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Huang Q, Ru Y, Luo Y, Luo X, Liu D, Ma Y, Zhou X, Linghu M, Xu W, Gao F, Huang Y. Identification of a targeted ACSL4 inhibitor to treat ferroptosis-related diseases. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk1200. [PMID: 38552012 PMCID: PMC10980261 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk1200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a form of iron-dependent, lipid peroxidation-driven regulatory cell death that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases, including organ injury, ischemia/reperfusion, and neurodegenerative diseases. However, inhibitors that directly and specifically target ferroptosis are not yet available. Here, we identify the compound AS-252424 (AS) as a potent ferroptosis inhibitor through kinase inhibitor library screening. Our results show that AS effectively inhibits lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis in both human and mouse cells. Mechanistically, AS directly binds to the glutamine 464 of ACSL4 to inhibit its enzymatic activity, resulting in the suppression of lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis. By using nanoparticle-based delivery systems, treatment with AS-loaded nanoparticles effectively alleviate ferroptosis-mediated organ injury in mouse models, including kidney ischemia/reperfusion injury and acute liver injury (ALI). Thus, our results identify that AS is a specific and targeted inhibitor of ACSL4 with remarkable antiferroptosis function, providing a potential therapeutic for ferroptosis-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Huang
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi Ru
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yingli Luo
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xianyu Luo
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Didi Liu
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yinchu Ma
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinru Zhou
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Maoyuan Linghu
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wen Xu
- Neurology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Fei Gao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People’s Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- Insitute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, 230601 China
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2
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Tzenaki N, Xenou L, Goulielmaki E, Tsapara A, Voudouri I, Antoniou A, Valianatos G, Tzardi M, De Bree E, Berdiaki A, Makrigiannakis A, Papakonstanti EA. A combined opposite targeting of p110δ PI3K and RhoA abrogates skin cancer. Commun Biol 2024; 7:26. [PMID: 38182748 PMCID: PMC10770346 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05639-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive and deadly skin cancer with an increasing incidence worldwide whereas SCC is the second most common non-melanoma human skin cancer with limited treatment options. Here we show that the development and metastasis of melanoma and SCC cancers can be blocked by a combined opposite targeting of RhoA and p110δ PI3K. We found that a targeted induction of RhoA activity into tumours by deletion of p190RhoGAP-a potent inhibitor of RhoA GTPase-in tumour cells together with adoptive macrophages transfer from δD910A/D910A mice in mice bearing tumours with active RhoA abrogated growth progression of melanoma and SCC tumours. Τhe efficacy of this combined treatment is the same in tumours lacking activating mutations in BRAF and in tumours harbouring the most frequent BRAF(V600E) mutation. Furthermore, the efficiency of this combined treatment is associated with decreased ATX expression in tumour cells and tumour stroma bypassing a positive feedback expression of ATX induced by direct ATX pharmacological inactivation. Together, our findings highlight the importance of targeting cancer cells and macrophages for skin cancer therapy, emerge a reverse link between ATX and RhoA and illustrate the benefit of p110δ PI3K inhibition as a combinatorial regimen for the treatment of skin cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niki Tzenaki
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Lydia Xenou
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Evangelia Goulielmaki
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Anna Tsapara
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Irene Voudouri
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Angelika Antoniou
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - George Valianatos
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Maria Tzardi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, University Hospital, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Eelco De Bree
- Department of Surgical Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, University Hospital, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Berdiaki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, University Hospital, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Antonios Makrigiannakis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, University Hospital, Heraklion, Greece
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Kozyra P, Pitucha M. Revisiting the Role of B-RAF Kinase as a Therapeutic Target in Melanoma. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:2003-2020. [PMID: 37855341 DOI: 10.2174/0109298673258495231011065225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is the rarest but most aggressive and deadly skin cancer. Melanoma is the result of a malignant transformation of melanocytes, which leads to their uncontrolled proliferation. Mutations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which are crucial for the control of cellular processes, such as apoptosis, division, growth, differentiation, and migration, are one of its most common causes. BRAF kinase, as one of the known targets of this pathway, has been known for many years as a prominent molecular target in melanoma therapy, and the following mini-review outlines the state-of-the-art knowledge regarding its structure, mutations and mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Kozyra
- Independent Radiopharmacy Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, PL, 20093, Poland
| | - Monika Pitucha
- Independent Radiopharmacy Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, PL-20093, Poland
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4
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Ciołczyk-Wierzbicka D, Krawczyk A, Zarzycka M, Zemanek G, Wierzbicki K. Three generations of mTOR kinase inhibitors in the activation of the apoptosis process in melanoma cells. J Cell Commun Signal 2023; 17:975-989. [PMID: 37097377 PMCID: PMC10409930 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-023-00748-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Many signaling pathways are involved in the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and this serine/threonine kinase regulates the most important cellular processes such as cell proliferation, autophagy, and apoptosis. The subject of this research was the effect of protein kinase inhibitors involved in the AKT, MEK, and mTOR kinase signaling pathways on the expression of pro-survival proteins, activity of caspase-3, proliferation, and induction of apoptosis in melanoma cells. The following inhibitors were used: protein kinase inhibitors such as AKT-MK-2206, MEK-AS-703026, mTOR-everolimus and Torkinib, as well as dual PI3K and mTOR inhibitor-BEZ-235 and Omipalisib, and mTOR1/2-OSI-027 inhibitor in single-mode and their combinations with MEK1/2 kinase inhibitor AS-703026. The obtained results confirm the synergistic effect of nanomolar concentrations of mTOR inhibitors, especially the dual PI3K and mTOR inhibitors (Omipalisib, BEZ-235) in combination with the MAP kinase inhibitor (AS-703026) in the activation of caspase 3, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of proliferation in melanoma cell lines. Our previous and current studies confirm the importance of the mTOR signal transduction pathway in the neoplastic transformation process. Melanoma is a case of a very heterogeneous neoplasm, which causes great difficulties in treating this neoplasm in an advanced stage, and the standard approach to this topic does not bring the expected results. There is a need for research on the search for new therapeutic strategies aimed at particular groups of patients. Effect of three generations of mTOR kinase inhibitors on caspase-3 activity, apoptosis and proliferation in melanoma cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Ciołczyk-Wierzbicka
- Chair of Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Ul. Kopernika 7, 31-034, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Krawczyk
- Chair of Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Ul. Kopernika 7, 31-034, Kraków, Poland
| | - Marta Zarzycka
- Chair of Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Ul. Kopernika 7, 31-034, Kraków, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Zemanek
- Chair of Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Ul. Kopernika 7, 31-034, Kraków, Poland
| | - Karol Wierzbicki
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplantology, Institute of Cardiology, Jagiellonian University, John Paul II Hospital, Ul. Prądnicka 80, 31-202, Kraków, Poland
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Kim S, Carvajal R, Kim M, Yang HW. Kinetics of RTK activation determine ERK reactivation and resistance to dual BRAF/MEK inhibition in melanoma. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112570. [PMID: 37252843 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The combination of BRAF and MEK inhibitors (BRAFi/MEKi) has shown promising response rates in treating BRAF-mutant melanoma by inhibiting ERK activation. However, treatment efficacy is limited by the emergence of drug-tolerant persister cells (persisters). Here, we show that the magnitude and duration of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) activation determine ERK reactivation and persister development. Our single-cell analysis reveals that only a small subset of melanoma cells exhibits effective RTK and ERK activation and develops persisters, despite uniform external stimuli. The kinetics of RTK activation directly influence ERK signaling dynamics and persister development. These initially rare persisters form major resistant clones through effective RTK-mediated ERK activation. Consequently, limiting RTK signaling suppresses ERK activation and cell proliferation in drug-resistant cells. Our findings provide non-genetic mechanistic insights into the role of heterogeneity in RTK activation kinetics in ERK reactivation and BRAFi/MEKi resistance, suggesting potential strategies for overcoming drug resistance in BRAF-mutant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungsoo Kim
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Richard Carvajal
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Minah Kim
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Hee Won Yang
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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Nakai C, Mimaki S, Matsushima K, Shinozaki E, Yamazaki K, Muro K, Yamaguchi K, Nishina T, Yuki S, Shitara K, Bando H, Suzuki Y, Akagi K, Nomura S, Fujii S, Sugiyama M, Nishida N, Mizokami M, Koh Y, Koshizaka T, Okada H, Abe Y, Ohtsu A, Yoshino T, Tsuchihara K. Regulation of MEK inhibitor selumetinib sensitivity by AKT phosphorylation in the novel BRAF L525R mutant. Int J Clin Oncol 2023; 28:654-663. [PMID: 36856908 PMCID: PMC10119053 DOI: 10.1007/s10147-023-02318-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oncogenic mutations in BRAF genes are found in approximately 5-10% of colorectal cancers. The majority of BRAF mutations are located within exons 11-15 of the catalytic kinase domains, with BRAF V600E accounting for more than 80% of the observed BRAF mutations. Sensitivity to BRAF- and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitors varies depending on BRAF mutations and tumor cell types. Previously, we newly identified, BRAF L525R-mutation, in the activation segment of the kinase in colorectal cancer patient. Here, we characterized the function of the BRAF L525R mutation. METHODS HEK293 cells harboring a BRAF mutation (V600E or L525R) were first characterized and then treated with cetuximab, dabrafenib, and selumetinib. Cell viability was measured using WST-1 assay and the expression of proteins involved in the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathways was evaluated using western blot analysis. RESULTS The MEK inhibitor selumetinib effectively inhibited cell proliferation and ERK phosphorylation in BRAF L525R cells but not in BRAF V600E cells. Further studies revealed that AKT phosphorylation was reduced by selumetinib in BRAF L525R cells but not in BRAF V600E cells or selumetinib-resistant BRAF L525R cells. Moreover, the AKT inhibitor overcame the selumetinib resistance. CONCLUSIONS We established a model system harboring BRAF L525R using HEK293 cells. BRAF L525R constitutively activated ERK. AKT phosphorylation caused sensitivity and resistance to selumetinib. Our results suggest that a comprehensive network analysis may provide insights to identify effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chikako Nakai
- Division of Translational Informatics, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan
- G&G Science Co. Ltd., 4-1-1 Misato, Matsukawamachi, Fukushima, 960-1242, Japan
| | - Sachiyo Mimaki
- Division of Translational Informatics, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan
| | - Koutatsu Matsushima
- G&G Science Co. Ltd., 4-1-1 Misato, Matsukawamachi, Fukushima, 960-1242, Japan
| | - Eiji Shinozaki
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-0063, Japan
| | - Kentaro Yamazaki
- Division of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Shizuoka Cancer Center, 1007 Shimo-Nagakubo, Nagaizumi-Cho, Sunto, Shizuoka, 411-8777, Japan
| | - Kei Muro
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, 1-1 Kanokoden, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8681, Japan
| | - Kensei Yamaguchi
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-0063, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Nishina
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center, 160 Minamiumemotomachi, Matsuyama, Ehime, 791-0245, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yuki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kohei Shitara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan
| | - Hideaki Bando
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, 1-1 Kanokoden, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8681, Japan
| | - Yutaka Suzuki
- Department of Computational Biology, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8561, Japan
| | - Kiwamu Akagi
- Division of Molecular Diagnosis and Cancer Prevention, Saitama Cancer Center, 818 Komuro, Inami-machi, Kitaadachi, Saitama, 362-0806, Japan
| | - Shogo Nomura
- Biostatistics Division, Center for Research and Administration and Support, National Cancer Center, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan
| | - Satoshi Fujii
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Masaya Sugiyama
- Genome Medical Sciences Project, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-7-1 Kohnodai, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan
| | - Nao Nishida
- Genome Medical Sciences Project, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-7-1 Kohnodai, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan
| | - Masashi Mizokami
- Genome Medical Sciences Project, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-7-1 Kohnodai, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Koh
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama, 641-8509, Japan
| | - Takuya Koshizaka
- G&G Science Co. Ltd., 4-1-1 Misato, Matsukawamachi, Fukushima, 960-1242, Japan
| | - Hideki Okada
- G&G Science Co. Ltd., 4-1-1 Misato, Matsukawamachi, Fukushima, 960-1242, Japan
| | - Yukiko Abe
- G&G Science Co. Ltd., 4-1-1 Misato, Matsukawamachi, Fukushima, 960-1242, Japan
| | - Atsushi Ohtsu
- National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan
| | - Takayuki Yoshino
- Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan
| | - Katsuya Tsuchihara
- Division of Translational Informatics, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan.
