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Neupane R, Malla S, Karthikeyan C, Asbhy CR, Boddu SHS, Jayachandra Babu R, Tiwari AK. Endocytic highways: Navigating macropinocytosis and other endocytic routes for precision drug delivery. Int J Pharm 2025; 673:125356. [PMID: 39956408 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2025.125356] [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: 09/15/2024] [Revised: 12/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2025] [Indexed: 02/18/2025]
Abstract
Drug molecules can reach intracellular targets by different mechanisms, such as passive diffusion, active transport, and endocytosis. Endocytosis is the process by which cells engulf extracellular material by forming a vesicle and transporting it into the cells. In addition to its biological functions, endocytosis plays a vital role in the internalization of the therapeutic molecules. Clathrin-mediated endocytosis, caveolar endocytosis, and macropinocytosis are the most researched routes in the field of drug delivery. In addition to conventional small therapeutic molecules, the use of nanoformulations and large molecules, such as nucleic acids, peptides, and antibodies, have broadened the field of drug delivery. Although the majority of small therapeutic molecules can enter cells via passive diffusion, large molecules, and advanced targeted delivery systems, such as nanoparticles, are internalized by the endocytic route. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the characteristics of the endocytic routes in greater detail to design therapeutic molecules or formulations for successful delivery to the intracellular targets. This review highlights the prospects and limitations of the major endocytic routes for drug delivery, with a major emphasis on macropinocytosis. Since macropinocytosis is a non-selective uptake of extracellular matrix, the selective induction of macropinocytosis, using compounds that induce macropinocytosis and modulate macropinosome trafficking pathways, could be a potential approach for the intracellular delivery of diverse therapeutic modalities. Furthermore, we have summarized the characteristics associated with the formulations or drug carriers that can affect the endocytic routes for cellular internalization. The techniques that are used to study the intracellular uptake processes of therapeutic molecules are briefly discussed. Finally, the major limitations for intracellular targeting, endo-lysosomal degradation, and different approaches that have been used in overcoming these limitations, are highlighted in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabin Neupane
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Saloni Malla
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Chandrabose Karthikeyan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; Department of Pharmacy, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak 484887, India
| | - Charles R Asbhy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY 10049, USA
| | - Sai H S Boddu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - R Jayachandra Babu
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University, AL 36849, USA
| | - Amit K Tiwari
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, OH 43614, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
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Bu X, Liu S, Zhang Z, Wu J, Pan S, Hu Y. Comprehensive profiling of enhancer RNA in stage II/III colorectal cancer defines two prognostic subtypes with implications for immunotherapy. Clin Transl Oncol 2024; 26:891-904. [PMID: 37697139 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03319-x] [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: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) have garnered attention as pivotal biomarkers for the onset and progression of cancer. However, the landscape of eRNAs and the implications of eRNA-based molecular subtypes in stage II/III colorectal cancer (CRC) remain largely unexplored. METHODS Comprehensive profiling of eRNAs was conducted on a public stage II/III CRC cohort with total RNA-seq data. We used unsupervised clustering of prognostic eRNAs to establish an eRNA-based subtyping system. Further evaluations included molecular characteristics, immune infiltration, clinical outcomes, and drug responses. Finally, we validated the eRNA-based subtyping system in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) CRC cohort. RESULTS We identified a total of 6453 expressed eRNAs, among which 237 were prognostic. A global upregulation of eRNAs was observed in microsatellite-stable (MSS) CRCs when compared to microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) CRCs. Through consensus clustering, two novel molecular subtypes, termed Cluster 1(C1) and Cluster 2(C2), were further identified. C1, associated with the activation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), hypoxia, and KRAS signaling pathways, showed poorer prognosis. C2, correlated with the canonical CRC subtype, exhibited superior survival outcomes. In addition, C1 showed enrichment with immune infiltration and more sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors. CONCLUSION Our study unravels the molecular heterogeneity of stage II/III CRC at the eRNA level and highlights the potential applications of the novel eRNA-based subtyping system in predicting prognosis and guiding immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyun Bu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuang Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Zhiqing Zhang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuguang Pan
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingbin Hu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
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Shi CS, Kuan FC, Chin CC, Li JM. Modulation of mitochondrial apoptosis by β2-adrenergic receptor blockage in colorectal cancer after radiotherapy: an in-vivo and in-vitro study. Am J Cancer Res 2023; 13:3741-3752. [PMID: 37693145 PMCID: PMC10492122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of malignancy-related deaths worldwide. Radiotherapy is often combined with surgery to treat patients with more advanced CRC. Despite impressive initial clinical responses, radiotherapy resistance is the main reason for most treatment failures in colorectal cancer. The G protein-coupled adrenergic receptor (AR) has shown to involve in the development and radiotherapy resistance of CRC. The β2-AR blockage (ICI-118,551) can use to inhibit the progression of CRC through downregulating EGFR-Akt-ERK1/2 signaling. Since catecholamines-activated the G protein-coupled AR activation has been shown to result in radioresistant, co-treatment with both β2-AR blockage and radiation may be improved the clinical outcome of CRC. We demonstrated that selective β2-AR blockage, but not selective β1-AR blockage, significantly enhanced radiation-induced apoptosis in CRC cells with wild-type p53 in vitro. The molecular mechanism of the apoptotic pathway was possibly triggered by a change in the mitochondrial membrane permeability and release of cytosolic cytochrome C through phospho-P53 mitochondrial translocation. We also found that a P53 knockout in the HCT116 cells was correlated with reversing β2-AR blockage-mediated apoptosis induction after radiation treatment. Furthermore, the β2-AR blockage significantly inhibited CRC cell-xenograft growth in vivo. Our study suggests that β2-AR blockage may be used as adjunct agent for improving the clinical outcomes of CRC following radiotherapy by inducing apoptosis in CRC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Sheng Shi
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung UniversityTaoyuan, Taiwan
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial HospitalChiayi, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Che Kuan
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial HospitalChiayi, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial HospitalChiayi, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chien Chin
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial HospitalChiayi, Taiwan
| | - Jhy-Ming Li
- Department of Animal Science, National Chiayi UniversityChiayi, Taiwan
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Yan H, Talty R, Jain A, Cai Y, Zheng J, Shen X, Muca E, Paty PB, Bosenberg MW, Khan SA, Johnson CH. Discovery of decreased ferroptosis in male colorectal cancer patients with KRAS mutations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.28.530478. [PMID: 36909561 PMCID: PMC10002683 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.28.530478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant tumor metabolism is a hallmark of cancer in which metabolic rewiring can support tumor growth under nutrient deficient conditions. KRAS mutations occur in 35-45% of all colorectal cancer (CRC) cases and are difficult to treat. The relationship between mutant KRAS and aberrant metabolism in CRCs has not been fully explored and could be a target for intervention. We previously acquired non-targeted metabolomics data from 161 tumor tissues and 39 normal colon tissues from stage I-III chemotherapy naïve CRC patients. In this study, we revealed that tumors from male patients with KRAS mutations only, had several altered pathways that suppress ferroptosis, including glutathione biosynthesis, transsulfuration activity, and methionine metabolism. To validate this phenotype, MC38 CRC cells (KRAS G13R ) were treated with a ferroptosis inducer; RAS-selected lethal (RSL3). RSL3 altered metabolic pathways in the opposite direction to that seen in KRAS mutant tumors from male patients confirming a suppressed ferroptosis metabolic phenotype in these patients. We further validated gene expression data from an additional CRC patient cohort (Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and similarly observed differences in ferroptosis-related genes by sex and KRAS status. Further examination of the relationship between these genes and overall survival (OS) in the GEO cohort showed that KRAS mutant tumors are associated with poorer 5-year OS compared to KRAS wild type tumors, and only in male patients. Additionally, high compared to low expression of GPX4, FTH1, FTL , which suppressed ferroptosis, were associated with poorer 5-year OS only in KRAS mutant tumors from male CRC patients. Low compared to high expression of ACSL4 was associated with poorer OS for this group. Our results show that KRAS mutant tumors from male CRC patients have suppressed ferroptosis, and gene expression changes that suppress ferroptosis associate with adverse outcomes for these patients, revealing a novel potential avenue for therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA
