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Arduino I, Di Fonte R, Tiboni M, Porcelli L, Serratì S, Fondaj D, Rafaschieri T, Cutrignelli A, Guida G, Casettari L, Azzariti A, Lopedota AA, Denora N, Iacobazzi RM. Microfluidic development and biological evaluation of targeted therapy-loaded biomimetic nano system to improve the metastatic melanoma treatment. Int J Pharm 2024; 650:123697. [PMID: 38081557 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Optimizing current therapies is among next steps in metastatic melanoma (MM) treatment landscape. The innovation of this study is the design of production process by microfluidics of cell membrane (CM)-modified nanoparticles (NPs), as an emerging biomimetic platform that allows for reduced immune clearance, long blood circulation time and improved specific tumor targeting. To achieve melanoma selectivity, direct membrane fusion between synthetic liposomes and CMs extracted from MM cell line was performed by microfluidic sonication approach, then the hybrid liposomes were loaded with cobimetinib (Cob) or lenvatinib (Lenva) targeting agents and challenged against MM cell lines and liver cancer cell line to evaluate homotypic targeting and antitumor efficacy. Characterization studies demonstrated the effective fusion of CM with liposome and the high encapsulation efficiency of both drugs, showing the proficiency of microfluidic-based production. By studying the targeting of melanoma cells by hybrid liposomes versus liposomes, we found that both NPs entered cells through endocytosis, whereas the former showed higher selectivity for MM cells from which CM was extracted, with 8-fold higher cellular uptake than liposomes. Hybrid liposome formulation of Cob and Lenva reduced melanoma cells viability to a greater extent than liposomes and free drug and, notably, showed negligible toxicity as demonstrated by bona fide haemolysis test. The CM-modified NPs presented here have the potential to broaden the choice of therapeutic options in MM treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Arduino
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Mattia Tiboni
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Piazza del Rinascimento 6, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | | | - Simona Serratì
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Dafina Fondaj
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Annalisa Cutrignelli
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Gabriella Guida
- Department of Traslational Biomedicine and Neuroscience (DiBraiN), School of Medicine, University of Bari "A. Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Luca Casettari
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Piazza del Rinascimento 6, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | | | - Nunzio Denora
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Iacobazzi
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy.
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Serratì S, Di Fonte R, Porcelli L, De Summa S, De Risi I, Fucci L, Ruggieri E, Marvulli TM, Strippoli S, Fasano R, Rafaschieri T, Guida G, Guida M, Azzariti A. Circulating extracellular vesicles are monitoring biomarkers of anti-PD1 response and enhancer of tumor progression and immunosuppression in metastatic melanoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:251. [PMID: 37759291 PMCID: PMC10538246 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02808-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical drawback in checkpoint inhibitors immunotherapy (ICI) of metastatic melanoma (MM) is monitoring clinical benefit. Soluble forms of PD1(sPD1) and PD-L1(sPD-L1) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) expressing PD1 and PD-L1 have recently emerged as predictive biomarkers of response. As factors released in the blood, EVs and soluble forms could be relevant in monitoring treatment efficacy and adaptive resistance to ICI. METHODS We used pre-therapy plasma samples of 110 MM patients and longitudinal samples of 46 patients. Elisa assay and flow cytometry (FCM) were used to measure sPD-L1 and sPD1 concentrations and the percentage of PD1+ EVs and PD-L1+ EVs, released from tumor and immune cells in patients subsets. Transwell assays were conducted to investigate the impact of EVs of each patient subset on MM cells invasion and interaction between tumor cells and macrophages or dendritic cells. Viability assays were performed to assess EVs effect on MM cells and organoids sensitivity to anti-PD1. FCM was used to investigate immunosuppressive markers in EVs and immune cells. RESULTS The concentrations of sPD1 and sPD-L1 in pre-treatment and longitudinal samples did not correlate with anti-PD1 response, instead only tumor-derived PD1+ EVs decreased in long responders while increased during disease progression in responders. Notably, we observed reduction of T cell derived EVs expressing LAG3+ and PD1+ in long responders and their increase in responders experiencing progression. By investigating the impact of EVs on disease progression, we found that those isolated from non-responders and from patients with progression disease accelerated tumor cells invasiveness and migration towards macrophages, while EVs of long responders reduced the metastatic potential of MM cells and neo-angiogenesis. Additionally, the EVs of non-responders and of progression disease patients subset reduced the sensitivity of MM cells and organoids of responder to anti-PD1 and the recruitment of dendritic cells, while the EVs of progression disease subset skewed macrophages to express higher level of PDL-1. CONCLUSION Collectively, we suggest that the detection of tumor-derived PD1 + EVs may represent a useful tool for monitoring the response to anti-PD1 and a role for EVs shed by tumor and immune cells in promoting tumor progression and immune dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Serratì
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.Le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Di Fonte
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.Le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Letizia Porcelli
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.Le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Simona De Summa
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.Le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Ivana De Risi
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.Le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Livia Fucci
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.Le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Eustachio Ruggieri
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.Le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Sabino Strippoli
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.Le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Rossella Fasano
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.Le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Tania Rafaschieri
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.Le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Gabriella Guida
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Michele Guida
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.Le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.Le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy.
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Di Fonte R, Strippoli S, Garofoli M, Cormio G, Serratì S, Loizzi V, Fasano R, Arezzo F, Volpicella M, Derakhshani A, Guida M, Porcelli L, Azzariti A. Cervical cancer benefits from trabectedin combination with the β-blocker propranolol: in vitro and ex vivo evaluations in patient-derived organoids. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1178316. [PMID: 37384250 PMCID: PMC10294430 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1178316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is characterized by genomic alterations in DNA repair genes, which could favor treatment with agents causing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), such as trabectedin. Hence, we evaluated the capability of trabectedin to inhibit CC viability and used ovarian cancer (OC) models as a reference. Since chronic stress may promote gynecological cancer and may hinder the efficacy of therapy, we investigated the potential of targeting β-adrenergic receptors with propranolol to enhance trabectedin efficacy and change tumor immunogenicity. Methods: OC cell lines, Caov-3 and SK-OV-3, CC cell lines, HeLa and OV2008, and patient-derived organoids were used as study models. MTT and 3D cell viability assays were used for drug(s) IC50 determination. The analysis of apoptosis, JC-1 mitochondrial membrane depolarization, cell cycle, and protein expression was performed by flow cytometry. Cell target modulation analyses were carried out by gene expression, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunocytochemistry. Results: Trabectedin reduced the proliferation of both CC and OC cell lines and notably of CC patient-derived organoids. Mechanistically, trabectedin caused DNA DSBs and S-phase cell cycle arrest. Despite DNA DSBs, cells failed the formation of nuclear RAD51 foci and underwent apoptosis. Under norepinephrine stimulation, propranolol enhanced trabectedin efficacy, further inducing apoptosis through the involvement of mitochondria, Erk1/2 activation, and the increase of inducible COX-2. Notably, trabectedin and propranolol affected the expression of PD1 in both CC and OC cell lines. Conclusion: Overall, our results show that CC is responsive to trabectedin and provide translational evidence that could benefit CC treatment options. Our study pointed out that combined treatment offset trabectedin resistance caused by β-adrenergic receptor activation in both ovarian and cervical cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Vera Loizzi
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Arezzo
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Policlinico Hospital, “Aldo Moro” University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Volpicella
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Afshin Derakhshani
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Michele Guida
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari, Italy
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Doronzo A, Porcelli L, Marziliano D, Inglese G, Argentiero A, Azzariti A, Solimando AG. Gene Expression Comparison between Alcohol-Exposed versus Not Exposed Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Patients Reveals a Peculiar TGFβ-Related Phenotype: An Exploratory Analysis. Medicina (Kaunas) 2023; 59:medicina59050872. [PMID: 37241104 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59050872] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Background: Over the past few decades, there has been much debate and research into the link between alcohol consumption and the development and progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Objectives: To contribute to the ongoing discussion and gain further insights into this topic, our study analysed the gene expression differences in PDAC patients based on their alcohol consumption history. Methods: To this end, we interrogated a large publicly available dataset. We next validated our findings in vitro. Results: Our findings revealed that patients with a history of alcohol consumption showed significant enrichment in the TGFβ-pathway: a signaling pathway implicated in cancer development and tumor progression. Specifically, our bioinformatic dissection of gene expression differences in 171 patients with PDAC showed that those who had consumed alcohol had higher levels of TGFβ-related genes. Moreover, we validated the role of the TGFβ pathway as one of the molecular drivers in producing massive stroma, a hallmark feature of PDAC, in patients with a history of alcohol consumption. This suggests that inhibition of the TGFβ pathway could serve as a novel therapeutic target for PDAC patients with a history of alcohol consumption and lead to increased sensitivity to chemotherapy. Our study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the link between alcohol consumption and PDAC progression. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the potential significance of the TGFβ pathway as a therapeutic target. The development of TGFβ-inhibitors may pave the way for developing more effective treatment strategies for PDAC patients with a history of alcohol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Doronzo
- U.O.C. Oncologia-Ospedale Mons. R. Dimiccoli, 76121 Barletta, Italy
| | - Letizia Porcelli
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II" of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Donatello Marziliano
- Guido Baccelli Unit of Internal Medicine, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area-(DiMePRe-J), School of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Inglese
- Guido Baccelli Unit of Internal Medicine, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area-(DiMePRe-J), School of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonella Argentiero
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II" of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II" of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Giovanni Solimando
- Guido Baccelli Unit of Internal Medicine, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area-(DiMePRe-J), School of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
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Porcelli L, Di Fonte R, Pierri CL, Fucci L, Saponaro C, Armenio A, Serratì S, Strippoli S, Fasano R, Volpicella M, Daprile R, Tommasi S, Ressa CM, Guida M, Azzariti A. BRAF V600E;K601Q metastatic melanoma patient-derived organoids and docking analysis to predict the response to targeted therapy. Pharmacol Res 2022; 182:106323. [PMID: 35752358 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The V600E mutation in BRAF is associated with increased phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and high sensitivity to BRAFi/MEKi combination in metastatic melanoma. In very few patients, a tandem mutation in BRAF, V600 and K601, causes a different response to BRAFi/MEKi combination. BRAFV600E;K601Q patient-derived organoids (PDOs) were generated to investigate targeted therapy efficacy and docking analysis was used to assess BRAFV600E;K601Q interactions with Vemurafenib. PDOs were not sensitive to Vemurafenib and Cobimetinib given alone and sensitive to their combination, although not as responsive as BRAFV600E PDOs. The docking analysis justified such a result showing that the tandem mutation in BRAF reduced the affinity for Vemurafenib. Tumor analysis showed that BRAFV600E;K601Q displayed both increased phosphorylation of Erk1/2 at cytoplasmic level and activation of Notch resistance signaling. This prompted us to inhibit Notch signaling with Nirogacestat, achieving a greater antitumor response and providing PDOs-based evaluation of treatment efficacy in such rare metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Porcelli
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Di Fonte
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Ciro L Pierri
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, Biopharmaceutics, University "Aldo Moro" of Bari, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Livia Fucci
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Concetta Saponaro
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Andrea Armenio
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Simona Serratì
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Sabino Strippoli
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Rossella Fasano
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Volpicella
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, Biopharmaceutics, University "Aldo Moro" of Bari, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Rossana Daprile
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Stefania Tommasi
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Cosmo M Ressa
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Michele Guida
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy.
