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Chan KI, Zhang S, Li G, Xu Y, Cui L, Wang Y, Su H, Tan W, Zhong Z. MYC Oncogene: A Druggable Target for Treating Cancers with Natural Products. Aging Dis 2024; 15:640-697. [PMID: 37450923 PMCID: PMC10917530 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Various diseases, including cancers, age-associated disorders, and acute liver failure, have been linked to the oncogene, MYC. Animal testing and clinical trials have shown that sustained tumor volume reduction can be achieved when MYC is inactivated, and different combinations of therapeutic agents including MYC inhibitors are currently being developed. In this review, we first provide a summary of the multiple biological functions of the MYC oncoprotein in cancer treatment, highlighting that the equilibrium points of the MYC/MAX, MIZ1/MYC/MAX, and MAD (MNT)/MAX complexes have further potential in cancer treatment that could be used to restrain MYC oncogene expression and its functions in tumorigenesis. We also discuss the multifunctional capacity of MYC in various cellular cancer processes, including its influences on immune response, metabolism, cell cycle, apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, multidrug resistance, and intestinal flora. Moreover, we summarize the MYC therapy patent landscape and emphasize the potential of MYC as a druggable target, using herbal medicine modulators. Finally, we describe pending challenges and future perspectives in biomedical research, involving the development of therapeutic approaches to modulate MYC or its targeted genes. Patients with cancers driven by MYC signaling may benefit from therapies targeting these pathways, which could delay cancerous growth and recover antitumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Iong Chan
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Siyuan Zhang
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Guodong Li
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Yida Xu
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Liao Cui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524000, China
| | - Yitao Wang
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Huanxing Su
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Wen Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhangfeng Zhong
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
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Papadimitropoulou A, Makri M, Zoidis G. MYC the oncogene from hell: Novel opportunities for cancer therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 267:116194. [PMID: 38340508 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Cancer comprises a heterogeneous disease, characterized by diverse features such as constitutive expression of oncogenes and/or downregulation of tumor suppressor genes. MYC constitutes a master transcriptional regulator, involved in many cellular functions and is aberrantly expressed in more than 70 % of human cancers. The Myc protein belongs to a family of transcription factors whose structural pattern is referred to as basic helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper. Myc binds to its partner, a smaller protein called Max, forming an Myc:Max heterodimeric complex that interacts with specific DNA recognition sequences (E-boxes) and regulates the expression of downstream target genes. Myc protein plays a fundamental role for the life of a cell, as it is involved in many physiological functions such as proliferation, growth and development since it controls the expression of a very large percentage of genes (∼15 %). However, despite the strict control of MYC expression in normal cells, MYC is often deregulated in cancer, exhibiting a key role in stimulating oncogenic process affecting features such as aberrant proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, genomic instability and oncogenic transformation. In this review we aim to meticulously describe the fundamental role of MYC in tumorigenesis and highlight its importance as an anticancer drug target. We focus mainly on the different categories of novel small molecules that act as inhibitors of Myc function in diverse ways hence offering great opportunities for an efficient cancer therapy. This knowledge will provide significant information for the development of novel Myc inhibitors and assist to the design of treatments that would effectively act against Myc-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Papadimitropoulou
- Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Maria Makri
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Grigoris Zoidis
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771, Athens, Greece.
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Li M, Hu Y, Wang J, Xu Y, Hong Y, Zhang L, Luo Q, Zhen Z, Lu S, Huang J, Zhu J, Zhang Y, Que Y, Sun F. The dual HDAC and PI3K inhibitor, CUDC‑907, inhibits tumor growth and stem‑like properties by suppressing PTX3 in neuroblastoma. Int J Oncol 2024; 64:14. [PMID: 38063204 PMCID: PMC10783937 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2023.5602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the common solid tumors in childhood and poses a threat to the lives of children. Patients with advanced‑stage or recurrent NB have a poor prognosis. CUDC‑907, as a novel dual‑target inhibitor of histone deacetylase (HDAC) and phosphatidylinositol‑3‑kinase (PI3K), has been proven to play an antitumor role in several types of tumors. However, the exact role of CUDC‑907 in NB remains unclear. In the present study, in vivo and in vitro assays were performed to investigate the anti‑NB activity of CUDC‑907. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) small interfering RNA (siRNA) and PTX3 overexpression plasmid were transfected into cells to define the underlying mechanisms of CUDC‑907. Tumor tissues and clinical information were collected and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was conducted to analyze the association between the expression of HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3 and CD44, and the prognosis of patients with NB. The results indicated that CUDC‑907 significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration, and induced the apoptosis of NB cells, downregulating the expression level of MYCN, and suppressing the PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK pathways. Furthermore, CUDC‑907 suppressed the stem‑like properties of NB cells by inhibiting PTX3, a ligand and upstream protein of CD44. IHC revealed that the high expression of HDAC1, 2, 3 and CD44 was associated with a poor prognosis of patients with NB. On the whole, these findings indicate that CUDC‑907 may be developed into a possible therapeutic approach for patients with NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengzhen Li
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Yang Hu
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Yanjie Xu
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Ye Hong
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Qiuyun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Zijun Zhen
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Suying Lu
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Junting Huang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Jia Zhu
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Yizhuo Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Yi Que
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Feifei Sun
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
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Wang Y, Lin X, Wang Y, Wang G. Synergistic effect of adavosertib and fimepinostat on acute myeloid leukemia cells by enhancing the induction of DNA damage. Invest New Drugs 2024; 42:70-79. [PMID: 38085423 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-023-01415-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, a number of novel pharmaceutical agents have received approval for the management of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, there is still ample opportunity for enhancing efficacy. The Wee1 inhibitor adavosertib (ADA) shows promise for the treatment of AML. Based on the effect of drugs on DNA damage, we conducted a combination study involving ADA and fimepinostat (CUDC-907), a dual inhibitor of PI3K and histone deacetylase (HDAC). We observed that the combination of CUDC-907 and ADA exhibited a synergistic effect in enhancing the antileukemic activity in both AML cell lines and primary patient samples, demonstrating through flow cytometry analysis and MTT assay, respectively. Additionally, our study revealed that CUDC-907 has the ability to augment ADA-induced DNA damage, as determined by the measurement of γH2AX levels and the implementation of the alkaline comet assay. Through the utilization of western blotting analyses, targeted inhibitors, and ectopic overexpression, we propose that the downregulation of Wee1, CHK1, RNR, and c-Myc are the potential mechanisms. Our data support the development of ADA in combination with CUDC-907 for the treatment of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China
| | - Xingyu Lin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, the First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Guan Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China.
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5
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Waitman KB, de Almeida LC, Primi MC, Carlos JAEG, Ruiz C, Kronenberger T, Laufer S, Goettert MI, Poso A, Vassiliades SV, de Souza VAM, Toledo MFZJ, Hassimotto NMA, Cameron MD, Bannister TD, Costa-Lotufo LV, Machado-Neto JA, Tavares MT, Parise-Filho R. HDAC specificity and kinase off-targeting by purine-benzohydroxamate anti-hematological tumor agents. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 263:115935. [PMID: 37989057 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
A series of hybrid inhibitors, combining pharmacophores of known kinase inhibitors bearing anilino-purines (ruxolitinib, ibrutinib) and benzohydroxamate HDAC inhibitors (nexturastat A), were generated in the present study. The compounds have been synthesized and tested against solid and hematological tumor cell lines. Compounds 4d-f were the most promising in cytotoxicity assays (IC50 ≤ 50 nM) vs. hematological cells and displayed moderate activity in solid tumor models (EC50 = 9.3-21.7 μM). Compound 4d potently inhibited multiple kinase targets of interest for anticancer effects, including JAK2, JAK3, HDAC1, and HDAC6. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that 4d has stable interactions with HDAC and members of the JAK family, with differences in the hinge binding energy conferring selectivity for JAK3 and JAK2 over JAK1. The kinase inhibition profile of compounds 4d-f allows selective cytotoxicity, with minimal effects on non-tumorigenic cells. Moreover, these compounds have favorable pharmacokinetic profiles, with high stability in human liver microsomes (e.g., see t1/2: >120 min for 4f), low intrinsic clearance, and lack of significant inhibition of four major CYP450 isoforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline B Waitman
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Larissa C de Almeida
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina C Primi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02115, United States; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
| | - Jorge A E G Carlos
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Claudia Ruiz
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL, 33458, United States
| | - Thales Kronenberger
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eberhard-Karls-Universität, Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany; Tübingen Center for Academic Drug Discovery & Development (TüCAD(2)), 72076, Tübingen, Germany; School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland; Excellence Cluster "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections" (CMFI), 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Laufer
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eberhard-Karls-Universität, Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany; Tübingen Center for Academic Drug Discovery & Development (TüCAD(2)), 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marcia Ines Goettert
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eberhard-Karls-Universität, Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany; Tübingen Center for Academic Drug Discovery & Development (TüCAD(2)), 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Antti Poso
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eberhard-Karls-Universität, Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany; Tübingen Center for Academic Drug Discovery & Development (TüCAD(2)), 72076, Tübingen, Germany; School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland; Excellence Cluster "Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections" (CMFI), 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sandra V Vassiliades
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vinícius A M de Souza
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mônica F Z J Toledo
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Neuza M A Hassimotto
- Food Research Center-(FoRC-CEPID) and Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Michael D Cameron
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL, 33458, United States
| | - Thomas D Bannister
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL, 33458, United States
| | - Letícia V Costa-Lotufo
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - João A Machado-Neto
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maurício T Tavares
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02115, United States; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, United States.
