Mutant p53 proteins counteract autophagic mechanism sensitizing cancer cells to mTOR inhibition

Mutations in TP53 gene play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis and cancer development. Here, we report that gain-of-function mutant p53 proteins inhibit the autophagic pathway favoring antiapoptotic effects as well as proliferation of pancreas and breast cancer cells. We found that mutant p53 significantly counteracts the formation of autophagic vesicles and their fusion with lysosomes throughout the repression of some key autophagy-related proteins and enzymes as BECN1 (and P-BECN1), DRAM1, ATG12, SESN1/2 and P-AMPK with the concomitant stimulation of mTOR signaling. As a paradigm of this mechanism, we show that atg12 gene repression was mediated by the recruitment of the p50 NF-\u3baB/mutant p53 protein complex onto the atg12 promoter. Either mutant p53 or p50 NF-\u3baB depletion downregulates atg12 gene expression. We further correlated the low expression levels of autophagic genes (atg12, becn1, sesn1, and dram1) with a reduced relapse free survival (RFS) and distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) of breast cancer patients carrying TP53 gene mutations conferring a prognostic value to this mutant p53-and autophagy-related signature. Interestingly, the mutant p53-driven mTOR stimulation sensitized cancer cells to the treatment with the mTOR inhibitor everolimus. All these results reveal a novel mechanism through which mutant p53 proteins promote cancer cell proliferation with the concomitant inhibition of autophagy

Vitamin D analogues exhibit antineoplastic activity in breast cancer patient-derived xenograft cells

Despite advances in breast cancer (BC) treatment, its mortality remains high due to intrinsic or acquired resistance to therapy. Several ongoing efforts are being made to develop novel drugs to treat this pathology with the aim to overcome resistance, prolong patient survival and improve their quality of life. We have previously shown that the non-hypercalcemic vitamin D analogues EM1 and UVB1 display antitumor effects in preclinical studies employing conventional cell lines and animal models developed from these cells. In this work, we explored the antitumor effects of EM1 and UVB1 employing BC cells derived from patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), which are a powerful preclinical tool for testing new drugs. We demonstrated that the analogues reduced the viability of HER2-positive and Triple Negative BC-PDXs. Moreover, using an in vitro model of acquired resistance to Trastuzumab-emtansine, UVB1 displayed anti-proliferative actions under 2D and 3D culture conditions. It inhibited both formation and growth of established organoids. In addition, a direct correlation between UVB1 antitumor effects and VDR expression in PDXs was found. In conclusion, all the results reinforce the potential use of these vitamin D analogues as antitumor agents to treat HER2-positive and Triple Negative BC.Fil: Ferronato, María Julia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Nadal, Serrano Mercedes. Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona. Hospital Vall D' Hebron. Instituto de Investigación Vall D'hebron; EspañaFil: Arenas Lahuerta, Enrique Javier. Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona. Hospital Vall D' Hebron. Instituto de Investigación Vall D'hebron; EspañaFil: Morales, Cristina Bernadó. Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Hospital Vall D' Hebron; EspañaFil: Paolillo, Giuliana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Martinez Sabadell, Aliguer Alex. Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Hospital Vall D' Hebron; EspañaFil: Mascaró, Marilina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Vitale, Cristian Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Fall, Yagamare. Universidad de Vigo; EspañaFil: Arribas, Joaquín. Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Hospital Vall D' Hebron; España. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; España. Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer; España. Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avancats; EspañaFil: Facchinetti, María Marta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Curino, Alejandro Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentin

Therapy-Induced Senescence Enhances the Efficacy of HER2-Targeted Antibody–Drug Conjugates in Breast Cancer

Eficàcia; Conjugats de fàrmacs; Càncer de mamaEficacia; Conjugados de medicamentos; Cáncer de mamaEfficacy; Drug conjugates; Breast cancerAntibody–drug conjugates (ADC) are antineoplastic agents recently introduced into the antitumor arsenal. T-DM1, a trastuzumab-based ADC that relies on lysosomal processing to release the payload, is approved for HER2-positive breast cancer. Next-generation ADCs targeting HER2, such as [vic-]trastuzumab duocarmazine (SYD985), bear linkers cleavable by lysosomal proteases and membrane-permeable drugs, mediating a bystander effect by which neighboring antigen-negative cells are eliminated. Many antitumor therapies, like DNA-damaging agents or CDK4/6 inhibitors, can induce senescence, a cellular state characterized by stable cell-cycle arrest. Another hallmark of cellular senescence is the enlargement of the lysosomal compartment. Given the relevance of the lysosome to the mechanism of action of ADCs, we hypothesized that therapies that induce senescence would potentiate the efficacy of HER2-targeting ADCs. Treatment with the DNA-damaging agent doxorubicin and CDK4/6 inhibitor induced lysosomal enlargement and senescence in several breast cancer cell lines. While senescence-inducing drugs did not increase the cytotoxic effect of ADCs on target cells, the bystander effect was enhanced when HER2-negative cells were cocultured with HER2-low cells. Knockdown experiments demonstrated the importance of cathepsin B in the enhanced bystander effect, suggesting that cathepsin B mediates linker cleavage. In breast cancer patient-derived xenografts, a combination treatment of CDK4/6 inhibitor and SYD985 showed improved antitumor effects over either treatment alone. These data support the strategy of combining next-generation ADCs targeting HER2 with senescence-inducing therapies for tumors with heterogenous and low HER2 expression. Significance: Combining ADCs against HER2-positive breast cancers with therapies that induce cellular senescence may improve their therapeutic efficacy by facilitating a bystander effect against antigen-negative tumor cells.This work was supported by Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF-20-008), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (project reference numbers AC15/00062, CB16/12/00449 and PI19/01181), the EC under the framework of the ERA-NET TRANSCAN-2 initiative co-financed by FEDER, Fundación Mutua Madrileña and Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer. S. Duro-Sánchez is supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Universidades by the grant Formación de Profesorado Universitario (FPU20/05388). A. Esteve-Codina is funded by ISCIII /MINECO (PT17/0009/0019) and co-funded by FEDER. The authors acknowledge Alyson MacInnes for reviewing and editing the article

