scholarly journals EIF4G1 and RAN as Possible Drivers for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 4856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Dell’Anno ◽  
Marcella Barbarino ◽  
Elisa Barone ◽  
Antonio Giordano ◽  
Luca Luzzi ◽  
...  

For malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. In a previous study, we identified 51 putative cancer genes over-expressed in MPM tissues and cell lines. Here, we deepened the study on nine of them (ASS1, EIF4G1, GALNT7, GLUT1, IGF2BP3 (IMP3), ITGA4, RAN, SOD1, and THBS2) to ascertain whether they are truly mesothelial cancer driver genes (CDGs) or genes overexpressed in an adaptive response to the tumoral progression (“passenger genes”). Through a fast siRNA-based screening, we evaluated the consequences of gene depletion on migration, proliferation, colony formation capabilities, and caspase activities of four MPM (Mero-14, Mero-25, IST-Mes2, and NCI-H28) and one SV40-immortalized mesothelial cell line (MeT-5A) as a non-malignant model. The depletion of EIF4G1 and RAN significantly reduced cell proliferation and colony formation and increased caspase activity. In particular, the findings for RAN resemble those observed for other types of cancer. Thus, we evaluated the in vitro effects of importazole (IPZ), a small molecule inhibitor of the interaction between RAN and importin-β. We showed that IPZ could have effects similar to those observed following RAN gene silencing. We also found that primary cell lines from one out of three MPM patients were sensitive to IPZ. As EIF4G1 and RAN deserve further investigation with additional in vitro and in vivo studies, they emerged as promising CDGs, suggesting that their upregulation could play a role in mesothelial tumorigenesis and aggressiveness. Furthermore, present data propose the molecular pathways dependent on RAN as a putative pharmacological target for MPM patients in the view of a future personalized medicine.

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (6) ◽  
pp. 2226-2231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tania Villanova ◽  
Iacopo Gesmundo ◽  
Valentina Audrito ◽  
Nicoletta Vitale ◽  
Francesca Silvagno ◽  
...  

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive malignancy associated with exposure to asbestos, with poor prognosis and no effective therapies. The strong inhibitory activities of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) antagonists have been demonstrated in different experimental human cancers, including lung cancer; however, their role in MPM remains unknown. We assessed the effects of the GHRH antagonists MIA-602 and MIA-690 in vitro in MPM cell lines and in primary MPM cells, and in vivo in MPM xenografts. GHRH, GHRH receptor, and its main splice variant SV1 were found in all the MPM cell types examined. In vitro, MIA-602 and MIA-690 reduced survival and proliferation in both MPM cell lines and primary cells and showed synergistic inhibitory activity with the chemotherapy drug pemetrexed. In MPM cells, GHRH antagonists also regulated activity and expression of apoptotic molecules, inhibited cell migration, and reduced the expression of matrix metalloproteinases. These effects were accompanied by impairment of mitochondrial activity and increased production of reactive oxygen species. In vivo, s.c. administration of MIA-602 and MIA-690 at the dose of 5 μg/d for 4 wk strongly inhibited the growth of MPM xenografts in mice, along with reduction of tumor insulin-like growth factor-I and vascular endothelial growth factor. Overall, these results suggest that treatment with GHRH antagonists, alone or in association with chemotherapy, may offer an approach for the treatment of MPM.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (14) ◽  
pp. 1622-1633
Author(s):  
Alaa Mahmoud ◽  
Dana Elkhalifa ◽  
Feras Alali ◽  
Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa ◽  
Ashraf Khalil

