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Moscarella E, Di Brizzi EV, Alpi P, Arcelli A, Badellino S, Bossi P, Calzavara-Pinton PG, Di Stefani A, Dika E, Eibenschutz L, Fargnoli MC, Fionda B, Gravina GL, Leonulli BG, Longo C, Lospalluti L, Nardone V, Pimpinelli N, Quaglino P, Queirolo P, Rubegni P, Tagliaferri L, Troiani T, Vavassori A, Argenziano G. Indications for adjuvant radiotherapy in high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with clear margins: a Delphi consensus. Br J Dermatol 2024; 190:578-579. [PMID: 38092023 DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljad495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/16/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to provide indications for adjuvant radiotherapy in high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Moscarella
- Dermatology Unit, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples,Italy
| | | | - Paolo Alpi
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Bagno a Ripoli, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Arcelli
- Radiation Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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2
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Festuccia C, Corrado M, Rossetti A, Castelli R, Lodola A, Gravina GL, Tognolini M, Giorgio C. A Pharmacological Investigation of Eph-Ephrin Antagonism in Prostate Cancer: UniPR1331 Efficacy Evidence. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1452. [PMID: 37895923 PMCID: PMC10609876 DOI: 10.3390/ph16101452] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Eph kinases are the largest receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) family in humans. PC3 human prostate adenocarcinoma cells are a well-established model for studying Eph-ephrin pharmacology as they naturally express a high level of EphA2, a promising target for new cancer therapies. A pharmacological approach with agonists did not show significant efficacy on tumor growth in prostate orthotopic murine models, but reduced distal metastasis formation. In order to improve the comprehension of the pharmacological targeting of Eph receptors in prostate cancer, in the present work, we investigated the efficacy of Eph antagonism both in vitro and in vivo, using UniPR1331, a small orally bioavailable Eph-ephrin interaction inhibitor. UniPR1331 was able to inhibit PC3 cells' growth in vitro in a dose-dependent manner, affecting the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis. Moreover, UniPR1331 promoted the PC3 epithelial phenotype, downregulating epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. As a consequence, UniPR1331 reduced in vitro PC3 migration, invasion, and vasculomimicry capabilities. The antitumor activity of UniPR1331 was confirmed in vivo when administered alone or in combination with cytotoxic drugs in PC3-xenograft mice. Our results demonstrated that Eph antagonism is a promising strategy for inhibiting prostate cancer growth, especially in combination with cytotoxic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Festuccia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio (Coppito), 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.R.); (G.L.G.)
| | - Miriam Corrado
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy; (M.C.); (R.C.); (A.L.); (M.T.)
| | - Alessandra Rossetti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio (Coppito), 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.R.); (G.L.G.)
| | - Riccardo Castelli
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy; (M.C.); (R.C.); (A.L.); (M.T.)
| | - Alessio Lodola
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy; (M.C.); (R.C.); (A.L.); (M.T.)
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio (Coppito), 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.R.); (G.L.G.)
| | - Massimiliano Tognolini
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy; (M.C.); (R.C.); (A.L.); (M.T.)
| | - Carmine Giorgio
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy; (M.C.); (R.C.); (A.L.); (M.T.)
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Tomaciello M, Conte M, Montinaro FR, Sabatini A, Cunicella G, Di Giammarco F, Tini P, Gravina GL, Cortesi E, Minniti G, De Vincentis G, Frantellizzi V, Marampon F. Abscopal Effect on Bone Metastases from Solid Tumors: A Systematic Review and Retrospective Analysis of Challenge within a Challenge. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041157. [PMID: 37189775 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041157] [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] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abscopal effect (AE) describes the ability of radiotherapy (RT) to induce immune-mediated responses in nonirradiated distant metastasis. Bone represents the third most frequent site of metastasis and an immunologically favorable environment for the proliferation of cancer cells. We revised the literature, searching documented cases of AE involving bone metastases (BMs) and evaluated the incidence of AE involving BMs in patients requiring palliative RT on BMs or non-BMs treated at our department. METHODS Articles published in the PubMed/MEDLINE database were selected using the following search criteria: ((abscopal effect)) AND ((metastases)). Patients with BMs, who underwent performed bone scintigraphy before and at least 2-3 months after RT, were selected and screened between January 2015 and July 2022. AE was defined as an objective response according to the scan bone index for at least one nonirradiated metastasis at a distance > 10 cm from the irradiated lesion. The primary endpoint was the rate of AE on BMs. RESULTS Ten cases experiencing AE of BMs were identified from the literature and eight among our patients. CONCLUSIONS The analysis performed here suggests the use of hypofractionated radiotherapy as the only triggering factor for AE of BMs through the activation of the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Tomaciello
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Radiotherapy, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Miriam Conte
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Montinaro
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Radiotherapy, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Sabatini
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Cunicella
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Radiotherapy, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Di Giammarco
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Radiotherapy, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Tini
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Enrico Cortesi
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Minniti
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Radiotherapy, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Giuseppe De Vincentis
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Frantellizzi
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Division of Radiotherapy, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Vaccaro S, Rossetti A, Porrazzo A, Camero S, Cassandri M, Pomella S, Tomaciello M, Macioce G, Pedini F, Barillari G, Marchese C, Rota R, Cenci G, Tombolini M, Newman RA, Yang P, Codenotti S, Fanzani A, Megiorni F, Festuccia C, Minniti G, Gravina GL, Vulcano F, Milazzo L, Marampon F. The botanical drug PBI-05204, a supercritical CO2 extract of Nerium oleander, sensitizes alveolar and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma to radiotherapy in vitro and in vivo. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1071176. [DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1071176] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common a soft tissue sarcoma in childhood, provides intensive multimodal therapy, with radiotherapy (RT) playing a critical role for local tumor control. However, since RMS efficiently activates mechanisms of resistance to therapies, despite improvements, the prognosis remains still largely unsatisfactory, mainly in RMS expressing chimeric oncoproteins PAX3/PAX7-FOXO1, and fusion-positive (FP)-RMS. Cardiac glycosides (CGs), plant-derived steroid-like compounds with a selective inhibitory activity of the Na+/K+-ATPase pump (NKA), have shown antitumor and radio-sensitizing properties. Herein, the therapeutic properties of PBI-05204, an extract from Nerium oleander containing the CG oleandrin already studied in phase I and II clinical trials for cancer patients, were investigated, in vitro and in vivo, against FN- and FP-RMS cancer models. PBI-05204 induced growth arrest in a concentration dependent manner, with FP-RMS being more sensitive than FN-RMS, by differently regulating cell cycle regulators and commonly upregulating cell cycle inhibitors p21Waf1/Cip1 and p27Cip1/Kip1. Furthermore, PBI-05204 concomitantly induced cell death on both RMS types and senescence in FN-RMS. Notably, PBI-05204 counteracted in vitro migration and invasion abilities and suppressed the formation of spheroids enriched in CD133+ cancer stem cells (CSCs). PBI-05204 sensitized both cell types to RT by improving the ability of RT to induce G2 growth arrest and counteracting the RT-induced activation of both Non‐Homologous End‐Joining and homologous recombination DSBs repair pathways. Finally, the antitumor and radio-sensitizing proprieties of PBI-05204 were confirmed in vivo. Notably, both in vitro and in vivo evidence confirmed the higher sensitivity to PBI-05204 of FP-RMS. Thus, PBI-05204 represents a valid radio-sensitizing agent for the treatment of RMS, including the intrinsically radio-resistant FP-RMS.
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Mancini A, Colapietro A, Cristiano L, Rossetti A, Mattei V, Gravina GL, Perez-Montoyo H, Yeste-Velasco M, Alfon J, Domenech C, Festuccia C. Anticancer effects of ABTL0812, a clinical stage drug inducer of autophagy-mediated cancer cell death, in glioblastoma models. Front Oncol 2022; 12:943064. [PMID: 36408162 PMCID: PMC9668006 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.943064] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant adult brain tumor. Current standard of care treatments have very limited efficacy, being the patients´ overall survival 14 months and the 2-year survival rate less than 10%. Therefore, the treatment of GBM is an urgent unmet clinical need. METHODS The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro and in vivo the potential of ABTL0812, an oral anticancer compound currently in phase II clinical stage, as a novel therapy for GBM. RESULTS We showed that ABTL0812 inhibits cell proliferation in a wide panel of GBM cell lines and patient-derived glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) with half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) ranging from 15.2 µM to 46.9 µM. Additionally, ABTL0812 decreased GSCs neurosphere formation. GBM cells aggressiveness is associated with a trans-differentiation process towards a less differentiated phenotype known as proneural to mesenchymal transition (PMT). ABTL0812 was shown to revert PMT and induce cell differentiation to a less malignant phenotype in GBM cell lines and GSCs, and consequently reduced cell invasion. As previously shown in other cancer types, we demonstrated that the molecular mechanism of action of ABTL0812 in glioblastoma involves the inhibition of Akt/mTORC1 axis by overexpression of TRIB3, and the activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress/unfolded protein response (UPR). Both actions converge to induce autophagy-mediated cell death. ABTL0812 anticancer efficacy was studied in vivo using subcutaneous and orthotopic intra-brain xenograft tumor models. We demonstrated that ABTL0812 impairs tumor growth and increases disease-free survival and overall survival of mice. Furthermore, the histological analysis of tumors indicated that ABTL0812 decreases angiogenesis. Finally, we investigated the combination of ABTL0812 with the standard of care treatments for GBM radiotherapy and temozolomide in an orthotopic model, detecting that ABTL0812 potentiates the efficacy of both treatments and that the strongest effect is obtained with the triple combination of ABTL0812+radiotherapy+temozolomide. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the present study demonstrated the anticancer efficacy of ABTL0812 as single agent and in combination with the GBM standard of care treatments in models of glioblastoma and supports the clinical investigation of ABTL0812 as a potential novel therapy for this aggressive brain tumor type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Mancini
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandro Colapietro
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Loredana Cristiano
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandra Rossetti
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Mattei
- Biomedicine and Advanced Technologies Rieti Center, “Sabina Universitas”, Rieti, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy,Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Héctor Perez-Montoyo
- R&D Department, Ability Pharmaceuticals, Parc Tecnològic del Vallès, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Yeste-Velasco
- R&D Department, Ability Pharmaceuticals, Parc Tecnològic del Vallès, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Alfon
- R&D Department, Ability Pharmaceuticals, Parc Tecnològic del Vallès, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carles Domenech
- R&D Department, Ability Pharmaceuticals, Parc Tecnològic del Vallès, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Claudio Festuccia
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy,*Correspondence: Claudio Festuccia,
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Valeriani M, Di Staso M, Facondo G, Vullo G, De Sanctis V, Gravina GL, di Genesio Pagliuca M, Osti MF, Bonfili P. Hypofractionated Radiotherapy in Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients: Long-Term Results. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11164783. [PMID: 36013023 PMCID: PMC9410091 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11164783] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: To evaluate outcomes in terms of survival and toxicity in a series of intermediate-risk prostate cancer (PCa) patients treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy (HyRT) + hormonal therapy (HT) with or without image guidance (IGRT) and to investigate the impact of different variables. Methods: This is a multi-centric study. From January 2005 to December 2019, we treated 313 intermediate-risk PCa patients (T2b−T2c, Gleason score 7, or pre-treatment PSA 10 to 20 ng/mL) with HyRT. Patients received 54.75 Gy in 15 fractions in 5 weeks plus 9 months of neo-adjuvant, concomitant, and adjuvant HT with or without IGRT. Results: Median follow-up was 91.6 months (range 5.1−167.8 months). Median OS was not reached, and the 8- and 10-year OS was 81.9% and 72.4%, respectively. Median CSS was not reached, and the 8- and 10-year CSS was 97.9% and 94.5%, respectively. PSA at first follow-up <0.8 ng/mL was significantly related to better oncological outcomes (CSS, bRFS, LRFS, cPFS, and MFS) in both univariate and multivariate analysis. After Propensity Score matching, grade 2−3 acute and cumulative late GU (p = 0.153 and p = 0.581, respectively) and GI (p = 0.196 and p = 0.925, respectively) toxicity were not statistically different in patients treated with or without IGRT. Conclusions: HyRT is effective and safe regardless of the use of IGRT. PSA at first follow-up is an easily accessible prognostic factor that may help the clinicians to identify patients who require a treatment intensification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Valeriani
- Department of Medicine and Surgery and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Radiotherapy Oncology, St Andrea Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Mario Di Staso
- Radiotherapy Oncology Unit, University of L’Aquila, St Salvatore Hospital, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Facondo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Radiotherapy Oncology, St Andrea Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Vullo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Radiotherapy Oncology, St Andrea Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Vitaliana De Sanctis
- Department of Medicine and Surgery and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Radiotherapy Oncology, St Andrea Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Radiotherapy Oncology Unit, University of L’Aquila, St Salvatore Hospital, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Mattia Falchetto Osti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Radiotherapy Oncology, St Andrea Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
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Colapietro A, Yang P, Rosetti A, Mancini A, Vital F, Martellucci S, Marampon F, Mattei V, Gravina GL, Newman R, Festuccia C. Abstract 6307: The botanical drug PBI-05204, a supercritical CO₂ extract of Nerium oleander, augments the antitumor efficacy of radiotherapy in treatment of human glioblastoma. Cancer Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2022-6307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common as well as one of the most malignant types of brain cancer. Despite progress in development of novel therapies for the treatment of GBM, it remains largely incurable with a poor prognosis and a very low life expectancy. Recent studies have shown that oleandrin, a unique cardiac glycoside from Nerium oleander, as well as defined extract (PBI-05204) that contains this molecule, inhibit growth of human glioblastoma, and modulate glioblastoma patient-derived stem cell-renewal properties. The present study aimed to investigate the radiosensitization of PBI-05204 in glioblastoma using both in vitro and in vivo cancer models as well as to explore the potential mechanism of actions in GBM. The radiosensitizing effect of PBI-05204 was assessed against human GBM U87MG, U251, T98G and A172 cell lines as well as their relevant xenograft and orthotopic models. The induction of apoptosis, DNA damage and repair of DNA double strand breaks were assessed with determination of caspase 3 and 9 protein expression, DNA laddering, protein expression of rH2AX, Ku70, DNA-PKcs, and RAD51 as well as a Comet Assay. PBI-05204 treatment leads to an increased in vitro sensitivity of GBM cells, including U87MG, U251, T98G and A172 cells, to radiotherapy (RT) in which the main mechanisms are the transition from autophagy to apoptosis and enhanced DNA damage evidenced by increased expression of γH2AX. Additionally, relative increased expression of Ku70, DNA-PKcs and RAD51 due to RT were reduced by PBI-05204 in U87MG and U251 cells, suggesting PBI-05204 lessened RT mediated DNA repair. PBI-05204 significantly enhanced the RT mediated inhibition of tumor growth by 4.7-, 2.1- and 2.2-fold in U87MG, U251 and T98G xenograft models, respectively. The combination of RT and PBI-05204 showed a significantly enhancement of disease-free survival to 103.0 ± 63.2 days compared to the control group (p < 0.001) which was 3-fold longer than that of RT only group. Collectively, these results reveal that PBI-05204 enhances antitumor activity of RT in preclinical/murine models of human GBM. Given the fact that PBI-05204 has already been examined in Phase I and II clinical trials for cancer patients, its efficacy when combined with standard-of-care radiotherapy regimens in GBM should be explored in future clinical trials of this difficult to treat brain cancer.
