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Liu C, Chen H, Hu B, Shi J, Chen Y, Huang K. New insights into the therapeutic potentials of statins in cancer. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1188926. [PMID: 37484027 PMCID: PMC10359995 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1188926] [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: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The widespread clinical use of statins has contributed to significant reductions of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Increasing preclinical and epidemiological evidences have revealed that dyslipidemia is an important risk factor for carcinogenesis, invasion and metastasis, and that statins as powerful inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase can exert prevention and intervention effects on cancers, and promote sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs. The anti-cancer mechanisms of statins include not only inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis, but also their pleiotropic effects in modulating angiogenesis, apoptosis, autophagy, tumor metastasis, and tumor microenvironment. Moreover, recent clinical studies have provided growing insights into the therapeutic potentials of statins and the feasibility of combining statins with other anti-cancer agents. Here, we provide an updated review on the application potential of statins in cancer prevention and treatment and summarize the underneath mechanisms, with focuses on data from clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyu Liu
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Wuhan Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bicheng Hu
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Wuhan Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiajian Shi
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuchen Chen
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kun Huang
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Tongji-RongCheng Biomedical Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Novel Effects of Statins on Cancer via Autophagy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15060648. [PMID: 35745567 PMCID: PMC9228383 DOI: 10.3390/ph15060648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the main causes of death globally. Most of the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer are marked by complex aberrations that activate the critical cell-signaling pathways that play a pivotal role in cell metabolism, tumor development, cytoskeletal reorganization, and metastasis. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase-B/mammalian target of the rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway is one of the main signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis and metastasis. Autophagy, a cellular pathway that delivers cytoplasmic components to lysosomes for degradation, plays a dual role in cancer, as either a tumor promoter or a tumor suppressor, depending on the stage of the carcinogenesis. Statins are the group of drugs of choice to lower the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. Experimental and clinical data suggest the potential of statins in the treatment of cancer. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the molecular mechanisms through which statins inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells in different types of cancer. The anticancer properties of statins have been shown to result in the suppression of tumor growth, the induction of apoptosis, and autophagy. This literature review shows the dual role of the autophagic process in cancer and the latest scientific evidence related to the inducing effect exerted by statins on autophagy, which could explain their anticancer potential.
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Thomas M, Davis T, Nell T, Sishi B, Engelbrecht AM. Amino Acid Starvation Sensitizes Resistant Breast Cancer to Doxorubicin-Induced Cell Death. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:565915. [PMID: 33178685 PMCID: PMC7593593 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.565915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Many clinical trials are beginning to assess the effectiveness of compounds known to regulate autophagy in patients receiving anti-cancer chemotherapy. However, autophagy inhibition, through exogenous inhibitors, or activation, through starvation, has revealed conflicting roles in cancer management and chemotherapeutic outcome. This study aimed to assess the effect of amino acid starvation on doxorubicin-treated breast cancer cells by assessing the roles of autophagy and apoptosis. An in vitro breast cancer model consisting of the normal breast epithelial MCF12A and the metastatic breast cancer MDAMB231 cells was used. Apoptotic and autophagic parameters were assessed following doxorubicin treatments, alone or in combination with bafilomycin, ATG5 siRNA or amino acid starvation. Inhibition of autophagy, through ATG5 siRNA or bafilomycin treatment, increased caspase activity and intracellular doxorubicin concentrations in MCF12A and MDAMB231 cells during doxorubicin treatment. While amino acid starvation increased autophagic activity and decreased caspase activity and intracellular doxorubicin concentrations in MCF12A cells, no changes in autophagic parameters or caspase activity were observed in MDAMB231 cells. Our in vivo data showed that 24 h protein starvation during high dose doxorubicin treatment resulted in increased survival of tumor-bearing GFP-LC3 mice. Results from this study suggest that short term starvation during doxorubicin chemotherapy may be a realistic avenue for adjuvant therapy, especially with regards to the protection of non-cancerous cells. More research is however, needed to fully understand the regulation of autophagic flux during starvation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Thomas
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Tanja Davis
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Theo Nell
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Balindiwe Sishi
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Anna-Mart Engelbrecht
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.,African Cancer Institute (ACI), Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