| | - Roberto Parise-Filho
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Ghosh A, Himaja A, Biswas S, Kulkarni O, Ghosh B. Advances in the Delivery and Development of Epigenetic Therapeutics for the Treatment of Cancer. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:5981-6009. [PMID: 37899551 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Gene expression at the transcriptional level is altered by epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, histone methylation, and acetylation, which can upregulate, downregulate, or entirely silence genes. Pathological dysregulation of epigenetic processes can result in the development of cancer, neurological problems, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. It is of promising therapeutic interest to find medications that target these epigenetic alterations. Despite the enormous amount of work that has been done in this area, very few molecules have been approved for clinical purposes. This article provides a comprehensive review of recent advances in epigenetic therapeutics for cancer, with a specific focus on emerging delivery and development strategies. Various delivery systems, including pro-drugs, conjugated molecules, nanoparticles (NPs), and liposomes, as well as remedial strategies such as combination therapies, and epigenetic editing, are being investigated to improve the efficacy and specificity of epigenetic drugs (epi-drugs). Furthermore, the challenges associated with available epi-drugs and the limitations of their translation into clinics have been discussed. Target selection, isoform selectivity, physiochemical properties of synthesized molecules, drug screening, and scalability of epi-drugs from preclinical to clinical fields are the major shortcomings that are addressed. This Review discusses novel strategies for the identification of new biomarkers, exploration of the medicinal chemistry of epigenetic modifiers, optimization of the dosage regimen, and design of proper clinical trials that will lead to better utilization of epigenetic modifiers over conventional therapies. The integration of these approaches holds great potential for improving the efficacy and precision of epigenetic treatments, ultimately benefiting cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparajita Ghosh
- Epigenetic Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science- Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Medchal, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India
- Pharmacology Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Medchal, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India
| | - Ambati Himaja
- Epigenetic Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science- Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Medchal, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India
| | - Swati Biswas
- Nanomedicine Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Medchal, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India
| | - Onkar Kulkarni
- Pharmacology Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Medchal, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India
| | - Balaram Ghosh
- Epigenetic Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science- Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Medchal, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India
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7
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Zhang A, Lau NA, Wong A, Brown LG, Coleman IM, De Sarkar N, Li D, DeLucia DC, Labrecque MP, Nguyen HM, Conner JL, Dumpit RF, True LD, Lin DW, Corey E, Alumkal JJ, Nelson PS, Morrissey C, Lee JK. Concurrent Targeting of HDAC and PI3K to Overcome Phenotypic Heterogeneity of Castration-resistant and Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancers. Cancer Res Commun 2023; 3:2358-2374. [PMID: 37823778 PMCID: PMC10658857 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) consists of multiple phenotypic subtypes including androgen receptor (AR)-active prostate cancer (ARPC) and neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). Tumor cells with these phenotypes can coexist between metastases within a patient and within an individual tumor. Treatments that are effective across CRPC subtypes are currently lacking. Histone deacetylation is crucial for the regulation of chromatin structure and maintenance of cancer cell state and activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling cascade is a tumor growth-promoting pathway. We therefore investigated combined targeting of histone deacetylase (HDAC) and PI3K using a rationally designed dual inhibitor, fimepinostat, in CRPC subtypes in vitro and in vivo. Dual HDAC1/2 and PI3K/AKT pathway inhibition by fimepinostat led to robust tumor growth inhibition in both ARPC and NEPC models including cell line- and patient-derived xenografts. HDAC1/2 inhibition combined with PI3K/AKT inhibition was more effective than targeting each pathway alone, producing growth inhibitory effects through cell-cycle inhibition and apoptosis. Molecular profiling revealed on-target effects of combined HDAC1/2 and PI3K/AKT inhibition independent of tumor phenotype. Fimepinostat therapy was also associated with the suppression of lineage transcription factors including AR in ARPC and Achaete-scute homolog 1 (ASCL1) in NEPC. Together, these results indicate that fimepinostat represents a novel therapeutic that may be effective against both ARPC and NEPC through CRPC subtype-dependent and -independent mechanisms. SIGNIFICANCE CRPC is a heterogeneous disease constituting multiple phenotypic subtypes that often co-occur within tumors or across metastases in patients. Existing targeted therapies for CRPC do not take this into account. Here we show that fimepinostat, a dual HDAC1/2 and PI3K/AKT inhibitor investigated clinically in other cancer types but not prostate cancer, may overcome this heterogeneity by effectively inhibiting both ARPC and NEPC subtypes of CRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailin Zhang
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Nathan A. Lau
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Alicia Wong
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Lisha G. Brown
- Department of Urology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Ilsa M. Coleman
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Navonil De Sarkar
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Dapei Li
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Diana C. DeLucia
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Mark P. Labrecque
- Department of Urology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Holly M. Nguyen
- Department of Urology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jennifer L. Conner
- Department of Urology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Ruth F. Dumpit
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Lawrence D. True
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Daniel W. Lin
- Department of Urology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Eva Corey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Joshi J. Alumkal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Peter S. Nelson
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
- Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Colm Morrissey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - John K. Lee
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
- Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
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Badran MM, Abbas SH, Fujita M, Abdel-Aziz M. Harnessing pyrimidine as a building block for histone deacetylase inhibitors. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2023; 356:e2300208. [PMID: 37462396 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202300208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are well-established multifaceted bioactive agents against tumors and neurodegenerative disorders. Pyrimidine and its fused and substituted derivatives were employed as a surface recognition moiety of HDAC inhibitors. De facto, the literature was loaded with different success stories of pyrimidine-based HDAC inhibitors that garnered much interest. Provoked by our continuous interest in HDAC inhibitors, we summarized and elaborated on the successful harnessing of the pyrimidine scaffold in this regard. Furthermore, we dissect our perspective that may guide medicinal chemists for an effective future design of more active chemotherapeutic agents with potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa M Badran
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Science Farm Joint Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Samar H Abbas
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Mikako Fujita
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Science Farm Joint Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Mohamed Abdel-Aziz
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
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9
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Lu T, Zhang J, Xu-Monette ZY, Young KH. The progress of novel strategies on immune-based therapy in relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:72. [PMID: 37580826 PMCID: PMC10424456 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00432-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) can be cured with standard front-line immunochemotherapy, whereas nearly 30-40% of patients experience refractory or relapse. For several decades, the standard treatment strategy for fit relapsed/refractory (R/R) DLBCL patients has been high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (auto-SCT). However, the patients who failed in salvage treatment or those ineligible for subsequent auto-SCT have dismal outcomes. Several immune-based therapies have been developed, including monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific T-cell engaging antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor T-cells, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and novel small molecules. Meanwhile, allogeneic SCT and radiotherapy are still necessary for disease control for fit patients with certain conditions. In this review, to expand clinical treatment options, we summarize the recent progress of immune-related therapies and prospect the future indirections in patients with R/R DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingxun Lu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, 214122, China
- Division of Hematopathology, Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, 214122, China
| | - Zijun Y Xu-Monette
- Division of Hematopathology, Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Ken H Young
- Division of Hematopathology, Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
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10
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Ribeiro ML, Sánchez Vinces S, Mondragon L, Roué G. Epigenetic targets in B- and T-cell lymphomas: latest developments. Ther Adv Hematol 2023; 14:20406207231173485. [PMID: 37273421 PMCID: PMC10236259 DOI: 10.1177/20406207231173485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs) comprise a diverse group of diseases, either of mature B-cell or of T-cell derivation, characterized by heterogeneous molecular features and clinical manifestations. While most of the patients are responsive to standard chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation and/or stem cell transplantation, relapsed and/or refractory cases still have a dismal outcome. Deep sequencing analysis have pointed out that epigenetic dysregulations, including mutations in epigenetic enzymes, such as chromatin modifiers and DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), are prevalent in both B- cell and T-cell lymphomas. Accordingly, over the past decade, a large number of epigenetic-modifying agents have been developed and introduced into the clinical management of these entities, and a few specific inhibitors have already been approved for clinical use. Here we summarize the main epigenetic alterations described in B- and T-NHL, that further supported the clinical development of a selected set of epidrugs in determined diseases, including inhibitors of DNMTs, histone deacetylases (HDACs), and extra-terminal domain proteins (bromodomain and extra-terminal motif; BETs). Finally, we highlight the most promising future directions of research in this area, explaining how bioinformatics approaches can help to identify new epigenetic targets in B- and T-cell lymphoid neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Lima Ribeiro
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras
Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Spain
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Molecular
Biology, Sao Francisco University Medical School, Braganca Paulista,
Brazil
| | - Salvador Sánchez Vinces
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Molecular
Biology, Sao Francisco University Medical School, Braganca Paulista,
Brazil
| | - Laura Mondragon
- T Cell Lymphoma Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia
Research Institute, IJC. Ctra de Can Ruti, Camí de les Escoles s/n, 08916
Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gael Roué
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras
Leukaemia Research Institute, IJC. Ctra de Can Ruti, Camí de les Escoles
s/n, 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
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11
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Abstract
Due to the multimodal character of cancer, inhibition of two targets simultaneously by a single molecule is a beneficial and effective approach against cancer. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) was widely investigated as a novel category of anticancer drug targets due to its crucial role in various biological processes like cell-proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis. Numerous HDAC inhibitors such as vorinostat and panobinostat are clinically approved but have limited usage due to their low efficacy, nonselectivity, drug resistance, and toxicity. Therefore, HDACs with a dual targeting ability have attracted great attention. The strategy of combining a HDAC inhibitor with other antitumor agents has been proved advantageous for combating the nonselectivity and drug resistivity problems associated with single-target drugs. Henceforth, we have highlighted dual-targeting inhibitors to target HDAC along with topoisomerase, receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and the zeste homolog 2 enzyme. Our Review mainly focuses on the impact of the substituent effect along with the linker variation of well-known HDAC-inhibitor-conjugated anticancer drugs.
