. [PMID: 32435414 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the histone modifying enzymes EZH2 and HDACs control a number of epigenetic-dependent carcinogenic pathways, we designed the first-in-class dual EZH2/HDAC inhibitor 5 displaying (sub)micromolar inhibition against both targets. When tested in several cancer cell lines, the hybrid 5 impaired cell viability at low micromolar level and in leukemia U937 and rhabdomyosarcoma RH4 cells provided G1 arrest, apoptotic induction, and increased differentiation, associated with an increase of acetyl-H3 and acetyl-α-tubulin and a decrease of H3K27me3 levels. In glioblastoma U87 cells, 5 hampered epithelial to mesenchymal transition by increasing the E-cadherin expression, thus proposing itself as a useful candidate for anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Romanelli
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Stazi
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Fioravanti
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Clemens Zwergel
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Medicine of Precision, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Di Bello
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Pomella
- Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Clara Perrone
- Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Cecilia Battistelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele Strippoli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani, IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Tripodi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani, IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella del Bufalo
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Viale Regina Elena 291,295, 00100 Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Rota
- Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Trisciuoglio
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Viale Regina Elena 291,295, 00100 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council (CNR), Via Degli Apuli 4, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Valente
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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22
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Alharbi M, Mobark N, Bashawri Y, Abu Safieh L, Alowayn A, Aljelaify R, AlSaeed M, Almutairi A, Alqubaishi F, AlSolme E, Ahmad M, Al-Banyan A, Alotabi FE, Serrano J, Snuderl M, Al-Rashed M, Abedalthagafi M. Methylation Profiling of Medulloblastoma in a Clinical Setting Permits Sub-classification and Reveals New Outcome Predictions. Front Neurol 2020; 11:167. [PMID: 32265819 PMCID: PMC7100767 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common childhood malignant brain tumor and is a leading cause of cancer-related death in children. DNA methylation profiling has rapidly advanced our understanding of MB pathogenesis at the molecular level, but assessments in Saudi Arabian (SA)-MB cases are sparse. MBs can be sub-grouped according to methylation patterns from FPPE samples into Wingless (WNT-MB), Sonic Hedgehog (SHH-MB), Group 3 (G3), and Group 4 (G4) tumors. The WNT-MB and SHH-MB subgroups are characterized by gain-of function mutations that activate oncogenic cell signaling, whilst G3/G4 tumors show recurrent chromosomal alterations. Given that each subgroup has distinct clinical outcomes, the ability to subgroup SA-FPPE samples holds significant prognostic and therapeutic value. Here, we performed the first assessment of MB-DNA methylation patterns in an SA cohort using archival biopsy material (FPPE n = 49). Of the 41 materials available for methylation assessments, 39 could be classified into the major DNA methylation subgroups (SHH, WNT, G3, and G4). Furthermore, methylation analysis was able to reclassify tumors that could not be sub-grouped through next-generation sequencing, highlighting its superior accuracy for MB molecular classifications. Independent assessments demonstrated known clinical relationships of the subgroups, exemplified by the high survival rates observed for WNT tumors. Surprisingly, the G4 subgroup did not conform to previously identified phenotypes, with a high prevalence in females, high metastatic rates, and a large number of tumor-associated deaths. Taking our results together, we demonstrate that DNA methylation profiling enables the robust sub-classification of four disease sub-groups in archival FFPE biopsy material from SA-MB patients. Moreover, we show that the incorporation of DNA methylation biomarkers can significantly improve current disease-risk stratification schemes, particularly concerning the identification of aggressive G4 tumors. These findings have important implications for future clinical disease management in MB cases across the Arab world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musa Alharbi
- Department of Paediatric Oncology Comprehensive Cancer Centre, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nahla Mobark
- Department of Paediatric Oncology Comprehensive Cancer Centre, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yara Bashawri
- Department of Biostatistics, Research Centre, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Leen Abu Safieh
- Genomics Research Department, Saudi Human Genome Project, King Fahad Medical City and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Albandary Alowayn
- Department of Biostatistics, Research Centre, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rasha Aljelaify
