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Kwiatkowska I, Hermanowicz JM, Czarnomysy R, Surażyński A, Kowalczuk K, Kałafut J, Przybyszewska-Podstawka A, Bielawski K, Rivero-Müller A, Mojzych M, Pawlak D. Assessment of an Anticancer Effect of the Simultaneous Administration of MM-129 and Indoximod in the Colorectal Cancer Model. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:122. [PMID: 38201550 PMCID: PMC10778160 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010122] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The purpose of the given study was to examine the antitumor activity of the simultaneous administration of MM-129, a 1,2,4-triazine derivative, and indoximod (IND), the kynurenine pathway inhibitor, toward colon cancer. (2) Methods: The efficiency of the co-administration of the studied compounds was assessed in xenografted zebrafish embryos. Then, the effects of the combined administration of compounds on cellular processes such as cell viability, apoptosis, and intracellular signaling pathways were evaluated. In vitro studies were performed using two colorectal cancer cell lines, namely, DLD-1 and HT-29. (3) Results: The results indicated that the simultaneous application of MM-129 and indoximod induced a stronger inhibition of tumor growth in zebrafish xenografts. The combination of these compounds intensified the process of apoptosis by lowering the mitochondrial potential, enhancing the externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) and activation of caspases. Additionally, the expression of protein kinase B (AKT) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-(1IDO1) was disrupted under the applied compound combination. (4) Conclusions: Simultaneous targeting of ongoing cell signaling that promotes tumor progression, along with inhibition of the kynurenine pathway enzyme IDO1, results in the enhancement of the antitumor effect of the tested compounds against the colon cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Kwiatkowska
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (J.M.H.); (D.P.)
| | - Justyna Magdalena Hermanowicz
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (J.M.H.); (D.P.)
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Robert Czarnomysy
- Department of Synthesis and Technology of Drugs, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (R.C.); (K.B.)
| | - Arkadiusz Surażyński
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland;
| | - Krystyna Kowalczuk
- Department of Integrated Medical Care, Medical University of Bialystok, ul. M Skłodowskiej-Curie 7A, 15-096 Bialystok, Poland;
| | - Joanna Kałafut
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.P.-P.); (A.R.-M.)
| | - Alicja Przybyszewska-Podstawka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.P.-P.); (A.R.-M.)
| | - Krzysztof Bielawski
- Department of Synthesis and Technology of Drugs, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (R.C.); (K.B.)
| | - Adolfo Rivero-Müller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.P.-P.); (A.R.-M.)
| | - Mariusz Mojzych
- Faculty of Health Science, Collegium Medicum, The Mazovian Academy in Plock, Plac Dabrowskiego 2, 09-402 Plock, Poland;
| | - Dariusz Pawlak
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (J.M.H.); (D.P.)
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2
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Miziak P, Baran M, Błaszczak E, Przybyszewska-Podstawka A, Kałafut J, Smok-Kalwat J, Dmoszyńska-Graniczka M, Kiełbus M, Stepulak A. Estrogen Receptor Signaling in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4689. [PMID: 37835383 PMCID: PMC10572081 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194689] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogen receptor (ER) signaling is a critical regulator of cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival in breast cancer (BC) and other hormone-sensitive cancers. In this review, we explore the mechanism of ER-dependent downstream signaling in BC and the role of estrogens as growth factors necessary for cancer invasion and dissemination. The significance of the clinical implications of ER signaling in BC, including the potential of endocrine therapies that target estrogens' synthesis and ER-dependent signal transmission, such as aromatase inhibitors or selective estrogen receptor modulators, is discussed. As a consequence, the challenges associated with the resistance to these therapies resulting from acquired ER mutations and potential strategies to overcome them are the critical point for the new treatment strategies' development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Miziak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Marzena Baran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Ewa Błaszczak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Alicja Przybyszewska-Podstawka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Joanna Kałafut
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Jolanta Smok-Kalwat
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Holy Cross Cancer Centre, 3 Artwinskiego Street, 25-734 Kielce, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Dmoszyńska-Graniczka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Michał Kiełbus
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Andrzej Stepulak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
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3