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Danza K, Porcelli L, De Summa S, Di Fonte R, Pilato B, Lacalamita R, Serratì S, Azzariti A, Tommasi S. The ERRα-VDR axis promotes calcitriol degradation and estrogen signaling in breast cancer cells, while VDR-CYP24A1-ERRα overexpression correlates with poor prognosis in patients with basal-like breast cancer. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:904-920. [PMID: 34003583 PMCID: PMC8847991 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13013] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D is used to reduce cancer risk and improve the outcome of cancer patients, but the vitamin D receptor (VDR; also known as the calcitriol receptor) pathway needs to be functionally intact to ensure the biological effects of circulating calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D. Besides estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα) has also been shown to interfere with the VDR pathway, but its role in the antitumor and transactivation activity of calcitriol is completely unknown in breast cancer (BC). We observed that ERRα functionally supported the proliferation of BC cell lines and acted as a calcitriol-induced regulator of VDR. As such, ERRα deregulated the calcitriol-VDR transcription by enhancing the expression of CYP24A1 as well as of both ERα and aromatase (CYP19A1) in calcitriol-treated cells. ERRα knockdown limited the effect of calcitriol by reducing calcitriol-induced G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest and by affecting the expression of cyclin D1 and p21/Waf. The interactome analysis suggested that Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-α (PGC-1α) and Proline-, glutamic acid-, and leucine-rich protein 1 (PELP1) are key players in the genomic actions of the calcitriol-VDR-ERRα axis. Evaluation of patient outcomes in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset showed the translational significance of the biological effects of the VDR-ERRα axis, highlighting that VDR, CYP24A1, and ERRα overexpression correlates with poor prognosis in basal-like BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia Danza
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics UnitIRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo IIBariItaly
| | - Letizia Porcelli
- Laboratory of Experimental PharmacologyIRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo IIBariItaly
| | - Simona De Summa
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics UnitIRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo IIBariItaly
| | - Roberta Di Fonte
- Laboratory of Experimental PharmacologyIRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo IIBariItaly
| | - Brunella Pilato
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics UnitIRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo IIBariItaly
| | - Rosanna Lacalamita
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics UnitIRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo IIBariItaly
| | - Simona Serratì
- Laboratory of NanotechnologyIRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo IIBariItaly
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Laboratory of Experimental PharmacologyIRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo IIBariItaly
| | - Stefania Tommasi
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics UnitIRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo IIBariItaly
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Serratì S, Guida M, Di Fonte R, De Summa S, Strippoli S, Iacobazzi RM, Quarta A, De Risi I, Guida G, Paradiso A, Porcelli L, Azzariti A. Circulating extracellular vesicles expressing PD1 and PD-L1 predict response and mediate resistance to checkpoint inhibitors immunotherapy in metastatic melanoma. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:20. [PMID: 35042524 PMCID: PMC8764806 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01490-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [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: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The immunotherapy with immune checkpoints inhibitors (ICI) has changed the life expectancy in metastatic melanoma (MM) patients. Nevertheless, several patients do not respond hence, the identification and validation of novel biomarkers of response to ICI is of crucial importance. Circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) such as PD-L1+ EV mediate resistance to anti-PD1, instead the role of PD1+ EV is not fully understood. METHODS We isolated the circulating EVs from the plasma of an observational cohort study of 71 metastatic melanoma patients and correlated the amount of PD-L1+ EVs and PD1+ EVs with the response to ICI. The analysis was performed according to the origin of EVs from the tumor and the immune cells. Subsequently, we analysed the data in a validation cohort of 22 MM patients to assess the reliability of identified EV-based biomarkers. Additionally we assessed the involvement of PD1+ EVs in the seizure of nivolumab and in the perturbation of immune cells-mediated killing of melanoma spheroids. RESULTS The level of PD-L1+ EVs released from melanoma and CD8+ T cells and that of PD1+ EVs irrespective of the cellular origin were higher in non-responders. The Kaplan-Meier curves indicated that higher levels of PD1+ EVs were significantly correlated with poorer progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Significant correlations were found for PD-L1+ EVs only when released from melanoma and T cells. The multivariate analysis showed that high level of PD1+ EVs, from T cells and B cells, and high level of PD-L1+ EVs from melanoma cells, are independent biomarkers of response. The reliability of PD-L1+ EVs from melanoma and PD1+ EVs from T cells in predicting PFS was confirmed in the validation cohort through the univariate Cox-hazard regression analysis. Moreover we discovered that the circulating EVs captured nivolumab and reduced the T cells trafficking and tumor spheroids killing. CONCLUSION Our study identified circulating PD1+ EVs as driver of resistance to anti-PD1, and highlighted that the analysis of single EV population by liquid biopsy is a promising tool to stratify MM patients for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Serratì
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Michele Guida
- Rare Tumors and Melanoma Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Di Fonte
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Simona De Summa
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Sabino Strippoli
- Rare Tumors and Melanoma Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Iacobazzi
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Quarta
- CNR NANOTEC-Istituto di Nanotecnologia, National Research Council (CNR), via Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Ivana De Risi
- Rare Tumors and Melanoma Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Gabriella Guida
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Angelo Paradiso
- Scientific Directorate, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Letizia Porcelli
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy.
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, V.le O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy.
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8
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Iacobazzi RM, Arduino I, Di Fonte R, Lopedota AA, Serratì S, Racaniello G, Bruno V, Laquintana V, Lee BC, Silvestris N, Leonetti F, Denora N, Porcelli L, Azzariti A. Microfluidic-Assisted Preparation of Targeted pH-Responsive Polymeric Micelles Improves Gemcitabine Effectiveness in PDAC: In Vitro Insights. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:cancers14010005. [PMID: 35008170 PMCID: PMC8750671 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This research suggests a new potential therapeutic approach to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma to improve drug effectiveness and overcome drug resistance. A double actively targeted gemcitabine delivery system, consisting of polymeric micelles, was developed by microfluidic technique to ensure a narrow size distribution, a good colloidal stability, and drug-encapsulation efficiency for the selective and controlled release of the loaded drug, in response to the pH variations and uPAR expression in tumors. In vitro studies assessed that the release of the drug in the acidic environment was higher than in the neutral one, and that the pH-responsive and uPAR-targeted polymeric micelles enhanced the antitumor properties of gemcitabine in models resembling the pancreatic tumor microenvironment. Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represents a great challenge to the successful delivery of the anticancer drugs. The intrinsic characteristics of the PDAC microenvironment and drugs resistance make it suitable for therapeutic approaches with stimulus-responsive drug delivery systems (DDSs), such as pH, within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Moreover, the high expression of uPAR in PDAC can be exploited for a drug receptor-mediated active targeting strategy. Here, a pH-responsive and uPAR-targeted Gemcitabine (Gem) DDS, consisting of polymeric micelles (Gem@TpHResMic), was formulated by microfluidic technique to obtain a preparation characterized by a narrow size distribution, good colloidal stability, and high drug-encapsulation efficiency (EE%). The Gem@TpHResMic was able to perform a controlled Gem release in an acidic environment and to selectively target uPAR-expressing tumor cells. The Gem@TpHResMic displayed relevant cellular internalization and greater antitumor properties than free Gem in 2D and 3D models of pancreatic cancer, by generating massive damage to DNA, in terms of H2AX phosphorylation and apoptosis induction. Further investigation into the physiological model of PDAC, obtained by a co-culture of tumor spheroids and cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF), highlighted that the micellar system enhanced the antitumor potential of Gem, and was demonstrated to overcome the TME-dependent drug resistance. In vivo investigation is warranted to consider this new DDS as a new approach to overcome drug resistance in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Maria Iacobazzi
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (R.M.I.); (R.D.F.); (V.B.); (A.A.)
| | - Ilaria Arduino
- Department of Pharmacy–Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy; (I.A.); (A.A.L.); (G.R.); (V.L.); (F.L.)
| | - Roberta Di Fonte
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (R.M.I.); (R.D.F.); (V.B.); (A.A.)
| | - Angela Assunta Lopedota
- Department of Pharmacy–Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy; (I.A.); (A.A.L.); (G.R.); (V.L.); (F.L.)
| | - Simona Serratì
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Racaniello
- Department of Pharmacy–Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy; (I.A.); (A.A.L.); (G.R.); (V.L.); (F.L.)
| | - Viviana Bruno
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (R.M.I.); (R.D.F.); (V.B.); (A.A.)
| | - Valentino Laquintana
- Department of Pharmacy–Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy; (I.A.); (A.A.L.); (G.R.); (V.L.); (F.L.)
| | - Byung-Chul Lee
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam 13620, Korea;
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II” of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences Human Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Leonetti
- Department of Pharmacy–Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy; (I.A.); (A.A.L.); (G.R.); (V.L.); (F.L.)
| | - Nunzio Denora
- Department of Pharmacy–Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy; (I.A.); (A.A.L.); (G.R.); (V.L.); (F.L.)
- Correspondence: (N.D.); (L.P.); Tel.: +39-0805442767 (N.D.); +39-0805555986 (L.P.)
| | - Letizia Porcelli
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (R.M.I.); (R.D.F.); (V.B.); (A.A.)
- Correspondence: (N.D.); (L.P.); Tel.: +39-0805442767 (N.D.); +39-0805555986 (L.P.)
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (R.M.I.); (R.D.F.); (V.B.); (A.A.)
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, 70124 Bari, Italy;
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Manganelli M, Guida S, Ferretta A, Pellacani G, Porcelli L, Azzariti A, Guida G. Behind the Scene: Exploiting MC1R in Skin Cancer Risk and Prevention. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1093. [PMID: 34356109 PMCID: PMC8305013 DOI: 10.3390/genes12071093] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most frequent cancers of the skin in white populations. An increased risk in the development of skin cancers has been associated with the combination of several environmental factors (i.e., ultraviolet exposure) and genetic background, including melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) status. In the last few years, advances in the diagnosis of skin cancers provided a great impact on clinical practice. Despite these advances, NMSCs are still the most common malignancy in humans and melanoma still shows a rising incidence and a poor prognosis when diagnosed at an advanced stage. Efforts are required to underlie the genetic and clinical heterogeneity of melanoma and NMSCs, leading to an optimization of the management of affected patients. The clinical implications of the impact of germline MC1R variants in melanoma and NMSCs' risk, together with the additional risk conferred by somatic mutations in other peculiar genes, as well as the role of MC1R screening in skin cancers' prevention will be addressed in the current review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Manganelli
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari-“Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (M.M.); (A.F.)