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Fang H, Du G, Wu Q, Liu R, Chen C, Feng J. HDAC inhibitors induce proline dehydrogenase (POX) transcription and anti-apoptotic autophagy in triple negative breast cancer. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2019; 51:1064-1070. [PMID: 31559416 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmz097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer with poor clinical outcomes and without effective targeted therapies. Numerous studies have suggested that HDAC inhibitors (TSA/SAHA) may be effective in TNBCs. Proline oxidase, also known as proline dehydrogenase (POX/PRODH), is a key enzyme in the proline metabolism pathway and plays a vital role in tumorigenesis. In this study, we found that HDAC inhibitors (TSA/SAHA) significantly increased POX expression and autophagy through activating AMPK. Depletion of POX decreased autophagy and increased apoptosis induced by HDAC inhibitors in TNBC cells. These results suggest that POX contributes to cell survival under chemotherapeutic stresses and might serve as a potential target for treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Fang
- Medical College, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
- Anhui University of Science and Technology Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming , China
| | - Guangshi Du
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming , China
| | - Qiuju Wu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming , China
| | - Rong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming , China
| | - Ceshi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming , China
| | - Jing Feng
- Anhui University of Science and Technology Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, Shanghai, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Central Laboratory, Southern Medical University Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital South Campus, Shanghai, China
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5
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Huang W, Zeng C, Liu J, Yuan L, Liu W, Wang L, Zhu H, Xu Y, Luo Y, Xie D, Jiang X, Ren C. Sodium butyrate induces autophagic apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by inhibiting AKT/mTOR signaling. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 514:64-70. [PMID: 31023529 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.04.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Previously, we confirmed the anti-tumor effects of sodium butyrate (NaBu) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, its molecular mechanisms have not be fully elucidated. In this study, we studied the effects of NaBu on autophagy and explored the relation between NaBu associated autophagy and apoptosis in NPC cells. EGFP-LC3 plasmids were introduced into NPC cells to observed the effects of NaBu on autophagy flux with or without chloroquine (CQ) addition. Autophagy markers were also detected by Western blot. Under NaBu treatment, autophagy and apoptosis markers were detected simultaneously at different time. Then, to explore the roles of autophagy in NaBu induced apoptosis, the effects of autophagy inhibition, via specific inhibitor treatment or key gene knockdown, were analyzed. At last, the upstream signaling and its roles in NaBu induced autophagy and apoptosis were also analyzed. Increased LC3 dots and LC3-II accumulation indicated that NaBu can promote autophagy flux in NPC cells. LC3-II accumulation was earlier than cleaved PARP increment suggesting autophagy activation is prior to apoptosis activation, which was validated by flow cytometry mediated apoptosis analysis. Moreover, autophagy inhibition, achieved by 3-MA treatment or BECN1 knockdown, can antagonize NaBu induced apoptosis reflecting by re-deregulated cPARP and apoptotic rates. Furthermore, NaBu treatment inhibited the AKT/mTOR axis indicated by deregulated p-AKT(S473) and p-mTOR(S2448) and ectopic AKT expression both suppressed NaBu induced autophagy and apoptosis. At last, Western blot showed that HDAC6 dependent EGFR deregulation may account for the NaBu associated AKT/mTOR inhibition. NaBu can induce autophagic apoptosis via suppressing AKT/mTOR axis in NPC cells. Our results suggest that combination of autophagy inhibitors and deacetylase inhibitors may not be recommended in NPC clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chong Zeng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Neurology, Hunan Rongjun Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Pathology, Changsha Central Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Li Yuan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Weidong Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lei Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hecheng Zhu
- Changsha Kexin Cancer Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Changsha Kexin Cancer Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yi Luo
- Changsha Kexin Cancer Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Dan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Xingjun Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Caiping Ren
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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6
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Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is critical in protein processing and particularly in ensuring that proteins undergo their correct folding to exert their functionality. What is becoming increasingly clear is that the ER may undergo increasing stress brought about by nutrient deprivation, hypoxia, oxidized lipids, point mutations in secreted proteins, cellular differentiation or significant deviation from metabolic set points, and loss of Ca2+ homeostasis, with detrimental effects on ER-resident calcium-dependent chaperones, alone or in combination. This results in the unfolded protein response (UPR) that is a repair mechanism to limit the formation of newly damaged proteins until ER homeostasis is restored, though may result in increased cell death. ER stress has been shown to be implicated in a variety of diseases. Statins are well-known cholesterol-lowering drugs and have been extensively reported to possess beneficial cholesterol-independent effects in a variety of human diseases. This review focuses on the concept of ER stress, the underlying molecular mechanisms and their relationship to the pathophysiology and, finally, the role of statins in moderating ER stress and UPR.