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Li M, Wang D, Li Q, Luo F, Zhong T, Wu H, Xiong L, Yuan M, Su M, Fan Y. Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 6-(Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-yl)quinazoline Derivatives as Anticancer Agents via PI3Kα Inhibition. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076851. [PMID: 37047827 PMCID: PMC10095550 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant expression of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signalling pathway is often associated with tumourigenesis, progression and poor prognosis. Hence, PI3K inhibitors have attracted significant interest for the treatment of cancer. In this study, a series of new 6-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-yl)quinazoline derivatives were designed, synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS spectra analyses. In the in vitro anticancer assay, most of the synthetic compounds showed submicromolar inhibitory activity against various tumour cell lines, among which 13k is the most potent compound with IC50 values ranging from 0.09 μΜ to 0.43 μΜ against all the tested cell lines. Moreover, 13k induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and cell apoptosis of HCC827 cells by inhibition of PI3Kα with an IC50 value of 1.94 nM. These results suggested that compound 13k might serve as a lead compound for the development of PI3Kα inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Li
- State Key Laboratory for Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550014, China
| | - Daoping Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550014, China
| | - Qing Li
- State Key Laboratory for Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550014, China
| | - Fang Luo
- State Key Laboratory for Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550014, China
| | - Ting Zhong
- State Key Laboratory for Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550014, China
| | - Hongshan Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550014, China
| | - Liang Xiong
- State Key Laboratory for Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550014, China
| | - Meitao Yuan
- State Key Laboratory for Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550014, China
| | - Mingzhi Su
- State Key Laboratory for Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550014, China
| | - Yanhua Fan
- State Key Laboratory for Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products of Guizhou Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550014, China
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8
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Park BS, Jeon H, Chi SG, Kim T. Efficient prioritization of CRISPR screen hits by accounting for targeting efficiency of guide RNA. BMC Biol 2023; 21:45. [PMID: 36829149 PMCID: PMC9960226 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01536-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CRISPR-based screens are revolutionizing drug discovery as tools to identify genes whose ablation induces a phenotype of interest. For instance, CRISPR-Cas9 screening has been successfully used to identify novel therapeutic targets in cancer where disruption of genes leads to decreased viability of malignant cells. However, low-activity guide RNAs may give rise to variable changes in phenotype, preventing easy identification of hits and leading to false negative results. Therefore, correcting the effects of bias due to differences in guide RNA efficiency in CRISPR screening data can improve the efficiency of prioritizing hits for further validation. Here, we developed an approach to identify hits from negative CRISPR screens by correcting the fold changes (FC) in gRNA frequency by the actual, observed frequency of indel mutations generated by gRNA. RESULTS Each gRNA was coupled with the "reporter sequence" that can be targeted by the same gRNA so that the frequency of mutations in the reporter sequence can be used as a proxy for the endogenous target gene. The measured gRNA activity was used to correct the FC. We identified indel generation efficiency as the dominant factor contributing significant bias to screening results, and our method significantly removed such bias and was better at identifying essential genes when compared to conventional fold change analysis. We successfully applied our gRNA activity data to previously published gRNA screening data, and identified novel genes whose ablation could synergize with vemurafenib in the A375 melanoma cell line. Our method identified nicotinamide N-methyltransferase, lactate dehydrogenase B, and polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 as synergistic targets whose ablation sensitized A375 cells to vemurafenib. CONCLUSIONS We identified the variations in target cleavage efficiency, even in optimized sgRNA libraries, that pose a strong bias in phenotype and developed an analysis method that corrects phenotype score by the measured differences in the targeting efficiency among sgRNAs. Collectively, we expect that our new analysis method will more accurately identify genes that confer the phenotype of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byung-Sun Park
- grid.35541.360000000121053345Medicinal Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5 Hwarangro-14-Gil, SeongbukGu, Seoul, 02792 Republic of Korea ,grid.222754.40000 0001 0840 2678Department of Biological Sciences, Korea University, 145 AnamRo, SeongbukGu, Seoul, 02841 Republic of Korea
| | - Heeju Jeon
- grid.35541.360000000121053345Medicinal Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5 Hwarangro-14-Gil, SeongbukGu, Seoul, 02792 Republic of Korea ,grid.222754.40000 0001 0840 2678Department of Biological Sciences, Korea University, 145 AnamRo, SeongbukGu, Seoul, 02841 Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Gil Chi
- grid.222754.40000 0001 0840 2678Department of Biological Sciences, Korea University, 145 AnamRo, SeongbukGu, Seoul, 02841 Republic of Korea
| | - Tackhoon Kim
- Medicinal Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5 Hwarangro-14-Gil, SeongbukGu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Korea University, 145 AnamRo, SeongbukGu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea. .,Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, Korea University of Science and Technology, 217 GajeongRo YuseongGu, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea.
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Targeting mTOR signaling overcomes acquired resistance to combined BRAF and MEK inhibition in BRAF-mutant melanoma. Oncogene 2021; 40:5590-5599. [PMID: 34304249 PMCID: PMC8445818 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01911-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Targeting MAPK pathway using a combination of BRAF and MEK inhibitors is an efficient strategy to treat melanoma harboring BRAF-mutation. The development of acquired resistance is inevitable due to the signaling pathway rewiring. Combining western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and reverse phase protein array (RPPA), we aim to understanding the role of the mTORC1 signaling pathway, a center node of intracellular signaling network, in mediating drug resistance of BRAF-mutant melanoma to the combination of BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) and MEK inhibitor (MEKi) therapy. The mTORC1 signaling pathway is initially suppressed by BRAFi and MEKi combination in melanoma but rebounds overtime after tumors acquire resistance to the combination therapy (CR) as assayed in cultured cells and PDX models. In vitro experiments showed that a subset of CR melanoma cells was sensitive to mTORC1 inhibition. The mTOR inhibitors, rapamycin and NVP-BEZ235, induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in CR cell lines. As a proof-of-principle, we demonstrated that rapamycin and NVP-BEZ235 treatment reduced tumor growth in CR xenograft models. Mechanistically, AKT or ERK contributes to the activation of mTORC1 in CR cells, depending on PTEN status of these cells. Our study reveals that mTOR activation is essential for drug resistance of melanoma to MAPK inhibitors, and provides insight into the rewiring of the signaling networks in CR melanoma.
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10
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Organismal roles for the PI3Kα and β isoforms: their specificity, redundancy or cooperation is context-dependent. Biochem J 2021; 478:1199-1225. [DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PI3Ks are important lipid kinases that produce phosphoinositides phosphorylated in position 3 of the inositol ring. There are three classes of PI3Ks: class I PI3Ks produce PIP3 at plasma membrane level. Although D. melanogaster and C. elegans have only one form of class I PI3K, vertebrates have four class I PI3Ks called isoforms despite being encoded by four different genes. Hence, duplication of these genes coincides with the acquisition of coordinated multi-organ development. Of the class I PI3Ks, PI3Kα and PI3Kβ, encoded by PIK3CA and PIK3CB, are ubiquitously expressed. They present similar putative protein domains and share PI(4,5)P2 lipid substrate specificity. Fifteen years after publication of their first isoform-selective pharmacological inhibitors and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) that mimic their complete and specific pharmacological inhibition, we review the knowledge gathered in relation to the redundant and selective roles of PI3Kα and PI3Kβ. Recent data suggest that, further to their redundancy, they cooperate for the integration of organ-specific and context-specific signal cues, to orchestrate organ development, physiology, and disease. This knowledge reinforces the importance of isoform-selective inhibitors in clinical settings.
