Kinetic Modeling-Based Detection of Genetic Signatures That Provide Chemoresistance via the E2F1-p73/DNp73-miR-205 Network.

Kinetic Modeling-Based Detection of Genetic Signatures that Provide Chemoresistance via the E2F1-p73/DNp73-miR-205 Network.

Cancer Res. 2013 Feb 27;
Vera J, Schmitz U, Lai X, Engelmann D, Khan FM, Wolkenhauer O, Putzer BM

Drug resistance is a major cause of deaths from cancer. E2F1 is a transcription factor involved in cell cycle progression, apoptosis and metastasis through an intricate regulatory network, which includes other transcription factors like p73 and cancer-related microRNAs like miR-205. To investigate the emergence of drug resistance, we developed a methodology that integrates experimental data with a network biology and kinetic modeling approach. Using a regulatory map developed to summarize knowledge on E2F1 its interplay with p73/DNp73 and miR-205 in cancer drug responses, we derived a kinetic model that represents the network response to certain genotoxic and cytostatic anti-cancer drugs. By perturbing the model parameters we mimic heterogeneous cell configurations referred to as in silico cell lines. These were used to detect genetic signatures characteristic for single or double drug resistance. We identified a signature composed of high E2F1 and low miR-205 expression that promotes resistance to genotoxic drugs. In this signature, downregulation of miR-205 can be mediated by an imbalance in the p73/DNp73 ratio or by dysregulation of other cancer-related regulators of miR-205 expression like TGF?-1 or TWIST1. In addition, we found that a genetic signature composed of high E2F1, low miR-205 and high ERBB3 can render tumor cells insensitive to both cytostatic and genotoxic drugs. Our model simulations also suggested that conventional genotoxic drug treatment favors selection of chemoresistant cells in genetically heterogeneous tumors, in a manner requiring dysregulation of incoherent feedforward loops that involve E2F1, p73/DNp73 and miR-205. HubMed – drug

 

In vitro model systems to study androgen receptor signaling in prostate cancer.

Endocr Relat Cancer. 2013 Feb 27;
Sampson N, Neuwirt H, Puhr M, Klocker H, Eder IE

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common causes of male cancer-related death in Western nations. The cellular response to androgens is mediated via the androgen receptor (AR), a ligand-inducible transcription factor whose dysregulation plays a key role during PCa development and progression following androgen deprivation therapy, the current mainstay systemic treatment for advanced PCa. Thus, a better understanding of AR signaling and new strategies to abrogate AR activity are essential for improved therapeutic intervention. Consequently, a large number of experimental cell culture models have been established to facilitate in vitro investigations into the role of AR signaling in PCa development and progression. These different model systems mimic distinct stages of this heterogeneous disease and exhibit differences with respect to AR expression/status and androgen responsiveness. Technological advances have facilitated the development of in vitro systems that more closely reflect the physiological setting, for example via the use of three-dimensional co-culture to study the interaction of prostate epithelial cells with the stroma, endothelium, immune system and tissue matrix environment. This review provides an overview of the most commonly used in vitro cell models currently available to study AR signaling with particular focus on their use in addressing key questions relating to the development and progression of PCa. It is hoped that the continued development of in vitro models will provide more biologically relevant platforms for mechanistic studies, drug discovery and design ensuring a more rapid transfer of knowledge from the laboratory to the clinic. HubMed – drug

 

BCL2A1 is a lineage-specific antiapoptotic melanoma oncogene that confers resistance to BRAF inhibition.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013 Feb 27;
Haq R, Yokoyama S, Hawryluk EB, Jönsson GB, Frederick DT, McHenry K, Porter D, Tran TN, Love KT, Langer R, Anderson DG, Garraway LA, Duncan LM, Morton DL, Hoon DS, Wargo JA, Song JS, Fisher DE

Although targeting oncogenic mutations in the BRAF serine/threonine kinase with small molecule inhibitors can lead to significant clinical responses in melanoma, it fails to eradicate tumors in nearly all patients. Successful therapy will be aided by identification of intrinsic mechanisms that protect tumor cells from death. Here, we used a bioinformatics approach to identify drug-able, “driver” oncogenes restricted to tumor versus normal tissues. Applying this method to 88 short-term melanoma cell cultures, we show that the antiapoptotic BCL2 family member BCL2A1 is recurrently amplified in ?30% of melanomas and is necessary for melanoma growth. BCL2A1 overexpression also promotes melanomagenesis of BRAF-immortalized melanocytes. We find that high-level expression of BCL2A1 is restricted to melanoma due to direct transcriptional control by the melanoma oncogene MITF. Although BRAF inhibitors lead to cell cycle arrest and modest apoptosis, we find that apoptosis is significantly enhanced by suppression of BCL2A1 in melanomas with BCL2A1 or MITF amplification. Moreover, we find that BCL2A1 expression is associated with poorer clinical responses to BRAF pathway inhibitors in melanoma patients. Cotreatment of melanomas with BRAF inhibitors and obatoclax, an inhibitor of BCL2A1 and other BCL2 family members, overcomes intrinsic resistance to BRAF inhibitors in BCL2A1-amplified cells in vitro and in vivo. These studies identify MITF-BCL2A1 as a lineage-specific oncogenic pathway in melanoma and underscore its role for improved response to BRAF-directed therapy. HubMed – drug