Browsing by Subject "EGFR"

Now showing 1 - 10 of 10
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    A multidimensional platform of patient-derived tumors identifies drug susceptibilities for clinical lenvatinib resistance
    (Elsevier, 2024) Sun, Lei; Wan, Arabella H.; Yan, Shijia; Liu, Ruonian; Li, Jiarui; Zhou, Zhuolong; Wu, Ruirui; Chen, Dongshi; Bu, Xianzhang; Ou, Jingxing; Li, Kai; Lu, Xiongbin; Wan, Guohui; Ke, Zunfu; Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine
    Lenvatinib, a second-generation multi-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved by the FDA for first-line treatment of advanced liver cancer, facing limitations due to drug resistance. Here, we applied a multidimensional, high-throughput screening platform comprising patient-derived resistant liver tumor cells (PDCs), organoids (PDOs), and xenografts (PDXs) to identify drug susceptibilities for conquering lenvatinib resistance in clinically relevant settings. Expansion and passaging of PDCs and PDOs from resistant patient liver tumors retained functional fidelity to lenvatinib treatment, expediting drug repurposing screens. Pharmacological screening identified romidepsin, YM155, apitolisib, NVP-TAE684 and dasatinib as potential antitumor agents in lenvatinib-resistant PDC and PDO models. Notably, romidepsin treatment enhanced antitumor response in syngeneic mouse models by triggering immunogenic tumor cell death and blocking the EGFR signaling pathway. A combination of romidepsin and immunotherapy achieved robust and synergistic antitumor effects against lenvatinib resistance in humanized immunocompetent PDX models. Collectively, our findings suggest that patient-derived liver cancer models effectively recapitulate lenvatinib resistance observed in clinical settings and expedite drug discovery for advanced liver cancer, providing a feasible multidimensional platform for personalized medicine.
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    Anticancer peptides from induced tumor-suppressing cells for inhibiting osteosarcoma cells
    (e-Century, 2023-09-15) Cui, Chang-Peng; Huo, Qing-Ji; Xiong, Xue; Li, Ke-Xin; Ma, Peng; Qiang, Gui-Fen; Pandya, Pankita H.; Saadatzadeh, Mohammad R.; Vishehsaraei, Khadijeh Bijangi; Kacena, Melissa A.; Aryal, Uma K.; Pollok, Karen E.; Li, Bai-Yan; Yokota, Hiroki; Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology
    Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most frequent primary bone cancer, which is mainly suffered by children and young adults. While the current surgical treatment combined with chemotherapy is effective for the early stage of OS, advanced OS preferentially metastasizes to the lung and is difficult to treat. Here, we examined the efficacy of ten anti-OS peptide candidates from a trypsin-digested conditioned medium that was derived from the secretome of induced tumor-suppressing cells (iTSCs). Using OS cell lines, the antitumor capabilities of the peptide candidates were evaluated by assaying the alterations in metabolic activities, proliferation, motility, and invasion of OS cells. Among ten candidates, peptide P05 (ADDGRPFPQVIK), a fragment of aldolase A (ALDOA), presented the most potent OS-suppressing capabilities. Its efficacy was additive with standard-of-care chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin and doxorubicin, and it downregulated oncoproteins such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Snail, and Src in OS cells. Interestingly, P05 did not present inhibitory effects on non-OS skeletal cells such as mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblast cells. Collectively, this study demonstrated that iTSC-derived secretomes may provide a source for identifying anticancer peptides, and P05 may warrant further evaluations for the treatment of OS.
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    Combating CHK1 resistance in triple negative breast cancer: EGFR inhibition as potential combinational therapy
    (OAE, 2022) Stefanski, Casey D.; Prosperi, Jenifer R.; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine
    Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is marked by a lack of expression of the Estrogen Receptor, Progesterone Receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Therefore, targeted therapies are being investigated based on the expression profiles of tumors. Due to the potential for acquired and intrinsic resistance, there is a need for combination therapy to overcome resistance. In the article by Lee et al., the authors identify that, while prexasertib (a CHK1 inhibitor) lacks efficacy alone, combination with an EGFR inhibitor provides synergistic anti-tumor effects. Advances in targeted therapy for TNBC will benefit the clinical landscape for this disease, with this study initiating a new avenue of investigation.