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11
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Ryabaya OO, Abramov IS, Khochenkov DA, Akasov R, Sholina NV, Prokofieva AA. Rapamycin synergizes the cytotoxic effects of MEK inhibitor binimetinib and overcomes acquired resistance to therapy in melanoma cell lines in vitro. Invest New Drugs 2021; 39:987-1000. [PMID: 33683500 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-021-01089-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Objective The problem of drug resistance to BRAF-targeted therapy often occurs in melanoma treatment. Activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is one of the mechanisms of acquired resistance and a potential target for treatment. In the current research, we investigated that dual inhibition of mTOR and MEK synergistically reduced the viability of melanoma cells in vitro. Methods A combination of rapamycin (a macrolide immunosuppressant, mTOR inhibitor) and binimetinib (an anti-cancer small molecule, selective inhibitor of MEK) was studied using a panel of melanoma cell lines, including patient-derived cells. Results It was found, that combinatorial therapy of rapamycin (250 nM) and binimetinib (2 μM) resulted in 25% of cell viability compared to either rapamycin (85%) or binimetinib alone (50%) for A375 and vemurafenib-resistant Mel IL/R cells. The suppressed activation of mTOR and MEK by combined rapamycin and binimetinib treatment was confirmed using Western blot assay. Cell death occured via the apoptosis pathway; however, the combination treatment significantly increased the apoptosis only for Mel IL/R cells. The enhanced cytotoxic effect was also associated with enhanced cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. Conclusion In general, we provide the evidence that dual inhibition of mTOR and MEK could be promising for further preclinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oxana O Ryabaya
- Department of the Experimental Diagnostic and Tumor Therapy N.N., Bloknin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 24 Kashirskoe Shosse, Moscow, 115478, Russia.
| | - Ivan S Abramov
- Center of Strategical Planning, Moscow, Russia, 10-1 Pogodinskaya Street, Moscow, 119121, Russia
| | - Dmitry A Khochenkov
- Department of the Experimental Diagnostic and Tumor Therapy N.N., Bloknin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 24 Kashirskoe Shosse, Moscow, 115478, Russia.,Togliatti State University, Belorusskaya str. 14, Togliatti, 445020, Russia
| | - Roman Akasov
- Institute of Molecular Medicine Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 8-2 Trubetskaya Street, Moscow, 119991, Russia.,Department of Biomaterials and Biotechnologies, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997, Russia.,Federal Scientific Research Center «Crystallography and Photonics», Russian Academy of Sciences, 17a Butlerova st, Moscow, 117997, Russia
| | - Nataly V Sholina
- Department of the Experimental Diagnostic and Tumor Therapy N.N., Bloknin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 24 Kashirskoe Shosse, Moscow, 115478, Russia.,Institute of Molecular Medicine Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 8-2 Trubetskaya Street, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Anastasia A Prokofieva
- Department of the Experimental Diagnostic and Tumor Therapy N.N., Bloknin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 24 Kashirskoe Shosse, Moscow, 115478, Russia
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12
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Resistance to Molecularly Targeted Therapies in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13051115. [PMID: 33807778 PMCID: PMC7961479 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer with invasive growth patterns. In 2021, 106,110 patients are projected to be diagnosed with melanoma, out of which 7180 are expected to die. Traditional methods like surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are not effective in the treatment of metastatic and advanced melanoma. Recent approaches to treat melanoma have focused on biomarkers that play significant roles in cell growth, proliferation, migration, and survival. Several FDA-approved molecular targeted therapies such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been developed against genetic biomarkers whose overexpression is implicated in tumorigenesis. The use of targeted therapies as an alternative or supplement to immunotherapy has revolutionized the management of metastatic melanoma. Although this treatment strategy is more efficacious and less toxic in comparison to traditional therapies, targeted therapies are less effective after prolonged treatment due to acquired resistance caused by mutations and activation of alternative mechanisms in melanoma tumors. Recent studies focus on understanding the mechanisms of acquired resistance to these current therapies. Further research is needed for the development of better approaches to improve prognosis in melanoma patients. In this article, various melanoma biomarkers including BRAF, MEK, RAS, c-KIT, VEGFR, c-MET and PI3K are described, and their potential mechanisms for drug resistance are discussed.
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13
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Tran KB, Kolekar S, Jabed A, Jaynes P, Shih JH, Wang Q, Flanagan JU, Rewcastle GW, Baguley BC, Shepherd PR. Diverse mechanisms activate the PI 3-kinase/mTOR pathway in melanomas: implications for the use of PI 3-kinase inhibitors to overcome resistance to inhibitors of BRAF and MEK. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:136. [PMID: 33549048 PMCID: PMC7866738 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-07826-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The PI 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway has been implicated as a target for melanoma therapy. Methods Given the high degree of genetic heterogeneity in melanoma, we sought to understand the breadth of variation in PI3K signalling in the large NZM panel of early passage cell lines developed from metastatic melanomas. Results We find the vast majority of lines show upregulation of this pathway, and this upregulation is achieved by a wide range of mechanisms. Expression of all class-IA PI3K isoforms was readily detected in these cell lines. A range of genetic changes in different components of the PI3K pathway was seen in different lines. Coding variants or amplification were identified in the PIK3CA gene, and amplification of the PK3CG gene was common. Deletions in the PIK3R1 and PIK3R2 regulatory subunits were also relatively common. Notably, no genetic variants were seen in the PIK3CD gene despite p110δ being expressed in many of the lines. Genetic variants were detected in a number of genes that encode phosphatases regulating the PI3K signalling, with reductions in copy number common in PTEN, INPP4B, INPP5J, PHLLP1 and PHLLP2 genes. While the pan-PI3K inhibitor ZSTK474 attenuated cell growth in all the lines tested, isoform-selective inhibition of p110α and p110δ inhibited cell growth in only a subset of the lines and the inhibition was only partial. This suggests that functional redundancy exists between PI3K isoforms. Furthermore, while ZSTK474 was initially effective in melanoma cells with induced resistance to vemurafenib, a subset of these cell lines concurrently developed partial resistance to PI3K inhibition. Importantly, mTOR-selective or mTOR/PI3K dual inhibitors effectively inhibited cell growth in all the lines, including those already resistant to BRAF inhibitors and ZSTK474. Conclusions Overall, this indicates a high degree of diversity in the way the PI3K pathway is activated in different melanoma cell lines and that mTOR is the most effective point for targeting the growth via the PI3K pathway across all of these cell lines. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-07826-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khanh B Tran
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sharada Kolekar
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Anower Jabed
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Patrick Jaynes
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jen-Hsing Shih
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Qian Wang
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jack U Flanagan
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Gordon W Rewcastle
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Bruce C Baguley
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter R Shepherd
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. .,Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. .,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand.
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14
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Razavi A, Keshavarz-Fathi M, Pawelek J, Rezaei N. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for melanoma. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2021; 17:209-223. [PMID: 33481629 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2021.1880895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In recent years, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has emerged as a cancer treatment. After initial therapeutic success for hematologic malignancies, this approach has been extended for the treatment of solid tumors including melanoma. AREAS COVERED T cells need to be reprogramed to recognize specific antigens expressed only in tumor cells, a difficult problem since cancer cells are simply transformed normal cells. Tumor antigens, namely, CSPG4, CD70, and GD2 have been targeted by CAR-T cells for melanoma. Moreover, different co-stimulatory signaling domains need to be selected to direct T cell fate. In this review, various approaches for the treatment of melanoma and their effectiveness are comprehensively reviewed and the current status, challenges, and future perspective of CAR-T cell therapy for melanoma are discussed. Literature search was accomplished in three databases (PubMed, Google scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov). Published papers and clinical trials were screened and relevant documents were included by checking pre-defined eligibility criteria. EXPERT OPINION Despite obstacles and the risk of adverse events, CAR T cell therapy could be used for patients with treatment-resistant cancer. Clinical trials are underway to determine the efficacy of this approach for the treatment of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azadehsadat Razavi
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biology Sciences, University of Kharazmi, Tehran, Iran.,Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Keshavarz-Fathi
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - John Pawelek
- Department of Dermatology and the Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Stockholm, Sweden
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15
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HASSAN TOBEIGEI FAISAL, M. GAHTANI REEM, SHAIKH AHMAD, AL ALI AMER, KAMELI NADER, KAMLI HOSSAM, RAJAGOPALAN PRASANNA. Computational High-throughput screening and In vitro approaches identify CB-006-3; A novel PI3K-BRAFV600E dual targeted inhibitor against melanoma. Oncol Res 2021. [DOI: 10.32604/or.2022.025187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
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16
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Wang Q, Gavin W, Masiello N, Tran KB, Laible G, Shepherd PR. Cetuximab produced from a goat mammary gland expression system is equally efficacious as innovator cetuximab in animal cancer models. BIOTECHNOLOGY REPORTS (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2020; 28:e00533. [PMID: 33024714 PMCID: PMC7528048 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2020.e00533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing demand for improved production and purification systems for biosimilar or biobetter humanised monoclonal antibodies and animal production systems offer one such possibile option. Cetuximab, also known as 'Erbitux', is a humanised monoclonal antibody widely used in cancer therapy. We have previously reported on a genetically engineered goat system to produce cetuximab (gCetuximab) in milk. Herein we report that gCetuximab has similar bioactivity and pharamacokinetic properties compared with the commercial product produced in mammalian cell culture. In particular both forms have very similar efficacy in a HT29 colorectal cancer xenograft model alone or when conjugated to the toxin MMAE. This also demonstrates that the gCetuximab will be a viable vehicle for antibody drug conjugate based therapies. Taken together, this shows that the goat milk monoclonal antibody production system is an effective way of producing a biosimilar form of cetuximab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wang
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Khanh B Tran
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Götz Laible
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
- AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter R Shepherd
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
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17
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Horizontal Combination of MEK and PI3K/mTOR Inhibition in BRAF Mutant Tumor Cells with or without Concomitant PI3K Pathway Mutations. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207649. [PMID: 33081092 PMCID: PMC7589607 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The RAS/RAF and PI3K/Akt pathways play a key regulatory role in cancer and are often hit by oncogenic mutations. Despite molecular targeting, the long-term success of monotherapy is often hampered by de novo or acquired resistance. In the case of concurrent mutations in both pathways, horizontal combination could be a reasonable approach. In our study, we investigated the MEK inhibitor selumetinib and PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor BEZ235 alone and in combination in BRAF-only mutant and BRAF + PI3K/PTEN double mutant cancer cells using short- and long-term 2D viability assays, spheroid assays, and immunoblots. In the 2D assays, selumetinib was more effective on BRAF-only mutant lines when compared to BRAF + PI3K/PTEN double mutants. Furthermore, combination therapy had an additive effect in most of the lines while synergism was observed in two of the double mutants. Importantly, in the SW1417 BRAF + PI3K double mutant cells, synergism was also confirmed in the spheroid and in the in vivo model. Mechanistically, p-Akt level decreased only in the SW1417 cell line after combination treatment. In conclusion, the presence of concurrent mutations alone did not predict a stronger response to combination treatment. Therefore, additional investigations are warranted to identify predictive factors that can select patients who can benefit from the horizontal combinational inhibition of these two pathways.