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12
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Chen J, Guanizo AC, Jakasekara WSN, Inampudi C, Luong Q, Garama DJ, Alamgeer M, Thakur N, DeVeer M, Ganju V, Watkins DN, Cain JE, Gough DJ. MYC drives platinum resistant SCLC that is overcome by the dual PI3K-HDAC inhibitor fimepinostat. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:100. [PMID: 37098540 PMCID: PMC10131464 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02678-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine cancer with an appalling overall survival of less than 5% (Zimmerman et al. J Thor Oncol 14:768-83, 2019). Patients typically respond to front line platinum-based doublet chemotherapy, but almost universally relapse with drug resistant disease. Elevated MYC expression is common in SCLC and has been associated with platinum resistance. This study evaluates the capacity of MYC to drive platinum resistance and through screening identifies a drug capable of reducing MYC expression and overcoming resistance. METHODS Elevated MYC expression following the acquisition of platinum resistance in vitro and in vivo was assessed. Moreover, the capacity of enforced MYC expression to drive platinum resistance was defined in SCLC cell lines and in a genetically engineered mouse model that expresses MYC specifically in lung tumors. High throughput drug screening was used to identify drugs able to kill MYC-expressing, platinum resistant cell lines. The capacity of this drug to treat SCLC was defined in vivo in both transplant models using cell lines and patient derived xenografts and in combination with platinum and etoposide chemotherapy in an autochthonous mouse model of platinum resistant SCLC. RESULTS MYC expression is elevated following the acquisition of platinum resistance and constitutively high MYC expression drives platinum resistance in vitro and in vivo. We show that fimepinostat decreases MYC expression and that it is an effective single agent treatment for SCLC in vitro and in vivo. Indeed, fimepinostat is as effective as platinum-etoposide treatment in vivo. Importantly, when combined with platinum and etoposide, fimepinostat achieves a significant increase in survival. CONCLUSIONS MYC is a potent driver of platinum resistance in SCLC that is effectively treated with fimepinostat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Chen
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia
| | - Aleks C Guanizo
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia
| | - W Samantha N Jakasekara
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia
| | - Chaitanya Inampudi
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia
| | - Quinton Luong
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia
| | - Daniel J Garama
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia
| | - Muhammad Alamgeer
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia
- School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Nishant Thakur
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia
| | - Michael DeVeer
- Monash Biomedical Imaging Facility, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Vinod Ganju
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia
| | - D Neil Watkins
- Research Institute in Oncology and Hematology, Cancer Care Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9, Canada
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Jason E Cain
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia
| | - Daniel J Gough
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia.
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic, 3168, Australia.
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13
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Rosenthal AC, Munoz JL, Villasboas JC. Clinical advances in epigenetic therapies for lymphoma. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:39. [PMID: 36871057 PMCID: PMC9985856 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01452-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advances in understanding of cancer biology, genomics, epigenomics, and immunology have resulted in development of several therapeutic options that expand cancer care beyond traditional chemotherapy or radiotherapy, including individualized treatment strategies, novel treatments based on monotherapies or combination therapy to reduce toxicities, and implementation of strategies for overcoming resistance to anticancer therapy. RESULTS This review covers the latest applications of epigenetic therapies for treatment of B cell, T cell, and Hodgkin lymphomas, highlighting key clinical trial results with monotherapies and combination therapies from the main classes of epigenetic therapies, including inhibitors of DNA methyltransferases, protein arginine methyltransferases, enhancer of zeste homolog 2, histone deacetylases, and the bromodomain and extraterminal domain. CONCLUSION Epigenetic therapies are emerging as an attractive add-on to traditional chemotherapy and immunotherapy regimens. New classes of epigenetic therapies promise low toxicity and may work synergistically with other cancer treatments to overcome drug resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison C Rosenthal
- Division of Hematology, Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, 5777 E. Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ, 85054, USA.
| | - Javier L Munoz
- Division of Hematology, Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, 5777 E. Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ, 85054, USA
| | - J C Villasboas
- Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
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14
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Zhao A, Zhou H, Yang J, Li M, Niu T. Epigenetic regulation in hematopoiesis and its implications in the targeted therapy of hematologic malignancies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:71. [PMID: 36797244 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01342-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hematologic malignancies are one of the most common cancers, and the incidence has been rising in recent decades. The clinical and molecular features of hematologic malignancies are highly heterogenous, and some hematologic malignancies are incurable, challenging the treatment, and prognosis of the patients. However, hematopoiesis and oncogenesis of hematologic malignancies are profoundly affected by epigenetic regulation. Studies have found that methylation-related mutations, abnormal methylation profiles of DNA, and abnormal histone deacetylase expression are recurrent in leukemia and lymphoma. Furthermore, the hypomethylating agents and histone deacetylase inhibitors are effective to treat acute myeloid leukemia and T-cell lymphomas, indicating that epigenetic regulation is indispensable to hematologic oncogenesis. Epigenetic regulation mainly includes DNA modifications, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA-mediated targeting, and regulates various DNA-based processes. This review presents the role of writers, readers, and erasers of DNA methylation and histone methylation, and acetylation in hematologic malignancies. In addition, this review provides the influence of microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs on hematologic malignancies. Furthermore, the implication of epigenetic regulation in targeted treatment is discussed. This review comprehensively presents the change and function of each epigenetic regulator in normal and oncogenic hematopoiesis and provides innovative epigenetic-targeted treatment in clinical practice.
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15
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Shimkus G, Nonaka T. Molecular classification and therapeutics in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1124360. [PMID: 36818048 PMCID: PMC9936827 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1124360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) encompasses a wide variety of disease states that have to date been subgrouped and characterized based on immunohistochemical methods, which provide limited prognostic value to clinicians and no alteration in treatment regimen. The addition of rituximab to CHOP therapy was the last leap forward in terms of treatment, but regimens currently follow a standardized course when disease becomes refractory with no individualization based on genotype. Research groups are tentatively proposing new strategies for categorizing DLBCL based on genetic abnormalities that are frequently found together to better predict disease course following dysregulation of specific pathways and to deliver targeted treatment. Novel algorithms in combination with next-generation sequencing techniques have identified between 4 and 7 subgroups of DLBCL, depending on the research team, with potentially significant and actionable genetic alterations. Various drugs aimed at pathways including BCR signaling, NF-κB dysfunction, and epigenetic regulation have shown promise in their respective groups and may show initial utility as second or third line therapies to patients with recurrent DLBCL. Implementation of subgroups will allow collection of necessary data to determine which groups are significant, which treatments may be indicated, and will provide better insight to clinicians and patients on specific disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaelen Shimkus
- School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Taichiro Nonaka
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States,Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States,*Correspondence: Taichiro Nonaka,
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16
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Markouli M, Strepkos D, Piperi C. Impact of Histone Modifications and Their Therapeutic Targeting in Hematological Malignancies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13657. [PMID: 36362442 PMCID: PMC9654260 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematologic malignancies are a large and heterogeneous group of neoplasms characterized by complex pathogenetic mechanisms. The abnormal regulation of epigenetic mechanisms and specifically, histone modifications, has been demonstrated to play a central role in hematological cancer pathogenesis and progression. A variety of epigenetic enzymes that affect the state of histones have been detected as deregulated, being either over- or underexpressed, which induces changes in chromatin compaction and, subsequently, affects gene expression. Recent advances in the field of epigenetics have revealed novel therapeutic targets, with many epigenetic drugs being investigated in clinical trials. The present review focuses on the biological impact of histone modifications in the pathogenesis of hematologic malignancies, describing a wide range of therapeutic agents that have been discovered to target these alterations and are currently under investigation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christina Piperi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.M.); (D.S.)
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17
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Tiwari S, Kaur H, Anees M, Gupta P, Dalela M, Kharbanda S, Singh H. Co-encapsulation of PI3-Kδ/HDAC6 dual inhibitor and Navitoclax in Quatramer™ nanoparticles for synergistic effect in ER+ breast cancer. Int J Pharm 2022; 628:122343. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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18
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Li Y, Zhou W, Meng X, Murray SD, Li L, Fronk A, Lazaro-Camp VJ, Wen KK, Wu M, Dupuy A, Leslie KK, Yang S. Utilizing an Endogenous Progesterone Receptor Reporter Gene for Drug Screening and Mechanistic Study in Endometrial Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4883. [PMID: 36230806 PMCID: PMC9561963 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of progesterone receptor (PR) is a favorable prognostic marker for multiple solid tumors. However, PR expression is reduced or lost in malignant tumors. Thus, monitoring and restoring functional PR expression is important in order to sensitize tumor cells to progesterone therapy in endometrial cancer. We developed stable PR reporter gene containing endometrial cancer cell lines monitoring the endogenous PR expression by inserting mCherry and hygromycin resistant gene at the endogenous PR gene locus by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing technique. This allows efficient, real-time monitoring of PR expression in its native epigenetic landscape. Reporter gene expression faithfully reflects and amplifies PR expression following treatment with drugs known to induce PR expression. Small molecular PR inducers have been identified from the FDA-approved 1018 drug library and tested for their ability to restore PR expression. Additionally, several candidate PR repressors have been identified by screening the genome-wide CRISPR knockout (GeCKO) library. This novel endogenous PR reporter gene system facilitates the discovery of a new treatment strategy to enhance PR expression and further sensitize progestin therapy in endometrial cancer. These tools provide a systematic, unbiased approach for monitoring target gene expression, allowing for novel drug discovery and mechanistic exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyang Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Xiangbing Meng
- Department of Pathology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Sarina D. Murray
- Department of Pathology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Long Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Abby Fronk
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Vanessa J. Lazaro-Camp
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Kuo-kuang Wen
- High Throughput Screening Facility at University of Iowa (UIHTS), Iowa City, IA 52242, USA or or
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Meng Wu
- High Throughput Screening Facility at University of Iowa (UIHTS), Iowa City, IA 52242, USA or or
- Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Adam Dupuy
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Kimberly K. Leslie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Shujie Yang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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19
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Verzella D, Cornice J, Arboretto P, Vecchiotti D, Di Vito Nolfi M, Capece D, Zazzeroni F, Franzoso G. The NF-κB Pharmacopeia: Novel Strategies to Subdue an Intractable Target. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2233. [PMID: 36140335 PMCID: PMC9496094 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
NF-κB transcription factors are major drivers of tumor initiation and progression. NF-κB signaling is constitutively activated by genetic alterations or environmental signals in many human cancers, where it contributes to almost all hallmarks of malignancy, including sustained proliferation, cell death resistance, tumor-promoting inflammation, metabolic reprogramming, tissue invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. As such, the NF-κB pathway is an attractive therapeutic target in a broad range of human cancers, as well as in numerous non-malignant diseases. Currently, however, there is no clinically useful NF-κB inhibitor to treat oncological patients, owing to the preclusive, on-target toxicities of systemic NF-κB blockade. In this review, we discuss the principal and most promising strategies being developed to circumvent the inherent limitations of conventional IκB kinase (IKK)/NF-κB-targeting drugs, focusing on new molecules that target upstream regulators or downstream effectors of oncogenic NF-κB signaling, as well as agents targeting individual NF-κB subunits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Verzella
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences (DISCAB), University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Jessica Cornice
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Paola Arboretto
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Davide Vecchiotti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences (DISCAB), University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Mauro Di Vito Nolfi
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences (DISCAB), University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Daria Capece
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences (DISCAB), University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Francesca Zazzeroni
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences (DISCAB), University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Guido Franzoso
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
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20
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Zhang K, Huang L, Lai F, Lin S, Tian H, Wu D, Chen X, Xu H. Bioevaluation of a dual PI3K/HDAC inhibitor for the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2022; 71:128825. [PMID: 35644299 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.128825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The synergistic anti-tumor effect by simultaneous inhibitions of PI3K and HDAC has been verified to provide the rationality of PI3K/HDAC dual inhibitors for cancer treatment. Notably, the outstanding effect of PI3K/HDAC dual inhibitors against DLBCL has been paid much attention, especially for RR-DLBCL. Our previously reported 4-methylquinazoine scaffold based PI3K/HDAC dual inhibitors could suppress the growth of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies both in vitro and in vivo, validating the potential as new therapeutic agents for cancer. In this research, we further investigated the anti-tumor activity of one of our compounds against DLBCL cell lines and in vivo zebrafish xenograft model as well as the underlying mechanism, hoping to provide a novel therapeutic agent for treating DLBCL.