Citation Format: Alessandro Colapietro, Peiying Yang, Alessandra Rosetti, Andrea Mancini, Flora Vital, Stefano Martellucci, Francesco Marampon, Vincenzo Mattei, Giovanni Luca Gravina, Robert Newman, Claudio Festuccia. The botanical drug PBI-05204, a supercritical CO₂ extract of Nerium oleander, augments the antitumor efficacy of radiotherapy in treatment of human glioblastoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 6307.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peiying Yang
- 2The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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Colapietro A, Yang P, Rossetti A, Mancini A, Vitale F, Chakraborty S, Martellucci S, Marampon F, Mattei V, Gravina GL, Iorio R, Newman RA, Festuccia C. The Botanical Drug PBI-05204, a Supercritical CO2 Extract of Nerium Oleander, Is Synergistic With Radiotherapy in Models of Human Glioblastoma. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:852941. [PMID: 35401175 PMCID: PMC8984197 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.852941] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common as well as one of the most malignant types of brain cancer. Despite progress in development of novel therapies for the treatment of GBM, it remains largely incurable with a poor prognosis and a very low life expectancy. Recent studies have shown that oleandrin, a unique cardiac glycoside from Nerium oleander, as well as a defined extract (PBI-05204) that contains this molecule, inhibit growth of human glioblastoma, and modulate glioblastoma patient-derived stem cell-renewal properties. Here we demonstrate that PBI-05204 treatment leads to an increase in vitro in the sensitivity of GBM cells to radiation in which the main mechanisms are the transition from autophagy to apoptosis, enhanced DNA damage and reduced DNA repair after radiotherapy (RT) administration. The combination of PBI-05204 with RT was associated with reduced tumor progression evidenced by both subcutaneous as well as orthotopic implanted GBM tumors. Collectively, these results reveal that PBI-05204 enhances antitumor activity of RT in preclinical/murine models of human GBM. Given the fact that PBI-05204 has already been examined in Phase I and II clinical trials for cancer patients, its efficacy when combined with standard-of-care radiotherapy regimens in GBM should be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Colapietro
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Peiying Yang
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Alessandra Rossetti
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Andrea Mancini
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Flora Vitale
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Sharmistha Chakraborty
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Stefano Martellucci
- Biomedicine and Advanced Technologies Rieti Center, Sabina Universitas, Rieti, Italy
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Environmental Pathology, University Hub “Sabina Universitas”, Rieti, Italy
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Mattei
- Biomedicine and Advanced Technologies Rieti Center, Sabina Universitas, Rieti, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Roberto Iorio
- Laboratory of Biology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Robert A. Newman
- Phoenix Biotechnology, Inc., San Antonio, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Robert A. Newman, ; Claudio Festuccia,
| | - Claudio Festuccia
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
- *Correspondence: Robert A. Newman, ; Claudio Festuccia,
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Gravina GL, Colapietro A, Mancini A, Rossetti A, Martellucci S, Ventura L, Di Franco M, Marampon F, Mattei V, Biordi LA, Otterlei M, Festuccia C. ATX-101, a Peptide Targeting PCNA, Has Antitumor Efficacy Alone or in Combination with Radiotherapy in Murine Models of Human Glioblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020289. [PMID: 35053455 PMCID: PMC8773508 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020289] [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: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell proliferation requires the orchestrated actions of a myriad of proteins regulating DNA replication, DNA repair and damage tolerance, and cell cycle. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is a master regulator which interacts with multiple proteins functioning in these processes, and this makes PCNA an attractive target in anticancer therapies. Here, we show that a cell-penetrating peptide containing the AlkB homolog 2 PCNA-interacting motif (APIM), ATX-101, has antitumor activity in a panel of human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cell lines and patient-derived glioma-initiating cells (GICs). Their sensitivity to ATX-101 was not related to cellular levels of PCNA, or p53, PTEN, or MGMT status. However, ATX-101 reduced Akt/mTOR and DNA-PKcs signaling, and a correlation between high Akt activation and sensitivity for ATX-101 was found. ATX-101 increased the levels of γH2AX, DNA fragmentation, and apoptosis when combined with radiotherapy (RT). In line with the in vitro results, ATX-101 strongly reduced tumor growth in two subcutaneous xenografts and two orthotopic GBM models, both as a single agent and in combination with RT. The ability of ATX-101 to sensitize cells to RT is promising for further development of this compound for use in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Radiation Oncology, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Colapietro
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.C.); (A.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Andrea Mancini
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.C.); (A.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Alessandra Rossetti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.C.); (A.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Stefano Martellucci
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Cellular Pathology, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
- Biomedicine and Advanced Technologies Rieti Center, Sabina Universitas, 02100 Rieti, Italy;
| | - Luca Ventura
- Division of Pathology, San Salvatore Hospital, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (L.V.); (M.D.F.)
| | - Martina Di Franco
- Division of Pathology, San Salvatore Hospital, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (L.V.); (M.D.F.)
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00100 Rome, Italy;
| | - Vincenzo Mattei
- Biomedicine and Advanced Technologies Rieti Center, Sabina Universitas, 02100 Rieti, Italy;
| | - Leda Assunta Biordi
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Medical Oncology, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
| | - Marit Otterlei
- APIM Therapeutics A/S, N-7100 Rissa, Norway
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), N-7006 Trondheim, Norway
- Correspondence: (M.O.); (C.F.); Tel.: +47-92889422 (M.O.); +39-0862433585 (C.F.)
| | - Claudio Festuccia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.C.); (A.M.); (A.R.)
- Correspondence: (M.O.); (C.F.); Tel.: +47-92889422 (M.O.); +39-0862433585 (C.F.)
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Arrigoni F, Bianchi G, Formiconi F, Palumbo P, Zugaro L, Gravina GL, Barile A, Masciocchi C. CT-guided cryoablation for management of bone metastases: a single center experience and review of the literature. Radiol Med 2021; 127:199-205. [PMID: 34890007 DOI: 10.1007/s11547-021-01437-6] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Thermal ablation techniques are procedures of growing interest for management of bone metastases. Among these, cryoablation is probably the most advanced. It allows treatment of large and irregular volumes of pathological tissue, real-time evaluation of the area of ablation and appears less painful than heat-based ablative techniques like radiofrequency and microwaves. Literature shows the effectiveness of cryoablation in the management of bone metastases in terms of pain palliation, but also its employment with curative intent is recommended. We reviewed the outcomes of cryoablation procedures performed in our radiology department over the last seven years, confirming the results in terms of pain palliation and local control of disease. We retrospectively evaluated results of 28 procedures of cryoablation, of which 17 treated with palliative and 11 with curative intent. In a 3-month follow-up study, we recorded an overall reduction of pain (evaluated using a VAS 0-10 scale) between pre- and post-treatment. The mean values dropped from 6.9 (SD: ± 1.3) to 3.5 (SD ± 2.6) (p < 0.0001). In the group of patients treated for local tumor control (follow-up: 22.4 months), we recorded a stability and/or reduction in volume of the lesion in 10 out 11 patients. No major complications were recorded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Arrigoni
- Department of Emergency and Interventional Radiology, San Salvatore Hospital, L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Giampaolo Bianchi
- U.O.C. Radiology and Interventional Radiology, San Filippo E Nicola Hospital, Avezzano, Italy
| | - Francesco Formiconi
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Palumbo
- Department of Emergency and Interventional Radiology, San Salvatore Hospital, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Luigi Zugaro
- Department of Emergency and Interventional Radiology, San Salvatore Hospital, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Antonio Barile
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Carlo Masciocchi
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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11
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Colapietro A, Rossetti A, Mancini A, Martellucci S, Ocone G, Pulcini F, Biordi L, Cristiano L, Mattei V, Delle Monache S, Marampon F, Gravina GL, Festuccia C. Multiple Antitumor Molecular Mechanisms Are Activated by a Fully Synthetic and Stabilized Pharmaceutical Product Delivering the Active Compound Sulforaphane (SFX-01) in Preclinical Model of Human Glioblastoma. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:1082. [PMID: 34832864 PMCID: PMC8626029 DOI: 10.3390/ph14111082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Frequent relapses and therapeutic resistance make the management of glioblastoma (GBM, grade IV glioma), extremely difficult. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new pharmacological compounds to be used as a single treatment or in combination with current therapies in order to improve their effectiveness and reduce cytotoxicity for non-tumor cells. SFX-01 is a fully synthetic and stabilized pharmaceutical product containing the α-cyclodextrin that delivers the active compound 1-isothiocyanato-4-methyl-sulfinylbutane (SFN) and maintains biological activities of SFN. In this study, we verified whether SFX-01 was active in GBM preclinical models. Our data demonstrate that SFX-01 reduced cell proliferation and increased cell death in GBM cell lines and patient-derived glioma initiating cells (GICs) with a stem cell phenotype. The antiproliferative effects of SFX-01 were associated with a reduction in the stemness of GICs and reversion of neural-to-mesenchymal trans-differentiation (PMT) closely related to epithelial-to-mesenchymal trans-differentiation (EMT) of epithelial tumors. Commonly, PMT reversion decreases the invasive capacity of tumor cells and increases the sensitivity to pharmacological and instrumental therapies. SFX-01 induced caspase-dependent apoptosis, through both mitochondrion-mediated intrinsic and death-receptor-associated extrinsic pathways. Here, we demonstrate the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through mediating the reduction in the activity of essential molecular pathways, such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR, ERK, and STAT-3. SFX-01 also reduced the in vivo tumor growth of subcutaneous xenografts and increased the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), when tested in orthotopic intracranial GBM models. These effects were associated with reduced expression of HIF1α which, in turn, down-regulates neo-angiogenesis. So, SFX-01 may have potent anti-glioma effects, regulating important aspects of the biology of this neoplasia, such as hypoxia, stemness, and EMT reversion, which are commonly activated in this neoplasia and are responsible for therapeutic resistance and glioma recurrence. SFX-01 deserves to be considered as an emerging anticancer agent for the treatment of GBM. The possible radio- and chemo sensitization potential of SFX-01 should also be evaluated in further preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Colapietro
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.C.); (A.R.); (A.M.); (G.O.); (G.L.G.)
| | - Alessandra Rossetti
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.C.); (A.R.); (A.M.); (G.O.); (G.L.G.)
| | - Andrea Mancini
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.C.); (A.R.); (A.M.); (G.O.); (G.L.G.)
| | - Stefano Martellucci
- Biomedicine and Advanced Technologies Rieti Center, Sabina Universitas, 02100 Rieti, Italy; (S.M.); (V.M.)
- Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Stem Cells, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (F.P.); (S.D.M.)
| | - Giuseppe Ocone
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.C.); (A.R.); (A.M.); (G.O.); (G.L.G.)
| | - Fanny Pulcini
- Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Stem Cells, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (F.P.); (S.D.M.)
| | - Leda Biordi
- Laboratory of Medical Oncology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
| | - Loredana Cristiano
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Division of Human Anatomy, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
| | - Vincenzo Mattei
- Biomedicine and Advanced Technologies Rieti Center, Sabina Universitas, 02100 Rieti, Italy; (S.M.); (V.M.)
| | - Simona Delle Monache
- Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Stem Cells, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (F.P.); (S.D.M.)
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, La Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.C.); (A.R.); (A.M.); (G.O.); (G.L.G.)
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Radiotherapy, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Claudio Festuccia
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.C.); (A.R.); (A.M.); (G.O.); (G.L.G.)
