Downregulation Of IGF1R Research Articles

Naproxen administration affects murine late folliculogenesis, reduces granulosa cell proliferation and the number of ovulated oocytes

Naproxen reduces the production of prostaglandins via inhibition of the cyclooxygenase. Studies have shown that its administration in women can be related to failed ovulation. Therefore, preclinical investigations must be performed in order to investigate its effects in experimental models. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of naproxen on murine folliculogenesis, ovulation, and female fertility. Female C57BL/6 mice (n = 128 - 6 weeks old) were divided into Control, low (10 mg/kg), and high naproxen (50 mg/kg) groups, who were treated for 8 days and directed to morphofunctional analyses. Follicular quantification showed a reduced percentage of antral follicles in naproxen-treated animals. These treated animals also showed smaller oocytes included in secondary and antral follicles, and the diameter of secondary and antral follicles was also reduced. A reduction in the percentage of Ki67-positive granulosa cells was observed in treated animals that also showed down-regulation of Igf1r compared to control. After an ovarian stimulation protocol, naproxen-treated animals showed a reduction in the percentage of secondary and antral follicles, a reduced number of ovulated oocytes and, corpora lutea, and an increased number of failed ovulations. Finally, naproxen-treated animals also showed a reduction in mating index and pregnancy rate. Our findings suggested that, in mice, naproxen administration (eight days treatment) negatively affects molecular and morphological aspects related to late folliculogenesis, ovulation, and fertility.

CSIG-30. EPIGENETIC REACTIVATION OF BAI1 BLOCKS ONCOGENIC IGF1R SIGNALLING IN MEDULLOBLASTOMA

Abstract Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most aggressive pediatric brain tumor and a better understanding of this disease is warranted to develop new therapeutic approaches. Brain-specific Angiogenesis Inhibitor 1 (BAI1/ADGRB1) is an orphan seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor predominantly expressed in the brain and epigenetically silenced in MB formation. MDM2 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that leads to the proteosomal degradation of multiple proteins. We previously found that BAI1 can prevent MDM2 nuclear activity by trapping it at the cell surface, and in the process suppress tumor formation by stabilizing p53. Since MDM2 also ubiquitinates cell surface proteins, we hypothesized that its membrane trapping might increase the degradation of oncogenic tyrosine kinase receptors. To explore this idea, we examined IGF1R, a known cell surface MDM2 target and found that BAI1 negatively regulates IGF1R at the protein level. In contrast, BAI1 expression did not change the protein expression levels of other RTKs (INSR, EGFR). Using co-immunoprecipitation assays we confirmed that MDM2 interacts with both BAI1 and IGF1R in MB cells. In addition, the interaction between IGF1R and β-Arrestin, which is crucial for ubiquitination and down-regulation of IGF1R by acting as an adaptor for MDM2, was increased with BAI1 expression. To examine the impact of BAI1 overexpression on IGF1 receptor signaling, we examined its downstream signaling mediators (Stat3, Akt, Erk). Stat3 and Akt phosphorylation were suppressed upon BAI1 expression, while Erk signaling was activated but through a mechanism independent from IGF1R expression. As IGF1R is known to drive radiation resistance, we examined whether BAI1 could radiosensitize the cells and found that this was indeed the case. Altogether, our data indicate that reactivating BAI1 in MB has dual anti-tumor effects by stabilizing p53 and blocking IGF1R signalling.

Steviol glycosides affect functional properties and macromolecular expression of breast cancer cells.