| | - Ronan Talty
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, USA
| | - Abhishek Jain
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA
| | - Yuping Cai
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA
| | - Xinyi Shen
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA
| | - Engjel Muca
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA
| | - Philip B. Paty
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA
| | - Marcus W. Bosenberg
- Departments of Pathology, Dermatology, and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, USA
| | - Sajid A. Khan
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, USA
| | - Caroline H. Johnson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA
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Motta R, Cabezas-Camarero S, Torres-Mattos C, Riquelme A, Calle A, Montenegro P, Sotelo MJ. Personalizing first-line treatment in advanced colorectal cancer: Present status and future perspectives. J Clin Transl Res 2021; 7:771-785. [PMID: 34988329 PMCID: PMC8710355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequent neoplasms worldwide, and the majority of patients are diagnosed in advanced stages. Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) harbors several mutations with different prognostic and predictive values; KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF mutations are the best known. Indeed, RAS and BRAF molecular status are associated with a different response to monoclonal antibodies (Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor agents), which are usually added to chemotherapy in first-line, and thus allow to select the optimal therapy for patients with mCRC. Furthermore, sidedness is an important predictive and prognostic factor in mCRC, which is explained by the different molecular profile of left and right-sided tumors. Recently, microsatellite instability-high has emerged as a predictive factor of response and survival from immune checkpoint inhibitors in mCRC. Finally, several other alterations have been described in lower frequencies, such as human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 overexpression/amplification, PIK3CA pathway alterations, phosphatase and tension homolog loss, and hepatocyte growth factor/mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor pathway dysregulation, with several targeted therapies already demonstrating activity or being tested in currently ongoing clinical trials. AIM To review the importance of studying the predictive and prognostic roles of the molecular profile of mCRC, the changes occurred in recent years and how they would potentially change in the near future, to guide physicians in treatment decisions. RELEVANCE FOR PATIENTS Today, several different therapeutic options can be offered to patients in the first-line setting of mCRC. Therapies at present approved or under investigation in clinical trials will be thoroughly reviewed, with special emphasis on the molecular rationale behind them. Understanding the molecular status, resistance mechanisms and potential new druggable targets may allow physicians to choose the best therapeutic option in the first-line mCRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Motta
- Department of Medical Oncology, Aliada Cancer Center, Lima, Peru
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas, Lima, Peru
| | - Santiago Cabezas-Camarero
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cesar Torres-Mattos
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen, Lima, Peru
- Oncological Research Unit, Clínica San Gabriel, Lima, Peru
| | - Alejandro Riquelme
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Infanta Cristina, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Calle
- Department of Medical Oncology, Aliada Cancer Center, Lima, Peru
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital María Auxiliadora, Lima, Peru
| | - Paola Montenegro
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas, Lima, Peru
- Auna-OncoSalud Network, Lima, Peru
| | - Miguel J. Sotelo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Aliada Cancer Center, Lima, Peru
- Oncological Research Unit, Clínica San Gabriel, Lima, Peru
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital María Auxiliadora, Lima, Peru
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Vera-Yunca D, Parra-Guillen ZP, Girard P, Trocóniz IF, Terranova N. Relevance of primary lesion location, tumour heterogeneity and genetic mutation demonstrated through tumour growth inhibition and overall survival modelling in metastatic colorectal cancer. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2021; 88:166-177. [PMID: 34087010 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.14937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The aims of this work were to build a semi-mechanistic tumour growth inhibition (TGI) model for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients receiving either cetuximab + chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone and to identify early predictors of overall survival (OS). METHODS A total of 1716 patients from 4 mCRC clinical studies were included in the analysis. The TGI model was built with 8973 tumour size measurements where the probability of drop-out was also included and modelled as a time-to-event variable using parametric survival models, as it was the case in the OS analysis. The effects of patient- and tumour-related covariates on model parameters were explored. RESULTS Chemotherapy and cetuximab effects were included in an additive form in the TGI model. Development of resistance was found to be faster for chemotherapy (drug effect halved at wk 8) compared to cetuximab (drug effect halved at wk 12). KRAS wild-type status and presenting a right-sided primary lesion were related to a 3.5-fold increase in cetuximab drug effect and a 4.7× larger cetuximab resistance, respectively. The early appearance of a new lesion (HR = 4.14), a large tumour size at baseline (HR = 1.62) and tumour heterogeneity (HR = 1.36) were the main predictors of OS. CONCLUSIONS Semi-mechanistic TGI and OS models have been developed in a large population of mCRC patients receiving chemotherapy in combination or not with cetuximab. Tumour-related predictors, including a machine learning derived-index of tumour heterogeneity, were linked to changes in drug effect, resistance to treatment or OS, contributing to the understanding of the variability in clinical response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Vera-Yunca
- Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Zinnia P Parra-Guillen
- Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Pascal Girard
- Merck Serono S.A., Switzerland, an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Merck Institute for Pharmacometrics, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Iñaki F Trocóniz
- Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Nadia Terranova
- Merck Serono S.A., Switzerland, an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Merck Institute for Pharmacometrics, Darmstadt, Germany
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BMP4 and PHLDA1 are plausible drug-targetable candidate genes for KRAS G12A-, G12D-, and G12V-driven colorectal cancer. Mol Cell Biochem 2021; 476:3469-3482. [PMID: 33982211 PMCID: PMC8342352 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-021-04172-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Despite the frequent detection of KRAS driver mutations in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), no effective treatments that target mutant KRAS proteins have been introduced into clinical practice. In this study, we identified potential effector molecules, based on differences in gene expression between CRC patients carrying wild-type KRAS (n = 390) and those carrying KRAS mutations in codon 12 (n = 240). CRC patients with wild-type KRAS harboring mutations in HRAS, NRAS, PIK3CA, PIK3CD, PIK3CG, RALGDS, BRAF, or ARAF were excluded from the analysis. At least 11 promising candidate molecules showed greater than two-fold change between the KRAS G12 mutant and wild-type and had a Benjamini-Hochberg-adjusted P value of less than 1E-08, evidence of significantly differential expression between these two groups. Among these 11 genes examined in cell lines transfected with KRAS G12 mutants, BMP4, PHLDA1, and GJB5 showed significantly higher expression level in KRAS G12A, G12D, and G12V transfected cells than in the wild-type transfected cells. We expect that this study will lead to the development of novel treatments that target signaling molecules functioning with KRAS G12-driven CRC.
