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Raza M, Rajan AR, Kalluchi A, Saleem I, Kennedy BB, Bhakat KK, Band H, Rowley MJ, Band V. ECD functions as a novel RNA-binding protein to regulate mRNA splicing. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2025:2025.01.24.634785. [PMID: 39974924 PMCID: PMC11838213 DOI: 10.1101/2025.01.24.634785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2025]
Abstract
The human ecdysoneless protein (ECD) plays an essential role in the regulation of cell cycle and cell survival. ECD has been implicated in RNA splicing through its association with the protein components of splicing complex. Here, using electrophoretic mobility shift assay and mutational analysis, we demonstrate that ECD directly binds to RNA through its N-terminal region, specifically using amino acids 135-148. Using enhanced CLIP-seq analyses in human cells, we identified a large repertoire of mRNAs bound to ECD. RNA-seq analyses revealed that ECD depletion in cells leads to widespread RNA splicing aberrations associated with alterations in gene expression. Significantly, we demonstrate that ECD mediates mRNA splicing by directly binding to RNA sequences located near splicing sites. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that ECD directly binds to U5 small nuclear RNA (snRNA), and this interaction is critical for maintaining the expression of key protein components of U5 small nuclear protein (snRNP) complex. Notably, RNA binding defective mutant of ECD fails to rescue downregulated levels of U5 snRNP components or cell proliferation block induced by ECD knockout. Collectively, we provide compelling evidence that ECD regulates RNA splicing by directly associating with RNAs, and the RNA binding activity of ECD is essential for its function.
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Yedla P, Bhamidipati P, Syed R, Amanchy R. Working title: Molecular involvement of p53-MDM2 interactome in gastrointestinal cancers. Cell Biochem Funct 2024; 42:e4075. [PMID: 38924101 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.4075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The interaction between murine double minute 2 (MDM2) and p53, marked by transcriptional induction and feedback inhibition, orchestrates a functional loop dictating cellular fate. The functional loop comprising p53-MDM2 axis is made up of an interactome consisting of approximately 81 proteins, which are spatio-temporally regulated and involved in DNA repair mechanisms. Biochemical and genetic alterations of the interactome result in dysregulation of the p53-mdm2 axis that leads to gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. A large subset of interactome is well known and it consists of proteins that either stabilize p53 or MDM2 and proteins that target the p53-MDM2 complex for ubiquitin-mediated destruction. Upstream signaling events brought about by growth factors and chemical messengers invoke a wide variety of posttranslational modifications in p53-MDM2 axis. Biochemical changes in the transactivation domain of p53 impact the energy landscape, induce conformational switching, alter interaction potential and could change solubility of p53 to redefine its co-localization, translocation and activity. A diverse set of chemical compounds mimic physiological effectors and simulate biochemical modifications of the p53-MDM2 interactome. p53-MDM2 interactome plays a crucial role in DNA damage and repair process. Genetic aberrations in the interactome, have resulted in cancers of GI tract (pancreas, liver, colorectal, gastric, biliary, and esophageal). We present in this article a review of the overall changes in the p53-MDM2 interactors and the effectors that form an epicenter for the development of next-generation molecules for understanding and targeting GI cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poornachandra Yedla
- Division of Applied Biology, CSIR-IICT (Indian Institute of Chemical Technology), Ministry of Science and Technology (GOI), Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Department of Pharmacogenomics, Institute of Translational Research, Asian Healthcare Foundation, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Pranav Bhamidipati
- Division of Applied Biology, CSIR-IICT (Indian Institute of Chemical Technology), Ministry of Science and Technology (GOI), Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Riyaz Syed
- Division of Applied Biology, CSIR-IICT (Indian Institute of Chemical Technology), Ministry of Science and Technology (GOI), Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Ramars Amanchy
- Division of Applied Biology, CSIR-IICT (Indian Institute of Chemical Technology), Ministry of Science and Technology (GOI), Hyderabad, Telangana, India
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Li L, Niu Q, Zhu Y, Fan B, Yang G. Decitabine enhances the tumoricidal potential of TRAIL via the epigenetic regulation of death receptor 4 in gastric cancer. J Gastrointest Oncol 2022; 13:2799-2808. [PMID: 36636077 PMCID: PMC9830339 DOI: 10.21037/jgo-22-928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methyltransferase inhibitors, such as decitabine, have made great advances in cancer therapy as combinational drugs. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has an obvious anti-tumor effect; however, some gastric cancer (GC) cells are resistant to TRAIL-induced cell death. This study sought to explore the synergistic anti-tumor effect of TRAIL and decitabine, and the potential synergetic mechanism. Methods The cell growth inhibition effect was monitored by the IncuCyte ZOOM Live-Cell Analysis System, and cell viability was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 assays. Apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/Propidium Iodide double staining. Death receptor 4 (DR4) was knocked down by ribonucleic acid (RNA) interference, and the effect of DR4 deletion on TRAIL sensitivity was analyzed. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to determine the methylation status of DR4. The messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression levels were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot. The expression of the DRs on the cell membrane surfaces was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results The combined use of decitabine and TRAIL synergistically inhibited cell growth in 2 TRAIL-resistant cell lines. Further, decitabine augmented TRAIL-induced apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner. The co-application of decitabine and TRAIL facilitated the activation of caspase-7, -8, -9, and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). Notably, decitabine increased the expression of DR4 at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. DR4 expression on the cell membrane surfaces was also upregulated after decitabine exposure. The depletion of DR4 by specific inhibitors attenuated TRAIL-induced apoptosis and weakened the synergistic effects of decitabine and TRAIL. In addition, DR4 gene presented methylation status in SNU-1 cells. The low mRNA and protein expression of DR4 were also detected in SNU-1 cells. Conclusions Decitabine enhances the effect of TRAIL by inhibiting the growth and inducing the apoptosis of GC cells. This is achieved by the epigenetic modification of decitabine, which upregulates DR4. Decitabine may act as a sensitizing agent of TRAIL. The combined use of decitabine and TRAIL may provide a novel idea for GC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Aerospace Center Hospital, Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Niu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Aerospace Center Hospital, Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanmin Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Aerospace Center Hospital, Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Biao Fan
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Guibin Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Aerospace Center Hospital, Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, China
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Thapa B, Kc R, Uludağ H. TRAIL therapy and prospective developments for cancer treatment. J Control Release 2020; 326:335-349. [PMID: 32682900 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL), an immune cytokine of TNF-family, has received much attention in late 1990s as a potential cancer therapeutics due to its selective ability to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. TRAIL binds to cell surface death receptors, TRAIL-R1 (DR4) and TRAIL-R2 (DR5) and facilitates formation of death-inducing signaling complex (DISC), eventually activating the p53-independent apoptotic cascade. This unique mechanism makes the TRAIL a potential anticancer therapeutic especially for p53-mutated tumors. However, recombinant human TRAIL protein (rhTRAIL) and TRAIL-R agonist monoclonal antibodies (mAb) failed to exert robust anticancer activities due to inherent and/or acquired resistance, poor pharmacokinetics and weak potencies for apoptosis induction. To get TRAIL back on track as a cancer therapeutic, multiple strategies including protein modification, combinatorial approach and TRAIL gene therapy are being extensively explored. These strategies aim to enhance the half-life and bioavailability of TRAIL and synergize with TRAIL action ultimately sensitizing the resistant and non-responsive cells. We summarize emerging strategies for enhanced TRAIL therapy in this review and cover a wide range of recent technologies that will provide impetus to rejuvenate the TRAIL therapeutics in the clinical realm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bindu Thapa
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
| | - Remant Kc
- Department of Chemical & Material Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
| | - Hasan Uludağ
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Department of Chemical & Material Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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Francois RA, Zhang A, Husain K, Wang C, Hutchinson S, Kongnyuy M, Batra SK, Coppola D, Sebti SM, Malafa MP. Vitamin E δ-tocotrienol sensitizes human pancreatic cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis through proteasome-mediated down-regulation of c-FLIP s. Cancer Cell Int 2019; 19:189. [PMID: 31367187 PMCID: PMC6647259 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-019-0876-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vitamin E δ-tocotrienol (VEDT), a vitamin E compound isolated from sources such as palm fruit and annatto beans, has been reported to have cancer chemopreventive and therapeutic effects. METHODS We report a novel function of VEDT in augmenting tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand- (TRAIL-) induced apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. The effects of VEDT were shown by its ability to trigger caspase-8-dependent apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. RESULTS When combined with TRAIL, VEDT significantly augmented TRAIL-induced apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells. VEDT decreased cellular FLICE inhibitory protein (c-FLIP) levels without consistently modulating the expression of decoy death receptors 1, 2, 3 or death receptors 4 and 5. Enforced expression of c-FLIP substantially attenuated VEDT/TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Thus, c-FLIP reduction plays an important part in mediating VEDT/TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Moreover, VEDT increased c-FLIP ubiquitination and degradation but did not affect its transcription, suggesting that VEDT decreases c-FLIP levels through promoting its degradation. Of note, degradation of c-FLIP and enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells were observed only with the anticancer bioactive vitamin E compounds δ-, γ-, and β-tocotrienol but not with the anticancer inactive vitamin E compounds α-tocotrienol and α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol. CONCLUSIONS c-FLIP degradation is a key event for death receptor-induced apoptosis by anticancer bioactive vitamin E compounds in pancreatic cancer cells. Moreover, VEDT augmented TRAIL inhibition of pancreatic tumor growth and induction of apoptosis in vivo. Combination therapy with TRAIL agonists and bioactive vitamin E compounds may offer a novel strategy for pancreatic cancer intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rony A. Francois
- Gastrointestinal Oncology Program, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612 USA
| | - Anying Zhang
- Gastrointestinal Oncology Program, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612 USA
- Department of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Kazim Husain
- Gastrointestinal Oncology Program, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612 USA
| | - Chen Wang
- Gastrointestinal Oncology Program, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612 USA
- Department of Breast Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Sean Hutchinson
- Gastrointestinal Oncology Program, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612 USA
| | - Michael Kongnyuy
- Gastrointestinal Oncology Program, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612 USA
| | - Surinder K. Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NB USA
| | - Domenico Coppola
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL USA
| | - Said M. Sebti
- Drug Discovery Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL USA
| | - Mokenge P. Malafa
- Gastrointestinal Oncology Program, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612 USA
- Drug Discovery Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL USA