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12
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Rossetti A, Petragnano F, Milazzo L, Vulcano F, Macioce G, Codenotti S, Cassandri M, Pomella S, Cicchetti F, Fasciani I, Antinozzi C, Di Luigi L, Festuccia C, De Felice F, Vergine M, Fanzani A, Rota R, Maggio R, Polimeni A, Tombolini V, Gravina GL, Marampon F. Romidepsin (FK228) fails in counteracting the transformed phenotype of rhabdomyosarcoma cells but efficiently radiosensitizes, in vitro and in vivo, the alveolar phenotype subtype. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 97:943-957. [PMID: 33979259 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1928786] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Herein we describe the in vitro and in vivo activity of FK228 (Romidepsin), an inhibitor of class I HDACs, in counteracting and radiosensitizing embryonal (ERMS, fusion-negative) and alveolar (ARMS, fusion-positive) rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). METHODS RH30 (ARMS, fusion-positive) and RD (ERMS, fusion-negative) cell lines and human multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (HMSC) were used. Flow cytometry analysis, RT-qPCR, western blotting and enzymatic assays were performed. Irradiation was delivered by using an x-6 MV photon linear accelerator. FK228 (1.2 mg/kg) in vivo activity, combined or not with radiation therapy (2 Gy), was assessed in murine xenografts. RESULTS Compared to HMSC, RMS expressed low levels of class I HDACs. In vitro, FK228, as single agents, reversibly downregulated class I HDACs expression and activity and induced oxidative stress, DNA damage and a concomitant growth arrest associated with PARP-1-mediated transient non-apoptotic cell death. Surviving cells upregulated the expression of cyclin A, B, D1, p27, Myc and activated PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MAPK signaling, known to be differently involved in cancer chemoresistance. Interestingly, while no radiosensitizing effects were detected, in vitro or in vivo, on RD cells, FK228 markedly radiosensitized RH30 cells by impairing antioxidant and DSBs repair pathways in vitro. Further, FK228 when combined with RT in vivo significantly reduced tumor mass in mouse RH30 xenografts. CONCLUSION FK228 did not show antitumor activity as a single agent whilst its combination with RT resulted in radiosensitization of fusion-positive RMS cells, thus representing a possible strategy for the treatment of the most aggressive RMS subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Rossetti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesco Petragnano
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Luisa Milazzo
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Vulcano
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giampiero Macioce
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Codenotti
- Division of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Matteo Cassandri
- Group of Epigenetics of Pediatric Sarcomas, Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Pomella
- Group of Epigenetics of Pediatric Sarcomas, Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Irene Fasciani
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Cristina Antinozzi
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Di Luigi
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Festuccia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesca De Felice
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Vergine
- Department of Surgical Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Fanzani
- Division of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Rossella Rota
- Group of Epigenetics of Pediatric Sarcomas, Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Maggio
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Antonella Polimeni
- Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Tombolini
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Rossi G, Placidi M, Castellini C, Rea F, D'Andrea S, Alonso GL, Gravina GL, Tatone C, Di Emidio G, D’Alessandro AM. Crocetin Mitigates Irradiation Injury in an In Vitro Model of the Pubertal Testis: Focus on Biological Effects and Molecular Mechanisms. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26061676. [PMID: 33802807 PMCID: PMC8002482 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26061676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a potential side effect of radiotherapy and significantly affects the quality of life for adolescent cancer survivors. Very few studies have addressed in pubertal models the mechanistic events that could be targeted to provide protection from gonadotoxicity and data on potential radioprotective treatments in this peculiar period of life are elusive. In this study, we utilized an in vitro model of the mouse pubertal testis to investigate the efficacy of crocetin to counteract ionizing radiation (IR)-induced injury and potential underlying mechanisms. Present experiments provide evidence that exposure of testis fragments from pubertal mice to 2 Gy X-rays induced extensive structural and cellular damage associated with overexpression of PARP1, PCNA, SOD2 and HuR and decreased levels of SIRT1 and catalase. A twenty-four hr exposure to 50 μM crocetin pre- and post-IR significantly reduced testis injury and modulated the response to DNA damage and oxidative stress. Nevertheless, crocetin treatment did not counteract the radiation-induced changes in the expression of SIRT1, p62 and LC3II. These results increase the knowledge of mechanisms underlying radiation damage in pubertal testis and establish the use of crocetin as a fertoprotective agent against IR deleterious effects in pubertal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Rossi
- Lab of Reproductive Technologies, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.R.); (M.P.); (F.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Martina Placidi
- Lab of Reproductive Technologies, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.R.); (M.P.); (F.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Chiara Castellini
- Andrology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (C.C.); (S.D.)
| | - Francesco Rea
- Lab of Reproductive Technologies, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.R.); (M.P.); (F.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Settimio D'Andrea
- Andrology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (C.C.); (S.D.)
| | - Gonzalo Luis Alonso
- Química Agrícola, E.T.S.I. Agrónomos y Montes, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología Agroforestal y Genética, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de España s/n, 02071 Albacete, Spain;
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Division of Radiotherapy, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
| | - Carla Tatone
- Lab of Reproductive Technologies, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.R.); (M.P.); (F.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Giovanna Di Emidio
- Lab of Reproductive Technologies, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (G.R.); (M.P.); (F.R.); (C.T.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Anna Maria D’Alessandro
- Lab of Nutritional Biochemistry, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
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14
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De Cataldo C, Bruno F, Palumbo P, Di Sibio A, Arrigoni F, Clemente A, Bafile A, Gravina GL, Cappabianca S, Barile A, Splendiani A, Masciocchi C, Di Cesare E. Apparent diffusion coefficient magnetic resonance imaging (ADC-MRI) in the axillary breast cancer lymph node metastasis detection: a narrative review. Gland Surg 2021; 9:2225-2234. [PMID: 33447575 DOI: 10.21037/gs-20-546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The presence of axillary lymph nodes metastases in breast cancer is the most significant prognostic factor, with a great impact on morbidity, disease-related survival and management of oncological therapies; for this reason, adequate imaging evaluation is strictly necessary. Physical examination is not enough sensitive to assess breast cancer nodal status; axillary ultrasonography (US) is commonly used to detect suspected or occult nodal metastasis, providing exclusively morphological evaluation, with low sensitivity and positive predictive value. Currently, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and/or axillary dissection are the milestone for the diagnostic assessment of axillary lymph node metastases, although its related morbidity. The impact of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of nodal metastases has been widely investigated, as it continues to represent the most promising imaging modality in the breast cancer management. In particular, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values represent additional reliable non-contrast sequences, able to improve the diagnostic accuracy of breast cancer MRI evaluation. Several studies largely demonstrated the usefulness of implementing DWI/ADC MRI in the characterization of breast lesions. Herein, in the light of our clinical experience, we perform a review of the literature regarding the diagnostic performance and accuracy of ADC value as potential pre-operative tool to define metastatic involvement of nodal structures in breast cancer patients. For the purpose of this review, PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS electronic databases were searched with different combinations of "axillary lymph node", "breast cancer", "MRI/ADC", "breast MRI" keywords. All original articles, reviews and metanalyses were included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla De Cataldo
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Federico Bruno
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Palumbo
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Arrigoni
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alfredo Clemente
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cappabianca
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Barile
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandra Splendiani
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Carlo Masciocchi
- Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Ernesto Di Cesare
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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15
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Colapietro A, Yang P, Rossetti A, Mancini A, Vitale F, Martellucci S, Conway TL, Chakraborty S, Marampon F, Mattei V, Gravina GL, Biordi AL, Wei D, Newman RA, Festuccia C. The Botanical Drug PBI-05204, a Supercritical CO 2 Extract of Nerium Oleander, Inhibits Growth of Human Glioblastoma, Reduces Akt/mTOR Activities, and Modulates GSC Cell-Renewal Properties. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:552428. [PMID: 33013390 PMCID: PMC7516200 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.552428] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) is the most common primary glial tumor resulting in very low patient survival despite current extensive therapeutic efforts. Emerging evidence suggests that more effective treatments are required to overcome tumor heterogeneity, drug resistance and a complex tumor-supporting microenvironment. PBI-05204 is a specifically formulated botanical drug consisting of a modified supercritical C02 extract of Nerium oleander that has undergone both phase I and phase II clinical trials in the United States for treatment of patients with a variety of advanced cancers. The present study was designed to investigate the antitumor efficacy of this botanical drug against glioblastoma using both in vitro and in vivo cancer models as well as exploring efficacy against glioblastoma stem cells. All three human GBM cell lines, U87MG, U251, and T98G, were inhibited by PBI-05204 in a concentration dependent manner that was characterized by induction of apoptosis as evidenced by increased ANNEXIN V staining and caspase activities. The expression of proteins associated with both Akt and mTOR pathway was suppressed by PBI-05240 in all treated human GBM cell lines. PBI-05204 significantly suppressed U87 spheroid formation and the expression of important stem cell markers such as SOX2, CD44, and CXCR4. Oral administration of PBI-05204 resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of U87MG, U251, and T98G xenograft growth. Additionally, PBI-05204–treated mice carrying U87-Luc cells as an orthotropic model exhibited significantly delayed onset of tumor proliferation and significantly increased overall survival. Immunohistochemical staining of xenograft derived tumor sections revealed dose-dependent declines in expression of Ki67 and CD31 positive stained cells but increased TUNEL staining. PBI-05204 represents a novel therapeutic botanical drug approach for treatment of glioblastoma as demonstrated by significant responses with in vivo tumor models. Both in vitro cell culture and immunohistochemical studies of tumor tissue suggest drug induction of tumor cell apoptosis and inhibition of PI3k/mTOR pathways as well as cancer stemness. Given the fact that PBI-05204 has already been examined in phase I and II clinical trials for cancer patients, its efficacy when combined with standard of care chemotherapy and radiotherapy should be explored in future clinical trials of this difficult to treat brain cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Colapietro
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Peiying Yang
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Alessandra Rossetti
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Andrea Mancini
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Flora Vitale
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Stefano Martellucci
- Laboratory of Cellular Pathology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.,Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Environmental Pathology, University Hub "Sabina Universitas", Rieti, Italy
| | - Tara L Conway
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sharmistha Chakraborty
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Mattei
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.,Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Assunta Leda Biordi
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Daoyan Wei
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Claudio Festuccia
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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Marampon F, Gravina GL, Festuccia C, Popov VM, Colapietro A, Sanità P, Musio D, De Felice F, Lenzi A, Jannini EA, Di Cesare E, Tombolini V. Correction to: Vitamin D protects endothelial cells from irradiation-induced senescence and apoptosis by modulating MAPK/SirT1 axis. J Endocrinol Invest 2020; 43:1347. [PMID: 32504459 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-020-01303-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Unfortunately, the 5th author name has been publisehd incorrectly in the original publication. The complete correct name is given below.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Marampon
- Division of Radiotherapy and Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - G L Gravina
- Division of Radiotherapy and Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - C Festuccia
- Division of Radiotherapy and Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - V M Popov
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - A Colapietro
- Division of Radiotherapy and Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - P Sanità
- Division of Radiotherapy and Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - D Musio
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - F De Felice
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - A Lenzi
- Department Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - E A Jannini
- Department of System Medicine, University of Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - E Di Cesare
- Division of Radiotherapy and Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - V Tombolini
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Petragnano F, Pietrantoni I, Camero S, Codenotti S, Milazzo L, Vulcano F, Macioce G, Giordani I, Tini P, Cheleschi S, Gravina GL, Festuccia C, Rossetti A, Delle Monache S, Ordinelli A, Ciccarelli C, Mauro A, Barbara B, Antinozzi C, Schiavetti A, Maggio R, Di Luigi L, Polimeni A, Marchese C, Tombolini V, Fanzani A, Bernabò N, Megiorni F, Marampon F. Clinically relevant radioresistant rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines: functional, molecular and immune-related characterization. J Biomed Sci 2020; 27:90. [PMID: 32854690 PMCID: PMC7453562 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-020-00683-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The probability of local tumor control after radiotherapy (RT) remains still miserably poor in pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible of tumor relapse is essential to identify personalized RT-based strategies. Contrary to what has been done so far, a correct characterization of cellular radioresistance should be performed comparing radioresistant and radiosensitive cells with the same isogenic background. METHODS Clinically relevant radioresistant (RR) embryonal (RD) and alveolar (RH30) RMS cell lines have been developed by irradiating them with clinical-like hypo-fractionated schedule. RMS-RR cells were compared to parental isogenic counterpart (RMS-PR) and studied following the radiobiological concept of the "6Rs", which stand for repair, redistribution, repopulation, reoxygenation, intrinsic radioresistance and radio-immuno-biology. RESULTS RMS-RR cell lines, characterized by a more aggressive and in vitro pro-metastatic phenotype, showed a higher ability to i) detoxify from reactive oxygen species; ii) repair DNA damage by differently activating non-homologous end joining and homologous recombination pathways; iii) counteract RT-induced G2/M cell cycle arrest by re-starting growth and repopulating after irradiation; iv) express cancer stem-like profile. Bioinformatic analyses, performed to assess the role of 41 cytokines after RT exposure and their network interactions, suggested TGF-β, MIF, CCL2, CXCL5, CXCL8 and CXCL12 as master regulators of cancer immune escape in RMS tumors. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that RMS could sustain intrinsic and acquire radioresistance by different mechanisms and indicate potential targets for future combined radiosensitizing strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Petragnano
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Ilaria Pietrantoni
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Simona Camero
- Department of Maternal, Infantile, and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Codenotti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Biotechnology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luisa Milazzo
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Vulcano
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, Rome, Italy
| | - Giampiero Macioce
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilenia Giordani
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Section of Histology and Medical Embryology, "Sapienza" University, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Tini
- Sbarro Health Research Organization, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Unit of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Sara Cheleschi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Rheumatology Unit, University of Siena, Policlinico Le Scotte, Siena, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Claudio Festuccia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandra Rossetti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Simona Delle Monache
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ordinelli
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Carmela Ciccarelli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Annunziata Mauro
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Barboni Barbara
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Cristina Antinozzi
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - Amalia Schiavetti
- Department of Maternal, Infantile, and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Maggio
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Luigi Di Luigi
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Polimeni
- Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Marchese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Tombolini
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Fanzani
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Biotechnology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Nicola Bernabò
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Francesca Megiorni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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De Felice F, Megiorni F, Pietrantoni I, Tini P, Lessiani G, Mastroiacovo D, Mattana P, Antinozzi C, Di Luigi L, Delle Monache S, Angelucci A, Festuccia C, Fanzani A, Maggio R, Tombolini V, Gravina GL, Marampon F. Sulodexide counteracts endothelial dysfunction induced by metabolic or non-metabolic stresses through activation of the autophagic program. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 23:2669-2680. [PMID: 30964194 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201903_17415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Endothelial dysfunction (ED) predisposes to venous thrombosis (VT) and post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), a long-term VT-related complication. Sulodexide (SDX) is a highly purified glycosaminoglycan with antithrombotic, pro-fibrinolytic and anti-inflammatory activity used in the treatment of chronic venous disease (CVD), including patients with PTS. SDX has recently obtained clinical evidence in the "extension therapy" after initial-standard anticoagulant treatment for the secondary prevention of recurrent deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Herein, we investigated how SDX counteracts ED. MATERIALS AND METHODS Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were used. Metabolic and non metabolic-induced ED was induced by treating with methylglyoxal (MGO) or irradiation (IR), respectively. Bafilomycin A1 was used to inhibit autophagy. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay for cell viability, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay for cell apoptosis, Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis for gene and protein expression were used. RESULTS SDX protected HUVEC from MGO- or IR-induced apoptosis by counteracting the activation of the intrinsic and extrinsic caspase cascades. The cytoprotective effects of SDX resulted from a reduction in a) ROS production, b) neo-synthesis and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL1, IL6, IL8), c) DNA damage induced by MGO or IR. These effects were reduced when autophagy was inhibited. CONCLUSIONS Data herein collected indicate the ability of SDX to counteract ED induced by metabolic or non-metabolic stresses by involving the intracellular autophagy pathway. Our experience significantly increases the knowledge of the mechanisms of action of SDX against ED and supports the use of SDX in the treatment of CVD, PTS and in the secondary prevention of recurrent DVT.