Steviol glycosides, the active sweet components of stevia plant, have been recently found to possess a number of therapeutic properties, including some recorded anticancer ones against various cancer cell types (breast, ovarian, cervical, pancreatic, and colon cancer). Our aim was to investigate this anticancer potential on the two most commonly used breast cancer cell lines which differ in the phenotype and estrogen receptor (ER) status: the low metastatic, ERα+ MCF-7 and the highly metastatic, ERα-/ERβ+ MDA-MB-231. Specifically, glycosides' effect was studied on cancer cells': (a) viability, (b) functionality (proliferation, migration, and adhesion), and (c) gene expression (mRNA level) of crucial molecules implicated in cancer's pathophysiology. Results showed that steviol glycosides induced cell death in both cell lines, in the first 24 hr, which was in line with the antiapoptotic BCL2 decrease. However, cells that managed to survive showcased diametrically opposite behavior. The low metastatic ERα+ MCF-7 cells acquired an aggressive phenotype, depicted by the upregulation of all receptors and co-receptors (ESR, PGR, AR, GPER1, EGFR, IGF1R, CD44, SDC2, and SDC4), as well as VIM and MMP14. On the contrary, the highly metastatic ERα-/ERβ+ MDA-MB-231 cells became less aggressive as pointed out by the respective downregulation of EGFR, IGF1R, CD44, and SDC2. Changes observed in gene expression were compatible with altered cell functions. Glycosides increased MCF-7 cells migration and adhesion, but reduced MDA-MB-231 cells migratory and metastatic potential. In conclusion, the above data clearly demonstrate that steviol glycosides have different effects on breast cancer cells according to their ER status, suggesting that steviol glycosides might be examined for their potential anticancer activity against breast cancer, especially triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Transcriptional Profiling of Insulin-like Growth Factor Signaling Components in Embryonic Lung Development and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling controls the development and growth of many organs, including the lung. Loss of function of Igf1 or its receptor Igf1r impairs lung development and leads to neonatal respiratory distress in mice. Although many components of the IGF signaling pathway have shown to be dysregulated in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the expression pattern of such components in different cellular compartments of the developing and/or fibrotic lung has been elusive. In this study, we provide a comprehensive transcriptional profile for such signaling components during embryonic lung development in mice, bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice and in human IPF lung explants. During late gestation, we found that Igf1 is upregulated in parallel to Igf1r downregulation in the lung mesenchyme. Lung tissues derived from bleomycin-treated mice and explanted IPF lungs revealed upregulation of IGF1 in parallel to downregulation of IGF1R, in addition to upregulation of several IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) in lung fibrosis. Finally, treatment of IPF lung fibroblasts with recombinant IGF1 led to myogenic differentiation. Our data serve as a resource for the transcriptional profile of IGF signaling components and warrant further research on the involvement of this pathway in both lung development and pulmonary disease.

Downregulation of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Receptor Mediates Chondrocyte Death and Matrix Degradation in Kashin-Beck Disease.

To explore the relationship between insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1R expression and the pathological progression of Kashin-Beck disease (KBD). KBD cartilage samples were collected from 5 patients. Additionally, T-2 toxin was administered to rats fed a selenium (Se)-deficient diet, and their knee joints were collected. Human C28/I2 chondrocytes and mouse hypertrophic ATDC5 chondrocytes were cultured in vitro and treated with T-2 toxin and Se supplementation. Subsequently, the cultured human and mouse chondrocytes were treated with the IGF-1R inhibitor, picropodophyllin. Chondrocyte death and caspase-3 activity were analyzed using flow cytometry and a specific kit, respectively. Protein and mRNA expression levels of IGF-1R and matrix molecules were measured using immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses. The cartilages from patients with KBD and T-2 toxin-treated rats on a Se-deficient diet showed significantly decreased expression of IGF-1R compared to cartilages from controls. T-2 toxin decreased IGF-1R mRNA and protein levels in both C28/I2 and hypertrophic ATDC5 chondrocytes in a dose-dependent manner; however, Se supplementation reduced the decrease of IGF-1R induced by T-2 toxin. Furthermore, inhibition of IGF-1R resulted in chondrocyte death of C28/I2 and hypertrophic ATDC5 chondrocytes, as well as decreased type II collagen expression and increased MMP-13 expression at the mRNA and protein levels. Downregulation of IGF-1R was associated with KBD cartilage destruction. Therefore, inhibition of IGF-1R may mediate chondrocyte death and extracellular matrix degeneration related to the pathological progression of KBD.

Abstract 276: Mir-139 regulates autophagy in prostate cancer cells through Beclin-1 and mTOR signaling proteins