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Hashim YM, Vangveravong S, Sankpal NV, Binder PS, Liu J, Goedegebuure SP, Mach RH, Spitzer D, Hawkins WG. The Targeted SMAC Mimetic SW IV-134 is a strong enhancer of standard chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2017; 36:14. [PMID: 28095907 PMCID: PMC5240213 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-016-0470-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Pancreatic cancer is a lethal malignancy that frequently acquires resistance to conventional chemotherapies often associated with overexpression of inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs). We have recently described a novel means to deliver second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (SMAC) mimetics selectively to cancer cells employing the sigma-2 ligand/receptor interaction. The intrinsic death pathway agonist SMAC offers an excellent opportunity to counteract the anti-apoptotic activity of IAPs. SMAC mimetics have been used to sensitize several cancer types to chemotherapeutic agents but cancer-selective delivery and appropriate cellular localization have not yet been considered. In our current study, we tested the ability of the sigma-2/SMAC drug conjugate SW IV-134 to sensitize pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine. Methods Using the targeted SMAC mimetic SW IV-134, inhibition of the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (XIAP) was induced pharmacologically and its impact on cell viability was studied alone and in combination with gemcitabine. Pathway analyses were performed by assessing caspase activation, PARP cleavage and membrane blebbing (Annexin-V), key components of apoptotic cell death. Single-agent treatment regimens were compared with combination therapy in a preclinical mouse model of pancreatic cancer. Results The sensitizing effect of XIAP interference toward gemcitabine was confirmed via pharmacological intervention using our recently designed, targeted SMAC mimetic SW IV-134 across a wide range of commonly used pancreatic cancer cell lines at concentrations where the individual drugs showed only minimal activity. On a mechanistic level, we identified involvement of key components of the apoptosis machinery during cell death execution. Furthermore, combination therapy proved superior in decreasing the tumor burden and extending the lives of the animals in a preclinical mouse model of pancreatic cancer. Conclusion We believe that the strong sensitizing capacity of SW IV-134 in combination with clinically relevant doses of gemcitabine represents a promising treatment option that warrants clinical evaluation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13046-016-0470-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yassar M Hashim
- Department of Surgery, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8109, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA.,Present Address: Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd, 8215-NT, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Suwanna Vangveravong
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Narendra V Sankpal
- Department of Surgery, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8109, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Pratibha S Binder
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jingxia Liu
- Department of Surgery, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8109, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA.,Division of Public Health Sciences, Section of Oncologic Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - S Peter Goedegebuure
- Department of Surgery, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8109, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA.,Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Robert H Mach
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Dirk Spitzer
- Department of Surgery, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8109, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA.,Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - William G Hawkins
- Department of Surgery, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8109, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA. .,Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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Yang Y, Armour M, Wang KKH, Gandhi N, Iordachita I, Siewerdsen J, Wong J. Evaluation of a cone beam computed tomography geometry for image guided small animal irradiation. Phys Med Biol 2015; 60:5163-77. [PMID: 26083659 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/60/13/5163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The conventional imaging geometry for small animal cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is that a detector panel rotates around the head-to-tail axis of an imaged animal ('tubular' geometry). Another unusual but possible imaging geometry is that the detector panel rotates around the anterior-to-posterior axis of the animal ('pancake' geometry). The small animal radiation research platform developed at Johns Hopkins University employs the pancake geometry where a prone-positioned animal is rotated horizontally between an x-ray source and detector panel. This study is to assess the CBCT image quality in the pancake geometry and investigate potential methods for improvement. We compared CBCT images acquired in the pancake geometry with those acquired in the tubular geometry when the phantom/animal was placed upright simulating the conventional CBCT geometry. Results showed signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios in the pancake geometry were reduced in comparison to the tubular geometry at the same dose level. But the overall spatial resolution within the transverse plane of the imaged cylinder/animal was better in the pancake geometry. A modest exposure increase to two folds in the pancake geometry can improve image quality to a level close to the tubular geometry. Image quality can also be improved by inclining the animal, which reduces streak artifacts caused by bony structures. The major factor resulting in the inferior image quality in the pancake geometry is the elevated beam attenuation along the long axis of the phantom/animal and consequently increased scatter-to-primary ratio in that orientation. Not withstanding, the image quality in the pancake-geometry CBCT is adequate to support image guided animal positioning, while providing unique advantages of non-coplanar and multiple mice irradiation. This study also provides useful knowledge about the image quality in the two very different imaging geometries, i.e. pancake and tubular geometry, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yidong Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
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Fulda S. Targeting IAP proteins in combination with radiotherapy. Radiat Oncol 2015; 10:105. [PMID: 25927408 PMCID: PMC4436972 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-015-0399-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of radiotherapy critically depends on the activation of intrinsic cell death programs in cancer cells. This implies that evasion of cell death, a hallmark of human cancers, can contribute to radioresistance. Therefore, novel strategies to reactivate cell death programs in cancer cells are required in order to overcome resistance to radiotherapy. Since Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) proteins are expressed at high levels in multiple cancers and block cell death induction at a central point, therapeutic targeting of IAP proteins represents a promising approach to potentiate the efficacy of radiotherapy. The current review discusses the concept of targeting IAP proteins in combination with radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Fulda
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, Komturstr. 3a, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany. .,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany. .,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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Lee SH, Lee JY, Jung CL, Bae IH, Suh KH, Ahn YG, Jin DH, Kim TW, Suh YA, Jang SJ. A novel antagonist to the inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) potentiates cell death in EGFR-overexpressing non-small-cell lung cancer cells. Cell Death Dis 2014; 5:e1477. [PMID: 25321484 PMCID: PMC4649530 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2014] [Revised: 09/06/2014] [Accepted: 09/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In the effort to develop an efficient chemotherapy drug for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we analyzed the anti-tumorigenic effects of a novel small molecule targeting the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAPs), HM90822B, on NSCLC cells. HM90822B efficiently decreased IAP expression, especially that of XIAP and survivin, in several NSCLC cells. Interestingly, cells overexpressing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) due to the mutations were more sensitive to HM90822B, undergoing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis when treated. In xenograft experiments, inoculated EGFR-overexpressing NSCLC cells showed tumor regression when treated with the inhibitor, demonstrating the chemotherapeutic potential of this agent. Mechanistically, decreased levels of EGFR, Akt and phospho-MAPKs were observed in inhibitor-treated PC-9 cells on phosphorylation array and western blotting analysis, indicating that the reagent inhibited cell growth by preventing critical cell survival signaling pathways. In addition, gene-specific knockdown studies against XIAP and/or EGFR further uncovered the involvement of Akt and MAPK pathways in HM90822B-mediated downregulation of NSCLC cell growth. Together, these results support that HM90822B is a promising candidate to be developed as lung tumor chemotherapeutics by targeting oncogenic activities of IAP together with inhibiting cell survival signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- S-H Lee
- Institute for Innovative Cancer Research, Asan Institute for Life Science, Seoul Asan Medical Center, The University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - J-Y Lee
- Institute for Innovative Cancer Research, Asan Institute for Life Science, Seoul Asan Medical Center, The University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - C L Jung
- Institute for Innovative Cancer Research, Asan Institute for Life Science, Seoul Asan Medical Center, The University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - I H Bae
- Hanmi Research Center, Hanmi Pharm. Co., Ltd., Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - K H Suh
- Hanmi Research Center, Hanmi Pharm. Co., Ltd., Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Y G Ahn
- Hanmi Research Center, Hanmi Pharm. Co., Ltd., Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - D-H Jin
- Institute for Innovative Cancer Research, Asan Institute for Life Science, Seoul Asan Medical Center, The University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - T W Kim
- 1] Institute for Innovative Cancer Research, Asan Institute for Life Science, Seoul Asan Medical Center, The University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea [2] Department of Medicinal Oncology, Seoul Asan Medical Center, The University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Y-A Suh
- Institute for Innovative Cancer Research, Asan Institute for Life Science, Seoul Asan Medical Center, The University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - S J Jang
- 1] Institute for Innovative Cancer Research, Asan Institute for Life Science, Seoul Asan Medical Center, The University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea [2] Department of Pathology, Seoul Asan Medical Center, The University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Tang SC, Chen YC. Novel therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2014; 20:10825-10844. [PMID: 25152585 PMCID: PMC4138462 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i31.10825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Revised: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 04/09/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer has become the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the last two decades. Only 3%-15% of patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer had 5 year survival rate. Drug resistance, high metastasis, poor prognosis and tumour relapse contributed to the malignancies and difficulties in treating pancreatic cancer. The current standard chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer is gemcitabine, however its efficacy is far from satisfactory, one of the reasons is due to the complex tumour microenvironment which decreases effective drug delivery to target cancer cell. Studies of the molecular pathology of pancreatic cancer have revealed that activation of KRAS, overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2, inactivation of p16INK4A and loss of p53 activities occurred in pancreatic cancer. Co-administration of gemcitabine and targeting the molecular pathological events happened in pancreatic cancer has brought an enhanced therapeutic effectiveness of gemcitabine. Therefore, studies looking for novel targets in hindering pancreatic tumour growth are emerging rapidly. In order to give a better understanding of the current findings and to seek the direction in future pancreatic cancer research; in this review we will focus on targets suppressing tumour metastatsis and progression, KRAS activated downstream effectors, the relationship of Notch signaling and Nodal/Activin signaling with pancreatic cancer cells, the current findings of non-coding RNAs in inhibiting pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, brief discussion in transcription remodeling by epigenetic modifiers (e.g., HDAC, BMI1, EZH2) and the plausible therapeutic applications of cancer stem cell and hyaluronan in tumour environment.
