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Genes Nov 2023The precise mechanism of resistance to anti-cancer drugs such as platinum drugs is not fully revealed. To reveal the mechanism of drug resistance, the molecular networks...
The precise mechanism of resistance to anti-cancer drugs such as platinum drugs is not fully revealed. To reveal the mechanism of drug resistance, the molecular networks of anti-cancer drugs such as cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin, and arsenic trioxide were analyzed in several types of cancers. Since diffuse-type stomach adenocarcinoma, which has epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like characteristics, is more malignant than intestinal-type stomach adenocarcinoma, the gene expression and molecular networks in diffuse- and intestinal-type stomach adenocarcinomas were analyzed. Analysis of carboplatin revealed the causal network in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The upstream regulators of the molecular networks of cisplatin-treated lung adenocarcinoma included the anti-cancer drug trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor. The upstream regulator analysis of cisplatin revealed an increase in FAS, BTG2, SESN1, and CDKN1A, and the involvement of the tumor microenvironment pathway. The molecular networks were predicted to interact with several microRNAs, which may contribute to the identification of new drug targets for drug-resistant cancer. Analysis of oxaliplatin, a platinum drug, revealed that the SPINK1 pancreatic cancer pathway is inactivated in ischemic cardiomyopathy. The study showed the importance of the molecular networks of anti-cancer drugs and tumor microenvironment in the treatment of cancer resistant to anti-cancer drugs.
Topics: Humans; Cisplatin; Carboplatin; Platinum; Oxaliplatin; MicroRNAs; Antineoplastic Agents; Adenocarcinoma; Tumor Microenvironment; Trypsin Inhibitor, Kazal Pancreatic; Immediate-Early Proteins; Tumor Suppressor Proteins
PubMed: 38003016
DOI: 10.3390/genes14112073 -
Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Jul 2023Clinically, arsenic trioxide (ATO) was applied to the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) as a reliable and effective frontline drug. However, the...
Clinically, arsenic trioxide (ATO) was applied to the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) as a reliable and effective frontline drug. However, the administration regimen of As was limited due to its fast clearance, short therapeutic window and toxicity as well. Based on CD71 overexpressed on APL cells, in present study, a transferrin (Tf)-modified liposome (LP) was established firstly to encapsulate As in arsenic-nickel complex by nickel acetate gradient method. The As-loaded liposomes (AsLP) exhibited the feature of acid-sensitive release . Tf-modified AsLP (Tf-AsLP) were specifically taken up by APL cells and the acidic intracellular environment triggered liposome to release As which stimulated reactive oxygen species level and caspase-3 activity. Tf-AsLP prolonged half-life of As in blood circulation, lowered systemic toxicity, and promoted apoptosis and induced cell differentiation at lesion site . Considering that ATO combined with RA is usually applied as the first choice in clinic for APL treatment to improve the therapeutic effect, accordingly, a Tf-modified RA liposome (Tf-RALP) was designed to reduce the severe side effects of free RA and assist Tf-AsLP for better efficacy. As expected, the tumor inhibition rate of Tf-AsLP was improved significantly with the combination of Tf-RALP on subcutaneous tumor model. Furthermore, APL orthotopic NOD/SCID mice model was established by CO irradiation and HL-60 cells intravenously injection. The effect of co-administration (Tf-AsLP + Tf-RALP) was also confirmed to conspicuous decrease the number of leukemia cells in the circulatory system and prolong the survival time of APL mice by promoting the APL cells' apoptosis and differentiation in peripheral blood and bone marrow. Collectively, Tf-modified acid-sensitive AsLP could greatly reduce the systemic toxicity of free drug. Moreover, Tf-AsLP combined with Tf-RALP could achieve better efficacy. Thus, transferrin-modified As liposome would be a novel clinical strategy to improve patient compliance, with promising translation prospects.
PubMed: 37583710
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2023.100826 -
Cell Death & Disease Nov 2023Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is characterized by germline mutations occurring on one allele of genome guardian TP53. It is a severe cancer predisposition syndrome with a...
Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is characterized by germline mutations occurring on one allele of genome guardian TP53. It is a severe cancer predisposition syndrome with a poor prognosis, partly due to the frequent development of subsequent primary tumors following DNA-damaging therapies. Here we explored, for the first time, the effectiveness of mutant p53 rescue compound in treating LFS-mimicking mice harboring a deleterious p53 mutation. Among the ten p53 hotspot mutations in IARC LFS cohorts, R282W is one of the mutations predicting the poorest survival prognosis and the earliest tumor onset. Among the six clinical-stage mutant p53 rescue compounds, arsenic trioxide (ATO) effectively restored transactivation activity to p53-R282W. We thus constructed a heterozygous Trp53 R279W (corresponding to human R282W) mouse model for the ATO treatment study. The p53 (W/+) mice exhibited tumor onset and overall survival well mimicking the ones of human LFS. Further, 35 mg/L ATO addition in drink water significantly extended the median survival of W/+ mice (from 460 to 596 days, hazard ratio = 0.4003, P = 0.0008). In the isolated tumors from ATO-treated W/+ mice, the representative p53 targets including Cdkn1a, Mdm2, and Tigar were significantly upregulated, accompanying with a decreased level of the proliferation marker Ki67 and increased level of apoptosis marker TUNEL. Together, the non-genotoxic treatment of p53 rescue compound ATO holds promise as an alternative for LFS therapeutic.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Li-Fraumeni Syndrome; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Arsenic Trioxide; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genes, p53
PubMed: 38030599
DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06281-2 -
RSC Advances Dec 2023The International Agency for Research on Cancer has unequivocally classified inorganic arsenic as a Group 1 carcinogen, definitively establishing its potential to induce...
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has unequivocally classified inorganic arsenic as a Group 1 carcinogen, definitively establishing its potential to induce cancer in humans. Paradoxically, despite its well-documented toxicity, arsenic finds utility as a chemotherapeutic agent. Notable examples include melarsoprol and arsenic trioxide, both employed in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. In both therapeutic and hazardous contexts, arsenic can accumulate within cellular environments, where it engages in intricate interactions with protein molecules. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of how arsenic compounds interact with proteins holds immense promise for the development of innovative inhibitors and pharmaceutical agents. These advancements could prove invaluable in addressing a spectrum of arsenic-related diseases. In pursuit of this knowledge, we undertook a systematic exploration of the Protein Data Bank, with a focus on 902 proteins intricately associated with 26 arsenic compounds. Our comprehensive investigation reveals insights into the interactions between these arsenical compounds and amino acids located within a 4.0 Å molecular distance from arsenic-binding sites. Our findings identify that cysteine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, serine, and arginine frequently engage with arsenic. In complement to our computational analyses, we conducted rigorous Raman spectroscopy studies on the top five amino acids displaying robust interactions with arsenic. The results derived from experimental Raman spectroscopy were meticulously compared with our computational assessments, thereby enhancing the reliability and depth of our investigations. The current study presents a multidimensional exploration into the elaborate interplay between arsenic compounds and proteins. By elucidating the specific amino acids that preferentially interact with arsenic, this study not only contributes to the fundamental understanding of these molecular associations but also lays the foundation for future endeavors in drug design and therapeutic interventions targeting arsenic-related illnesses. Our work at the convergence of toxicology, medicine, and molecular biology carries profound implications for advancing our knowledge of arsenic's dual nature as both a poison and a potential cure.
PubMed: 38090090
DOI: 10.1039/d3ra05987a -
Journal of Cancer Research and... 2023Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) comprises approximately 10% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases.
BACKGROUND
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) comprises approximately 10% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Both options of treatment (ATRA-ATO and ATRA-chemotherapy) were discussed with patients with low- and intermediate-risk APL, pros and cons explained in details, and treatment regimen selected after getting informed written consent.
RESULTS
Total 71 patients were included in the study; among these patients, 3 were negative for both FISH for t (15,17) and RT-PCR for promyelocytic leukemia retinoic acid receptor alpha, and 36 patients with APL had white blood cell count at diagnosis >10 × 10/l. Total 30 patients with newly diagnosed as low- and intermediate-risk-APL fulfilled all inclusion criteria, treated and followed for a minimum period of 2 years up to June, 2016. Fifteen patients liked to be treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO), while rest of the 15 patients preferred treatment with ATRA and chemotherapy.
CONCLUSION
Combination of ATRA and ATO is equally effective, less toxic, and more feasible in comparison to ATRA and chemotherapy for patients with low- and intermediate-risk APL and is a viable option for this subset of patients, especially in countries with limited resources.