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Luo M, Liu Y, Shao R, Bhyan SB, Wee Y, Zhao M. Mutational analysis revealed 97 key cancer metastasis genes from extracellular vesicles associated with patient survival. Meta Gene 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mgene.2020.100781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Song C, Shen B, Dong Z, Fan Z, Xu L, Li ZP, Li Y, Feng ST. Diameter of Superior Rectal Vein - CT Predictor of KRAS Mutation in Rectal Carcinoma. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:10919-10928. [PMID: 33154671 PMCID: PMC7608140 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s270727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of CT parameters to predict the presence of KRAS mutations in rectal cancer patients. The relationship between the presence of a KRAS mutation and pathological findings was evaluated simultaneously. Methods Eighty-nine patients (29 females, 60 males, age 27–90, mean 59.7±12 years) with pathologically proven rectal cancer were enrolled. A KRAS mutation test was completed following surgery. Parameters evaluated on CT included the tumor location, the diameter of the superior rectal vein (SRV) and inferior mesenteric vein (IMV), the presence of calcification, ulceration, lymph node enlargement (LNE), distant metastasis, tumor shape (intraluminal polypoid mass, infiltrative mass, or bulky), circumferential extent (C0–C1/4, C1/4–C1/2, C1/2–C3/4, or C3/4–C1), enhanced pattern (homogeneous or heterogeneous), CT ratio, and the length of the tumor (LOT). Pathological findings included lymphovascular emboli, signet ring cell, peripheral fat interval infiltration, focal ulcer, lymph node metastasis, tumor pathological type, and differentiation extent. The correlations between KRAS status and CT parameters, and KRAS status and pathological findings were investigated. The accuracy of CT characteristics for predicting KRAS mutation was evaluated. Results A KRAS mutation was detected in 42 cases. On CT image, the diameter of the SRV was significantly increased in the KRAS mutation group compared to in the KRAS wild-type group (4.6±0.9 mm vs 4.2±0.9 mm, p=0.02), and LNE was more likely to occur in the KRAS mutation group (73.3% vs 26.7%, p=0.03). There was no significant difference between the KRAS mutation group and the KRAS wild-type group on the other CT parameters (location, IMV, calcification, ulcer, distant metastasis, tumor shape, enhanced pattern, circumferential extent, CT ratio, and LOT). In the pathological findings, a KRAS mutation was more likely to occur in the middle differentiation group (p=0.03). No significant difference was found between the KRAS mutation group and the KRAS wild-type group in the presence of lymphovascular emboli, signet ring cell, peripheral fat interval infiltration, focal ulcer, lymph node metastasis, and tumor pathological type. With the best cut-off value of 4.07 mm, the AUC of the SRV to predict a KRAS mutation was 0.63 with a sensitivity of 76.2% and a specificity of 48.9%. Conclusion It was feasible to use the diameter of the SRV to predict a KRAS mutation in rectal cancer patients, and LNE also can be regarded as an important clue on preoperative CT images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyu Song
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingqi Shen
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi Dong
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenzhen Fan
- Department of Radiology, Luoyang Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Luoyang, Henan 471009, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Xu
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Zi-Ping Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Yin Li
- Department of Gastroenterology Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Shi-Ting Feng
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, People's Republic of China
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Polidoro MA, Milana F, Soldani C, Franceschini B, Anselmo A, Colombo FS, Di Tommaso L, Cimino M, Carnevale S, Lleo A, Jaillon S, Torzilli G, Donadon M. Impact of RAS mutations on the immune infiltrate of colorectal liver metastases: A preliminary study. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 108:715-721. [PMID: 32108374 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.5ab0220-608r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog KRAS proto-oncogene is the most common altered gene in colorectal cancer (CRC). Determining its mutational status, which is associated with worse prognosis and resistance to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, is essential for managing patients with CRC and colon liver metastases (CLM). Emerging studies highlighted the relationship of KRAS-mutated cancers and tumor microenvironment components, mainly with T cells. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of CLM immune cell infiltrate with KRAS mutational status. We performed a retrospective study on paraffin-embedded CLM tissue sections from patients surgically resected at the Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery of Humanitas Clinical and Cancer Center. We studied the distribution of lymphocytes (CD3+ cells), macrophages (CD163+), and neutrophils (CD66b+) in CLM tumoral and peritumoral area. Percentage of positive cells was correlated with tumor macroscopic characteristic, clinical aspects, and KRAS mutation. We observed a significant increase in CD66b+ cells in the peritumoral area in patients KRAS-mutated compared to KRAS wild-type patients. Percentages of lymphocytes and macrophages did not show significant differences. Further, neutrophils were found to be significantly increased also in the bloodstream of KRAS-mutated patients, indicating increased mobilization of neutrophils and recruitment in the CLM site. In conclusion, this study reveals a new intriguing aspect of the peritumoral microenvironment, which could pave the way for new prognostic and predictive markers for patient stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Anna Polidoro
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Laboratory, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Flavio Milana
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristiana Soldani
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Laboratory, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Franceschini
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Laboratory, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Achille Anselmo
- Flow Cytometry Core, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Luca Di Tommaso
- Department of Pathology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Cimino
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Carnevale
- Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Ana Lleo
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Laboratory, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Sebastien Jaillon
- Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Guido Torzilli
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Donadon
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Laboratory, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
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Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 5 as a Therapeutic Target for KRAS Mutated Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082091. [PMID: 32731506 PMCID: PMC7465151 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Nearly 45% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients harbor a mutation in their KRAS gene for which, despite many years of research, there are still no targeted therapies available. Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is a transcription regulator for multiple cellular processes that is currently being tested as a potential target in several cancer types. PRMT5 has been previously shown to be overexpressed in approximately 75% of CRC patient tumor samples, as well as negatively correlated with CRC patient survival. Here, we provide evidence that PRMT5 can act as a surrogate target for mutated KRAS in CRC. Our findings show that PRMT5 expression is upregulated, as well as positively correlated with KRAS expression, in CRC patient datasets. Moreover, our results reveal that PRMT5 is further overexpressed in KRAS mutant CRC cells when compared to KRAS wild type (WT) CRC cells at both the transcriptional and translational levels. Additionally, our data demonstrate that this further overexpression of PRMT5 in the KRAS mutant CRC cells affects an even greater degree of growth inhibition, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest, following treatment with PRMT5 inhibitor, when compared to the KRAS WT CRC cells. Our research therefore suggests for the first time that PRMT5 and KRAS may crosstalk, and thus, PRMT5 can potentially be used as a surrogate target for mutated KRAS in CRC.