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Kasloff SB, Pizzuto MS, Silic-Benussi M, Pavone S, Ciminale V, Capua I. Oncolytic activity of avian influenza virus in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell lines. J Virol 2014; 88:9321-34. [PMID: 24899201 PMCID: PMC4136238 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00929-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2014] [Accepted: 06/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is the most lethal form of human cancer, with dismal survival rates due to late-stage diagnoses and a lack of efficacious therapies. Building on the observation that avian influenza A viruses (IAVs) have a tropism for the pancreas in vivo, the present study was aimed at testing the efficacy of IAVs as oncolytic agents for killing human PDA cell lines. Receptor characterization confirmed that human PDA cell lines express the alpha-2,3- and the alpha-2,6-linked glycan receptor for avian and human IAVs, respectively. PDA cell lines were sensitive to infection by human and avian IAV isolates, which is consistent with this finding. Growth kinetic experiments showed preferential virus replication in PDA cells over that in a nontransformed pancreatic ductal cell line. Finally, at early time points posttreatment, infection with IAVs caused higher levels of apoptosis in PDA cells than gemcitabine and cisplatin, which are the cornerstone of current therapies for PDA. In the BxPC-3 PDA cell line, apoptosis resulted from the engagement of the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. Importantly, IAVs did not induce apoptosis in nontransformed pancreatic ductal HPDE6 cells. Using a model based on the growth of a PDA cell line as a xenograft in SCID mice, we also show that a slightly pathogenic avian IAV significantly inhibited tumor growth following intratumoral injection. Taken together, these results are the first to suggest that IAVs may hold promise as future agents of oncolytic virotherapy against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas. IMPORTANCE Despite intensive studies aimed at designing new therapeutic approaches, PDA still retains the most dismal prognosis among human cancers. In the present study, we provide the first evidence indicating that avian IAVs of low pathogenicity display a tropism for human PDA cells, resulting in viral RNA replication and a potent induction of apoptosis in vitro and antitumor effects in vivo. These results suggest that slightly pathogenic IAVs may prove to be effective for oncolytic virotherapy of PDA and provide grounds for further studies to develop specific and targeted viruses, with the aim of testing their efficacy in clinical contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha B Kasloff
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Matteo S Pizzuto
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy Imperial College of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Micol Silic-Benussi
- Department of Surgery, Oncology, and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Silvia Pavone
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Ciminale
- Department of Surgery, Oncology, and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Ilaria Capua
- Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
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12
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Graf RP, Keller N, Barbero S, Stupack D. Caspase-8 as a regulator of tumor cell motility. Curr Mol Med 2014; 14:246-54. [PMID: 24467204 PMCID: PMC4106798 DOI: 10.2174/1566524014666140128111951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2013] [Revised: 07/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The caspases are a family of ubiquitously expressed cysteine proteases best known for their roles in programmed cell death. However, caspases play a number of other roles in vertebrates. In the case of caspase-8, loss of expression is an embryonic lethal phenotype, and caspase-8 plays roles in suppressing cellular necrosis, promoting differentiation and immune signaling, regulating autophagy, and promoting cellular migration. Apoptosis and migration require localization of caspase-8 in the periphery of the cells, where caspase-8 acts as part of distinct biosensory complexes that either promote migration in appropriate cellular microenvironments, or cell death in inappropriate settings. In the cellular periphery, caspase-8 interacts with components of the focal adhesion complex in a tyrosine-kinase dependent manner, promoting both cell migration in vitro and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, caspase-8 interacts with components of both focal adhesions and early endosomes, enhancing focal adhesion turnover and promoting rapid integrin recycling to the cell surface. Clinically, this suggests that the expression of caspase-8 may not always be a positive prognostic sign, and that the role of caspase-8 in cancer progression is likely context-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - D Stupack
- University of California San Diego, Moores Cancer Center, Department of Reproductive Medicine, 0803, 3855 Health Sciences Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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13
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Wang W, Zhang M, Sun W, Yang S, Su Y, Zhang H, Liu C, Li X, Lin L, Kim S, Okunieff P, Zhang Z, Zhang L. Reduction of decoy receptor 3 enhances TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in pancreatic cancer. PLoS One 2013; 8:e74272. [PMID: 24204567 PMCID: PMC3808375 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Most human pancreatic cancer cells are resistant to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-mediated apoptosis. However, the mechanisms by which pancreatic cancer cells utilize their extracellular molecules to counteract the proapoptotic signaling mediated by the TNF family are largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time that DcR3, a secreted decoy receptor that malignant pancreatic cancer cells express at a high level, acts as an extracellular antiapoptotic molecule by binding to TRAIL and counteracting its death-promoting function. The reduction of DcR3 with siRNA unmasked TRAIL and greatly enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Gemcitabine, a first-line drug for pancreatic cancer, also reduced the level of DcR3. The addition of DcR3 siRNA further enhanced gemcitabine-induced apoptosis. Notably, our in vivo study demonstrated that the therapeutic effect of gemcitabine could be enhanced via further reduction of DcR3, suggesting that downregulation of DcR3 in tumor cells could tip the balance of pancreatic cells towards apoptosis and potentially serve as a new strategy for pancreatic cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
- * E-mail: (WW); (LZ)
| | - Mei Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Weimin Sun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Immunology, Second Military Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Shanmin Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Ying Su
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Hengshan Zhang
- Central Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Chaomei Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Xinfeng Li
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Ling Lin
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Sunghee Kim
- BioPowerTech, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Paul Okunieff
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Zhenhuan Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Lurong Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Central Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- * E-mail: (WW); (LZ)
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14
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Neesse A, Frese KK, Bapiro TE, Nakagawa T, Sternlicht MD, Seeley TW, Pilarsky C, Jodrell DI, Spong SM, Tuveson DA. CTGF antagonism with mAb FG-3019 enhances chemotherapy response without increasing drug delivery in murine ductal pancreas cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:12325-30. [PMID: 23836645 PMCID: PMC3725120 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1300415110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is characterized by abundant desmoplasia and poor tissue perfusion. These features are proposed to limit the access of therapies to neoplastic cells and blunt treatment efficacy. Indeed, several agents that target the PDA tumor microenvironment promote concomitant chemotherapy delivery and increased antineoplastic response in murine models of PDA. Prior studies could not determine whether chemotherapy delivery or microenvironment modulation per se were the dominant features in treatment response, and such information could guide the optimal translation of these preclinical findings to patients. To distinguish between these possibilities, we used a chemical inhibitor of cytidine deaminase to stabilize and thereby artificially elevate gemcitabine levels in murine PDA tumors without disrupting the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, we used the FG-3019 monoclonal antibody (mAb) that is directed against the pleiotropic matricellular signaling protein connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2). Inhibition of cytidine deaminase raised the levels of activated gemcitabine within PDA tumors without stimulating neoplastic cell killing or decreasing the growth of tumors, whereas FG-3019 increased PDA cell killing and led to a dramatic tumor response without altering gemcitabine delivery. The response to FG-3019 correlated with the decreased expression of a previously described promoter of PDA chemotherapy resistance, the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein. Therefore, alterations in survival cues following targeting of tumor microenvironmental factors may play an important role in treatment responses in animal models, and by extension in PDA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albrecht Neesse
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0RE, United Kingdom
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Kristopher K. Frese
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Tashinga E. Bapiro
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0RE, United Kingdom
- Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Tomoaki Nakagawa
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0RE, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Christian Pilarsky
- Department of General, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; and
| | - Duncan I. Jodrell
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0RE, United Kingdom
- Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | | | - David A. Tuveson
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0RE, United Kingdom
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
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15
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Abstract
Despite the significant advances in clinical research, surgical resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are still used as the primary method for cancer treatment. As compared to conventional therapies that often induce systemic toxicity and eventually contribute to tumor resistance, the TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising anticancer agent that selectively triggers apoptosis in various cancer cells by interacting with its proapoptotic receptors DR4 and KILLER/DR5, while sparing the normal surrounding tissue. The intensive studies of TRAIL signaling pathways over the past decade have provided clues for understanding the molecular mechanisms of TRAIL-induced apoptosis in carcinogenesis and identified an array of therapeutic responses elicited by TRAIL and its receptor agonists. Analysis of its activity at the molecular level has shown that TRAIL improves survival either as monotherapies or combinatorial therapies with other mediators of apoptosis or anticancer chemotherapy. Combinatorial treatments amplify the activities of anticancer agents and widen the therapeutic window by overcoming tumor resistance to apoptosis and driving cancer cells to self-destruction. Although TRAIL sensitivity varies widely depending on the cell type, nontransformed cells are largely resistant to death mediated by TRAIL Death Receptors (DRs). Genetic alterations in cancer can contribute in tumor progression and often play an important role in evasion of apoptosis by tumor cells. Remarkably, RAS, MYC and HER2 oncogenes have been shown to sensitise tumor cells to TRAIL induced cell death. Here, we summarise the cross-talk of oncogenic and apoptotic pathways and how they can be exploited toward efficient combinatorial therapeutic protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eftychia Oikonomou
- Laboratory of Signal Mediated Gene Expression, Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48, Vasileos Konstantinou Ave., 11635, Athens, Greece
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16
