Tumor Therapeutic Targets Research Articles

Ubiquitylation of p53 by the APC/C inhibitor Trim39

Tripartite motif 39 (Trim39) is a RING domain-containing E3 ubiquitin ligase able to inhibit the anaphase-promoting complex (APC/C) directly. Through analysis of Trim39 function in p53-positive and p53-negative cells, we have found, surprisingly, that p53-positive cells lacking Trim39 could not traverse the G1/S transition. This effect did not result from disinhibition of the APC/C. Moreover, although Trim39 loss inhibited etoposide-induced apoptosis in p53-negative cells, apoptosis was enhanced by Trim39 knockdown in p53-positive cells. Furthermore, we show here that the Trim39 can directly bind and ubiquitylate p53 in vitro and in vivo, leading to p53 degradation. Depletion of Trim39 significantly increased p53 protein levels and cell growth retardation in multiple cell lines. We found that the relative importance of Trim39 and the well-characterized p53-directed E3 ligase, murine double minute 2 (MDM2), varied between cell types. In cells that were relatively insensitive to the MDM2 inhibitor, nutlin-3a, apoptosis could be markedly enhanced by siRNA directed against Trim39. As such, Trim39 may serve as a potential therapeutic target in tumors with WT p53 when MDM2 inhibition is insufficient to elevate p53 levels and apoptosis.

112 Genfome-wide shRNA Screening Defines the SUMO-activating Enzyme (SAE1/2) as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Tumors Driven by c-Myc Oncogenesis

112 Genfome-wide shRNA Screening Defines the SUMO-activating Enzyme (SAE1/2) as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Tumors Driven by c-Myc Oncogenesis

PEG-transferrin conjugated TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) for therapeutic tumor targeting

Transferrin (Tf) is considered an effective tumor-targeting agent, and PEGylation effectively prolongs in vivo pharmacokinetics by delaying excretion via the renal route. The authors describe the active tumor targeting of long-acting Tf–PEG–TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand conjugate (Tf–PEG–TRAIL) for effective cancer therapy. Tf–PEG–TRAIL was prepared using a two-step N-terminal specific PEGylation procedure using different PEGs (Mw: 3.4, 5, 10kDa). Eventually, only 10kDa PEG was linked to Tf and TRAIL because TRAIL (66kDa) and Tf (81kDa) were too large to link to 3.4 and 5kDa PEG. The final conjugate Tf–PEG10K–TRAIL was successfully purified and characterized by SDS-PAGE, western blotting. To determine the specific binding of Tf–PEG10K–TRAIL to Tf receptor, competitive receptor binding assays were performed on K 562 cells. The results obtained demonstrate that the affinity of Tf–PEG10K–TRAIL for Tf receptor is similar to that of native Tf. In contrast, PEG10K–TRAIL demonstrated no specificity. Biodistribution patterns and antitumor effects were investigated in C57BL6 mice bearing B16F10 murine melanomas and BALB/c athymic mice bearing HCT116. Tumor accumulation of Tf–PEG10K–TRAIL was 5.2 fold higher (at 2h) than TRAIL, because Tf–PEG10K–TRAIL has both passive and active tumor targeting ability. Furthermore, the suppression of tumors by Tf–PEG10K–TRAIL was 3.6 and 1.5 fold those of TRAIL and PEG10K–TRAIL, respectively. These results suggest that Tf–PEG10K–TRAIL is a superior pharmacokinetic conjugate that potently targets tumors and that it should be viewed as a potential cancer therapy.

Lactate and tumor

Lactate is considered a dead-end product of glycolysis.Its generation and accumulation promotes tumor growth and metastasis,and it is related to the poor prognosis of tumor.But recent studies have found,tumor cells can also uptake and utilize lactate.With the recent advances in tumor metabolism and gene therapy,lactate is a potential therapeutic target in tumors. Key words: Neoplasms; Carbohydrates; Therapy

Abstract IA9: Cross talk of the androgen receptor and DNA damage pathways: Molecular and translational prostate cancer relevance