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12
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Carter JV, O'Brien SJ, Burton JF, Oxford BG, Stephen V, Hallion J, Bishop C, Galbraith NJ, Eichenberger MR, Sarojini H, Hattab E, Galandiuk S. The microRNA-200 family acts as an oncogene in colorectal cancer by inhibiting the tumor suppressor RASSF2. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:3994-4007. [PMID: 31565080 PMCID: PMC6759516 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to determine whether manipulation of the microRNA-200 (miR-200) family could influence colon adenocarcinoma cell behavior. The miR-200 family has a significant role in tumor suppression and functions as an oncogene. In vitro studies on gain and loss of function with small interfering RNA demonstrated that the miR-200 family could regulate RASSF2 expression. Knockdown of the miR-200 family in the HT-29 colon cancer cell line increased KRAS expression but decreased signaling in the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway through reduced ERK phosphorylation. Increased expression of the miR-200 family in the CCD-841 colon epithelium cell line increased KRAS expression and led to increased signaling in the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway but increased ERK phosphorylation. Functionally, knockdown of the miR-200 family led to decreased cell proliferation in the HT-29 cells; therefore, increased miR-200 family expression could increase cell proliferation in the CCD-841 cell line. The present study included a large paired miR array dataset (n=632), in which the miR-200 family was significantly found to be increased in colon cancer when compared with normal adjacent colon epithelium. In a miR-seq dataset (n=199), the study found that miR-200 family expression was increased in localized colon cancer compared with metastatic disease. Decreased expression was associated with poorer overall survival. The miR-200 family directly targeted RASSF2 and was inversely correlated with RASSF2 expression (n=199, all P<0.001). Despite the well-defined role of the miR-200 family in tumor suppression, the present findings demonstrated a novel function of the miR-200 family in tumor proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane V Carter
- Price Institute of Surgical Research, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.,Department of Surgery, North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, Carlisle, Cumbria CA2 7HY, UK
| | - Stephen J O'Brien
- Price Institute of Surgical Research, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - James F Burton
- Price Institute of Surgical Research, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Brent G Oxford
- Price Institute of Surgical Research, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.,School of Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Vince Stephen
- Price Institute of Surgical Research, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.,School of Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Jake Hallion
- Price Institute of Surgical Research, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Campbell Bishop
- Price Institute of Surgical Research, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Norman J Galbraith
- Price Institute of Surgical Research, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.,Department of Surgery, University Hospital Wishaw, Wishaw, North Lanarkshire ML2 0DP, UK
| | - Maurice R Eichenberger
- Price Institute of Surgical Research, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Harshini Sarojini
- Price Institute of Surgical Research, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Eyas Hattab
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Susan Galandiuk
- Price Institute of Surgical Research, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
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13
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Flavopereirine Suppresses the Growth of Colorectal Cancer Cells through P53 Signaling Dependence. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11071034. [PMID: 31336690 PMCID: PMC6678721 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11071034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The outcome of CRC patients remains poor. Thus, a new strategy for CRC treatment is urgently needed. Flavopereirine is a β-carboline alkaloid extracted from Geissospermum vellosii, which can reduce the viability of various cancer cells through an unknown mode of action. The aim of the present study was to investigate the functional mechanism and therapeutic potential of flavopereirine on CRC cells in vitro and in vivo. Our data showed that flavopereirine significantly lowered cellular viability, caused intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis, and induced G2/M-phase cell cycle arrest in CRC cells. Flavopereirine downregulated Janus kinases-signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAKs-STATs) and cellular myelocytomatosis (c-Myc) signaling in CRC cells. In contrast, the enforced expressions of constitutive active STAT3 and c-Myc could not restore flavopereirine-induced viability reduction. Moreover, flavopereirine enhanced P53 expression and phosphorylation in CRC cells. CRC cells with P53 knockout or loss-of-function mutation significantly diminished flavopereirine-mediated viability reduction, indicating that P53 activity plays a major role in flavopereirine-mediated CRC cell growth suppression. Flavopereirine also significantly repressed CRC cell xenograft growth in vivo by upregulating P53 and P21 and inducing apoptosis. In conclusion, flavopereirine-mediated growth suppression in CRC cells depended on the P53-P21, but not the JAKs-STATs-c-Myc signaling pathway. The present study suggests that flavopereirine may be efficacious in the clinical treatment of CRC harboring functional P53 signaling.