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18
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Proietti I, Skroza N, Bernardini N, Tolino E, Balduzzi V, Marchesiello A, Michelini S, Volpe S, Mambrin A, Mangino G, Romeo G, Maddalena P, Rees C, Potenza C. Mechanisms of Acquired BRAF Inhibitor Resistance in Melanoma: A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2801. [PMID: 33003483 PMCID: PMC7600801 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This systematic review investigated the literature on acquired v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) inhibitor resistance in patients with melanoma. We searched MEDLINE for articles on BRAF inhibitor resistance in patients with melanoma published since January 2010 in the following areas: (1) genetic basis of resistance; (2) epigenetic and transcriptomic mechanisms; (3) influence of the immune system on resistance development; and (4) combination therapy to overcome resistance. Common resistance mutations in melanoma are BRAF splice variants, BRAF amplification, neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (NRAS) mutations and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) mutations. Genetic and epigenetic changes reactivate previously blocked mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, activate alternative signaling pathways, and cause epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Once BRAF inhibitor resistance develops, the tumor microenvironment reverts to a low immunogenic state secondary to the induction of programmed cell death ligand-1. Combining a BRAF inhibitor with a MEK inhibitor delays resistance development and increases duration of response. Multiple other combinations based on known mechanisms of resistance are being investigated. BRAF inhibitor-resistant cells develop a range of 'escape routes', so multiple different treatment targets will probably be required to overcome resistance. In the future, it may be possible to personalize combination therapy towards the specific resistance pathway in individual patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Proietti
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Nevena Skroza
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Nicoletta Bernardini
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Ersilia Tolino
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Veronica Balduzzi
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Anna Marchesiello
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Simone Michelini
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Salvatore Volpe
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Alessandra Mambrin
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Giorgio Mangino
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (G.R.)
| | - Giovanna Romeo
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (G.R.)
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Maddalena
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
| | | | - Concetta Potenza
- Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Fiorini Hospital, Polo Pontino, 04019 Terracina, Italy; (N.S.); (N.B.); (E.T.); (V.B.); (A.M.); (S.M.); (S.V.); (A.M.); (P.M.); (C.P.)
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Zhu DS, Dong JY, Xu YY, Zhang XT, Fu SB, Liu W. Omipalisib Inhibits Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Growth Through Inactivation of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase (PI3K)/AKT/Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) and ERK Signaling. Med Sci Monit 2020; 26:e927106. [PMID: 32804918 PMCID: PMC7450785 DOI: 10.12659/msm.927106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a life-threatening digestive tract malignancy with no known curative treatment. This study aimed to investigate the antineoplastic effects of omipalisib and its underlying molecular mechanisms in ESCC using a high throughput screen. Material/Methods MTT assay and clone formation were used to determine cell viability and proliferation. Flow cytometry was conducted to detect cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. Global gene expression and mRNA expression levels were determined by RNA sequencing and real-time PCR, respectively. Protein expression was evaluated in the 4 ESCC cell lines by Western blot analysis. Finally, a xenograft nude mouse model was used to evaluate the effect of omipalisib on tumor growth in vivo. Results In the pilot screening of a 1404-compound library, we demonstrated that omipalisib markedly inhibited cell proliferation in a panel of ESCC cell lines. Mechanistically, omipalisib induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. RNA-seq, KEGG, and GSEA analyses revealed that the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is the prominent target of omipalisib in ESCC cells. Treatment with omipalisib decreased expression of p-AKT, p-4EBP1, p-p70S6K, p-S6, and p-ERK, therefore disrupting the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and ERK signaling. In the nude mouse xenograft model, omipalisib significantly suppressed the tumor growth in ESCC tumor-bearing mice without obvious adverse effects. Conclusions Omipalisib inhibited the proliferation and growth of ESCC by disrupting PI3K/AKT/mTOR and ERK signaling. The present study supports the rationale for using omipalisib as a therapeutic approach in ESCC patients. Further clinical studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Shan Zhu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China (mainland)
| | - Jing-Yao Dong
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China (mainland)
| | - Yao-Yao Xu
- The Bethune Institute of Epigenetic Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China (mainland)
| | - Xin-Tong Zhang
- The Bethune Institute of Epigenetic Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China (mainland)
| | - Shi-Bo Fu
- The Bethune Institute of Epigenetic Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China (mainland)
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China (mainland)
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20
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Tran KB, Gimenez G, Tsai P, Kolekar S, Rodger EJ, Chatterjee A, Jabed A, Shih JH, Joseph WR, Marshall ES, Wang Q, Print CG, Eccles MR, Baguley BC, Shepherd PR. Genomic and signalling pathway characterization of the NZM panel of melanoma cell lines: A valuable model for studying the impact of genetic diversity in melanoma. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2020; 34:136-143. [PMID: 32567790 PMCID: PMC7818249 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is a disease associated with a very high mutation burden and thus the possibility of a diverse range of oncogenic mechanisms that allow it to evade therapeutic interventions and the immune system. Here, we describe the characterization of a panel of 102 cell lines from metastatic melanomas (the NZM lines), including using whole‐exome and RNA sequencing to analyse genetic variants and gene expression changes in a subset of this panel. Lines possessing all major melanoma genotypes were identified, and hierarchical clustering of gene expression profiles revealed four broad subgroups of cell lines. Immunogenotyping identified a range of HLA haplotypes as well as expression of neoantigens and cancer–testis antigens in the lines. Together, these characteristics make the NZM panel a valuable resource for cell‐based, immunological and xenograft studies to better understand the diversity of melanoma biology and the responses of melanoma to therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khanh B Tran
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Gregory Gimenez
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Peter Tsai
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sharada Kolekar
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Euan J Rodger
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Aniruddha Chatterjee
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Anower Jabed
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jen-Hsing Shih
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Wayne R Joseph
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Elaine S Marshall
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Cristin G Print
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Michael R Eccles
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Bruce C Baguley
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter R Shepherd
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand.,Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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21
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The limitations of targeting MEK signalling in Glioblastoma therapy. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7401. [PMID: 32366879 PMCID: PMC7198577 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64289-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GB) is a highly aggressive, difficult to treat brain tumour. Successful treatment, consisting of maximal safe tumour de-bulking, followed by radiotherapy and treatment with the alkylating agent Temozolomide (TMZ), can extend patient survival to approximately 15 months. Combination treatments based on the inhibition of the PI3K pathway, which is the most frequently activated signalling cascade in GB, have so far only shown limited therapeutic success. Here, we use the clinically approved MEK inhibitor Trametinib to investigate its potential use in managing GB. Trametinib has a strong anti-proliferative effect on established GB cell lines, stem cell-like cells and their differentiated progeny and while it does not enhance anti-proliferative and cell death-inducing properties of the standard treatment, i.e. exposure to radiation or TMZ, neither does MEK inhibition block their effectiveness. However, upon MEK inhibition some cell populations appear to favour cell-substrate interactions in a sprouting assay and become more invasive in the Chorioallantoic Membrane assay, which assesses cell penetration into an organic membrane. While this increased invasion can be modulated by additional inhibition of the PI3K signalling cascade, there is no apparent benefit of blocking MEK compared to targeting PI3K.
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22
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Rebecca VW, Herlyn M. Nongenetic Mechanisms of Drug Resistance in Melanoma. ANNUAL REVIEW OF CANCER BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cancerbio-030419-033533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Resistance to targeted and immune-based therapies limits cures in patients with metastatic melanoma. A growing number of reports have identified nongenetic primary resistance mechanisms including intrinsic microenvironment- and lineage plasticity–mediated processes serving critical functions in the persistence of disease throughout therapy. There is a temporally shifting spectrum of cellular identities fluidly occupied by therapy-persisting melanoma cells responsible for driving therapeutic resistance and metastasis. The key epigenetic, metabolic, and phenotypic reprogramming events requisite for the manifestation and maintenance of so-called persister melanoma populations remain poorly understood and underscore the need to comprehensively investigate actionable vulnerabilities. Here we attempt to integrate the field's observations on nongenetic mechanisms of drug resistance in melanoma. We postulate that the future design of therapeutic strategies specifically addressing therapy-persisting subpopulations of melanoma will improve the curative potential of therapy for patients with metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito W. Rebecca
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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23
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Dual-target kinase drug design: Current strategies and future directions in cancer therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 188:112025. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.112025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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24
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Li QS, Shen BN, Xu HJ, Ruan BF. Promising Strategies for Overcoming BRAF Inhibitor Resistance Based on Known Resistance Mechanisms. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2020; 20:1415-1430. [PMID: 32321411 DOI: 10.2174/1871520620666200422073622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Almost 50% of metastatic melanomas harbor BRAF mutations. Since 2011, BRAF inhibitors have exhibited striking clinical benefits in BRAF-mutant melanoma patients. Unfortunately, their therapeutic effects are often temporary. The resistance mechanisms vary and can be broadly classified as MAPK reactivation-dependent and -independent. Elucidation of these resistance mechanisms provides new insights into strategies for overcoming resistance. Indeed, several alternative treatment strategies, including changes in the mode of administration, combinations of BRAF and MEK inhibitors, and immunotherapy have been verified as beneficial to BRAF inhibitor-resistant melanoma patients. Prospect In this review, we discuss promising strategies for overcoming drug resistance and highlighting the prospects for discovering strategies to counteract BRAF inhibitor resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Shan Li
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Bang-Nian Shen
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Hua-Jian Xu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Ban-Feng Ruan
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230601, China
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25
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Personal response to immune checkpoint inhibitors of patients with advanced melanoma explained by a computational model of cellular immunity, tumor growth, and drug. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226869. [PMID: 31877168 PMCID: PMC6932803 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab, are transforming clinical oncology. Yet, insufficient overall response rate, and accelerated tumor growth rate in some patients, highlight the need for identifying potential responders. To construct a computational model, identifying response predictors, and enabling immunotherapy personalization. The combined dynamics of cellular immunity, pembrolizumab, and the melanoma cancer were modeled by a set of ordinary differential equations. The model relies on a scheme of T memory stem cells, progressively differentiating into effector CD8+ T cells, and additionally includes T cell exhaustion, reinvigoration and senescence. Clinical data of a pembrolizumab-treated patient with advanced melanoma (Patient O’) were used for model calibration and simulations. Virtual patient populations, varying in one parameter or more, were generated for retrieving clinical studies. Simulations captured the major features of Patient O’s disease, displaying a good fit to her clinical data. A temporary increase in tumor burden, as implied by the clinical data, was obtained only when assuming aberrant self-renewal rates. Variation in effector T cell cytotoxicity was sufficient for simulating dynamics that vary from rapid progression to complete cure, while variation in tumor immunogenicity has a delayed and limited effect on response. Simulations of a-specific clinical trial were in good agreement with the clinical results, demonstrating positive correlations between response to pembrolizumab and the ratio of reinvigoration to baseline tumor load. These results were obtained by assuming inter-patient variation in the toxicity of effector CD8+ T cells, and in their intrinsic division rate, as well as by assuming that the intrinsic division rate of cancer cells is correlated with the baseline tumor burden. In conclusion, hyperprogression can result from lower patient-specific effector cytotoxicity, a temporary increase in tumor load is unlikely to result from real tumor growth, and the ratio of reinvigoration to tumor load can predict personal response to pembrolizumab. Upon further validation, the model can serve for immunotherapy personalization.