- DMMT-Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefania Guida
- Department of Surgical-Medical-Dental and Morphological Science with Interest Transplant-Oncological and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy;
| | - Anna Ferretta
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari-“Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (M.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Giovanni Pellacani
- Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Dermatology Clinic, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Letizia Porcelli
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.P.); (A.A.)
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.P.); (A.A.)
| | - Gabriella Guida
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari-“Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy; (M.M.); (A.F.)
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Serratì S, Porcelli L, Fragassi F, Garofoli M, Di Fonte R, Fucci L, Iacobazzi RM, Palazzo A, Margheri F, Cristiani G, Albano A, De Luca R, Altomare DF, Simone M, Azzariti A. The Interaction between Reactive Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells and Tumor Cells via Extracellular Vesicles Facilitates Colorectal Cancer Dissemination. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13102505. [PMID: 34065529 PMCID: PMC8161093 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13102505] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) is highly metastatic and often results in peritoneal dissemination. The extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by cancer cells in the microenvironment are important mediators of tumor metastasis. We investigated the contribution of EV-mediated interaction between peritoneal mesothelial cells (MCs) and CRC cells in generating a pro-metastatic environment in the peritoneal cavity. Peritoneal MCs isolated from peritoneal lavage fluids displayed high CD44 expression, substantial mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (MMT) and released EVs that both directed tumor invasion and caused reprogramming of secretory profiles by increasing TGF-β1 and uPA/uPAR expression and MMP-2/9 activation in tumor cells. Notably, the EVs released by tumor cells induced apoptosis by activating caspase-3, peritoneal MC senescence, and MMT, thereby augmenting the tumor-promoting potential of these cells in the peritoneal cavity. By using pantoprazole, we reduced the biogenesis of EVs and their pro-tumor functions. In conclusion, our findings provided evidence of underlying mechanisms of CRC dissemination driven by the interaction of peritoneal MCs and tumor cells via the EVs released in the peritoneal cavity, which may have important implications for the clinical management of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Serratì
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (S.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Letizia Porcelli
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco 65, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.P.); (M.G.); (R.D.F.); (R.M.I.)
| | - Francesco Fragassi
- Department of Surgery Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (F.F.); (R.D.L.); (D.F.A.); (M.S.)
| | - Marianna Garofoli
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco 65, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.P.); (M.G.); (R.D.F.); (R.M.I.)
| | - Roberta Di Fonte
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco 65, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.P.); (M.G.); (R.D.F.); (R.M.I.)
| | - Livia Fucci
- Pathology Department, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.F.); (G.C.)
| | - Rosa Maria Iacobazzi
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco 65, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.P.); (M.G.); (R.D.F.); (R.M.I.)
| | - Antonio Palazzo
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (S.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Francesca Margheri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Grazia Cristiani
- Pathology Department, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.F.); (G.C.)
| | - Anna Albano
- Clinical Trial Center, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Raffaele De Luca
- Department of Surgery Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (F.F.); (R.D.L.); (D.F.A.); (M.S.)
| | - Donato Francesco Altomare
- Department of Surgery Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (F.F.); (R.D.L.); (D.F.A.); (M.S.)
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University Aldo Moro of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Michele Simone
- Department of Surgery Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (F.F.); (R.D.L.); (D.F.A.); (M.S.)
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco 65, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.P.); (M.G.); (R.D.F.); (R.M.I.)
- Correspondence:
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11
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Porcelli L, Guida M, De Summa S, Di Fonte R, De Risi I, Garofoli M, Caputo M, Negri A, Strippoli S, Serratì S, Azzariti A. uPAR + extracellular vesicles: a robust biomarker of resistance to checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy in metastatic melanoma patients. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002372. [PMID: 33972390 PMCID: PMC8112420 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [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] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Emerging evidence has highlighted the importance of extracellular vesicle (EV)-based biomarkers of resistance to immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic melanoma. Considering the tumor-promoting implications of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) signaling, this study aimed to assess uPAR expression in the plasma-derived EVs of patients with metastatic melanoma to determine its potential correlation with clinical outcomes. Methods Blood samples from 71 patients with metastatic melanoma were collected before initiating immunotherapy. Tumor-derived and immune cell-derived EVs were isolated and analyzed to assess the relative percentage of uPAR+ EVs. The associations between uPAR and clinical outcomes, sex, BRAF status, baseline lactate dehydrogenase levels and number of metastatic sites were assessed. Results Responders had a significantly lower percentage of tumor-derived, dendritic cell (DC)-derived and CD8+ T cell-derived uPAR +EVs at baseline than non-responders. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves for the uPAR+EV quartiles indicated that higher levels of melanoma-derived uPAR+ EVs were strongly correlated with poorer progression-free survival (p<0.0001) and overall survival (p<0.0001). We also found a statistically significant correlation between lower levels of uPAR+ EVs from both CD8+ T cells and DCs and better survival. Conclusions Our results indicate that higher levels of tumor-derived, DC-derived and CD8+ T cell-derived uPAR+ EVs in non-responders may represent a new biomarker of innate resistance to immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors. Moreover, uPAR+ EVs represent a new potential target for future therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Porcelli
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Michele Guida
- Rare tumors and Melanoma Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Simona De Summa
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Di Fonte
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Ivana De Risi
- Rare tumors and Melanoma Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Marianna Garofoli
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Mariapia Caputo
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Negri
- Haematology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Sabino Strippoli
- Rare tumors and Melanoma Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Simona Serratì
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
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De Summa S, Palazzo A, Caputo M, Iacobazzi RM, Pilato B, Porcelli L, Tommasi S, Paradiso AV, Azzariti A. Long Non-Coding RNA Landscape in Prostate Cancer Molecular Subtypes: A Feature Selection Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2227. [PMID: 33672425 PMCID: PMC7926489 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies in men. It is characterized by a high molecular genomic heterogeneity and, thus, molecular subtypes, that, to date, have not been used in clinical practice. In the present paper, we aimed to better stratify prostate cancer patients through the selection of robust long non-coding RNAs. To fulfill the purpose of the study, a bioinformatic approach focused on feature selection applied to a TCGA dataset was used. In such a way, LINC00668 and long non-coding(lnc)-SAYSD1-1, able to discriminate ERG/not-ERG subtypes, were demonstrated to be positive prognostic biomarkers in ERG-positive patients. Furthermore, we performed a comparison between mutated prostate cancer, identified as "classified", and a group of patients with no peculiar genomic alteration, named "not-classified". Moreover, LINC00920 lncRNA overexpression has been linked to a better outcome of the hormone regimen. Through the feature selection approach, it was found that the overexpression of lnc-ZMAT3-3 is related to low-grade patients, and three lncRNAs: lnc-SNX10-87, lnc-AP1S2-2, and ADPGK-AS1 showed, through a co-expression analysis, significant correlation values with potentially druggable pathways. In conclusion, the data mining of publicly available data and robust bioinformatic analyses are able to explore the unknown biology of malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona De Summa
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics Unit, IRCCS IstitutoTumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.C.); (B.P.); (S.T.)
| | - Antonio Palazzo
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology, IRCCS IstitutoTumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Mariapia Caputo
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics Unit, IRCCS IstitutoTumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.C.); (B.P.); (S.T.)
| | - Rosa Maria Iacobazzi
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (R.M.I.); (L.P.); (A.A.)
| | - Brunella Pilato
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics Unit, IRCCS IstitutoTumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.C.); (B.P.); (S.T.)
| | - Letizia Porcelli
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (R.M.I.); (L.P.); (A.A.)
| | - Stefania Tommasi
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics Unit, IRCCS IstitutoTumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.C.); (B.P.); (S.T.)
| | | | - Amalia Azzariti
- Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (R.M.I.); (L.P.); (A.A.)
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Porcelli L, Mazzotta A, Garofoli M, Di Fonte R, Guida G, Guida M, Tommasi S, Azzariti A. Active notch protects MAPK activated melanoma cell lines from MEK inhibitor cobimetinib. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 133:111006. [PMID: 33202284 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.111006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The crosstalk between Notch and MAPK pathway plays a role in MEK inhibitor resistance in BRAFV600E metastatic melanoma (MM) and promotes migration in GNAQQ209L uveal melanoma (UM) cells. We determined the cytotoxicity of combinatorial inhibition of MEK and Notch by cobimetinib and γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI) nirogacestat, in BRAFV600E and BRAF wt MM and GNAQQ209L UM cells displaying different Erk1/2 and Notch activation status, with the aim to elucidate the impact of Notch signaling in the response to MEK inhibitor. Overall the combination was synergic in BRAFV600E MM and GNAQQ209L UM cells and antagonistic in BRAF wt one. Focusing on UM cells, we found that cobimetinib resulted in G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis induction, whereas the combination with GSI increased treatment efficacy by inducing a senescent-like state of cells and by blocking migration towards liver cancer cells. Mechanistically, this was reflected in a strong reduction of cyclin D1, in the inactivation of retinoblastoma protein and in the increase of p27KIP1 expression levels. Of note, each drug alone prevented Notch signaling activation resulting in inhibition of c-jun(Ser63) and Hes-1 expression. The combination achieved the strongest inhibition on Notch signaling and on both c-jun(Ser63) and Erk1/2 activation level. In conclusion we unveiled a coordinate action of MAPK and Notch signaling in promoting proliferation of BRAFV600E MM and GNAQQ209L UM cells. Remarkably, the simultaneous inhibition of MEK and Notch signaling highlighted a role for the second pathway in protecting cells against senescence in GNAQQ209L UM cells treated with the MEK inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Porcelli
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, Italia, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | | | | | - Roberta Di Fonte
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, Italia, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Gabriella Guida
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, P.zza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Stefania Tommasi
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics Unit IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II" di Bari, Italia, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, Italia, 70124, Bari, Italy.
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Garofoli M, Volpicella M, Guida M, Porcelli L, Azzariti A. The Role of Non-Coding RNAs as Prognostic Factor, Predictor of Drug Response or Resistance and Pharmacological Targets, in the Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092552. [PMID: 32911687 PMCID: PMC7565940 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is the most common keratinocyte-derived skin cancer in the Caucasian population. Exposure to UV radiations (UVRs) represents the main risk carcinogenesis, causing a considerable accumulation of DNA damage in epidermal keratinocytes with an uncontrolled hyperproliferation and tumor development. The limited and rarely durable response of CSCC to the current therapeutic options has led researchers to look for new therapeutic strategies. Recently, the multi-omics approaches have contributed to the identification and prediction of the key role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), circularRNAs (circRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the regulation of several cellular processes in different tumor types, including CSCC. ncRNAs can modulate transcriptional and post-transcriptional events by interacting either with each other or with DNA and proteins, such as transcription factors and RNA-binding proteins. In this review, the implication of ncRNAs in tumorigenesis and their potential role as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in human CSCC are reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Garofoli
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS IstitutoTumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.G.); (L.P.)
| | - Mariateresa Volpicella
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy;
| | - Michele Guida
- Rare Tumors and Melanoma Unit, IRCCS IstitutoTumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Letizia Porcelli
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS IstitutoTumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.G.); (L.P.)