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14
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Chu PC, Lin PC, Wu HY, Lin KT, Wu C, Bekaii-Saab T, Lin YJ, Lee CT, Lee JC, Chen CS. Mutant KRAS promotes liver metastasis of colorectal cancer, in part, by upregulating the MEK-Sp1-DNMT1-miR-137-YB-1-IGF-IR signaling pathway. Oncogene 2018; 37:3440-3455. [PMID: 29559746 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0222-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Although the role of insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) in promoting colorectal liver metastasis is known, the mechanism by which IGF-IR is upregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC) is not defined. In this study, we obtained evidence that mutant KRAS transcriptionally activates IGF-IR gene expression through Y-box-binding protein (YB)-1 upregulation via a novel MEK-Sp1-DNMT1-miR-137 pathway in CRC cells. The mechanistic link between the tumor suppressive miR-137 and the translational regulation of YB-1 is intriguing because epigenetic silencing of miR-137 represents an early event in colorectal carcinogenesis due to promoter hypermethylation. This proposed signaling axis was further verified by the immunohistochemical evaluations of liver metastases from a cohort of 46 KRAS mutant CRC patients, which showed a significant correlation in the expression levels among Sp1, miR-137, YB-1, and IGF-1R. Moreover, suppression of the expression of YB-1 and IGF-IR via genetic knockdown or the pharmacological inhibition of MEK hampers KRAS-driven colorectal liver metastasis in our animal model studies. From a translational perspective, the identification of this KRAS-driven pathway might provide a mechanistic rationale for the use of a MEK inhibitor as an adjuvant, in combination with standard of care, to prevent the recurrence of colorectal liver metastasis in KRAS mutant CRC patients after receiving liver resection, which warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Chen Chu
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, 11529, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of New Drug Development, College of Biopharmaceutical and Food Sciences, China Medical University, 40402, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Peng-Chan Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 70403, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Yu Wu
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, 11529, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuen-Tyng Lin
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, 11529, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Christina Wu
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Tanios Bekaii-Saab
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, 85054, USA
| | - Yih-Jyh Lin
- Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 70403, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Ta Lee
- Department of Pathology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 70403, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jeng-Chang Lee
- Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 70403, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Shih Chen
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, 11529, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Institute of New Drug Development, College of Biopharmaceutical and Food Sciences, China Medical University, 40402, Taichung, Taiwan.
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan.
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15
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Xu Y, Xu Q, Sun H, Liu T, Shi K, Wang W. Could IVIM and ADC help in predicting the KRAS status in patients with rectal cancer? Eur Radiol 2018; 28:3059-3065. [PMID: 29450716 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-018-5329-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the diagnostic potential of DW-MRI relative parameters for differentiation of rectal cancers with different Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue (KRAS) mutation status. METHODS Fifty-one patients with rectal cancer underwent diffusion-weighted MR imaging with eight b values. ADCs (including Max-ADC, Min-ADC and Mean-ADC) and IVIM parameters (D, pure diffusion; f, perfusion fraction; D*, pseudodiffusion coefficient) were respectively calculated by mono- and bi-exponential analysis. Patients were stratified into two groups: KRAS wild type and mutant. The DW-MRI-derived parameters between the KRAS wild-type group and KRAS mutant group were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of discrimination between KRAS wild-type and KRAS mutant rectal cancer was performed for the DW-MRI-derived parameters. RESULTS Max-ADC, Mean-ADC and D values were significantly lower in the KRAS mutant group than in the KRAS wild-type group, whereas a higher D* value was demonstrated in the KRAS mutant group. According to the ROC curve, Mean-ADC and D* values showed moderate diagnostic significance with the AUC values of 0.756 and 0.710, respectively. The cut-off values for Mean-ADC and D* were 1.43 × 10-3mm2/s and 26.58 × 10-3mm2/s, respectively. CONCLUSION Rectal cancers had distinctive diffusion/perfusion characteristics in different KRAS mutation statuses. The DW-MRI-derived parameters, specifically Mean-ADC and D*, show a moderate diagnostic significance for KRAS status. KEY POINTS • Rectal cancers with different KRAS mutation statuses demonstrated distinctive diffusion/perfusion characteristics. • Max-ADC, Mean-ADC and D values were lower in the KRAS mutant group. • A higher D* value was demonstrated in the KRAS mutant group. • IVIM-DW MRI may potentially help preoperative KRAS mutant status prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Xu
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No.2 Yinghua East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Qiaoyu Xu
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No.2 Yinghua East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Hongliang Sun
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No.2 Yinghua East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Tongxi Liu
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No.2 Yinghua East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | | | - Wu Wang
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No.2 Yinghua East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
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16
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Oncogenic Ras triggers hyperproliferation and impairs polarized colonic morphogenesis by autocrine ErbB3 signaling. Oncotarget 2018; 7:53526-53539. [PMID: 27447549 PMCID: PMC5288203 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2016] [Accepted: 07/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we study the effects of inducible oncogenic K-Ras (G12V) expression on the polarized morphogenesis of colonic epithelial cells. We provide evidence that the autocrine production of heregulins, ligands for the ErbB3 receptor tyrosine kinase, is responsible for the hyperproliferation and aberrant 3D morphogenesis upon oncogenic K-Ras expression. This is in line with results obtained in primary intestinal organoid cultures, in which exogenous heregulin is shown to interfere with normal tissue architecture. Importantly, ErbB3 inhibition and heregulin gene silencing rescued K-RasG12V-induced features of cell transformation. Together with the increased ErbB3 positivity detected in human high-grade primary colorectal cancers, our findings provide support for an autocrine signaling loop engaged by oncogenic K-Ras involving ErbB3 that contributes to the dedifferentiation of the intestinal epithelium during tumor initiation and progression.