- Department of Biostatistics, Research Centre, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mariam AlSaeed
- Department of Biostatistics, Research Centre, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal Almutairi
- Department of Biostatistics, Research Centre, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatimah Alqubaishi
- Department of Biostatistics, Research Centre, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ebtehal AlSolme
- Genomics Research Department, Saudi Human Genome Project, King Fahad Medical City and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maqsood Ahmad
- Department of Neuroscience, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayman Al-Banyan
- Department of Neuroscience, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahad E Alotabi
- Department of Neuroscience, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jonathan Serrano
- Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Matija Snuderl
- Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - May Al-Rashed
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Malak Abedalthagafi
- Genomics Research Department, Saudi Human Genome Project, King Fahad Medical City and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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23
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Ballabio C, Anderle M, Gianesello M, Lago C, Miele E, Cardano M, Aiello G, Piazza S, Caron D, Gianno F, Ciolfi A, Pedace L, Mastronuzzi A, Tartaglia M, Locatelli F, Ferretti E, Giangaspero F, Tiberi L. Modeling medulloblastoma in vivo and with human cerebellar organoids. Nat Commun 2020; 11:583. [PMID: 31996670 PMCID: PMC6989674 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13989-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in children and among the subtypes, Group 3 MB has the worst outcome. Here, we perform an in vivo, patient-specific screen leading to the identification of Otx2 and c-MYC as strong Group 3 MB inducers. We validated our findings in human cerebellar organoids where Otx2/c-MYC give rise to MB-like organoids harboring a DNA methylation signature that clusters with human Group 3 tumors. Furthermore, we show that SMARCA4 is able to reduce Otx2/c-MYC tumorigenic activity in vivo and in human cerebellar organoids while SMARCA4 T910M, a mutant form found in human MB patients, inhibits the wild-type protein function. Finally, treatment with Tazemetostat, a EZH2-specific inhibitor, reduces Otx2/c-MYC tumorigenesis in ex vivo culture and human cerebellar organoids. In conclusion, human cerebellar organoids can be efficiently used to understand the role of genes found altered in cancer patients and represent a reliable tool for developing personalized therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Ballabio
- Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Brain Cancer, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Marica Anderle
- Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Brain Cancer, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Matteo Gianesello
- Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Brain Cancer, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Chiara Lago
- Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Brain Cancer, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Evelina Miele
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Cellular and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Cardano
- University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Aiello
- Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Brain Cancer, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Silvano Piazza
- University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Davide Caron
- Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Brain Cancer, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Francesca Gianno
- Department of Radiologic, Oncologic and Anatomo Pathological Sciences, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy
| | - Andrea Ciolfi
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Pedace
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Cellular and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Cellular and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Cellular and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Felice Giangaspero
- Department of Radiologic, Oncologic and Anatomo Pathological Sciences, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy
| | - Luca Tiberi
- Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Brain Cancer, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123, Trento, Italy.
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24
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Stazi G, Taglieri L, Nicolai A, Romanelli A, Fioravanti R, Morrone S, Sabatino M, Ragno R, Taurone S, Nebbioso M, Carletti R, Artico M, Valente S, Scarpa S, Mai A. Dissecting the role of novel EZH2 inhibitors in primary glioblastoma cell cultures: effects on proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, and on the pro-inflammatory phenotype. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:173. [PMID: 31791385 PMCID: PMC6889222 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-019-0763-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal and aggressive malignant primary brain tumor in adults. After surgical resection of the tumor, the patient typically should be subjected to chemotherapy (temozolomide, TMZ) and concomitant radiotherapy. Since the TMZ treatment does not lead to complete remission and often develops resistance, the identification of efficacious therapeutics is strongly to pursue. Among the epigenetic players, the H3K27 methyltransferase (MT) EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homologue 2) has been found overexpressed or mutated in several human cancers including gliomas, and its overexpression is associated with poor outcome in GBM. Two EZH2 inhibitors (EZH2i), UNC1999 and GSK343, suppressed GBM growth in vitro and in vivo indicating that EZH2i can be potential drugs against GBM. RESULTS Two new EZH2i, MC4040 and MC4041, were designed, prepared, and tested by us to determine their effects in primary GBM cell cultures. MC4040 and MC4041 displayed single-digit micromolar inhibition of EZH2, 10-fold less potency against EZH1, and no activity towards other MTs. In primary GBM cells as well as in U-87 GBM cells, the two compounds reduced H3K27me3 levels, and dose- and time-dependently impaired GBM cell viability without inducing apoptosis and arresting the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase, with increased p21 and p27 levels. In combination with TMZ, MC4040 and MC4041 displayed stronger, but not additive, effects on cell viability. The potent clinical candidate as EZH2i tazemetostat, alone or in combination with TMZ, exhibited a similar potency of inhibition of GBM cell growth when compared to MC4040 and MC4041. At the molecular level, MC4040 and MC4041 reduced the VEGFR1/VEGF expression, reversed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and hampered cell migration and invasion attenuating the cancer malignant phenotype. Treatment of GBM cells with MC4040 and MC4041 also impaired the GBM pro-inflammatory phenotype, with a significant decrease of TGF-β, TNF-α, and IL-6, joined to an increase of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. CONCLUSIONS The two novel EZH2i MC4040 and MC4041 impaired primary GBM cell viability, showing even stronger effects in combination with TMZ. They also weakened the aggressive malignant phenotype by reducing angiogenesis, EMT, cell migration/invasion and inflammation, thus they may be considered potential candidates against GBM also for combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Stazi
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Ludovica Taglieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alice Nicolai
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Romanelli
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Fioravanti
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Morrone
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Rino Ragno
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Alchemical Dynamics s.r.l, 00125 Roma, Italy
| | - Samanta Taurone
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcella Nebbioso
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaella Carletti
- Department of Radiologic, Oncological, and Anatomical and Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Artico
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Valente
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Susanna Scarpa
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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25
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Festa C, Finamore C, Marchianò S, Di Leva FS, Carino A, Monti MC, del Gaudio F, Ceccacci S, Limongelli V, Zampella A, Fiorucci S, De Marino S. Investigation around the Oxadiazole Core in the Discovery of a New Chemotype of Potent and Selective FXR Antagonists. ACS Med Chem Lett 2019; 10:504-510. [PMID: 30996787 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.8b00534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent findings have shown that Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) antagonists might be useful in the treatment of cholestasis and related metabolic disorders. In this paper, we report the discovery of a new chemotype of FXR antagonists featured by a 3,5-disubstituted oxadiazole core. In total, 35 new derivatives were designed and synthesized, and notably, compounds 3f and 13, containing a piperidine ring, displayed the best antagonistic activity against FXR with promising cellular potency (IC50 = 0.58 ± 0.27 and 0.127 ± 0.02 μM, respectively). The excellent pharmacokinetic properties make compound 3f the most promising lead identified in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Festa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Claudia Finamore
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Francesco Saverio Di Leva
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Adriana Carino
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Monti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, Salerno 84084, Italy
| | - Federica del Gaudio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, Salerno 84084, Italy
| | - Sara Ceccacci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, Salerno 84084, Italy
| | - Vittorio Limongelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Computational Science - Center for Computational Medicine in Cardiology, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Via G. Buffi 13, Lugano CH-6900, Switzerland
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina, Perugia 06132, Italy
| | - Simona De Marino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, Naples 80131, Italy
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26