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26
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Characterization of Melanoma Cell Lines Resistant to Vemurafenib and Evaluation of Their Responsiveness to EGFR- and MET-Inhibitor Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 21:ijms21010113. [PMID: 31877948 PMCID: PMC6981576 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Constitutively active mutated BRAF kinase occurs in more than 40% of patients suffering from melanoma. To block its activity, a specific inhibitor, vemurafenib, is applied as a therapy. Unfortunately, patients develop resistance to this drug rather quickly. Previously, we demonstrated that pairs of inhibitors directed against EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) and MET (hepatocyte growth factor receptor) trigger a synergistic cytotoxic effect in human melanoma cells, and decrease their invasive abilities. In this study, we aimed to generate and characterize melanoma cells resistant to vemurafenib treatment, and then to evaluate the effectiveness of a previously developed therapy in this model. We showed that melanoma cells resistant to the BRAF inhibitor are characterized by a lower proliferation rate and they acquire a spindle-like shape. Using Western Blot, we also noticed increased levels of EGFR, MET, and selected markers of cancer stem cells in generated cell lines. Resistant cells also exhibited increased invasive abilities and elevated proteolytic activity, observed using scratch wound assays and gelatin zymography. Moreover, combination therapy reduced their viability, as measured with a colorimetric cytotoxicity test, and decreased invasiveness. The obtained results validate the application of combination therapy directed against EGFR and MET in melanoma cells resistant to treatment with inhibitors of mutated BRAF.
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27
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Estrela JM, Salvador R, Marchio P, Valles SL, López-Blanch R, Rivera P, Benlloch M, Alcácer J, Pérez CL, Pellicer JA, Obrador E. Glucocorticoid receptor antagonism overcomes resistance to BRAF inhibition in BRAF V600E-mutated metastatic melanoma. Am J Cancer Res 2019; 9:2580-2598. [PMID: 31911848 PMCID: PMC6943348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical applications of glucocorticoids (GC) in Oncology are dependent on their pro-apoptotic action to treat lymphoproliferative cancers, and to alleviate side effects induced by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. However, the mechanism(s) by which GC may also promote tumor progression remains unclear. GC receptor (GR) knockdown decreases the antioxidant protection of highly metastatic B16-F10 melanoma cells. We hypothesize that a GR antagonist (RU486, mifepristone) could increase the efficacy of BRAF-related therapy in BRAFV600E-mutated metastatic melanoma. In vivo formed spontaneous skin tumors were reinoculated into nude mice to expand the metastases of different human BRAFV600E melanoma cells. The GR content of melanoma cell lines was measured by [3H]-labeled ligand binding assay. Nuclear Nrf2 and its transcription activity was investigated by RT-PCR, western blotting, and by measuring Nrf2- and redox state-related enzyme activities and metabolites. GR knockdown was achieved using lentivirus, and GR overexpression by transfection with the NR3C1 plasmid. shRNA-induced selective Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, AKT1 or NF-κB/p65 depletion was used to test the efficacy of vemurafenib (VMF) and RU486 against BRAFV600E-mutated metastatic melanoma. During early progression of skin melanoma metastases, RU486 and VMF induced a drastic metastases regression. However, treatment at an advanced stage of growth demonstrated the development of resistance to RU486 and VMF. This resistance was mechanistically linked to overexpression of specific proteins of the Bcl-2 family (Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 in our experimental models). We found that melanoma resistance is decreased if AKT and NF-κB signaling pathways are blocked. Our results highlight mechanisms by which metastatic melanoma cells adapt to survive.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Estrela
- Department of Physiology, University of ValenciaValencia 46010, Spain
| | - Rosario Salvador
- Department of Physiology, University of ValenciaValencia 46010, Spain
| | - Patricia Marchio
- Department of Physiology, University of ValenciaValencia 46010, Spain
| | - Soraya L Valles
- Department of Physiology, University of ValenciaValencia 46010, Spain
| | | | - Pilar Rivera
- Department of Physiology, University of ValenciaValencia 46010, Spain
| | - María Benlloch
- Department of Health & Functional Valorization, San Vicente Martir Catholic UniversityValencia 46001, Spain
| | - Javier Alcácer
- Pathology Laboratory, Quirón HospitalValencia 46010, Spain
| | - Carlos L Pérez
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic and Preclinical Sciences Victoria de GirónLa Habana 3102146, Cuba
| | - José A Pellicer
- Department of Physiology, University of ValenciaValencia 46010, Spain
| | - Elena Obrador
- Department of Physiology, University of ValenciaValencia 46010, Spain
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28
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Comprehensive Analysis of ERK1/2 Substrates for Potential Combination Immunotherapies. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2019; 40:897-910. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2019.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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29
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Chamcheu JC, Roy T, Uddin MB, Banang-Mbeumi S, Chamcheu RCN, Walker AL, Liu YY, Huang S. Role and Therapeutic Targeting of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Skin Cancer: A Review of Current Status and Future Trends on Natural and Synthetic Agents Therapy. Cells 2019; 8:cells8080803. [PMID: 31370278 PMCID: PMC6721560 DOI: 10.3390/cells8080803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian or mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and associated phosphatidyl-inositiol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathways regulate cell growth, differentiation, migration, and survival, as well as angiogenesis and metabolism. Dysregulation of these pathways is frequently associated with genetic/epigenetic alterations and predicts poor treatment outcomes in a variety of human cancers including cutaneous malignancies like melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Recently, the enhanced understanding of the molecular and genetic basis of skin dysfunction in patients with skin cancers has provided a strong basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for these obdurate groups of skin cancers. This review summarizes recent advances in the roles of PI3K/Akt/mTOR and their targets in the development and progression of a broad spectrum of cutaneous cancers and discusses the current progress in preclinical and clinical studies for the development of PI3K/Akt/mTOR targeted therapies with nutraceuticals and synthetic small molecule inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tithi Roy
- College of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA 71209-0497, USA
| | | | - Sergette Banang-Mbeumi
- College of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA 71209-0497, USA
- Division for Research and Innovation, POHOFI Inc., P.O. Box 44067, Madison, WI 53744, USA
- School of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Louisiana Delta Community College, Monroe, LA 71203, USA
| | | | - Anthony L Walker
- College of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA 71209-0497, USA
| | - Yong-Yu Liu
- College of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA 71209-0497, USA
| | - Shile Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA
- Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA
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30
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Moses C, Nugent F, Waryah CB, Garcia-Bloj B, Harvey AR, Blancafort P. Activating PTEN Tumor Suppressor Expression with the CRISPR/dCas9 System. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 14:287-300. [PMID: 30654190 PMCID: PMC6348769 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PTEN expression is lost in many cancers, and even small changes in PTEN activity affect susceptibility and prognosis in a range of highly aggressive malignancies, such as melanoma and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Loss of PTEN expression occurs via multiple mechanisms, including mutation, transcriptional repression and epigenetic silencing. Transcriptional repression of PTEN contributes to resistance to inhibitors used in the clinic, such as B-Raf inhibitors in BRAF mutant melanoma. We aimed to activate PTEN expression using the CRISPR system, specifically dead (d) Cas9 fused to the transactivator VP64-p65-Rta (VPR). dCas9-VPR was directed to the PTEN proximal promoter by single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs), in cancer cells that exhibited low levels of PTEN expression. The dCas9-VPR system increased PTEN expression in melanoma and TNBC cell lines, without transcriptional regulation at predicted off-target sgRNA binding sites. PTEN activation significantly repressed downstream oncogenic pathways, including AKT, mTOR, and MAPK signaling. BRAF V600E mutant melanoma cells transduced with dCas9-VPR displayed reduced migration, as well as diminished colony formation in the presence of B-Raf inhibitors, PI3K/mTOR inhibitors, and with combined PI3K/mTOR and B-Raf inhibition. CRISPR-mediated targeted activation of PTEN may provide an alternative therapeutic approach for highly aggressive cancers that are refractory to current treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colette Moses
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; School of Human Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Fiona Nugent
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; School of Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Charlene Babra Waryah
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Benjamin Garcia-Bloj
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Universidad Mayor, Camino la Piramide 5750, Huechuraba 8580745, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alan R Harvey
- School of Human Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, 8 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Pilar Blancafort
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, 6 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; School of Human Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
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31
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Li L, Zhang S, Xie D, Chen H, Zheng X, Pan D. Dual inhibitor of PI3K and mTOR (NVP-BEZ235) augments the efficacy of fluorouracil on gastric cancer chemotherapy. Onco Targets Ther 2018; 11:6111-6118. [PMID: 30275715 PMCID: PMC6158000 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s172957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose NVP-BEZ235 is a recently developed dual inhibitor of PI3K and mTOR and shows good inhibitory effects on several types of tumors. However, the efficacy of NVP-BEZ235 on gastric cancer therapy remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the potential of NVP-BEZ235 as a new agent to enhance chemotherapy for gastric cancer. Methods Human gastric cancer MKN-45 cells or nude mice xenografted with MKN-45 cells were treated by NVP-BEZ235 and fluorouracil (5-FU) alone or in combination. The proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, and chemoresistance of gastric cancer cells were examined in vivo and in vitro. Results In vitro, combined treatment with NVP-BEZ235 and 5-FU showed synergistic inhibitory effects on proliferation, migration, and invasion and synergistic stimulating effects on apoptosis of MKN-45 cells. In vivo, NVP-BEZ235 and 5-FU synergistically inhibited the growth and induced apoptosis of MKN-45 xenografts. Mechanistically, NVP-BEZ235 inhibited PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling; decreased the levels of Bcl-2, MMP9, and VEGF; but increased the levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 in MKN-45 xenografts. Conclusion NVP-BEZ235 enhances the antitumor efficacy of 5-FU. Therefore, NVP-BEZ235 is a promising agent to enhance chemotherapy for gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangqing Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China,
| | - Shengwei Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China,
| | - Diya Xie
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China,
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China,
| | - Xuelan Zheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China,
| | - Dun Pan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China,
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32
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Makino E, Gutmann V, Kosnopfel C, Niessner H, Forschner A, Garbe C, Sinnberg T, Schittek B. Melanoma cells resistant towards MAPK inhibitors exhibit reduced TAp73 expression mediating enhanced sensitivity to platinum-based drugs. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:930. [PMID: 30206212 PMCID: PMC6133963 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0952-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The efficacy of targeted MAPK signalling pathway inhibitors (MAPKi) in metastatic melanoma therapy is limited by the development of resistance mechanisms that results in disease relapse. This situation still requires treatment alternatives for melanoma patients with acquired resistance to targeted therapy. We found that melanoma cells, which developed resistance towards MAPKi show an enhanced susceptibility to platinum-based drugs, such as cisplatin and carboplatin. We found that this enhanced susceptibility inversely correlates with the expression level of the p53 family member TAp73. We show that the lower expression of the TAp73 isoform in MAPKi-resistant melanoma cells enhances accumulation of DNA double-strand breaks upon cisplatin and carboplatin treatment by reducing the efficiency of nucleotide excision repair. These data suggest that a subgroup of melanoma patients with acquired resistance to MAPKi treatment and low TAp73 expression can benefit from chemotherapy with platinum-based drugs as a second-line therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Makino
- Division of Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Gutmann
- Division of Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Corinna Kosnopfel
- Division of Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Heike Niessner
