Deciphering the Action of Neuraminidase in Glioblastoma Models.

Glioblastoma (GBM) contains cancer stem cells (CSC) that are resistant to treatment. GBM CSC expresses glycolipids recognized by the A2B5 antibody. A2B5, induced by the enzyme ST8 alpha-N-acetyl-neuraminide alpha-2,8-sialyl transferase 3 (ST8Sia3), plays a crucial role in the proliferation, migration, clonogenicity and tumorigenesis of GBM CSC. Our aim was to characterize the resulting effects of neuraminidase that removes A2B5 in order to target GBM CSC. To this end, we set up a GBM organotypic slice model; quantified A2B5 expression by flow cytometry in U87-MG, U87-ST8Sia3 and GBM CSC lines, treated or not by neuraminidase; performed RNAseq and DNA methylation profiling; and analyzed the ganglioside expression by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in these cell lines, treated or not with neuraminidase. Results demonstrated that neuraminidase decreased A2B5 expression, tumor size and regrowth after surgical removal in the organotypic slice model but did not induce a distinct transcriptomic or epigenetic signature in GBM CSC lines. RNAseq analysis revealed that OLIG2, CHI3L1, TIMP3, TNFAIP2, and TNFAIP6 transcripts were significantly overexpressed in U87-ST8Sia3 compared to U87-MG. RT-qPCR confirmed these results and demonstrated that neuraminidase decreased gene expression in GBM CSC lines. Moreover, neuraminidase drastically reduced ganglioside expression in GBM CSC lines. Neuraminidase, by its pleiotropic action, is an attractive local treatment against GBM.

A genome-wide RNAi screen reveals essential therapeutic targets of breast cancer stem cells.

Therapeutic resistance is a major clinical challenge in oncology. Evidence identifies cancer stem cells (CSCs) as a driver of tumor evolution. Accordingly, the key stemness property unique to CSCs may represent a reservoir of therapeutic target to improve cancer treatment. Here, we carried out a genome-wide RNA interference screen to identify genes that regulate breast CSCs-fate (bCSC). Using an interactome/regulome analysis, we integrated screen results in a functional mapping of the CSC-related processes. This network analysis uncovered potential therapeutic targets controlling bCSC-fate. We tested a panel of 15 compounds targeting these regulators. We showed that mifepristone, salinomycin, and JQ1 represent the best anti-bCSC activity. A combination assay revealed a synergistic interaction of salinomycin/JQ1 association to deplete the bCSC population. Treatment of primary breast cancer xenografts with this combination reduced the tumor-initiating cell population and limited metastatic development. The clinical relevance of our findings was reinforced by an association between the expression of the bCSC-related networks and patient prognosis. Targeting bCSCs with salinomycin/JQ1 combination provides the basis for a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of breast cancer.

miR-600 Acts as a Bimodal Switch that Regulates Breast Cancer Stem Cell Fate through WNT Signaling.

Breast cancer stem cells (bCSCs) have been implicated in tumor progression and therapeutic resistance; however, the molecular mechanisms that define this state are unclear. We have performed two microRNA (miRNA) gain- and loss-of-function screens to identify miRNAs that regulate the choice between bCSC self-renewal and differentiation. We find that micro-RNA (miR)-600 silencing results in bCSC expansion, while its overexpression reduces bCSC self-renewal, leading to decreased in vivo tumorigenicity. miR-600 targets stearoyl desaturase 1 (SCD1), an enzyme required to produce active, lipid-modified WNT proteins. In the absence of miR-600, WNT signaling is active and promotes self-renewal, whereas overexpression of miR-600 inhibits the production of active WNT and promotes bCSC differentiation. In a series of 120 breast tumors, we found that a low level of miR-600 is correlated with active WNT signaling and a poor prognosis. These findings highlight a miR-600-centered signaling network that governs bCSC-fate decisions and influences tumor progression.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) is a member of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family. The main characteristic of HER3 is that it does not possess tyrosine kinase activity, unlike other HERs. The role of HER3 in tumorigenesis has now been recognized, particularly in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Despite conflicting studies, HER3 was found to be overexpressed in HNSCC samples, and correlates with disease progression and poor survival, especially when it is coexpressed with other HERs. HER3 is a significant factor in HNSCC treatment resistance. Indeed, HER3 is a major mechanism described for cetuximab resistance because of modification of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) internalization and by phosphotidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway activation. HER3 also affects resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and thereby promotes treatment escape and radiotherapy resistance by activation of the survival signaling pathway. To counteract this, pharmacologic inhibitors of HER3 are currently in development and could significantly improve HNSCC treatment. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E2412-E2418, 2016.

New selective carbonic anhydrase IX inhibitors: synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of diarylpyrazole-benzenesulfonamides.

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) IX expression is increased upon hypoxia and has been proposed as a therapeutic target since it has been associated with poor prognosis, tumor progression and pH regulation. We report the synthesis and the pharmacological evaluation of a new class of human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) inhibitors, 4-(5-aryl-2-hydroxymethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-benzenesulfonamides. A molecular modeling study was conducted in order to simulate the binding mode of this new family of enzyme inhibitors within the active site of hCA IX. Pharmacological studies revealed high hCA IX inhibitory potency in the parameters nanomolar range. This study showed that the position of sulfonamide group in meta of the 1-phenylpyrazole increase a selectivity hCA IX versus hCA II of our compounds. An in vitro antiproliferative screening has been performed on the breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell using doxorubicin as cytotoxic agent and in presence of selected CA IX inhibitor. The results shown that the cytotoxic efficiency of doxorubicin in an hypoxic environment, expressed in IC50 value, is restored at 20% level with 1µM CA IX inhibitor.