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS IstitutoTumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.G.); (L.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-080-555-5986
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Porcelli L, Di Fonte R, Rea D, Arra C, Azzariti A, Paradiso AV. Abstract 2238: Synergistic effect of sunitinib and PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab on colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo. Cancer Res 2020. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2020-2238] [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
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cause of oncological deaths worldwide. In clinical practice, a main concerning for choosing immune checkpoints inhibitors (ICI) is the low response rate, despite multiple predictive biomarkers have been adopted for patient selection. Recent clinical trials showed that ICI could effectively induce tumor regression in combination therapy with anti-angiogenetic treatment because the latter damages blood vessel and reprograms the tumor immune microenvironment. Here we tested sunitinib in combination with anti-PD-1 (nivolumab and CD279) in both in vitro and in vivo CRC models in order to assess the antitumor potential and shid light on cellular mechanisms underpinning drugs combination effects. To this purpose we utilized CaCo-2, Colo205, LoVo and HT-29 CRC cell lines for in vitro testing and CT-26 cell line for generating the syngenic in vivo model. For in vitro study the cells were challenged with scalar concentrations of sunitinib and nivolumab alone and in combination, for cytotoxicity evaluation by MTT and the combination index (CI) was calculated to determine the pharmacological interaction. The effects on cell cycle progression and apoptosis induction were determined by propidium iodide and Annexin V staining, respectively, followed by FACS analysis. Cell targets modulation was evaluated by western blotting. The in vivo study was performer in CT-26 syngenic mouse model. To treat established tumours (∼100 mm3), from day 8 after cell inoculation sunitinib and the anti-PD-1 CD279 were administered intraperitoneally to mice as follows: group (1) vehicle alone (control group); group (2) Sunitinib 1 mg/mouse for 7 consecutive days; group (3) on day 8, CD279 250 µg/mouse, three times at 2-day intervals; group (4) combination treatment of Sunitinib 1 mg/mouse for 7 consecutive days, followed by CD279 250 µg/mouse, three times at 2-day intervals. After treatment, the mice were observed for 12 days and then killed by an anaesthetic overdose. Moreover, the tumor rate has been calculated. In in vitro characterization, the combination resulted in a synergistic inhibition of cells proliferation with a CI ranging between 0.6-0.8 and the study of cell cycle progression evidenced a significant arrest at G0/G1 phase of cell cycle. Sunitinib strongly induced apoptosis, however the combination didn't lead to a further increase compared to sunitinib alone. Of note both sunitinib and drugs combination led to the LC3 A/B authophagic marker activation. Furthermore sunitinib reduced the levels of VEGF released by cells to the same extent of drugs combination. The in vivo study showed a time dependent synergistic effect of drugs combination compared to each drug alone with an improved overall survival of mice. Our study provides a rationale to further develop combination strategies with anti-angiogenic drug and PD-1 inhibitors for the management of CRC patients.
Citation Format: Letizia Porcelli, Roberta Di Fonte, Domenica Rea, Claudio Arra, Amalia Azzariti, Angelo V. Paradiso. Synergistic effect of sunitinib and PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab on colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 2238.
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Porcelli L, Garofoli M, Di Fonte R, Fucci L, Volpicella M, Strippoli S, Guida M, Azzariti A. The β-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol offsets resistance mechanisms to chemotherapeutics in diverse sarcoma subtypes: a pilot study. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10465. [PMID: 32591592 PMCID: PMC7320177 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67342-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [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: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Standard chemotherapy for soft tissue sarcomas has shown limited efficacy. Here, we sought to evaluate whether β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) signalling contributed to the progression of sarcomas and therapy resistance. To assess the translational potential of β-adrenergic receptors, we performed immunohistochemical detection of β1-AR, β2-AR and β3-AR in leiomyosarcoma, liposarcoma and angiosarcoma tissue specimens, reporting the results scored for the intensity. By using established and patient-derived sarcoma cells, we demonstrated the antitumour potential of the pharmacological targeting of β-ARs with the nonselective β-blocker propranolol in such sarcomas. Of note, pharmacological β-AR inhibition synergized with doxorubicin in inhibiting the cell viability of liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma cells and increased the response to docetaxel in angiosarcoma- and solitary fibrous tumour (SFT)-patient-derived cells. Notably, the SFT patient was treated with the combination of propranolol and docetaxel, reporting prolonged disease control. Mechanistically, we found that propranolol reduced the activity of the multidrug resistance efflux pump P-gp, thereby increasing the intracellular doxorubicin concentration and antitumour activity. In addition, propranolol attenuated the Akt-dependent survival signal induced by doxorubicin and strongly reduced the activation of the NF-kB/COX-2 pathway, increasing cell sensitivity to docetaxel. Overall, our study highlighted the therapeutic potential of propranolol, alone or in rational combination therapies, for sarcoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Porcelli
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Marianna Garofoli
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Di Fonte
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Livia Fucci
- Histopathological Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Volpicella
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Sabino Strippoli
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Michele Guida
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy.
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Van Der Steen N, Keller K, Dekker H, Porcelli L, Honeywell RJ, Van Meerloo J, Musters RJP, Kathmann I, Frampton AE, Liu DSK, Ruijtenbeek R, Rolfo C, Pauwels P, Giovannetti E, Peters GJ. Crizotinib sensitizes the erlotinib resistant HCC827GR5 cell line by influencing lysosomal function. J Cell Physiol 2020; 235:8085-8097. [PMID: 31960422 PMCID: PMC7540474 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In non-small cell lung cancer, sensitizing mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or cMET amplification serve as good biomarkers for targeted therapies against EGFR or cMET, respectively. Here we aimed to determine how this different genetic background would affect the interaction between the EGFR-inhibitor erlotinib and the cMET-inhibitor crizotinib. To unravel the mechanism of synergy we investigated the effect of the drugs on various parameters, including cell cycle arrest, migration, protein phosphorylation, kinase activity, the expression of drug efflux pumps, intracellular drug concentrations, and live-cell microscopy. We observed additive effects in EBC-1, H1975, and HCC827, and a strong synergism in the HCC827GR5 cell line. This cell line is a clone of the HCC827 cells that harbor an EGFR exon 19 deletion and has been made resistant to the EGFR-inhibitor gefitinib, resulting in cMET amplification. Remarkably, the intracellular concentration of crizotinib was significantly higher in HCC827GR5 compared to the parental HCC827 cell line. Furthermore, live-cell microscopy with a pH-sensitive probe showed a differential reaction of the pH in the cytoplasm and the lysosomes after drug treatment in the HCC827GR5 in comparison with the HCC827 cells. This change in pH could influence the process of lysosomal sequestration of drugs. These results led us to the conclusion that lysosomal sequestration is involved in the strong synergistic reaction of the HCC827GR5 cell line to crizotinib-erlotinib combination. This finding warrants future clinical studies to evaluate whether genetic background and lysosomal sequestration could guide tailored therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nele Van Der Steen
- Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.,Laboratory of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam Universities Medical Centers, VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kaylee Keller
- Laboratory of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam Universities Medical Centers, VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henk Dekker
- Laboratory of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam Universities Medical Centers, VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Letizia Porcelli
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - Richard J Honeywell
- Laboratory of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam Universities Medical Centers, VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Van Meerloo
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - René J P Musters
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ietje Kathmann
- Laboratory of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam Universities Medical Centers, VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Adam E Frampton
- Division of Cancer, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel S K Liu
- Division of Cancer, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rob Ruijtenbeek
- Pamgene International BV, PamGene, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
| | - Christian Rolfo
- Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Phase I-Early Clinical Trials Unit, Oncology Department, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Patrick Pauwels
- Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Laboratory of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam Universities Medical Centers, VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Cancer Pharmacology Lab, AIRC Start-Up Unit, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, Pisa, Italy
| | - Godefridus J Peters
- Laboratory of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam Universities Medical Centers, VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Argentiero A, De Summa S, Di Fonte R, Iacobazzi RM, Porcelli L, Da Vià M, Brunetti O, Azzariti A, Silvestris N, Solimando AG. Gene Expression Comparison between the Lymph Node-Positive and -Negative Reveals a Peculiar Immune Microenvironment Signature and a Theranostic Role for WNT Targeting in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Pilot Study. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11070942. [PMID: 31277479 PMCID: PMC6678707 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11070942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [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: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past several years there has been much debate with regards to the prognostic and clinical significance of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) with lymph nodes metastasis. The PDAC gene expression knowledge and the biologic alterations underlying the lymph node involvement convey a clinical implication in dealing with the theranostic window. To this end, we provide an original bioinformatic dissection of the gene expression differences of PDAC according to the nodal involvement from a large public available dataset. Comprehensive transcriptomic analysis from 143 RNA-seq patient's derived samples indicated that WNT increased activation and a peculiar immune microenvironment identify subjects with nodal involvement. In frame of this thinking, we validated the WNT pathway role in increasing the likelihood of lymphatic dissemination in vitro. Moreover, we demonstrated for the first time in a PDAC model the potential therapeutic window that XAV-939-a specific WNT pathway inhibitor-has in re-educating a tumor-permissive immune system. Finally, we outline the potential implication on bystander molecular drivers exerted by WNT molecular inhibition, providing a picture of the proteomic oncogenic landscape changes elicited by XAV-939 on PDAC cells and their clinical implication. Our findings hold the promise to identify novel immune-based therapeutic strategies targeting WNT to enhance PDAC cytotoxicity and restore anti-PDAC immunity in node-positive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Argentiero
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Cancer Institute "Giovanni Paolo II" of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Simona De Summa
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics Unit, IRCCS Cancer Institute "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Di Fonte
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Cancer Institute "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Iacobazzi
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Cancer Institute "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Letizia Porcelli
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Cancer Institute "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Matteo Da Vià
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research Laboratory, University Hospital of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Oronzo Brunetti
- Medical Oncology Unit, The Hospital Mons. R. Dimiccoli, 76121 Barletta (Bat), Italy
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Cancer Institute "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Scientific Direction, IRCCS Cancer Institute "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Giovanni Solimando
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research Laboratory, University Hospital of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Internal Medicine 'G. Baccelli', University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy.