Topics: Humans; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute; Arsenicals; Oxides; Tertiary Care Centers; Arsenic Trioxide; Tretinoin; Treatment Outcome; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
PubMed: 37787311
DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_436_21 -
Journal of Translational Medicine Oct 2023Polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs), a specific type of cancer stem cells (CSCs), can be induced by hypoxic microenvironments, chemical reagents, radiotherapy, and...
BACKGROUND
Polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs), a specific type of cancer stem cells (CSCs), can be induced by hypoxic microenvironments, chemical reagents, radiotherapy, and Chinese herbal medicine. Moreover, PGCCs can produce daughter cells that undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which leads to cancer recurrence and disseminated metastasis. Vimentin, a mesenchymal cell marker, is highly expressed in PGCCs and their daughter cells (PDCs) and drives migratory persistence. This study explored the molecular mechanisms by which vimentin synergistically regulates PGCCs to generate daughter cells with enhanced invasive and metastatic properties.
METHODS
Arsenic trioxide (ATO) was used to induce the formation of PGCCs in Hct116 and LoVo cells. Immunocytochemical and immunohistochemical assays were performed to determine the subcellular localization of vimentin. Cell function assays were performed to compare the invasive metastatic abilities of the PDCs and control cells. The molecular mechanisms underlying vimentin expression and nuclear translocation were investigated by real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, cell function assays, cell transfection, co-immunoprecipitation, and chromatin immunoprecipitation, followed by sequencing. Finally, animal xenograft experiments and clinical colorectal cancer samples were used to study vimentin expression in tumor tissues.
RESULTS
Daughter cells derived from PGCCs showed strong proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities, in which vimentin was highly expressed and located in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Vimentin undergoes small ubiquitin-like modification (SUMOylation) by interacting with SUMO1 and SUMO2/3, which are associated with nuclear translocation. P62 regulates nuclear translocation of vimentin by controlling SUMO1 and SUMO2/3 expression. In the nucleus, vimentin acts as a transcription factor that regulates CDC42, cathepsin B, and cathepsin D to promote PDC invasion and migration. Furthermore, animal experiments and human colorectal cancer specimens have confirmed the nuclear translocation of vimentin.
CONCLUSION
P62-dependent SUMOylation of vimentin plays an important role in PDC migration and invasion. Vimentin nuclear translocation and overexpressed P62 of cancer cells may be used to predict patient prognosis, and targeting vimentin nuclear translocation may be a promising therapeutic strategy for metastatic cancers.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Vimentin; Cell Line, Tumor; Giant Cells; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Colorectal Neoplasms; Polyploidy; Cell Movement; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 37833712
DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04585-7 -
Technology in Cancer Research &... 2024Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 gene internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) mutations has a poor prognosis. The combination of arsenic...
BACKGROUND
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 gene internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) mutations has a poor prognosis. The combination of arsenic trioxide (ATO) and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has a synergistic killing effect on leukemia cells with FLT3-ITD mutation. However, the mechanism, especially the changes of gene expression and metabolic activity remain unclear. Here we explore the transcriptome and metabolomics changes of FLT3-ITD AML cells treated with ATO/ATRA.
METHODS
RNA-seq was used to identify differential expressed genes (DEGs), and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole electrostatic field orbital trap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-MS) nontargeted metabolomics method was used to screen out the differential metabolites in FLT3-ITD mutant cell lines treated with ATRA and ATO. KEGG pathway database was utilized for pathway exploration and Seahorse XF24 was used to detect extracellular acidification rate (ECAR). Metabolic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were used to detect mRNA levels of key metabolic genes of glycolysis and fatty acid after drug treatment.
RESULTS
A total of 3873 DEGs were identified and enriched in 281 Gene Ontology (GO) terms, among which 210 were related to biological processes, 43 were related to cellular components, and 28 were related to molecular functions. Besides, 1794 and 927 differential metabolites were screened in positive and negative ion mode separately, and 59 different metabolic pathways were involved, including alanine-aspartate-glutamate metabolic pathway, arginine, and proline metabolic pathway, glycerophospholipid metabolic pathways, etc. According to KEGG Pathway analysis of transcriptome combined with metabolome, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathway and fatty acid metabolism pathway were significantly founded enriched. ATRA + ATO may inhibit the glycolysis of FLT3-ITD AML cells by inhibiting FLT3 and its downstream AKT/HK2-VDAC1 signaling pathway.