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Flusberg DA, Sorger PK. Modulating cell-to-cell variability and sensitivity to death ligands by co-drugging. Phys Biol 2013; 10:035002. [PMID: 23735516 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/10/3/035002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) holds promise as an anti-cancer therapeutic but efficiently induces apoptosis in only a subset of tumor cell lines. Moreover, even in clonal populations of responsive lines, only a fraction of cells dies in response to TRAIL and individual cells exhibit cell-to-cell variability in the timing of cell death. Fractional killing in these cell populations appears to arise not from genetic differences among cells but rather from differences in gene expression states, fluctuations in protein levels and the extent to which TRAIL-induced death or survival pathways become activated. In this study, we ask how cell-to-cell variability manifests in cell types with different sensitivities to TRAIL, as well as how it changes when cells are exposed to combinations of drugs. We show that individual cells that survive treatment with TRAIL can regenerate the sensitivity and death-time distribution of the parental population, demonstrating that fractional killing is a stable property of cell populations. We also show that cell-to-cell variability in the timing and probability of apoptosis in response to treatment can be tuned using combinations of drugs that together increase apoptotic sensitivity compared to treatment with one drug alone. In the case of TRAIL, modulation of cell-to-cell variability by co-drugging appears to involve a reduction in the threshold for mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A Flusberg
- Center for Cell Decision Processes, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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17
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Dimberg LY, Anderson CK, Camidge R, Behbakht K, Thorburn A, Ford HL. On the TRAIL to successful cancer therapy? Predicting and counteracting resistance against TRAIL-based therapeutics. Oncogene 2013; 32:1341-50. [PMID: 22580613 PMCID: PMC4502956 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2012.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2012] [Revised: 03/19/2012] [Accepted: 03/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and agonistic antibodies against TRAIL death receptors (DR) kill tumor cells while causing virtually no damage to normal cells. Several novel drugs targeting TRAIL receptors are currently in clinical trials. However, TRAIL resistance is a common obstacle in TRAIL-based therapy and limits the efficiency of these drugs. In this review article we discuss different mechanisms of TRAIL resistance, and how they can be predicted and therapeutically circumvented. In addition, we provide a brief overview of all TRAIL-based clinical trials conducted so far. It is apparent that although the effects of TRAIL therapy are disappointingly modest overall, a small subset of patients responds very well to TRAIL. We argue that the true potential of targeting TRAIL DRs in cancer can only be reached when we find efficient ways to select for those patients that are most likely to benefit from the treatment. To achieve this, it is crucial to identify biomarkers that can help us predict TRAIL sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Y Dimberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
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18
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Kubota D, Okubo T, Saito T, Suehara Y, Yoshida A, Kikuta K, Tsuda H, Katai H, Shimada Y, Kaneko K, Kawai A, Kondo T. Validation study on pfetin and ATP-dependent RNA helicase DDX39 as prognostic biomarkers in gastrointestinal stromal tumour. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2012; 42:730-41. [PMID: 22723667 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hys092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to validate two prognostic biomarkers, pfetin and adenosine triphosphate-dependent RNA helicase DDX39 (DDX39), in gastrointestinal stromal tumour. Prognostic biomarkers have long been required for the optimal use of kinase inhibitors in gastrointestinal stromal tumour. METHODS The expression level of pfetin was immunohistochemically examined in 72 gastrointestinal stromal tumour cases, being correlated with the clinicopathological parameters. Meta-analysis of the prognostic value of pfetin was performed in a total of 371 cases. The prognostic utility of the combination of pfetin and DDX39 was examined in the 72 gastrointestinal stromal tumour cases. RESULTS Immunohistochemical study demonstrated the disease-free survival rate to be 94.7% for pfetin-positive patients and 20.0% for pfetin-negative patients among the 72 gastrointestinal stromal tumour cases (P < 0.0001). In the 371 cases, the disease-free survival rate was 93.8% for pfetin-positive patients and 40.6% for pfetin-negative patients (P < 0.0001). Both univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that pfetin expression was an independent prognostic factor (P< 0.0001). When evaluated in combination with pfetin and DDX39, the disease-free survival rates were 0.0% for the pfetin-negative and DDX39-strong patients. CONCLUSIONS These results established the clinical utility of pfetin as a novel prognostic biomarker for gastrointestinal stromal tumour. The combined use of pfetin and DDX39 appeared to have powerful prognostic value. These biomarkers will be useful in deciding whether to administer adjuvant therapy after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Kubota
- Division of Pharmacoproteomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
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19
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Chen XY, He QY, Guo MZ. XAF1 is frequently methylated in human esophageal cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2012; 18:2844-9. [PMID: 22719195 PMCID: PMC3374990 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i22.2844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2011] [Revised: 04/05/2012] [Accepted: 04/10/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To explore epigenetic changes in the gene encoding X chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis-associated factor 1 (XAF1) during esophageal carcinogenesis.
METHODS: Methylation status of XAF1 was detected by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) in four esophageal cancer cell lines (KYSE30, KYSE70, BIC1 and partially methylated in TE3 cell lines), nine cases of normal mucosa, 72 cases of primary esophageal cancer and matched adjacent tissue. XAF1 expression was examined by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting before and after treatment with 5-aza-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dc), a demethylating agent. To investigate the correlation of XAF1 expression and methylation status in primary esophageal cancer, immunohistochemistry for XAF1 expression was performed in 32 cases of esophageal cancer and matched adjacent tissue. The association of methylation status and clinicopathological data was analyzed by logistic regression.
RESULTS: MSP results were as follows: loss of XAF1 expression was found in three of four esophageal cell lines with promoter region hypermethylation (completely methylated in KYSE30, KYSE70 and BIC1 cell lines and partially in TE3 cells); all nine cases of normal esophageal mucosa were unmethylated; and 54/72 (75.00%) samples from patients with esophageal cancer were methylated, and 25/72 (34.70%) matched adjacent tissues were methylated (75.00% vs 34.70%, χ2 = 23.5840, P = 0.000). mRNA level of XAF1 measured with semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was detectable only in TE3 cells, and no expression was detected in KYSE30, KYSE70 or BIC1 cells. Protein expression was not observed in KYSE30 cells by Western blotting before treatment with 5-aza-dc. After treatment, mRNA level of XAF1 was detectable in KYSE30, KYSE70 and BIC1 cells. Protein expression was detected in KYSE30 after treatment with 5-aza-dc. Immunohistochemistry was performed on 32 cases of esophageal cancer and adjacent tissue, and demonstrated XAF1 in the nucleus and cytoplasm. XAF1 staining was found in 20/32 samples of adjacent normal tissue but was present in only 8/32 samples of esophageal cancer tissue (χ2= 9.143, P = 0.002). XAF1 expression was decreased in cancer samples compared with adjacent tissues. In 32 cases of esophageal cancer, 24/32 samples were methylated, and 8/32 esophageal cancer tissues were unmethylated. XAF1 staining was found in 6/8 samples of unmethylated esophageal cancer and 2/24 samples of methylated esophageal cancer tissue. XAF1 staining was inversely correlated with XAF1 promoter region methylation (Fisher’s exact test, P = 0.004). Regarding methylation status and clinicopathological data, no significant differences were found in sex, age, tumor size, tumor stage, or metastasis with respect to methylation of XAF1 for the 72 tissue samples from patients with esophageal cancer.
CONCLUSION: XAF1 is frequently methylated in esophageal cancer, and XAF1 expression is regulated by promoter region hypermethylation.
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20
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Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) proteins as therapeutic targets for radiosensitization of human cancers. Cancer Treat Rev 2012; 38:760-6. [PMID: 22342104 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2012.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2011] [Revised: 01/17/2012] [Accepted: 01/23/2012] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Radiotherapy initiates a variety of signaling events in cancer cells that eventually lead to cell death in case the DNA damage cannot be repaired. However, the signal transduction pathways that mediate cell death in response to radiation-inflicted DNA damage are frequently disturbed in human cancers, contributing to radioresistance. For example, aberrant activation of antiapoptotic programs such as high expression of Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) proteins has been shown to interfere with the efficacy of radiotherapy. Since IAP proteins have been linked to radioresistance in several malignancies, therapeutic targeting of IAP proteins may open new perspectives to overcome radioresistance. Therefore, molecular targeting of IAP proteins may provide novel opportunities to reactivate cell death pathways that mediate radiation-induced cytotoxicity. A number of strategies have been developed in recent years to antagonize IAP proteins for the treatment of cancers. Some of these approaches have already been translated into a clinical application. While IAP protein-targeting agents are currently being evaluated in early clinical trials alone or in combination with conventional chemotherapy, they have not yet been tested in combination with radiation therapy. Therefore, it is a timely subject to discuss the opportunities of antagonizing IAP proteins for radiosensitization. Preclinical studies demonstrating the potential of this concept in relevant in vitro and in vivo models underscore that this combination approach warrants further clinical investigation. Thus, combination protocols using IAP antagonists together with radiotherapy may pave the avenue to more effective radiation-based treatment options for cancer patients.
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21
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BV6, an IAP antagonist, activates apoptosis and enhances radiosensitization of non-small cell lung carcinoma in vitro. J Thorac Oncol 2012; 6:1801-9. [PMID: 21760551 DOI: 10.1097/jto.0b013e318226b4a6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Defects in the apoptosis pathway limit the effectiveness of radiation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapy. BV6 is an antagonist of cIAP1 and XIAP, members of the inhibitors of apoptosis (IAP) family. We investigated the potential of BV6 to sensitize NSCLC cell lines to radiation. METHODS HCC193 and H460 lung cancer cell lines were treated with BV6 to investigate the effects of drug administration on cell proliferation, apoptosis, inhibition of XIAP and cIAP1, and radiosensitivity. Subsequent immunoblotting and Hoechst staining were used to determine the role of apoptosis in radiosensitization. Finally, the pathway of apoptosis was characterized by Western blot analysis for cleaved caspase-8 and cleaved caspase-9 and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for TNF-α. RESULTS HCC193 was found to be more sensitive than H460 to BV6-induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner. BV6 significantly sensitized both cell lines to radiation (HCC193-DER = 1.38, p < 0.05 at 1 μM BV6; H460-DER = 1.42, p < 0.05 at 5 μM BV6), but a higher concentration of and longer incubation time with BV6 was necessary for H460 cells. The BV6-induced radiosensitization of HCC193 favored the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis, whereas that of H460 favored the intrinsic pathway. CONCLUSIONS BV6, an IAP antagonist, significantly enhanced the radiosensitization of HCC193 and H460 cells in vitro. More research is warranted to test the mechanism of action of BV6 and to assess its potential in vivo and in the clinical setting.
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22
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Choi KY, Swierczewska M, Lee S, Chen X. Protease-activated drug development. Am J Cancer Res 2012; 2:156-78. [PMID: 22400063 PMCID: PMC3296471 DOI: 10.7150/thno.4068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2012] [Accepted: 01/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In this extensive review, we elucidate the importance of proteases and their role in drug development in various diseases with an emphasis on cancer. First, key proteases are introduced along with their function in disease progression. Next, we link these proteases as targets for the development of prodrugs and provide clinical examples of protease-activatable prodrugs. Finally, we provide significant design considerations needed for the development of the next generation protease-targeted and protease-activatable prodrugs.
