Project description:This randomized phase I/II clinical trial is studying the side effects and best dose of gamma-secretase/notch signalling pathway inhibitor RO4929097 when given together with vismodegib and to see how well they work in treating patients with advanced or metastatic sarcoma. Vismodegib may slow the growth of tumor cells. Gamma-secretase/notch signalling pathway inhibitor RO4929097 may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Giving vismodegib together with gamma-secretase/notch signalling pathway inhibitor RO4929097 may be an effective treatment for sarcoma.
Project description:Glioblastomas (GBM) are poorly differentiated astrocytic tumors arising in the Central Nervous System (CNS), which despite aggressive treatments are still characterized by a fatal outcome. Several studies have shown the existence of a subpopulation of cells within glioma tumors displaying cancer stem cells properties. As the term âtumor initiating cellsâ (TICs) is frequentely used to describe cells as these with cancer stem cells capacity. Because TICs promotes the tumor chemo- and radio-resistance and angiogenesis it is conceivable that finding a mean to kill these cells would lead to a better therapy for GBM. The NOTCH gene has an important role during the CNS development, in the maintenance of dividing cells in promoting neural lineage entry of Embryonic Stem Cells and the differentiation of astroglia from the rat adult hippocampus-derived multipotent progenitors. The activation of the NOTCH signaling requires the proteolytic processing of this type I integral membrane protein by a two step process catalyzed first by a metalloprotease and then by the gamma-secretase. An increased activation of the NOTCH signaling has been implicated in several tumors types. Recently some studies showed that this pathway induces the survival/proliferation in GBM and glioma cells, and the expression of stem cell properties in glioma cells. Accordingly to these findings, the inhibition of this pathway leads to depletion of stem-like cells and blocks the engraftment in embryonal brain tumors. Furthermore, enhanced NOTCH signaling may lead to one of the tumor resistance mechanisms deployed by GBM. Targeting the NOTCH pathway specifically in GBM TICs appears therefore as a rational approach for exploring novel and hopefully more effective therapeutic strategies for the management of this malignancy. Several molecular tools are available for targeting the Notch pathway such as specific siRNAs, shRNAs or drugs such as gamma-secretase inhibitors. Among these tools, the latter are small peptides/molecules able to inhibit the gamma-secretase by distinct mechanisms. In this study we used two drugs known as gamma-secretase inhibitors, to investigate by gene expression profiling, their ability to interfere specifically with the proliferative properties of GBM TICs previously obtained in our laboratory. Our data show that one of these two drugs, LLNle, is effective in killing these cells in vitro by activating protein catabolic process mediated by the proteasome, suggesting that preclinical studies should definitely be carried on to evaluate whether LLNle is able to significantly improve the survival in hybrid human GBM-animal models. Gamma-secretase inhibitors have been proposed as drugs able to kill cancer cells by targeting the NOTCH pathway. In this study we employed two of such inhibitors, namely the z-Leu-leu-Nle-CHO (LLNle) and N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT), to verify whether they were effective in vitro in the killing of human GBM tumor initiating cells (TICs). We first established that of the two drugs only LLNle reduces the viability of GBM TICs obtained from three different patients in the low micromolar range. Cells were treated with 7.5 μM LLNle or DAPT or vehicle alone (DMSO 0.1%) and kept in a humidified 5% CO2 atmosphere at 37°C for the indicated time period (24 or 48 hours). To establish which cellular processes are activated in GBM TICs by LLNle we generated and analyzed the gene expression profile after treatment with this compound and with DAPT and DMSO (vehicle). Our data show that LLNle induces upregulation of genes coding for proteasome subunits and subsequently mitotic arrest in these cells by repressing genes required for DNA synthesis and mitotic progression and by activation of genes acting as mitotic inhibitors. Our data are consistent with proteasome inhibition by LLNle, subsequent upregulation of proteasome activity and subsequent unleash of the apoptotic process in GBM TICs.