Abstract Prostate cancers (PCa) are exquisitely dependent on the action of the androgen receptor (AR) for cell survival and proliferation, and there is a significant need to develop new means for targeting recurrent AR activity in both locally advanced and castration-resistant PCa(1, 2). PARP1 (Poly ADP-ribose polymerase 1) is an enzyme that modifies a subset of nuclear proteins by poly (ADP-ribose)-ylation, and is known to play a critical role in base excision repair(3). This function of PARP1 has been cultivated as a therapeutic target for tumors that harbor alterations of specific DNA repair pathways(4, 5). Multiple enzymatic inhibitors of PARP1 function are in clinical trial; while little dose limiting toxicity has been observed, suppressing PARP1-mediated DNA damage repair in BRCA1/2 deficient tumors leads to synthetic lethality and heightened clinical response to chemotherapy. Recently, it has been revealed that PARP1 has a second major cellular function on chromatin as a transcriptional coregulator, capable of modulating chromatin structure and selected transcription factor activity(6–8). New observations in our laboratory point toward PARP1 inhibitors as a means to simultaneously dampen AR activity and sensitize PCa cells to genotoxic insult. This premise is based on three major arms of investigation. First, abrogation of PARP1 activity results in sensitization of both androgen deprivation-therapy (ADT) naïve and castration-resistant PCa cells to ionizing radiation, thus indicating that PARP1 activity plays a significant role in the cellular response to radiotherapy. Second, PARP1 activity was found to be increased as a function of tumor progression in model systems of human disease, suggesting that gain of PARP1 activity may promote resistance to combined ADT and radiotherapy. Third, robust molecular analyses indicate that PARP1 is recruited to sites of AR activity on chromatin, and therein serves as a requisite cofactor for AR activity. The dependence of AR on PARP1 activity is conserved in cells that failed hormone therapy, thus indicating that the requirement for PARP1 is maintained or enhanced during the process of tumor progression. Together, these data strongly support a model wherein the dual functions of PARP1 in controlling AR activity and the response to radiotherapy can be leveraged to improve treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer. Citation Format: Matthew J. Schiewer, Adam P. Dicker, Jonathan R. Brody, John M. Pascal, Karen E. Knudsen, Jonathan F. Goodwin, J. Chad Brenner, Michael A. Augello, Fengzhi Liu, Jamie L. Planck, Randy S. Schrecengost, Felix Y. Feng, Arul M. Chinnaiyan. Cross talk of the androgen receptor and DNA damage pathways: Molecular and translational prostate cancer relevance [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research; 2012 Feb 6-9; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(4 Suppl):Abstract nr IA9.

Abstract IA17: TSLP-driven inflammation fosters development of epithelial tumors

Abstract Solid tumors are often associated with aseptic inflammation. There are two types of inflammation that have opposing effects on tumors, chronic inflammation that promotes cancer cell survival, and metastasis, and acute inflammation which triggers cancer cell destruction. Chronic inflammation is often linked with the presence of type 2-polarized macrophages (M2), which are induced by Th2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-13. Our recent studies have demonstrated the presence in breast cancer tumors of inflammatory Th2 cells, which produce IL-13, IL-4, and TNF. These CD4+ T cells appear to play a key role in the disease as they accelerate breast tumor development in a xenograft model through the production of IL-13. Breast tumors appear to play a critical role in conditioning the infiltrating myeloid DCs (mDCs) to induce such inflammatory Th2 cells. Our most recent results suggest that thymic stromal lymphopoetin (TSLP) secreted by cancer cells plays a role in mDCs conditioning. Breast cancer cell lines and primary tumors from patients show TSLP protein expression. TSLP-neutralizing antibodies block the upregulation of OX40L by mDCs exposed to tumor supernatant and consequently block mDCs capacity to generate inflammatory Th2 cells in vitro. The TSLP production is mediated by PAR2-signaling in cancer cells. PAR2 is expressed by all 4 breast cancer cell lines, and TSLP production can be induced upon PAR2-agonist peptide treatment. Similar observations were made by us and others in pancreatic cancer as well as lung cancer. Thus, TSLP could serve as therapeutic target in tumors of epithelial origin.

Mutant p53 Disrupts Mammary Tissue Architecture via the Mevalonate Pathway

p53 is a frequent target for mutation in human tumors, and mutant p53 proteins can actively contribute to tumorigenesis. We employed a three-dimensional culture model in which nonmalignant breast epithelial cells form spheroids reminiscent ofacinar structures found invivo, whereas breast cancer cells display highly disorganized morphology. We found that mutant p53 depletion is sufficient to phenotypically revert breast cancer cells toa more acinar-like morphology. Genome-wide expression analysis identified the mevalonate pathway as significantly upregulated by mutant p53. Statins and sterol biosynthesis intermediates reveal that this pathway is both necessary and sufficient for the phenotypic effects of mutant p53 on breast tissue architecture. Mutant p53 associates with sterol gene promoters at least partly via SREBP transcription factors. Finally, p53 mutation correlates with highly expressed sterol biosynthesis genes in human breast tumors. These findings implicate the mevalonate pathway as a therapeutic target for tumors bearing mutations in p53.