Abstract Background: Prostate cancer represents the second leading cause of cancer death in men and develops as a result of the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations. We previously identified a panel of five miRNAs associated with biochemical recurrence and metastasis following prostatectomy from prostate cancer patients using NGS-based whole miRNome sequencing and qPCR-based validation analysis. We have shown that expression of miR-139, one of the downregulated miRNAs from this panel, was associated with improved prognosis in patients with localized prostate cancer. Furthermore, miR-139 overexpression inhibited prostate cancer cell growth through signaling pathways mediated in part through downregulation of AXL and IGF1R. Here, we further investigated the molecular mechanisms by which miR-139 could inhibit prostate cancer cell growth. Methods: We examined miR-139 transfected PC3, DU145 and LNCaP cells by morphology as well as by cell-based assays, confocal microscopy and immunoblotting. Results and Discussion: We found that treatment of prostate cancer cells with miR-139 resulted in phenotypic changes characteristic of autophagic cells. Conversion of the microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3-I to LC3-II) was used to monitor autophagy. We observed that the treatment of PC3 and LNCaP cells with miR-139 increased the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II protein that was specifically inhibited by addition of miR-139 antagomir. The upregulation of LC3 II was further confirmed by confocal microscopy of PC3 cells treated with miR-139. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and Beclin1 are two important autophagy-related molecules playing significant roles in different stages. mTOR negatively regulates autophagy machinery. Treatment of cells with miR-139 inhibited both activation and expression of mTOR. We also observed increased levels of phospho-Beclin 1 in PC3 cells treated with mir-139. Beclin 1 is a scaffold protein that assembles components for promoting or inhibiting autophagy and its phosphorylation controls autophagy. The cargo adaptor protein, p62/SQSTM1, interacts with autophagic substrates, delivering them to the autophagosome for degradation, and is degraded during autophagy. We found that during early treatment of cells with miR-139, p62 expression is inhibited, while at later stages, p62 expression accumulates, suggesting that autophagic flux may be blocked. These results suggest that miR-139 is regulating autophagy in prostate cancer cells at least in part through the mTOR and Beclin-1 proteins. Citation Format: Tania C. Benatar, Robert Nam, Christopher Sherman, Yutaka Amemiya, Arun Seth. Mir-139 regulates autophagy in prostate cancer cells through Beclin-1 and mTOR signaling proteins [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 276.

The Inability of the Choroid to Revascularize in Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy Results from Increased p53/miR-Let-7b Activity

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is characterized by an initial retinal avascularization, followed by pathologic neovascularization. Recently, choroidal thinning has also been detected in children formerly diagnosed with ROP; a similar sustained choroidal thinning is observed in ROP models. But the mechanism underlying the lack of choroidal revascularization remains unclear and was investigated in an oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model. In OIR, evidence of senescence was detected, preceded by oxidative stress in the choroid and the retinal pigment epithelium. This was associated with a global reduction of proangiogenic factors, including insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (Igf1R). Coincidentally, tumor suppressor p53 was highly expressed in the OIR retinae. Curtailing p53 activity resulted in reversal of senescence, normalization of Igf1r expression, and preservation of choroidal integrity. OIR-induced down-regulation of Igf1r was mediated at least partly by miR-let-7b as i) let-7b expression was augmented throughout and beyond the period of oxygen exposure, ii) let-7b directly targeted Igf1r mRNA, and iii) p53 knock-down blunted let-7b expression, restored Igf1r expression, and elicited choroidal revascularization. Finally, restoration of Igf1r expression rescued choroid thickness. Altogether, this study uncovers a significant mechanism for defective choroidal revascularization in OIR, revealing a new role for p53/let-7b/IGF-1R axis in the retina. Future investigations on this (and connected) pathway could further our understanding of other degenerative choroidopathies, such as geographic atrophy.

MiR-126 inhibits the proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer by downregulation of IGF-1R