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Przybyszewska-Podstawka A, Czapiński J, Kałafut J, Rivero-Müller A. Synthetic circuits based on split Cas9 to detect cellular events. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14988. [PMID: 37696879 PMCID: PMC10495424 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41367-z] [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: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic biology involves the engineering of logic circuit gates that process different inputs to produce specific outputs, enabling the creation or control of biological functions. While CRISPR has become the tool of choice in molecular biology due to its RNA-guided targetability to other nucleic acids, it has not been frequently applied to logic gates beyond those controlling the guide RNA (gRNA). In this study, we present an adaptation of split Cas9 to generate logic gates capable of sensing biological events, leveraging a Cas9 reporter (EGxxFP) to detect occurrences such as cancer cell origin, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), and cell-cell fusion. First, we positioned the complementing halves of split Cas9 under different promoters-one specific to cancer cells of epithelial origin (phCEA) and the other a universal promoter. The use of self-assembling inteins facilitated the reconstitution of the Cas9 halves. Consequently, only cancer cells with an epithelial origin activated the reporter, exhibiting green fluorescence. Subsequently, we explored whether this system could detect biological processes such as epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). To achieve this, we designed a logic gate where one half of Cas9 is expressed under the phCEA, while the other is activated by TWIST1. The results showed that cells undergoing EMT effectively activated the reporter. Next, we combined the two inputs (epithelial origin and EMT) to create a new logic gate, where only cancer epithelial cells undergoing EMT activated the reporter. Lastly, we applied the split-Cas9 logic gate as a sensor of cell-cell fusion, both in induced and naturally occurring scenarios. Each cell type expressed one half of split Cas9, and the induction of fusion resulted in the appearance of multinucleated syncytia and the fluorescent reporter. The simplicity of the split Cas9 system presented here allows for its integration into various cellular processes, not only as a sensor but also as an actuator.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jakub Czapiński
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - Joanna Kałafut
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - Adolfo Rivero-Müller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093, Lublin, Poland.
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Czerwonka A, Kałafut J, Wang S, Anameric A, Przybyszewska-Podstawka A, Mattsson J, Karbasian M, Le Manach D, Toriseva M, Nees M. Evaluation of the anticancer activity of RIN-1, a Notch signaling modulator, in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13700. [PMID: 37607974 PMCID: PMC10444807 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39472-0] [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: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Notch signalling is one of the key molecular pathways involved in cell-to-cell signal transduction. Although the mechanisms of action of the NOTCH receptors are already relatively well known, their biological implications remain unclear, especially during the initiation and progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Here, we present the growth- and differentiation-modulating effects of various "next generation" small molecule Notch modulators represented by RIN-1, and CB-103, on HNSCC, compared to gamma secretase inhibitors as "conventional" NOTCH interfering compounds, like DAPT. These molecules were tested in different cell- and tissue culture conditions represented by 2D monolayer, non-adherent or spheroid culture, 3D organoid cultures, and zebrafish in vivo model. The most pronounced, pleiotropic effects were observed for the NOTCH modulator RIN-1. At the molecular level, RIN-1-dependent activation of Notch signalling led to characteristic changes in the expression of NOTCH-regulated targets, i.e., the transcriptional suppressors HES1 and HEY1, p21 (CDKN1A) cell cycle inhibitor, and pro-apoptotic BAX markers. These changes led to restriction of proliferation, growth, and reduced motility of HNSCC cells in 2D cultures. Consequently, cell cycle arrest in the G2-M phase and induction of apoptosis were observed. Similar anticancer effects were observed in 3D cultures and in the zebrafish model. In contrast, RIN-1 treatment resulted in inhibition of Notch signalling and the growth of HNSCC spheroids under non-adherent cell culture conditions. Our results suggest that modulation of Notch signalling could be used as a chemotherapeutic agent in selected patients with intact NOTCH signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkadiusz Czerwonka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Joanna Kałafut
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - Shaoxia Wang
- FICAN West Cancer Centre Laboratory, Cancer Research Unit, Institute of Biomedicine, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Alinda Anameric
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093, Lublin, Poland
| | | | - Jesse Mattsson