Assessment of hypoxia and radiation response in intramuscular experimental tumors by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

Background and purposeStudies of intradermal melanoma xenografts have suggested that dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) may be a useful method for assessing the extent of hypoxia in tumors. Because the microvascular network of tumors is influenced significantly by the site of growth, we challenged this possibility in the present work by studying relationships between DCE-MRI-derived parameters and hypoxia in intramuscular melanoma xenografts. Materials and methodsIntramuscular R-18, U-25, and V-27 tumors were subjected to DCE-MRI and measurement of the fraction of radiobiologically hypoxic cells (HFRad). Parametric images of Ktrans and ve were produced by pharmacokinetic analysis, and Ktrans and ve were related to HFRad in individual tumors. ResultsKtrans decreased with increasing HFRad. The correlations between Ktrans and HFRad were similar for the three tumor lines and were highly significant (P<0.00001). There was no correlation between ve and HFRad. However, ve decreased significantly with increasing cell survival after single dose irradiation. ConclusionIntramuscular melanoma xenografts show similar inverse correlations between Ktrans and HFRad as intradermal tumors, which support the current clinical attempts to establish DCE-MRI as a method for detecting hypoxia and defining therapeutic targets in tumors.

Characteristics of human Ewing/PNET sarcoma models

Ewing/PNET (peripheral neuroepithelioma) tumors are rare aggressive bone sarcomas occurring in young people. Rare-disease clinical trials can require global collaborations and many years. In vivo models that as accurately as possible reflect the clinical disease are helpful in selecting therapeutics with the most promise of positive clinical impact. Human Ewing/PNET sarcoma cell lines developed over the past 45 years are described. Several of these have undergone genetic analysis and have been confirmed to be those of Ewing/PNET sarcoma. The A673 Ewing sarcoma line has proven to be particularly useful in understanding the biology of this disease in the mouse. The chromosomal translocation producing the EWS/FLI1 fusion transcript characterizes clinical Ewing sarcoma. Cell lines that express this genetic profile are confirmed to be those of Ewing sarcoma. The A673 Ewing sarcoma line grows in culture and as a xenograft in immunodeficient mice. The A673 model has been used to study Ewing sarcoma angiogenesis and response to antiangiogenic agents. Many Ewing sarcoma clinical specimens express the cell surface protein endosialin. Several Ewing sarcoma cell lines, including the A673 line, also express cell surface endosialin when grown as subcutaneous tumor nodules and as disseminated disease; thus the A673 is a useful model for the study of endosialin biology and endosialin-directed therapies. With the advent of tools that allow characterization of clinical disease to facilitate optimal treatment, it becomes imperative, especially for rare tumors, to develop preclinical models reflecting disease subsets. Ewing PNET sarcomas are a rare disease where models are available.

Glycoproteomic Analysis of Glioblastoma Stem Cell Differentiation

Cancer stem cells are responsible for tumor formation through self-renewal and differentiation into multiple cell types and thus represent a new therapeutic target for tumors. Glycoproteins play a critical role in determining the fates of stem cells such as self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation. Here we applied a multilectin affinity chromatography and quantitative glycoproteomics approach to analyze alterations of glycoproteins relevant to the differentiation of a glioblastoma-derived stem cell line HSR-GBM1. Three lectins including concanavalin A (Con A), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and peanut agglutinin (PNA) were used to capture glycoproteins, followed by LC-MS/MS analysis. A total of 73 and 79 high-confidence (FDR < 0.01) glycoproteins were identified from the undifferentiated and differentiated cells, respectively. Label-free quantitation resulted in the discovery of 18 differentially expressed glycoproteins, wherein 9 proteins are localized in the lysosome. All of these lysosomal glycoproteins were up-regulated after differentiation, where their principal function was hydrolysis of glycosyl residues. Protein-protein interaction and functional analyses revealed the active involvement of lysosomes during the process of glioblastoma stem cell differentiation. This work provides glycoprotein markers to characterize differentiation status of glioblastoma stem cells that may be useful in stem-cell therapy of glioblastoma.