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Affiliation(s)
- F De Felice
- Department of Radiotherapy, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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Molinari A, Iovenitti G, Mancini A, Gravina GL, Chebbi M, Caruana M, Vignaroli G, Orofino F, Rango E, Angelucci A, Dreassi E, Schenone S, Botta M. AuNP Pyrazolo[3,4- d]pyrimidine Nanosystem in Combination with Radiotherapy against Glioblastoma. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:664-670. [PMID: 32435368 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.9b00538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gold-nanoparticle (AuNP)-conjugated drugs represent a promising and innovative antitumor therapeutic approach. In our study, we describe the design, the synthesis, the preparation, and the characterization of AuNPs conjugated with the pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivative SI306, a c-Src inhibitor. AuNPs-SI306 showed a good loading efficacy (65%), optimal stability in polar media and in human plasma, and a suitable morphological profile: a ζ-potential of -43.9 mV, a nanoparticle diameter of 48.6 nm, and a 0.441 PDI value. The antitumoral activity of AuNPs-SI306 was evaluated in vitro in the glioblastoma model, by the low-density growth assay, and also in combination with radiotherapy (RT). Results demonstrated that AuNPs had a basal radiosensitization ability and that AuNPs-SI306, when used in combination with RT, were more effective in inhibiting tumor cell growth with respect to AuNPs and free SI306.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Molinari
- Dipartimento Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giulia Iovenitti
- Dipartimento Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Arianna Mancini
- Dipartimento Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 12, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Applicate e Biotecnologiche, Università dell’Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 Aquila, Coppito, Italy
| | - Monia Chebbi
- Dipartimento Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Faculty of Sciences, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Condensed Materials, University of Tunis El Manar, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Maura Caruana
- Dipartimento Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giulia Vignaroli
- Dipartimento Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Francesco Orofino
- Dipartimento Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Enrico Rango
- Dipartimento Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Adriano Angelucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Applicate e Biotecnologiche, Università dell’Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 Aquila, Coppito, Italy
| | - Elena Dreassi
- Dipartimento Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Silvia Schenone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Maurizio Botta
- Dipartimento Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Lead Discovery Siena S.r.l., Via Vittorio Alfieri 31, Castelnuovo Berardenga, 53019 Siena, Italy
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Biolife Science Building, Suite 333, 1900 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, United States
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Mollaioli D, Ciocca G, Limoncin E, Di Sante S, Gravina GL, Carosa E, Lenzi A, Jannini EAF. Lifestyles and sexuality in men and women: the gender perspective in sexual medicine. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2020; 18:10. [PMID: 32066450 PMCID: PMC7025405 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-019-0557-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual health is strictly related with general health in both genders. In presence of a sexual dysfunction, the expert in sexual medicine aims to discover the specific weight of the physical and psychological factors can cause or con-cause the sexual problem. At the same time, a sexual dysfunction can represent a marker of the future development of a Non-communicable diseases (NCDss) as cardiovascular or metabolic diseases.In the evaluation phase, the sexual health specialist must focus on these aspects, focusing especially on the risk and protective factors that could impact on both male and female sexuality.This article presents a review of researches concerning healthy and unhealthy lifestyles and their contribute in the development of sexual quality of life in a gender-dependent manner.Among the unhealthy lifestyle, obesity contributes mostly to the development of sexual dysfunctions, due to its negative impact on cardiovascular and metabolic function. Tobacco smoking, alcohol - substance abuse and chronic stress lead to the development of sexual dysfunction in a med-long term.In order to guarantee a satisfying sexual quality of life, sexual health specialists have the responsibility to guide the patient through the adoption of healthy lifestyles, such as avoiding drugs, smoke and excessive alcohol, practicing a regular physical activity, following a balanced diet and use stress-management strategies, even before proposing both pharmaco- and/or psychotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Mollaioli
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Ciocca
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Erika Limoncin
- grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Di Sante
- grid.7841.aDepartment of Experimental Medicine, Section of Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Sapienza - University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, Rome, 00161 Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- grid.158820.60000 0004 1757 2611Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio (Coppito 2), L’Aquila, 67100 Italy
| | - Eleonora Carosa
- grid.158820.60000 0004 1757 2611Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio (Coppito 2), L’Aquila, 67100 Italy
| | - Andrea Lenzi
- grid.7841.aDepartment of Experimental Medicine, Section of Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Sapienza - University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, Rome, 00161 Italy
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Gravina GL, Mancini A, Colapietro A, Marampon F, Sferra R, Pompili S, Biordi LA, Iorio R, Flati V, Argueta C, Landesman Y, Kauffman M, Shacham S, Festuccia C. Correction: Pharmacological treatment with inhibitors of nuclear export enhances the antitumor activity of docetaxel in human prostate cancer. Oncotarget 2019; 10:6393-6395. [PMID: 31695847 PMCID: PMC6824873 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.,Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Radiotherapy, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Andrea Mancini
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandro Colapietro
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Roberta Sferra
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Human Anatomy, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Simona Pompili
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Human Anatomy, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Leda Assunta Biordi
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Pathology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Roberto Iorio
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Applied Biology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Flati
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Pathology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Claudio Festuccia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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Marampon F, Di Nisio V, Pietrantoni I, Petragnano F, Fasciani I, Scicchitano BM, Ciccarelli C, Gravina GL, Festuccia C, Del Fattore A, Tombolini M, De Felice F, Musio D, Cecconi S, Tini P, Maddalo M, Codenotti S, Fanzani A, Polimeni A, Maggio R, Tombolini V. Pro-differentiating and radiosensitizing effects of inhibiting HDACs by PXD-101 (Belinostat) in in vitro and in vivo models of human rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines. Cancer Lett 2019; 461:90-101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Ferella L, Cavallo A, Miceli R, Iacovelli NA, Giandini T, Pignoli E, Calareso G, Bossi P, Resteghini C, Gravina GL, Nicolai P, Castelnuovo P, Piazza C, Licitra L, Fallai C, Orlandi E. Prognostic role of primary tumor, nodal neck, and retropharyngeal GTVs for unresectable sinonasal cancers treated with IMRT and chemotherapy. Tumori Journal 2019; 106:39-46. [DOI: 10.1177/0300891619868006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: We evaluated the prognostic role of gross tumor volumes (GTVs) of primary tumor and positive lymph nodes on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in locally advanced unresectable sinonasal cancer (SNC) treated with definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with or without chemotherapy. Methods: Primary tumor GTV (GTV-T), pathologic neck nodes GTV (GTV-N), and positive retropharyngeal nodes GTV (GTV-RPN) of 34 patients with epithelial nonglandular SNC receiving IMRT with or without chemotherapy were retrospectively measured. The GTV variables were analyzed in relation with OS and PFS. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. We also estimated the crude cumulative incidence of locoregional relapses only. The optimal volume cutoff value was determined using an outcome-oriented method among the observed values. Results: GTV-T was significantly associated with decreased OS ( P=0.003) and PFS ( P=0.003). Moreover, patients with disease total volumes (GTV) smaller than 149.44 cm³ had better OS and PFS than patients with higher volumes ( P<0.0001 for both). Neck nodal metastasis impacted on OS and PFS ( P=0.030 and P=0.033, respectively), but GTV-N did not ( P=0.961; P=0.958). Retropharyngeal nodes metastasis was not associated with prognosis (OS: P=0.400; PFS: P=0.104). When GTV-RPN was added to GTV-N (GTV-TN), a relation with PFS ( P=0.041) and a trend toward significance for OS ( P=0.075) were found. Conclusions: Our results show that tumor volume is a powerful predictor of outcome in SNC. This could be useful to identify patients with worse prognosis deserving different treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Ferella
- Unit of Radiotherapy 2, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Cavallo
- Unit of Medical Physics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosalba Miceli
- Clinical Epidemiology and Trials Organization Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Tommaso Giandini
- Unit of Medical Physics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuele Pignoli
- Unit of Medical Physics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Calareso
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Bossi
- Unit of Head and Neck Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Resteghini
- Unit of Head and Neck Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Division of Radiotherapy, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Piero Nicolai
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Paolo Castelnuovo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Insubria and ASST Sette Laghi, Ospedale di Circolo, Varese, Italy
| | - Cesare Piazza
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Lisa Licitra
- Unit of Head and Neck Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Fallai
- Unit of Radiotherapy 2, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Ester Orlandi
- Unit of Radiotherapy 2, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
- Unit of Radiotherapy 1, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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24
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Bisegna C, Gravina GL, Pierconti F, Martini M, Larocca L, Rossi P, Grimaldi P, Dolci S, Di Stasi S, Jannini EA. Regulation of PDE5 expression in normal prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and adenocarcinoma. Andrology 2019; 8:427-433. [PMID: 31433119 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type 5 phosphodiesterase (PDE5) expression in the normal and pathological prostate is controversial. OBJECTIVES This study aimed at identifying the cell type/s, if any, expressing PDE5 in human healthy or pathological prostate sections in order to further validate the rationale of PDE5 inhibitor (PDE5i) treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and their safety in the treatment of erectile dysfunction following prostate cancer (PCa) surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS By immunohistochemical analysis, we studied PDE5 expression in tissue microarrays containing sections obtained from healthy, BPH, and PCa samples. RESULTS Our results showed that PDE5 is barely expressed in the epithelial or stromal compartment of normal human prostates, but it is highly expressed in the stromal compartment of BPH sections. We also found that a low but significant number of PCa samples (22%) expressed PDE5 in the epithelial cancer cells but not in stromal cells and that such expression was not correlated with the tumor aggressiveness, according to their Gleason score. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION PDE5 overexpression in the stromal compartment of BPH samples supports the rationale of PDE5 as a target in lower urinary tract symptoms of BPH. PDE5 expression in a significant percentage of PCa samples but the lack of correlation with the Gleason score suggests that this enzyme is not correlated with tumor aggressiveness; however, a role of PDE5 in the minimal residual disease of PCa cannot be excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Bisegna
- Section of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - G L Gravina
- Division of Radiotherapy and Radiobiology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - F Pierconti
- Institute of Pathological Anatomy, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - M Martini
- Institute of Pathological Anatomy, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - L Larocca
- Institute of Pathological Anatomy, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - P Rossi
- Section of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - P Grimaldi
- Section of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - S Dolci
- Section of Anatomy, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - S Di Stasi
- Section of Urology, Department of Surgery Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - E A Jannini
- Chair of Endocrinology and Medical Sexology (ENDOSEX), Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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25
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Marampon F, Leoni F, Mancini A, Pietrantoni I, Codenotti S, Ferella L, Megiorni F, Porro G, Galbiati E, Pozzi P, Mascagni P, Budillon A, Maggio R, Tombolini V, Fanzani A, Gravina GL, Festuccia C. Correction to: Histone deacetylase inhibitor ITF2357 (givinostat) reverts transformed phenotype and counteracts stemness in in vitro and in vivo models of human glioblastoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2019; 145:2411. [PMID: 31346710 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-019-02980-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
In the original publication, the 6th author's first name and the last name was inverted and incorrectly published. The correct author name is Letizia Ferella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Marampon
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavio Leoni
- Research Center, Italfarmaco SpA, Cinisello Balsamo, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Mancini
- Radiobiology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via vetoiossnc, Coppito II, L'aquila, Italy
| | - Ilaria Pietrantoni
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'aquila, Italy
| | - Silvia Codenotti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Letizia Ferella
- Radiobiology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via vetoiossnc, Coppito II, L'aquila, Italy.,Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'aquila, Italy
| | - Francesca Megiorni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuliana Porro
- Research Center, Italfarmaco SpA, Cinisello Balsamo, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Pietro Pozzi
- Research Center, Italfarmaco SpA, Cinisello Balsamo, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Mascagni
- Research Center, Italfarmaco SpA, Cinisello Balsamo, Milan, Italy
| | - Alfredo Budillon
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Maggio
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'aquila, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Tombolini
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Fanzani
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Radiobiology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via vetoiossnc, Coppito II, L'aquila, Italy.,Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'aquila, Italy
| | - Claudio Festuccia
- Radiobiology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via vetoiossnc, Coppito II, L'aquila, Italy.