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Jian Z, Han Y, Zhang W, Li C, Guo W, Feng X, Li B, Li H. Anti-tumor effects of dual PI3K-HDAC inhibitor CUDC-907 on activation of ROS-IRE1α-JNK-mediated cytotoxic autophagy in esophageal cancer. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:135. [PMID: 35989326 PMCID: PMC9394063 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00855-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background PI3K-Akt pathway activation and the expression of histone deacetylases (HDACs) are highly increased in esophageal cancer, suggesting that inhibition of such targets may be a viable therapeutic strategy. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of CUDC-907, a dual PI3K-HDAC inhibitor, in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods The anti-tumor effects of CUDC-907 in ESCC were evaluated using cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry, and western blot. mRNA-sequencing was used to explore the mechanism underlying CUDC-907 anti-tumor effects. The relations of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipocalin 2 (LCN2), and CUDC-907 were determined by flow cytometry, rescue experiments, and western blot. The activation of the IRE1α-JNK-CHOP signal cascade was confirmed by western blot. The in vivo inhibitory effects of CUDC-907 were examined by a subcutaneous xenograft model in nude mice. Results CUDC-907 displayed effective inhibition in the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ESCC cells. Through an mRNA-sequencing and functional enrichment analysis, autophagy was found to be associated with cancer cells death. CUDC-907 not only inhibited the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathways to result in autophagy, but also induced ROS accumulation to activate IRE1α-JNK-CHOP-mediated cytotoxic autophagy by downregulating LCN2 expression. Consistently, the in vivo anti-tumor effects of CUDC-907 accompanied by the downregulated expression of p-mTOR and LCN2 and upregulated expression of p-IRE1α and LC3B-II were evaluated in a xenograft mouse model. Conclusion Our findings suggested the clinical development and administration of CUDC-907 might act as a novel treatment strategy for ESCC. A more in-depth understanding of the anti-tumor effect of CUDC-907 in ESCC will benefit the clinically targeted treatment of ESCC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13578-022-00855-x.
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Atallah-Yunes SA, Robertson MJ, Davé UP, Ghione P, Perna F. Novel Immune-Based treatments for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: The Post-CAR T Cell Era. Front Immunol 2022; 13:901365. [PMID: 35720352 PMCID: PMC9198279 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.901365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Prognosis for patients with refractory/relapsed (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is poor. Immune-based therapeutic treatments such as CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapies have dramatically changed the treatment landscape for R/R DLBCL leading to durable remissions in ~ 50% of patients. However, there remains an unmet need for developing novel therapies to improve clinical outcomes of patients not responding or relapsing after CAR T cell therapies. Lack of suitable immunotherapeutic targets and disease heterogeneity represent the foremost challenges in this emerging field. In this review, we discuss the recently approved and emerging novel immunotherapies for patients with R/R DLBCL in the post-CAR T era and the cell surface targets currently used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suheil Albert Atallah-Yunes
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Michael J Robertson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Utpal P Davé
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.,Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Paola Ghione
- Lymphoma and Myeloma Program, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Fabiana Perna
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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Thus YJ, Eldering E, Kater AP, Spaargaren M. Tipping the balance: toward rational combination therapies to overcome venetoclax resistance in mantle cell lymphoma. Leukemia 2022. [PMID: 35725771 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01627-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), an aggressive, but incurable B-cell lymphoma, is genetically characterized by the t(11;14) translocation, resulting in the overexpression of Cyclin D1. In addition, deregulation of the B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) family proteins BCL-2, B-cell lymphoma-extra large (BCL-XL), and myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1) is highly common in MCL. This renders these BCL-2 family members attractive targets for therapy; indeed, the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax (ABT-199), which already received FDA approval for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), shows promising results in early clinical trials for MCL. However, a significant subset of patients show primary resistance or will develop resistance upon prolonged treatment. Here, we describe the underlying mechanisms of venetoclax resistance in MCL, such as upregulation of BCL-XL or MCL-1, and the recent (clinical) progress in the development of inhibitors for these BCL-2 family members, followed by the transcriptional and (post-)translational (dys)regulation of the BCL-2 family proteins, including the role of the lymphoid organ microenvironment. Based upon these insights, we discuss how rational combinations of venetoclax with other therapies can be exploited to prevent or overcome venetoclax resistance and improve MCL patient outcome.
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Waitman K, Parise-Filho R. New kinase and HDAC hybrid inhibitors: recent advances and perspectives. Future Med Chem 2022. [PMID: 35543381 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2021-0276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second most common cause of death worldwide. It can easily acquire resistance to treatments, demanding new therapeutic strategies, such as simultaneous inhibition of kinase and HDAC enzymes with hybrid inhibitors. Different approaches to this have varied according to their targets, with a few common trends, such as the usage of heterocycle scaffolds for kinase interaction, especially pyrimidine and quinazolines, and hydroxamic acids and benzamides for HDAC inhibition. Besides the hybrid compounds developed focusing on the inhibition tyrosine kinase and receptor tyrosine kinase, many advances have occurred in the development of serine-threonine kinase/HDAC and lipid kinase/HDAC novel compounds. Here, the latest strategies employed in this research area will be reviewed, alongside trends in inhibitor design, and observed gaps will be punctuated.
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Abstract
The regulation of gene transcription by epigenetic modifications is closely related to many important life processes and is a hot research topic in the post-genomic era. Since the emergence of international epigenetic research in the 1990s, scientists have identified a variety of chromatin-modifying enzymes and recognition factors, and have systematically investigated their three-dimensional structures, substrate specificity, and mechanisms of enzyme activity regulation. Studies of the human tumor genome have revealed the close association of epigenetic factors with various malignancies, and we have focused more on mutations in epigenetically related regulatory enzymes and regulatory recognition factors in lymphomas. A number of studies have shown that epigenetic alterations are indeed widespread in the development and progression of lymphoma and understanding these mechanisms can help guide clinical efforts. In contrast to chemotherapy which induces cytotoxicity, epigenetic therapy has the potential to affect multiple cellular processes simultaneously, by reprogramming cells to achieve a therapeutic effect in lymphoma. Epigenetic monotherapy has shown promising results in previous clinical trials, and several epigenetic agents have been approved for use in the treatment of lymphoma. In addition, epigenetic therapies in combination with chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy have been used in various clinical trials. In this review, we present several important epigenetic modalities of regulation associated with lymphoma, summarize the corresponding epigenetic drugs in lymphoma, and look at the future of epigenetic therapies in lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Nan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongyu Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Panpan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
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Abstract
High-grade B-cell lymphoma with translocations involving MYC and BCL2 or BCL6, usually referred to as double hit lymphoma (DHL), is an aggressive hematological malignance with distinct genetic features and poor clinical prognosis. Current standard chemoimmunotherapy fails to confer satisfying outcomes and few targeted therapeutics are available for the treatment against DHL. Recently, the delineating of the genetic landscape in tumors has provided insight into both biology and targeted therapies. Therefore, it is essential to understand the altered signaling pathways of DHL to develop treatment strategies with better clinical benefits. Herein, we summarized the genetic alterations in the two DHL subtypes (DHL-BCL2 and DHL-BCL6). We further elucidate their implications on cellular processes, including anti-apoptosis, epigenetic regulations, B-cell receptor signaling, and immune escape. Ongoing and potential therapeutic strategies and targeted drugs steered by these alterations were reviewed accordingly. Based on these findings, we also discuss the therapeutic vulnerabilities that coincide with these genetic changes. We believe that the understanding of the DHL studies will provide insight into this disease and capacitate the finding of more effective treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Zhuang
- Department of Lymphoma, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinxin Che
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Meijuan Wu
- Department of Pathology, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Guo
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yongjin Xu
- Department of Lymphoma, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaowu Dong
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, Institute of Drug Discovery and Design, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haiyan Yang
- Department of Lymphoma, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Chilamakuri R, Agarwal S. Dual Targeting of PI3K and HDAC by CUDC-907 Inhibits Pediatric Neuroblastoma Growth. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14041067. [PMID: 35205815 PMCID: PMC8870466 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14041067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary High-risk neuroblastoma (NB) is an aggressive cancer of very young children and accounts for almost 15% of all pediatric cancer deaths. Current therapies include high-dose chemotherapy and radiation, which have long-term toxic side effects. Despite these intensive therapies, the overall 5-year survival rate of NB is less than 50%. Therefore, developing novel therapeutic approaches targeting the molecular mechanisms that drive NB progression is very important. In the present study, we repurpose CUDC-907, a dual inhibitor of PI3K and histone deacetylases. These regulators are known to regulate MYCN expression, a key prognostic marker of NB. CUDC-907 potently inhibits NB growth and 3D spheroid tumor growth by inhibiting PI3K, HDAC, and MYCN. Overall, our pre-clinical data demonstrate that repurposing CUDC-907 as a single drug is a novel and effective therapeutic approach for NB. Abstract The dysregulation of PI3K, HDACs, and MYCN are well known for promoting multiple cancer types, including neuroblastoma (NB). Targeting the upstream regulators of MYCN, including HDACs and PI3K, was shown to suppress cancer growth. In the present study, we analyze different NB patient datasets to reveal that high PI3K and HDAC expression is correlated with overall poor NB patient survival. High PI3K level is also found to be associated with high MYCN level and NB stage progression. We repurpose a dual inhibitor CUDC-907 as a single agent to directly target both PI3K and HDAC in NB. We use in vitro methodologies to determine the efficacy and selectivity of CUDC-907 using six NB and three control fibroblast cell lines. Our results show that CUDC-907 significantly inhibits NB proliferation and colony growth, induces apoptosis, blocks cell cycle progression, inhibits MYCN, and enhances H3K9Ac levels by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and HDAC function. Furthermore, CUDC-907 significantly inhibits NB tumor growth in a 3D spheroid tumor model that recapitulates the in vivo tumor growth. Overall, our findings highlight that the dual inhibition of PI3K and HDAC by CUDC-907 is an effective therapeutic strategy for NB and other MYC-dependent cancers.