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Azzariti A, Iacobazzi RM, Di Fonte R, Porcelli L, Gristina R, Favia P, Fracassi F, Trizio I, Silvestris N, Guida G, Tommasi S, Sardella E. Plasma-activated medium triggers cell death and the presentation of immune activating danger signals in melanoma and pancreatic cancer cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4099. [PMID: 30858524 PMCID: PMC6411873 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40637-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [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: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, cold atmospheric plasmas have shown promising application in cancer therapy. The therapeutic use of plasma-activated media is a topic addressed in an emerging field known as plasma pharmacy. In oncology, plasma-activated media are used to harness the therapeutic effects of oxidant species when they come in contact with cancer cells. Among several factors that contribute to the anticancer effect of plasma-activated liquid media (PALM), H2O2 and NO derivatives likely play a key role in the apoptotic pathway. Despite the significant amount of literature produced in recent years, a full understanding of the mechanisms by which PALM exert their activity against cancer cells is limited. In this paper, a sealed dielectric-barrier discharge was used to disentangle the effect of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) from that of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on cancer cells. Two cancers characterized by poor prognosis have been investigated: metastatic melanoma and pancreatic cancer. Both tumour models exposed to PALM rich in H2O2 showed a reduction in proliferation and an increase in calreticulin exposure and ATP release, suggesting the potential use of activated media as an inducer of immunogenic cell death via activation of the innate immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalia Azzariti
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Rosa Maria Iacobazzi
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Di Fonte
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Letizia Porcelli
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberto Gristina
- Institute of Nanotechnology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-NANOTEC), c/o Department of Chemistry, University of Bari "Aldo Moro" via Orabona 4, Bari, 70126, Italy
| | - Pietro Favia
- Institute of Nanotechnology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-NANOTEC), c/o Department of Chemistry, University of Bari "Aldo Moro" via Orabona 4, Bari, 70126, Italy.,Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro via Orabona 4, Bari, 70126, Italy
| | - Francesco Fracassi
- Institute of Nanotechnology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-NANOTEC), c/o Department of Chemistry, University of Bari "Aldo Moro" via Orabona 4, Bari, 70126, Italy.,Department of Chemistry, University of Bari Aldo Moro Via Orabona 4, Bari, 70126, Italy
| | - Ilaria Trizio
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bari Aldo Moro Via Orabona 4, Bari, 70126, Italy
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Scientific Direction, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Gabriella Guida
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs -University of Bari Aldo Moro via Orabona 4, Bari, 70126, Italy
| | - Stefania Tommasi
- Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Eloisa Sardella
- Institute of Nanotechnology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-NANOTEC), c/o Department of Chemistry, University of Bari "Aldo Moro" via Orabona 4, Bari, 70126, Italy.
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Porcelli L, Stolfa D, Stefanachi A, Di Fonte R, Garofoli M, Iacobazzi RM, Silvestris N, Guarini A, Cellamare S, Azzariti A. Synthesis and biological evaluation of N-biphenyl-nicotinic based moiety compounds: A new class of antimitotic agents for the treatment of Hodgkin Lymphoma. Cancer Lett 2018; 445:1-10. [PMID: 30583077 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.12.013] [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] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that some N-biphenylanilides caused cell-cycle arrest at G2/M transition in breast cancer cells. Among them we choose three derivatives, namely PTA34, PTA73 and RS35 for experimentation in solid tumor cell lines, classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL) cell lines and bona fide normal cell lines. Almost all tumor cells were sensitive to compounds in the nanomolar range whereas, they were not cytotoxic to normal ones. Interestingly the compounds caused a strong G2/M phase arrest in cHL cell lines, thus, here we investigated whether they affected the integrity of microtubules in such cells. We found that they induced a long prometaphase arrest, followed by induction of apoptosis which involved mitochondria. PTA73 and RS35 induced the mitotic arrest through the fragmentation of microtubules which prevented the kinethocore-mitotic spindle interaction and the exit from mitosis. PTA34 is instead a tubulin-targeting agent because it inhibited the tubulin polymerization as vinblastine. As such, PTA34 maintained the Cyclin B1-CDK1 regulatory complex activated during the G2/M arrest while inducing the inactivation of Bcl-2 through phosphorylation in Ser70, the degradation of Mcl-1 and a strong activation of BIML and BIMS proapoptotic isoforms. In addition PTA34 exerted an antiangiogenic effect by suppressing microvascular formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Porcelli
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - D Stolfa
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy; Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienza del Farmaco, Università di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - A Stefanachi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienza del Farmaco, Università di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - R Di Fonte
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - M Garofoli
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - R M Iacobazzi
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - N Silvestris
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - A Guarini
- Haematology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - S Cellamare
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienza del Farmaco, Università di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - A Azzariti
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy.
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Guida M, Strippoli S, Ferretta A, Bartolomeo N, Porcelli L, Maida I, Azzariti A, Tommasi S, Grieco C, Guida S, Albano A, Lorusso V, Guida G. Detrimental effects of melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) variants on the clinical outcomes of BRAF V600 metastatic melanoma patients treated with BRAF inhibitors. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2017; 29:679-687. [PMID: 27540956 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) plays a key role in skin pigmentation, and its variants are linked with a higher melanoma risk. The influence of MC1R variants on the outcomes of patients with metastatic melanoma (MM) treated with BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) is unknown. We studied the MC1R status in a cohort of 53 consecutive BRAF-mutated patients with MM treated with BRAFi. We also evaluated the effect of vemurafenib in four V600 BRAF melanoma cell lines with/without MC1R variants. We found a significant correlation between the presence of MC1R variants and worse outcomes in terms of both overall response rate (ORR; 59% versus 95%, P = 0.011 univariate, P = 0.028 multivariate analysis) and progression-free survival (PFS) shorter than 6 months (72% versus 33%, P = 0.012 univariate, P = 0.027 multivariate analysis). No difference in overall survival (OS) was reported, probably due to subsequent treatments. Data in vitro showed a significant different phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and p38 MAPK during treatment, associated with a greater increase in vemurafenib IC50 in MC1R variant cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Guida
- Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Sabino Strippoli
- Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Anna Ferretta
- Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy.,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Bartolomeo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Letizia Porcelli
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Immacolata Maida
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Stefania Tommasi
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory and Radiology, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Claudia Grieco
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Stefania Guida
- Dermatology Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Anna Albano
- Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Vito Lorusso
- Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Gabriella Guida
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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Porcelli L, Azzariti A, Strippoli S, Di Fonte R, Garofoli M, Iacobazzi R, Guida M. Potential therapeutic combination of beta-blockers and trabectedin in metastatic soft tissue sarcoma and ovarian cancer. Ann Oncol 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdx427.003] [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] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Iacobazzi RM, Porcelli L, Lopedota AA, Laquintana V, Lopalco A, Cutrignelli A, Altamura E, Di Fonte R, Azzariti A, Franco M, Denora N. Targeting human liver cancer cells with lactobionic acid-G(4)-PAMAM-FITC sorafenib loaded dendrimers. Int J Pharm 2017. [PMID: 28624661 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2017.06.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [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: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Reported here is the synthesis and biological evaluation of the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R) targeted fourth generation poliamidoamine dendrimer (G(4)-PAMAM) loaded with sorafenib. The ASGP-R targeted dendrimer was obtained by conjugation of Lactobionic acid (La) to the G(4)-PAMAM dendrimer, followed by acetylation (Ac) of the free amino groups in order to reduce the non-specific interactions with the cell membrane. Moreover, by additionally grafting fluorescein (FITC), it was easy to characterize the internalization pathway and the intracellular fate of the targeted dendrimer Ac-La-G(4)-PAMAM-FITC. In vitro experiments performed on HepG-2 and HLE cell lines, allowed to study the ability of the dendrimers to affect the cell vitality. Confocal microscopy and cytofluorimetric analysis confirmed higher binding and uptake ability of the Ac-La-G(4)-PAMAM-FITC dendrimer in well differentiated and ASGP-R expressing human liver cancer cell line HepG-2 compared non-expressing HLE cells. Ac-La-G(4)-PAMAM-FITC dendrimer loaded with sorafenib was stable and showed sustained sorafenib release. As evidenced by the cytotoxicity studies, sorafenib included in the dendrimer maintained its effectiveness, and was able to produce a longer lasting effect over the time compared to molar equivalent doses of free sorafenib. This new targeted dendrimer appears to be a suitable carrier for the delivery of sorafenib to liver cancer cells expressing ASGP-R.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Letizia Porcelli
- Istituto Tumori IRCCS Giovanni Paolo II, viale O. Flacco 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Angela Assunta Lopedota
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Valentino Laquintana
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Lopalco
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Annalisa Cutrignelli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Emiliano Altamura
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Di Fonte
- Istituto Tumori IRCCS Giovanni Paolo II, viale O. Flacco 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Istituto Tumori IRCCS Giovanni Paolo II, viale O. Flacco 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Massimo Franco
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Nunzio Denora
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
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Porcelli L, Iacobazzi RM, Quatrale AE, Bergamini C, Denora N, Crupi P, Antonacci D, Mangia A, Simone G, Silvestris N, Azzariti A. Grape seed extracts modify the outcome of oxaliplatin in colon cancer cells by interfering with cellular mechanisms of drug cytotoxicity. Oncotarget 2017; 8:50845-50863. [PMID: 28881609 PMCID: PMC5584210 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Grape seed extracts are commonly utilized as dietary supplements for their antioxidant properties, even from cancer patients. However, whether these natural extracts interfere with chemotherapeutics utilized in colon cancer treatment is still poorly investigated. The cytotoxicity of extracts from Italia and Palieri cultivars either alone or in combination with oxaliplatin was evaluated in colon cancer cells. Grape seed extracts displayed anti-proliferative activity depending on the concentration utilized through apoptosis induction. In combination, they affected the activation of Erk1/2 and counteracted the intrinsic and the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis, the DNA damage and the generation of ROS induced by oxaliplatin. Noteworthy grape seed extracts strongly enhanced the uptake of oxaliplatin into all cells, by affecting the cell transport system of platinum. The addition of these natural extracts to oxaliplatin strongly reduced the cellular response to oxaliplatin and allowed a huge accumulation of platinum into cells. Here, we shed light on the chemical biology underlying the combination of grape seed extracts and oxaliplatin, demonstrating that they might be detrimental to oxaliplatin effectiveness in colon cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Porcelli
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Iacobazzi
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Anna Elisa Quatrale
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo Bergamini
- CRA-UTV Research Unit for Viticulture and Enology in Southern Italy, Turi, Italy
| | - Nunzio Denora
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Pasquale Crupi
- CRA-UTV Research Unit for Viticulture and Enology in Southern Italy, Turi, Italy
| | - Donato Antonacci
- CRA-UTV Research Unit for Viticulture and Enology in Southern Italy, Turi, Italy
| | - Anita Mangia
- Biomorphology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Simone
- Pathological Anatomy, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
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Azzariti A, Mancarella S, Porcelli L, Quatrale AE, Caligiuri A, Lupo L, Dituri F, Giannelli G. Hepatic stellate cells induce hepatocellular carcinoma cell resistance to sorafenib through the laminin-332/α3 integrin axis recovery of focal adhesion kinase ubiquitination. Hepatology 2016; 64:2103-2117. [PMID: 27639064 DOI: 10.1002/hep.28835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [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] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving sorafenib, drug resistance is common. HCC develops in a microenvironment enriched with extracellular matrix proteins including laminin (Ln)-332, produced by hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Ln-332 is the ligand of α3β1 and α6β4 integrins, differently expressed on the HCC cell surface, that deliver intracellular pathways. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Ln-332 on sorafenib's effectiveness. HCC cells were challenged with sorafenib in the presence of Ln-332 and of HSC conditioned medium (CM). Sorafenib impaired HCC cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. HSC-CM or Ln-332 inhibited sorafenib's effectiveness in HCC cells expressing both α3β1 and α6β4. Inhibiting α3 but not α6 integrin subunit using blocking antibodies or small interfering RNA abrogated the protection induced by Ln-332 and HSC-CM. Hep3B cells expressing α6β4 but lacking the α3 integrin were insensitive to Ln-332 and HSC-CM protective effects. Hep3B α3-positive, but not wild-type and scramble transfected, cells acquired protection by sorafenib when plated on Ln-332-CM or HSCs. Sorafenib dephosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2, whereas Ln-332 and HSC-CM partially restored the pathways. Silencing FAK, but not extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2, abrogated the protection induced by Ln-332 and HSC-CM, suggesting a specific role for FAK. Sorafenib down-regulated total FAK, inducing its proteasomal degradation, while Ln-332 and HSC-CM promoted the escape of FAK from ubiquitination, probably inducing a preferential membrane localization. CONCLUSION This study unveils a novel mechanism of sorafenib resistance depending on the α3β1/Ln-332 axis and requiring FAK ubiquitination, providing new insights into personalizing therapy for patients with HCC. (Hepatology 2016;64:2103-2117).