- FICAN West Cancer Centre Laboratory, Cancer Research Unit, Institute of Biomedicine, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Mahtab Karbasian
- FICAN West Cancer Centre Laboratory, Cancer Research Unit, Institute of Biomedicine, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Doriane Le Manach
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - Mervi Toriseva
- FICAN West Cancer Centre Laboratory, Cancer Research Unit, Institute of Biomedicine, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Matthias Nees
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093, Lublin, Poland
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Kałafut J, Czerwonka A, Czapla K, Przybyszewska-Podstawka A, Hermanowicz JM, Rivero-Müller A, Borkiewicz L. Regulation of Notch1 Signalling by Long Non-Coding RNAs in Cancers and Other Health Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12579. [PMID: 37628760 PMCID: PMC10454443 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612579] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Notch1 signalling plays a multifaceted role in tissue development and homeostasis. Currently, due to the pivotal role of Notch1 signalling, the relationship between NOTCH1 expression and the development of health disorders is being intensively studied. Nevertheless, Notch1 signalling is not only controlled at the transcriptional level but also by a variety of post-translational events. First is the ligand-dependent mechanical activation of NOTCH receptors and then the intracellular crosstalk with other signalling molecules-among those are long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). In this review, we provide a detailed overview of the specific role of lncRNAs in the modulation of Notch1 signalling, from expression to activity, and their connection with the development of health disorders, especially cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kałafut
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Aleje Raławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (K.C.); (A.P.-P.)
| | - Arkadiusz Czerwonka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Aleje Raławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (K.C.); (A.P.-P.)
| | - Karolina Czapla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Aleje Raławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (K.C.); (A.P.-P.)
| | - Alicja Przybyszewska-Podstawka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Aleje Raławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (K.C.); (A.P.-P.)
| | - Justyna Magdalena Hermanowicz
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland;
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 15, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Adolfo Rivero-Müller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Aleje Raławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (K.C.); (A.P.-P.)
| | - Lidia Borkiewicz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Aleje Raławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (K.C.); (A.P.-P.)
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6
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Kałafut J, Czapiński J, Przybyszewska-Podstawka A, Czerwonka A, Odrzywolski A, Sahlgren C, Rivero-Müller A. Optogenetic control of NOTCH1 signaling. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:67. [PMID: 35585598 PMCID: PMC9118860 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00885-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The Notch signaling pathway is a crucial regulator of cell differentiation as well as tissue organization, whose deregulation is linked to the pathogenesis of different diseases. NOTCH1 plays a key role in breast cancer progression by increasing proliferation, maintenance of cancer stem cells, and impairment of cell death. NOTCH1 is a mechanosensitive receptor, where mechanical force is required to activate the proteolytic cleavage and release of the Notch intracellular domain (NICD). We circumvent this limitation by regulating Notch activity by light. To achieve this, we have engineered an optogenetic NOTCH1 receptor (optoNotch) to control the activation of NOTCH1 intracellular domain (N1ICD) and its downstream transcriptional activities. Using optoNotch we confirm that NOTCH1 activation increases cell proliferation in MCF7 and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells in 2D and spheroid 3D cultures, although causing distinct cell-type specific migratory phenotypes. Additionally, optoNotch activation induced chemoresistance on the same cell lines. OptoNotch allows the fine-tuning, ligand-independent, regulation of N1ICD activity and thus a better understanding of the spatiotemporal complexity of Notch signaling. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kałafut
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 21-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jakub Czapiński
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 21-093, Lublin, Poland
| | | | - Arkadiusz Czerwonka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 21-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - Adrian Odrzywolski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 21-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - Cecilia Sahlgren
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Biosciences, Åbo Akademi, Turku, Finland.,Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Adolfo Rivero-Müller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 21-093, Lublin, Poland.