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Shirazi PT, Eadie LN, Heatley SL, Page EC, François M, Hughes TP, Yeung D, White DL. Exploring the oncogenic and therapeutic target potential of the MYB-TYK2 fusion gene in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cancer Gene Ther 2022. [PMID: 35022522 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-021-00421-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
TYK2-rearrangements have recently been identified in high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (HR-ALL) cases and are associated with poor outcome. Current understanding of the leukemogenic potential and therapeutic targetability of activating TYK2 alterations in the ALL setting is unclear, thus further investigations are warranted. Consequently, we developed in vitro, and for the first time, in vivo models of B-cell ALL from a patient harboring the MYB-TYK2 fusion gene. These models revealed JAK/STAT signaling activation and the oncogenic potential of the MYB-TYK2 fusion gene in isolation. High throughput screening identified the HDAC inhibitor, vorinostat and the HSP90 inhibitor, tanespimycin plus the JAK inhibitor, cerdulatinib as the most effective agents against cells expressing the MYB-TYK2 alteration. Evaluation of vorinostat and cerdulatinib in pre-clinical models of MYB-TYK2-rearranged ALL demonstrated that both drugs exhibited anti-leukemic effects and reduced the disease burden in treated mice. Importantly, these findings indicate that activating TYK2 alterations can function as driver oncogenes rather than passenger or secondary events in disease development. In addition, our data provide evidence for use of vorinostat and cerdulatinib in the treatment regimens of patients with this rare yet aggressive type of high-risk ALL that warrants further investigation in the clinical setting.
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Zhang X, Duan YT, Wang Y, Zhao XD, Sun YM, Lin DZ, Chen Y, Wang YX, Zhou ZW, Liu YX, Jiang LH, Geng MY, Ding J, Meng LH. SAF-248, a novel PI3Kδ-selective inhibitor, potently suppresses the growth of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:209-219. [PMID: 33782541 PMCID: PMC8724319 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-021-00644-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PI3Kδ is expressed predominately in leukocytes and overexpressed in B-cell-related malignances. PI3Kδ has been validated as a promising target for cancer therapy, and specific PI3Kδ inhibitors were approved for clinical practice. However, the substantial toxicity and relatively low efficacy as a monotherapy in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) limit their clinical use. In this study, we described a novel PI3Kδ inhibitor SAF-248, which exhibited high selectivity for PI3Kδ (IC50 = 30.6 nM) over other PI3K isoforms at both molecular and cellular levels, while sparing most of the other human protein kinases in the kinome profiling. SAF-248 exhibited superior antiproliferative activity against 27 human lymphoma and leukemia cell lines compared with the approved PI3Kδ inhibitor idelalisib. In particular, SAF-248 potently inhibited the proliferation of a panel of seven DLBCL cell lines (with GI50 values < 1 μM in 5 DLBCL cell lines). We demonstrated that SAF-248 concentration-dependently blocked PI3K signaling followed by inducing G1 phase arrest and apoptosis in DLBCL KARPAS-422, Pfeiffer and TMD8 cells. Its activity against the DLBCL cells was negatively correlated to the protein level of PI3Kα. Oral administration of SAF-248 dose-dependently inhibited the growth of xenografts derived from Pfeiffer and TMD8 cells. Activation of mTORC1, MYC and JAK/STAT signaling was observed upon prolonged treatment and co-targeting these pathways would potentiate the activity of SAF-248. Taken together, SAF-248 is a promising selective PI3Kδ inhibitor for the treatment of DLBCL and rational drug combination would further improve its efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Zhang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Division of Anti-tumor Pharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Yu-ting Duan
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Division of Anti-tumor Pharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Yi Wang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Division of Anti-tumor Pharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | | | - Yi-ming Sun
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Division of Anti-tumor Pharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Dong-ze Lin
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Division of Anti-tumor Pharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Yi Chen
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Division of Anti-tumor Pharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Yu-xiang Wang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Division of Anti-tumor Pharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Zu-wen Zhou
- Fochon Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., Chongqing, 404100 China
| | - Yan-xin Liu
- Fochon Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., Chongqing, 404100 China
| | - Li-hua Jiang
- Fochon Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., Chongqing, 404100 China
| | - Mei-yu Geng
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Jian Ding
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Ling-hua Meng
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Division of Anti-tumor Pharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203 China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
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Xiang XS, Li PC, Wang WQ, Liu L. Histone deacetylases: A novel class of therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188676. [PMID: 35016922 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is the seventh leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with a low 5-year survival rate. Novel agents are urgently necessary to treat the main pathological type, known as pancreatic ductal carcinoma (PDAC). The dysregulation of histone deacetylases (HDACs) has been identified in association with PDAC, which can be more easily targeted by small molecular inhibitors than gene mutations and may represent a therapeutic breakthrough for PDAC. However, the contributions of HDACs to PDAC remain controversial, and pharmacokinetic challenges have limited the application of HDAC inhibitors (HDACis) in PDAC. This review summarizes the mechanisms associated with success and failure of HDACis in PDAC and discusses the recent progress made in HDACi development and application, such as combination therapies designed to enhance efficacy. More precise strategies involving HDACis might eventually improve the outcomes of PDAC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Song Xiang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng-Cheng Li
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Quan Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Liang Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Abstract
c-MYC controls global gene expression and regulates cell proliferation, cell differentiation, cell cycle, metabolism and apoptosis. According to some estimates, MYC is dysregulated in ≈70% of human cancers and strong evidence implicates aberrantly expressed MYC in both tumor initiation and maintenance. In vivo studies show that MYC inhibition elicits a prominent anti-proliferative effect and sustained tumor regression while any alteration on healthy tissue remains reversible. This opens an exploitable window for treatment that makes MYC one of the most appealing therapeutic targets for cancer drug development. This review describes the main functional and structural features of the protein structure of MYC and provides a general overview of the most relevant or recently identified interactors that modulate MYC oncogenic activity. This review also summarizes the different approaches aiming to abrogate MYC oncogenic function, with a particular focus on the prototype inhibitors designed for the direct and indirect targeting of MYC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Llombart
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, Department of Haematology, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Marc R Mansour
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, Department of Haematology, London WC1E 6DD, UK; UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Developmental Biology and Cancer, London, UK.
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Fernández-Serrano M, Winkler R, Santos JC, Le Pannérer MM, Buschbeck M, Roué G. Histone Modifications and Their Targeting in Lymphoid Malignancies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:253. [PMID: 35008680 PMCID: PMC8745418 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In a wide range of lymphoid neoplasms, the process of malignant transformation is associated with somatic mutations in B cells that affect the epigenetic machinery. Consequential alterations in histone modifications contribute to disease-specific changes in the transcriptional program. Affected genes commonly play important roles in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis-inducing signal transduction, and DNA damage response, thus facilitating the emergence of malignant traits that impair immune surveillance and favor the emergence of different B-cell lymphoma subtypes. In the last two decades, the field has made a major effort to develop therapies that target these epigenetic alterations. In this review, we discuss which epigenetic alterations occur in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Furthermore, we aim to present in a close to comprehensive manner the current state-of-the-art in the preclinical and clinical development of epigenetic drugs. We focus on therapeutic strategies interfering with histone methylation and acetylation as these are most advanced in being deployed from the bench-to-bedside and have the greatest potential to improve the prognosis of lymphoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda Fernández-Serrano
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (M.F.-S.); (J.C.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08014 Barcelona, Spain
| | - René Winkler
- Chromatin, Metabolism and Cell Fate Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (R.W.); (M.-M.L.P.)
| | - Juliana C. Santos
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (M.F.-S.); (J.C.S.)
| | - Marguerite-Marie Le Pannérer
- Chromatin, Metabolism and Cell Fate Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (R.W.); (M.-M.L.P.)
| | - Marcus Buschbeck
- Chromatin, Metabolism and Cell Fate Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (R.W.); (M.-M.L.P.)