CONCLUSIONS
The gene transcription profile and metabolites of FLT3-ITD mutant cells changes significantly after treatment, which might be related to the anti-FLT3-ITD AML effect. The screened DEGs, differential metabolites pathway are helpful in studying the mechanism of anti-leukemia effects and drug targets.
Topics: Humans; Arsenic Trioxide; fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3; Transcriptome; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Tretinoin; Mutation; Gene Expression Profiling; Fatty Acids
PubMed: 38179723
DOI: 10.1177/15330338231223080 -
EMBO Reports Dec 2023Glioblastoma is a very aggressive tumor and represents the most common primary brain malignancy. Key characteristics include its high resistance against conventional...
Glioblastoma is a very aggressive tumor and represents the most common primary brain malignancy. Key characteristics include its high resistance against conventional treatments, such as radio- and chemotherapy and its diffuse tissue infiltration, preventing complete surgical resection. The analysis of migration and invasion processes in a physiological microenvironment allows for enhanced understanding of these phenomena and can lead to improved therapeutic approaches. Here, we combine two state-of-the-art techniques, adult organotypic brain tissue slice culture (OTC) and light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) of cleared tissues in a combined method termed OTCxLSFM. Using this methodology, we can show that glioblastoma tissue infiltration can be effectively blocked through treatment with arsenic trioxide or WP1066, as well as genetic depletion of the tetraspanin, transmembrane receptor CD9, or signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). With our analysis pipeline, we gain single-cell level, three-dimensional information, as well as insights into the morphological appearance of the tumor cells.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Glioblastoma; Glioma; Brain Neoplasms; Brain; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Cell Line, Tumor; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 37938214
DOI: 10.15252/embr.202356964 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2023Cardiotoxicity is one of the leading causes of compound attrition during drug development. Most screening platforms aim at detecting acute cardio-electrophysiological...
Cardiotoxicity is one of the leading causes of compound attrition during drug development. Most screening platforms aim at detecting acute cardio-electrophysiological changes and drug-induced chronic functional alterations are often not studied in the early stage of drug development. Therefore, we developed an assay using human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) that evaluates both drug-induced acute and delayed electrophysiological and cytotoxic effects of reference compounds with clinically known cardiac outcomes. hiPSC-CMs were seeded in 48-well multielectrode array (MEA) plates and were treated with four doses of reference compounds (covering and exceeding clinical free plasma peak concentrations -fC values) and MEA recordings were conducted for 4 days. Functional-electrophysiological (field-potentials) and viability (impedance) parameters were recorded with a MEA machine. To assess this platform, we tested tyrosine-kinase inhibitors with high-cardiac risk profile (sunitinib, vandetanib and nilotinib) and low-cardiac risk (erlotinib), as well as known classic cardiac toxic drugs (doxorubicin and BMS-986094), ion-channel trafficking inhibitors (pentamidine, probucol and arsenic trioxide) and compounds without known clinical cardiotoxicity (amoxicillin, cetirizine, captopril and aspirin). By evaluating the effects of these compounds on MEA parameters, the assay was mostly able to recapitulate different drug-induced cardiotoxicities, represented by a prolongation of the field potential, changes in beating rate and presence of arrhythmic events in acute (<2 h) or delayed phase ≥24 h, and/or reduction of impedance during the delayed phase (≥24 h). Furthermore, a few reference compounds were tested in hiPSC-CMs using fluorescence- and luminescence-based plate reader assays, confirming the presence or absence of cytotoxic effects, linked to changes of the impedance parameters measured in the MEA assay. Of note, some cardiotoxic effects could not be identified at acute time points (<2 h) but were clearly detected after 24 h, reinforcing the importance of chronic drug evaluation. In conclusion, the evaluation of chronic drug-induced cardiotoxicity using a hiPSC-CMs assay can contribute to the early de-risking of compounds and help optimize the drug development process.
PubMed: 37492082
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1229960 -
The Tohoku Journal of Experimental... May 2024
PubMed: 38797699
DOI: 10.1620/tjem.2024.J033