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Milite C, Feoli A, Horton JR, Rescigno D, Cipriano A, Pisapia V, Viviano M, Pepe G, Amendola G, Novellino E, Cosconati S, Cheng X, Castellano S, Sbardella G. Discovery of a Novel Chemotype of Histone Lysine Methyltransferase EHMT1/2 (GLP/G9a) Inhibitors: Rational Design, Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Co-crystal Structure. J Med Chem 2019; 62:2666-2689. [PMID: 30753076 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b02008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Since the discovery of compound BIX01294 over 10 years ago, only a very limited number of nonquinazoline inhibitors of H3K9-specific methyltransferases G9a and G9a-like protein (GLP) have been reported. Herein, we report the identification of a novel chemotype for G9a/GLP inhibitors, based on the underinvestigated 2-alkyl-5-amino- and 2-aryl-5-amino-substituted 3 H-benzo[ e][1,4]diazepine scaffold. Our research efforts resulted in the identification 12a (EML741), which not only maintained the high in vitro and cellular potency of its quinazoline counterpart, but also displayed improved inhibitory potency against DNA methyltransferase 1, improved selectivity against other methyltransferases, low cell toxicity, and improved apparent permeability values in both parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) and blood-brain barrier-specific PAMPA, and therefore might potentially be a better candidate for animal studies. Finally, the co-crystal structure of GLP in complex with 12a provides the basis for the further development of benzodiazepine-based G9a/GLP inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John R Horton
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology , The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston , Texas 77030 , United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Giorgio Amendola
- DiSTABiF , University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Via Vivaldi 43 , 81100 Caserta , Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy , University Federico II of Naples , Via D. Montesano 49 , 80131 Naples , Italy
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- DiSTABiF , University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Via Vivaldi 43 , 81100 Caserta , Italy
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology , The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston , Texas 77030 , United States
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27
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Bouchut A, Rotili D, Pierrot C, Valente S, Lafitte S, Schultz J, Hoglund U, Mazzone R, Lucidi A, Fabrizi G, Pechalrieu D, Arimondo PB, Skinner-Adams TS, Chua MJ, Andrews KT, Mai A, Khalife J. Identification of novel quinazoline derivatives as potent antiplasmodial agents. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 161:277-291. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.10.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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28
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Besharat ZM, Sabato C, Po A, Gianno F, Abballe L, Napolitano M, Miele E, Giangaspero F, Vacca A, Catanzaro G, Ferretti E. Low Expression of miR-466f-3p Sustains Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Sonic Hedgehog Medulloblastoma Stem Cells Through Vegfa-Nrp2 Signaling Pathway. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1281. [PMID: 30483126 PMCID: PMC6240675 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
High-throughput analysis has improved the knowledge of medulloblastoma (MB), the leading cause of cancer related death in children, allowing a better comprehension of the key molecular pathways in MB pathogenesis. However, despite these advances, 30% of patients still die from the disease and survivors face severe long-term side effects. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a subset of cells that not only drive tumorigenesis, but are also one of the main determinants of chemoresistance. Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a hallmark of cancer and up to now few data is available in MB. To give insight into the role of the EMT process in maintaining the mesenchymal phenotype of CSCs, we analyzed the expression of EMT related transcripts and microRNAs in these cells. We firstly isolated CSCs from Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) MB derived from Ptch1 heterozygous mice and compared their expression level of EMT-related transcripts and microRNAs with cerebellar NSCs. We identified two molecules linked to SHH and EMT, Vegfa and its receptor Nrp2, over-expressed in SHH MB CSCs. Inhibition of Vegfa showed impairment of cell proliferation and self-renewal ability of CSCs concurrent with an increase of the expression of the EMT gene, E-cadherin, and a decrease of the EMT marker, Vimentin. Moreover, among deregulated microRNAs, we identified miR-466f-3p, a validated inhibitor of both Vegfa and Nrp2. These results allowed us to describe a new EMT molecular network, involving the down-regulation of miR-466f-3p together with the concordant up-regulation of Vegfa and Nrp2, that sustains the mesenchymal phenotype of SHH MB CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia Sabato
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,Center for Life NanoScience@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Agnese Po
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gianno
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Science, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Luana Abballe