Advancing in Schaaf-Yang syndrome pathophysiology: from bedside to subcellular analyses of truncated MAGEL2

Background Schaaf-Yang syndrome (SYS) is caused by truncating mutations in MAGEL2, mapping to the Prader-Willi region (15q11-q13), with an observed phenotype partially overlapping that of Prader-Willi syndrome. MAGEL2 plays a role in retrograde transport and protein recycling regulation. Our aim is to contribute to the characterisation of SYS pathophysiology at clinical, genetic and molecular levels. Methods We performed an extensive phenotypic and mutational revision of previously reported patients with SYS. We analysed the secretion levels of amyloid-β 1-40 peptide (Aβ1-40) and performed targeted metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles in fibroblasts of patients with SYS (n=7) compared with controls (n=11). We also transfected cell lines with vectors encoding wild- type (WT) or mutated MAGEL2 to assess stability and subcellular localisation of the truncated protein. Results Functional studies show significantly decreased levels of secreted Aβ1-40 and intracellular glutamine in SYS fibroblasts compared with WT. We also identified 132 differentially expressed genes, including non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as HOTAIR, and many of them related to developmental processes and mitotic mechanisms. The truncated form of MAGEL2 displayed a stability similar to the WT but it was significantly switched to the nucleus, compared with a mainly cytoplasmic distribution of the WT MAGEL2. Based on the updated knowledge, we offer guidelines for the clinical management of patients with SYS. Conclusion A truncated MAGEL2 protein is stable and localises mainly in the nucleus, where it might exert a pathogenic neomorphic effect. Aβ1-40 secretion levels and HOTAIR mRNA levels might be promising biomarkers for SYS. Our findings may improve SYS understanding and clinical management

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio

Efectos de los Estrógenos, la Genisteína y la Leptina sobre el Estrés Oxidativo en el Cáncer de Mama. Importancia de la UCP2