Background/Objective: KRAS-mutant colorectal cancers (CRC) are tumors that are associated with poor prognosis. However, no effective treatments are available to target them. Therefore, we designed and synthesized novel chalcone analogs, small organic molecules, to investigate their effects on KRAS-mutant CRC cells. Methods: Fourteen new chalcone analogs were synthesized, optimized, characterized, and tested against two KRAS-mutant CRC cell lines (HCT-116 and LoVo), one p-53 and BRAF mutant CRC cell line (HT-29) and one normal immortalized colon cells (NCE-1 E6/E7). Effects on cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration, colony formation, EMT, and angiogenesis were investigated. Results: Compounds 3 and 14 were the most effective. Compound 3 showed potent activity against HCT-116 and LoVo cell lines (GI50 of 6.10 μM and 7.00 μM, respectively). While compound 14 showed GI50 of 8.60 μM and 8.80 μM on HCT-116 and LoVo cell lines, respectively. Both compounds were approximately 2-3 times more selective toward cancer cells rather than normal colon cells. Compound 3 was effective in inducing apoptosis in HCT-116 cells via Bax upregulation and Bcl-2 downregulation. Invasion and metastasis of KRAS-mutant cells were modulated by compounds 3 and 14 through significant inhibition of cell migration and the prevention of colony formation. In addition, they reversed EMT by downregulation of EMT markers (vimentin, fascin, and β- catenin) and upregulation of cell-cell adhesion marker, E-cadherin. Furthermore, compounds 3 and 14 had significantly inhibited angiogenesis in ovo. Conclusion: Compounds 3 and 14 represent potent and selective leads for KRAS-mutant CRC cells, thus, further in vitro and in vivo studies are necessary to confirm their effect on KRAS-mutant CRCs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Surein Arulananda ◽  
Megan O’Brien ◽  
Marco Evangelista ◽  
Tiffany J. Harris ◽  
Nikita S. Steinohrt ◽  
...  

Abstract Despite having one of the lowest survival rates of all cancers, there have been no new approved treatments for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) in over a decade. Standard-of-care treatment relies on Cisplatin plus Pemetrexed chemotherapy. Here, we tested a suite of BH3-mimetic drugs targeting BCL-2 pro-survival proteins of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. We found BCL-XL is the dominant pro-survival protein in a panel of cell lines in vitro, though potent, synergistic cell killing occurred with MCL-1 co-targeting. This correlates with high-level expression of BCL-XL and MCL-1 in cell lines and a large cohort of patient tumour samples. BCL-XL inhibition combined with Cisplatin also enhanced cell killing. In vivo BCL-XL inhibition was as effective as Cisplatin, and the combination enhanced tumour growth control and survival. Genetic ablation of MCL-1 also enhanced the effects of BCL-XL inhibitors, in vivo. Combined, these data provide a compelling rationale for the clinical investigation of BH3-mimetics targeting BCL-XL in MPM.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14536-e14536
Author(s):  
G. Silberhumer ◽  
P. Brader ◽  
J. Wong ◽  
D. Zamarin ◽  
I. Serganova ◽  
...  

e14536 Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a highly aggressive tumor that arises from multipotent cells of the pleura. Chemotherapy and radiation have very limited therapeutic effects, and average survival time after diagnosis varies between 10 and 16 months. Immunotherapy, gene therapy (oncolytic viral therapy), and photodynamic therapy offer alternative treatment options, with promising results in animal studies. In the following study, the oncolytic efficacy of Newcastle disease virus (NDV(F3aa)-GFP) on MPM is tested and investigated by bioluminescence imaging. Methods: NDV(F3aa)-GFP was tested for viral cytotoxicity at different multiplicities of infection (MOI) against several mesothelioma cell lines in vitro by analyzing release of intracellular lactate dehydrogenase. For in vivo studies, MSTO 211H cells were transduced with firefly (Photinus pyralis) luciferase (FLuc)- encoding cDNAs (MSTO td 211H). Tumor-bearing animals (1e7 cells injected intrapleurally) were treated with either single or multiple doses of NDV(F3aa)-GFP (1e7 plaque-forming units) at different time points (days 1, 3, and 10) and followed by bioluminescence imaging. Results: Mesothelioma cell lines exhibited susceptibility to NDV lysis in the following order of sensitivity: MSTO 211H>MSTO td 211H>H-2452>VAMT>JMN. The cell lines H-2052, H-2373, and HMESO were not sensitive to viral treatment. In vivo studies with MSTO td 211H cells showed complete response to viral therapy in >75% of the animals, resulting in eradication of tumor detected by bioluminescence imaging at day 10 after treatment. Control animals were sacrificed after 23 days due to tumor burden, while >72% of the virally treated animals survived >50 days after tumor injection. No signs of toxicity were observed in the treatment group. In addition, multiple treatment showed a significantly better response compared with single treatment (p=0.005). Conclusions: NDV appears to be an efficient viral oncolytic agent in therapy of malignant pleural mesothelioma in a murine model, and warrants further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meilin Chan ◽  
Licun Wu ◽  
Zhihong Yun ◽  
Trevor D. McKee ◽  
Michael Cabanero ◽  
...  

AbstractMalignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive neoplasm originating from the pleura. Non-epithelioid (biphasic and sarcomatoid) MPM are particularly resistant to therapy. We investigated the role of the GITR-GITRL pathway in mediating the resistance to therapy. We found that GITR and GITRL expressions were higher in the sarcomatoid cell line (CRL5946) than in non-sarcomatoid cell lines (CRL5915 and CRL5820), and that cisplatin and Cs-137 irradiation increased GITR and GITRL expressions on tumor cells. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that the GITR-GITRL pathway was promoting tumor growth and inhibiting cell apoptosis. Furthermore, GITR+ and GITRL+ cells demonstrated increased spheroid formation in vitro and in vivo. Using patient derived xenografts (PDXs), we demonstrated that anti-GITR neutralizing antibodies attenuated tumor growth in sarcomatoid PDX mice. Tumor immunostaining demonstrated higher levels of GITR and GITRL expressions in non-epithelioid compared to epithelioid tumors. Among 73 patients uniformly treated with accelerated radiation therapy followed by surgery, the intensity of GITR expression after radiation negatively correlated with survival in non-epithelioid MPM patients. In conclusion, the GITR-GITRL pathway is an important mechanism of autocrine proliferation in sarcomatoid mesothelioma, associated with tumor stemness and resistance to therapy. Blocking the GITR-GITRL pathway could be a new therapeutic target for non-epithelioid mesothelioma.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 3487
Author(s):  
Yu-Ling Lu ◽  
Ming-Hsien Wu ◽  
Yi-Yin Lee ◽  
Ting-Chao Chou ◽  
Richard J. Wong ◽  
...  

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients are usually known for their excellent prognoses. However, some patients with DTC develop refractory disease and require novel therapies with different therapeutic mechanisms. Targeting Wee1 with adavosertib has emerged as a novel strategy for cancer therapy. We determined the effects of adavosertib in four DTC cell lines. Adavosertib induces cell growth inhibition in a dose-dependent fashion. Cell cycle analyses revealed that cells were accumulated in the G2/M phase and apoptosis was induced by adavosertib in the four DTC tumor cell lines. The sensitivity of adavosertib correlated with baseline Wee1 expression. In vivo studies showed that adavosertib significantly inhibited the xenograft growth of papillary and follicular thyroid cancer tumor models. Adavosertib therapy, combined with dabrafenib and trametinib, had strong synergism in vitro, and revealed robust tumor growth suppression in vivo in a xenograft model of papillary thyroid cancer harboring mutant BRAFV600E, without appreciable toxicity. Furthermore, combination of adavosertib with lenvatinib was more effective than either agent alone in a xenograft model of follicular thyroid cancer. These results show that adavosertib has the potential in treating DTC.


Molecules ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
pp. 3138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Izquierdo-Sánchez ◽  
Saé Muñiz-Hernández ◽  
Héctor Vázquez-Becerra ◽  
Judith Pacheco-Yepez ◽  
Mario Romero-Piña ◽  
...  

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is the most common tumor of the pulmonary pleura. It is a rare and aggressive malignancy, generally associated with continuous occupational exposure to asbestos. Only a multimodal-approach to treatment, based on surgical resection, chemotherapy and/or radiation, has shown some benefits. However, the survival rate remains low. Nimotuzumab (h-R3), an anti-EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) humanized antibody, is proposed as a promising agent for the treatment of MPM. The aim of this research was to implement a procedure for nimotuzumab radiolabeling to evaluate its biodistribution and affinity for EGF (epidermal growth factor) receptors present in a mesothelioma xenograft. Nimotuzumab was radiolabeled with 67Ga; radiolabel efficiency, radiochemical purity, serum stability, and biodistribution were evaluated. Biodistribution and tumor uptake imaging studies by microSPECT/CT in mesothelioma xenografts revealed constant nimotuzumab uptake at the tumor site during the first 48 h after drug administration. In vivo studies using MPM xenografts showed a significant uptake of this radioimmunoconjugate, which illustrates its potential as a biomarker that could promote its theranostic use in patients with MPM.