Objective: To investigate the expression levels and the mechanism of miR-126 and insulin like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) in gastric cancer tissues and cells. Methods: The expression levels of miR-126 and IGF1R in 60 gastric cancer tissues and matched normal gastric tissues were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot, respectively. The association of miR-126 expression with clinicopathology and prognosis of gastric cancer patients was further analyzed. CCK-8, soft agar assay, transwell assay were used to analyze the proliferation and invasion capacity of gastric cancer cells, respectively, while the dual luciferase reporter assay was used to determine the direct target of miR-126. Results: The expression of miR-126 was obviously correlated with lymphatic metastasis, distant metastasis and TNM stage of gastric cancer (all P<0.05). Cox multivariate analysis revealed that lymphatic metastasis, TNM stage, miR-126 and IGF-1R expression were independent risk factors for prognosis of gastric cancer patients (all P<0.05). The expression level of miR-126 in gastric cancer tissues was 2.01±0.23 significantly lower than 10.12±2.15 of normal gastric tissues (P<0.05). CCK-8 result showed that the absorbance values of MKN28 and BGC823 cells at 72 hours after transfected with miR-126 mimics were 1.06±0.05 and 1.01±0.09, respectively, significantly lower than 1.55±0.12 and 1.36±0.12 of the control group (all P<0.05). The clone numbers of MKN28 and BGC823 cells transfected with miR-126 mimics formed in the soft agar were 33±9 and 29±8, respectively, significantly lower than 76±13 and 71±11 of the control group (all P<0.05). Transwell assay showed that the invasived number of MKN28 and BGC823 cells transfected by miR-126 mimics was 98±12 and 89±8, respectively, significantly lower than 154±18 and 161±17 of the control group (all P<0.05). Double luciferase assay further clarified that miR-126 the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of IGF-1R, and inhibited its protein expression. CCK-8 results showed that overexpression of IGF-1R partially reversed the miR-126 induced proliferation inhibition in MKN28 (1.65±0.14 v. s. 0.98±0.11, P=0.003) and BGC823 cells (1.44 ±0.15 v. s. 0.89±0.10; P=0.006). Likewise, overexpression of IGF-1R partially reversed the miR-126-inhibited invasion of MKN28 (176±19 v. s. 101±14, P=0.005) and BGC823 cells (186±21 v. s. 92±9, P=0.002). Moreover, the inhibitory effects of miR-126 on proliferation were aggravated by silencing of IGF-1R in MKN28 (0.67±0.09 v. s. 0.99±0.12, P=0.021) and BGC823 cells (0.57±0.07 v. s. 0.92±0.12, P=0.012). Conclusion: miR-126 suppresses the proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells through targeting the 3'-UTR of IGF-1R and inhibiting its expression.

MicroRNA-139 is a predictor of prostate cancer recurrence and inhibits growth and migration of prostate cancer cells through cell cycle arrest and targeting IGF1R and AXL.

We previously identified a panel of five microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with biochemical recurrence and metastasis following prostatectomy from prostate cancer patients using next-generation sequencing-based whole miRNome sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction-based validation analysis. In this study, we examined the mechanism of action of miR-139-5p, one of the downregulated miRNAs identified in the panel. Using a cohort of 585 patients treated with radical prostatectomy, we examined the prognostic significance of miR-139 (dichotomized around the median) using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard models. We validated these results using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data. We created cell lines that overexpressed miR-139 to confirm its targets as well as examine pathways through which miR-139 may function using cell-based assays. Low miR-139 expression was significantly associated with a variety of prognostic factors in prostate cancer, including Gleason score, pathologic stage, margin positivity, and lymph node status. MiR-139 expression was associated with prognosis: the cumulative incidence of biochemical recurrence and metastasis were significantly lower among patients with high miR-139 expression (P = .0004 and .038, respectively). Validation in the TCGA data set showed a significant association between dichotomized miR-139 expression and biochemical recurrence (odds ratio, 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.82). Overexpression of miR-139 in prostate cancer cells led to a significant reduction in cell proliferation and migration compared with control cells, with cells arrested in G2 of cell cycle. IGF1R and AXL were identified as potential targets of miR-139 based on multiple miRNA-binding sites in 3'-untranslated regions of both the genes and their association with prostate cancer growth pathways. Luciferase assays verified AXL and IGF1R as direct targets of miR-139. Furthermore, immunoblotting of prostate cancer cells demonstrated IGF1R and AXL protein expression were inhibited by miR-139 treatment, which was reversed by the addition of miR-139 antagomir. Examination of the molecular mechanism of growth inhibition by miR-139 revealed the downregulation of activated AKT and cyclin D1, with upregulation of the CDK inhibitor p21. miR-139 is associated with improved prognosis in patients with localized prostate cancer, which may be mediated through downregulation of IGF1R and/or AXL and associated signaling pathway components.