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Gao L, Sun X, Zhang Q, Chen X, Zhao T, Lu L, Zhang J, Hong Y. Histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A and autophagy inhibitor chloroquine synergistically exert anti-tumor activity in H-ras transformed breast epithelial cells. Mol Med Rep 2018; 17:4345-4350. [PMID: 29344672 PMCID: PMC5802205 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.8446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) cause oncogene‑transformed mammalian cell death. Our previous study indicated that HDACIs activate forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) and induce autophagy in liver and colon cancer cells. However, whether FOXO1 is involved in HDACI‑mediated oncogene‑transformed mammalian cell death remains unclear. In the present study, H‑ras transformed MCF10A cells were used to investigate the role of FOXO1 in this pathway. Results showed that trichostatin A (TSA), a HDACI, activated apoptosis in MCF10A‑ras cells, but not in MCF10A cells. Furthermore, TSA activated FOXO1 via P21 upregulation, whereas the knockdown of FOXO1 reduced TSA‑induced cell death. In addition, TSA induced autophagy in MCF10A and MCF10A‑ras cells by blocking the mammailian target of rapamycin signaling pathway. Furthermore, autophagy inhibition lead to higher MCF10A‑ras cell death by TSA, thus indicating that autophagy is essential in cell survival. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that TSA causes oncogene‑transformed cell apoptosis via activation of FOXO1 and HDACI‑mediated autophagy induction, which served as important cell survival mechanisms. Notably, the present findings imply that a combination of HDACIs and autophagy inhibitors produce a synergistic anticancer effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Gao
- Department of Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Xin Sun
- Department of Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310002, P.R. China
| | - Xiaochen Chen
- Department of Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Tongwei Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Liqing Lu
- Department of Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Jianbin Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Yupeng Hong
- Department of Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
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8
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Al-Qatati A, Aliwaini S. Combined pitavastatin and dacarbazine treatment activates apoptosis and autophagy resulting in synergistic cytotoxicity in melanoma cells. Oncol Lett 2017; 14:7993-7999. [PMID: 29344241 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.7189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer and its incidence is increasing faster than any other type of cancer. Whilst dacarbazine (DTIC) is the standard chemotherapy for metastatic melanoma, it has limited success. Statins, including pitavastatin, have been demonstrated to have a range of anti-cancer effects in a number of human cancer cell lines. The present study therefore explored the anti-cancer activity of combined DTIC and pitavastatin in A375 and WM115 human melanoma cells. Cell survival assays demonstrated that combined DTIC and pitavastatin treatment resulted in synergistic cell death. Cell cycle analyses further revealed that this combined treatment resulted in a G1 cell cycle arrest, as well as a sub-G1 population, indicative of apoptosis. Activation of apoptosis was confirmed by Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide double-staining and an increase in the levels of active caspase 3 and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that apoptosis occurs through the intrinsic pathway, evident from the release of cytochrome c. Finally, combined DTIC and pitavastatin treatment was demonstrated to also activate autophagy as part of a cell death mechanism. The present study provides novel evidence to suggest that the combined treatment of DTIC and pitavastatin may be effective in the treatment of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abeer Al-Qatati
- Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Azhar University, Gaza 1277, Palestine
| | - Saeb Aliwaini
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza 108, Palestine
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Das S, Nayak A, Siddharth S, Nayak D, Narayan S, Kundu CN. TRAIL enhances quinacrine-mediated apoptosis in breast cancer cells through induction of autophagy via modulation of p21 and DR5 interactions. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2017; 40:593-607. [DOI: 10.1007/s13402-017-0347-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