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Evelina Miele
- Department of Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy
| | - Felice Giangaspero
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Science, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Isernia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Vacca
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Elisabetta Ferretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Isernia, Italy
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29
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Fioravanti R, Stazi G, Zwergel C, Valente S, Mai A. Six Years (2012-2018) of Researches on Catalytic EZH2 Inhibitors: The Boom of the 2-Pyridone Compounds. CHEM REC 2018; 18:1818-1832. [PMID: 30338896 DOI: 10.1002/tcr.201800091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), the catalytic subunit of the Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), catalyzes the methylation of lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27) up to its trimethylated form (H3K27me), inducing by this way block of transcription and gene silencing. High levels of H3K27me3 have been found in both hematological malignancies and solid cancers, due to EZH2 overexpression and/or EZH2 mutation. From 2012, a number of highly potent and selective catalytic inhibitors of EZH2 have been reported, almost all bearing a 2-pyridone group in their structure. Typically, 2-pyridone inhibitors are selective for EZH2 over other methyltransferases, and some of them are specific for EZH2 over EZH1, others behave as dual EZH2/EZH1 inhibitors. The 2-pyridone moiety was crucial for the enzyme inhibition, as revealed later by crystallographic studies because it occupies partially the site for the co-substrate SAM (or the by-product, SAH) in the binding pocket of the enzyme, accounting for the SAM-competitive mechanism of action displayed by all the 2-pyridone inhibitors. The 2-pyridone warhead is linked to a support substructure, that can be either a bicyclic heteroaromatic ring (such as indazole, see for instance EPZ005687 and UNC1999, or indole, see for instance GSK126, EI1, and the more recent CPI-1205) or a simple monocyclic (hetero) aromatic ring (tazemetostat, MC3629, (R)-OR-S1/2), eventually annulated with the amide chain carrying the 2-pyridone group (3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-1(2H)-ones). Different substitutions at the support moiety influence the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the compounds as well as their water solubility. In cancer diseases, the first reported 2-pyridone inhibitors displayed high antiproliferative effects in vitro and in vivo in lymphomas characterized by mutant EZH2 (such as Y641N), but the most recent compounds exert their anticancer activity against tumors with wild-type EZH2 as well. The dual EZH2/1 inhibitors have been recently reported to be more effective than EZH2 selective inhibitors in specific leukemias including leukemias cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Fioravanti
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro n. 5., 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Giulia Stazi
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro n. 5., 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Clemens Zwergel
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro n. 5., 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Sergio Valente
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro n. 5., 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro n. 5., 00185, Roma, Italy
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Po A, Abballe L, Sabato C, Gianno F, Chiacchiarini M, Catanzaro G, De Smaele E, Giangaspero F, Ferretti E, Miele E, Besharat ZM. Sonic Hedgehog Medulloblastoma Cancer Stem Cells Mirnome and Transcriptome Highlight Novel Functional Networks. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E2326. [PMID: 30096798 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19082326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular classification has improved the knowledge of medulloblastoma (MB), the most common malignant brain tumour in children, however current treatments cause severe side effects in patients. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been described in MB and represent a sub population characterised by self-renewal and the ability to generate tumour cells, thus representing the reservoir of the tumour. To investigate molecular pathways that characterise this sub population, we isolated CSCs from Sonic Hedgehog Medulloblastoma (SHH MB) arisen in Patched 1 (Ptch1) heterozygous mice, and performed miRNA- and mRNA-sequencing. Comparison of the miRNA-sequencing of SHH MB CSCs with that obtained from cerebellar Neural Stem Cells (NSCs), allowed us to obtain a SHH MB CSC miRNA differential signature. Pathway enrichment analysis in SHH MB CSCs mirnome and transcriptome was performed and revealed a series of enriched pathways. We focused on the putative targets of the SHH MB CSC miRNAs that were involved in the enriched pathways of interest, namely pathways in cancer, PI3k-Akt pathway and protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum pathway. In silico analysis was performed in SHH MB patients and identified several genes, whose expression was associated with worse overall survival of SHH MB patients. This study provides novel candidates whose functional role should be further investigated in SHH MB.