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23
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Jiang G, Xin Y, Zheng JN, Liu YQ. Combining conditionally replicating adenovirus-mediated gene therapy with chemotherapy: a novel antitumor approach. Int J Cancer 2011; 129:263-74. [PMID: 21509783 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.25948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2010] [Accepted: 01/05/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite significant improvements in diagnosis and innovations in the therapy of specific cancers, effective treatment of neoplastic diseases still presents major challenges. Recent studies have shown that conditionally replicating adenoviruses (CRAds) not only have the ability to destroy cancer cells but may also be potential vectors for the expression of therapeutic genes. Several studies in animal models have demonstrated that the combination of CRAds-mediated gene therapy and chemotherapy has greater therapeutic benefit than either treatment modality alone. In this review, an overview of specifications for a novel antitumor approach combining CRAd-gene therapy and chemotherapy is provided and recent progress in this field is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guan Jiang
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Xuzhou City, Xuzhou 221006, China
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Awasthi N, Kirane A, Schwarz MA, Toombs JE, Brekken RA, Schwarz RE. Smac mimetic-derived augmentation of chemotherapeutic response in experimental pancreatic cancer. BMC Cancer 2011; 11:15. [PMID: 21226944 PMCID: PMC3034706 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-11-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2010] [Accepted: 01/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly resistant to conventional chemotherapy, in part due to the overexpression of inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs). Smac is an endogenous IAP-antagonist, which renders synthetic Smac mimetics attractive anticancer agents. We evaluated the benefits of combining a Smac mimetic, JP1201 (JP), with conventional chemotherapy agents used for PDAC management. Methods Cell viability assays and protein expression analysis were performed using WST-1 reagent and Western blotting, respectively. Apoptosis was detected by annexin V/propidium iodide staining. In vivo tumor growth and survival studies were performed in murine PDAC xenografts. Results JP and gemcitabine (Gem) inhibited PDAC cell proliferation with additive effects in combination. The percentage of early apoptotic cells in controls, JP, Gem and JP + Gem was 17%, 26%, 26% and 38%, respectively. JP-induced apoptosis was accompanied by PARP-1 cleavage. Similar additive anti-proliferative effects were seen for combinations of JP with doxorubicin (Dox) and docetaxel (DT). The JP + Gem combination caused a 30% decrease in tumor size in vivo compared to controls. Median animal survival was improved significantly in mice treated with JP + Gem (38 d) compared to controls (22 d), JP (28 d) or Gem (32 d) (p = 0.01). Animal survival was also improved with JP + DT treatment (32 d) compared to controls (16 d), JP (21 d) or DT alone (27 d). Conclusions These results warrant further exploration of strategies that promote chemotherapy-induced apoptosis of tumors and highlight the potential of Smac mimetics in clinical PDAC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niranjan Awasthi
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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Fulda S. Targeting apoptosis signaling in pancreatic cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2011; 3:241-51. [PMID: 24212616 PMCID: PMC3756359 DOI: 10.3390/cancers3010241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2010] [Revised: 01/05/2011] [Accepted: 01/06/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to escape apoptosis or programmed cell death is a hallmark of human cancers, for example pancreatic cancer. This can promote tumorigenesis, since too little cell death by apoptosis disturbs tissue homeostasis. Additionally, defective apoptosis signaling is the underlying cause of failure to respond to current treatment approaches, since therapy-mediated antitumor activity requires the intactness of apoptosis signaling pathways in cancer cells. Thus, the elucidation of defects in the regulation of apoptosis in pancreatic carcinoma can result in the identification of novel targets for therapeutic interference and for exploitation for cancer drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Fulda
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Komturstr. 3a, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany.
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26
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Stadel D, Mohr A, Ref C, MacFarlane M, Zhou S, Humphreys R, Bachem M, Cohen G, Möller P, Zwacka RM, Debatin KM, Fulda S. TRAIL-induced apoptosis is preferentially mediated via TRAIL receptor 1 in pancreatic carcinoma cells and profoundly enhanced by XIAP inhibitors. Clin Cancer Res 2010; 16:5734-49. [PMID: 20940278 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-10-0985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We previously reported that small molecule X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) inhibitors synergize with soluble TRAIL to trigger apoptosis in pancreatic carcinoma cells. Because cancers may preferentially signal via 1 of the 2 agonistic TRAIL receptors, we investigated these receptors as a therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer in the present study. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We examined TRAIL receptor expression and cytotoxicity of specific monoclonal antibodies to TRAIL-R1 (HGS-ETR1, mapatumumab) or TRAIL-R2 (HGS-ETR2, lexatumumab) and of TRAIL receptor selective mutants alone and in combination with small molecule XIAP inhibitors in pancreatic cancer cell lines, in primary specimens, and in a xenotransplant model in vivo. RESULTS The majority of primary pancreatic carcinoma samples and all cell lines express one or both agonistic TRAIL receptors. Nine of 13 cell lines are more sensitive to mapatumumab-induced apoptosis, whereas lexatumumab requires cross-linking for maximal activity. Similarly, TRAIL-R1 selective mutants display higher cytotoxicity than TRAIL-R2 selective mutants. Small molecule XIAP inhibitors preferentially act in concert with mapatumumab to trigger caspase activation, caspase-dependent apoptosis, and suppress clonogenic survival. Also, primary cultured pancreatic carcinoma cells are more susceptible to mapatumumab than lexatumumab, which is significantly enhanced by a XIAP inhibitor. Importantly, combined treatment with mapatumumab and a XIAP inhibitor cooperates to suppress tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Mapatumumab exerts antitumor activity, especially in combination with XIAP inhibitors against most pancreatic carcinoma cell lines, whereas lexatumumab requires cross-linking for optimal cytotoxicity. These findings have important implications for the design of TRAIL-based protocols for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Stadel
- University Children's Hospital, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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Frenzel LP, Patz M, Pallasch CP, Brinker R, Claasen J, Schulz A, Hallek M, Kashkar H, Wendtner CM. Novel X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis inhibiting compound as sensitizer for TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia with poor prognosis. Br J Haematol 2010; 152:191-200. [PMID: 21091905 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2010.08426.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Given that aggressive DNA damaging chemotherapy shows suboptimal efficacy in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), alternative therapeutic approaches are needed. Tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is able to induce tumour-specific apoptosis. However, apoptosis might be inhibited by elevated levels of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP). Use of XIAP-inhibiting compounds might sensitize primary CLL cells towards TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. A novel small molecule, compound A (CA), an inhibitor of XIAP, was used in combination with TRAIL to induce apoptosis in primary CLL cells (n = 48). XIAP was significantly more highly expressed in primary CLL cells (n = 28) compared to healthy B cells (n = 16) (P = 0·02). Our data obtained by specific knock-down of XIAP by siRNA identified XIAP as the key factor conferring resistance to TRAIL in CLL. Combined treatment with CA/TRAIL significantly increased apoptosis compared to untreated (P = 8·5 × 10⁻¹⁰), solely CA (P = 4·1 × 10⁻¹²) or TRAIL treated (P = 4·8 × 10⁻¹⁰) CLL cells. CA rendered 40 of 48 (83·3%) primary CLL samples susceptible to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. In particular, cells derived from patients with poor prognosis CLL (ZAP-70(+) , IGHV unmutated, 17p-) were highly responsive to this drug combination. Our highly-effective XIAP inhibitor CA, in concert with TRAIL, shows potential for the treatment of CLL cases with poor prognosis and therefore warrants further clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas P Frenzel
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, Germany.
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28
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Rückert F, Dawelbait G, Winter C, Hartmann A, Denz A, Ammerpohl O, Schroeder M, Schackert HK, Sipos B, Klöppel G, Kalthoff H, Saeger HD, Pilarsky C, Grützmann R. Examination of apoptosis signaling in pancreatic cancer by computational signal transduction analysis. PLoS One 2010; 5:e12243. [PMID: 20808857 PMCID: PMC2924379 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2010] [Accepted: 07/20/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains an important cause of cancer death. Changes in apoptosis signaling in pancreatic cancer result in chemotherapy resistance and aggressive growth and metastasizing. The aim of this study was to characterize the apoptosis pathway in pancreatic cancer computationally by evaluation of experimental data from high-throughput technologies and public data bases. Therefore, gene expression analysis of microdissected pancreatic tumor tissue was implemented in a model of the apoptosis pathway obtained by computational protein interaction prediction. Methodology/Principal Findings Apoptosis pathway related genes were assembled from electronic databases. To assess expression of these genes we constructed a virtual subarray from a whole genome analysis from microdissected native tumor tissue. To obtain a model of the apoptosis pathway, interactions of members of the apoptosis pathway were analysed using public databases and computational prediction of protein interactions. Gene expression data were implemented in the apoptosis pathway model. 19 genes were found differentially expressed and 12 genes had an already known pathophysiological role in PDAC, such as Survivin/BIRC5, BNIP3 and TNF-R1. Furthermore we validated differential expression of IL1R2 and Livin/BIRC7 by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Implementation of the gene expression data in the apoptosis pathway map suggested two higher level defects of the pathway at the level of cell death receptors and within the intrinsic signaling cascade consistent with references on apoptosis in PDAC. Protein interaction prediction further showed possible new interactions between the single pathway members, which demonstrate the complexity of the apoptosis pathway. Conclusions/Significance Our data shows that by computational evaluation of public accessible data an acceptable virtual image of the apoptosis pathway might be given. By this approach we could identify two higher level defects of the apoptosis pathway in PDAC. We could further for the first time identify IL1R2 as possible candidate gene in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Rückert