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalia Azzariti
- National Cancer Institute, Istituto Tumori G. Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Serena Mancarella
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "S. De Bellis", Castellana Grotte Bari, Italy
| | - Letizia Porcelli
- National Cancer Institute, Istituto Tumori G. Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | | | | | - Luigi Lupo
- University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Dituri
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "S. De Bellis", Castellana Grotte Bari, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "S. De Bellis", Castellana Grotte Bari, Italy
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Azzariti A, Porcelli L, Brunetti O, Del Re M, Longo V, Nardulli P, Signorile M, Xu JM, Calabrese A, Quatrale AE, Maiello E, Lorusso V, Silvestris N. Total and not bevacizumab-bound vascular endothelial growth factor as potential predictive factors to bevacizumab-based chemotherapy in colorectal cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:6287-6295. [PMID: 27468218 PMCID: PMC4945987 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i27.6287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To identify suitable biomarkers of response to bevacizumab (BV) - it remains an open question. The measurement of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been proposed as a predictive factor for this drug, even if literature data are contradictory.
METHODS: We prospectively evaluated the role of BV, total and not BV-bound VEGF and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) serum levels as potential predictive factors of response for BV in combination with an oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. BV, Ang-2, total and not BV-bound VEGF levels were measured at baseline, before 2nd and 5th cycle of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in 20 consecutive metastatic colorectal cancer patients.
RESULTS: Results were correlated to response to treatment. Variability in BV levels have been found, with decreased level in less responding patients. In particular, the concentration of BV increased of 3.96 ± 0.69 folds in serum of responsive patients after 3 more cycles of therapy compared to those with stable or progressive disease with a 0.72 ± 0.25 and 2.10 ± 0.13 fold increase, respectively. The determination of free and total VEGF demonstrated that the ratio between the two values, evaluated immediately before the 2nd and the 5th cycle of therapy, decreased from 26.65% ± 1.33% to 15.50% ± 3.47% in responsive patients and from 53.41% ± 4.75 to 34.95% ± 2.88% in those with stable disease. Conversely, in those with progression of disease, the ratio showed the opposite behavior coming up from 25.99% ± 5.23% to 51.71% ± 5.28%. The Ang-2 levels did not show any relationship.
CONCLUSION: Our data show that the ratio of not BV-bound VEGF to total VEGF serum and BV plasma concentrations for predicting the response to BV plus oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy could be a promising biomarker of response to BV.
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Lasorsa A, Losacco M, Iacobazzi RM, Porcelli L, Azzariti A, Natile G, Arnesano F. Probing the interaction between cisplatin and the therapeutic monoclonal antibody trastuzumab. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra04337b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin binds to the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab preferentially to the Fc fragment, leaving the antigen binding region unaffected. The two drugs are co-administered in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Lasorsa
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Bari “Aldo Moro”
- 70125 Bari
- Italy
| | - Maurizio Losacco
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Bari “Aldo Moro”
- 70125 Bari
- Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Iacobazzi
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences
- University of Bari “Aldo Moro”
- 70125 Bari
- Italy
- Istituto Tumori IRCCS Giovanni Paolo II
| | | | | | - Giovanni Natile
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Bari “Aldo Moro”
- 70125 Bari
- Italy
| | - Fabio Arnesano
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Bari “Aldo Moro”
- 70125 Bari
- Italy
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Azzariti A, Brunetti O, Porcelli L, Graziano G, Iacobazzi RM, Signorile M, Scarpa A, Lorusso V, Silvestris N. Potential predictive role of chemotherapy-induced changes of soluble CD40 ligand in untreated advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Onco Targets Ther 2016; 9:4681-6. [PMID: 27555786 PMCID: PMC4968860 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s106496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma lacks predictive biomarkers. CD40 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily. CD40-sCD40L interaction is considered to contribute to the promotion of tumor cell growth and angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of serum sCD40L as a predictor in metastatic pancreatic cancer. We evaluated 27 consecutive pancreatic cancer patients treated with FOLFIRINOX (21 patients) or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel combination (six patients). The sCD40L level was measured in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline, at first evaluation (all patients), and at time to progression (18 patients). The radiological response was evaluated according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, Version 1.1. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare pre-post treatment sCD40L levels with respect to clinical response, while Pearson's correlation coefficient was used for the correlation between sCD40L and CA19.9 pre- and post-treatment. The Kruskal-Wallis test was also conducted for further comparisons. We observed a statistically significant reduction in the sCD40L level after 3 months of treatment in patients with partial response (11,718.05±7,097.13 pg/mL vs 4,689.42±5,409.96 pg/mL; P<0.01). Conversely, in patients with progressive disease, the biomarker statistically increased in the same time (9,351.51±7,356.91 pg/mL vs 22,282.92±11,629.35 pg/mL; P<0.01). This trend of sCD40L was confirmed in 18 patients at time to progression after the first evaluation. No differences were recorded within the stable disease group. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between the sCD40L and CA19.9 pre-post treatment variation percentage (Pearson's correlation coefficient =0.52; P<0.05). Our data suggest a possible predictive role of sCD40L in pancreatic cancer patients, similar to CA19.9.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Giusi Graziano
- Scientific Direction, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumouri “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari
| | | | | | - Aldo Scarpa
- ARC-NET Research Centre, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Silvestris
- Medical Oncology Unit
- Correspondence: Nicola Silvestris, Medical Oncology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumouri “Giovanni Paolo II”, Viale Orazio Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy, Tel/fax +39 80 555 5419, Email
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Porcelli L, Iacobazzi R, Brunetti O, Signorile M, Delcuratolo S, Massiah G, Cito P, Silvestris N, Azzariti A. Mast Cells (MCs) Infiltration Affects Pancreatic Cancer (PC) Response To Gemcitabine Based Chemotherapy: In Vitro New Insights. Ann Oncol 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdv344.37] [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] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Brunetti O, Porcelli L, Graziano G, Lorusso V, Signorile M, Delcuratolo S, Palermo L, Massiah G, Azzariti A, Silvestris N. Possible predictive role of the soluble cd40 ligand (scd40l) in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients (pts) treated with first line folfirinox or gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel combination. Ann Oncol 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdv344.30] [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] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Porcelli L, Guida G, Tommasi S, Guida M, Azzariti A. Metastatic melanoma cells with BRAF G469A mutation: nab-paclitaxel better than vemurafenib? Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2015; 76:433-8. [PMID: 26070258 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-015-2796-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE BRAF G469A is a missense mutation within exon 11 of the BRAF gene resulting in a constitutively activated enzyme frequently associated with MAP kinase cascade signaling activation. No evidence currently exists about its role in determining sensitivity/resistance to BRAF inhibitors, utilized in the treatment of patients carrying BRAF V600 mutations, and to chemotherapy. The newly established metastatic melanoma (MM) cell line MO-1 was characterized for its sensitivity to vemurafenib and nab-paclitaxel, both already utilized for the treatment of MM. METHODS All analyses were carried out by comparing results with those found in MM cells wild type for BRAF or mutated in V600. In addition, cellular effectors were investigated by ELISA kits, western blotting and flow cytometry. RESULTS The exposure to vemurafenib inhibited MO-1 cell proliferation at concentrations similar to those obtained in vemurafenib-resistant melanoma models, and an explanation of this sensitivity is the strong activation of Erk1/2 and the low expression of MITF. Nab-paclitaxel strongly reduced proliferation of MO-1 cells perhaps for the very low expression level of PMEL17, transcriptionally regulated by MITF and negatively involved in determining sensitivity to taxanes. CONCLUSIONS Thus, the mutation BRAF G469A in MM might be related to a weak effectiveness of therapy with BRAF inhibitors and a promising therapeutic approach may be with nab-paclitaxel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Porcelli
- Clinical and Preclinical Pharmacology Lab, National Cancer Research Centre Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
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Porcelli L, Guida G, Quatrale AE, Cocco T, Sidella L, Maida I, Iacobazzi RM, Ferretta A, Stolfa DA, Strippoli S, Guida S, Tommasi S, Guida M, Azzariti A. Aurora kinase B inhibition reduces the proliferation of metastatic melanoma cells and enhances the response to chemotherapy. J Transl Med 2015; 13:26. [PMID: 25623468 PMCID: PMC4314759 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-015-0385-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [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: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The poor response to chemotherapy and the brief response to vemurafenib in metastatic melanoma patients, make the identification of new therapeutic approaches an urgent need. Interestingly the increased expression and activity of the Aurora kinase B during melanoma progression suggests it as a promising therapeutic target. METHODS The efficacy of the Aurora B kinase inhibitor barasertib-HQPA was evaluated in BRAF mutated cells, sensitive and made resistant to vemurafenib after chronic exposure to the drug, and in BRAF wild type cells. The drug effectiveness has been evaluated as cell growth inhibition, cell cycle progression and cell migration. In addition, cellular effectors of drug resistance and response were investigated. RESULTS The characterization of the effectors responsible for the resistance to vemurafenib evidenced the increased expression of MITF or the activation of Erk1/2 and p-38 kinases in the newly established cell lines with a phenotype resistant to vemurafenib. The sensitivity of cells to barasertib-HQPA was irrespective of BRAF mutational status. Barasertib-HQPA induced the mitotic catastrophe, ultimately causing apoptosis and necrosis of cells, inhibited cell migration and strongly affected the glycolytic metabolism of cells inducing the release of lactate. In association i) with vemurafenib the gain in effectiveness was found only in BRAF(V600K) cells while ii) with nab-paclitaxel, the combination was more effective than each drug alone in all cells. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest barasertib as a new therapeutic agent and as enhancer of chemotherapy in metastatic melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Porcelli
- Clinical and Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco,65, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Gabriella Guida
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, P.zza Giulio Cesare, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Anna E Quatrale
- Clinical and Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco,65, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Tiziana Cocco
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, P.zza Giulio Cesare, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Letizia Sidella
- Clinical and Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco,65, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Immacolata Maida
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, P.zza Giulio Cesare, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Rosa M Iacobazzi
- Clinical and Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco,65, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Anna Ferretta
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, P.zza Giulio Cesare, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Diana A Stolfa
- Clinical and Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco,65, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Sabino Strippoli
- Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Research Centre Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco,65, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Stefania Guida
- Unit of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Bari, P.zza Giulio Cesare, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Stefania Tommasi
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco,65, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Michele Guida
- Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Research Centre Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco,65, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Clinical and Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco,65, 70124, Bari, Italy.