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Paradise BD, Barham W, Fernandez-Zapico ME. Targeting Epigenetic Aberrations in Pancreatic Cancer, a New Path to Improve Patient Outcomes? Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10050128. [PMID: 29710783 PMCID: PMC5977101 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10050128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer has one of the highest mortality rates among all types of cancers. The disease is highly aggressive and typically diagnosed in late stage making it difficult to treat. Currently, the vast majority of therapeutic regimens have only modest curative effects, and most of them are in the surgical/neo-adjuvant setting. There is a great need for new and more effective treatment strategies in common clinical practice. Previously, pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer was attributed solely to genetic mutations; however, recent advancements in the field have demonstrated that aberrant activation of epigenetic pathways contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of the disease. The identification of these aberrant activated epigenetic pathways has revealed enticing targets for the use of epigenetic inhibitors to mitigate the phenotypic changes driven by these cascades. These pathways have been found to be responsible for overactivation of growth signaling pathways and silencing of tumor suppressors and other cell cycle checkpoints. Furthermore, new miRNA signatures have been uncovered in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients, further widening the window for therapeutic opportunity. There has been success in preclinical settings using both epigenetic inhibitors as well as miRNAs to slow disease progression and eliminate diseased tissues. In addition to their utility as anti-proliferative agents, the pharmacological inhibitors that target epigenetic regulators (referred to here as readers, writers, and erasers for their ability to recognize, deposit, and remove post-translational modifications) have the potential to reconfigure the epigenetic landscape of diseased cells and disrupt the cancerous phenotype. The potential to “reprogram” cancer cells to revert them to a healthy state presents great promise and merits further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke D Paradise
- Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
| | - Whitney Barham
- Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
| | - Martín E Fernandez-Zapico
- Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
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Zhao F, Zhang J, Li P, Zhou Q, Zhang S, Zhao C, Wang B, Yang Z, Li C, Liu P. Prognostic value of Ki-67 index in adult medulloblastoma after accounting for molecular subgroup: a retrospective clinical and molecular analysis. J Neurooncol 2018; 139:333-340. [PMID: 29687281 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-018-2865-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Medulloblastoma (MB) is a rare primary brain tumor in adults. We previously evaluated that combining both clinical and molecular classification could improve current risk stratification for adult MB. In this study, we aimed to identify the prognostic value of Ki-67 index in adult MB. METHOD Ki-67 index of 51 primary adult MBs was reassessed using a computer-based image analysis (Image-Pro Plus). All patients were followed up ranging from 12 months up to 15 years. Gene expression profiling and immunochemistry were used to establish the molecular subgroups in adult MB. Combined risk stratification models were designed based on clinical characteristics, molecular classification and Ki-67 index, and identified by multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis. RESULTS In our cohort, the mean Ki-67 value was 30.0 ± 11.3% (range 6.56-63.55%). The average Ki-67 value was significantly higher in LC/AMB than in CMB and DNMB (P = .001). Among three molecular subgroups, Group 4-tumors had the highest average Ki-67 value compared with WNT- and SHH-tumors (P = .004). Patients with Ki-67 index large than 30% displayed poorer overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) than those with Ki-67 less than 30% (OS: P = .001; PFS: P = .006). Ki-67 index (i.e. > 30%, < 30%) was identified as an independent significant prognostic factor (OS: P = .017; PFS: P = .024) by using multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, Ki-67 index can be considered as a valuable independent prognostic biomarker for adult patients with MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu Zhao
- Neural Reconstruction Department, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, No. 6 Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Li
- Neural Reconstruction Department, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, No. 6 Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Qiangyi Zhou
- Neural Reconstruction Department, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, No. 6 Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Shun Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chi Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Neural Reconstruction Department, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, No. 6 Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Zhijun Yang
- Neural Reconstruction Department, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, No. 6 Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chunde Li
- Neural Reconstruction Department, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, No. 6 Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Pinan Liu
- Neural Reconstruction Department, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, No. 6 Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Shi ZL, Fang K, Li ZH, Ren DH, Zhang JY, Sun J. EZH2 Inhibition Ameliorates Transverse Aortic Constriction-Induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Mice. Can Respir J 2018; 2018:9174926. [PMID: 29854032 DOI: 10.1155/2018/9174926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background EPZ005687 is a selective inhibiter of methyltransferase EZH2. In this article, we investigated the protective role and mechanism of EPZ005687 in transverse aortic constriction-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension in mice. Methods We assigned 15 (6–8 weeks old) male balb/c mice to 3 groups randomly: Sham control + DMSO group, TAC + DMSO group, and TAC + EPZ005687 group (10 mg kg−1, once a week for 4 weeks). On day 28 following TAC operation, the right ventricular systolic blood pressure (RVSBP) was measured, and lung tissues were collected for laboratory examinations (DHE, Western blot, real-time PCR, and ChIP). Results Murine PAH model was successfully created by TAC operation as evidenced by increased RVSBP and hypertrophic right ventricle. Compared with the sham control, TAC-induced PAH markedly upregulated the expression of EZH2 and ROS deposition in lungs in PAH mice. The inhibiter of methyltransferase EZH2, EPZ005687 significantly inhibits the development of TAC-induced PAH in an EZH2-SOD1-ROS dependent manner. Conclusion Our data identified that EZH2 serves a fundamental role in TAC-induced PAH, and administration of EPZ005687 might represent a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of TAC-induced PAH.