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26
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Ferella L, Limoncin E, Vittorini F, Chalaszczyk A, Sorce C, Grimaldi G, Franzese P, Ruggieri V, Varrassi E, Di Staso M, Gimenez De Lorenzo R, Marampon F, Tombolini V, Masciocchi C, Gravina GL. Are we ready for a paradigm shift from high-dose conventional to moderate hypofractionated radiotherapy in intermediate-high risk prostate cancer? A systematic review of randomized controlled trials with trial sequential analysis. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2019; 139:75-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2019.04.012] [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: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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27
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Giannattasio S, Megiorni F, Di Nisio V, Del Fattore A, Fontanella R, Camero S, Antinozzi C, Festuccia C, Gravina GL, Cecconi S, Dominici C, Di Luigi L, Ciccarelli C, De Cesaris P, Riccioli A, Zani BM, Lenzi A, Pestell RG, Filippini A, Crescioli C, Tombolini V, Marampon F. Testosterone-mediated activation of androgenic signalling sustains in vitro the transformed and radioresistant phenotype of rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines. J Endocrinol Invest 2019; 42:183-197. [PMID: 29790086 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-018-0900-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in childhood, rarely affects adults, preferring male. RMS expresses the receptor for androgen (AR) and responds to androgen; however, the molecular action of androgens on RMS is unknown. METHODS Herein, testosterone (T) effects were tested in embryonal (ERMS) and alveolar (ARMS) RMS cell lines, by performing luciferase reporter assay, RT-PCR, and western blotting experiments. RNA interference experiments or bicalutamide treatment was performed to assess the specific role of AR. Radiation treatment was delivered to characterise the effects of T treatment on RMS intrinsic radioresistance. RESULTS Our study showed that RMS cells respond to sub-physiological levels of T stimulation, finally promoting AR-dependent genomic and non-genomic effects, such as the transcriptional regulation of several oncogenes, the phosphorylation-mediated post-transductional modifications of AR and the activation of ERK, p38 and AKT signal transduction pathway mediators that, by physically complexing or not with AR, participate in regulating its transcriptional activity and the expression of T-targeted genes. T chronic daily treatment, performed as for the hormone circadian rhythm, did not significantly affect RMS cell growth, but improved RMS clonogenic and radioresistant potential and increased AR mRNA both in ERMS and ARMS. AR protein accumulation was evident in ERMS, this further developing an intrinsic T-independent AR activity. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that androgens sustain and improve RMS transformed and radioresistant phenotype, and therefore, their therapeutic application should be avoided in RMS post puberal patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Giannattasio
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - F Megiorni
- Department of Paediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - V Di Nisio
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - A Del Fattore
- Multi-Factorial Disease and Complex Phenotype Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - R Fontanella
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - S Camero
- Department of Paediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - C Antinozzi
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - C Festuccia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio 1, 67100, L'Aquila, Coppito, Italy
| | - G L Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio 1, 67100, L'Aquila, Coppito, Italy
| | - S Cecconi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - C Dominici
- Department of Paediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - L Di Luigi
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - C Ciccarelli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio 1, 67100, L'Aquila, Coppito, Italy
| | - P De Cesaris
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio 1, 67100, L'Aquila, Coppito, Italy
| | - A Riccioli
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - B M Zani
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio 1, 67100, L'Aquila, Coppito, Italy
| | - A Lenzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - R G Pestell
- Pennsylvania Center for Cancer and Regenerative Medicine, Wynnewood, PA, 19096, USA
| | - A Filippini
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - C Crescioli
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - V Tombolini
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - F Marampon
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio 1, 67100, L'Aquila, Coppito, Italy.
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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28
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Marampon F, Codenotti S, Megiorni F, Del Fattore A, Camero S, Gravina GL, Festuccia C, Musio D, De Felice F, Nardone V, Santoro AN, Dominici C, Fanzani A, Pirtoli L, Fioravanti A, Tombolini V, Cheleschi S, Tini P. NRF2 orchestrates the redox regulation induced by radiation therapy, sustaining embryonal and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cells radioresistance. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2019; 145:881-893. [PMID: 30701326 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-019-02851-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [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: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Tumor cells generally exhibit higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), however, when stressed, tumor cells can undergo a process of 'Redox Resetting' to acquire a new redox balance with stronger antioxidant systems that enable cancer cells to become resistant to radiation therapy (RT). Here, we describe how RT affects the oxidant/antioxidant balance in human embryonal (RD) and alveolar (RH30) rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cell lines, investigating on the molecular mechanisms involved. METHODS Radiations were delivered using an x-6 MV photon linear accelerator and their effects were assessed by vitality and clonogenic assays. The expression of specific antioxidant-enzymes, such as Superoxide Dismutases (SODs), Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione Peroxidases 4 (GPx4), miRNAs (miR-22, -126, -210, -375, -146a, -34a) and the transcription factor NRF2 was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) and western blotting. RNA interference experiments were performed to evaluate the role of NRF2. RESULTS Doses of RT higher than 2 Gy significantly affected RMS clonogenic ability by increasing ROS production. RMS rapidly and efficiently brought back ROS levels by up-regulating the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, miRNAs as well as of NRF2. Silencing of NRF2 restrained the RMS ability to counteract RT-induced ROS accumulation, antioxidant enzyme and miRNA expression and was able to increase the abundance of γ-H2AX, a biomarker of DNA damage, in RT-treated cells. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our data suggest the strategic role of oxidant/antioxidant balance in restraining the therapeutic efficiency of RT in RMS treatment and identify NRF2 as a new potential molecular target whose inhibition might represent a novel radiosensitizing therapeutic strategy for RMS clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Marampon
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Silvia Codenotti
- Division of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Del Fattore
- Multi-Factorial Disease and Complex Phenotype Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale di San Paolo 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Camero
- Department of Pediatrics, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Claudio Festuccia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Daniela Musio
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca De Felice
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Carlo Dominici
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Fanzani
- Division of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luigi Pirtoli
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy.,Unit of Radiation Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy.,Istituto Toscano Tumori, Florence, Italy.,Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.,Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Rheumatology Unit, University of Siena, Policlinico Le Scotte, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Vincenzo Tombolini
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Cheleschi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Rheumatology Unit, University of Siena, Policlinico Le Scotte, Siena, Italy
| | - Paolo Tini
- Unit of Radiation Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy.,Istituto Toscano Tumori, Florence, Italy.,Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Sbarro Health Research Organization, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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29
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Di Cesare E, Di Sibio A, Gennarelli A, Di Luzio M, Casazza I, Splendiani A, Di Cesare A, Gravina GL, Barile A, Masciocchi C. Low Dose versus Standard Single Heartbeat Acquisition Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography. J Clin Imaging Sci 2018; 8:52. [PMID: 30546936 PMCID: PMC6251242 DOI: 10.4103/jcis.jcis_51_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare image quality and mean radiation dose between two groups of patients undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) using a 640-slice CT scanner with two protocols with different noise level thresholds expressed as standard deviation (SD). Materials and Methods: Two-hundred and sixty-eight patients underwent a CCTA with 640 slice CT scanner. In the experimental group (135 patients), an SD 51 protocol was employed; in the control group (133 patients), an SD 33 protocol was used. Mean effective dose and image quality with both objective and subjective measures were assessed. Image quality was subjectively assessed using a five-point scoring system. Segments scoring 2, 3, and 4 were considered having diagnostic quality, while segments scoring 0 and 1 were considered having nondiagnostic quality. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between the two groups as well as the effective radiation dose (ED) was finally assessed. Results: Comparative analysis considering diagnostic quality (2, 3, and 4 score) and nondiagnostic (score 0 and 1) quality demonstrated that image quality of SD 51 group is not significantly lower than that of S33 group. The noise was significantly higher in the SD 51 group than in the SD 33 group (P < 0.0001). The SNR and CNR were higher in the SD 33 group than in SD 51 group (P < 0.0001). Mean effective dose was 49% lower in the SD 51 group than in SD 33 group; indeed mean effective dose was 1.43 mSv ± 0.67 in the SD 51 group while it was 2.8 mSv ± 0.57 in the SD 33 group. Conclusion: Comparative analysis shows that using a 640-slice CT with a 51 SD protocol, it is possible to reduce the mean radiation dose while maintaining good diagnostic image quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto Di Cesare
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, University of L’aquila, L’aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandra Di Sibio
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, University of L’aquila, L’aquila, Italy
| | - Antonio Gennarelli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, University of L’aquila, L’aquila, Italy
| | - Margherita Di Luzio
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, University of L’aquila, L’aquila, Italy
| | - Ines Casazza
- Department of Radiology, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Splendiani
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, University of L’aquila, L’aquila, Italy
| | - Annamaria Di Cesare
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, University of L’aquila, L’aquila, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, University of L’aquila, L’aquila, Italy
| | - Antonio Barile
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, University of L’aquila, L’aquila, Italy
| | - Carlo Masciocchi
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, University of L’aquila, L’aquila, Italy
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30
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Cazzato RL, Arrigoni F, Boatta E, Bruno F, Chiang JB, Garnon J, Zugaro L, Giordano AV, Carducci S, Varrassi M, Beomonte Zobel B, Bazzocchi A, Aliprandi A, Basile A, Marcia S, Masala S, Grasso RF, Squarza S, Floridi C, Ierardi AM, Burdi N, Cioni R, Napoli A, Niola R, Rossi G, Rossi UG, Venturini M, De Cobelli F, Carotti M, Gravina GL, Di Staso M, Zoccali C, Biagini R, Tonini G, Santini D, Carrafiello G, Cariati M, Silvestri E, Sconfienza LM, Giovagnoni A, Masciocchi C, Gangi A, Barile A. Percutaneous management of bone metastases: state of the art, interventional strategies and joint position statement of the Italian College of MSK Radiology (ICoMSKR) and the Italian College of Interventional Radiology (ICIR). Radiol Med 2018; 124:34-49. [DOI: 10.1007/s11547-018-0938-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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31
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Mollaioli D, Di Sante S, Limoncin E, Ciocca G, Gravina GL, Maseroli E, Fanni E, Vignozzi L, Maggi M, Lenzi A, Jannini EA. Validation of a Visual Analogue Scale to measure the subjective perception of orgasmic intensity in females: The Orgasmometer-F. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0202076. [PMID: 30157203 PMCID: PMC6114295 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The female orgasm represents one of the most complex functions in the field of human sexuality. The conjunction of the anatomical, physiological, psycho-relational and socio-cultural components contributes to make the female orgasm still partly unclear. The female orgasmic experience, its correlates and the relation with sexual desire, arousal and lubrication as predictors are highly debated in scientific community. In this context, little is known about the impact of female sexual dysfunction (SD) on sexual pleasure expressed by subjective orgasmic intensity, and there are no suitable psychometric tools suited to investigate this dimension. Thus, we validate, in female subjects, a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) that we named Orgasmometer-F, to verify if SD is accompanied by a lower perceived orgasmic intensity. A total of 526 women, recruited through a web-based platform and from sexological outpatient clinic, were enrolled in the study. They were divided into, on the basis of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score in two groups: 1) 112women suffering from SD, (SD Group); and 2) 414 sexually healthy women (Control Group). The participants were requested to fill out the Orgasmometer-F, recording orgasmic intensity on a Likert scale from 0 (absence of orgasmic intensity) to 10 (maximum orgasmic intensity experienced). Women with SD experienced significantly lower orgasmic intensity than controls, as measured by the Orgasmometer-F (p < 0.0001). Interestingly, masturbatory frequency was positively correlated with orgasmic intensity, as were the lubrication, orgasm and sexual satisfaction domains of the FSFI. The Orgasmometer-F was well understood, had a good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.93) and a high AUC in differentiating between women with and without sexual dysfunction (AUC = 0.9; p < 0.0001). The ROC curve analysis showed that a cut-off <5 had 86.5% sensitivity (95% CI 82,8–89,6), 80.4% specificity (95% CI 71.8–87.3), 75.4% positive predictive value (PPV) and 89.5% negative predictive value (NPV). In conclusion, the Orgasmometer-F, a new psychometrically sound tool for measuring orgasmic intensity in female population, demonstrated that SD impair orgasmic intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Mollaioli
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Di Sante
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Erika Limoncin
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Ciocca
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Elisa Maseroli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Egidia Fanni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Linda Vignozzi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mario Maggi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Lenzi
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Emmanuele A. Jannini
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Ciccarelli C, Di Rocco A, Gravina GL, Mauro A, Festuccia C, Del Fattore A, Berardinelli P, De Felice F, Musio D, Bouché M, Tombolini V, Zani BM, Marampon F. Disruption of MEK/ERK/c-Myc signaling radiosensitizes prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2018; 144:1685-1699. [PMID: 29959569 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-018-2696-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [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: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Prostate cancer (PCa) cell radioresistance causes the failure of radiation therapy (RT) in localized or locally advanced disease. The aberrant accumulation of c-Myc oncoprotein, known to promote PCa onset and progression, may be due to the control of gene transcription and/or MEK/ERK-regulated protein stabilization. Here, we investigated the role of MEK/ERK signaling in PCa. METHODS LnCAP, 22Rv1, DU145, and PC3 PCa cell lines were used in in vitro and in vivo experiments. U0126, trametinib MEK/ERK inhibitors, and c-Myc shRNAs were used. Radiation was delivered using an x-6 MV photon linear accelerator. U0126 in vivo activity alone or in combination with irradiation was determined in murine xenografts. RESULTS Inhibition of MEK/ERK signaling down-regulated c-Myc protein in PCa cell lines to varying extents by affecting expression of RNA and protein, which in turn determined radiosensitization in in vitro and in vivo xenograft models of PCa cells. The crucial role played by c-Myc in the MEK/ERK pathways was demonstrated in 22Rv1 cells by the silencing of c-Myc by means of short hairpin mRNA, which yielded effects resembling the targeting of MEK/ERK signaling. The clinically approved compound trametinib used in vitro yielded the same effects as U0126 on growth and C-Myc expression. Notably, U0126 and trametinib induced a drastic down-regulation of BMX, which is known to prevent apoptosis in cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS The results of our study suggest that signal transduction-based therapy can, by disrupting the MEK/ERK/c-Myc axis, reduce human PCa radioresistance caused by increased c-Myc expression in vivo and in vitro and restores apoptosis signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Ciccarelli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Agnese Di Rocco