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Owen HC, Appiah S, Hasan N, Ghali L, Elayat G, Bell C. Phytochemical Modulation of Apoptosis and Autophagy: Strategies to Overcome Chemoresistance in Leukemic Stem Cells in the Bone Marrow Microenvironment. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2017; 135:249-278. [PMID: 28807161 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2017.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Advances in scientific research and targeted treatment regimes have improved survival rates for many cancers over the past few decades. However, for some types of leukemia, including acute lymphoblastic and acute myeloid leukemia, mortality rates have continued to rise, with chemoresistance in leukemic stem cells (LSCs) being a major contributing factor. Most cancer drug therapies act by inducing apoptosis in dividing cells but are ineffective in targeting quiescent LSCs. Niches in the bone marrow, known as leukemic niches, behave as "sanctuaries" where LSCs acquire drug resistance. This review explores the role of the bone marrow environment in the maintenance of LSCs and its contribution to chemoresistance and considers current research on the potential use of phytochemicals to overcome chemoresistance through the modulation of signaling pathways involved in the survival and death of leukemic clonal cells and/or leukemic stem cells. Phytochemicals from traditional Chinese medicine, namely baicalein, chrysin, wogonin (constituents of Scutellaria baicalensis; huáng qín; ), curcumin (a constituent of Curcuma longa, jiāng huáng, ), and resveratrol (a constituent of Polygonum cuspidatum; hŭ zhàng, ) have been shown to induce apoptosis in leukemic cell lines, with curcumin and resveratrol also causing cell death via the induction of autophagy (a nonapoptotic pathway). In order to be effective in eliminating LSCs, it is important to target signaling pathways (such as Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and Hedgehog). Resveratrol has been reported to induce apoptosis in leukemic cells through the inhibition of the Notch and Sonic hedgehog signaling pathways, therefore showing potential to affect LSCs. While these findings are of interest, there is a lack of reported research on the modulatory effect of phytochemicals on the autophagic cell death pathway in leukemia, and on the signaling pathways involved in the maintenance of LSCs, highlighting the need for further work in these areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen C Owen
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Sandra Appiah
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Noor Hasan
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy Ghali
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ghada Elayat
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, London, United Kingdom
| | - Celia Bell
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, London, United Kingdom
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Zhang J, Ng S, Wang J, Zhou J, Tan SH, Yang N, Lin Q, Xia D, Shen HM. Histone deacetylase inhibitors induce autophagy through FOXO1-dependent pathways. Autophagy 2016; 11:629-42. [PMID: 25919885 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2015.1023981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a catabolic process in response to starvation or other stress conditions to sustain cellular homeostasis. At present, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) are known to induce autophagy in cells through inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR) pathway. FOXO1, an important transcription factor regulated by AKT, is also known to play a role in autophagy induction. At present, the role of FOXO1 in the HDACIs-induced autophagy has not been reported. In this study, we first observed that HDACIs increased the expression of FOXO1 at the mRNA and protein level. Second, we found that FOXO1 transcriptional activity was enhanced by HDACIs, as evidenced by increased FOXO1 nuclear accumulation and transcriptional activity. Third, suppression of FOXO1 function by siRNA knockdown or by a chemical inhibitor markedly blocked HDACIs-induced autophagy. Moreover, we found that FOXO1-mediated autophagy is achieved via its transcriptional activation, leading to a dual effect on autophagy induction: (i) enhanced expression of autophagy-related (ATG) genes, and (ii) suppression of MTOR via transcription of the SESN3 (sestrin 3) gene. Finally, we found that inhibition of autophagy markedly enhanced HDACIs-mediated cell death, indicating that autophagy serves as an important cell survival mechanism. Taken together, our studies reveal a novel function of FOXO1 in HDACIs-mediated autophagy in human cancer cells and thus support the development of a novel therapeutic strategy by combining HDACIs and autophagy inhibitors in cancer therapy.