Immunohistochemical detection of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibition by ABT-888 in patients with refractory solid tumors and lymphomas

Purpose: Targeting the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) pathway for cancer treatment has been an active area of pre-clinical and clinical research. We aimed to determine whether the PARP inhibitor ABT-888 hits its therapeutic target in tumors by immunohistochemistry during a Phase 0 trial conducted at the National Cancer Institute. Experimental design: The expression of poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR) and full size PARP-1 were quantitatively examined by immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded tumor biopsies at baseline and 3-24 h after a single oral dose (25 or 50 mg) of ABT-888. Results: Baseline PAR levels were moderate to high in three patients with non-Hodgkin lymphomas, and one each with small cell lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, and melanoma; low in two patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma and one with adenocarcinoma of external ear canal. A significant decrease in PAR (median decrease 30.2, range -13.1 to -69.8) was achieved after drug administration (n = 6 pairs; p = 0.03), whereas an increase in PARP-1 expression was observed in five of the six tumors. This resulted in a decrease in the ratio of PAR to PARP-1 in tumor biopsies (median -6.76, range -0.41 to -22.59; p = 0.03). Conclusions: ABT-888 hits its therapeutic target by significantly reducing PAR levels and the ratio of PAR to PARP-1 in human tumor cells detected by immunohistochemistry. Baseline tumor PAR levels vary considerably among patients who entered this phase 0 study. This underscores a need to investigate baseline PAR levels in association with response in future preclinical and clinical studies.

Nitro-chloromethylbenzindolines: hypoxia-activated prodrugs of potent adenine N3 DNA minor groove alkylators

Hypoxia represents an important therapeutic target in tumors because of the resistance of hypoxic cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy and because it is more severe in many tumors than in normal tissues. Here, we describe a class of prodrugs, nitro-chloromethylindolines, which undergo hypoxia-selective activation by endogenous nitroreductases in tumor cells to form the corresponding amino compounds. The latter are chemically related to the cyclopropylindoline antitumor antibiotics and they share the same properties of sequence-selective DNA minor groove alkylation and high cytotoxic potency. Of three alkylating subunits investigated, the chloromethylbenzindoline (CBI) structure provided the most favorable prodrug properties: aerobic cytotoxic potency of the amines was approximately 90- to 3,000-fold higher than the corresponding nitro compounds, and the nitro compounds showed air/anoxia potency differentials of up to 300-fold. Selective alkylation of adenine N3 in calf thymus DNA by an amino-CBI was shown by characterization of the thermal depurination product; the same adduct was shown in hypoxic RIF-1 cells exposed to the corresponding nitro-CBI prodrug under hypoxic (but not oxic) conditions. The amino metabolite generated from a nitro-CBI by cells expressing Escherichia coli nfsB nitroreductase in multicellular layer cultures was shown to elicit bystander killing of surrounding cells. Nitro-CBI prodrugs were >500-fold less toxic to mice than amino-CBIs by i.p. administration and provided selective killing of hypoxic cells in RIF-1 tumors (although only at maximally tolerated doses). Nitro-CBIs are novel lead hypoxia-activated prodrugs that represent the first examples of hypoxia-selective generation of potent DNA minor groove alkylating agents.

Adaptive Transthoracic Refocusing of Dual-Mode Ultrasound Arrays

We present experimental validation results of an adaptive, image-based refocusing algorithm of dual-mode ultrasound arrays (DMUAs) in the presence of strongly scattering objects. This study is motivated by the need to develop noninvasive techniques for therapeutic targeting of tumors seated in organs where the therapeutic beam is partially obstructed by the ribcage, e.g., liver and kidney. We have developed an algorithm that takes advantage of the imaging capabilities of DMUAs to identify the ribs and the intercostals within the path of the therapeutic beam to produce a specified power deposition at the target while minimizing the exposure at the rib locations. This image-based refocusing algorithm takes advantage of the inherent registration between the imaging and therapeutic coordinate systems of DMUAs in the estimation of array directivity vectors at the target and rib locations. These directivity vectors are then used in solving a constrained optimization problem allowing for adaptive refocusing, directing the acoustical energy through the intercostals, and avoiding the rib locations. The experimental validation study utilized a 1-MHz, 64-element DMUA in focusing through a block of tissue-mimicking phantom [0.5 dB/(cm .MHz)] with embedded Plexiglas ribs. Single transmit focus (STF) images obtained with the DMUA were used for image-guided selection of the critical and target points to be used for adaptive refocusing. Experimental results show that the echogenicity of the ribs in STF images provide feedback on the reduction of power deposition at rib locations. This was confirmed by direct comparison of measured temperature rise and integrated backscatter at the rib locations. Direct temperature measurements also confirm the improved power deposition at the target and the reduction in power deposition at the rib locations. Finally, we have compared the quality of the image-based adaptive refocusing algorithm with a phase-conjugation solution obtained by direct measurement of the complex pressures at the target location. It is shown that our adaptive refocusing algorithm achieves similar improvements in power deposition at the target while achieving larger reduction of power deposition at the rib locations.