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Annunziata Mauro
- Unit of Basic and Applied Biosciences, Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Claudio Festuccia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Andrea Del Fattore
- Multi-Factorial Disease and Complex Phenotype Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale di San Paolo 15, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Berardinelli
- Unit of Basic and Applied Biosciences, Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Francesca De Felice
- Division of Radiotherapy, Department of Radiology, Radiation Oncology and Human Pathology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Musio
- Division of Radiotherapy, Department of Radiology, Radiation Oncology and Human Pathology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Bouché
- Unit of Histology, Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Tombolini
- Unit of Histology, Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Bianca Maria Zani
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy. .,Unit of Histology, Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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Mancini A, Colapietro A, Pompili S, Del Fattore A, Delle Monache S, Biordi LA, Angelucci A, Mattei V, Liang C, Gravina GL, Festuccia C. Dual PI3 K/mTOR inhibition reduces prostate cancer bone engraftment altering tumor-induced bone remodeling. Tumour Biol 2018; 40:1010428318771773. [PMID: 29687745 DOI: 10.1177/1010428318771773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Morbidity in advanced prostate cancer patients is largely associated with bone metastatic events. The development of novel therapeutic strategies is imperative in order to effectively treat this incurable stage of the malignancy. In this context, Akt signaling pathway represents a promising therapeutic target able to counteract biochemical recurrence and metastatic progression in prostate cancer. We explored the therapeutic potential of a novel dual PI3 K/mTOR inhibitor, X480, to inhibit tumor growth and bone colonization using different in vivo prostate cancer models including the subcutaneous injection of aggressive and bone metastatic (PC3) and non-bone metastatic (22rv1) cell lines and preclinical models known to generate bone lesions. We observed that X480 both inhibited the primary growth of subcutaneous tumors generated by PC3 and 22rv1 cells and reduced bone spreading of PCb2, a high osteotropic PC3 cell derivative. In metastatic bone, X480 inhibited significantly the growth and osteolytic activity of PC3 cells as observed by intratibial injection model. X480 also increased the bone disease-free survival compared to untreated animals. In vitro experiments demonstrated that X480 was effective in counteracting osteoclastogenesis whereas it stimulated osteoblast activity. Our report provides novel information on the potential activity of PI3 K/Akt inhibitors on the formation and progression of prostate cancer bone metastases and supports a biological rationale for the use of these inhibitors in castrate-resistant prostate cancer patients at high risk of developing clinically evident bone lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Mancini
- 1 Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandro Colapietro
- 1 Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Simona Pompili
- 2 Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Human Anatomy, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Simona Delle Monache
- 4 Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Applied Biology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Leda Assunta Biordi
- 5 Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Adriano Angelucci
- 6 Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of General Pathology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Mattei
- 7 Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Environmental Pathology, Rieti University Hub "Sabina Universitas," Rieti, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- 9 Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Radiology Oncology; University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Claudio Festuccia
- 1 Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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Festuccia C, Gravina GL, Giorgio C, Mancini A, Pellegrini C, Colapietro A, Delle Monache S, Maturo MG, Sferra R, Chiodelli P, Rusnati M, Cantoni A, Castelli R, Vacondio F, Lodola A, Tognolini M. UniPR1331, a small molecule targeting Eph/ephrin interaction, prolongs survival in glioblastoma and potentiates the effect of antiangiogenic therapy in mice. Oncotarget 2018; 9:24347-24363. [PMID: 29849945 PMCID: PMC5966254 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [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: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant brain tumor, showing high resistance to standard therapeutic approaches that combine surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. As opposed to healthy tissues, EphA2 has been found highly expressed in specimens of glioblastoma, and increased expression of EphA2 has been shown to correlate with poor survival rates. Accordingly, agents blocking Eph receptor activity could represent a new therapeutic approach. Herein, we demonstrate that UniPR1331, a pan Eph receptor antagonist, possesses significant in vivo anti-angiogenic and anti-vasculogenic properties which lead to a significant anti-tumor activity in xenograft and orthotopic models of GBM. UniPR1331 halved the final volume of tumors when tested in xenografts (p<0.01) and enhanced the disease-free survival of treated animals in the orthotopic models of GBM both by using U87MG cells (40 vs 24 days of control, p<0.05) or TPC8 cells (52 vs 16 days, p<0.01). Further, the association of UniPR1331 with the anti-VEGF antibody Bevacizumab significantly increased the efficacy of both monotherapies in all tested models. Overall, our data promote UniPR1331 as a novel tool for tackling GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Festuccia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Carmine Giorgio
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Mancini
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Cristina Pellegrini
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandro Colapietro
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Simona Delle Monache
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Maria Giovanna Maturo
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Roberta Sferra
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Paola Chiodelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Rusnati
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Annamaria Cantoni
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, 43100, Parma, Italy
| | - Riccardo Castelli
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Federica Vacondio
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Alessio Lodola
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124, Parma, Italy
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35
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Festuccia C, Mancini A, Colapietro A, Gravina GL, Vitale F, Marampon F, Delle Monache S, Pompili S, Cristiano L, Vetuschi A, Tombolini V, Chen Y, Mehrling T. Correction to: The first-in-class alkylating deacetylase inhibitor molecule tinostamustine shows antitumor effects and is synergistic with radiotherapy in preclinical models of glioblastoma. J Hematol Oncol 2018. [PMID: 29540202 PMCID: PMC5853051 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-018-0587-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- C Festuccia
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - A Mancini
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - A Colapietro
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - G L Gravina
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.,Division of Radiotherapy, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - F Vitale
- Division of Neurosciences, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - F Marampon
- Division of Radiotherapy, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - S Delle Monache
- Division of Applied Biology, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - S Pompili
- Division of Human Anatomy, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - L Cristiano
- Laboratory of Applied Biology, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - A Vetuschi
- Division of Human Anatomy, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - V Tombolini
- Division of Radiotherapy, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Y Chen
- Northlake International LLC, Pleasanton, CA, USA
| | - T Mehrling
- Mundipharma-EDO GmbH, Basel, Switzerland
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Gravina GL, Mancini A, Mattei C, Vitale F, Marampon F, Colapietro A, Rossi G, Ventura L, Vetuschi A, Di Cesare E, Fox JA, Festuccia C. Enhancement of radiosensitivity by the novel anticancer quinolone derivative vosaroxin in preclinical glioblastoma models. Oncotarget 2018; 8:29865-29886. [PMID: 28415741 PMCID: PMC5444710 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive brain tumor. The activity of vosaroxin, a first-in-class anticancer quinolone derivative that intercalates DNA and inhibits topoisomerase II, was investigated in GBM preclinical models as a single agent and combined with radiotherapy (RT). Results Vosaroxin showed antitumor activity in clonogenic survival assays, with IC50 of 10−100 nM, and demonstrated radiosensitization. Combined treatments exhibited significantly higher γH2Ax levels compared with controls. In xenograft models, vosaroxin reduced tumor growth and showed enhanced activity with RT; vosaroxin/RT combined was more effective than temozolomide/RT. Vosaroxin/RT triggered rapid and massive cell death with characteristics of necrosis. A minor proportion of treated cells underwent caspase-dependent apoptosis, in agreement with in vitro results. Vosaroxin/RT inhibited RT-induced autophagy, increasing necrosis. This was associated with increased recruitment of granulocytes, monocytes, and undifferentiated bone marrow–derived lymphoid cells. Pharmacokinetic analyses revealed adequate blood-brain penetration of vosaroxin. Vosaroxin/RT increased disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) significantly compared with RT, vosaroxin alone, temozolomide, and temozolomide/RT in the U251-luciferase orthotopic model. Materials and Methods Cellular, molecular, and antiproliferative effects of vosaroxin alone or combined with RT were evaluated in 13 GBM cell lines. Tumor growth delay was determined in U87MG, U251, and T98G xenograft mouse models. (DFS) and (OS) were assessed in orthotopic intrabrain models using luciferase-transfected U251 cells by bioluminescence and magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusions Vosaroxin demonstrated significant activity in vitro and in vivo in GBM models, and showed additive/synergistic activity when combined with RT in O6-methylguanine methyltransferase-negative and -positive cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Radiotherapy, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.,Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Andrea Mancini
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Claudia Mattei
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Neurosciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Flora Vitale
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Neurosciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandro Colapietro
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giulia Rossi
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Luca Ventura
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Neurosciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Antonella Vetuschi
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Chair of Human Anatomy, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Ernesto Di Cesare
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Radiotherapy, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Judith A Fox
- Sunesis Pharmaceuticals Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Claudio Festuccia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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Valeriani M, Bonfili P, Reverberi C, Marinelli L, Ferella L, Minniti G, DE Sanctis V, Osti MF, Bonome P, Tronnolone L, Varrassi E, Gravina GL, Franzese P, Tombolini V, DI Staso M. Moderate Hypofractionation in Patients with Low-risk Prostate Cancer: Long-term Outcomes. Anticancer Res 2018; 38:1671-1676. [PMID: 29491101 DOI: 10.21873/anticanres.12400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM To evaluate outcomes in patients with low-risk prostate cancer treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy (HyRT). PATIENTS AND METHODS Between April 2004 and December 2015, 175 patients with low-risk prostate cancer were treated with HyRT 60 Gy in 20 fractions with or without image guidance and reduction of margin from clinical target volume to planning target volume. RESULTS The median follow-up was 66 months. The 8-year overall survival for the whole patient cohort was 88.9%. The 8-year biochemical no evidence of disease was higher in patients treated with image-guided HyRT (98.8% vs. 88%, p=0.023). During treatment, patients treated with image-guided HyRT presented a lower rate of grade 1-2 gastrointestinal toxicity (25.3% vs. 42.2%, p=0.001). At the last follow-up, the grade 1 Gastro-intestinal toxicity rate was 4.0% and the grade 1-2 genito-urinary toxicity rate was 25.1%. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated the efficacy of the schedule used with a low rate of acute and late toxicities. Therefore, reduction of margins with image-guided HyRT is safe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Valeriani
- Department of Radiation Oncology, S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Bonfili
- Department of Radiation Oncology, S. Salvatore Hospital, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Chiara Reverberi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Marinelli
- Department of Radiation Oncology, S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Letizia Ferella
- Department of Radiation Oncology, S. Salvatore Hospital, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Minniti
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Vitaliana DE Sanctis
- Department of Radiation Oncology, S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Falchetto Osti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Bonome
- Department of Radiation Oncology, S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Lidia Tronnolone
- Department of Radiation Oncology, S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Emilia Varrassi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, S. Salvatore Hospital, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Radiation Oncology, S. Salvatore Hospital, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Pietro Franzese
- Department of Radiation Oncology, S. Salvatore Hospital, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Tombolini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario DI Staso
- Department of Radiation Oncology, S. Salvatore Hospital, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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Festuccia C, Mancini A, Colapietro A, Gravina GL, Vitale F, Marampon F, Delle Monache S, Pompili S, Cristiano L, Vetuschi A, Tombolini V, Chen Y, Mehrling T. The first-in-class alkylating deacetylase inhibitor molecule tinostamustine shows antitumor effects and is synergistic with radiotherapy in preclinical models of glioblastoma. J Hematol Oncol 2018; 11:32. [PMID: 29486795 PMCID: PMC5830080 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-018-0576-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The use of alkylating agents such as temozolomide in association with radiotherapy (RT) is the therapeutic standard of glioblastoma (GBM). This regimen modestly prolongs overall survival, also if, in light of the still dismal prognosis, further improvements are desperately needed, especially in the patients with O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) unmethylated tumors, in which the benefit of standard treatment is less. Tinostamustine (EDO-S101) is a first-in-class alkylating deacetylase inhibitor (AK-DACi) molecule that fuses the DNA damaging effect of bendamustine with the fully functional pan-histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, vorinostat, in a completely new chemical entity. Methods Tinostamustine has been tested in models of GBM by using 13 GBM cell lines and seven patient-derived GBM proliferating/stem cell lines in vitro. U87MG and U251MG (MGMT negative), as well as T98G (MGMT positive), were subcutaneously injected in nude mice, whereas luciferase positive U251MG cells and patient-derived GBM stem cell line (CSCs-5) were evaluated the orthotopic intra-brain in vivo experiments. Results We demonstrated that tinostamustine possesses stronger antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects than those observed for vorinostat and bendamustine alone and similar to their combination and irrespective of MGMT expression. In addition, we observed a stronger radio-sensitization of single treatment and temozolomide used as control due to reduced expression and increased time of disappearance of γH2AX indicative of reduced signal and DNA repair. This was associated with higher caspase-3 activation and reduction of RT-mediated autophagy. In vivo, tinostamustine increased time-to-progression (TTP) and this was additive/synergistic to RT. Tinostamustine had significant therapeutic activity with suppression of tumor growth and prolongation of DFS (disease-free survival) and OS (overall survival) in orthotopic intra-brain models that was superior to bendamustine, RT and temozolomide and showing stronger radio sensitivity. Conclusions Our data suggest that tinostamustine deserves further investigation in patients with glioblastoma. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13045-018-0576-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Festuccia
