Dual blockade of STAT3 and EGFR: a key to unlock drug resistance in glioblastoma?
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Fritah S
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7158645 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:BackgroundGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a devastating disease that lacks effective drugs for targeted therapy. Previously, we found that the third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor AZD-9291 persistently blocked the activation of the ERK pathway but had no inhibitory effect on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Given that the PI3K inhibitor GDC-0084 is being evaluated in phase I/II clinical trials of GBM treatment, we hypothesized that combined inhibition of the EGFR/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways may have a synergistic effect in the treatment of GBM.MethodsThe synergistic effects of cotreatment with AZD-9291 and GDC-0084 were validated using cell viability assays in GBM and primary GBM cell lines. Moreover, the underlying inhibitory mechanisms were assessed through colony formation, EdU proliferation, and cell cycle assays, as well as RNA-seq analyses and western blot. The therapeutic effects of the drug combination on tumor growth and survival were investigated in mice bearing tumors using subcutaneously or intracranially injected LN229 xenografts.ResultsCombined treatment with AZD-9291 and GDC-0084 synergistically inhibited the proliferation and clonogenic survival, as well as induced cell cycle arrest of GBM cells and primary GBM cells, compared to monotherapy. Moreover, AZD-9291 plus GDC-0084 combination therapy significantly inhibited the growth of subcutaneous tumors and orthotopic brain tumor xenografts, thus prolonging the survival of tumor-bearing mice. More importantly, the combination of AZD-9291 and GDC-0084 simultaneously blocked the activation of the EGFR/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways, thereby exerting significant antitumor activity.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that the combined blockade of the EGFR/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways is more effective against GBM than inhibition of each pathway alone, both in vitro and in vivo. Our results suggest that AZD-9291 combined with GDC-0084 may be considered as a potential treatment strategy in future clinical trials. Video Abstract.
| S-EPMC10729576 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults. Despite numerous efforts to target epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), commonly dysregulated in GBM, approaches directed against EGFR have not achieved the same degree of success as seen in other tumor types, particularly as compared to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). EGFR alterations in glioblastoma lie primarily in the extracellular domain, unlike the kinase domain alterations seen in NSCLC. Small molecule inhibitors are difficult to develop for the extracellular domain. Monoclonal antibodies can be developed to target the extracellular domain but must contend with the blood brain barrier (BBB). We review the role of EGFR in GBM, the history of trialed treatments, and the potential paths forward to target the pathway that may have greater success.
| S-EPMC7696540 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe mechanism of missense alteration at EGFR L792F in patients with non-small cell lung cancer resistant to osimertinib has not been sufficiently clarified. We aimed to explore the critical molecular events and coping strategies in osimertinib resistance due to acquired L792F mutation.MethodsCirculating tumor DNA-based sequencing data of 1153 patients with osimertinib resistance were collected to illustrate the prevalence of EGFR L792F mutation. Sensitivity to osimertinib was tested with constructed EGFR 19Del/T790M-cis-L792F cell lines in vitro and in vivo. The correlation and linked pathways between M2 macrophage polarization and EGFR L792Fcis-induced osimertinib resistance were investigated. Possible interventions to suppress osimertinib resistance by targeting IL-4 or STAT3 were explored.FindingsThe concomitant EGFR L792F was identified as an independent mutation following the acquisition of T790M after osimertinib resistance, in that 5 of the 946 patients with osimertinib resistance harbored EGFR T790M-cis-L792F mutation. Transfected EGFR 19Del/T790M-cis-L792F in cell lines had decreased sensitivity to osimertinib and enhanced infiltrating macrophage with M2 polarization. Silico analyses confirmed the role of M2 polarization in osimertinib resistance induced by EGFR T790M-cis-L792F mutation. EGFR T790M-cis-L792F mutation upregulated phosphorylation of STAT3 Tyr705 and promoted its specific binding to IL4 promoter, enhancing IL-4 expression and secretion and inducing macrophage M2 polarization. Furthermore, blockade of STAT3/IL-4 (SH-4-54 or dupilumab) suppressed macrophage M2 polarization and regressed tumor sensitivity to osimertinib.InterpretationOur results proved that targeting EGFR T790M-cis-L792F/STAT3 Tyr705/IL-4 pathway could be a potential strategy to suppress osimertinib resistance in NSCLC.FundingThis work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81871889, 82072586, 81902910), Beijing Natural Science Foundation (7212084, 7214249), the China National Natural Science Foundation Key Program (81630071), the National Key Research and Development Project (2019YFC1315704), CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (CIFMS 2021-1-I2M-012), Aiyou Foundation (KY201701) and CAMS Key Laboratory of translational research on lung cancer (2018PT31035).
