scholarly journals Potent pro-apoptotic combination therapy is highly effective in a broad range of cancers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Montinaro ◽  
Itziar Areso Zubiaur ◽  
Julia Saggau ◽  
Anna-Laura Kretz ◽  
Rute M. M. Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Cancer Resistance ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Highly Effective ◽  
Drastic Increase ◽  
New Treatment

AbstractPrimary or acquired therapy resistance is a major obstacle to the effective treatment of cancer. Resistance to apoptosis has long been thought to contribute to therapy resistance. We show here that recombinant TRAIL and CDK9 inhibition cooperate in killing cells derived from a broad range of cancers, importantly without inducing detectable adverse events. Remarkably, the combination of TRAIL with CDK9 inhibition was also highly effective on cancers resistant to both, standard-of-care chemotherapy and various targeted therapeutic approaches. Dynamic BH3 profiling revealed that, mechanistically, combining TRAIL with CDK9 inhibition induced a drastic increase in the mitochondrial priming of cancer cells. Intriguingly, this increase occurred irrespective of whether the cancer cells were sensitive or resistant to chemo- or targeted therapy. We conclude that this pro-apoptotic combination therapy has the potential to serve as a highly effective new treatment option for a variety of different cancers. Notably, this includes cancers that are resistant to currently available treatment modalities.

New Therapeutics for Ulcerative Colitis

2021 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 199-213
Author(s):  
Robert P. Hirten ◽  
Bruce E. Sands
Keyword(s):  
Ulcerative Colitis ◽  
Inflammatory Disease ◽  
Clinical Remission ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Stages Of Development ◽  
The Future ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
Novel Therapeutic

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a relapsing and remitting inflammatory disease of the colon with a variable course. Despite advances in treatment, only approximately 40% of patients achieve clinical remission at the end of a year, prompting the exploration of new treatment modalities. This review explores novel therapeutic approaches to UC, including promising drugs in various stages of development, efforts to maximize the efficacy of currently available treatment options, and non-medication-based modalities. Treatment approaches which show promise in impacting the future of UC management are highlighted.

scholarly journals Immunotherapy: Newer Therapeutic Armamentarium against Cancer Stem Cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saurabh Pratap Singh ◽  
Richa Singh ◽  
Om Prakash Gupta ◽  
Shalini Gupta ◽  
Madan Lal Brahma Bhatt
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Antigen Expression ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Primary Tumors

Mounting evidence from the literature suggests the existence of a subpopulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in almost all types of human cancers. These CSCs possessing a self-renewal capacity inhabit primary tumors and are more defiant to standard antimitotic and molecularly targeted therapies which are used for eliminating actively proliferating and differentiated cancer cells. Clinical relevance of CSCs emerges from the fact that they are the root cause of therapy resistance, relapse, and metastasis. Earlier, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy were established as cancer treatment modalities, but recently, immunotherapy is also gaining importance in the management of various cancer patients, mostly those of the advanced stage. This review abridges potential off-target effects of inhibiting CSC self-renewal pathways on immune cells and some recent immunological studies specifically targeting CSCs on the basis of their antigen expression profile, even though molecular markers or antigens that have been described till date as expressed by cancer stem cells are not specifically expressed by these cells which is a major limitation to target CSCs. We propose that owing to CSC stemness property to mediate immunotherapy response, we can apply a combination therapy approach by targeting CSCs and tumor microenvironment (TME) along with conventional treatment strategies as an effective means to eradicate cancer cells.

scholarly journals Kallikrein-Related Peptidase 6 Is Associated with the Tumour Microenvironment of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 3969
Author(s):  
Juliana B. Candido ◽  
Oscar Maiques ◽  
Melanie Boxberg ◽  
Verena Kast ◽  
Eleonora Peerani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Tumour Microenvironment ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Novel Treatments ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Invasive Tumour ◽  
Mrna And Protein Expression