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden,
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Dineen SP, Roland CL, Greer R, Carbon JG, Toombs JE, Gupta P, Bardeesy N, Sun H, Williams N, Minna JD, Brekken RA. Smac mimetic increases chemotherapy response and improves survival in mice with pancreatic cancer. Cancer Res 2010; 70:2852-61. [PMID: 20332237 PMCID: PMC2848888 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-09-3892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Failure of chemotherapy in the treatment of pancreatic cancer is often due to resistance to therapy-induced apoptosis. A major mechanism for such resistance is the expression and activity of inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAP). Smac (second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase) is a mitochondrial protein that inhibits IAPs. We show that JP1201, a Smac mimetic, is a potent enhancer of chemotherapy in robust mouse models of pancreatic cancer. Combination of JP1201 with gemcitabine reduced primary and metastatic tumor burden in orthotopic xenograft and syngenic tumor models, induced regression of established tumors, and prolonged survival in xenograft and transgenic models of pancreatic cancer. The effect of JP1201 was phenocopied by XIAP small interfering RNA in vitro and correlated with elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha protein in vivo. The continued development of JP1201 and other strategies designed to enhance therapy-induced apoptosis in pancreatic cancer is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean P. Dineen
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390-8593
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390-8593
| | - Christina L. Roland
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390-8593
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390-8593
| | - Rachel Greer
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390-8593
| | - Juliet G. Carbon
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390-8593
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390-8593
| | - Jason E. Toombs
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390-8593
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390-8593
| | - Puja Gupta
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390-8593
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390-8593
| | - Nabeel Bardeesy
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02166
| | | | - Noelle Williams
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390-8593
| | - John D. Minna
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390-8593
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390-8593
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390-8593
| | - Rolf A. Brekken
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390-8593
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390-8593
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390-8593
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Verheij M, Vens C, van Triest B. Novel therapeutics in combination with radiotherapy to improve cancer treatment: Rationale, mechanisms of action and clinical perspective. Drug Resist Updat 2010; 13:29-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2010.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2009] [Revised: 01/21/2010] [Accepted: 01/22/2010] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Huang J, Yao WY, Zhu Q, Tu SP, Yuan F, Wang HF, Zhang YP, Yuan YZ. XAF1 as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer. Cancer Sci 2010; 101:559-67. [PMID: 19922503 PMCID: PMC11158990 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2009.01396.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
XAF1 (X chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis [XIAP]-associated factor 1) is a novel XIAP modulator that negatively regulates the anti-apoptotic effects of XIAP and sensitizes cells to other cell death triggers. It has been reported to be downregulated in a variety of human cancer cell lines. However, the role of XAF1 in pancreatic carcinogenesis remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the prognostic values of XAF1 expression and its regulation in cancer cell growth and apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. From the immunohistochemistry staining of tissue microarray, 40 of 89 (44.9%) pancreatic specimens showed low levels of XAF1 expression. Statistical analysis suggested the downregulation of XAF1 was significantly correlated with tumor staging (P = 0.047) and those patients with low XAF1 levels had shorter survival times (P = 0.0162). Multivariate analysis indicated that XAF1 expression was an independent prognostic indicator of the survival of patients with pancreatic cancer (P = 0.007). Furthermore, we found that restoration of XAF1 expression mediated by Ad5/F35 virus suppressed cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, accompanied by the activation of caspases 3, 8, and 9 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase as well as increased level of cytochrome c and Bid cleavage. Notably, XAF1 restoration robustly decreased survivin expression rather than XIAP. In addition, in vivo s.c. xenografts from Ad5/F35-XAF1 treatment, which showed less cellular proliferation and enhanced apoptosis, were significantly smaller than those from control groups. Our findings document that XAF1 is a valuable prognostic marker in pancreatic cancer and could be a potential candidate for cancer gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Ande SR, Chen J, Maddika S. The ubiquitin pathway: An emerging drug target in cancer therapy. Eur J Pharmacol 2009; 625:199-205. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2009.08.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2009] [Revised: 07/16/2009] [Accepted: 08/03/2009] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Loeder S, Zenz T, Schnaiter A, Mertens D, Winkler D, Döhner H, Debatin KM, Stilgenbauer S, Fulda S. A novel paradigm to trigger apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Cancer Res 2009; 69:8977-86. [PMID: 19920200 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-09-2604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Evasion of apoptosis is a hallmark of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), calling for new strategies to bypass resistance. Here, we provide first evidence that small-molecule X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) inhibitors in combination with the death receptor ligand tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) present a novel approach to trigger apoptosis in CLL, including subgroups with resistant disease or unfavorable prognosis. XIAP, cellular IAP (cIAP) 1, and cIAP2 are expressed at high levels in primary CLL samples. Proof-of-concept studies in CLL cell lines show that subtoxic concentrations of XIAP inhibitors significantly enhance TRAIL-induced apoptosis and also sensitize for CD95-mediated apoptosis. Importantly also in primary CLL samples, XIAP inhibitor acts in concert with TRAIL to trigger apoptosis in 18 of 27 (67%) cases. This XIAP inhibitor-induced and TRAIL-induced apoptosis involves caspase-3 activation and is blocked by the caspase inhibitor zVAD.fmk. The cooperative interaction of XIAP inhibitor and TRAIL is even evident in distinct subgroups of patients with poor prognostic features (i.e., with 17p deletion, TP53 mutation, chemotherapy-refractory disease, or unmutated V(H) genes). Interestingly, cases with unmutated V(H) genes were significantly more sensitive to XIAP inhibitor-induced and TRAIL-induced apoptosis compared with V(H) gene-mutated samples, pointing to a role of B-cell receptor signaling in apoptosis regulation. By showing that XIAP inhibitors in combination with TRAIL present a new strategy to trigger apoptosis even in resistant forms and poor prognostic subgroups of CLL, our findings have important implications for the development of apoptosis-based therapies in CLL.
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Dean EJ, Ward T, Pinilla C, Houghten R, Welsh K, Makin G, Ranson M, Dive C. A small molecule inhibitor of XIAP induces apoptosis and synergises with vinorelbine and cisplatin in NSCLC. Br J Cancer 2009; 102:97-103. [PMID: 19904270 PMCID: PMC2813749 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Evasion of apoptosis contributes to the pathogenesis of solid tumours including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Malignant cells resist apoptosis through over-expression of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), such as X-linked IAP (XIAP). Methods: A phenylurea-based small molecule inhibitor of XIAP, XIAP antagonist compound (XAC) 1396-11, was investigated preclincally to determine its ability to sensitise to clinically relevant cytotoxics, potentially allowing dose reduction while maintaining therapeutic efficacy. Results: XIAP protein expression was detected in six NSCLC cell lines examined. The cytotoxicity of XAC 1396-11 against cultured NSCLC cell lines in vitro was concentration- and time-dependent in both short-term and clonogenic assays. XAC 1396-11-induced apoptosis was confirmed by PARP cleavage and characteristic nuclear morphology. XAC 1396-11 synergised with vinorelbine±cisplatin in H460 and A549 NSCLC cells. The mechanism of synergy was enhanced apoptosis, shown by increased cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP and by the reversal of synergy by a pan-caspase inhibitor. Synergy between XAC 1396-11 and vinorelbine was augmented by optimising drug scheduling with superior effects when XAC 1396-11 was administered before vinorelbine. Conclusion: These preclinical data suggest that XIAP inhibition in combination with vinorelbine holds potential as a therapeutic strategy in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- E J Dean
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, England, UK
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Small-molecule XIAP inhibitors enhance gamma-irradiation-induced apoptosis in glioblastoma. Neoplasia 2009; 11:743-52. [PMID: 19649204 DOI: 10.1593/neo.09436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2009] [Revised: 04/14/2009] [Accepted: 04/20/2009] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Because evasion of apoptosis can cause radioresistance of glioblastoma, there is a need to design rational strategies that counter apoptosis resistance. In the present study, we investigated the potential of targeting the antiapoptotic protein XIAP for the radiosensitization of glioblastoma. Here, we report that small-molecule XIAP inhibitors significantly enhance gamma-irradiation-induced loss of viability and apoptosis and cooperate with gamma-irradiation to suppress clonogenic survival of glioblastoma cells. Analysis of molecular mechanisms reveals that XIAP inhibitors act in concert with gamma-irradiation to cause mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, caspase activation, and caspase-dependent apoptosis. Importantly, XIAP inhibitors also sensitize primary cultured glioblastoma cells derived from surgical specimens as well as glioblastoma-initiating stemlike cancer stem cells for gamma-irradiation. In contrast, they do not increase the toxicity of gamma-irradiation on some nonmalignant cells of the central nervous system, including rat neurons or glial cells, pointing to some tumor selectivity. In conclusion, by demonstrating for the first time that small-molecule XIAP inhibitors increase the radiosensitivity of glioblastoma cells while sparing normal cells of the central nervous system, our findings build the rationale for further (pre)clinical development of XIAP inhibitors in combination with gamma-irradiation in glioblastoma.