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17
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Zhong L, Yang J, Cao Z, Chen X, Hu Y, Li L, Yang S. Preclinical pharmacodynamic evaluation of drug candidate SKLB-178 in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 8:12843-12854. [PMID: 28086226 PMCID: PMC5355060 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a serious life-threatening malignancy. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as Gefitinib and Erlotinib, are effective clinical medicines for advanced NSCLC patients harboring EGFR-activating mutations. However, this therapy just benefits a small percentage of sufferers. Worse still, all patients treated with drugs ultimately develop resistance. Hence, there is still an unmet medical need among patients with NSCLC. In this account, we report a novel multikinase inhibitor SKLB-178, which potently inhibits both EGFR-activating and resistant mutations, as well as the activities of Src and VEGFR2 kinases. SKLB-178 potently inhibited cancer cell growth in both Gefitinib-sensitive and resistant NSCLC cells. Meanwhile, SKLB-178 significantly suppressed the migration, invasion and tube formation of endothelial cells, and the growth of intersegmental vessel in zebrafish. The in vivo pharmacodynamic studies further demonstrated that SKLB-178 had wider potency than Gefitinib, and could significantly prolong survival of animals in A549 experimental metastasis model. These advantages together with the low toxicity of SKLB-178 indicate that SKLB-178 deserves to be further developed as a potential drug candidate for NSCLC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan 610041, China.,Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Sichuan 610072, China
| | - Jiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Zhixing Cao
- Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sichuan 611137, China
| | - Xin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yiguo Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Linli Li
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System, Ministry of Education, West China School of pharmacy, Sichuan University, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Shengyong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan 610041, China
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18
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Yao YMM, Donoho GP, Iversen PW, Zhang Y, Van Horn RD, Forest A, Novosiadly RD, Webster YW, Ebert P, Bray S, Ting JC, Aggarwal A, Henry JR, Tiu RV, Plowman GD, Peng SB. Mouse PDX Trial Suggests Synergy of Concurrent Inhibition of RAF and EGFR in Colorectal Cancer with BRAF or KRAS Mutations. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 23:5547-5560. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-3250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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19
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Gorukmez O, Yakut T, Gorukmez O, Sag SO, Karkucak M, Kanat O. Distribution of KRAS and BRAF Mutations in Metastatic Colorectal Cancers in Turkish Patients. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2016; 17:1175-1179. [PMID: 27039744 DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2016.17.3.1175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The results of this study demonstrate the potential prognostic and predictive values of KRAS and BRAF gene mutations in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). It has been proven that KRAS and BRAF mutations are predictive biomarkers for resistance to anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody treatment in patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC). We demonstrated the distribution of KRAS (codons 12, 13 and 61) and BRAF (codon 600) gene mutations in 50 mCRCs using direct sequencing and compared the results with clinicopathological data. KRAS and BRAF mutations were identified in 15 (30%) and 1 (2%) patients, respectively. We identified KRAS mutations in codon 12, 13 and 61 in 73.3% (11/15), 20% (3/15) and 6.67% (1/15) of the positive patients, respectively. The KRAS mutation frequency was significantly higher in tumors located in the ascending colon (p=0.043). Thus, we found that approximately 1/3 of the patients with mCRC had KRAS mutations and the only clinicopathological factor related to this mutation was tumor location. Future studies with larger patient groups should yield more accurate data regarding the molecular mechanism of CRC and the association between KRAS and BRAF mutations and clinicopathological features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orhan Gorukmez
- Medical Genetics Unit, Sevket Yilmaz Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey E-mail :
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20
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Abstract
Mutations in the KRAS oncogene represent one of the most prevalent genetic alterations in colorectal cancer (CRC), the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the US. In addition to their well-characterized function in driving tumor progression, KRAS mutations have been recognized as a critical determinant of the therapeutic response of CRC. Recent studies demonstrate that KRAS-mutant tumors are intrinsically insensitive to clinically-used epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeting antibodies, including cetuximab and panitumumab. Acquired resistance to the anti-EGFR therapy was found to be associated with enrichment of KRAS-mutant tumor cells. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of mutant-KRAS-mediated therapeutic resistance has remained unclear. Despite intensive efforts, directly targeting mutant KRAS has been largely unsuccessful. This review summarizes the recent advances in understanding the biological function of KRAS mutations in determining the therapeutic response of CRC, highlighting several recently developed agents and strategies for targeting mutant KRAS, such as synthetic lethal interactions.
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21
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Bäumer S, Bäumer N, Appel N, Terheyden L, Fremerey J, Schelhaas S, Wardelmann E, Buchholz F, Berdel WE, Müller-Tidow C. Antibody-mediated delivery of anti-KRAS-siRNA in vivo overcomes therapy resistance in colon cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2015; 21:1383-94. [PMID: 25589625 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-13-2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE KRAS mutations are frequent driver mutations in multiple cancers. KRAS mutations also induce anti-EGFR antibody resistance in adenocarcinoma such as colon cancer. The aim of this study was to overcome anti-EGFR antibody resistance by coupling the antibody to KRAS-specific siRNA. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The anti-EGFR antibody was chemically coupled to siRNA. The resulting complex was tested for antibody binding efficiency, serum stability and ability to deliver siRNA to EGFR-expressing cells. Western blotting, viability, apoptosis, and colony formation assays were performed for efficacy evaluation in vitro. Furthermore, therapeutic activity of the antibody-KRAS-siRNA complexes was examined in in vivo xenograft mouse tumor models. RESULTS Antibody-siRNA complexes were targeted and internalized via the EGFR receptor. Upon internalization, target gene expression was strongly and specifically repressed, followed by a reduced proliferation and viability, and induced apoptosis of the cells in vitro. Clonogenic growth of mutant KRAS-bearing cells was suppressed by KRAS-siRNA-anti-EGFR antibody complexes. In xenograft mouse models, anti-EGFR antibody-KRAS-siRNA complexes significantly slowed tumor growth in anti-EGFR-resistant cells. CONCLUSIONS The coupling of siRNA against KRAS to anti-EGFR antibodies provides a novel therapy approach for KRAS-mutated EGFR-positive cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. These findings provide an innovative approach for cancer-specific siRNA application and for enhanced therapeutic potential of monoclonal antibody therapy and personalized treatment of cancer entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Bäumer
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology/Oncology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
| | - Nicole Bäumer
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology/Oncology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Neele Appel
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology/Oncology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Lisa Terheyden
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology/Oncology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Julia Fremerey
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology/Oncology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Sonja Schelhaas
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Eva Wardelmann
- Gerhard-Domagk Institute for Pathology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Frank Buchholz
- UCC, Medical Systems Biology, Medical Faculty, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Wolfgang E Berdel
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology/Oncology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Carsten Müller-Tidow
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology/Oncology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany. Department of Medicine IV, Hematology and Oncology, University of Halle, Halle, Germany.
