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Booth L, Roberts JL, Spasojevic I, Baker KC, Poklepovic A, West C, Kirkwood JM, Dent P. GZ17-6.02 kills PDX isolates of uveal melanoma. Oncotarget 2024; 15:328-344. [PMID: 38758815 PMCID: PMC11101052 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28586] [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: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
GZ17-6.02 has undergone phase I evaluation in patients with solid tumors (NCT03775525). The RP2D is 375 mg PO BID, with an uveal melanoma patient exhibiting a 15% reduction in tumor mass for 5 months at this dose. Studies in this manuscript have defined the biology of GZ17-6.02 in PDX isolates of uveal melanoma cells. GZ17-6.02 killed uveal melanoma cells through multiple convergent signals including enhanced ATM-AMPK-mTORC1 activity, inactivation of YAP/TAZ and inactivation of eIF2α. GZ17-6.02 significantly enhanced the expression of BAP1, predictive to reduce metastasis, and reduced the levels of ERBB family RTKs, predicted to reduce growth. GZ17-6.02 interacted with doxorubicin or ERBB family inhibitors to significantly enhance tumor cell killing which was associated with greater levels of autophagosome formation and autophagic flux. Knock down of Beclin1, ATG5 or eIF2α were more protective than knock down of ATM, AMPKα, CD95 or FADD, however, over-expression of FLIP-s provided greater protection compared to knock down of CD95 or FADD. Expression of activated forms of mTOR and STAT3 significantly reduced tumor cell killing. GZ17-6.02 reduced the expression of PD-L1 in uveal melanoma cells to a similar extent as observed in cutaneous melanoma cells whereas it was less effective at enhancing the levels of MHCA. The components of GZ17-6.02 were detected in tumors using a syngeneic tumor model. Our data support future testing GZ17-6.02 in uveal melanoma as a single agent, in combination with ERBB family inhibitors, in combination with cytotoxic drugs, or with an anti-PD1 immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Booth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Jane L. Roberts
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Ivan Spasojevic
- Department of Medicine, and PK/PD Core Laboratory, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kaitlyn C. Baker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Andrew Poklepovic
- Department of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Cameron West
- Genzada Pharmaceuticals, Hutchinson, KS 67502, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - John M. Kirkwood
- Melanoma and Skin Cancer Program, Hillman Cancer Research Pavilion Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Paul Dent
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
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Booth L, Roberts JL, West C, Dent P. GZ17-6.02 interacts with proteasome inhibitors to kill multiple myeloma cells. Oncotarget 2024; 15:159-174. [PMID: 38441437 PMCID: PMC10913917 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28558] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
GZ17-6.02, a synthetically manufactured compound containing isovanillin, harmine and curcumin, has undergone phase I evaluation in patients with solid tumors (NCT03775525) with a recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of 375 mg PO BID. GZ17-6.02 was more efficacious as a single agent at killing multiple myeloma cells than had previously been observed in solid tumor cell types. GZ17-6.02 interacted with proteasome inhibitors in a greater than additive fashion to kill myeloma cells and alone it killed inhibitor-resistant cells to a similar extent. The drug combination of GZ17-6.02 and bortezomib activated ATM, the AMPK and PERK and inactivated ULK1, mTORC1, eIF2α, NFκB and the Hippo pathway. The combination increased ATG13 S318 phosphorylation and the expression of Beclin1, ATG5, BAK and BIM, and reduced the levels of BCL-XL and MCL1. GZ17-6.02 interacted with bortezomib to enhance autophagosome formation and autophagic flux, and knock down of ATM, AMPKα, ULK1, Beclin1 or ATG5 significantly reduced both autophagy and tumor cell killing. Knock down of BAK and BIM significantly reduced tumor cell killing. The expression of HDACs1/2/3 was significantly reduced beyond that previously observed in solid tumor cells and required autophagy. This was associated with increased acetylation and methylation of histone H3. Combined knock down of HDACs1/2/3 caused activation of ATM and the AMPK and caused inactivation of ULK1, mTORC1, NFκB and the Hippo pathway. HDAC knock down also enhanced ATG13 phosphorylation, increased BAK levels and reduced those of BCL-XL. Collectively, our present studies support performing additional in vivo studies with multiple myeloma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Booth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Jane L. Roberts