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Porcelli L, Guida G, Cocco T, Quatrale AE, Iacobazzi RM, Stolfa DA, Maida I, Ferretta A, Grieco C, Guida S, Strippoli S, Tommasi S, Guida M, Azzariti A. The relevance of BRAF G469A mutation in determining the response to therapy in metastatic melanoma. J Transl Med 2015. [PMCID: PMC4315283 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-13-s1-p3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Porcelli L, Giovannetti E, Assaraf Y, Jansen G, Scheffer G, Kathman I, Azzariti A, Paradiso A, Peters G. The EGFR Pathway Regulates BCRP Expression in NSCLC Cells: Role of Erlotinib. Curr Drug Targets 2014; 15:1322-30. [PMID: 25479544 DOI: 10.2174/1389450116666141205145620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [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: 08/18/2014] [Revised: 09/20/2014] [Accepted: 10/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Quatrale AE, Porcelli L, Gnoni A, Numico G, Paradiso A, Azzariti A. New vascular disrupting agents in upper gastrointestinal malignancies. Curr Med Chem 2014; 21:1039-49. [PMID: 23992324 DOI: 10.2174/09298673113209990233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2013] [Revised: 04/28/2013] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Antivascular approaches aim to cause rapid and catastrophic shutdown in the vascular function of the tumour, leading to extensive tumour cell death. Tumour vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) are a new class of cancer therapies that target the existing vasculature of tumours, taking advantage of the relative instability of tumour vasculature and its supporting structures. Treatment with VDAs induces a rapid collapse and regression of tumour vessels, with a consequent deprivation of blood and oxygen which leads to ischemic or hemorrhagic necrosis of the tumour. In this review, an overview of the most recently developed vascular disrupting agents is reported, focusing on the biological effects exerted by these compounds on endothelial cells and tumour vasculature, potentially effective in the treatment of several malignancies including upper gastrointestinal tumours. In particular, we have focused on the antimitotic agent combretastatin and its numerous synthetic analogues such as combretastatin A-4-phosphate, OXI4503, and AVE8062, and on the colchicine analogue ZD6126.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - A Azzariti
- Clinical and Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre - Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II Viale O. Flacco, 65 70125 Bari, Italy.
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De Summa S, Pinto R, Pilato B, Sambiasi D, Porcelli L, Guida G, Mattioli E, Paradiso A, Merla G, Micale L, De Nittis P, Tommasi S. Expression of base excision repair key factors and miR17 in familial and sporadic breast cancer. Cell Death Dis 2014; 5:e1076. [PMID: 24556691 PMCID: PMC3944247 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 07/09/2013] [Revised: 12/24/2013] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Understanding of BRCA1/2 interaction with the base excision repair (BER) pathway could improve therapy based on ‘synthetic lethality', whose effectiveness is based on homologous recombination deficiency in cells lacking functional BRCA genes. However, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors failed in some patients and for this reason we explored BER key enzyme expression. In this study, the expression of BER enzymes (redox factor 1/apurinic-apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (REF1/APEX1), NTH endonuclease III-like 1 (NTHL1), 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1), PARP1) and of the scaffold protein XRCC1 (X-ray repair complementing defective repair in Chinese hamster cells 1) were investigated in familial (BRCA-related and not) and sporadic breast cancer cases. Furthermore, miR17 expression was measured because of its role in the epigenetic regulation of BRCA1. Gene expression was evaluated in BRCA1-mutated cell lines, SUM149PT and SUM1315MO2, and in a BRCA1-proficient triple-negative MDA-MB-231 cell line. A cohort of 27 familial and 16 sporadic breast cancer patients was then examined to confirm results obtained from the cell line model. APEX1/REF1 was found to be upregulated in familial BRCA-wild-type and sporadic cases, indicating this enzyme as a potential therapeutic target. Furthermore, XRCC1 was overexpressed in BRCAX patients; consequently, we suggest to test the effectiveness of inhibitors targeting two different BER components in preclinical studies. XRCC1, which is also involved in the non-homologous end-joining pathway, was found to be downregulated in BRCA2-related patients concurrently with no change in PARP1 expression. Interestingly, no difference in PARP1 and miR17 expression was found in BRCA-related and sporadic breast cancer cases. PARP1 and miR17 could therefore be further investigated as molecular biomarkers of ‘BRCAness' phenotype, indicating patients which could really benefit from PARP inhibitor therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S De Summa
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - R Pinto
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - B Pilato
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - D Sambiasi
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - L Porcelli
- Preclinical and Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - G Guida
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical Biology and Medical Physics, School of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - E Mattioli
- Anatomopathology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - A Paradiso
- Experimental Medical Oncology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - G Merla
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Casa Sollievo delle Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - L Micale
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Casa Sollievo delle Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - P De Nittis
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Casa Sollievo delle Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - S Tommasi
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
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Guida G, Maida I, Ferretta A, Cocco T, Guida S, Zanna P, Labarile R, Porcelli L, Azzariti A, Tommasi S, Albano A, Strippoli S, Turpin Sevilla MC, Filotico R, Guida M. The mitochondrial master regulator gene PGC1alpha in novel sporadic melanoma cell lines: correlations with BRAF mutational status. Lab Invest 2014. [PMCID: PMC4108888 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-12-s1-p9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Azzariti A, Porcelli L, Quatrale A, Sidella L, Iacobazzi RM, Guida G, Maida I, Cocco T, Ferretta A, Strippoli S, Giuda S, Tommasi S, Paradiso A, Guida M. Barasertib: a novel approach for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Lab Invest 2014. [PMCID: PMC4108943 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-12-s1-p7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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39
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Azzariti A, Porcelli L, Mangia A, Saponaro C, Quatrale AE, Popescu OS, Strippoli S, Simone G, Paradiso A, Guida M. Irradiation-induced angiosarcoma and anti-angiogenic therapy: a therapeutic hope? Exp Cell Res 2013; 321:240-7. [PMID: 24384475 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2013.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Revised: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 12/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Angiosarcomas are rare soft-tissue sarcomas of endothelial cell origin. They can be sporadic or caused by therapeutic radiation, hence secondary breast angiosarcomas are an important subgroup of patients. Assessing the molecular biology of angiosarcomas and identify specific targets for treatment is challenging. There is currently great interest in the role of angiogenesis and of angiogenic factors associated with tumor pathogenesis and as targets for treatment of angiosarcomas. A primary cell line derived from a skin fragment of a irradiation-induced angiosarcoma patient was obtained and utilized to evaluate cell biomarkers CD31, CD34, HIF-1 alpha and VEGFRs expression by immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence, drugs cytotoxicity by cell counting and VEGF release by ELISA immunoassay. In addition to previous biomarkers, FVIII and VEGF were also evaluated on tumor specimens by immunohistochemistry to further confirm the diagnosis. We targeted the VEGF-VEGFR-2 axis of tumor angiogenesis with two different class of vascular targeted drugs; caprelsa, the VEGFR-2/EGFR/RET inhibitor and bevacizumab the anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody. We found the same biomarkers expression either in tumor specimens and in the cell line derived from tumor. In vitro experiments demonstrated that angiogenesis plays a pivotal role in the progression of this tumor as cells displayed high level of VEGFR-2, HIF-1 alpha strongly accumulated into the nucleus and the pro-angiogenic factor VEGF was released by cells in culture medium. The evaluation of caprelsa and bevacizumab cytotoxicity demonstrated that both drugs were effective in inhibiting tumor proliferation. Due to these results, we started to treat the patient with pazopanib, which was the unique tyrosine kinase inhibitor available in Italy through a compassionate supply program, obtaining a long lasting partial response. Our data suggest that the study of the primary cell line could help physicians in choosing a therapeutic approach for patient that almost in vitro shows chances of success and that the anti-angiogenetic agents are a reliable therapeutic opportunity for angiosarcomas patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalia Azzariti
- Clinical and Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Letizia Porcelli
- Clinical and Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Anita Mangia
- Functional Biomorphology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Concetta Saponaro
- Functional Biomorphology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Anna E Quatrale
- Clinical and Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Ondina S Popescu
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Sabino Strippoli
- Medical Oncology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Gianni Simone
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Angelo Paradiso
- Experimental Medical Oncology, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Michele Guida
- Medical Oncology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
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Porcelli L, Quatrale A, Mantuano P, Silvestris N, Rolland J, Biancolillo L, Paradiso A, Azzariti A. Synergistic Antiproliferative and Antiangiogenic Effects of EGFR and mTOR Inhibitors. Curr Pharm Des 2013. [DOI: 10.2174/138161213804547295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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41
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Porcelli L, Quatrale AE, Mantuano P, Silvestris N, Rolland JF, Biancolillo L, Paradiso A, Azzariti A. Synergistic antiproliferative and antiangiogenic effects of EGFR and mTOR inhibitors. Curr Pharm Des 2013; 19:918-926. [PMID: 22973960] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2012] [Accepted: 09/06/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Single-agent therapy with molecularly targeted agents has shown limited success in tumor growth control, mainly because escape or resistance mechanisms are activated once a signalling molecule is inhibited. Rational combinations of target-specific agents could counteract this response providing a useful strategy in cancer treatment. In this regard, the EGFR and mTOR inhibitors have been used together to generate a synergistic effect and maximize the efficacy of each individual agent. Overall, the in vivo and in vitro evidences support the utilization of combinations targeting EGFR and mTOR, for malignancies characterized by deregulated EGFR/PI3K/Akt/ mTOR signalling cascade; whereas the clinical experience points out that the assessment of the therapeutic value of such combination awaits further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Porcelli
- Clinical Experimental Oncology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
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Porcelli L, Quatrale A, Mantuano P, Silvestris N, Rolland J, Biancolillo L, Paradiso A, Azzariti A. Synergistic Antiproliferative and Antiangiogenic Effects of EGFR and mTOR Inhibitors. Curr Pharm Des 2012. [DOI: 10.2174/1381612811306050918] [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] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Porcelli L, Quatrale AE, Mantuano P, Silvestris N, Brunetti AE, Calvert H, Paradiso A, Azzariti A. Synthetic lethality to overcome cancer drug resistance. Curr Med Chem 2012; 19:3858-73. [PMID: 22788762 DOI: 10.2174/092986712802002563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2011] [Revised: 04/13/2012] [Accepted: 04/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A large body of evidence point out that the onset of synthetic lethality may provide a useful tool for amplifying the efficacy of drugs in anticancer regimens, to uncover interdependence between genes and to identify predictive factors that would be extremely useful to guide in the selection of more effective targeted drugs and drug combinations for each patient. Here, we provide an overview on the exploitation of synthetic lethality to overcome drug resistance to conventional chemotherapy in several types of solid tumors. We report recent findings on cellular markers and gene mutations which are specifically essential for the viability of cancer cells and for resistance to chemotherapeutics. In addition, new molecularly targeted strategies to overcome drug resistance are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Porcelli
- Clinical Experimental Oncology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
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Porcelli L, Assaraf YG, Azzariti A, Paradiso A, Jansen G, Peters GJ. The impact of folate status on the efficacy of colorectal cancer treatment. Curr Drug Metab 2012; 12:975-84. [PMID: 21787267 DOI: 10.2174/138920011798062274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [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: 03/09/2011] [Revised: 04/15/2011] [Accepted: 04/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Over the past three decades, numerous reports have addressed several aspects of drug resistance phenomena. However, little is known regarding the impact that dietary components and nutritional supplements have on the mechanisms of resistance that malignant cells develop to chemotherapeutic agents. The increased fortification of cereals, grains and bread with folic acid (FA) has resulted in a marked rise in folate levels in blood and tissues. Vitamin fortification that includes FA is rather commonly used by cancer patients, but FA is also used to protect against pemetrexed induced side effects in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and mesothelioma or that of the antifolate methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis. Moreover, the reduced folate leucovorin (LV, 5-formyltetrahydrofolate) is also used along with 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Likewise, LV is used to reduce toxicity of methotrexate in the treatment of leukemia. FA can also increase efficacy of unrelated regimens, containing cisplatin. Hence there is growing evidence that dietary supplements as folic acid, can mimic, intensify, or attenuate the effects of unrelated chemotherapeutic agents. The aim of this review is to highlight some new insights in the cellular and molecular mechanisms affected by folate status, leading to chemotherapy resistance, especially towards antifolates in colorectal cancer treatment. This encompasses the effect of folate status on drug export, as well as on the increased expression of mutated target enzymes involved in folate metabolism and on the augmentation of cellular folate pools that impair polyglutamylation of antifolates, ultimately affecting treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Porcelli
- Clinical Experimental Oncology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute Giovanni Paolo II, Viale Orazio Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy.