- Division of Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andrea Forschner
- Division of Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Claus Garbe
- Division of Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Sinnberg
- Division of Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Birgit Schittek
- Division of Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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33
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Sarkisian S, Davar D. MEK inhibitors for the treatment of NRAS mutant melanoma. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2018; 12:2553-2565. [PMID: 30154648 PMCID: PMC6108333 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s131721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is increasing rapidly in incidence and prevalence, especially in younger females and older males. Treatment options have expanded beyond high-dose interleukin 2 and adoptive T-cell therapy to include inhibitors of immune checkpoints programmed death 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and small molecular inhibitors of pathways activated in melanoma, in particular the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. PD-1/CTLA-4 inhibitors and inhibitors of MAPK such as BRAF/MEK inhibitors have significantly improved survival in both the metastatic and, more recently, adjuvant settings. In this review, we discuss the preclinical data, clinical development, and potential use of novel MEK inhibitor binemetinib, particularly in the setting of NRAS mutant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saro Sarkisian
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Diwakar Davar
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Hillman Cancer Center and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA,
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34
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Wächter S, Wunderlich A, Greene BH, Roth S, Elxnat M, Fellinger SA, Verburg FA, Luster M, Bartsch DK, Di Fazio P. Selumetinib Activity in Thyroid Cancer Cells: Modulation of Sodium Iodide Symporter and Associated miRNAs. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19072077. [PMID: 30018229 PMCID: PMC6073679 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19072077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase)⁻inhibitor selumetinib led to increased radioiodine uptake and retention in a subgroup of patients suffering from radioiodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC). We aimed to analyse the effect of selumetinib on the expression of sodium iodide symporter (NIS; SLC5A5) and associated miRNAs in thyroid cancer cells. METHODS Cytotoxicity was assessed by viability assay in TPC1, BCPAP, C643 and 8505C thyroid cancer cell lines. NIS, hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-146b-5p, and hsa-miR-146b-3p expression was determined by quantitative RT-PCR. NIS protein was detected by Western blot. Radioiodine uptake was performed with a Gamma counter. RESULTS Selumetinib caused a significant reduction of cell viability in all thyroid cancer cell lines. NIS transcript was restored by selumetinib in all cell lines. Its protein level was found up-regulated in TPC1 and BCPAP cells and down-regulated in C643 and 8505C cells after treatment with selumetinib. Treatment with selumetinib caused a down-regulation of hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-146b-5p and hsa-miR-146b-3p in TPC1 and BCPAP cells. In 8505C cells, a stable or down-regulated hsa-miR-146b-5p was detected after 1h and 48h of treatment. C643 cells showed stable or up-regulated hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-146b-5p and hsa-miR-146b-3p. Selumetinib treatment caused an increase of radioiodine uptake, which was significant in TPC1 cells. CONCLUSIONS The study shows for the first time that selumetinib restores NIS by the inhibition of its related targeting miRNAs. Further studies are needed to clarify the exact mechanism activated by hsa-miR-146b-5p, hsa-miR-146b-3p and hsa-let7f-5p to stabilise NIS. Restoration of NIS could represent a milestone for the treatment of advanced RR-DTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Wächter
- Department of Visceral Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Philipps-University Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Annette Wunderlich
- Department of Visceral Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Philipps-University Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Brandon H Greene
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, Philipps-University Marburg, Bunsenstrasse 3, 35037 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Silvia Roth
- Department of Visceral Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Philipps-University Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Moritz Elxnat
- Department of Visceral Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Philipps-University Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Sebastian A Fellinger
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Frederik A Verburg
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Markus Luster
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Detlef K Bartsch
- Department of Visceral Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Philipps-University Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Pietro Di Fazio
- Department of Visceral Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Philipps-University Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
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Biological characterization of SN32976, a selective inhibitor of PI3K and mTOR with preferential activity to PI3Kα, in comparison to established pan PI3K inhibitors. Oncotarget 2018; 8:47725-47740. [PMID: 28537878 PMCID: PMC5564600 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple therapeutic agents have been developed to target the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway, which is frequently dysregulated in cancer promoting tumor growth and survival. These include pan PI3K inhibitors, which target class Ia PI3K isoforms and have largely shown limited single agent activity with narrow therapeutic windows in clinical trials. Here, we characterize SN32976, a novel pan PI3K inhibitor, for its biochemical potency against PI3K isoforms and mTOR, kinase selectivity, cellular activity, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and antitumor efficacy relative to five clinically-evaluated pan PI3K inhibitors: buparlisib, dactolisib, pictilisib, omipalisib and ZSTK474. SN32976 potently inhibited PI3K isoforms and mTOR, displaying preferential activity for PI3Kα and sparing of PI3Kδ relative to the other inhibitors, while showing less off-target activity than the clinical inhibitors in a panel of 442 kinases. The major metabolites of SN32976 were also potent PI3K inhibitors with similar selectivity for PI3Kα as the parent compound. SN32976 compared favorably with the clinically-evaluated PI3K inhibitors in cellular assays, inhibiting pAKT expression and cell proliferation at nM concentrations, and in animal models, inducing a greater extent and duration of pAKT inhibition in tumors than pictilisib, dactolisib and omipalisib at similarly tolerated dose levels and inhibiting tumor growth to a greater extent than dactolisib and ZSTK474 and with similar efficacy to pictilisib and omipalisib. These results suggest that SN32976 is a promising clinical candidate for cancer therapy with enhanced kinase selectivity and preferential inhibition of PI3Kα compared to first generation pan PI3K inhibitors, while retaining comparable anticancer activity.
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Abstract
The mitogen activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-related kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathway serves an integral role in growth, proliferation, differentiation, migration, and survival of all mammalian cells. Aberrant signaling of this pathway is often observed in several types of hematologic and solid malignancies. The most frequent insult to this signaling cascade, leading to its constitutive activation, is to the serine/threonine kinase rapidly accelerating fibrosarcoma (RAF). Considering this, the development and approval of various small-molecule inhibitors targeting the MAPK/ERK pathway has become a mainstay of treatment as either mono- or combination therapy in these cancers. Although effective initially, a major clinical barrier with these inhibitors is the relapse of patients due to drug resistance. Knowledge of the mechanisms of resistance to these drugs is still premature, highlighting the need for a more in-depth understanding of how patients become insensitive to these pharmacologic interventions. Herein, we will succinctly summarize the milestones in the approval of select MAPK/ERK pathway inhibitors, their use in patients, and major modes of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaquelyn N Sanchez
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ton Wang
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mark S Cohen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Dietrich P, Kuphal S, Spruss T, Hellerbrand C, Bosserhoff AK. Wild-type KRAS is a novel therapeutic target for melanoma contributing to primary and acquired resistance to BRAF inhibition. Oncogene 2018; 37:897-911. [PMID: 29059159 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Malignant melanoma reveals rapidly increasing incidence and mortality rates worldwide. By now, BRAF inhibition is the standard therapy for advanced melanoma in patients carrying BRAF mutations. However, only approximately 50% of melanoma patients harbor therapeutically attackable BRAF mutations, and overall survival after treatment with BRAF inhibitors is modest. KRAS (Kirsten Rat sarcoma) proteins are acting upstream of BRAF and have a major role in human cancer. Recent approaches awaken the hope to use KRAS inhibition (KRASi) as a clinical tool. In this study, we identified wild-type KRAS as a novel therapeutic target in melanoma. KRASi functions synergistically with BRAF inhibition to reduce melanoma proliferation and to induce apoptosis independently of BRAF mutational status. Moreover, acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors in melanoma is dependent on dynamic regulation of KRAS expression with subsequent AKT and extracellular-signal regulated kinase activation and can be overcome by KRASi. This suggests KRASi as novel approach in melanoma-alone or in combination with other therapeutic regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Dietrich
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - S Kuphal
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - T Spruss
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - C Hellerbrand
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
| | - A K Bosserhoff
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
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Patnaik A, Appleman LJ, Tolcher AW, Papadopoulos KP, Beeram M, Rasco DW, Weiss GJ, Sachdev JC, Chadha M, Fulk M, Ejadi S, Mountz JM, Lotze MT, Toledo FGS, Chu E, Jeffers M, Peña C, Xia C, Reif S, Genvresse I, Ramanathan RK. First-in-human phase I study of copanlisib (BAY 80-6946), an intravenous pan-class I phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Ann Oncol 2017; 27:1928-40. [PMID: 27672108 PMCID: PMC5035790 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdw282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of copanlisib, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). PATIENTS AND METHODS Phase I dose-escalation study including patients with advanced solid tumors or NHL, and a cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients received three weekly intravenous infusions of copanlisib per 28-day cycle over the dose range 0.1-1.2 mg/kg. Plasma copanlisib levels were analyzed for pharmacokinetics. Biomarker analysis included PIK3CA, KRAS, BRAF, and PTEN mutational status and PTEN immunohistochemistry. Whole-body [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ((18)FDG-PET) was carried out at baseline and following the first dose to assess early pharmacodynamic effects. Plasma glucose and insulin levels were evaluated serially. RESULTS Fifty-seven patients received treatment. The MTD was 0.8 mg/kg copanlisib. The most frequent treatment-related adverse events were nausea and transient hyperglycemia. Copanlisib exposure was dose-proportional with no accumulation; peak exposure positively correlated with transient hyperglycemia post-infusion. Sixteen of 20 patients treated at the MTD had reduced (18)FDG-PET uptake; 7 (33%) had a reduction >25%. One patient achieved a complete response (CR; endometrial carcinoma exhibiting both PIK3CA and PTEN mutations and complete PTEN loss) and two had a partial response (PR; both metastatic breast cancer). Among the nine NHL patients, all six with follicular lymphoma (FL) responded (one CR and five PRs) and one patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma had a PR by investigator assessment; two patients with FL who achieved CR (per post hoc independent radiologic review) were on treatment >3 years. CONCLUSION Copanlisib, dosed intermittently on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle, was well tolerated and the MTD was determined to be 0.8 mg/kg. Copanlisib exhibited dose-proportional pharmacokinetics and promising anti-tumor activity, particularly in patients with NHL. CLINICALTRIALSGOV NCT00962611; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00962611.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Patnaik
- South Texas Accelerated Research Therapeutics (START) Center for Cancer Care, San Antonio
| | | | - A W Tolcher
- South Texas Accelerated Research Therapeutics (START) Center for Cancer Care, San Antonio
| | - K P Papadopoulos
- South Texas Accelerated Research Therapeutics (START) Center for Cancer Care, San Antonio
| | - M Beeram
- South Texas Accelerated Research Therapeutics (START) Center for Cancer Care, San Antonio
| | - D W Rasco
- South Texas Accelerated Research Therapeutics (START) Center for Cancer Care, San Antonio
| | - G J Weiss
- Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials at Scottsdale Healthcare/TGen, Scottsdale Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Goodyear
| | - J C Sachdev
- Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials at Scottsdale Healthcare/TGen, Scottsdale
| | - M Chadha
- Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials at Scottsdale Healthcare/TGen, Scottsdale
| | - M Fulk
- Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials at Scottsdale Healthcare/TGen, Scottsdale
| | - S Ejadi
- Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials at Scottsdale Healthcare/TGen, Scottsdale
| | | | - M T Lotze