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22
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Burgenske DM, Monsma DJ, Dylewski D, Scott SB, Sayfie AD, Kim DG, Luchtefeld M, Martin KR, Stephenson P, Hostetter G, Dujovny N, MacKeigan JP. Establishment of genetically diverse patient-derived xenografts of colorectal cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2014; 4:824-837. [PMID: 25520871 PMCID: PMC4266715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 10/20/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Preclinical compounds tested in animal models often show limited efficacy when transitioned into human clinical trials. As a result, many patients are stratified into treatment regimens that have little impact on their disease. In order to create preclinical models that can more accurately predict tumor responses, we established patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of colorectal cancer (CRC). Surgically resected tumor specimens from colorectal cancer patients were implanted subcutaneously into athymic nude mice. Following successful establishment, fourteen models underwent further evaluation to determine whether these models exhibit heterogeneity, both at the cellular and genetic level. Histological review revealed properties not found in CRC cell lines, most notably in overall architecture (predominantly columnar epithelium with evidence of gland formation) and the presence of mucin-producing cells. Custom CRC gene panels identified somatic driver mutations in each model, and therapeutic efficacy studies in tumor-bearing mice were designed to determine how models with known mutations respond to PI3K, mTOR, or MAPK inhibitors. Interestingly, MAPK pathway inhibition drove tumor responses across most models tested. Noteworthy, the MAPK inhibitor PD0325901 alone did not significantly mediate tumor response in the context of a KRAS(G12D) model, and improved tumor responses resulted when combined with mTOR inhibition. As a result, these genetically diverse models represent a valuable resource for preclinical efficacy and drug discovery studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M Burgenske
- Laboratory of Systems Biology, Van Andel Research InstituteGrand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
- Van Andel Institute Graduate SchoolGrand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - David J Monsma
- Preclinical Therapeutics, Van Andel Research InstituteGrand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Dawna Dylewski
- Preclinical Therapeutics, Van Andel Research InstituteGrand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Stephanie B Scott
- Preclinical Therapeutics, Van Andel Research InstituteGrand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Aaron D Sayfie
- Laboratory of Systems Biology, Van Andel Research InstituteGrand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Donald G Kim
- Ferguson-Blodgett Digestive Disease Institute, Spectrum Health Medical GroupGrand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Martin Luchtefeld
- Ferguson-Blodgett Digestive Disease Institute, Spectrum Health Medical GroupGrand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Katie R Martin
- Laboratory of Systems Biology, Van Andel Research InstituteGrand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Paul Stephenson
- Department of Statistics, Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale, MI 49401, USA
| | - Galen Hostetter
- Laboratory of Analytical Pathology, Van Andel Research InstituteGrand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Nadav Dujovny
- Ferguson-Blodgett Digestive Disease Institute, Spectrum Health Medical GroupGrand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Jeffrey P MacKeigan
- Laboratory of Systems Biology, Van Andel Research InstituteGrand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
- Van Andel Institute Graduate SchoolGrand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
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23
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Falasca M, Maffucci T. Targeting p110gamma in gastrointestinal cancers: attack on multiple fronts. Front Physiol 2014; 5:391. [PMID: 25360116 PMCID: PMC4197894 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2014.00391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2014] [Accepted: 09/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) regulate several cellular functions that are critical for cancer progression and development, including cell survival, proliferation and migration. Three classes of PI3Ks exist with the class I PI3K encompassing four isoforms of the catalytic subunit known as p110α, p110β, p110γ, and p110δ. Although for many years attention has been mainly focused on p110α recent evidence supports the conclusion that p110β, p110γ, and p110δ can also have a role in cancer. Amongst these, accumulating evidence now indicates that p110γ is involved in several cellular processes associated with cancer and indeed this specific isoform has emerged as a novel important player in cancer progression. Studies from our laboratory have identified a specific overexpression of p110γ in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues compared to their normal counterparts. Our data have further established that selective inhibition of p110γ is able to block PDAC and HCC cell proliferation, strongly suggesting that pharmacological inhibition of this enzyme can directly affect growth of these tumors. Furthermore, increasing evidence suggests that p110γ plays also a key role in the interactions between cancer cells and tumor microenvironment and in particular in tumor-associated immune response. It has also been reported that p110γ can regulate invasion of myeloid cells into tumors and tumor angiogenesis. Finally p110γ has also been directly involved in regulation of cancer cell migration. Taken together these data indicate that p110γ plays multiple roles in regulation of several processes that are critical for tumor progression and metastasis. This review will discuss the role of p110γ in gastrointestinal tumor development and progression and how targeting this enzyme might represent a way to target very aggressive tumors such as pancreatic and liver cancer on multiple fronts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Falasca
- Inositide Signalling Group, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London London, UK
| | - Tania Maffucci
- Inositide Signalling Group, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London London, UK
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Möller Y, Siegemund M, Beyes S, Herr R, Lecis D, Delia D, Kontermann R, Brummer T, Pfizenmaier K, Olayioye MA. EGFR-targeted TRAIL and a Smac mimetic synergize to overcome apoptosis resistance in KRAS mutant colorectal cancer cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e107165. [PMID: 25198428 PMCID: PMC4157814 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
TRAIL is a death receptor ligand that induces cell death preferentially in tumor cells. Recombinant soluble TRAIL, however, performs poorly as an anti-cancer therapeutic because oligomerization is required for potent biological activity. We previously generated a diabody format of tumor-targeted TRAIL termed DbαEGFR-scTRAIL, comprising single-stranded TRAIL molecules (scTRAIL) and the variable domains of a humanized variant of the EGFR blocking antibody Cetuximab. Here we define the bioactivity of DbαEGFR-scTRAIL with regard to both EGFR inhibition and TRAIL receptor activation in 3D cultures of Caco-2 colorectal cancer cells, which express wild-type K-Ras. Compared with conventional 2D cultures, Caco-2 cells displayed strongly enhanced sensitivity toward DbαEGFR-scTRAIL in these 3D cultures. We show that the antibody moiety of DbαEGFR-scTRAIL not only efficiently competed with ligand-induced EGFR function, but also determined the apoptotic response by specifically directing DbαEGFR-scTRAIL to EGFR-positive cells. To address how aberrantly activated K-Ras, which leads to Cetuximab resistance, affects DbαEGFR-scTRAIL sensitivity, we generated stable Caco-2tet cells inducibly expressing oncogenic K-RasG12V. In the presence of doxycycline, these cells showed increased resistance to DbαEGFR-scTRAIL, associated with the elevated expression of the anti-apoptotic proteins cIAP2, Bcl-xL and FlipS. Co-treatment of cells with the Smac mimetic SM83 restored the DbαEGFR-scTRAIL-induced apoptotic response. Importantly, this synergy between DbαEGFR-scTRAIL and SM83 also translated to 3D cultures of oncogenic K-Ras expressing HCT-116 and LoVo colorectal cancer cells. Our findings thus support the notion that DbαEGFR-scTRAIL therapy in combination with apoptosis-sensitizing agents may be promising for the treatment of EGFR-positive colorectal cancers, independently of their KRAS status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Möller
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Martin Siegemund
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sven Beyes
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Ricarda Herr
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research (IMMZ), Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Daniele Lecis
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Domenico Delia
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Roland Kontermann
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Tilman Brummer
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research (IMMZ), Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Centre for Biological Signalling Studies BIOSS, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Pfizenmaier
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Monilola A. Olayioye
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
- * E-mail:
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25