2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 2286-2301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dijiong  Wu ◽  
Keding Shao ◽  
Qihao Zhou ◽  
Jie Sun ◽  
Ziqi Wang ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Although the cure rate of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has exceeded 90%, the relapse/refractory APL that resistant to all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) or ATO was still serious concern. Matrine (MAT) could improve the differentiation ability of ATRA-resistant APL cells. This study aimed to explore how the APL-specific fusion protein was degraded in ATRA-resistant APL with the application of MAT and ATRA. Methods: ATRA-sensitive (NB4) and ATRA-resistant (NB4-LR1) cell lines were used. Nitroblue tetrazolium reduction assay and flow cytometry were used to detect the differentiation ability. The activity of ubiquitin-proteasome and autophagy-mediated pathways in both cells treated with ATRA with or without MAT were compared in protein and mRNA level (Western blot analysis, qRT-PCR), the Fluorescent substrate Suc-LLVY-AMC detection was used to detect the activity of proteasome, and electron microscope for observing autophagosome. MG 132(proteasome inhibitor), rapamycin (autophagy activator), hydroxychloroquine (lysosomal inhibitor) and STI571 [retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) ubiquitin stabilizer] were used as positive controls. The effect of MAT was observed in vivo using xenografts. Results: MAT improved the sensitivity of NB4-LR1cells to ATRA treatment, which was consistent with the expression of PML-RARα fusion protein. MAT promoted the ubiquitylation level in NB4-LR1. MG 132 induced the decrease in RARα in both cell lines, and hampered the differentiation of NB4 cells. MAT also promoted the autophagy in NB4-LR1 cells, with an increase in microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain3 (LC3)-II and LC3-II/LC3-I ratio and exhaustion of P62. The expression of LC3II increased significantly in the MAT and ATRA + MAT groups in combination with lysosomal inhibitors. A similar phenomenon was observed in mouse xenografts. MAT induced apoptosis and differentiation. Conclusions: Autophagy and ubiquitin-mediated proteolytic degradation of PML/RARα fusion protein are crucial in MAT-induced differentiation sensitivity recovery of NB4-LR1 cells.


Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 45-45
Author(s):  
Sushanth Gouni ◽  
Paolo Strati ◽  
Jason Westin ◽  
Loretta J. Nastoupil ◽  
Raphael E Steiner ◽  
...  