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    Combined targeting of TGF-beta, EGFR and HER2 suppresses lymphangiogenesis and metastasis in a pancreatic cancer model
    (Elsevier, 2016-08-28) Gore, Jesse; Imasuen-Williams, Imade E.; Conteh, Abass M.; Craven, Kelly E.; Cheng, Monica; Korc, Murray; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) are aggressive with frequent lymphatic spread. By analysis of data from The Cancer Genome Atlas, we determined that ∼35% of PDACs have a pro-angiogenic gene signature. We now show that the same PDACs exhibit increased expression of lymphangiogenic genes and lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) markers, and that LEC abundance in human PDACs correlates with endothelial cell microvessel density. Lymphangiogenic genes and LECs are also elevated in murine PDACs arising in the KRC (mutated Kras; deleted RB) and KIC (mutated Kras; deleted INK4a) genetic models. Moreover, pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs) derived from KRC tumors express and secrete high levels of lymphangiogenic factors, including the EGF receptor ligand, amphiregulin. Importantly, TGF-β1 increases lymphangiogenic genes and amphiregulin expression in KRC PCCs but not in murine PCCs that lack SMAD4, and combinatorial targeting of the TGF-β type I receptor (TβRI) with LY2157299 and EGFR/HER2 with lapatanib suppresses tumor growth and metastasis in a syngeneic orthotopic model, and attenuates tumor lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis while reducing lymphangiogenic genes and amphiregulin and enhancing apoptosis. Therefore, this combination could be beneficial in PDACs with lymphangiogenic or angiogenic gene signatures.
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    hSef potentiates EGF-mediated MAPK signaling through affecting EGFR trafficking and degradation
    (Elsevier B.V., 2008-03) Ren, Yongming; Cheng, Long; Rong, Zhili; Li, Zhiyong; Li, Yinghua; Zhang, Xinjun; Xiong, Shiqin; Hu, Jim; Fu, Xin-Yuan; Chang, Zhijie; Department of Microbiology & Immunology, IU School of Medicine
    Sef (similar expression to fgf genes) was identified as an effective antagonist of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in vertebrates. Previous reports have demonstrated that Sef interacts with FGF receptors (FGFRs) and inhibits FGF signaling, however, its role in regulating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling remains unclear. In this report, we found that hSef localizes to the plasma membrane (PM) and is subjected to rapid internalization and well localizes in early/recycling endosomes while poorly in late endosomes/lysosomes. We observed that hSef interacts and functionally colocalizes with EGFR in early endosomes in response to EGF stimulation. Importantly, we demonstrated that overexpression of hSef attenuates EGFR degradation and potentiates EGF-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling by interfering EGFR trafficking. Finally, our data showed that, with overexpression of hSef, elevated levels of Erk phosphorylation and differentiation of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells occur in response to EGF stimulation. Taken together, these data suggest that hSef plays a positive role in the EGFR-mediated MAPK signaling pathway. This report, for the first time, reveals opposite roles for Sef in EGF and FGF signalings.
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    HUNK Signaling in Metastatic Breast Cancer
    (Impact Journals, 2020-05-05) Dilday, Tinslee; Ramos, Nicole; Yeh, Elizabeth; Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine
    Once metastatic disease has occurred, there is no cure for breast cancer. Consequently, identifying factors that promote and support breast cancer metastasis is critical for understanding how to pharmacologically target this process. Hormonally up-regulated neu-associated kinase (HUNK) is a serine/threonine protein kinase related to the sucrose non-fermenting-1 (Snf-1)/5’ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) family of kinases. HUNK has been found to play a role in breast cancer metastasis. However, conflicting reports indicate HUNK is a metastasis promoting factor as well as an inhibiting factor. Our group recently provided evidence that supports the conclusion that HUNK is a metastasis promoting factor by showing that HUNK regulates breast cancer metastasis through phosphorylation of EGFR. Here, we summarize our findings and discuss their implications toward pharmacological targeting of HUNK in breast cancer.
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    The Impact of Genomic Profiling for Novel Cancer Therapy--Recent Progress in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
    (Elsevier, 2016-01-20) Xie, Jingwu; Zhang, Xiaoli; Department of Pediatrics, IU School of Medicine
    There is high expectation for significant improvements in cancer patient care after completion of the human genome project in 2003. Through pains-taking analyses of genomic profiles in cancer patients, a number of targetable gene alterations have been discovered, with some leading to novel therapies, such as activating mutations of EGFR, BRAF and ALK gene fusions. As a result, clinical management of cancer through targeted therapy has finally become a reality for a subset of cancers, such as lung adenocarcinomas and melanomas. In this review, we summarize how gene mutation discovery leads to new treatment strategies using non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as an example. We also discuss possible future implications of cancer genome analyses.