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Gargalionis AN, Karamouzis MV, Papavassiliou AG. The molecular rationale of Src inhibition in colorectal carcinomas. Int J Cancer 2014; 134:2019-2029. [PMID: 23733480 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.28299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Src has been one of the most studied proto‐oncogenes. The cellular Src (c‐Src) holds a critical role in several human malignancies and has emerged as a key factor that promotes tumor progression during the multistep process of colorectal cancer (CRC) pathogenesis. The robust activation of Src in CRC of aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis seems to be a subsequent event of a strong link between its deregulated activity and the tumor's cell adhesion properties, invasiveness and metastatic potential. The rarely detected genetic defects drive interest in signaling networks that control Src kinase activity and integrate the association of Src with receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Therefore, a dynamic crosstalk is being formed with oncogenic capacity and therapeutic applications, because Src inhibition seems to sensitize previously unresponsive cancer cells to chemotherapy and anti‐EGFR inhibitors. The present review explores the molecular basis behind Src inhibition in colorectal carcinomas. Furthermore, preclinical studies and clinical trials of Src inhibitors and combination regimens are discussed, providing new insights for further investigation and new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios N. Gargalionis
- Molecular Oncology Unit Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens Medical School Athens Greece
| | - Michalis V. Karamouzis
- Molecular Oncology Unit Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens Medical School Athens Greece
| | - Athanasios G. Papavassiliou
- Molecular Oncology Unit Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens Medical School Athens Greece
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26
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Tong JHM, Lung RWM, Sin FMC, Law PPY, Kang W, Chan AWH, Ma BBY, Mak TWC, Ng SSM, To KF. Characterization of rare transforming KRAS mutations in sporadic colorectal cancer. Cancer Biol Ther 2014; 15:768-76. [PMID: 24642870 PMCID: PMC4049792 DOI: 10.4161/cbt.28550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
KRAS mutational status has been shown to be a predictive biomarker of resistance to anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. We report the spectrum of KRAS mutation in 1506 patients with colorectal cancer and the identification and characterization of rare insertion mutations within the functional domain of KRAS. KRAS mutations are found in 44.5% (670/1506) of the patients. Two cases are found to harbor double mutations involving both codons 12 and 13. The frequencies of KRAS mutations at its codons 12, 13, 61, and 146 are 75.1%, 19.3%, 2.5%, and 2.7%, respectively. The most abundant mutation of codon 12 is G12D, followed by G12V and G12C while G13D is the predominant mutation in codon 13. Mutations in other codons are rare. The KRAS mutation rate is significantly higher in women (48%, 296/617) than in men (42.1%, 374/889, P = 0.023). Tumors on the right colon have a higher frequency of KRAS mutations than those on the left (57.3% vs. 40.4%, P < 0.0001). Two in-frame insertion mutations affect the phosphate-binding loop (codon 10–16) of KRAS are identified. One of them has never been reported before. Compared with wild-type protein, the insertion variants enhance the cellular accumulation of active RAS (RAS-GTP) and constitutively activate the downstream signaling pathway. NIH3T3 cells transfected with the insertion variants show enhanced anchorage-independent growth and in vivo tumorigenicity. Potentially these mutations contribute to primary resistance to anti-EGFR mAb therapy but the clinical implication requires further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna H M Tong
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology; State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China; Prince of Wales Hospital; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, PR China; Institute of Digestive Disease; Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, PR China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science; Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Raymond W M Lung
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology; State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China; Prince of Wales Hospital; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, PR China; Institute of Digestive Disease; Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, PR China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science; Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Frankie M C Sin
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology; State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China; Prince of Wales Hospital; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, PR China; Institute of Digestive Disease; Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, PR China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science; Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Peggy P Y Law
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology; State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China; Prince of Wales Hospital; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, PR China; Institute of Digestive Disease; Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, PR China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science; Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Wei Kang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology; State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China; Prince of Wales Hospital; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, PR China; Institute of Digestive Disease; Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, PR China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science; Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Anthony W H Chan
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology; State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China; Prince of Wales Hospital; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Brigette B Y Ma
- Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center; Hong Kong SAR, PR China; Department of Clinical Oncology; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Tony W C Mak
- Department of Surgery; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Simon S M Ng
- Institute of Digestive Disease; Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, PR China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science; Hong Kong SAR, PR China; Department of Surgery; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Ka Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology; State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China; Prince of Wales Hospital; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, PR China; Institute of Digestive Disease; Partner State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, PR China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science; Hong Kong SAR, PR China
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RAD21 cohesin overexpression is a prognostic and predictive marker exacerbating poor prognosis in KRAS mutant colorectal carcinomas. Br J Cancer 2014; 110:1606-13. [PMID: 24548858 PMCID: PMC3960611 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2013] [Revised: 12/26/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: RAD21 is a component of the cohesion complex and is integral to chromosome segregation and error-free DNA repair. RAD21 is functionally important in tumour progression but its role in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is unclear. We therefore assessed its clinicopathological and prognostic significance in CRC, as well as its effect on chemosensitivity. Methods: A retrospective observation study examined RAD21 expression in 652 CRCs using a tissue microarray approach. Correlation with clinicopathological factors including gender, tumour grade, mucinous subtype, TNM stage, disease-specific survival (DSS), BRAF and KRAS mutation status, tumour p53 immunostaining, tumour microsatellite instability and tumour CpG island methylator phenotype was performed. Colorectal cancer cell clones with stable RAD21 knockdown were generated and tested for cellular sensitivity to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. Results: RAD21 expression was significantly correlated with male gender (56.7% vs 43.3%, P=0.02), well-differentiated histology (14.4% vs 4.0%, P=0.0001), higher T-stage (36.1% vs 27.0%, P=0.01), presence of metastasis (18.8% vs 12.6%, P=0.03), and shorter DSS (hazard ratio (HR) 1.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.9, P=0.01) in both univariate and multivariate analysis. RAD21 expression was associated with shorter DSS in patients with KRAS mutant tumours (HR:2.6, 95% CI:1.4–4.3, P=0.001) and in patients receiving adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (HR:1.9, 95% CI:1.2–3.0, P=0.008). Colorectal cancer cells with RAD21 knockdown exhibited enhanced sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil, either alone or in combination with oxaliplatin. Conclusions: RAD21 expression in CRC is associated with aggressive disease especially in KRAS mutant tumours and resistance to chemoradiotherapy. RAD21 may be an important novel therapeutic target.
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Lyseng-Williamson KA. Cetuximab: a guide to its use in combination with FOLFIRI in the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer in the USA. Mol Diagn Ther 2013; 16:317-22. [PMID: 23055389 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-012-0007-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cetuximab (Erbitux(®)) is a monoclonal antibody that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In the USA, the approval of cetuximab has been recently expanded to include the first-line treatment of patients with KRAS mutation-negative (wild-type), EGFR-expressing, metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) when used in combination with FOLFIRI (irinotecan, fluorouracil, leucovorin [folinic acid]). The addition of cetuximab to first-line treatment with FOLFIRI improved progression-free survival, overall survival, and objective response rates relative to treatment with FOLFIRI alone in patients with EGFR-expressing mCRC with KRAS wild-type tumors. Therefore, cetuximab plus FOLFIRI is a useful biomarker-directed option in the first-line treatment of this patient population.
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