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Guo G, Wang F, Han M, Gu Y, Duan X, Li L. Long non-coding RNA PVT1 facilitates cell proliferation by epigenetically regulating FOXF1 in breast cancer. RSC Adv 2018; 8:2740-2750. [PMID: 35541468 PMCID: PMC9077462 DOI: 10.1039/c7ra12042g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) expression was elevated in breast cancer tissues and correlated to breast cancer progression and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangcheng Guo
- Department of Breast Surgery
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University
- Zhengzhou
- China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University
- Zhengzhou
- China
| | - Mingli Han
- Department of Breast Surgery
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University
- Zhengzhou
- China
| | - Yuanting Gu
- Department of Breast Surgery
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University
- Zhengzhou
- China
| | - Xin Duan
- Department of Breast Surgery
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University
- Zhengzhou
- China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Breast Surgery
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University
- Zhengzhou
- China
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Abballe L, Mastronuzzi A, Miele E, Carai A, Besharat ZM, Moretti M, De Smaele E, Giangaspero F, Locatelli F, Ferretti E, Po A. Numb Isoforms Deregulation in Medulloblastoma and Role of p66 Isoform in Cancer and Neural Stem Cells. Front Pediatr 2018; 6:315. [PMID: 30443541 PMCID: PMC6221942 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2018.00315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Numb is an intracellular protein with multiple functions. The two prevalent isoforms, Numb p66 and Numb p72, are regulators of differentiation and proliferation in neuronal development. Additionally, Numb functions as cell fate determinant of stem cells and cancer stem cells and its abnormal expression has been described in several types of cancer. Involvement of deregulated Numb expression has been described in the malignant childhood brain tumor medulloblastoma, while Numb isoforms in these tumors and in cancer stem-like cells derived from them, have not been studied to date. Here we show that medulloblastoma stem-like cells and cerebellar neuronal stem cells (NSCs) express Numb p66 where its expression tampers stemness features. Furthermore, medulloblastoma samples evaluated in this study express decreased levels of Numb p66 while overexpressed Numb p72 compared with normal tissues. Our results uncover different roles for the two major Numb isoforms examined in medulloblastoma and a critical role for Numb p66 in regulating stem-like cells and NSCs maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Abballe
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Cellular and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Evelina Miele
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Cellular and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Carai
- Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marta Moretti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico De Smaele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Felice Giangaspero
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Science, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Cellular and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Ferretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Agnese Po
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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Zwergel C, Romanelli A, Stazi G, Besharat ZM, Catanzaro G, Tafani M, Valente S, Mai A. Application of Small Epigenetic Modulators in Pediatric Medulloblastoma. Front Pediatr 2018; 6:370. [PMID: 30560106 PMCID: PMC6286966 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2018.00370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is one of the most frequent among pediatric brain tumors, and it has been classified in various subgroups. Some of them already benefit from quite good therapeutic options, whereas others urgently need novel therapeutic approaches. Epigenetic modulators have long been studied in various types of cancer. Within this review, we summarize the main preclinical studies regarding epigenetic targets (such as HDAC, SIRT, BET, EZH2, G9a, LSD1, and DNMT) inhibitors in medulloblastoma. Furthermore, we shed light on the increasing number of applications of drug combinations as well as hybrid compounds involving epigenetic mechanisms. Nevertheless, in the studies published so far, mainly un-specific or old modulators have been used, and the PKs (brain permeability) have not been well-evaluated. Thus, these findings should be considered as a starting point for further improvement and not as a final result.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Zwergel
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Romanelli
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Stazi
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Marco Tafani
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Valente
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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