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    Mig6 haploinsufficiency protects mice against streptozotocin-induced diabetes
    (Springer, 2014-10) Chen, Yi-Chun; Colvin, E. Scott; Griffin, Katherine E.; Maier, Bernhard F.; Fueger, Patrick T.; Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, IU School of Medicine
    AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: EGF and gastrin co-administration reverses type 1 diabetes in rodent models. However, the failure of this to translate into a clinical treatment suggests that EGF-mediated tissue repair is a complicated process and warrants further investigation. Thus, we aimed to determine whether EGF receptor (EGFR) feedback inhibition by mitogen-inducible gene 6 protein (MIG6) limits the effectiveness of EGF therapy and promotes type 1 diabetes development. METHODS: We treated Mig6 (also known as Errfi1) haploinsufficient mice (Mig6 (+/-)) and their wild-type littermates (Mig6 (+/+)) with multiple low doses of streptozotocin (STZ), and monitored diabetes development via glucose homeostasis tests and histological analyses. We also investigated MIG6-mediated cytokine-induced desensitisation of EGFR signalling and the DNA damage repair response in 832/13 INS-1 beta cells. RESULTS: Whereas STZ-treated Mig6 (+/+) mice became diabetic, STZ-treated Mig6 (+/-) mice remained glucose tolerant. In addition, STZ-treated Mig6 (+/-) mice exhibited preserved circulating insulin levels following a glucose challenge. As insulin sensitivity was similar between Mig6 (+/-) and Mig6 (+/+) mice, the preserved glucose tolerance in STZ-treated Mig6 (+/-) mice probably results from preserved beta cell function. This is supported by elevated Pdx1 and Irs2 mRNA levels in islets isolated from STZ-treated Mig6 (+/-) mice. Conversely, MIG6 overexpression in isolated islets compromises glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Studies in 832/13 cells suggested that cytokine-induced MIG6 hinders EGFR activation and inhibits DNA damage repair. STZ-treated Mig6 (+/-) mice also have increased beta cell mass recovery. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Reducing Mig6 expression promotes beta cell repair and abates the development of experimental diabetes, suggesting that MIG6 may be a novel therapeutic target for preserving beta cells
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    Role of Tumor Oxygen Tension in Signaling and Response to Targeted Therapies
    (2024-10) Adebayo, Adedeji Kolawole; Nakshatri, Harikrishna; Quilliam, Lawrence; Capitano, Maegan; Kim, Jaeyeon
    Most tumor cells in solid tumors are exposed to oxygen levels ranging from 0.5% to 5%, but never to ambient air oxygen levels of about 21%. We developed an approach that allows collection, processing and evaluation of cancer and non-cancer cells under physioxia (3%-5% oxygen), ensuring little to no exposure to ambient air. This approach allowed for comparison of baseline and targeted therapy-induced changes in signaling pathways in cells under physioxia and ambient air and to identify potentially efficacious therapeutic combinations based on signaling pathways uniquely active under physioxia. Using tumor cells from two transgenic models of breast cancer and cells from breast tissues of clinically breast cancer-free women, we demonstrate oxygen level-dependent differences in cell preference for EGFR or PDGFRβ signaling. Physioxia caused PDGFRβ-mediated activation of AKT and ERK that reduced tumor cell sensitivity to EGFR and PIK3CA inhibition and maintained PDGFRβ+ epithelial-mesenchymal hybrid cells with potential cancer stem cell properties. Cells in ambient air displayed differential EGFR activation and were sensitive to EGFR and PIK3CA inhibition. Tumor cells grown under physioxia were sensitive to high affinity PDGFRβ inhibitor sunitinib. Furthermore, significantly higher synergistic growth inhibition and apoptosis was observed with lapatinib (a clinically used dual EGFR and ErbB2/HER2 inhibitor) and sunitinib combination only in tumor cells under physioxia both in vitro and in vivo. Our data emphasize the importance of oxygen considerations in preclinical cancer research to evaluate clinically relevant signaling pathways and identify novel drug targets or combination therapy approaches. We suggest that evaluation of candidate drugs for their efficacy under physiologic oxygen levels in preclinical models, prior to transitioning into clinical trials, would not only accelerate the development of effective drugs but also reduce failure at the clinical trial stage.
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    Stress-inducible Mig6 promotes pancreatic beta cell destruction in the pathogenesis of diabetes
    (2014-12-08) Chen, Yi-Chun; Fueger, Patrick T.; Day, Richard N.; Elmendorf, Jeffrey S.
    Pancreatic insulin-secreting beta cell failure is central to the development of diabetes. Therapeutic applications targeted at understanding and manipulating beta cell destruction mechanisms should enhance the preservation of functional beta cell mass and prevent diabetes. To this end, we have demonstrated that diabetogenic assaults (e.g., endoplasmic reticulum stress, glucolipotoxicity, and pro-inflammatory cytokines) attenuate the activation of beta cell pro-survival signaling pathways via a stress-inducible molecule called Mitogen-inducible gene 6 (Mig6). We discovered that the overabundance of Mig6 exacerbates stress-induced beta cell apoptosis and inhibits insulin secretion. Conversely, the deficiency of Mig6 partially protected beta cells from DNA damage-induced cell death. Further, we established that Mig6 haploinsufficient mice retained islet integrity and function and exhibited greater beta cell mass recovery following treatment with multiple low doses of the beta cell toxin streptozotocin. These data suggest that Mig6 may be a therapeutic target for beta cell preservation in diabetes.