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh
| | | | - E Chu
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh
| | - M Jeffers
- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Whippany, USA
| | - C Peña
- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Whippany, USA
| | - C Xia
- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Whippany, USA
| | - S Reif
- Bayer Pharma AG, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - R K Ramanathan
- Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials at Scottsdale Healthcare/TGen, Scottsdale
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Guida M, Strippoli S, Ferretta A, Bartolomeo N, Porcelli L, Maida I, Azzariti A, Tommasi S, Grieco C, Guida S, Albano A, Lorusso V, Guida G. Detrimental effects of melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) variants on the clinical outcomes of BRAF V600 metastatic melanoma patients treated with BRAF inhibitors. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2017; 29:679-687. [PMID: 27540956 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) plays a key role in skin pigmentation, and its variants are linked with a higher melanoma risk. The influence of MC1R variants on the outcomes of patients with metastatic melanoma (MM) treated with BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) is unknown. We studied the MC1R status in a cohort of 53 consecutive BRAF-mutated patients with MM treated with BRAFi. We also evaluated the effect of vemurafenib in four V600 BRAF melanoma cell lines with/without MC1R variants. We found a significant correlation between the presence of MC1R variants and worse outcomes in terms of both overall response rate (ORR; 59% versus 95%, P = 0.011 univariate, P = 0.028 multivariate analysis) and progression-free survival (PFS) shorter than 6 months (72% versus 33%, P = 0.012 univariate, P = 0.027 multivariate analysis). No difference in overall survival (OS) was reported, probably due to subsequent treatments. Data in vitro showed a significant different phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and p38 MAPK during treatment, associated with a greater increase in vemurafenib IC50 in MC1R variant cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Guida
- Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Sabino Strippoli
- Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Anna Ferretta
- Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy.,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Bartolomeo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Letizia Porcelli
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Immacolata Maida
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Stefania Tommasi
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory and Radiology, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Claudia Grieco
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Stefania Guida
- Dermatology Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Anna Albano
- Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Vito Lorusso
- Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Gabriella Guida
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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Arozarena I, Wellbrock C. Overcoming resistance to BRAF inhibitors. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2017; 5:387. [PMID: 29114545 PMCID: PMC5653517 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2017.06.09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of activating mutations in the serine/threonine (S/T) kinase BRAF followed by a wave of follow-up research manifested that the MAPK-pathway plays a critical role in melanoma initiation and progression. BRAF and MEK inhibitors produce an unparalleled response rate in melanoma, but it is now clear that most responses are transient, and while some patients show long lasting responses the majority progress within 1 year. In accordance with the key role played by the MAPK-pathway in BRAF mutant melanomas, disease progression is mostly due to the appearance of drug-resistance mechanisms leading to restoration of MAPK-pathway activity. In the present article we will review the development, application and clinical effects of BRAF and MEK inhibitors both, as single agent and in combination in the context of targeted therapy in melanoma. We will then describe the most prominent mechanisms of resistance found in patients progressed on these targeted therapies. Finally we will discuss strategies for further optimizing the use of MAPK inhibitors and will describe the potential of alternative combination therapies to either delay the onset of resistance to MAPK inhibitors or directly target specific mechanisms of resistance to BRAF/MEK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imanol Arozarena
- Navarrabiomed-Fundación Miguel Servet-Idisna, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Claudia Wellbrock
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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41
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Identification of NRAS isoform 2 overexpression as a mechanism facilitating BRAF inhibitor resistance in malignant melanoma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:9629-9634. [PMID: 28827320 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1704371114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Activating mutations in BRAF are found in 50% of melanomas and although treatment with BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) is effective, resistance often develops. We now show that recently discovered NRAS isoform 2 is up-regulated in the setting of BRAF inhibitor resistance in melanoma, in both cell lines and patient tumor tissues. When isoform 2 was overexpressed in BRAF mutant melanoma cell lines, melanoma cell proliferation and in vivo tumor growth were significantly increased in the presence of BRAFi treatment. shRNA-mediated knockdown of isoform 2 in BRAFi resistant cells restored sensitivity to BRAFi compared with controls. Signaling analysis indicated decreased mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway signaling and increased phosphoinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway signaling in isoform 2 overexpressing cells compared with isoform 1 overexpressing cells. Immunoprecipitation of isoform 2 validated a binding affinity of this isoform to both PI3K and BRAF/RAF1. The addition of an AKT inhibitor to BRAFi treatment resulted in a partial restoration of BRAFi sensitivity in cells expressing high levels of isoform 2. NRAS isoform 2 may contribute to resistance to BRAFi by facilitating PI3K pathway activation.
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42
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Yamaguchi R, Perkins G. Deconstructing Signaling Pathways in Cancer for Optimizing Cancer Combination Therapies. Int J Mol Sci 2017. [PMCID: PMC5486080 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18061258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A single cancer cell left behind after surgery and/or chemotherapy could cause a recurrence of cancer. It is our belief that the failure of chemotherapies is the failure to induce apoptosis in all cancer cells. Given the extraordinary heterogeneity of cancer, it is very difficult to eliminate all cancer cells with a single agent targeting a particular gene product. Furthermore, combinations of any two or three agents exhibiting some proven efficacy on a particular cancer type have not fared better, often compounding adverse effects without evidence of expected synergistic effects. Thus, it is imperative that a way be found to select candidates that when combined, will (1) synergize, making the combination therapy greater than the sum of its parts, and (2) target all the cancer cells in a patient. In this article, we discuss our experience and relation to current evidence in the cancer treatment literature in which, by deconstructing signaling networks, we have identified a lynchpin that connects the growth signals present in cancer with mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathways. By targeting this lynchpin, we have added a key component to a combination therapy that sensitizes cancer cells for apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuji Yamaguchi
- Department of Anesthesia, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Osaka 573-1010, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-72-804-2685
| | - Guy Perkins
- National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA;
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Lim SY, Menzies AM, Rizos H. Mechanisms and strategies to overcome resistance to molecularly targeted therapy for melanoma. Cancer 2017; 123:2118-2129. [DOI: 10.1002/cncr.30435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Su Yin Lim
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; Macquarie University; Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Melanoma Institute Australia; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Alexander M. Menzies
- Melanoma Institute Australia; Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Sydney Medical School; University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Royal North Shore Hospital; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Helen Rizos
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; Macquarie University; Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Melanoma Institute Australia; Sydney New South Wales Australia
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Madhunapantula SV, Robertson GP. Targeting protein kinase-b3 (akt3) signaling in melanoma. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2017; 21:273-290. [PMID: 28064546 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2017.1279147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Deregulated Akt activity leading to apoptosis inhibition, enhanced proliferation and drug resistance has been shown to be responsible for 35-70% of advanced metastatic melanomas. Of the three isoforms, the majority of melanomas have elevated Akt3 expression and activity. Hence, potent inhibitors targeting Akt are urgently required, which is possible only if (a) the factors responsible for the failure of Akt inhibitors in clinical trials is known; and (b) the information pertaining to synergistically acting targeted therapeutics is available. Areas covered: This review provides a brief introduction of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and its role in melanoma development. In addition, the functional role of key Akt pathway members such as PRAS40, GSK3 kinases, WEE1 kinase in melanoma development are discussed together with strategies to modulate these targets. Efficacy and safety of Akt inhibitors is also discussed. Finally, the mechanism(s) through which Akt leads to drug resistance is discussed in this expert opinion review. Expert opinion: Even though Akt play key roles in melanoma tumor progression, cell survival and drug resistance, many gaps still exist that require further understanding of Akt functions, especially in the (a) metastatic spread; (b) circulating melanoma cells survival; and
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Affiliation(s)
- SubbaRao V Madhunapantula
- a Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CEMR), Department of Biochemistry , JSS Medical College, Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara University (Accredited 'A' Grade by NAAC and Ranked 35 by National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)-2015, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India) , Mysuru , India
| | - Gavin P Robertson
- b Department of Pharmacology , The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine , Hershey , PA , USA.,c Department of Pathology , The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine , Hershey , PA , USA.,d Department of Dermatology , The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine , Hershey , PA , USA.,e Department of Surgery , The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine , Hershey , PA , USA.,f The Melanoma Center , The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine , Hershey , PA , USA.,g The Melanoma Therapeutics Program , The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine , Hershey , PA , USA
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Deken MA, Gadiot J, Jordanova ES, Lacroix R, van Gool M, Kroon P, Pineda C, Geukes Foppen MH, Scolyer R, Song JY, Verbrugge I, Hoeller C, Dummer R, Haanen JBAG, Long GV, Blank CU. Targeting the MAPK and PI3K pathways in combination with PD1 blockade in melanoma. Oncoimmunology 2016; 5:e1238557. [PMID: 28123875 PMCID: PMC5215252 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2016.1238557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy of advanced melanoma with CTLA-4 or PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint blockade induces in a proportion of patients long durable responses. In contrast, targeting the MAPK-pathway by selective BRAF and MEK inhibitors induces high response rates, but most patients relapse. Combining targeted therapy with immunotherapy is proposed to improve the long-term outcomes of patients. Preclinical data endorsing this hypothesis are accumulating. Inhibition of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway may be a promising treatment option to overcome resistance to MAPK inhibition and for additional combination with immunotherapy. We therefore evaluated to which extent dual targeting of the MAPK and PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathways affects tumor immune infiltrates and whether it synergizes with PD-1 checkpoint blockade in a BRAFV600E/PTEN−/−-driven melanoma mouse model. Short-term dual BRAF + MEK inhibition enhanced tumor immune infiltration and improved tumor control when combined with PD-1 blockade in a CD8+ T cell dependent manner. Additional PI3K inhibition did not impair tumor control or immune cell infiltration and functionality. Analysis of on-treatment samples from melanoma patients treated with BRAF or BRAF + MEK inhibitors indicates that inhibitor-mediated T cell infiltration occurred in all patients early after treatment initiation but was less frequent found in on-treatment biopsies beyond day 15. Our findings provide a rationale for clinical testing of short-term BRAF + MEK inhibition in combination with immune checkpoint blockade, currently implemented at our institutes. Additional PI3K inhibition could be an option for BRAF + MEK inhibitor resistant patients that receive targeted therapy in combination with immune checkpoint blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel A Deken
- Department of Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute , Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jules Gadiot