- Program of Personalized and Predictive Medicine of Cancer, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Gaël Roué
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (M.F.-S.); (J.C.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08014 Barcelona, Spain
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Liao W, Yang W, Xu J, Yan Z, Pan M, Xu X, Zhou S, Zhu Y, Lan J, Zeng M, Han X, Li S, Li Y, Liang K, Gao Y, Peng Q. Therapeutic Potential of CUDC-907 (Fimepinostat) for Hepatocarcinoma Treatment Revealed by Tumor Spheroids-Based Drug Screening. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:658197. [PMID: 34776939 PMCID: PMC8585736 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.658197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. However, most of the new anti-cancer agents screened by traditional drug screening methods fail in the clinic because of lack of efficacy. Choosing an appropriate in vitro tumor model is crucial for preclinical drug screening. In this study, we screened anti-hepatocarcinoma (HCC) drugs using a novel spheroid cell culture device. Methods: Four HCC cell lines were three-dimensionally (3D) cultured to screen 19 small molecular agents. 3D-cultured primary HCC cells and a tumor-bearing mouse model were used to verify the candidate anti-hepatocarcinoma agent. Cell function experiments and western blotting were conducted to explore the anti-hepatocarcinoma mechanism of the candidate agent. Results: We found that CUDC-907 can serve as a potent anti-hepatocarcinoma agent. The study data show that CUDC-907 (fimepinostat), a novel dual acting inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and histone deacetylase (HDAC), has potent inhibitory effects on HCC cell lines and primary HCC cells in vitro, Animal studies have shown that CUDC-907 can also suppress HCC cells in vivo. Furthermore, we found that CUDC-907 inhibits the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and downregulates the expression of c-Myc, leading to the suppression of HCC cells. Conclusion: Our results suggest that CUDC-907 can be a candidate anti-HCC drug, and the 3D in vitro drug screening method based on our novel spheroid culture device is promising for future drug screening efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liao
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wanren Yang
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiecheng Xu
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhengming Yan
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingxin Pan
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoping Xu
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuqin Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhu
- Accurate International Biotechnology Co., Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianqiang Lan
- Accurate International Biotechnology Co., Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Zeng
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xu Han
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shao Li
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Li
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kangyan Liang
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Gao
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing Peng
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Ahmadi SE, Rahimi S, Zarandi B, Chegeni R, Safa M. MYC: a multipurpose oncogene with prognostic and therapeutic implications in blood malignancies. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:121. [PMID: 34372899 PMCID: PMC8351444 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01111-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC oncogene is a transcription factor with a wide array of functions affecting cellular activities such as cell cycle, apoptosis, DNA damage response, and hematopoiesis. Due to the multi-functionality of MYC, its expression is regulated at multiple levels. Deregulation of this oncogene can give rise to a variety of cancers. In this review, MYC regulation and the mechanisms by which MYC adjusts cellular functions and its implication in hematologic malignancies are summarized. Further, we also discuss potential inhibitors of MYC that could be beneficial for treating hematologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Esmaeil Ahmadi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samira Rahimi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahman Zarandi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rouzbeh Chegeni
- Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, College of Health and Human Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA.
| | - Majid Safa
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Landsburg DJ, Barta SK, Ramchandren R, Batlevi C, Iyer S, Kelly K, Micallef IN, Smith SM, Stevens DA, Alvarez M, Califano A, Shen Y, Bosker G, Parker J, Soikes R, Martinez E, von Roemeling R, Martell RE, Oki Y. Fimepinostat (CUDC-907) in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B cell and high-grade B-cell lymphoma: report of a phase 2 trial and exploratory biomarker analyses. Br J Haematol 2021; 195:201-209. [PMID: 34341990 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.17730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Fimepinostat (CUDC-907), a first-in-class oral small-molecule inhibitor of histone deacetylase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, demonstrated efficacy in a phase 1 study of patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) diffuse large and high-grade B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL/HGBL), particularly those with increased MYC protein expression and/or MYC gene rearrangement/copy number gain (MYC-altered disease). Therefore, a phase 2 study of fimepinostat was conducted in this patient population with 66 eligible patients treated. The primary end-point of overall response (OR) rate for patients with MYC-IHC ≥40% (n = 46) was 15%. Subsequently, exploratory pooled analyses were performed including patients treated on both the phase 1 and 2 studies based upon the presence of MYC-altered disease as well as a biomarker identified by Virtual Inference of Protein activity by Enriched Regulon analysis (VIPER). For these patients with MYC-altered disease (n = 63), the overall response (OR) rate was 22% with seven responding patients remaining on treatment for approximately two years or longer, and VIPER yielded a three-protein biomarker classification with positive and negative predictive values of ≥85%. Prolonged durations of response were achieved by patients with MYC-altered R/R DLBCL/HGBL treated with single-agent fimepinostat. Combination therapies and/or biomarker-based patient selection strategies may lead to higher response rates in future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefan K Barta
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Connie Batlevi
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Swaminathan Iyer
- MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kevin Kelly
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Yao Shen
- DarwinHealth, Inc, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yasuhiro Oki
- MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Genentech, San Francisco, CA, USA
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36
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Xu W, Berning P, Lenz G. Targeting B-cell receptor and PI3K signaling in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Blood 2021:blood. [PMID: 34320160 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020006784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a heterogeneous diagnostic category comprising distinct molecular subtypes characterized by diverse genetic aberrations that dictate patient outcome. As roughly one-third of DLBCL patients are not cured by current standard chemo-immunotherapy a better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis is warranted to improve outcome. B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling is crucial for the development, growth and survival of both normal and a substantial fraction of malignant B-cells. Various analyses revealed genetic alterations of central components of the BCR or its downstream signaling effectors in some subtypes of DLBCL. Thus, BCR signaling and the downstream NF-κB and PI3K cascades have been proposed as potential targets for the treatment of DLBCL patients. As one of the main effectors of BCR activation, PI3K mediated signals play a crucial role in the pathogenesis and survival of DLBCL. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of BCR signaling with a special focus on the PI3K pathway in DLBCL and how to utilize this knowledge therapeutically.
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37
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Qiao X, Ma J, Knight T, Su Y, Edwards H, Polin L, Li J, Kushner J, Dzinic SH, White K, Wang J, Lin H, Wang Y, Wang L, Wang G, Taub JW, Ge Y. The combination of CUDC-907 and gilteritinib shows promising in vitro and in vivo antileukemic activity against FLT3-ITD AML. Blood Cancer J 2021; 11:111. [PMID: 34099621 PMCID: PMC8184771 DOI: 10.1038/s41408-021-00502-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
About 25% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) harbor FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations and their prognosis remains poor. Gilteritinib is a FLT3 inhibitor approved by the US FDA for use in adult FLT3-mutated relapsed or refractory AML patients. Monotherapy, while efficacious, shows short-lived responses, highlighting the need for combination therapies. Here we show that gilteritinib and CUDC-907, a dual inhibitor of PI3K and histone deacetylases, synergistically induce apoptosis in FLT3-ITD AML cell lines and primary patient samples and have striking in vivo efficacy. Upregulation of FLT3 and activation of ERK are mechanisms of resistance to gilteritinib, while activation of JAK2/STAT5 is a mechanism of resistance to CUDC-907. Gilteritinib and CUDC-907 reciprocally overcome these mechanisms of resistance. In addition, the combined treatment results in cooperative downregulation of cellular metabolites and persisting antileukemic effects. CUDC-907 plus gilteritinib shows synergistic antileukemic activity against FLT3-ITD AML in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating strong translational therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinan Qiao
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jun Ma
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Tristan Knight
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Yongwei Su
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Holly Edwards
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Lisa Polin
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Juiwanna Kushner
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Sijana H Dzinic
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Kathryn White
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Hai Lin
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China
| | - Liping Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Guan Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| | - Jeffrey W Taub
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA.
| | - Yubin Ge
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
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Szumilak M, Wiktorowska-Owczarek A, Stanczak A. Hybrid Drugs-A Strategy for Overcoming Anticancer Drug Resistance? Molecules 2021; 26:2601. [PMID: 33946916 PMCID: PMC8124695 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26092601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite enormous progress in the treatment of many malignancies, the development of cancer resistance is still an important reason for cancer chemotherapy failure. Increasing knowledge of cancers' molecular complexity and mechanisms of their resistance to anticancer drugs, as well as extensive clinical experience, indicate that an effective fight against cancer requires a multidimensional approach. Multi-target chemotherapy may be achieved using drugs combination, co-delivery of medicines, or designing hybrid drugs. Hybrid drugs simultaneously targeting many points of signaling networks and various structures within a cancer cell have been extensively explored in recent years. The single hybrid agent can modulate multiple targets involved in cancer cell proliferation, possesses a simpler pharmacokinetic profile to reduce the possibility of drug interactions occurrence, and facilitates the process of drug development. Moreover, a single medication is expected to enhance patient compliance due to a less complicated treatment regimen, as well as a diminished number of adverse reactions and toxicity in comparison to a combination of drugs. As a consequence, many efforts have been made to design hybrid molecules of different chemical structures and functions as a means to circumvent drug resistance. The enormous number of studies in this field encouraged us to review the available literature and present selected research results highlighting the possible role of hybrid drugs in overcoming cancer drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Szumilak
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, 1 Muszynskiego Street, 90-151 Lodz, Poland
| | - Anna Wiktorowska-Owczarek
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical University of Lodz, Zeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Andrzej Stanczak
- Department of Community Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, 1 Muszynskiego Street, 90-151 Lodz, Poland;
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Zhou Z, Zhang L, Wang X, Li X, Li L, Fu X, Zhang X, Li Z, Sun Z, Zhang M. Ibrutinib combined with venetoclax for the treatment of relapsed/refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Ann Hematol 2021; 100:1509-16. [PMID: 33900450 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-021-04535-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Treatment outcomes of relapsed/refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL) are far from satisfactory. Certain efficacy of ibrutinib has been observed in non-GCB subtype DLBCL patients. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of ibrutinib plus BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax in R/R DLBCL patients with non-GCB subtype and BCL2 overexpression. Combinational therapy (ibrutinib 560mg/day; venetoclax started 1 week later, oral dose increased from 100 to 400mg/day in 3 weeks) was conducted, and one cycle was 4 weeks. Both drugs were stopped when disease progress or serious adverse reactions appear. The primary end-point was overall response rate (ORR) at two cycles. From December 2018 to July 2020, a total of 13 patients were treated with the combined therapy. Among them, eleven (84.6%) patients previously received at least two treatment regimens, eight (61.5%) patients were C-myc and BCL2 double expression. The ORR at two cycles was 61.5%, with 3 (23.1%) patients achieved complete remission (CR) and 5 (38.4%) patients achieved partial remission (PR). The ORR at four cycles and six cycles was 53.8% and 46.2%, respectively. The median duration of response was 11 months (range, 1.5-13.6 months). The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 5.6 months (range, 0.4-15.6) and 11.3 months (range, 2.8-17.2), respectively. The most common adverse event was grade 1/2 neutropenia (53.8%), and nonhematologic toxicities included Grade1/2 diarrhea (46.2%) and elevated liver enzymes (30.8%). Combined therapy of ibrutinib and venetoclax showed promising efficacy and synergistic effects in R/R DLBCL patients with non-GCB subtype and BCL2 overexpression, and the toxicities were well-tolerated.