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Galloway NR, Aspe JR, Sellers C, Wall NR. Enhanced antitumor effect of combined gemcitabine and proton radiation in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Pancreas 2009; 38:782-90. [PMID: 19506533 PMCID: PMC2783712 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0b013e3181a85999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study evaluates the efficacy of combining proton irradiation with gemcitabine, and the role the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins survivin and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) play in the radiosensitive versus radioresistant status of pancreatic cancer. METHODS The radioresistant (PANC-1) and radiosensitive (MIA PaCa-2) pancreatic carcinoma cells' response to combined gemcitabine and proton irradiation was compared. Cells were treated with 0.1 to 500 microM gemcitabine and 0- to 15-Gy proton irradiation after which trypan blue and flow cytometry were used to determine changes in the cell cycle and apoptosis. Expression levels of survivin and XIAP were measured using Western blotting. Combination therapy with gemcitabine for 24 hours followed by 10-Gy proton irradiation proved most effective. RESULTS Gemcitabine and proton irradiation resulted in increased survivin levels with little apoptosis. However, combination therapy resulted in robust apoptotic induction with a concomitant survivin and XIAP reduction in the MIA PaCa-2 cells with little effect in the PANC-1 cells. Small interfering RNA studies confirmed a role for XIAP in the radioresistance of PANC-1 cells. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that combining gemcitabine and proton irradiation enhances apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cells when XIAP levels decrease. Therefore, XIAP may play an important role in human pancreatic cancer proton radioresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chelsey Sellers
- Center for Health Disparities Research & Molecular Medicine Department of Basic Sciences/Division of Biochemistry & Microbiology Loma Linda University California 92350
| | - Nathan R. Wall
- Center for Health Disparities Research & Molecular Medicine Department of Basic Sciences/Division of Biochemistry & Microbiology Loma Linda University California 92350
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Genistein sensitizes human hepatocellular carcinoma cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis by enhancing Bid cleavage. Anticancer Drugs 2009; 20:713-22. [DOI: 10.1097/cad.0b013e32832e8998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Dumont F, Altmeyer A, Bischoff P. Radiosensitising agents for the radiotherapy of cancer: novel molecularly targeted approaches. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2009; 19:775-99. [PMID: 19456277 DOI: 10.1517/13543770902967666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The efficacy of radiotherapy (RT) for cancer treatment is limited by normal tissue toxicity and by the intrinsic or acquired radioresistance of many tumours. Therefore, continuing efforts are conducted to identify radiosensitising agents that preferentially sensitise tumour cells to the cytotoxic action of RT. Recent progresses in molecular oncology have uncovered an array of novel targets, which may be exploited for RT enhancement. OBJECTIVE To survey the patent literature of the past 4 years pertaining to the development of molecularly targeted agents as potential tumour radiosensitisers. METHODS Patents were searched with a set of relevant keywords using several search engines. A Medline search on the same topics was performed in parallel. RESULTS/CONCLUSION A total of 48 patents/applications were selected. These concerned agents target molecular components of pathways involved in DNA damage repair, cell growth and survival signalling, apoptosis modulation and tumour angiogenesis. Current trials of some of these agents may reveal their value as clinical radiosensitisers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Dumont
- Université de Strasbourg, Laboratoire de Radiobiologie EA-3430, Centre Régional de Lutte Contre le Cancer Paul Strauss, 3 rue de la porte de l'Hôpital, F-67065 Strasbourg, France
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Guillermet-Guibert J, Davenne L, Pchejetski D, Saint-Laurent N, Brizuela L, Guilbeau-Frugier C, Delisle MB, Cuvillier O, Susini C, Bousquet C. Targeting the sphingolipid metabolism to defeat pancreatic cancer cell resistance to the chemotherapeutic gemcitabine drug. Mol Cancer Ther 2009; 8:809-20. [PMID: 19372554 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-08-1096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Defeating pancreatic cancer resistance to the chemotherapeutic drug gemcitabine remains a challenge to treat this deadly cancer. Targeting the sphingolipid metabolism for improving tumor chemosensitivity has recently emerged as a promising strategy. The fine balance between intracellular levels of the prosurvival sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and the proapoptotic ceramide sphingolipids determines cell fate. Among enzymes that control this metabolism, sphingosine kinase-1 (SphK1), a tumor-associated protein overexpressed in many cancers, favors survival through S1P production, and inhibitors of SphK1 are used in ongoing clinical trials to sensitize epithelial ovarian and prostate cancer cells to various chemotherapeutic drugs. We here report that the cellular ceramide/S1P ratio is a critical biosensor for predicting pancreatic cancer cell sensitivity to gemcitabine. A low level of the ceramide/S1P ratio, associated with a high SphK1 activity, correlates with a robust intrinsic pancreatic cancer cell chemoresistance toward gemcitabine. Strikingly, increasing the ceramide/S1P ratio, by using pharmacologic (SphK1 inhibitor or ceramide analogue) or small interfering RNA-based approaches to up-regulate intracellular ceramide levels or reduce SphK1 activity, sensitized pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine. Conversely, decreasing the ceramide/S1P ratio, by up-regulating SphK1 activity, promoted gemcitabine resistance in these cells. Development of novel pharmacologic strategies targeting the sphingolipid metabolism might therefore represent an interesting promising approach, when combined with gemcitabine, to defeat pancreatic cancer chemoresistance to this drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Guillermet-Guibert
- INSERM U858, I2MR, IFR31, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, UMR5089, Service d'Anatomie-Pathologique, Rangueil Hospital, Toulouse, France
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Abstract
Resistance to apoptosis (programmed cell death) is a characteristic feature of human malignancies including pancreatic cancer, which is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the western world. Defects in this intrinsic cell death program can contribute to the multistep process of tumorigenesis, because too little cell death can disturb tissue homeostasis. Further, blockade of apoptosis pathways can cause treatment failure, because intact apoptosis signalling cascades largely mediate therapy-induced cytotoxicity. The elucidation of apoptosis pathways in pancreatic carcinoma over the last decade has resulted in the identification of various molecular defects. How apoptosis pathways can be exploited for the treatment of pancreatic cancer will be discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Fulda
- University Children's Hospital, Eythstr., Ulm, Germany.
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41
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Targeting apoptosis as an approach for gastrointestinal cancer therapy. Drug Resist Updat 2009; 12:55-64. [PMID: 19278896 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2009.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2009] [Revised: 02/09/2009] [Accepted: 02/10/2009] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Cancers in the gastrointestinal system account for a large proportion of malignancies and cancer-related deaths with gastric cancer and colorectal cancer being the most common ones. For those patients in whom surgical resection is not possible, other therapeutic approaches are necessary. Disordered apoptosis has been linked to cancer development and treatment resistance. Apoptosis occurs via extrinsic or intrinsic signaling each triggered and regulated by many different molecular pathways. In recent years, the selective induction of apoptosis in tumor cells has been increasingly recognized as a promising approach for cancer therapy. A detailed understanding of the molecular pathways involved in the regulation of apoptosis is essential for developing novel effective therapeutic approaches. Apoptosis can be induced by many different approaches including activating cell surface death receptors (for example, Fas, TRAIL and TNF receptors), inhibiting cell survival signaling (such as EGFR, MAPK and PI3K), altering apoptosis threshold by modulating pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family, down-regulating anti-apoptosis proteins (such as XIAP, survivin and c-IAP2), and using other pro-apoptotic agents. In this review, the authors reviewed the currently reported apoptosis-targeting approaches in gastrointestinal cancers.
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42
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Vogler M, Walczak H, Stadel D, Haas TL, Genze F, Jovanovic M, Bhanot U, Hasel C, Möller P, Gschwend JE, Simmet T, Debatin KM, Fulda S. Small molecule XIAP inhibitors enhance TRAIL-induced apoptosis and antitumor activity in preclinical models of pancreatic carcinoma. Cancer Res 2009; 69:2425-34. [PMID: 19258513 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-2436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Evasion of apoptosis is a characteristic feature of pancreatic cancer, a prototypic cancer that is refractory to current treatment approaches. Hence, there is an urgent need to design rational strategies that counter apoptosis resistance. To explore X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) as a therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer, we analyzed the expression of XIAP in pancreatic tumor samples and evaluated the effect of small molecule XIAP inhibitors alone and in combination with tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) against pancreatic carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. Here, we report that XIAP is highly expressed in pancreatic adenocarcinoma samples compared with normal pancreatic ducts. Small molecule XIAP inhibitors synergize with TRAIL to induce apoptosis and to inhibit long-term clonogenic survival of pancreatic carcinoma cells. In contrast, they do not reverse the lack of toxicity of TRAIL on nonmalignant cells in vitro or normal tissues in vivo, pointing to a therapeutic index. Most importantly, XIAP inhibitors cooperate with TRAIL to trigger apoptosis and suppress pancreatic carcinoma growth in vivo in two preclinical models, i.e., the chorioallantoic membrane model and a mouse xenograft model. Parallel immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissue under therapy reveals that the XIAP inhibitor acts in concert with TRAIL to cause caspase-3 activation and apoptosis. In conclusion, our findings provide, for the first time, evidence in vivo that XIAP inhibitors prime pancreatic carcinoma cells for TRAIL-induced apoptosis and potentiate the antitumor activity of TRAIL against established pancreatic carcinoma. These findings build the rationale for further (pre)clinical development of XIAP inhibitors and TRAIL against pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meike Vogler
- University Children's Hospital, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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43
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Yong KT, Hu R, Roy I, Ding H, Vathy LA, Bergey EJ, Mizuma M, Maitra A, Prasad PN. Tumor targeting and imaging in live animals with functionalized semiconductor quantum rods. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2009; 1:710-9. [PMID: 20160901 PMCID: PMC2768400 DOI: 10.1021/am8002318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
In this contribution, we demonstrate that highly luminescent CdSe/CdS/ZnS quantum rods (QRs) coated with PEGylated phospholipids and conjugated with cyclic RGD peptide can be successfully used for tumor targeting and imaging in live animals. The design of these targeted luminescent probes involves encapsulation of hydrophobic CdSe/CdS/ZnS QRs with PEGylated phospholipids, followed by conjugation of these PEGylated phospholipids to ligands that specifically target the tumor vasculature. In vivo optical imaging studies in nude mice bearing pancreatic cancer xenografts, both subcutaneous and orthotopic, indicate that the QR probes accumulate at tumor sites via the cyclic RGD peptides on the QR surface binding to the alpha(V)beta(3) integrins overexpressed in the tumor vasculature, following systemic injection. In vivo tumor detection studies showed no adverse effects even at a dose roughly 6.5 times higher than has been reported for in vivo imaging studies using quantum dots. Cytotoxicity studies indicated the absence of any toxic effect in the cellular and tissue levels arising from functionalized QRs. These results demonstrate the vast potential of QRs as bright, photostable, and biocompatible luminescent probes for the early diagnosis of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken-Tye Yong
- Institute for Lasers, Photonics and Biophotonics, The State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260-4200, USA
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44
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Mahalingam D, Szegezdi E, Keane M, de Jong S, Samali A. TRAIL receptor signalling and modulation: Are we on the right TRAIL? Cancer Treat Rev 2008; 35:280-8. [PMID: 19117685 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2008.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2008] [Revised: 11/03/2008] [Accepted: 11/13/2008] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand or Apo2 ligand (TRAIL/Apo2L) is a member of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily of cytokines that induces apoptosis upon binding to its death domain-containing transmembrane receptors, death receptors 4 and 5 (DR4, DR5). Importantly, TRAIL preferentially induces apoptosis in cancer cells while exhibiting little or no toxicity in normal cells. To date, research has focused on the mechanism of apoptosis induced by TRAIL and the processes involved in the development of TRAIL resistance. TRAIL-resistant tumours can be re-sensitized to TRAIL by a combination of TRAIL with chemotherapeutics or irradiation. Studies suggest that in many cancer cells only one of the two death-inducing TRAIL receptors is functional. These findings as well as the aim to avoid decoy receptor-mediated neutralization of TRAIL led to the development of receptor-specific TRAIL variants and agonistic antibodies. These molecules are predicted to be more potent than native TRAIL in vivo and may be suitable for targeted treatment of particular tumours. This review focuses on the current status of TRAIL receptor-targeting for cancer therapy, the apoptotic signalling pathway induced by TRAIL receptors, the prognostic implications of TRAIL receptor expression and modulation of TRAIL sensitivity of tumour cells by combination therapies. The mechanisms of TRAIL resistance and the potential measures that can be taken to overcome them are also addressed. Finally, the status of clinical trials of recombinant TRAIL and DR4-/DR5-specific agonistic antibodies as well as the pre-clinical studies of receptor-selective TRAIL variants is discussed including the obstacles facing the use of these molecules as anti-cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devalingam Mahalingam
- Department of Biochemistry and National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
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45
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LaCasse EC, Mahoney DJ, Cheung HH, Plenchette S, Baird S, Korneluk RG. IAP-targeted therapies for cancer. Oncogene 2008; 27:6252-75. [PMID: 18931692 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2008.302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 372] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
DNA damage, chromosomal abnormalities, oncogene activation, viral infection, substrate detachment and hypoxia can all trigger apoptosis in normal cells. However, cancer cells acquire mutations that allow them to survive these threats that are part and parcel of the transformation process or that may affect the growth and dissemination of the tumor. Eventually, cancer cells accumulate further mutations that make them resistant to apoptosis mediated by standard cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family members, defined by the presence of a baculovirus IAP repeat (BIR) protein domain, are key regulators of cytokinesis, apoptosis and signal transduction. Specific IAPs regulate either cell division, caspase activity or survival pathways mediated through binding to their BIR domains, and/or through their ubiquitin-ligase RING domain activity. These protein-protein interactions and post-translational modifications are the subject of intense investigations that shed light on how these proteins contribute to oncogenesis and resistance to therapy. In the past several years, we have seen multiple approaches of IAP antagonism enter the clinic, and the rewards of such strategies are about to reap benefit. Significantly, small molecule pan-IAP antagonists that mimic an endogenous inhibitor of the IAPs, called Smac, have demonstrated an unexpected ability to sensitize cancer cells to tumor necrosis factor-alpha and to promote autocrine or paracrine production of this cytokine by the tumor cell and possibly, other cells too. This review will focus on these and other developmental therapeutics that target the IAPs in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- E C LaCasse
- Apoptosis Research Centre, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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46
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Abstract
Triggering of tumour cell apoptosis is the foundation of many cancer therapies. Death receptors of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily have been largely characterized, as have the signals that are generated when these receptors are activated. TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptors (TRAILR1 and TRAILR2) are promising targets for cancer therapy. Herein we review what is known about the molecular control of TRAIL-mediated apoptosis, the role of TRAIL in carcinogenesis and the potential therapeutic utility of recombinant TRAIL and agonistic antibodies against TRAILR1 and TRAILR2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricky W Johnstone
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia.