MiR-505 suppressed the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via targeting IGF-1R.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers globally. An increasing body of evidence has demonstrated the critical function of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the initiation and progression of human cancers. Here, we showed that miR-505 was down-regulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. Reduced expression of miR-505 was significantly correlated with the worse prognosis of HCC patients. Overexpression of miR-505 suppressed the proliferation, colony formation and induced apoptosis of both HepG2 and Huh7 cells. Further mechanism study uncovered that miR-505 bound the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of the insulin growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) and inhibited the expression of IGF-1R in HCC cells. The down-regulation of IGF-1R by miR-505 further suppressed the phosphorylation of AKT at the amino acid S473. Consistently, the abundance of glucose transporter (GLUT) 1 (GLUT1) was reduced with the overexpression of miR-505. Down-regulation of GLUT1 by miR-505 consequently attenuated the glucose uptake, lactate production and ATP generation of HCC cells. Collectively, our results demonstrated the tumor suppressive function of miR-505 possibly via inhibiting the glycolysis of HCC cells. These findings suggested miR-505 as an interesting target for designing anti-cancer strategy in HCC.

Gaussian Mixture Models for Probabilistic Classification of Breast Cancer.

In the era of omics-driven research, it remains a common dilemma to stratify individual patients based on the molecular characteristics of their tumors. To improve molecular stratification of patients with breast cancer, we developed the Gaussian mixture model (GMM)-based classifier. This probabilistic classifier was built on mRNA expression data from more than 300 clinical samples of breast cancer and healthy tissue and was validated on datasets of ESR1, PGR, and ERBB2, which encode standard clinical markers and therapeutic targets. To demonstrate how a GMM approach could be exploited for multiclass classification using data from a candidate marker, we analyzed the insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF1R), a promising target, but a marker of uncertain importance in breast cancer. The GMM defined subclasses with downregulated (40%), unchanged (39%), upregulated (19%), and overexpressed (2%) IGF1R levels; inter- and intrapatient analyses of IGF1R transcript and protein levels supported these predictions. Overexpressed IGF1R was observed in a small percentage of tumors. Samples with unchanged and upregulated IGF1R were differentiated tumors, and downregulation of IGF1R correlated with poorly differentiated, high-risk hormone receptor-negative and HER2-positive tumors. A similar correlation was found in the independent cohort of carcinoma in situ, suggesting that loss or low expression of IGF1R is a marker of aggressiveness in subsets of preinvasive and invasive breast cancer. These results demonstrate the importance of probabilistic modeling that delves deeper into molecular data and aims to improve diagnostic classification, prognostic assessment, and treatment selection. SIGNIFICANCE: A GMM classifier demonstrates potential use for clinical validation of markers and determination of target populations, particularly when availability of specimens for marker development is low.

EZH2 upregulates the PI3K/AKT pathway through IGF1R and MYC in clinically aggressive chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

ABSTRACTEZH2 is overexpressed in poor-prognostic chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cases, acting as an oncogene; however, thus far, the EZH2 target genes in CLL have not been disclosed. In this study, using ChIP-sequencing, we identified EZH2 and H3K27me3 target genes in two prognostic subgroups of CLL with distinct prognosis and outcome, i.e., cases with unmutated (U-CLL, n = 6) or mutated IGHV genes (M-CLL, n = 6). While the majority of oncogenic pathways were equally enriched for EZH2 target genes in both prognostic subgroups, PI3K pathway genes were differentially bound by EZH2 in U-CLL versus M-CLL. The occupancy of EZH2 for selected PI3K pathway target genes was validated in additional CLL samples (n = 16) and CLL cell lines using siRNA-mediated EZH2 downregulation and ChIP assays. Intriguingly, we found that EZH2 directly binds to the IGF1R promoter along with MYC and upregulates IGF1R expression in U-CLL, leading to downstream PI3K activation. By investigating an independent CLL cohort (n = 96), a positive correlation was observed between EZH2 and IGF1R expression with higher levels in U-CLL compared to M-CLL. Accordingly, siRNA-mediated downregulation of either EZH2, MYC or IGF1R and treatment with EZH2 and MYC pharmacological inhibitors in the HG3 CLL cell line induced a significant reduction in PI3K pathway activation. In conclusion, we characterize for the first time EZH2 target genes in CLL revealing a hitherto unknown implication of EZH2 in modulating the PI3K pathway in a non-canonical, PRC2-independent way, with potential therapeutic implications considering that PI3K inhibitors are effective therapeutic agents for CLL.