As cancer-associated factors, kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) are components of the tumour microenvironment, which represents a rich substrate repertoire, and considered attractive targets for the development of novel treatments. Standard-of-care therapy of pancreatic cancer shows unsatisfactory results, indicating the need for alternative therapeutic approaches. We aimed to investigate the expression of KLKs in pancreatic cancer and to inhibit the function of KLK6 in pancreatic cancer cells. KLK6, KLK7, KLK8, KLK10 and KLK11 were coexpressed and upregulated in tissues from pancreatic cancer patients compared to normal pancreas. Their high expression levels correlated with each other and were linked to shorter survival compared to low KLK levels. We then validated KLK6 mRNA and protein expression in patient-derived tissues and pancreatic cancer cells. Coexpression of KLK6 with KRT19, αSMA or CD68 was independent of tumour stage, while KLK6 was coexpressed with KRT19 and CD68 in the invasive tumour area. High KLK6 levels in tumour and CD68+ cells were linked to shorter survival. KLK6 inhibition reduced KLK6 mRNA expression, cell metabolic activity and KLK6 secretion and increased the secretion of other serine and aspartic lysosomal proteases. The association of high KLK levels and poor prognosis suggests that inhibiting KLKs may be a therapeutic strategy for precision medicine.

scholarly journals VGLL1-directed TEAD activation drives endocrine therapy resistance in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Gemma ◽  
Anup K Singh ◽  
Antonino Belfiore ◽  
Chun-Fui Lai ◽  
Manikandan Periyasamy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Estrogen Receptor ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
New Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Positive Breast Cancer ◽  
Resistant Cells

AbstractEndocrine therapies are standard-of-care treatments for estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer. However, patients with ER+ breast cancer develop resistance to these therapies and most relapsed patients die with endocrine-resistant metastatic disease. Here we show that resistance to the ER degrader, fulvestrant, is accompanied by epigenetic activation of the transcriptional co-activator VGLL1. Rewiring of the epigenome in therapy resistant cells also results in increased binding of the transcription factor TEAD4. Through interaction with TEAD4, VGLL1 induces the expression of genes implicated in cell proliferation in the resistant cells. We demonstrate that VGLL1 is necessary for the growth of fulvestrant-resistant breast cancer cells. Pharmacological disruption of VGLL1/TEAD4 interaction blocked growth of fulvestrant-resistant cells, accompanied by inhibition of VGLL1/TEAD transcriptional programmes. Furthermore, we identify EGFR as an important downstream VGLL1 target, whereby VGLL1-directed EGFR upregulation sensitises fulvestrant-resistant breast cancer cells to EGFR inhibitors. Taken together, our findings identify VGLL1 as a key transcriptional driver in endocrine-resistant breast cancer and identify new therapeutic approaches for advanced breast cancer patients.

scholarly journals The Role of Notch, Hedgehog, and Wnt Signaling Pathways in the Resistance of Tumors to Anticancer Therapies

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivek Kumar ◽  
Mohit Vashishta ◽  
Lin Kong ◽  
Xiaodong Wu ◽  
Jiade J. Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Therapeutic Approach ◽  
Developmental Process ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Molecular Networks ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Cancer Management

Resistance to therapy is the major hurdle in the current cancer management. Cancer cells often rewire their cellular process to alternate mechanisms to resist the deleterious effect mounted by different therapeutic approaches. The major signaling pathways involved in the developmental process, such as Notch, Hedgehog, and Wnt, play a vital role in development, tumorigenesis, and also in the resistance to the various anticancer therapies. Understanding how cancer utilizes these developmental pathways in acquiring the resistance to the multi-therapeutic approach cancer can give rise to a new insight of the anti-therapy resistance mechanisms, which can be explored for the development of a novel therapeutic approach. We present a brief overview of Notch, Hedgehog, and Wnt signaling pathways in cancer and its role in providing resistance to various cancer treatment modalities such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Understanding the importance of these molecular networks will provide a rational basis for novel and safer combined anticancer therapeutic approaches for the improvement of cancer treatment by overcoming drug resistance.

scholarly journals Association of the Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) with Cisplatin Resistance

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 4002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milad Ashrafizadeh ◽  
Ali Zarrabi ◽  
Kiavash Hushmandi ◽  
Mahshad Kalantari ◽  
Reza Mohammadinejad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Nuclear Factor Κb ◽  
Molecular Pathways ◽  
Cancer Resistance ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
The Impact