ADAM9 as a Potential Target Molecule in Cancer

ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase) proteins have a predominant role in the protein ectodomain shedding of membrane-bound molecules. ADAMs have emerged as critical regulators of cell-cell signaling during development and homeostasis, and are believed to contribute to pathologies, such as cancer, where their regulation is altered. ADAM9 is consistently overexpressed in various human cancers, and plays a role in tumorigenesis in mouse models. ADAM9 cleaves and releases a number of molecules with important roles in tumorigenesis and angiogenesis, such as EGF, FGFR2iiib, Tie-2, Flk-1, EphB4, CD40, VCAM-1, and VE-cadherin, and could represent a potential therapeutic target in tumors where it is highly expressed. This review provides an overview of ADAM9 with a major focus on its contribution to tumorigenesis. Its role in the shedding of cell surface molecules will be discussed along with emerging aspects of regulation and possible functions in cancer development.

Polymer-conjugated guanidine is a potentially useful anti-tumor agent

Guanidine compounds have important biochemical properties. Aminoguanidine, as an example, is an anti-oxidant, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (NOS) which prevents nitric oxide formation, and an inhibitor of advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs). As an anti-oxidant, aminoguanidine may affect the formation of atherosclerotic lesions through protection from LDL oxidation. Inhibition of AGEs could have a preventive effect on the tissue damage caused by diabetes where AGEs are considered to be an important factor. The role of NO in cancer is complex and not fully understood, but it may have influence on growth and progression. In this study, the tumor growth inhibitory effect of conjugated guanidine (i.e. a polyguanidine) was investigated. The effect on tumor cell growth was studied in cultures of prostate, breast, bladder and renal cell cancer, and a fluorometric cytotoxicity assay was performed. Guanidine conjugates were prepared by reacting aminoguanidine or agmatine with periodate oxidized dextran followed by reductive amination. The cytotoxic effect was compared with an anthracycline (adriamycin). The dextran-guanidine conjugates were cytotoxic at low micromolar concentrations, and the dextran-aminoguanidine conjugate (GDC) had the highest efficacy, being more efficient than adriamycin, in all of the tested tumor cell lines. Breast and prostate cancer cells were the most sensitive. At 0.5 microM, GDC killed >95% of the breast cancer cells compared to 25% for Adriamycine. In prostate cancer cells, GDC killed approximately 55% of the cells at 0.1 microM and 100% of the cells at 0.5 microM compared to approximately 22 and approximately 62%, respectively, for adriamycin. Unconjugated aminoguanidine and agmatine did not seem to affect tumor cell growth even at high concentrations (mM). Polymer- conjugated guanidine is a potentially useful template for the construction of therapeutic tumor targeting cytotoxic agents.

Unsupervised Analysis of Transcriptomic Profiles Reveals Six Glioma Subtypes

Gliomas are the most common type of primary brain tumors in adults and a significant cause of cancer-related mortality. Defining glioma subtypes based on objective genetic and molecular signatures may allow for a more rational, patient-specific approach to therapy in the future. Classifications based on gene expression data have been attempted in the past with varying success and with only some concordance between studies, possibly due to inherent bias that can be introduced through the use of analytic methodologies that make a priori selection of genes before classification. To overcome this potential source of bias, we have applied two unsupervised machine learning methods to genome-wide gene expression profiles of 159 gliomas, thereby establishing a robust glioma classification model relying only on the molecular data. The model predicts for two major groups of gliomas (oligodendroglioma-rich and glioblastoma-rich groups) separable into six hierarchically nested subtypes. We then identified six sets of classifiers that can be used to assign any given glioma to the corresponding subtype and validated these classifiers using both internal (189 additional independent samples) and two external data sets (341 patients). Application of the classification system to the external glioma data sets allowed us to identify previously unrecognized prognostic groups within previously published data and within The Cancer Genome Atlas glioblastoma samples and the different biological pathways associated with the different glioma subtypes offering a potential clue to the pathogenesis and possibly therapeutic targets for tumors within each subtype.