MicroRNA-96 is responsible for sevoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction in neonatal rats via inhibiting IGF1R

Sevoflurane is an experimental potent yet volatile anesthesia agent characterized by a low blood/gas partition coefficient. However, exposure to sevoflurane in neonatal mice has been speculated to result in learning deficits and abnormal social behavior. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between sevoflurane and miR-96, in an attempt to identify the means by which it mediates IGF1R to influence the cognitive dysfunction (CD) in neonatal rats. Relationship between differentially expressed miRNAs and sevoflurane concentration was identified. The potential underlying regulatory mechanisms involved with sevoflurane were investigated through the administration of varying concentrations of the agent (1%, 2% and 4%), combined with miR-96 mimic or an inhibitor. A target prediction program was utilized, while the luciferase activity was determined in order to verify whether miR-96 targets IGF1R. The mRNA and protein levels of IGF1R, Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 were measured followed by the determination of hippocampal neuron apoptosis. Learning and memory performance was assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM) test and step-down test. The obtained results highlighted a positive correlation between miR-96 and the concentration of sevoflurane, while miR-96 was confirmed to negatively target IGF1R. Our analyses indicated that 4% sevoflurane had a significantly stronger effect on reducing the levels of IGF1R and Bcl-2, while elevating the levels of miR-96, Bax and caspase-3 more so than that of 1% or 2% sevoflurane, which resulted in increased hippocampal neuron apoptosis but diminished the learning and memory performance of the rats. The addition of miR-96 mimic was demonstrated to exacerbate the influence of sevoflurane on hippocampal neurons as well as the cognitive function of the rats. The key findings of our study highlighted the role of miR-96 in the potential mechanism of sevoflurane anesthesia-induced CD in neonatal rats through the downregulation of IGF1R.

Cryptotanshinone inhibits cellular proliferation of human lung cancer cells through downregulation ofIGF-1R/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies worldwide. Cryptotanshinone (CPT) is a diterpene quinone compound extracted from natural plants and has been reported to have anticancer effects in several cancers including human lung cancer. However, the mechanism by which CPT acts to prevent lung cancer cell growth is largely unknown. In the present study, by using MTT assay, colony formation assay, wound healing and western blotting assays, the effects of CPT on the cell proliferation and migration of human lung cancer cells and the potential cellular signaling mechanisms were investigated. The data demonstrated that CPT exhibited anti-proliferative effects against A549 and H1299 cells. In parallel, the migration of A549 cells was also markedly inhibited by CPT treatment. Further study indicated that CPT not only inhibited the basal phosphorylation level of insulin-like growth factor1 receptor (IGF-1R) and RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (Akt), but also blocked IGF-1 induced IGF-1R and Akt phosphorylation. Finally, it was demonstrated that pretreatment with CPT inhibited IGF-1 induced cell proliferation of A549 and H1299 cells. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated that CPT inhibits the proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells via a mechanism that involves inhibiting the IGF-1R-mediated phosphoinositide3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway. The data provides evidence that CPT could be developed as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of lung cancer.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor 2 mRNA-Binding Protein 3 Influences Sensitivity to Anti-IGF System Agents Through the Translational Regulation of IGF1R.

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) mRNA-binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) is an oncofetal protein that binds RNA, thereby influencing the fate of target transcripts. IGF2BP3 is synthesized de novo in cancer, where it promotes proliferation, drug resistance, and metastasis via both IGF2-dependent and IGF2-independent mechanisms. Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a rare bone and soft tissue tumor in which the IGF system plays a pivotal role. This study aimed to investigate the effect of IGF2BP3 on the regulation of the IGF system in ES. Among the components of the IGF axis, a direct significant correlation was identified between IGF2BP3 and IGF1R at mRNA and protein levels in two independent series of clinical specimens from patients with localized ES. After the formal demonstration of a direct association between IGF2BP3 and IGF1R mRNA using ribo-immunoprecipitation assay, we performed in vitro studies using A673 and TC-71 ES cell lines to demonstrate that IGF2BP3 loss promotes the downregulation of IGF1R and a decreased biological response to IGF1, represented by reduced migration and cell growth. Additionally, the compensatory activation of insulin receptor (IR) and its mitogenic ligand IGF2 is triggered in some but not all cell lines in response to IGF2BP3-mediated IGF1R loss. These findings have therapeutic implications because cells with a decreased expression of IGF2BP3/IGF1R axis but an increased expression of the IR/IGF2 loop display higher sensitivity to the dual inhibitor OSI-906 than do control cells. Therefore, studies on IGF2BP3, which was confirmed as a post-transcriptional regulator of IGF1R, provide a step forward in the identification of new mechanisms regulating the IGF system. In addition, our results demonstrate that the detection of IGF2BP3 expression should be combined with the assessment of the IGF1R/IR ratio to predict cell responses to anti-IGF1R/IR agents.