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Abstract
Introduction: Over the past two decades, deeper understanding of B-cell signaling pathways and other mechanisms of lymphomagenesis have yielded promising targets for novel drugs in the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.Areas covered: This article provides a comprehensive review of approved synthetic drugs targeting the BTK, PI3K, immunomodulation, proteasome, HDAC, EZH2, and nuclear export pathways in non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The review includes coverage of the pharmacology, efficacy, toxicity, and active areas of research for each drug. The authors also provide their expert perspectives on the field and their opinions for the future.Expert opinion: Although novel synthetic drugs have generally not impacted clinical practice to the same extent as immune and cellular therapies, there remains an important role for targeted drugs in the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, particularly in the relapsed setting and for patients ineligible for more intensive therapies. Clinical outcomes and tolerability may improve further with the development of newer generations of synthetic drugs and emerging combination regimens with other targeted and immune therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farheen Manji
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontaria, Canada
| | - Robert Puckrin
- Postgraduate Medical Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Douglas A Stewart
- Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Hirano M, Imai Y, Kaito Y, Murayama T, Sato K, Ishida T, Yamamoto J, Ito T, Futami M, Ri M, Yasui H, Denda T, Tanaka Y, Ota Y, Nojima M, Kamikubo Y, Gotoh N, Iida S, Handa H, Tojo A. Small-molecule HDAC and Akt inhibitors suppress tumor growth and enhance immunotherapy in multiple myeloma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:110. [PMID: 33757580 PMCID: PMC7989023 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01909-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable disease. The acquisition of resistance to drugs, including immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), has a negative effect on its prognosis. Cereblon (CRBN) is a key mediator of the bioactivities of IMiDs such as lenalidomide. Moreover, genetic alteration of CRBN is frequently detected in IMiD-resistant patients and is considered to contribute to IMiD resistance. Thus, overcoming resistance to drugs, including IMiDs, is expected to improve clinical outcomes. Here, we examined potential mechanisms of a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor and Akt inhibitor in relapsed/refractory MM patients. Methods We established lenalidomide-resistant cells by knocking down CRBN with RNAi-mediated downregulation or knocking out CRBN using CRISPR-Cas9 in MM cells. Additionally, we derived multi-drug (bortezomib, doxorubicin, or dexamethasone)-resistant cell lines and primary cells from relapsed/refractory MM patients. The effects of HDAC and Akt inhibitors on these drug-resistant MM cells were then observed with a particular focus on whether HDAC inhibitors enhance immunotherapy efficacy. We also investigated the effect of lenalidomide on CRBN-deficient cells. Results The HDAC inhibitor suppressed the growth of drug-resistant MM cell lines and enhanced the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of therapeutic antibodies by upregulating natural killer group 2D (NKG2D) ligands in MM cells. CRBN-deficient cells showed lenalidomide-induced upregulation of phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3 (p-GSK-3) and c-Myc phosphorylation. Moreover, HDAC and Akt inhibitors downregulated c-Myc by blocking GSK-3 phosphorylation. HDAC and Akt inhibitors also exhibited synergistic cytotoxic and c-Myc-suppressive effects. The dual HDAC and PI3K inhibitor, CUDC-907, exhibited cytotoxic and immunotherapy-enhancing effects in MM cells, including multi-drug-resistant lines and primary cells from lenalidomide-resistant patients. Conclusions The combination of an HDAC and an Akt inhibitor represents a promising approach for the treatment of relapsed/refractory MM. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-01909-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuhito Hirano
- Division of Molecular Therapy, Advanced Clinical Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoichi Imai
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Research Hospital, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Yuta Kaito
- Division of Molecular Therapy, Advanced Clinical Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiko Murayama
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute of Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Kota Sato
- Department of Hematology, Japanese Red Cross Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tadao Ishida
- Department of Hematology, Japanese Red Cross Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junichi Yamamoto
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Chemical Biology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takumi Ito
- Department of Chemical Biology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Muneyoshi Futami
- Division of Molecular Therapy, Advanced Clinical Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Hematology/Oncology, Research Hospital, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaki Ri
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yasui
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Research Hospital, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Project Division of Fundamental Study on Cutting Edge of Genome Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tamami Denda
- Department of Pathology, Research Hospital, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukihisa Tanaka
- Department of Pathology, Research Hospital, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasunori Ota
- Department of Pathology, Research Hospital, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masanori Nojima
- Center for Translational Research/Division of Advanced Medicine Promotion The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Kamikubo
- Laboratory of Oncology and Strategic Innovation, Laboratory Science, Graduate School of Medicine Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Noriko Gotoh
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute of Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Iida
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Handa
- Department of Chemical Biology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Arinobu Tojo
- Division of Molecular Therapy, Advanced Clinical Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Hematology/Oncology, Research Hospital, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Okabe S, Tanaka Y, Gotoh A. Targeting phosphoinositide 3-kinases and histone deacetylases in multiple myeloma. Exp Hematol Oncol 2021; 10:19. [PMID: 33663586 PMCID: PMC7934550 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-021-00213-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is a type of hematological malignancy affecting the functions of plasma cells. The treatment of MM patients has changed dramatically with the use of new agents. However, unfortunately, it is still incurable. Therefore, a new approach for treating MM is still needed to improve patient outcomes. Methods Because the histone deacetylase (HDAC) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is a key signal in cancer cell biology, we investigated whether dual HDAC and PI3K inhibitors could suppress the myeloma cells. Results Gene expression of HDACs is high in myeloma cells. CUDC-907, a dual inhibitor of PI3K and HDAC, inhibits HDAC activity. Akt activity and expression of BCL-XL, MCL-1, and NF-κB p65 were reduced by CUDC-907 in a dose-dependent manner. The number of apoptotic and caspase 3/7-positive cells also increased in the myeloma cells. Combined treatment of myeloma cells with carfilzomib and CUDC-907 increased cytotoxicity compared to that observed with each drug alone. Conclusions Data from this study suggested that the administration of CUDC-907 might be a powerful strategy against myeloma cells, to enhance the cytotoxic effects of proteasome inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seiichi Okabe
- Department of Hematology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan.
| | - Yuko Tanaka
- Department of Hematology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Akihiko Gotoh
- Department of Hematology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
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Amjadi-Moheb F, Paniri A, Akhavan-Niaki H. Insights into the Links between MYC and 3D Chromatin Structure and Epigenetics Regulation: Implications for Cancer Therapy. Cancer Res 2021; 81:1925-1936. [PMID: 33472888 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-3613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
MYC is embedded in the transcriptional oasis of the 8q24 gene desert. A plethora of genomic elements has roles in MYC aberrant expression in cancer development by interacting with transcription factors and epigenetics regulators as well as altering the structure of chromatin at the MYC locus and tissue-specific long-range enhancer-promoter contacts. Furthermore, MYC is a master regulator of several human cancers by modulating the transcription of numerous cancer-related genes through epigenetic mechanisms. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the three-dimensional genomic organization around MYC and the role of epigenetic machinery in transcription and function of MYC as well as discusses various epigenetic-targeted therapeutic strategies in MYC-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Amjadi-Moheb
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Alireza Paniri
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Haleh Akhavan-Niaki
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
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Liu S, Zhao S, Dong Y, Wang T, Niu X, Zhao L, Wang G. Antitumor activity and mechanism of resistance of the novel HDAC and PI3K dual inhibitor CUDC-907 in pancreatic cancer. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2021; 87:415-423. [PMID: 33392641 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-020-04210-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant disease with an extremely poor prognosis. The benefit of chemotherapy treatment for pancreatic cancer is very limited. Therefore, new therapeutic targets and approaches are urgently needed for this deadly disease. Multi-target therapy is a potential and feasible treatment strategy. Given the important roles that histone deacetylases (HDACs) and phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) play in pancreatic cancer, we investigated the antitumor activity and mechanism of novel HDAC and PI3K dual inhibitor CUDC-907 in pancreatic cancer. METHODS AND RESULTS MTT assay and flow cytometric analysis were used to examine the in vitro antitumor activity of CUDC-907. A BxPC-3-derived xenograft mouse model was used to determine CUDC-907 in vivo efficacy. The TUNEL assay as used to determine apoptosis in tumors in vivo post CUDC-907 treatment. Western blots were used to determine the effect of CUDC-907 on protein levels. Our results show that CUDC-907 decreased viable cells and induced cell death in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, CUDC-907 showed promising in vivo antitumor activity in the BxPC-3-derived xenograft mouse model while exhibiting tolerable toxicity. Furthermore, long-term treatment with CUDC-907 induced phosphorylation of AKT, S6 (ribosomal protein S6), and ERK (extracellular regulated protein kinase), and inhibition of PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase), mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), or ERK significantly enhanced CUDC-907-induced cell death in pancreatic cell lines. CONCLUSION Taken together, these findings support the clinical development of CUDC-907 for the treatment of pancreatic cancer and identify compensatory activation of mTOR and MEK/ERK as a possible mechanism of resistance to CUDC-907.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Liu
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, The Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Shoujing Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, The Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yang Dong
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, The Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, The Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaojia Niu
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, The Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Lijing Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation, School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Guan Wang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, The Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, Jilin, China.