Project description:We have investigated the role of the Notch pathway in the generation and maintenance of KrasG12V-driven non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs). We demonstrate by genetic means that γ-secretase and Rbpj activities are both essential in the formation of NSCLCs. Interestingly, pharmacologic treatment of mice carrying endogenous NSCLCs with a γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI) blocks cancer growth and induces partial regression. Treated cancers show a reduction in Hes1 levels, reduced phosphorylated Erk, decreased proliferation and higher apoptosis. We demonstrate that HES1 directly binds and represses the promoter of DUSP1, a dual phosphatase with activity against phospho-ERK, and this repression is relieved by GSI treatment both in mouse and human NSCLCs. Our data provide proof for the in vivo therapeutic potential of γ-secretase inhibitors in primary NSCLCs and provide a mechanistic explanation for its therapeutical effect. We have included 6 samples. 3 with vehicle and 3 with the gamma-secretase inhibitor DAPT and we compare both groups.
Project description:Glioblastomas (GBM) are poorly differentiated astrocytic tumors arising in the Central Nervous System (CNS), which despite aggressive treatments are still characterized by a fatal outcome. Several studies have shown the existence of a subpopulation of cells within glioma tumors displaying cancer stem cells properties. As the term “tumor initiating cells” (TICs) is frequentely used to describe cells as these with cancer stem cells capacity. Because TICs promotes the tumor chemo- and radio-resistance and angiogenesis it is conceivable that finding a mean to kill these cells would lead to a better therapy for GBM. The NOTCH gene has an important role during the CNS development, in the maintenance of dividing cells in promoting neural lineage entry of Embryonic Stem Cells and the differentiation of astroglia from the rat adult hippocampus-derived multipotent progenitors. The activation of the NOTCH signaling requires the proteolytic processing of this type I integral membrane protein by a two step process catalyzed first by a metalloprotease and then by the gamma-secretase. An increased activation of the NOTCH signaling has been implicated in several tumors types. Recently some studies showed that this pathway induces the survival/proliferation in GBM and glioma cells, and the expression of stem cell properties in glioma cells. Accordingly to these findings, the inhibition of this pathway leads to depletion of stem-like cells and blocks the engraftment in embryonal brain tumors. Furthermore, enhanced NOTCH signaling may lead to one of the tumor resistance mechanisms deployed by GBM. Targeting the NOTCH pathway specifically in GBM TICs appears therefore as a rational approach for exploring novel and hopefully more effective therapeutic strategies for the management of this malignancy. Several molecular tools are available for targeting the Notch pathway such as specific siRNAs, shRNAs or drugs such as gamma-secretase inhibitors. Among these tools, the latter are small peptides/molecules able to inhibit the gamma-secretase by distinct mechanisms. In this study we used two drugs known as gamma-secretase inhibitors, to investigate by gene expression profiling, their ability to interfere specifically with the proliferative properties of GBM TICs previously obtained in our laboratory. Our data show that one of these two drugs, LLNle, is effective in killing these cells in vitro by activating protein catabolic process mediated by the proteasome, suggesting that preclinical studies should definitely be carried on to evaluate whether LLNle is able to significantly improve the survival in hybrid human GBM-animal models.
Project description:The intramembrane protease gamma-secretase has broad physiological functions, but also contributes to Notch-dependent tumors and Alzheimer’s disease. To identify naturally short substrates and non-substrates of gamma-secretase, we used four human cell lines of different tissue origins, breast cancer MCF7 cells, cervix carcinoma HeLa cells, T cell leukemia Jurkat cells and lymphoma U937 macrophage-like cells. The cell lines were treated overnight with the established gamma-secretase inhibitor DAPT or DMSO as a control. The proteomes of membrane fractions were determined by nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and label-free quantitative proteomics. TNFRSF12A, PTPRCAP and C16orf54 were identified as potential naturally short gamma-secretase substrates, whereas other proteins with a short ectodomain including ‘pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1-interacting protein’ (PTTG1IP) did not show an increased abundance upon DAPT treatment.
Project description:We have investigated the role of the Notch pathway in the generation and maintenance of KrasG12V-driven non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs). We demonstrate by genetic means that γ-secretase and Rbpj activities are both essential in the formation of NSCLCs. Interestingly, pharmacologic treatment of mice carrying endogenous NSCLCs with a γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI) blocks cancer growth and induces partial regression. Treated cancers show a reduction in Hes1 levels, reduced phosphorylated Erk, decreased proliferation and higher apoptosis. We demonstrate that HES1 directly binds and represses the promoter of DUSP1, a dual phosphatase with activity against phospho-ERK, and this repression is relieved by GSI treatment both in mouse and human NSCLCs. Our data provide proof for the in vivo therapeutic potential of γ-secretase inhibitors in primary NSCLCs and provide a mechanistic explanation for its therapeutical effect.