Metformin transiently inhibits colorectal cancer cell proliferation as a result of either AMPK activation or increased ROS production

Metformin is a widely used and well-tolerated anti-diabetic drug that can reduce cancer risk and improve the prognosis of certain malignancies. However, the mechanism underlying its anti-cancer effect is still unclear. We studied the anti-cancer activity of metformin on colorectal cancer (CRC) by using the drug to treat HT29, HCT116 and HCT116 p53−/− CRC cells. Metformin reduced cell proliferation and migration by inducing cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. This was accompanied by a sharp decrease in the expression of c-Myc and down-regulation of IGF1R. The anti-proliferative action of metformin was mediated by two different mechanisms: AMPK activation and increase in the production of reactive oxygen species, which suppressed the mTOR pathway and its downstream targets S6 and 4EBP1. A reduction in CD44 and LGR5 expression suggested that the drug had an effect on tumour cells with stem characteristics. However, a colony formation assay showed that metformin slowed the cells’ ability to form colonies without arresting cell growth, as confirmed by absence of apoptosis, autophagy or senescence. Our finding that metformin only transiently arrests CRC cell growth suggests that efforts should be made to identify compounds that combined with the biguanide can act synergistically to induce cell death.

Disruption of insulin receptor function inhibits proliferation in endocrine-resistant breast cancer cells.

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is a well-studied growth regulatory pathway implicated in breast cancer biology. Clinical trials testing monoclonal antibodies directed against the type I IGF receptor (IGF1R) in combination with estrogen receptor-α (ER) targeting have been completed, but failed to show benefits in patients with endocrine resistant tumors compared to ER targeting alone. We have previously shown that the closely related insulin receptor (InsR) is expressed in tamoxifen resistant breast cancer cells. Here we examined if inhibition of InsR affected tamoxifen-resistant (TamR) breast cancer cells. InsR function was inhibited by three different mechanisms: InsR shRNA, a small InsR blocking peptide, S961 and an InsR monoclonal antibody (mAb). Suppression of InsR function by these methods in TamR cells successfully blocked insulin-mediated signaling, monolayer proliferation, cell cycle progression and anchorage-independent growth. This strategy was not effective in parental cells likely due to the presence of IGFR/InsR hybrid receptors. Down-regulation of IGF1R in conjunction with InsR inhibition was more effective in blocking IGF- and insulin-mediated signaling and growth in parental cells compared to single receptor targeting alone. Our findings show TamR cells were stimulated by InsR and were not sensitive to IGF1R inhibition, whereas in tamoxifen-sensitive parental cancer cells, the presence of both receptors, especially hybrid receptors, allowed cross-reactivity of ligand-mediated activation and growth. To suppress the IGF system, targeting of both IGF1R and InsR is optimal in endocrine sensitive and resistant breast cancer.

Abstract 1790: Caloric restriction can increase the efficacy of radiation in both hormone-sensitive and hormone-resistant prostate cancers by downregulating the IGF-1R pathway