Therapy resistance is a characteristic of cancer cells that significantly reduces the effectiveness of drugs. Despite the popularity of cisplatin (CP) as a chemotherapeutic agent, which is widely used in the treatment of various types of cancer, resistance of cancer cells to CP chemotherapy has been extensively observed. Among various reported mechanism(s), the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process can significantly contribute to chemoresistance by converting the motionless epithelial cells into mobile mesenchymal cells and altering cell–cell adhesion as well as the cellular extracellular matrix, leading to invasion of tumor cells. By analyzing the impact of the different molecular pathways such as microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, nuclear factor-κB (NF-ĸB), phosphoinositide 3-kinase-related protein kinase (PI3K)/Akt, mammalian target rapamycin (mTOR), and Wnt, which play an important role in resistance exhibited to CP therapy, we first give an introduction about the EMT mechanism and its role in drug resistance. We then focus specifically on the molecular pathways involved in drug resistance and the pharmacological strategies that can be used to mitigate this resistance. Overall, we highlight the various targeted signaling pathways that could be considered in future studies to pave the way for the inhibition of EMT-mediated resistance displayed by tumor cells in response to CP exposure.

scholarly journals Current Opinion and Knowledge on Peritoneal Carcinomatosis: A Survey among a Swiss Oncology Network

Chemotherapy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 143-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Grass ◽  
David Martin ◽  
Michael Montemurro ◽  
Patrice Mathevet ◽  
Anita Wolfer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Options ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Current Opinion ◽  
New Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Case Vignettes ◽  
Colorectal Origin ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
Practice Knowledge

Aims of the Study: The present survey aimed to evaluate current opinion and practice regarding peritoneal metastasis (PM), satisfaction with available treatment options, and need for new therapeutic approaches. Methods: This was a qualitative study conducted between October 2016 and October 2017 in the Réseau Suisse Romand d’Oncologie including 101 members of various oncological specialties. Participants’ demographics, current practice, knowledge, and satisfaction regarding available treatment options and need for new treatment options were assessed by semantic differential scales through 33 closed questions with automatic reminders at 4-, 8-, 12-, and 16-week intervals. Results: Twenty-seven participants (27%) completed the survey. Participants were gastrointestinal or gynecologic oncologists and surgeons. Most participants (67%) evaluated their knowledge on PM as moderate, while 22% considered themselves as experts. Clinical usefulness of systemic chemotherapy and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy was judged to be moderate to high for PM of ovarian and colorectal origin and moderate to poor for gastric origin. Satisfaction with available treatment options was 6/10 (interquartile range [IQR] 4–7) for ovarian, 5/10 (IQR 3–7) for colorectal, and 3/10 (IQR 1–3) for gastric PM. Treatment strategies varied widely for typical case vignettes. The need for new treatment modalities was rated as 8/10 (IQR 6–10). Conclusion: Usefulness of and satisfaction with available treatment options for PM were rated as moderate at best by oncological experts, and treatment strategies differed importantly among participants. There appears to be a clear need for standardization and new treatment modalities.

Promises and Dangers of Combination Therapy

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 56-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Kruis ◽  
Phuong G. Nguyen ◽  
Julia Morgenstern
Keyword(s):  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Infectious Complications ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Aminosalicylic Acid ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Serious Infections ◽  
Current Therapies ◽  
New Treatment

The efficiency of the existing methods of treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is limited. There are 2 ways to address this problem - either create new treatment modalities or optimize current therapies. Optimisation may be accomplished by using combinations of established therapeutic strategies. With regard to topically acting compounds such as 5-aminosalicylic acid, combining oral and rectal preparations is a commonly used method. Another commonly used combination is anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α antibody modalities together with immunosuppressants (thiopurines, methotrexate). Several aspects favour those combinations such as increased effectivity, prevention of immunogenicity and perhaps less adverse events. Currently, discussion on directly additive therapeutic effects is in progress, which have been demonstrated in some clinical trials. As on date, the combination of infliximab with azathioprine is most likely the most effective treatment of Crohn's disease. On the other hand, a combination therapy with both compounds affecting the immune system has, of course, risks. For sure, the frequency with which serious infectious complications are arising is increasing. Furthermore, the number of patients experiencing malignancies such as hepato-splenic lymphoma or melanoma is strongly suspected to be on the rise. In summary, combinations of current treatments for IBD are widely established. Various strategies have been studied and significant improvements of therapeutic effects have been demonstrated. Unfortunately, some of those proven combinations increase therapeutic risks, for example, increase the frequency of serious infections and also of some malignancies. Therefore, great caution has to be exercised when applying combination therapies.

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