Beta-Adrenoceptors and tumor development and metastasis

大量研究表明肿瘤细胞可表达β受体,而一些神经递质、药物和社会心理因素可能通过β受体影响肿瘤的生长和转移,β受体激动剂、β受体阻滞剂以及抑郁等社会心理因素可加强或削弱这种作用.这为表达β受体肿瘤的治疗开辟了新的道路,提供了新的治疗靶点。

The Gα12/13 Family of Heterotrimeric G Proteins and the Small GTPase RhoA Link the Kaposi Sarcoma-associated Herpes Virus G Protein-coupled Receptor to Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression and Tumorigenesis

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an inducible enzyme that metabolizes the heme group, is highly expressed in human Kaposi sarcoma lesions. Its expression is up-regulated by the G protein-coupled receptor from the Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpes virus (vGPCR). Although recent evidence shows that HO-1 contributes to vGPCR-induced tumorigenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, the molecular steps that link vGPCR to HO-1 remain unknown. Here we show that vGPCR induces HO-1 expression and transformation through the Galpha(12/13) family of heterotrimeric G proteins and the small GTPase RhoA. Targeted small hairpin RNA knockdown expression of Galpha(12), Galpha(13), or RhoA and inhibition of RhoA activity impair vGPCR-induced transformation and ho-1 promoter activity. Knockdown expression of RhoA also reduces vGPCR-induced VEFG-A secretion and blocks tumor growth in a murine allograft tumor model. NIH-3T3 cells expressing constitutively activated Galpha(13) or RhoA implanted in nude mice develop tumors displaying spindle-shaped cells that express HO-1 and VEGF-A, similarly to vGPCR-derived tumors. RhoAQL-induced tumor growth is reduced 80% by small hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown expression of HO-1 in the implanted cells. Likewise, inhibition of HO-1 activity by chronic administration of the HO-1 inhibitor tin protoporphyrin IX to mice reduces RhoAQL-induced tumor growth by 70%. Our study shows that vGPCR induces HO-1 expression through the Galpha(12/13)/RhoA axes and shows for the first time a potential role for HO-1 as a therapeutic target in tumors where RhoA has oncogenic activity.

Leiomyomas from hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC) are highly dependent upon glycolysis for energy homeostasis

Numerous studies have established a connection between fumarate hydratase (FH) and HLRCC. We previously demonstrated that FH was under-expressed in HLRCC leiomyomata, while glycolysis enzymes were increased; changes not observed in non-syndromic leiomyomas. Although the etiology of these changes remains unknown, our findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for tumors heavily dependent upon anaerobic pathways for energy homeostasis. In order to determine the level of glycolysis dependence, we generated immortalized HLRCC leiomyoma cell lines and hypothesized that these cells would be highly dependent upon glycolysis for energy homeostasis, resulting in a lower pH due to increased lactic acid production, and an inhibited proliferation in a glucose-starved environment.

Galectin-3 as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Tumors Arising from Malignant Endothelia

Angiosarcoma (ASA) in humans, hemangiosarcoma (HSA) in dogs are deadly neoplastic diseases characterized by an aggressive growth of malignant cells with endothelial phenotype, widespread metastasis, poor response to chemotherapy. Galectin-3 (Gal-3), a p-galactoside-binding lectin implicated in tumor progression, metastasis, endothelial cell biology, angiogenesis, regulation of apoptosis, neoplastic cell response to cytotoxic drugs, has not been studied before in tumors arising from malignant endothelia. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Gal-3 could be widely expressed in human ASA, canine HSA, could play an important role in malignant endothelial cell biology. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that 100% of the human ASA (10 of 10), canine HSA (17 of 17) samples analyzed expressed Gal-3. Two carbohydrate-based Gal-3 inhibitors, modified citrus pectin (MCP), lactulosyl-l-leucine (LL), caused a dose-dependent reduction of SVR murine ASA cell clonogenic survival through the inhibition of Gal-3 antiapoptotic function. Furthermore, both MCP, LL sensitized SVR cells to the cytotoxic drug doxorubicin to a degree sufficient to reduce the in vitro IC50 of doxorubicin by 10.7-fold, 3.64old, respectively. These results highlight the important role of Gal-3 in the biology of ASA, identify Gal-3 as a potential therapeutic target in tumors arising from malignant endothelial cells.