| S-EPMC9358434 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Inhibitors of the mitotic kinesin Kif11 are anti-mitotics that, unlike vinca alkaloids or taxanes, do not disrupt microtubules and are not neurotoxic. However, development of resistance has limited their clinical utility. While resistance to Kif11 inhibitors in other cell types is due to mechanisms that prevent these drugs from disrupting mitosis, we find that in glioblastoma (GBM), resistance to the Kif11 inhibitor ispinesib works instead through suppression of apoptosis driven by activation of STAT3. This form of resistance requires dual phosphorylation of STAT3 residues Y705 and S727, mediated by SRC and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), respectively. Simultaneously inhibiting SRC and EGFR reverses this resistance, and combined targeting of these two kinases in vivo with clinically available inhibitors is synergistic and significantly prolongs survival in ispinesib-treated GBM-bearing mice. We thus identify a translationally actionable approach to overcoming Kif11 inhibitor resistance that may work to block STAT3-driven resistance against other anti-cancer therapies as well.
| S-EPMC10018805 | biostudies-literature
Project description:SPRY2 is a purported tumor suppressor in certain cancers that promotes tumor growth and resistance to receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in glioblastoma. Here, we identify a SPRY2-dependent bypass signaling mechanism in glioblastoma that drives resistance to EGFR and MET inhibition. In glioblastoma cells treated with EGFR and MET inhibitors, SPRY2 expression is initially suppressed but eventually rebounds due to NF-κB pathway activation, resultant autocrine FGFR activation, and reactivation of ERK, which controls SPRY2 transcription. In cells where FGFR autocrine signaling does not occur and ERK does not reactivate, or in which ERK reactivates but SPRY2 cannot be expressed, EGFR and MET inhibitors are more effective at promoting death. The same mechanism also drives acquired resistance to EGFR and MET inhibition. Furthermore, tumor xenografts expressing an ERK-dependent bioluminescent reporter engineered for these studies reveal that this bypass resistance mechanism plays out in vivo but can be overcome through simultaneous FGFR inhibition.
| S-EPMC7724645 | biostudies-literature
Project description:PURPOSE:EGF receptor (EGFR) is upregulated in most epithelial cancers where signaling through EGFR contributes to cancer cell proliferation and survival. The limited clinical efficacy of EGFR inhibitors suggests that identification of resistance mechanisms may identify new pathways for therapeutic targeting. STAT3 is upregulated in many cancers and activated via both EGFR-dependent and -independent pathways. In the present study, we tested the consequences of STAT3 inhibition in EGFR inhibitor-resistant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and bladder cancer models to determine whether STAT3 blockade can enhance responses to EGFR targeting. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN:pSTAT3 expression was assessed in human HNSCC tumors that recurred following cetuximab treatment. Cetuximab-sensitive and -resistant cell lines were treated with a STAT3 decoy to determine EC(50) concentrations and the effects on STAT3 target gene expression by Western blotting. In vivo assays included evaluation of antitumor efficacy of STAT3 decoy in cetuximab-sensitive and -resistant models followed by immunoblotting for STAT3 target protein expression. RESULTS:Targeting STAT3 with a STAT3 decoy reduced cellular viability and the expression of STAT3 target genes in EGFR inhibitor resistance models. The addition of a STAT3 inhibitor to EGFR blocking strategies significantly enhanced antitumor effects in vivo. Biopsies from HNSCC tumors that recurred following cetuximab treatment showed increased STAT3 activation compared with pretreatment biopsies. CONCLUSIONS:These results suggest that STAT3 activation contributes to EGFR inhibitor resistance both in HNSCC and bladder cancer where concomitant targeting of STAT3 may represent an effective treatment strategy.
| S-EPMC3445706 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The outcome for patients afflicted with glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and malignant of primary brain tumors in adults, has changed little despite decades of clinical, translational, and basic research. Any effective, systemically administered GBM therapy needs to target cellular components that are indispensable for the malignant phenotype with drugs that cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) and have manageable toxicities. However, while a number of signaling pathways have been shown to drive the malignant phenotype in GBM, and while relatively non-toxic, CNS permeant inhibitors of several of these have been identified, their efficacy in GBM has been disappointing. In this study, we examine the mechanism of resistance to the Kif11 inhibitor ispinesib in murine and human GBM. We find that development of resistance in these tumors occurs by a mechanism not previously described for Kif11 inhibitors, is associated with broad scale transcriptomic and phenotypic changes, and can be reversed with drugs that are FDA approved or in clinical investigation. Our findings also point to ways of enhancing the efficacy of Kif11 inhibitors that are directly translatable into a clinical setting.The outcome for patients afflicted with glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and malignant of primary brain tumors in adults, has changed little despite decades of clinical, translational, and basic research. Any effective, systemically administered GBM therapy needs to target cellular components that are indispensable for the malignant phenotype with drugs that cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) and have manageable toxicities. However, while a number of signaling pathways have been shown to drive the malignant phenotype in GBM, and while relatively non-toxic, CNS permeant inhibitors of several of these have been identified, their efficacy in GBM has been disappointing. In this study, we examine the mechanism of resistance to the Kif11 inhibitor ispinesib in murine and human GBM. We find that development of resistance in these tumors occurs by a mechanism not previously described for Kif11 inhibitors, is associated with broad scale transcriptomic and phenotypic changes, and can be reversed with drugs that are FDA approved or in clinical investigation. Our findings also point to ways of enhancing the efficacy of Kif11 inhibitors that are directly translatable into a clinical setting.