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Kałafut J, Czerwonka A, Anameriç A, Przybyszewska-Podstawka A, Misiorek JO, Rivero-Müller A, Nees M. Shooting at Moving and Hidden Targets-Tumour Cell Plasticity and the Notch Signalling Pathway in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6219. [PMID: 34944837 PMCID: PMC8699303 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246219] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is often aggressive, with poor response to current therapies in approximately 40-50% of the patients. Current therapies are restricted to operation and irradiation, often combined with a small number of standard-of-care chemotherapeutic drugs, preferentially for advanced tumour patients. Only very recently, newer targeted therapies have entered the clinics, including Cetuximab, which targets the EGF receptor (EGFR), and several immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the immune receptor PD-1 and its ligand PD-L1. HNSCC tumour tissues are characterized by a high degree of intra-tumour heterogeneity (ITH), and non-genetic alterations that may affect both non-transformed cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and transformed carcinoma cells. This very high degree of heterogeneity likely contributes to acquired drug resistance, tumour dormancy, relapse, and distant or lymph node metastasis. ITH, in turn, is likely promoted by pronounced tumour cell plasticity, which manifests in highly dynamic and reversible phenomena such as of partial or hybrid forms of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and enhanced tumour stemness. Stemness and tumour cell plasticity are strongly promoted by Notch signalling, which remains poorly understood especially in HNSCC. Here, we aim to elucidate how Notch signal may act both as a tumour suppressor and proto-oncogenic, probably during different stages of tumour cell initiation and progression. Notch signalling also interacts with numerous other signalling pathways, that may also have a decisive impact on tumour cell plasticity, acquired radio/chemoresistance, and metastatic progression of HNSCC. We outline the current stage of research related to Notch signalling, and how this pathway may be intricately interconnected with other, druggable targets and signalling mechanisms in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kałafut
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Chodzki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (A.P.-P.); (A.R.-M.)
| | - Arkadiusz Czerwonka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Chodzki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (A.P.-P.); (A.R.-M.)
| | - Alinda Anameriç
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Chodzki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (A.P.-P.); (A.R.-M.)
| | - Alicja Przybyszewska-Podstawka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Chodzki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (A.P.-P.); (A.R.-M.)
| | - Julia O. Misiorek
- Department of Molecular Neurooncology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Adolfo Rivero-Müller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Chodzki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (A.P.-P.); (A.R.-M.)
| | - Matthias Nees
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Chodzki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (A.P.-P.); (A.R.-M.)
- Western Finland Cancer Centre (FICAN West), Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, 20101 Turku, Finland
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8
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Kwiatkowska I, Hermanowicz JM, Przybyszewska-Podstawka A, Pawlak D. Not Only Immune Escape-The Confusing Role of the TRP Metabolic Pathway in Carcinogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2667. [PMID: 34071442 PMCID: PMC8198784 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112667] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The recently discovered phenomenon that cancer cells can avoid immune response has gained scientists' interest. One of the pathways involved in this process is tryptophan (TRP) metabolism through the kynurenine pathway (KP). Individual components involved in TRP conversion seem to contribute to cancerogenesis both through a direct impact on cancer cells and the modulation of immune cell functionality. Due to this fact, this pathway may serve as a target for immunotherapy and attempts are being made to create novel compounds effective in cancer treatment. However, the results obtained from clinical trials are not satisfactory, which raises questions about the exact role of KP elements in tumorigenesis. An increasing number of experiments reveal that TRP metabolites may either be tumor promoters and suppressors and this is why further research in this field is highly needed. The aim of this study is to present KP as a modulator of cancer development through multiple mechanisms and to point to its ambiguity, which may be a reason for failures in treatment based on the inhibition of tryptophan metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Kwiatkowska
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (J.M.H.); (D.P.)
| | - Justyna Magdalena Hermanowicz
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (J.M.H.); (D.P.)
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland
| | | | - Dariusz Pawlak
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (J.M.H.); (D.P.)
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