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47
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Wong J, Armour E, Kazanzides P, Iordachita I, Tryggestad E, Deng H, Matinfar M, Kennedy C, Liu Z, Chan T, Gray O, Verhaegen F, McNutt T, Ford E, DeWeese TL. High-resolution, small animal radiation research platform with x-ray tomographic guidance capabilities. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2008; 71:1591-9. [PMID: 18640502 PMCID: PMC2605655 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2008.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 297] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2008] [Revised: 04/10/2008] [Accepted: 04/11/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To demonstrate the computed tomography, conformal irradiation, and treatment planning capabilities of a small animal radiation research platform (SARRP). METHODS AND MATERIALS The SARRP uses a dual-focal spot, constant voltage X-ray source mounted on a gantry with a source-to-isocenter distance of 35 cm. Gantry rotation is limited to 120 degrees from vertical. X-rays of 80-100 kVp from the smaller 0.4-mm focal spot are used for imaging. Both 0.4-mm and 3.0-mm focal spots operate at 225 kVp for irradiation. Robotic translate/rotate stages are used to position the animal. Cone-beam computed tomography is achieved by rotating the horizontal animal between the stationary X-ray source and a flat-panel detector. The radiation beams range from 0.5 mm in diameter to 60 x 60 mm(2). Dosimetry is measured with radiochromic films. Monte Carlo dose calculations are used for treatment planning. The combination of gantry and robotic stage motions facilitate conformal irradiation. RESULTS The SARRP spans 3 ft x 4 ft x 6 ft (width x length x height). Depending on the filtration, the isocenter dose outputs at a 1-cm depth in water were 22-375 cGy/min from the smallest to the largest radiation fields. The 20-80% dose falloff spanned 0.16 mm. Cone-beam computed tomography with 0.6 x 0.6 x 0.6 mm(3) voxel resolution was acquired with a dose of <1 cGy. Treatment planning was performed at submillimeter resolution. CONCLUSION The capability of the SARRP to deliver highly focal beams to multiple animal model systems provides new research opportunities that more realistically bridge laboratory research and clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Wong
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 401 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.
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48
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Hamacher R, Schmid RM, Saur D, Schneider G. Apoptotic pathways in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Mol Cancer 2008; 7:64. [PMID: 18652674 PMCID: PMC2515336 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-7-64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2008] [Accepted: 07/24/2008] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most common causes of cancer related death. Despite the advances in understanding of the molecular pathogenesis, pancreatic cancer remains a major unsolved health problem. Overall, the 5-year survival rate is less than 5% demonstrating the insufficiency of current therapies. Most cytotoxic therapies induce apoptosis and PDAC cells have evolved a plethora of molecular mechanisms to assure survival. We will present anti-apoptotic strategies working at the level of the death receptors, the mitochondria or involving the caspase inhibitors of the IAP family. Furthermore, the survival function of the phosphotidylinositol-3' kinase (PI3K)/AKT- and NF-kappaB-pathways are illustrated. A detailed molecular knowledge of the anti-apoptotic mechanisms of PDAC cells will help to improve therapies for this dismal disease and therapeutic strategies targeting the programmed cell death machinery are in early preclinical and clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer Hamacher
- II. Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Roland M Schmid
- II. Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Dieter Saur
- II. Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Günter Schneider
- II. Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, München, Germany
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49
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Oliver PG, LoBuglio AF, Zinn KR, Kim H, Nan L, Zhou T, Wang W, Buchsbaum DJ. Treatment of human colon cancer xenografts with TRA-8 anti-death receptor 5 antibody alone or in combination with CPT-11. Clin Cancer Res 2008; 14:2180-9. [PMID: 18381960 PMCID: PMC2676875 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-07-1392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was designed to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo efficacy of TRA-8, a mouse monoclonal antibody that binds to the DR5 death receptor for tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (also called Apo2L), alone and in combination with CPT-11, against human colon cancer cells and xenografts. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN DR5 expression was assessed on human colon cancer cell lines using flow cytometry, and cellular cytotoxicity after TRA-8 treatment, alone and in combination with SN-38, was determined by measuring cellular ATP levels. Tumor growth inhibition and regression rates of well-established subcutaneous COLO 205, SW948, HCT116, and HT-29 colon cancer xenografts in athymic nude mice treated with TRA-8 or CPT-11 alone and in combination were determined. (99m)Tc-TRA-8 was used to examine tumor localization of TRA-8 in animals bearing each of the four xenografts. In addition, whole-body biodistribution and imaging was carried out in COLO 205-bearing animals using in vivo single-photon emission computed tomography imaging and tissue counting. RESULTS DR5 expression was highest on HCT116, intermediate on SW948 and COLO 205 cells, and lowest on HT-29 cells. COLO 205 cells were the most sensitive to TRA-8-induced cytotoxicity in vitro, SW948 and HCT116 cell lines were moderately sensitive, and HT-29 cells were resistant. Combination treatment with TRA-8 and SN-38 produced additive to synergistic cytotoxicity against all cell lines compared with either single agent. The levels of apoptosis in all cell lines, including HT-29, were increased by combination treatment with SN-38. In vivo, combination therapy with TRA-8 and CPT-11 was superior to either single-agent regimen for three of the xenografts: COLO 205, SW948, and HCT116. COLO 205 tumors were most responsive to therapy with 73% complete regressions after combination therapy. HT-29 cells derived no antitumor efficacy from TRA-8 therapy. Tumor xenografts established from the four colon cancer cell lines had comparable specific localization of (99m)Tc-TRA-8. CONCLUSIONS In vitro and in vivo effects of TRA-8 anti-DR5 monoclonal antibody on four different colon cancer cell lines and xenografts were quite variable. The HT-29 cell line had low surface DR5 expression and was resistant to TRA-8 both in vitro and in vivo. Three cell lines (COLO 205, SW948, and HCT116) exhibited moderate to high sensitivity to TRA-8-mediated cytotoxicity which was further enhanced by the addition of SN-38, the active metabolite of CPT-11. In vivo, the combination of TRA-8 and CPT-11 treatment produced the highest antitumor efficacy against xenografts established from the three TRA-8-sensitive tumor cell lines. All four colon cancer xenografts had comparable localization of (99m)Tc-TRA-8. These studies support the strategy of TRA-8/CPT-11 combined treatment in human colon cancer clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patsy G Oliver
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-6832, USA
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50
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Buchsbaum DJ, Forero-Torres A, LoBuglio AF. TRAIL-receptor antibodies as a potential cancer treatment. Future Oncol 2008; 3:405-9. [PMID: 17661715 DOI: 10.2217/14796694.3.4.405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing attention has been focused on the use of agonistic monoclonal antibodies against TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) death receptors DR4 or DR5 as a potential cancer treatment. These antibodies have strong apoptosis-inducing activity against cancer cells and potent antitumor activity against tumor xenografts in preclinical models that are enhanced by combination chemotherapy treatment. There are several agonistic humanized or human monoclonal antibodies against DR4 and DR5 that have been tested in Phase I and II trials in patients with advanced cancer. These trials have demonstrated these antibodies to be well tolerated, and to produce prolonged stable disease, which is the best antitumor effect in patients with advanced cancer. Clinical studies in which TRAIL-receptor antibodies are being investigated in combination treatment regimens in patients with advanced cancer are ongoing. It is anticipated that the results from a broad spectrum of cancer therapy clinical trials will identify the activity and toxicity profiles of TRAIL death-receptor antibodies as a single agent, or in combination with chemotherapy agents or radiation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald J Buchsbaum
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Biology, 1530 3rd Avenue South, WT1 674, Birmingham, AL 35294-6832, USA.
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