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Andrea Mancini
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandro Colapietro
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Laboratory of Radiobiology, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.,Division of Radiotherapy, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Flora Vitale
- Division of Neurosciences, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Division of Radiotherapy, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Simona Delle Monache
- Division of Applied Biology, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Simona Pompili
- Division of Human Anatomy, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Loredana Cristiano
- Laboratory of Applied Biology, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Antonella Vetuschi
- Division of Human Anatomy, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Tombolini
- Division of Radiotherapy, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Yi Chen
- Northlake International LLC, Pleasanton, CA, USA
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De Felice F, Musio D, Gravina GL, Marampon F, Tombolini V. Adjuvant radiation therapy in stage I seminoma: 20 years of oncologic results. Oncotarget 2018; 7:80077-80082. [PMID: 27556300 PMCID: PMC5346772 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 05/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim To report long term oncologic outcomes after adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) for stage I seminoma. Method We reviewed the complete data set for all patients treated at our institute between 1988 and 2005 for stage I seminoma with adjuvant RT after radical orchiectomy. Results A total of 85 patients were included. The median follow-up was 15 years. The 20-year overall survival (OS) and relapse free survival (RFS) were 92% and 96.3%, respectively. No severe acute and late complications were recorded. Overall 5.9% of patients had a second unrelated malignancy. Conclusion Adjuvant RT is an efficacious and safe treatment in stage I seminoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca De Felice
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Musio
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Tombolini
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Spencer-Lorillard Foundation, Viale Regina Elena, Rome, Italy
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Gravina GL, Marampon F, Sanità P, Festuccia C, Forcella C, Scarsella L, Jitariuc A, Vetuschi A, Sferra R, Colapietro A, Carosa E, Dolci S, Lenzi A, Jannini EA. Episode-like pulse testosterone supplementation induces tumor senescence and growth arrest down-modulating androgen receptor through modulation of p-ERK1/2, pAR ser81 and CDK1 signaling: biological implications for men treated with testosterone replacement therapy. Oncotarget 2017; 8:113792-113806. [PMID: 29371946 PMCID: PMC5768363 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [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: 05/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the growing body of knowledge showing that testosterone (T) may not significantly affect tumor progression in hypogonadal patients treated for prostate cancer (Pca), the use of this hormone in this population still remains controversial. The effects of continuous or pulsed T stimulation were tested in vitro and in vivo on androgen-sensitive Pca cell lines in order to assess the differential biological properties of these two treatment modalities. Pulsed T treatment resulted in a greater inhibition than continuous T supplementation of tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. The effects of pulsed T treatment on tumor growth inhibition, G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, and tumor senescence was more pronounced than those obtained upon continuous T treatments. Mechanistic studies revealed that G0/G1 arrest and tumor senescence upon pulsed T treatment were associated with a marked decrease in cyclin D1, c-Myc and SKp2, CDK4 and p-Rb levels and upregulation of p27 and p-ERK1/2. Pulsed, but not continuous, T supplementation decreased the expression levels of AR, p-ARser81 and CDK1 in both cellular models. The in vitro results were confirmed in an in vivo xenografts, providing evidence of a greater inhibitory activity of pulsed supraphysiological T supplementation than continuous treatment, both in terms of tumor volume and decreased AR, p-ARser81, PSA and CDK1 staining. The rapid cycling from hypogonadal to physiological or supra-physiological T intraprostatic concentrations results in cytostatic and senescence effects in preclinical models of androgen-sensitive Pca. Our preclinical evidence provides relevant new insights in the biology of Pca response to pulsed T supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Prostate Onco-pathology and Experimental Endocrinology, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Prostate Onco-pathology and Experimental Endocrinology, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Patrizia Sanità
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Prostate Onco-pathology and Experimental Endocrinology, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Claudio Festuccia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Chiara Forcella
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Prostate Onco-pathology and Experimental Endocrinology, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Luca Scarsella
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Anna Jitariuc
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Antonella Vetuschi
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Roberta Sferra
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandro Colapietro
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Eleonora Carosa
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Prostate Onco-pathology and Experimental Endocrinology, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Susanna Dolci
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Anatomy, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Lenzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Chair of Endocrinology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Emmanuele A Jannini
- Department of Systems Medicine, Chair of Endocrinology and Medical Sexology (ENDOSEX), Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Gravina GL, Mancini A, Colapietro A, Marampon F, Sferra R, Pompili S, Biordi LA, Iorio R, Flati V, Argueta C, Landesman Y, Kauffman M, Shacham S, Festuccia C. Pharmacological treatment with inhibitors of nuclear export enhances the antitumor activity of docetaxel in human prostate cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 8:111225-111245. [PMID: 29340049 PMCID: PMC5762317 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [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: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Docetaxel (DTX) modestly increases patient survival of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) due to insurgence of pharmacological resistance. Deregulation of Chromosome Region Maintenance (CRM-1)/ exportin-1 (XPO-1)-mediated nuclear export may play a crucial role in this phenomenon. Material and methods Here, we evaluated the effects of two Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export (SINE) compounds, selinexor (KPT-330) and KPT-251, in association with DTX by using 22rv1, PC3 and DU145 cell lines with their. DTX resistant derivatives. Results and conclusions We show that DTX resistance may involve overexpression of β-III tubulin (TUBB3) and P-glycoprotein as well as increased cytoplasmic accumulation of Foxo3a. Increased levels of XPO-1 were also observed in DTX resistant cells suggesting that SINE compounds may modulate DTX effectiveness in sensitive cells as well as restore the sensitivity to DTX in resistant ones. Pretreatment with SINE compounds, indeed, sensitized to DTX through increased tumor shrinkage and apoptosis by preventing DTX-induced cell cycle arrest. Basally SINE compounds induce FOXO3a activation and nuclear accumulation increasing the expression of FOXO-responsive genes including p21, p27 and Bim causing cell cycle arrest. SINE compounds-catenin and survivin supporting apoptosis. βdown-regulated Cyclin D1, c-myc, Nuclear sequestration of p-Foxo3a was able to reduce ABCB1 and TUBB3 H2AX levels, prolonged γ expression. Selinexor treatment increased DTX-mediated double strand breaks (DSB), and reduced the levels of DNA repairing proteins including DNA PKc and Topo2A. Our results provide supportive evidence for the therapeutic use of SINE compounds in combination with DTX suggesting their clinical use in mCRPC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.,Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Radiotherapy, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Andrea Mancini
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandro Colapietro
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Roberta Sferra
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Human Anatomy, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Simona Pompili
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Human Anatomy, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Leda Assunta Biordi
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Pathology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Roberto Iorio
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Applied Biology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Flati
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Pathology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Claudio Festuccia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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De Felice F, Musio D, Cassese R, Gravina GL, Tombolini V. New Approaches in Glioblastoma Multiforme: The Potential Role of Immune- check Point Inhibitors. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2017; 17:282-289. [PMID: 27528363 DOI: 10.2174/1568009616666160813183738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Revised: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent brain tumor. Despite recent advances in treatment approaches the prognosis remains poor, with a median overall survival of 14.6 months. Immunotherapy is the subject of ongoing research and its benefit is becoming evident in other malignancies. Immune check-points such as cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death receptor (PD-1) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) reduce immune response. OBJECTIVE To clarify the role of immune check point inhibitors in GBM management. METHODS Preclinical and clinical trials of immune check-point inhibitors in GBM were obtained by searching for English peer-reviewed articles on PubMed databases, trials registered on clincaltrials. gov and abstracts recently presented at international congresses. RESULTS Immune check point inhibitors may be of critical importance for the design of future immunotherapy approaches in GBM management. CONCLUSION Immune check-point inhibitors should be considered a promising treatment option in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca De Felice
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 326, Rome, 00161, Italy
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Megiorni F, Gravina GL, Camero S, Ceccarelli S, Del Fattore A, Desiderio V, Papaccio F, McDowell HP, Shukla R, Pizzuti A, Beirinckx F, Pujuguet P, Saniere L, der Aar EV, Maggio R, De Felice F, Marchese C, Dominici C, Tombolini V, Festuccia C, Marampon F. Pharmacological targeting of the ephrin receptor kinase signalling by GLPG1790 in vitro and in vivo reverts oncophenotype, induces myogenic differentiation and radiosensitizes embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma cells. J Hematol Oncol 2017; 10:161. [PMID: 28985758 PMCID: PMC6389084 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-017-0530-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background EPH (erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular) receptors are clinically relevant targets in several malignancies. This report describes the effects of GLPG1790, a new potent pan-EPH inhibitor, in human embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) cell lines. Methods EPH-A2 and Ephrin-A1 mRNA expression was quantified by real-time PCR in 14 ERMS tumour samples and in normal skeletal muscle (NSM). GLPG1790 effects were tested in RD and TE671 cell lines, two in vitro models of ERMS, by performing flow cytometry analysis, Western blotting and immunofluorescence experiments. RNA interfering experiments were performed to assess the role of specific EPH receptors. Radiations were delivered using an x-6 MV photon linear accelerator. GLPG1790 (30 mg/kg) in vivo activity alone or in combination with irradiation (2 Gy) was determined in murine xenografts. Results Our study showed, for the first time, a significant upregulation of EPH-A2 receptor and Ephrin-A1 ligand in ERMS primary biopsies in comparison to NSM. GLPG1790 in vitro induced G1-growth arrest as demonstrated by Rb, Cyclin A and Cyclin B1 decrease, as well as by p21 and p27 increment. GLPG1790 reduced migratory capacity and clonogenic potential of ERMS cells, prevented rhabdosphere formation and downregulated CD133, CXCR4 and Nanog stem cell markers. Drug treatment committed ERMS cells towards skeletal muscle differentiation by inducing a myogenic-like phenotype and increasing MYOD1, Myogenin and MyHC levels. Furthermore, GLPG1790 significantly radiosensitized ERMS cells by impairing the DNA double-strand break repair pathway. Silencing of both EPH-A2 and EPH-B2, two receptors preferentially targeted by GLPG1790, closely matched the effects of the EPH pharmacological inhibition. GLPG1790 and radiation combined treatments reduced tumour mass by 83% in mouse TE671 xenografts. Conclusions Taken together, our data suggest that altered EPH signalling plays a key role in ERMS development and that its pharmacological inhibition might represent a potential therapeutic strategy to impair stemness and to rescue myogenic program in ERMS cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Megiorni
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Radiation Oncology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Simona Camero
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Ceccarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Del Fattore
- Multi-Factorial Disease and Complex Phenotype Research Area, Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Desiderio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biotechnology and Medical Histology and Embriology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Papaccio
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Surgery "F. Magrassi A. Lanzara", Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Heather P McDowell
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Oncology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Rajeev Shukla
- Department of Perinatal and Paediatric Pathology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Antonio Pizzuti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Filip Beirinckx
- Galapagos NV, Industriepark Mechelen Noord, General De Wittelaan L11 A3, 2880, Mechelen, Belgium
| | - Philippe Pujuguet
- Galapagos France, 102 avenue Gaston Roussel, 93230, Romainville, France
| | - Laurent Saniere
- Galapagos France, 102 avenue Gaston Roussel, 93230, Romainville, France
| | - Ellen Van der Aar
- Galapagos NV, Industriepark Mechelen Noord, General De Wittelaan L11 A3, 2880, Mechelen, Belgium
| | - Roberto Maggio
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Pharmacology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesca De Felice
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Marchese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Dominici
- Department of Paediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Tombolini
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Festuccia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Radiation Oncology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Radiation Oncology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
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Limoncin E, Gravina GL, Corona G, Maggi M, Ciocca G, Lenzi A, Jannini EA. Erectile function recovery in men treated with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor administration after bilateral nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy: a systematic review of placebo-controlled randomized trials with trial sequential analysis. Andrology 2017; 5:863-872. [PMID: 28787547 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [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: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The impact of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5I) treatment modality (on-demand vs. daily), PDE5I half-life and time from surgery to PDE5I prescription on the achievement of drug-assisted erectile function (EF) recovery is uncertain. We systematically reviewed published randomized clinical trials (RCTs). We performed meta-analyses of data on 2317 men treated with PDE5Is after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy (NSRP). A PubMed and SCOPUS search was performed for trials published from 1 January 1969 to 30 June 2016. PDE5Is are effective in achieving drug-assisted recovery of erectile function (EF). From a statistical standpoint, these studies were subjected to Trial Sequential Analysis to determine whether the pooled data were adequately powered to verify the study outcomes. On-demand treatment with PDE5Is was significantly better than daily treatment in recovering drug-assisted EF. This effect was maintained even when the drugs were stratified according with half-life. Although not based on head-to-head trials, Avanafil used on-demand was the most effective PDE5I in recovering drug-assisted EF. Whereas tadalafil was equally effective when used both on-demand and daily, vardenafil significantly improved drug-assisted EF recovery only when used on-demand. The start of PDE5I treatment six months or more after surgery compared to treatment started earlier did not negatively affect the rate of drug-assisted EF recovery or the possibility to have successful intercourse based on the Sexual Encounter Profile question-3 (SEP-3). Current trials do not support the hypothesis that PDE5I use recovers drug-unassisted EF, although chronic low-dose tadalafil administration may help to preserve erectile tissue integrity. Potential shortcomings in the trials design may partially explain these disappointing results and several questions concerning the recovery of drug-unassisted EF remain unanswered. Thus, there is a need for well-designed new RCTs requiring changes in the timing of PDE5I administration as well as in the dose and the treatment duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Limoncin