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Key Words
- ATG, autophagy-related
- BAF, bafilomycin A1
- CQ, chloroquine
- FOXO, forkhead box O
- FOXO1
- GFP, green fluorescent protein
- MAP1LC3/LC3, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3
- MEF, mouse embryonic fibroblast
- MTOR
- MTOR, mechanistic target of rapamycin
- PI3K, phosphoinositide 3-kinase
- SAHA, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid
- TSA, trichostatin A
- TSC, tuberous sclerosis
- autophagy
- cancer
- cell death
- histone deacetylase inhibitors
- siRNA, short interfering RNA
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbin Zhang
- a Department of Physiology ; Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine; National University of Singapore ; Singapore
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12
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Chen WL, Pan L, Kinghorn AD, Swanson SM, Burdette JE. Silvestrol induces early autophagy and apoptosis in human melanoma cells. BMC Cancer 2016; 16:17. [PMID: 26762417 PMCID: PMC4712514 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1988-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Silvestrol is a cyclopenta[b]benzofuran that was isolated from the fruits and twigs of Aglaia foveolata, a plant indigenous to Borneo in Southeast Asia. The purpose of the current study was to determine if inhibition of protein synthesis caused by silvestrol triggers autophagy and apoptosis in cultured human cancer cells derived from solid tumors. METHODS In vitro cell viability, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, qPCR and immunoblot was used to study the mechanism of action of silvestrol in MDA-MB-435 melanoma cells. RESULTS By 24 h, a decrease in cyclin B and cyclin D expression was observed in silvestrol-treated cells relative to control. In addition, silvestrol blocked progression through the cell cycle at the G2-phase. In silvestrol-treated cells, DAPI staining of nuclear chromatin displayed nucleosomal fragments. Annexin V staining demonstrated an increase in apoptotic cells after silvestrol treatment. Silvestrol induced caspase-3 activation and apoptotic cell death in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, both silvestrol and SAHA enhanced autophagosome formation in MDA-MB-435 cells. MDA-MB-435 cells responded to silvestrol treatment with accumulation of LC3-II and time-dependent p62 degradation. Bafilomycin A, an autophagy inhibitor, resulted in the accumulation of LC3 in cells treated with silvestrol. Silvestrol-mediated cell death was attenuated in ATG7-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) lacking a functional autophagy protein. CONCLUSIONS Silvestrol potently inhibits cell growth and induces cell death in human melanoma cells through induction of early autophagy and caspase-mediated apoptosis. Silvestrol represents a natural product scaffold that exhibits potent cytotoxic activity and could be used for the further study of autophagy and its relationship to apoptosis in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Lun Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
| | - Li Pan
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - A Douglas Kinghorn
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Steven M Swanson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA. .,School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
| | - Joanna E Burdette
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
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Abstract
DNA is vulnerable to damage resulting from endogenous metabolites, environmental and dietary carcinogens, some anti-inflammatory drugs, and genotoxic cancer therapeutics. Cells respond to DNA damage by activating complex signalling networks that decide cell fate, promoting not only DNA repair and survival but also cell death. The decision between cell survival and death following DNA damage rests on factors that are involved in DNA damage recognition, and DNA repair and damage tolerance, as well as on factors involved in the activation of apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy and senescence. The pathways that dictate cell fate are entwined and have key roles in cancer initiation and progression. Furthermore, they determine the outcome of cancer therapy with genotoxic drugs. Understanding the molecular basis of these pathways is important not only for gaining insight into carcinogenesis, but also in promoting successful cancer therapy. In this Review, we describe key decision-making nodes in the complex interplay between cell survival and death following DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wynand P Roos
- Institute of Toxicology, University Medical Center, Obere Zahlbacher Strasse 67, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Adam D Thomas
- Institute of Toxicology, University Medical Center, Obere Zahlbacher Strasse 67, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Bernd Kaina
- Institute of Toxicology, University Medical Center, Obere Zahlbacher Strasse 67, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