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Cameron West
- Genzada Pharmaceuticals, Hutchinson, KS 67502, USA
| | - Paul Dent
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
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Booth MR, Booth L, Roberts JL, West C, Dent P. GZ17-6.02 interacts with bexarotene to kill mycosis fungoides cells. Oncotarget 2024; 15:124-133. [PMID: 38329728 PMCID: PMC10852062 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28557] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
GZ17-6.02, composed of curcumin, harmine and isovanillin, has undergone phase I evaluation in patients with solid tumors (NCT03775525) with an RP2D of 375 mg PO BID. The biology of GZ17-6.02 in malignant T cells and in particular those derived from mycosis fungoides (MF) patients, has not been studied. GZ17-6.02 alone and in combination with standard-of-care agents was effective in killing MF cells. All three components are necessary for optimal killing of MF cells. GZ17-6.02 activated ATM, the AMPK, NFκB and PERK and inactivated ERK1/2, AKT, ULK1, mTORC1, eIF2α, and reduced the expression of BCL-XL and MCL1. GZ17-6.02 increased ATG13 S318 phosphorylation and the expression of Beclin1, ATG5, BAK and BIM. GZ17-6.02 in a dose-dependent fashion enhanced autophagosome formation and autophagic flux, and tumor cell killing. Signaling by ATM and AMPK were both required for efficient killing but not for the dose-response effect whereas ER stress (eIF2α) and macroautophagy (Beclin1, ATG5) were required for both efficient killing and the dose-response. Knock down of the death receptor CD95 reduced killing by ~20% and interacted with autophagy inhibition to further reduce killing, collectively, by ~70%. Inhibition of autophagy and knock down of death-mediators downstream of the mitochondrion, AIF and caspase 3, almost abolished tumor cell killing. Hence in MF cells, GZ17-6.02 is a multi-factorial killer, utilizing ER stress, macroautophagy, death receptor signaling and directly causing mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R. Booth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Laurence Booth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Jane L. Roberts
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Cameron West
- Genzada Pharmaceuticals, Hutchinson, KS 67502, USA
| | - Paul Dent
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
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Bordeaux ZA, Reddy SV, Choi J, Braun G, McKeel J, Lu W, Yossef SM, Ma EZ, West CE, Kwatra SG, Kwatra MM. Transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of tumor suppressive effects of GZ17-6.02 against mycosis fungoides. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1955. [PMID: 38263212 PMCID: PMC10805783 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52544-z] [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: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Despite having a wide variety of therapeutic agents available for the treatment of MF, patients often suffer from a significant decrease in quality of life and rarely achieve long-term remission or complete cure, highlighting a need to develop novel therapeutic agents for this disease. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of a novel anti-tumor agent, GZ17-6.02, which is composed of curcumin, harmine, and isovanillin, against MF in vitro and in murine models. Treatment of HH and MyLa cells with GZ17-6.02 inhibited the growth of both cell lines with IC50 ± standard errors for growth inhibition of 14.37 ± 1.19 µg/mL and 14.56 ± 1.35 µg/mL, respectively, and increased the percentage of cells in late apoptosis (p = .0304 for HH; p = .0301 for MyLa). Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed that GZ17-6.02 suppressed several pathways, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-ɑ signaling via nuclear factor (NF)-kB, mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTORC)1, and Pi3K/Akt/mTOR signaling. In a subcutaneous tumor model, GZ17-6.02 decreased tumor volume (p = .002) and weight (p = .009) compared to control conditions. Proteomic analysis of tumor samples showed that GZ17-6.02 suppressed the expression of several proteins that may promote CTCL growth, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)1, MAPK3, Growth factor receptor bound protein (GRB)2, and Mediator of RAP80 interactions and targeting subunit of 40 kDa (MERIT)40.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A Bordeaux
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Cancer Research Building II, Suite 206 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA
| | - Sriya V Reddy
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Cancer Research Building II, Suite 206 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA
| | - Justin Choi