Project description:Here we modeled T-ALL resistance to Notch inhibition, identifying M-bM-^@M-^XpersisterM-bM-^@M-^Y cells that readily expand in the presence of gamma secretase inhibitor (GSI) and the absence of Notch signaling. Rare persister cells are already present in naM-CM-/ve T-ALL populations, and the reversibility of the phenotype is suggestive of an epigenetic mechanism. Relative to GSI-sensitive cells, persisters activate distinct signaling and gene expression programs, and exhibit global chromatin compaction. A shRNA screen identified chromatin regulators whose depletion preferentially impairs persister cell viability, including BRD4, an acetyl-histone reader. BRD4 is up-regulated in the persisters and binds enhancers near genes with critical functions in T-ALL, including MYC and BCL2. Treatment of persisters with the BRD4 inhibitor JQ1 down-regulates these targets and induces growth arrest and apoptosis, at doses well tolerated by GSI-sensitive cells. Prompted by these findings, we examined and established the efficacy of GSI M-bM-^@M-^S JQ1 combination therapy against primary human leukemias in vivo. Our findings establish a role for epigenetic heterogeneity in leukemia drug resistance and suggest the potential of combination therapies that include epigenetic modulators to prevent and treat resistant disease. Examination of gene expression profiles in the T cell leukemia cell lines DND-41 and KOPT-K1 after chronic treatment with gamma Secretase inhibitor (Compound E, 1 uM, EMD4 Bioscience; persister) or vehicle (naM-CM-/ve). 2 replicates in each group.
Project description:Here we modeled T-ALL resistance to Notch inhibition, identifying M-bM-^@M-^XpersisterM-bM-^@M-^Y cells that readily expand in the presence of gamma secretase inhibitor (GSI) and the absence of Notch signaling. Rare persister cells are already present in naM-CM-/ve T-ALL populations, and the reversibility of the phenotype is suggestive of an epigenetic mechanism. Relative to GSI-sensitive cells, persisters activate distinct signaling and gene expression programs, and exhibit global chromatin compaction. A shRNA screen identified chromatin regulators whose depletion preferentially impairs persister cell viability, including BRD4, an acetyl-histone reader. BRD4 is up-regulated in the persisters and binds enhancers near genes with critical functions in T-ALL, including MYC and BCL2. Treatment of persisters with the BRD4 inhibitor JQ1 down-regulates these targets and induces growth arrest and apoptosis, at doses well tolerated by GSI-sensitive cells. Prompted by these findings, we examined and established the efficacy of GSI M-bM-^@M-^S JQ1 combination therapy against primary human leukemias in vivo. Our findings establish a role for epigenetic heterogeneity in leukemia drug resistance and suggest the potential of combination therapies that include epigenetic modulators to prevent and treat resistant disease. Examination of 5 different histone modifications and BRD4 in the T cell leukemia cell lines DND-41 and KOPT-K1 after chronic treatment with gamma Secretase inhibitor (Compound E, 1 uM, EMD4 Bioscience; persister) or vehicle (naM-CM-/ve).
Project description:Analysis of five Notch signaling-dependent human T-ALL cell lines (ALLSIL, DND41, HPBALL, KOPTK1, TALL-1) treated with gamma-secretase inhibitor (GSI) to block Notch signaling. Samples include parental cells, cells rescued by retroviral transduction with ICN (a GSI-independent form of activated Notch1), and cells retrovirally transduced with c-Myc (an important downstream target of Notch1). Results allow segregation of bona fide Notch targets from other genes affected by gamma-secretase inhibition as well as from targets downstream of c-Myc. Thirty samples were analyzed. Five human T-ALL cell lines (ALLSIL, DND41, HPBALL, KOPTK1, TALL-1) were treated with gamma-secretase inhibitor (1.0 micromolar compound E) vs. DMSO vehicle control for 12 hours. Each cell line was also retrovirally transduced with ICN or c-Myc, FACS sorted, and then treated with GSI vs. DMSO.