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A gene expression signature-based approach reveals the mechanisms of action of the Chinese herbal medicine berberine. Sci Rep 2014; 4:6394. [PMID: 25227736 PMCID: PMC5377252 DOI: 10.1038/srep06394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Berberine (BBR), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, was shown to display anticancer activity. In this study, we attempted to provide a global view of the molecular pathways associated with its anticancer effect through a gene expression-based chemical approach. BBR-induced differentially expressed genes obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) were analyzed using the Connectivity Map (CMAP) database to compare similarities of gene expression profiles between BBR and CMAP compounds. Candidate compounds were further analyzed using the Search Tool for Interactions of Chemicals (STITCH) database to explore chemical-protein interactions. Results showed that BBR may inhibit protein synthesis, histone deacetylase (HDAC), or AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. Further analyses demonstrated that BBR inhibited global protein synthesis and basal AKT activity, and induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy, which was associated with activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). However, BBR did not alter mTOR or HDAC activities. Interestingly, BBR induced the acetylation of α-tubulin, a substrate of HDAC6. In addition, the combination of BBR and SAHA, a pan-HDAC inhibitor, synergistically inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest. Our results provide novel insights into the mechanisms of action of BBR in cancer therapy.
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15
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Autophagy, a novel target for chemotherapeutic intervention of thyroid cancer. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2013; 73:439-49. [DOI: 10.1007/s00280-013-2363-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Accepted: 11/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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16
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Zhang J, Yang Z, Xie L, Xu L, Xu D, Liu X. Statins, autophagy and cancer metastasis. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2012; 45:745-52. [PMID: 23147595 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2012.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2012] [Revised: 11/01/2012] [Accepted: 11/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Statins inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. They are traditionally considered to be cholesterol-lowering agents, but in recent years more and more effects of statins have been revealed, including anti-inflammation, immunomodulation, neuroprotection, improvement of bone metabolism, and antitumour effects. In the past few years, extensive studies have shown that statins can induce autophagy in tumour cells as well as in some normal cells, and autophagy may be involved in the regulation of cancer metastasis. This review is focused on summarising and discussing the relationships among statins, autophagy and cancer metastasis. Studies showed that activation of the AMPK-TOR signalling pathway may be a major mechanism of statin-induced autophagy. Depleting cellular geranylgeranyl diphosphate activates AMPK and inactivates TOR, leading to autophagic responses. Autophagy, a strategy of self-adaption, is a double-edged sword in tumour metastasis. On one hand, autophagy contributes to anti-metastasis activity by, for example, restricting tumour necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration of tumours and promoting the release of high-mobility group box protein 1 that triggers strong antitumour immune responses. On the other hand, it also exhibits a pro-metastasis activity. In summary, we propose a working hypothesis: statins induce autophagy in cancer cells, and this constitutes, at least in part, the basis for the anti-metastatic effect of statins. The idea that autophagy is responsible for statin-induced anti-metastasis effects is probably novel, and it extends the conventional view that interference of the post-translational modification of Rho GTPases by statins prevents tumour metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650118, PR China
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17