Background: Pre-clinical studies show that statins may improve the efficacy of chemoimmunotherapy in patients with DLBCL, through interference with cell membrane-initiated signaling pathways. Clinical retrospective studies, however, yield conflicting data, due to heterogeneous properties of statins, including potency and hydrophilicity. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of patients with previously untreated, advanced stage DLBCL, non-double hit, treated with frontline R-CHOP between 01/01/2000 and 09/01/2019 (data cut-off 04/15/2020) at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and for whom data regarding statin use at time of initiation of treatment were available. Lugano 2014 response criteria were applied retrospectively for response assessment. Cellular cholesterol levels were analyzed in 6 DLBCL cell lines using an Amplex red fluorometric assay. A doxorubicin (DXR)-resistant cell line was generated exposing SUDHL4 cells to escalating doses of DXR; a DXR-resistant DLBCL patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model was established through serial transplantation and exposure to DXR. Results: 271 patients were included in the analysis, 182 (67%) were older than 60 years, 134 (49%) were male, 212 (72%) had stage IV disease, and 217 (80%) had an IPI score > 3; upon pathological review, 38 (36%) cases were non-GCB type, and 18 (28%) were double-expressors; 214 (79%) were able to complete all planned 6 cycles of RCHOP. Seventy-nine (29%) patients received statins at time of initiation of chemoimmunotherapy: 15 patients received low potency statin, 51 medium and 13 high; 18 patients received hydrophilic statins and 61 lipophilic. Patients receiving statins were significantly older as compared to patients who did not (p<0.001); no other significant difference in baseline characteristics was observed when comparing the 2 groups. Overall, 265 out of 271 patients were evaluable for response, as 6 stopped treatment because of toxicity before first response assessment. Among these, ORR was 95% (252/265) and CR rate was 62% (165/265). ORR rate was identical in patients who were treated with statin and those who did not (95% both, p=1). After a median follow-up of 77 months (95% CI, 70-84 months), 119 patients progressed/died, median PFS was not reached and 6-year PFS was 57%. 6-year PFS rate according to statin intensity was: 48% (low), 72% (medium), 57% (high). PFS. 6-year PFS rate was 64% for hydrophilic and 72% for lipophilic statins. Patients treated with statins had a trend for longer PFS (p=0.06), significantly longer for patients receiving medium potency statins (p=0.04). No significant difference in PFS was observed when comparing patients treated with lipophilic statins to all others (not reached vs 84 months, p=0.22). To confirm these clinical data, in-vitro and in-vivo studies were performed. Six cell lines were tested: 4 with high cholesterol content (SUDHL4, HBL1, HT, and U2932; 5.0-8.0 µg/mg protein), and 2 with low cholesterol content (DOHH2 and OCI-LY19; 1.5-2.0 µg/mg protein); the latter showed the highest sensitivity to DXR-mediated killing. The combination of lovastatin and DXR (10nM) was tested in all 4 cell lines with high cholesterol content, resulting in more cell death than either treatment alone. Lovastatin (at the nanomolar range) resensitized DXR-resistant SUDHL4 cells to DXR. Finally, in a DXR-resistant PDX model, the combination of lovastatin and DXR resulted in delayed tumor growth as compared to chemotherapy alone. Conclusions: Use of medium potency statins is associated with improved outcomes after frontline RCHOP in patients with DLBCL. This was further confirmed in functional in-vitro and in-vivo studies. Future interventional studies, aimed at improving outcomes in these patients using this novel combination, are warranted. Disclosures Westin: Amgen: Consultancy; 47: Research Funding; Kite: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Morphosys: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy, Research Funding; Curis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding. Nastoupil:Gamida Cell: Honoraria; Merck: Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Honoraria, Research Funding; Karus Therapeutics: Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bayer: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Genentech, Inc.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Gilead/KITE: Honoraria. Neelapu:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Other: personal fees, Research Funding; Merck: Other: personal fees, Research Funding; Kite, a Gilead Company: Other: personal fees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Other: personal fees; Celgene: Other: personal fees, Research Funding; Novartis: Other: personal fees; Karus Therapeutics: Research Funding; N/A: Other; Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Patents & Royalties; Acerta: Research Funding; Cellectis: Research Funding; Poseida: Research Funding; Precision Biosciences: Other: personal fees, Research Funding; Legend Biotech: Other; Adicet Bio: Other; Allogene Therapeutics: Other: personal fees, Research Funding; Cell Medica/Kuur: Other: personal fees; Calibr: Other; Incyte: Other: personal fees; Unum Therapeutics: Other, Research Funding. Landgraf:NCI/NIH: Research Funding. Vega:NCI: Research Funding.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3460
Author(s):  
Mayura Meerang ◽  
Jessica Kreienbühl ◽  
Vanessa Orlowski ◽  
Seraina L. C. Müller ◽  
Michaela B. Kirschner ◽  
...  

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), the tumor suppressor frequently lost in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), suppresses tumorigenesis in part by inhibiting the Cullin4 ubiquitin ligase (CUL4) complex in the nucleus. Here, we evaluated the importance of CUL4 in MPM progression and tested the efficacy of cullin inhibition by pevonedistat, a small molecule inhibiting cullin neddylation. CUL4 paralogs (CUL4A and CUL4B) were upregulated in MPM tumor specimens compared to nonmalignant pleural tissues. High gene and protein expressions of CUL4B was associated with a worse progression-free survival of MPM patients. Among 13 MPM cell lines tested, five (38%) were highly sensitive to pevonedistat (half maximal inhibitory concentration of cell survival IC50 < 0.5 µM). This remained true in a 3D spheroid culture. Pevonedistat treatment caused the accumulation of CDT1 and p21 in both sensitive and resistant cell lines. However, the treatment induced S/G2 cell cycle arrest and DNA rereplication predominantly in the sensitive cell lines. In an in vivo mouse model, the pevonedistat treatment significantly prolonged the survival of mice bearing both sensitive and resistant MPM tumors. Pevonedistat treatment reduced growth in sensitive tumors but increased apoptosis in resistant tumors. The mechanism in the resistant tumor model may be mediated by reduced macrophage infiltration, resulting from the suppression of macrophage chemotactic cytokines, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), expression in tumor cells.


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