- Chair of Endocrinology and Medical Sexology (ENDOSEX), Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - G L Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences and Division of Radiotherapy and Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - G Corona
- Endocrinology Unit, Medical Department, Azienda Usl Bologna Maggiore-Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - M Maggi
- Chair of Endocrinology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - G Ciocca
- Chair of Endocrinology and Medical Sexology (ENDOSEX), Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - A Lenzi
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - E A Jannini
- Chair of Endocrinology and Medical Sexology (ENDOSEX), Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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Gravina GL, Mancini A, Colapietro A, Vitale F, Vetuschi A, Pompili S, Rossi G, Marampon F, Richardson PJ, Patient L, Patient L, Burbidge S, Festuccia C. The novel CXCR4 antagonist, PRX177561, reduces tumor cell proliferation and accelerates cancer stem cell differentiation in glioblastoma preclinical models. Tumour Biol 2017. [PMID: 28639900 DOI: 10.1177/1010428317695528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [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: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most frequent and the most lethal primary brain tumor among adults. Standard of care is the association of radiotherapy with concomitant or adjuvant temozolomide. However, to date, recurrence is inevitable. The CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway is upregulated in the glioblastoma tumor microenvironment regulating tumor cell proliferation, local invasion, angiogenesis, and the efficacy of radio-chemotherapy. In this study, we evaluated the effects of the novel CXCR4 antagonist, PRX177561, in preclinical models of glioblastoma. CXCR4 expression and PRX177561 effects were assessed on a panel of 12 human glioblastoma cells lines and 5 patient-derived glioblastoma stem cell cultures. Next, the effect of PRX177561 was tested in vivo, using subcutaneous injection of U87MG, U251, and T98G cells as well as orthotopic intrabrain inoculation of luciferase-transfected U87MG cells. Here we found that PRX177561 impairs the proliferation of human glioblastoma cell lines, increases apoptosis, and reduces CXCR4 expression and cell migration in response to stromal cell-derived factor 1alpha in vitro. PRX177561 reduced the expression of stem cell markers and increased that of E-cadherin and glial fibrillary acidic protein in U87MG cells consistent with a reduction in cancer stem cells. In vivo, PRX177561 reduced the weight and increased the time to progression of glioblastoma subcutaneous tumors while increasing disease-free survival and overall survival of mice bearing orthotopic tumors. Our findings suggest that targeting stromal cell-derived factor 1 alpha/CXCR4 axis by PRX177561 might represent a novel therapeutic approach against glioblastoma and support further investigation of this compound in more complex preclinical settings in order to determine its therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Luca Gravina
- 1 Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.,2 Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Division of Radiotherapy, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Andrea Mancini
- 1 Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandro Colapietro
- 1 Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Flora Vitale
- 3 Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Neurobiology Laboratory, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Antonella Vetuschi
- 4 Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Human Anatomy, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Simona Pompili
- 4 Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Human Anatomy, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giulia Rossi
- 5 Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesco Marampon
- 1 Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Lee Patient
- 1 Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Lee Patient
- 1 Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Claudio Festuccia
- 1 Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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Anselmi M, Catalucci A, Felli V, Vellucci V, Di Sibio A, Gravina GL, Di Staso M, Di Cesare E, Masciocchi C. Diagnostic accuracy of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and perfusion-weighted imaging in brain gliomas follow-up: a single institutional experience. Neuroradiol J 2017. [PMID: 28627984 DOI: 10.1177/1971400916688354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate whether proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are able to increase diagnostic accuracy in the follow-up of brain gliomas, identifying the progression of disease before it becomes evident in the standard MRI; also to evaluate which of the two techniques has the best diagnostic accuracy. Methods Eighty-three patients with cerebral glioma (50 high-grade gliomas (HGGs), 33 low-grade gliomas (LGGs)) were retrospectively enrolled. All patients underwent standard MRI, H spectroscopic and perfusion echo-planar imaging MRI. For spectroscopy variations of choline/creatine, choline/N-acetyl-aspartate ratio, and lipids and lactates peak were considered. For perfusion 2.0 was considered the cerebral blood volume cut-off for progression. The combination of functional parameters gave a multiparametric score (0-2) to predict outcome. Diagnostic performance was determined by the receiver operating characteristic curve, with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values. Results In patients with LGGs a combined score of at least 1 was the best predictor for progression (odds ratio (OR) 3.91) with 8.4 months median anticipation of diagnosis compared to standard MRI. The individual advanced magnetic resonance technique did not show a diagnostic accuracy comparable to the combination of the two. Overall diagnostic accuracy area under the curve (AUC) was 0.881. In patients with HGGs the multiparametric score did not improve diagnostic accuracy significantly. Perfusion MRI was the best predictor of progression (OR 3.65), with 6.7 months median anticipation of diagnosis. Overall diagnostic accuracy AUC was 0.897. Then spectroscopy and perfusion MRI are able to identify tumour progression during follow-up earlier than standard MRI. Conclusion In patients with LGGs the combination of the functional parameters seems to be the best method for diagnosis of progression. In patients with HGGs perfusion is the best diagnostic method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Anselmi
- 1 Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, San Salvatore Hospital of L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessia Catalucci
- 2 Division of Neuroradiology, Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Valentina Felli
- 3 Division of Radiology, Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Valentina Vellucci
- 3 Division of Radiology, Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandra Di Sibio
- 3 Division of Radiology, Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- 2 Division of Neuroradiology, Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Mario Di Staso
- 4 Department of Radiotherapy, Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Ernesto Di Cesare
- 3 Division of Radiology, Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Carlo Masciocchi
- 1 Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, San Salvatore Hospital of L'Aquila, Italy
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Festuccia C, Gravina GL. Editorial: New Therapeutic Approaches for the Treatment of Glioblastoma. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2017; 17:200-202. [PMID: 28322151 DOI: 10.2174/156800961703170201201627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Festuccia
- Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies Radiobiology Laboratory University of L'Aquila 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnologies Division of Radiotherapy University of L'Aquila 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
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Ciocca G, Niolu C, Déttore D, Antonelli P, Conte S, Tuziak B, Limoncin E, Mollaioli D, Carosa E, Gravina GL, Di Sante S, Di Lorenzo G, Fisher AD, Maggi M, Lenzi A, Siracusano A, Jannini EA. Cross-cultural and socio-demographic correlates of homophobic attitude among university students in three European countries. J Endocrinol Invest 2017; 40:227-233. [PMID: 27667822 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-016-0554-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate homophobic attitudes in three European countries: Italy, Albania, and Ukraine. One thousand and forty-eight students were recruited in Italian (n = 766), Albanian (n = 180), and Ukrainian (n = 102) university centers. METHODS A socio-demographic questionnaire and Homophobia Scale (HS) were administered by our staff. RESULTS Cross-cultural and significant differences among Italian, Albanian, and Ukrainian students were found on the Homophobia Scale (HS; Italy: mean = 22.26 ± 16.73; Albania: mean = 38.15 ± 17.28; Ukraine: mean = 59.18 ± 16.23). The analysis of socio-demographic characteristics revealed that the male gender emerged as main predictor of homophobic attitude in all the three countries, although also a conservative political orientation and the religious belief predict higher homophobia levels in Italy and Albania, particularly. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed that in these European countries assessed, attitudes toward homosexuality are different. Ukrainians display higher levels of homophobia than Albanians and Italians, confirming the central role of cultural differences in homophobic attitudes. Nevertheless, some socio-demographic aspects such as identification as male have a similar influence on homophobic attitudes in all assessed populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Ciocca
- Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00131, Rome, Italy
| | - C Niolu
- Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00131, Rome, Italy
| | - D Déttore
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - P Antonelli
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - S Conte
- Catholic University "Our Lady of Good Council", Tirana, Albania
| | - B Tuziak
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - E Limoncin
- Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00131, Rome, Italy
| | - D Mollaioli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - E Carosa
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - G L Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - S Di Sante
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - G Di Lorenzo
- Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00131, Rome, Italy
| | - A D Fisher
- Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - M Maggi
- Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - A Lenzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - A Siracusano
- Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00131, Rome, Italy
| | - E A Jannini
- Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00131, Rome, Italy.
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Gravina GL, Festuccia C, Popov VM, Di Rocco A, Colapietro A, Sanità P, Monache SD, Musio D, De Felice F, Di Cesare E, Tombolini V, Marampon F. c-Myc Sustains Transformed Phenotype and Promotes Radioresistance of Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma Cell Lines. Radiat Res 2017; 185:411-22. [PMID: 27104757 DOI: 10.1667/rr14237.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
We have previously reported that the MEK/ERK pathway sustains in vitro and in vivo transformed phenotype and radioresistance of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) cell lines. Furthermore, we found that aberrant MEK/ERK signaling activation promotes c-Myc oncoprotein accumulation. In this study, the role of c-Myc in sustaining the ERMS transformed and radioresistant phenotype is characterized. RD and TE671 cell lines conditionally expressing MadMyc chimera protein, c-Myc-dominant negative and shRNA directed to c-Myc were used. Targeting c-Myc counteracted in vitro ERMS adherence and in suspension, growth motility and the expression of pro-angiogenic factors. c-Myc depletion decreased MMP-9, MMP-2, u-PA gelatinolytic activity, neural cell adhesion molecule sialylation status, HIF-1α, VEGF and increased TSP-1 protein expression levels. Rapid but not sustained targeting c-Myc radiosensitized ERMS cells by radiation-induced apoptosis, DNA damage and impairing the expression of DNA repair proteins RAD51 and DNA-PKcs, thereby silencing affected ERMS radioresistance. c-Myc sustains ERMS transformed phenotype and radioresistance by protecting cancer cells from radiation-induced apoptosis and DNA damage, while promoting radiation-induced DNA repair. This data suggest that c-Myc targeting can be tested as a promising treatment in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- G L Gravina
- a Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - C Festuccia
- a Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - V M Popov
- b Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, Penn Center for Innovation Fellow, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - A Di Rocco
- c Department of Orthopedics/Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and
| | - A Colapietro
- a Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - P Sanità
- a Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - S Delle Monache
- a Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - D Musio
- d Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - F De Felice
- d Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - E Di Cesare
- a Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - V Tombolini
- d Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - F Marampon
- a Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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Benedetti E, d'Angelo M, Ammazzalorso A, Gravina GL, Laezza C, Antonosante A, Panella G, Cinque B, Cristiano L, Dhez AC, Astarita C, Galzio R, Cifone MG, Ippoliti R, Amoroso R, Di Cesare E, Giordano A, Cimini A. PPARα Antagonist AA452 Triggers Metabolic Reprogramming and Increases Sensitivity to Radiation Therapy in Human Glioblastoma Primary Cells. J Cell Physiol 2016; 232:1458-1466. [PMID: 27736000 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common cancer in the brain and with an increasing incidence. Despite major advances in the field, there is no curative therapy for GB to date. Many solid tumors, including GB, experienced metabolic reprogramming in order to sustain uncontrolled proliferation, hypoxic conditions, and angiogenesis. PPARs, member of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily, are particularly involved in the control of energetic metabolism, particularly lipid metabolism, which has been reported deregulated in gliomas. PPARα was previously indicated by us as a potential therapeutic target for this neoplasm, due to the malignancy grade dependency of its expression, being particularly abundant in GB. In this work, we used a new PPARα antagonist on patient-derived GB primary cells, with particular focus on the effects on lipid metabolism and response to radiotherapy. The results obtained demonstrated that blocking PPARα results in cell death induction, increase of radiosensitivity, and decrease of migration. Therefore, AA452 is proposed as a new adjuvant for the gold standard therapies for GB, opening the possibility for preclinical and clinical trials for this class of compounds. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 1458-1466, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Benedetti
- Depatment of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Michele d'Angelo
- Depatment of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Chiara Laezza
- Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology (IEOS), CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Antonosante
- Depatment of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Gloria Panella
- Depatment of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Benedetta Cinque
- Depatment of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Loredana Cristiano
- Depatment of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Anne Chloè Dhez
- Depatment of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Carlo Astarita
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Renato Galzio
- Depatment of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Cifone
- Depatment of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Ippoliti
- Depatment of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Rosa Amoroso
- Department of Pharmacy, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Ernesto Di Cesare
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Annamaria Cimini
- Depatment of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.,Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS), National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Assergi, Italy
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