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Schrijvers DM, De Meyer GRY, Martinet W. Autophagy in atherosclerosis: a potential drug target for plaque stabilization. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2012; 31:2787-91. [PMID: 22096098 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.111.224899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Evidence is accumulating that autophagy occurs in advanced atherosclerotic plaques. Although there is an almost relentless discovery of molecules that are involved in autophagy, studies of selective autophagy induction or inhibition using knockout mice are just now beginning to reveal its biological significance. Most likely, autophagy safeguards plaque cells against cellular distress, in particular oxidative injury, by degrading the damaged intracellular material. In this way, autophagy is protective and contributes to cellular recovery in an unfavorable environment. Pharmacological approaches have recently been developed to stabilize vulnerable, rupture-prone lesions through induction of autophagy. This approach has proven to be successful in short-term studies. However, how autophagy induction affects processes such as inflammation remains to be elucidated and is currently under investigation. This review highlights the possibilities for exploiting autophagy as a drug target for plaque stabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorien M Schrijvers
- Division of Pharmacology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
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18
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Giansanti V, Tillhon M, Mazzini G, Prosperi E, Lombardi P, Scovassi AI. Killing of tumor cells: A drama in two acts. Biochem Pharmacol 2011; 82:1304-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2011.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2011] [Revised: 05/19/2011] [Accepted: 05/20/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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19
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Berardi DE, Campodónico PB, Díaz Bessone MI, Urtreger AJ, Todaro LB. Autophagy: friend or foe in breast cancer development, progression, and treatment. Int J Breast Cancer 2011; 2011:595092. [PMID: 22295229 PMCID: PMC3262577 DOI: 10.4061/2011/595092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2011] [Accepted: 07/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a catabolic process responsible for the degradation and recycling of long-lived proteins and organelles by lysosomes. This degradative pathway sustains cell survival during nutrient deprivation, but in some circumstances, autophagy leads to cell death. Thereby, autophagy can serve as tumor suppressor, as the reduction in autophagic capacity causes malignant transformation and spontaneous tumors. On the other hand, this process also functions as a protective cell-survival mechanism against environmental stress causing resistance to antineoplastic therapies. Although autophagy inhibition, combined with anticancer agents, could be therapeutically beneficial in some cases, autophagy induction by itself could lead to cell death in some apoptosis-resistant cancers, indicating that autophagy induction may also be used as a therapy. This paper summarizes the most important findings described in the literature about autophagy and also discusses the importance of this process in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian E Berardi
- Research Area, Institute of Oncology "Angel H. Roffo", University of Buenos Aires, C1417DTB Buenos Aires, Argentina
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20
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Notte A, Leclere L, Michiels C. Autophagy as a mediator of chemotherapy-induced cell death in cancer. Biochem Pharmacol 2011; 82:427-34. [PMID: 21704023 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2011.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2011] [Revised: 06/08/2011] [Accepted: 06/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Since the 1940s, chemotherapy has been the treatment of choice for metastatic disease. Chemotherapeutic agents target proliferating cells, inducing cell death. For most of the history of chemotherapy, apoptosis was thought to be the only mechanism of drug-induced cell death. More recently, a second type of cell death pathway has emerged: autophagy, also called type II programmed cell death. Autophagy is a tightly regulated process by which selected components of a cell are degraded. It primarily functions as a cell survival adaptive mechanism during stress conditions. However, persistent stress can also promote extensive autophagy, leading to cell death, hence its name. Alterations in the autophagy pathway have been described in cancer cells that suggest a tumor-suppressive function in early tumorigenesis, but a tumor-promoting function in established tumors. Moreover, accumulating data indicate a role for autophagy in chemotherapy-induced cancer cell death. Here, we discuss some of the evidence showing autophagy-dependent cell death induced by anti-neoplastic agents in different cancer models. On the other hand, in some other examples, autophagy dampens treatment efficacy, hence providing a therapeutic target to enhance cancer cell killing. In this paper, we propose a putative mechanism that could reconcile these two opposite observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annick Notte
- URBC-NARILIS, University of Namur-FUNDP, 61 rue de Bruxelles, Namur, Belgium
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