Abstract Locally advanced prostate cancers (LAPC) are aggressive, have poor prognosis, and are associated with high recurrence rates and conversion to castrate resistance. The molecular underpinnings of LAPC are being investigated to identify novel therapeutics. Animal models have shown that caloric restriction (CR) can potentially prevent the initiation of prostate cancer. We propose that CR may be used as a novel therapeutic intervention to enhance outcomes of radiation treatment by altering the molecular profile of prostate tumors. To assess the effect of CR with radiation in vivo, eighty 6 week old male nude mice were injected with LNCaP (hormone sensitive) or PC3 (hormone refractory) tumor cells. Once tumors were palpable, mice were randomized to be treated with one of 4 conditions: ad libitum (AL) diet, 8Gy of radiation (RT), 30% reduction in caloric intake (CR), or CR+RT. CR was associated with significant reduction in tumors. After PC3 tumor injection, compared with AL, the mice had a 22% reduction in tumor size with radiation, 77% with CR (p&amp;lt;0.01 by Student's t-test) and an 80% reduction with CR+RT (p&amp;lt;0.01). After LNCaP tumor injection, compared with ad libitum, the mice had a 49% reduction in tumor size with CR and a 55% reduction with CR+RT (p&amp;lt;0.01). Tissue evaluation of mice treated with CR or CR+RT from both the LNCaP and PC3 models revealed decreased proliferation via Ki-67 and increased apoptosis with cleaved caspase-3 levels. In addition, significant downregulation of multiple members of the IGF-1R pathway was seen, including downregulation of IGF-1R, IRS-1, PI3K and pAKT. Serum evaluation revealed decreased IGF-1:IGF-BP3 in serum. For the first time, we have shown that the efficacy of radiation can be increased by decreasing calories by 30% in both hormone-sensitive and hormone-refractory prostate cancer models. Future clinical trials for both hormone-sensitive and hormone-resistant prostate cancers should consider the innovative use of CR to augment standard cancer therapy as it has the potential to change the biology of tumors and enhance the opportunity for clinical benefit. Citation Format: Sunny Y. Han, Tu D. Dan, Tiziana De Angelis, John Y. Han, Mak Sarich, Peter Carroll, Karen Knudsen, Adam Dicker, Nicole L. Simone. Caloric restriction can increase the efficacy of radiation in both hormone-sensitive and hormone-resistant prostate cancers by downregulating the IGF-1R pathway. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1790. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1790

A novel oral insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor pathway modulator and its implications for patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma: A phase I clinical trial

Background. A phase Ia/b dose-escalation study was performed to characterize the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetic properties of the oral small molecule insulin-like growth factor-1-receptor pathway modulator AXL1717 in patients with advanced solid tumors.Material and methods. This was a prospective, single-armed, open label, dose-finding phase Ia/b study with the aim of single day dosing (phase Ia) to define the starting dose for multi-day dosing (phase Ib), and phase Ib to define and confirm recommended phase II dose (RP2D) and if possible maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for repeated dosing.Results and Conclusion. Phase Ia enrolled 16 patients and dose escalations up to 2900 mg BID were successfully performed without any dose limiting toxicity (DLT). A total of 39 patients were treated in phase Ib. AXL1717 was well tolerated with neutropenia as the only dose-related, reversible, DLT. RP2D dose was found to be 390 mg BID for four weeks. Some patients, mainly with NSCLC, demonstrated signs of clinical benefit, including four partial tumor responses (one according to RECIST and three according to PET). The 15 patients with NSCLC with treatment duration longer than two weeks with single agent AXL1717 in third or fourth line of therapy showed a median progression-free survival of 31 weeks and overall survival of 60 weeks. Down-regulation of IGF-1R on granulocytes and increases of free serum levels of IGF-1 were seen in patients treated with AXL1717. AXL1717 had an acceptable safety profile and demonstrated promising efficacy in this heavily pretreated patient cohort, especially in patients with NSCLC. RP2D was concluded to be 390 mg BID for four weeks. Trial number is NCT01062620.

Oncogenic functions of IGF1R and INSR in prostate cancer include enhanced tumor growth, cell migration and angiogenesis.

We scrutinized the effect of insulin receptor (INSR) in addition to IGF1R in PCa using in vitro and in vivo models. In-vitro overexpression of IGF1R and INSRA, but not INSRB increased cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion and resistance to apoptosis in prostate cancer cells (DU145, LNCaP, PC3). Opposite effects were induced by downregulation of IGF1R and total INSR, but not INSRB. In contrast to tumor cells, non-cancerous epithelial cells of the prostate (EP156T, RWPE-1) were inhibited on overexpression and stimulated by knockdown of receptors. In-vivo analyses using the chicken allantoic membrane assay confirmed the tumorigenic effects of IGF1R and INSR. Apart of promoting tumor growth, IGF1R and INSR overexpression also enhanced angiogenesis indicated by higher vessel density and increased number of desmin-immunoreactive pericytes. Our study underscores the oncogenic impact of IGF1R including significant effects on tumor growth, cell migration, sensitivity to apoptotic/chemotherapeutic agents and angiogenesis, and characterizes the INSR, in particular the isoform INSRA, as additional cancer-promoting receptor in prostate cancer. Both, the insulin-like growth factor receptor 1 and the insulin receptor exert oncogenic functions, thus proposing that both receptors need to be considered in therapeutic settings.