2023-05-10 | PXD030715 | Pride
Project description:EGFR is a major anticancer drug target in human epithelial tumors. One effective class of agents is the tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as gefitinib and erlotinib. These drugs induce dramatic responses in individuals with lung adenocarcinomas characterized by mutations in exons encoding the EGFR tyrosine kinase domain, but disease progression invariably occurs. A major reason for such acquired resistance is the outgrowth of tumor cells with additional TKI-resistant EGFR mutations. Here we used relevant transgenic mouse lung tumor models to evaluate strategies to overcome the most common EGFR TKI resistance mutation, T790M. We treated mice bearing tumors harboring EGFR mutations with a variety of anticancer agents, including a new irreversible EGFR TKI that is under development (BIBW-2992) and the EGFR-specific antibody cetuximab. Surprisingly, we found that only the combination of both agents together induced dramatic shrinkage of erlotinib-resistant tumors harboring the T790M mutation, because together they efficiently depleted both phosphorylated and total EGFR. We suggest that these studies have immediate therapeutic implications for lung cancer patients, as dual targeting with cetuximab and a second-generation EGFR TKI may be an effective strategy to overcome T790M-mediated drug resistance. Moreover, this approach could serve as an important model for targeting other receptor tyrosine kinases activated in human cancers.
| S-EPMC2752070 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Combined model of in vitro and in vivo resistance to alkylating agents (BCNU and Temozolomide) in glioblastoma multiforme. Three matched pairs of surgical specimens from initial (DI, ME, LX) and repeat (DIR, MER, LXR) tumor resection were used to establish cell lines. Patients received BCNU chemotherapy between the two operations, which rendered the sublines from repeat surgery more resistant to BCNU than those from initial surgery. Each the pre-chemotherapeutic set and the post-chemotherapeutic set of cell lines was selected in vitro for resistance to either BCNU or Temozolomide. 9 in vitro selected sublines were established. Of those 4 (2 selected for BCNU [ME-BCNU, DI-BCNU] and 2 selected for Temozolomide [ME-TMZ, LX-TMZ) were generated from the parental/sensitive pre-chemotherapeutic set and 5 (2 selected for BCNU [DIR-BCNU, MER-BCNU] and 3 selected for Temozolomide [DIR-TMZ, MER-TMZ, LXR-TMZ) from the in vivo resistant post-chemotherapeutic set. The model included a total of 15 sublines. Genome-wide high-resolution gene copy number profiling was performed on each subline using 42,000-feature cDNA microarrays. Utilizing the same microarray platform genome-wide gene expression profiles were generated. Biostatistical tools were employed to identify signatures of resistance to alkylating agents both at the genetic as well as at the transcriptomic levels. Set of arrays organized by shared biological context, such as organism, tumors types, processes, etc. Series_type = Logical Set Keywords: other
2006-01-27 | GSE2221 | GEO
Project description:EGFRvIII, a frequently occurring mutation in primary glioblastoma, results in a protein product that cannot bind ligand, but signals constitutively. Deducing how EGFRvIII causes transformation has been difficult because of autocrine and paracrine loops triggered by EGFRvIII alone or in heterodimers with wild-type EGFR. Here, we document coexpression of EGFR and EGFRvIII in primary human glioblastoma that drives transformation and tumorigenesis in a cell-intrinsic manner. We demonstrate enhancement of downstream STAT signaling triggered by EGFR-catalyzed phosphorylation of EGFRvIII, implicating EGFRvIII as a substrate for EGFR. Subsequent phosphorylation of STAT3 requires nuclear entry of EGFRvIII and formation of an EGFRvIII-STAT3 nuclear complex. Our findings clarify specific oncogenic signaling relationships between EGFR and EGFRvIII in glioblastoma.
| S-EPMC3819146 | biostudies-literature