- Department of Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute , Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ekaterina S Jordanova
- Center for Gynecologic Oncology, VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ruben Lacroix
- Department of Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute , Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Melissa van Gool
- Department of Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute , Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Paula Kroon
- Department of Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute , Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Cristina Pineda
- Department of Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute , Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marnix H Geukes Foppen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute , Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Richard Scolyer
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, and Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital , NSW, Australia
| | - Ji-Ying Song
- Department of Animal Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute , Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Inge Verbrugge
- Department of Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute , Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Christoph Hoeller
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna, Austria
| | - Reinhard Dummer
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich , Zurich, Switzerland
| | - John B A G Haanen
- Department of Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Georgina V Long
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, and Royal North Shore Hospital , Sydney, Australia
| | - Christian U Blank
- Department of Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Resistance to combination BRAF and MEK inhibition in metastatic melanoma: Where to next? Eur J Cancer 2016; 62:76-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2016.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Peh J, Fan TM, Wycislo KL, Roth HS, Hergenrother PJ. The Combination of Vemurafenib and Procaspase-3 Activation Is Synergistic in Mutant BRAF Melanomas. Mol Cancer Ther 2016; 15:1859-69. [PMID: 27297867 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-16-0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The development of vemurafenib resistance limits the long-term efficacy of this drug for treatment of metastatic melanomas with the (V600E)BRAF mutation. Inhibition of downstream MAPK signaling with vemurafenib induces apoptotic cell death mediated by caspase-3, suggesting that addition of a procaspase-3 activator could enhance anticancer effects. Here, we show that the combination of PAC-1, a procaspase-activating compound, and vemurafenib is highly synergistic in enhancing caspase-3 activity and apoptotic cell death in melanoma cell lines harboring the (V600E)BRAF mutation. In vivo, the combination displays a favorable safety profile in mice and exerts significant antitumor effects. We further demonstrate that addition of PAC-1 to the clinically useful combination of vemurafenib and a MEK inhibitor, trametinib, starkly enhances the caspase-3 activity and proapoptotic effect of the combination. Moreover, addition of low concentration PAC-1 also delays the regrowth of cells following treatment with vemurafenib. Finally, PAC-1 remains potent against vemurafenib-resistant A375VR cells in cell culture and synergizes with vemurafenib to exert antitumor effects on A375VR cell growth in vivo Collectively, our data suggest that inhibition of MAPK signaling combined with concurrent procaspase-3 activation is an effective strategy to enhance the antitumor activity of vemurafenib and mitigate the development of resistance. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(8); 1859-69. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie Peh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois. Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Timothy M Fan
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois. Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Kathryn L Wycislo
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Howard S Roth
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois. Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Paul J Hergenrother
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois. Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois.
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Jonas O, Oudin MJ, Kosciuk T, Whitman M, Gertler FB, Cima MJ, Flaherty KT, Langer R. Parallel In Vivo Assessment of Drug Phenotypes at Various Time Points during Systemic BRAF Inhibition Reveals Tumor Adaptation and Altered Treatment Vulnerabilities. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 22:6031-6038. [PMID: 27091406 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-2722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Treatment of BRAF-mutated melanoma tumors with BRAF inhibitor-based therapy produces high response rates, but of limited duration in the vast majority of patients. Published investigations of resistance mechanisms suggest numerous examples of tumor adaptation and signal transduction bypass mechanisms, but without insight into biomarkers that would predict which mechanism will predominate. Monitoring phenotypic response of multiple adaptive mechanisms simultaneously within the same tumor as it adapts during treatment has been elusive. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN This study reports on a method to provide a more complete understanding of adaptive tumor responses. We simultaneously measured in vivo antitumor activity of 12 classes of inhibitors, which are suspected of enabling adaptive escape mechanisms, at various time points during systemic BRAF inhibition. We used implantable microdevices to release multiple compounds into distinct regions of a tumor to measure the efficacy of each compound independently and repeated these measurements as tumors progressed on systemic BRAF treatment. RESULTS We observed varying phenotypic responses to specific inhibitors before, during, and after prolonged systemic treatment with BRAF inhibitors. Our results specifically identify PI3K, PDGFR, EGFR, and HDAC inhibitors as becoming significantly more efficacious during systemic BRAF inhibition. The sensitivity to other targeted inhibitors remained mostly unchanged, whereas local incremental sensitivity to PLX4720 declined sharply. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest redundancy of several resistance mechanisms and may help identify optimal constituents of more effective combination therapy in BRAF-mutant melanoma. They also represent a new paradigm for dynamic measurement of adaptive signaling mechanisms within the same tumor during therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 22(24); 6031-8. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Jonas
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Madeleine J Oudin
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Tatsiana Kosciuk
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Matthew Whitman
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Frank B Gertler
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Michael J Cima
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Keith T Flaherty
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Medical Oncology and Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Robert Langer
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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Dirican E, Akkiprik M, Özer A. Mutation distributions and clinical correlations of PIK3CA gene mutations in breast cancer. Tumour Biol 2016; 37:7033-45. [PMID: 26921096 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-016-4924-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BCa) is the most common cancer and the second cause of death among women. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway has a crucial role in the cellular processes such as cell survival, growth, division, and motility. Moreover, oncogenic mutations in the PI3K pathway generally involve the activation phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase-catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) mutation which has been identified in numerous BCa subtypes. In this review, correlations between PIK3CA mutations and their clinicopathological parameters on BCa will be described. It is reported that PIK3CA mutations which have been localized mostly on exon 9 and 20 hot spots are detected 25-40 % in BCa. This relatively high frequency can offer an advantage for choosing the best treatment options for BCa. PIK3CA mutations may be used as biomarkers and have been major focus of drug development in cancer with the first clinical trials of PI3K pathway inhibitors currently in progress. Screening of PIK3CA gene mutations might be useful genetic tests for targeted therapeutics or diagnosis. Increasing data about PIK3CA mutations and its clinical correlations with BCa will help to introduce new clinical applications in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebubekir Dirican
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Başıbüyük Mah., Maltepe Başıbüyük Yolu Sok., No: 9/1, 34854, Maltepe, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Akkiprik
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Başıbüyük Mah., Maltepe Başıbüyük Yolu Sok., No: 9/1, 34854, Maltepe, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Ayşe Özer
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Başıbüyük Mah., Maltepe Başıbüyük Yolu Sok., No: 9/1, 34854, Maltepe, Istanbul, Turkey
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González-Cao M, Rodón J, Karachaliou N, Sánchez J, Santarpia M, Viteri S, Pilotto S, Teixidó C, Riso A, Rosell R. Other targeted drugs in melanoma. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2015; 3:266. [PMID: 26605312 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.08.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Targeted therapy drugs are developed against specific molecular alterations on cancer cells. Because they are "targeted" to the tumor, these therapies are more effective and better tolerated than conventional therapies such as chemotherapy. In the last decade, great advances have been made in understanding of melanoma biology and identification of molecular mechanisms involved in malignant transformation of cells. The identification of oncogenic mutated kinases involved in this process provides an opportunity for development of new target therapies. The dependence of melanoma on BRAF-mutant kinase has provided an opportunity for development of mutation-specific inhibitors with high activity and excellent tolerance that are now being used in clinical practice. This marked a new era in the treatment of metastatic melanoma and much research is now ongoing to identify other "druggable" kinases and transduction signaling networking. It is expected that in the near future the spectrum of target drugs for melanoma treatment will increase. Herein, we review the most relevant potential novel drugs for melanoma treatment based on preclinical data and the results of early clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- María González-Cao
- 1 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Immunology Department, CNICV, Madrid, Spain ; 4 Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy ; 6 Pangaea Biotech S.L, Barcelona, Spain ; 7 Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain ; 8 Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Rodón
- 1 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Immunology Department, CNICV, Madrid, Spain ; 4 Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy ; 6 Pangaea Biotech S.L, Barcelona, Spain ; 7 Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain ; 8 Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Niki Karachaliou
- 1 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Immunology Department, CNICV, Madrid, Spain ; 4 Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy ; 6 Pangaea Biotech S.L, Barcelona, Spain ; 7 Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain ; 8 Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Sánchez
- 1 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Immunology Department, CNICV, Madrid, Spain ; 4 Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy ; 6 Pangaea Biotech S.L, Barcelona, Spain ; 7 Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain ; 8 Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mariacarmela Santarpia
- 1 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Immunology Department, CNICV, Madrid, Spain ; 4 Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy ; 6 Pangaea Biotech S.L, Barcelona, Spain ; 7 Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain ; 8 Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Santiago Viteri
- 1 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Immunology Department, CNICV, Madrid, Spain ; 4 Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy ; 6 Pangaea Biotech S.L, Barcelona, Spain ; 7 Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain ; 8 Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Pilotto
- 1 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Immunology Department, CNICV, Madrid, Spain ; 4 Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy ; 6 Pangaea Biotech S.L, Barcelona, Spain ; 7 Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain ; 8 Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Teixidó
- 1 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Immunology Department, CNICV, Madrid, Spain ; 4 Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy ; 6 Pangaea Biotech S.L, Barcelona, Spain ; 7 Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain ; 8 Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aldo Riso
- 1 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Immunology Department, CNICV, Madrid, Spain ; 4 Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy ; 6 Pangaea Biotech S.L, Barcelona, Spain ; 7 Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain ; 8 Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Rosell
- 1 Translational Cancer Research Unit, Instituto Oncológico Dr Rosell, Quirón Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain ; 2 Vall D'Hebron Institute of Oncology and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ; 3 Immunology Department, CNICV, Madrid, Spain ; 4 Medical Oncology Unit, Human Pathology Department, University of Messina, Messina, Italy ; 5 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy ; 6 Pangaea Biotech S.L, Barcelona, Spain ; 7 Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain ; 8 Fundación Molecular Oncology Research, Barcelona, Spain
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