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Zhang D, Damoiseaux R, Babayan L, Rivera-Meza EK, Yang Y, Bergsneider M, Wang MB, Yong WH, Kelly K, Heaney AP. Targeting Corticotroph HDAC and PI3-Kinase in Cushing Disease. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 106:e232-e246. [PMID: 33000123 PMCID: PMC8921634 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Cushing disease (CD) is a life-threatening disorder. Therapeutic goals include symptom relief, biochemical control, and tumor growth inhibition. Current medical therapies for CD by and large exert no action on tumor growth. OBJECTIVE To identify drugs that inhibit corticotroph tumor adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion and growth. DESIGN High throughput screen employing a novel "gain of signal" ACTH AlphaLISA assay. SETTING Academic medical center. PATIENTS Corticotroph tumor tissues from patients with CD. INTERVENTIONS None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Potent inhibitors of corticotroph tumor ACTH secretion and growth. RESULTS From a kinase inhibitor library, we identified the dual PI3K/HDAC inhibitor CUDC-907 as a potent inhibitor of murine and human corticotroph tumor ACTH secretion (median effective concentration 1-5 nM), and cell proliferation (median inhibitory concentration 5 nM). In an in vivo murine corticotroph tumor xenograft model, orally administered CUDC-907 (300 mg/kg) reduced corticotroph tumor volume (TV [cm3], control 0.17 ± 0.05 vs CUDC-907 0.07 ± 0.02, P < .05) by 65% and suppressed plasma ACTH (ACTH [pg/mL] control 206 ± 27 vs CUDC-907 47 ± 7, P < .05) and corticosterone (corticosterone [ng/mL] control 180 ± 87 vs CUDC-907 27 ± 5, P < .05) levels by 77% and 85% respectively compared with controls. We also demonstrated that CUDC-907 acts through HDAC1/2 inhibition at the proopiomelanocortin transcriptional level combined with its PI3K-mediated inhibition of corticotroph cell viability to reduce ACTH secretion. CONCLUSIONS Given its potent efficacy in in vitro and in vivo models of CD, combined with proven safety and tolerance in clinical trials, we propose CUDC-907 may be a promising therapy for CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyun Zhang
- Department of Medicine, University of California, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Robert Damoiseaux
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Lilit Babayan
- Department of Medicine, University of California, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | | | - Yingying Yang
- Department of Medicine, University of California, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Marvin Bergsneider
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Marilene B Wang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - William H Yong
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kathleen Kelly
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Anthony P Heaney
- Correspondence and Reprint Requests: Anthony P. Heaney, Department of Medicine, University of California, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA. E-mail:
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Abstract
Introduction: Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most frequent lymphoma in adults. 30-40% DLBCL eventually relapse and 10% are primary refractory, posing an unmet clinical need, especially in patients not eligible for hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Knowledge of DLBCL molecular pathogenesis has identified druggable molecular pathways. Surface antigens can be targeted by novel antibodies and innovative cell therapies. Areas covered: This review illuminates those investigational drugs and cell therapies that are currently in early phase clinical trials for the treatment of DLBCL. New small molecules that modulate the pathways involved in the molecular pathogenesis of DLBCL, monospecific and bispecific monoclonal antibodies, drug-immunoconjugates, and cellular therapies are placed under the spotlight. A futuristic perspective concludes the paper. Expert opinion: A precision medicine strategy based on robust molecular predictors of outcome is desirable in the development of investigational small molecules for DLBCL. Novel monoclonal and bispecific antibodies may be offered to (i) relapsed/refractory patients ineligible for CAR-T cells because of comorbidities, and (ii) younger patients before CAR-T cell infusion to reduce a high tumor burden. A focus on the optimal sequencing of the emerging DLBCL drugs is appropriate and necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Patriarca
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università Del Piemonte Orientale and Ospedale Maggiore Della Carità , Novara, Italy
| | - Gianluca Gaidano
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università Del Piemonte Orientale and Ospedale Maggiore Della Carità , Novara, Italy
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Alonso-Alonso R, Rodriguez M, Morillo D, Cordoba R, Piris MA. An analysis of genetic targets for guiding clinical management of follicular lymphoma. Expert Rev Hematol 2020; 13:1361-1372. [PMID: 33176509 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2020.1850252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is one of the most common non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) types, where genomic studies have accumulated potentially useful information about frequently mutated genes and deregulated pathways, which has allowed to a better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of this tumor and the complex interrelationship between the tumoral cells and the stroma. Areas covered: The results of the molecular studies performed on Follicular Lymphoma have been here reviewed, summarizing the results of the clinical trials so far developed on this basis and discussing the reasons for the successes and failures. Searches were performed on June 1st, 2020, in PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov. Expert opinion: Targeted therapy for follicular lymphoma has multiple opportunities including the use of epigenetic drugs, PI3K inhibitors, modifiers of the immune stroma and others. Data currently known on FL pathogenesis suggest that combining these treatments with immunotherapy should be explored in clinical trials, mainly for patients with clinical progression or adverse prognostic markers. Association of targeted trials with dynamic molecular studies of the tumor and serum samples is advised. Chemotherapy-free approaches should also be explored as first-line therapy for FL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Alonso-Alonso
- Services of Pathology and Haematology, Fundación Jimenez Diaz , Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Rodriguez
- Services of Pathology and Haematology, Fundación Jimenez Diaz , Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Morillo
- Services of Pathology and Haematology, Fundación Jimenez Diaz , Madrid, Spain
| | - Raul Cordoba
- Services of Pathology and Haematology, Fundación Jimenez Diaz , Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A Piris
- Services of Pathology and Haematology, Fundación Jimenez Diaz , Madrid, Spain
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Peng X, Sun Z, Kuang P, Chen J. Recent progress on HDAC inhibitors with dual targeting capabilities for cancer treatment. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 208:112831. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Berendsen MR, Stevens WBC, van den Brand M, van Krieken JH, Scheijen B. Molecular Genetics of Relapsed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Insight into Mechanisms of Therapy Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3553. [PMID: 33260693 PMCID: PMC7760867 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) can be treated successfully with a combination of chemotherapy and the monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody rituximab. Nonetheless, approximately one-third of the patients with DLBCL still experience relapse or refractory (R/R) disease after first-line immunochemotherapy. Whole-exome sequencing on large cohorts of primary DLBCL has revealed the mutational landscape of DLBCL, which has provided a framework to define novel prognostic subtypes in DLBCL. Several studies have investigated the genetic alterations specifically associated with R/R DLBCL, thereby uncovering molecular pathways linked to therapy resistance. Here, we summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the genetic alterations that are enriched in R/R DLBCL, and the corresponding pathways affected by these gene mutations. Furthermore, we elaborate on their potential role in mediating therapy resistance, also in connection with findings in other B-cell malignancies, and discuss alternative treatment options. Hence, this review provides a comprehensive overview on the gene lesions and molecular mechanisms underlying R/R DLBCL, which are considered valuable parameters to guide treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine R. Berendsen
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (M.R.B.); (M.v.d.B.); (J.H.v.K.)
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Wendy B. C. Stevens
- Department of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Michiel van den Brand
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (M.R.B.); (M.v.d.B.); (J.H.v.K.)
- Pathology-DNA, Rijnstate Hospital, 6815AD Arnhem, The Netherlands
| | - J. Han van Krieken
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (M.R.B.); (M.v.d.B.); (J.H.v.K.)
| | - Blanca Scheijen
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (M.R.B.); (M.v.d.B.); (J.H.v.K.)
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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50
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Cavallo F, Troglio F, Fagà G, Fancelli D, Shyti R, Trattaro S, Zanella M, D'Agostino G, Hughes JM, Cera MR, Pasi M, Gabriele M, Lazzarin M, Mihailovich M, Kooy F, Rosa A, Mercurio C, Varasi M, Testa G. High-throughput screening identifies histone deacetylase inhibitors that modulate GTF2I expression in 7q11.23 microduplication autism spectrum disorder patient-derived cortical neurons. Mol Autism 2020; 11:88. [PMID: 33208191 PMCID: PMC7677843 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00387-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental condition affecting almost 1% of children, and represents a major unmet medical need with no effective drug treatment available. Duplication at 7q11.23 (7Dup), encompassing 26–28 genes, is one of the best characterized ASD-causing copy number variations and offers unique translational opportunities, because the hemideletion of the same interval causes Williams–Beuren syndrome (WBS), a condition defined by hypersociability and language strengths, thereby providing a unique reference to validate treatments for the ASD symptoms. In the above-indicated interval at 7q11.23, defined as WBS critical region, several genes, such as GTF2I, BAZ1B, CLIP2 and EIF4H, emerged as critical for their role in the pathogenesis of WBS and 7Dup both from mouse models and human studies. Methods We performed a high-throughput screening of 1478 compounds, including central nervous system agents, epigenetic modulators and experimental substances, on patient-derived cortical glutamatergic neurons differentiated from our cohort of induced pluripotent stem cell lines (iPSCs), monitoring the transcriptional modulation of WBS interval genes, with a special focus on GTF2I, in light of its overriding pathogenic role. The hits identified were validated by measuring gene expression by qRT-PCR and the results were confirmed by western blotting. Results We identified and selected three histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) that decreased the abnormal expression level of GTF2I in 7Dup cortical glutamatergic neurons differentiated from four genetically different iPSC lines. We confirmed this effect also at the protein level. Limitations In this study, we did not address the molecular mechanisms whereby HDAC inhibitors act on GTF2I. The lead compounds identified will now need to be advanced to further testing in additional models, including patient-derived brain organoids and mouse models recapitulating the gene imbalances of the 7q11.23 microduplication, in order to validate their efficacy in rescuing phenotypes across multiple functional layers within a translational pipeline towards clinical use. Conclusions These results represent a unique opportunity for the development of a specific class of compounds for treating 7Dup and other forms of intellectual disability and autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cavallo
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, c/o High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Flavia Troglio
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Fagà
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,IFOM, the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Fancelli
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,IFOM, the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Reinald Shyti
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Trattaro
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, c/o High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Zanella
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,Evotec SE, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Giuseppe D'Agostino
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - James M Hughes
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,FPO - IRCCS, Candiolo Cancer Institute, SP 142 Km 3.95, 10060, Candiolo, TO, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Cera
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,IFOM, the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio Pasi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,IFOM, the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Gabriele
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA
| | - Maddalena Lazzarin
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, c/o High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Marija Mihailovich
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, c/o High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Frank Kooy
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Alessandro Rosa
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.,Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Ciro Mercurio
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,IFOM, the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Varasi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.,IFOM, the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Testa
- High Definition Disease Modelling Lab: Stem Cell and Organoid Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy. .,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Via Santa Sofia 9, 20122, Milan, Italy. .,Human Technopole, Via Cristina Belgioioso, 171, 20157, Milan, Italy.
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