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Cancer Research Building II, Suite 206 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA
| | - Gabriella Braun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA
| | - Jaimie McKeel
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA
| | - Weiying Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Cancer Research Building II, Suite 206 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA
| | - Selina M Yossef
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Cancer Research Building II, Suite 206 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA
| | - Emily Z Ma
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Cancer Research Building II, Suite 206 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Cameron E West
- Genzada Pharmaceuticals, Hutchinson, USA
- US Dermatology Partners, Wichita, USA
| | - Shawn G Kwatra
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Cancer Research Building II, Suite 206 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
| | - Madan M Kwatra
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA
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Bordeaux ZA, Choi J, Braun G, Davis C, Marani M, Lee K, Samuel C, Adams J, Windom R, Pollizzi A, Kambala A, Cornman H, Reddy SV, Lu W, Oladipo OO, Alphonse MP, West CE, Kwatra SG, Kwatra MM. Topical GZ21T Inhibits the Growth of Actinic Keratoses in a UVB-Induced Model of Skin Carcinogenesis. JID INNOVATIONS 2023; 3:100206. [PMID: 37533581 PMCID: PMC10392087 DOI: 10.1016/j.xjidi.2023.100206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Actinic keratoses (AKs) are premalignant intraepidermal neoplasms that occur as a result of cumulative sun damage. AKs commonly relapse, and up to 16% undergo malignant transformation into cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. There is a need for novel therapies that reduce the quantity and surface area of AKs as well as prevent malignant transformation to cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. We recently showed that GZ17-6.02, an anticancer agent composed of curcumin, haramine, and isovanillin, inhibited the growth of H297.T cells. This study evaluated the efficacy of a topical formulation of GZ17-6.02, known as GZ21T, in a murine model of AK generated by exposing SKH1 mice to UVR. Treatment of mice with topical GZ21T inhibited the growth of AKs by decreasing both lesion count (P = 0.012) and surface area occupied by tumor (P = 0.002). GZ21T also suppressed the progression of AKs to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma by decreasing the count (P = 0.047) and surface area (P = 0.049) of lesions more likely to represent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. RNA sequencing and proteomic analyses revealed that GZ21T suppressed several pathways, including MAPK (P = 0.025), phosphoinositide 3-kinase-protein kinase B (P = 0.04), HIF-1α (P = 0.016), Wnt (P = 0.025), insulin (P = 0.018), and ERBB (P = 0.016) signaling. GZ21T also upregulated the autophagy-promoting protein AMPK while suppressing proteins such as PD-L1, glutaminase, pAkt1 S473, and eEF2K.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A. Bordeaux
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, South Carolina, USA
| | - Justin Choi
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, South Carolina, USA
| | - Gabriella Braun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, South Carolina, USA
| | - Cole Davis
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, South Carolina, USA
| | - Melika Marani
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kevin Lee
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Christeen Samuel
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jackson Adams
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, South Carolina, USA
| | - Reed Windom
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, South Carolina, USA
| | - Anthony Pollizzi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, South Carolina, USA
| | - Anusha Kambala
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hannah Cornman
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sriya V. Reddy
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Weiying Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Olusola O. Oladipo
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Martin P. Alphonse
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Cameron E. West
- Genzada Pharmaceuticals, Hutchinson, Kansas, USA
- US Dermatology Partners, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Shawn G. Kwatra
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Madan M. Kwatra
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, South Carolina, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, South Carolina, USA
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