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Azzariti A, Porcelli L, Quatrale AE, Silvestris N, Paradiso A. The coordinated role of CYP450 enzymes and P-gp in determining cancer resistance to chemotherapy. Curr Drug Metab 2012; 12:713-21. [PMID: 21434858 DOI: 10.2174/138920011798357042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2010] [Revised: 03/01/2011] [Accepted: 03/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between CYP450 and P-gp occurs at different levels. It is known that certain substrates of P-gp undergo metabolic transformations by various CYP450 isoforms; in addition some of them demonstrated to be activators of both P-gp and CYP450. The majority of such compounds are well-known chemotherapeutics, therefore the purpose of this review is to clarify whether there is a relationship between the simultaneous modulation of CYP450 and P-gp and the onset of drug resistance in tumors treatment. Here, we discuss the biological aspects of the topic in relation to the various tissues distribution of CYP450 and P-gp, the recent findings regarding the ability of some chemotherapeutics in modulating both P-gp and CYP450, whether this modulation is ultimately responsible for the onset of drug resistance in cancer treatment and the promising role of gene polymorphisms in determining the interindividual variability in drug responses in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalia Azzariti
- Clinical Experimental Oncology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute “Giovanni Paolo II”, Viale Orazio Flacco, 65 - 70124 Bari, Italy.
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Lorusso V, Forcignano R, Cinieri S, Tinelli A, Porcelli L, Quatrale AE, Chiuri VE. Which role for EGFR therapy in breast cancer? Front Biosci (Schol Ed) 2012; 4:31-42. [PMID: 22202041 DOI: 10.2741/s249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
EGFR and HER2 are highly expressed in 15-30% of breast cancer tissues. Therefore, EGFR and its downstream signaling pathways are promising anti-tumour targets. HER2 overexpression is often associated with estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) negativity, high histological grade, high rates of cell proliferation and lymph node involvement. Moreover, it is correlated with disease aggressiveness, increased rates of recurrence and poorer survival in node-positive breast cancer patients, whereas the prognostic significance in patients with node-negative tumors remains somewhat controversial. This paper focuses on the therapeutic strategy for treatment of HER2 overexpressing breast cancer in advanced stages of disease, as well as in the adjuvant and neo-adjuvant settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Lorusso
- Medical Oncology Unit, Hospital Vito Fazzi, Lecce, Italy.
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47
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Lorusso V, Forcignano R, Cinieri S, Tinelli A, Porcelli L, Quatrale AE, Chiuri VE. Which role for EGFR therapy in breast cancer? Front Biosci (Schol Ed) 2012. [PMID: 22202041 DOI: 10.2741/249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
EGFR and HER2 are highly expressed in 15-30% of breast cancer tissues. Therefore, EGFR and its downstream signaling pathways are promising anti-tumour targets. HER2 overexpression is often associated with estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) negativity, high histological grade, high rates of cell proliferation and lymph node involvement. Moreover, it is correlated with disease aggressiveness, increased rates of recurrence and poorer survival in node-positive breast cancer patients, whereas the prognostic significance in patients with node-negative tumors remains somewhat controversial. This paper focuses on the therapeutic strategy for treatment of HER2 overexpressing breast cancer in advanced stages of disease, as well as in the adjuvant and neo-adjuvant settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Lorusso
- Medical Oncology Unit, Hospital Vito Fazzi, Lecce, Italy.
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Porcelli L, Gilardi F, Laghezza A, Piemontese L, Mitro N, Azzariti A, Altieri F, Cervoni L, Fracchiolla G, Giudici M, Guerrini U, Lavecchia A, Montanari R, Di Giovanni C, Paradiso A, Pochetti G, Simone GM, Tortorella P, Crestani M, Loiodice F. Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Ureidofibrate-Like Derivatives Endowed with Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Activity. J Med Chem 2011; 55:37-54. [DOI: 10.1021/jm201306q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- L. Porcelli
- Laboratorio di Oncologia Sperimentale Clinica, Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - F. Gilardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano,
Italy
| | - A. Laghezza
- Dipartimento Farmaco-Chimico, Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - L. Piemontese
- Dipartimento Farmaco-Chimico, Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - N. Mitro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano,
Italy
| | - A. Azzariti
- Laboratorio di Oncologia Sperimentale Clinica, Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - F. Altieri
- Dipartimento
di Scienze Biochimiche
“A. Rossi Fanelli”, Università di Roma “La Sapienza”, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - L. Cervoni
- Dipartimento
di Scienze Biochimiche
“A. Rossi Fanelli”, Università di Roma “La Sapienza”, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - G. Fracchiolla
- Dipartimento Farmaco-Chimico, Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - M. Giudici
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano,
Italy
| | - U. Guerrini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano,
Italy
| | - A. Lavecchia
- Dipartimento di Chimica Farmaceutica
e Tossicologica, Università di Napoli “Federico II”, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - R. Montanari
- Istituto di Cristallografia, Consiglio
Nazionale delle Ricerche, Montelibretti, 00015 Monterotondo Stazione,
Roma, Italy
| | - C. Di Giovanni
- Dipartimento di Chimica Farmaceutica
e Tossicologica, Università di Napoli “Federico II”, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - A. Paradiso
- Laboratorio di Oncologia Sperimentale Clinica, Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - G. Pochetti
- Istituto di Cristallografia, Consiglio
Nazionale delle Ricerche, Montelibretti, 00015 Monterotondo Stazione,
Roma, Italy
| | - G. M. Simone
- Laboratorio di Oncologia Sperimentale Clinica, Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - P. Tortorella
- Dipartimento Farmaco-Chimico, Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - M. Crestani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano,
Italy
| | - F. Loiodice
- Dipartimento Farmaco-Chimico, Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126 Bari, Italy
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Azzariti A, Quatrale AE, Porcelli L, Colabufo NA, Cantore M, Cassano G, Gasparre G, Iannelli G, Tommasi S, Panaro MA, Paradiso A. MC70 potentiates doxorubicin efficacy in colon and breast cancer in vitro treatment. Eur J Pharmacol 2011; 670:74-84. [PMID: 21925160 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2011.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2011] [Revised: 06/30/2011] [Accepted: 08/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A major limitation of cancer treatment is the ability of cancer cells to develop resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs, by the establishment of multidrug resistance. Here, we characterize MC70 as ABC transporters inhibitor and anticancer agent, alone or with chemotherapy. MC70 was analyzed for its interaction with ABCB1, ABCG2 and ABCC1 by specific transport assays. In breast and colon cancer cell lines, cell growth and apoptosis were measured by MTT assay and DNA laddering Elisa kit, respectively. Cell cycle perturbation and cellular targets modulation were analyzed by Flow-cytometry and Western blotting, respectively. MC70 interacted with ABC transporters. In breast cancer cells, MC70 slightly inhibited cell proliferation strongly enhancing doxorubicin effectiveness. By contrast, MC70 was found to inhibit cell growth in colon cancer cells without affecting doxorubicin efficacy and in combination with topoisomerase I inhibitors it could be a promising therapeutic approach. What is more, it was also observed that MC70 induced apoptosis, canceled in favor of necrosis when given in combination with high doses of doxorubicin. MC70 inhibited cell migration probably through its interaction with sigma-1 receptor. Modulations of i) cell cycle, ii) pAkt and the phosphorylation of the three MAPKs were highlighted, while any activity was excluded at transcription level, thus accounting for the phenotypic effects observed. MC70 might be considered as a new potential anticancer agent capable to i) enhance chemotherapy effectiveness and ii) to play a contributory role in the treatment of chemotherapy resistant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalia Azzariti
- Clinical Experimental Oncology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy.
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Silvestris N, Azzariti A, Porcelli L, Quatrale AE, Paradiso A, Colucci G. Possibile role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in immunodepleted plasma of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients (pts) treated with a biweekly administration of capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (XELOX-2) plus bevacizumab: Preliminary results. J Clin Oncol 2011. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2011.29.15_suppl.e14155] [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] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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