El estrés oxidativo es un desequilibrio entre la producción de radicales libres y los sistemas antioxidantes encargados de su neutralización. El resultado de este desequilibrio es la acumulación de daños en diversas estructuras celulares incluyendo el DNA. El cáncer se acompaña de un mayor estrés oxidativo a nivel celular, por este motivo, muchos de los tratamientos terapéuticos van dirigidos a aumentar los niveles citotóxicos de ROS, conduciendo a la célula tumoral a la apoptosis. Sin embargo, durante la tumorigénesis las células van adquiriendo una serie de características que permiten mantener la homeostasis de los ROS y desarrollar resistencia a los tratamientos antineoplásicos. El cáncer de mama es un tipo de neoplasia en la que el factor endocrino juega un papel relevante tanto en la etiología como en la evolución de la enfermedad. En esta tesis nos planteamos como objetivo estudiar los efectos del 17β-estradiol (E2), la genisteína y la leptina, como factores hormonales, sobre la modulación del estrés oxidativo en la carcinogénesis de mama. E2 es uno de los principales factores de riesgo en la iniciación y progresión de la enfermedad; la genisteína es uno de los fitoestrógenos de mayor actividad estrogénica y, por su parte, la leptina también ha mostrado efectos potenciadores sobre el cáncer de mama, considerándose a nivel epidemiológico como un posible enlace entre obesidad y cáncer. Para alcanzar estos objetivos se estudió: i) el efecto dual de E2 y genisteína sobre el estrés oxidativo en función de la dotación de ERα y ERβ en líneas celulares de cáncer de mama (MCF-7 y T47D), y el estrés oxidativo en muestras de carcinomas ductales infiltrantes en función de la ratio de receptores estrogénicos; ii) la influencia de la leptina crónica sobre el estrés oxidativo y su respuesta al fármaco antineoplásico cisplatino en la línea celular MCF-7; y iii) la importancia de la UCP2 en la regulación del estrés oxidativo endógeno e inducido en las células MCF-7, así como, en líneas celulares de cáncer de páncreas con p53 mutado. Los resultados indican que E2 induce estrés oxidativo de forma dependiente de la dotación de ERα/ERβ. Así, el aumento del estrés oxidativo, debido en parte a un descenso de los sistemas antioxidantes, está mediado por ERα. En cambio, la activación de ERβ por la genisteína implica un menor estrés oxidativo y una mejor función mitocondrial, promovido por una respuesta antioxidante. En consonancia con el estudio in vitro, los carcinomas mamarios con una menor ratio ERα/ERβ también mostraron una mayor respuesta detoxificante, favoreciendo la supervivencia celular. Por su parte, la leptina parece disminuir el nivel de estrés oxidativo basal, lo que podría jugar un papel en la adquisición de resistencia a los tratamientos anticancerígenos. El desacoplamiento mitocondrial mediado por UCP2 protege a la célula cancerosa del daño oxidativo, lo que posiblemente podría conferir citoprotección a través de la adquisición de quimioresistencia. En células de cáncer de páncreas, p53 mutado induce la producción de ROS debido a una disminución de UCP2, contribuyendo al crecimiento celular. En conclusión, los resultados de la presente tesis sugieren que tanto ERβ como UCP2 podrían ser biomarcadores interesantes para conseguir una mejor caracterización del tumor en relación a su nivel de estrés oxidativo y la posible respuesta al tratamiento.L'estrès oxidatiu és un desequilibri entre la producció de radicals lliures i els sistemes antioxidants encarregats de la seva neutralització. El resultat d'aquest desequilibri és l'acumulació de danys a diverses estructures cel•lulars incloent el DNA. El càncer va acompanyat d'un major estrès oxidatiu a nivell cel•lular, per aquest motiu, molts dels tractaments terapèutics van dirigits a augmentar els nivells citotòxics de ROS, conduint a la cèl•lula tumoral a la apoptosi. No obstant això, durant la tumorigènesi les cèl•lules van adquirint una sèrie de característiques que permeten mantenir l'homeòstasi dels ROS i desenvolupar resistència als tractaments antineoplàstics. El càncer de mama és un tipus de neoplàsia en la qual el factor endocrí juga un paper rellevant tant en la etiologia como en l'evolució de la malaltia. En aquesta tesi ens vàrem plantejar com a objectius estudiar els efectes del 17β-estradiol (E2), la genisteïna i la leptina, com a factors hormonals, sobre la modulació de l'estrès oxidatiu en la carcinogènesi de mama. E2 és un dels principals factors de risc en la iniciació i progressió de la malaltia, la genisteïna és un dels fitoestrògens de major activitat estrogènica i, per la seva part, la leptina també ha mostrat efectes potenciadors sobre el càncer de mama, considerant-se a nivell epidemiològic un possible enllaç entre obesitat i càncer. Per a assolir aquests objectius es va estudiar: i) l'efecte dual de E2 i genisteïna sobre l'estrès oxidatiu en funció de la dotació de ERα i ERβ en línies cel•lulars de càncer de mama (MCF-7 i T47D), i l'estrès oxidatiu a mostres de carcinomes ductals infiltrants en funció de la ràtio de receptors estrogènics; ii) la influència de la leptina crònica sobre l'estrès oxidatiu i la seva resposta al fàrmac antineoplàstic cisplatí en la línea cel•lular MCF-7; i iii) la importància de la UCP2 en la regulació de l'estrès oxidatiu endogen i induït en les cèl•lules MCF-7, així como, en línies cel•lulars de càncer de pàncrees amb p53 mutat. Els resultats indiquen que E2 indueix estrès oxidatiu de forma depenent de la dotació de ERα/ERβ. Així, l'augment de l'estrès oxidatiu, causat en part per un descens dels sistemes antioxidants, està mediat per ERα. En canvi, l'activació de ERβ per la genisteïna implica un menor estrès oxidatiu i una millor funció mitocondrial, promogut per una resposta antioxidant. En consonància amb l'estudi in vitro, els carcinomes mamaris amb una menor ràtio ERα/ERβ també varen mostrar una major resposta detoxificant, afavorint la supervivència cel•lular. Per la seva part, la leptina sembla disminuir el nivell d'estrès oxidatiu basal, la qual cosa podria jugar un paper en l'adquisició de resistència als tractaments anticancerígens. El desacoblament mitocondrial mediat per UCP2 protegeix a la cèl•lula cancerosa del dany oxidatiu, fet que possiblement podria conferir citoprotecció a través de l'adquisició de quimioresistència. En cèl•lules de càncer de pàncrees, p53 mutat indueix la producció de ROS a causa d'una disminució de UCP2, contribuint al creixement cel•lular. En conclusió, els resultats de la present tesi suggereixen que tant ERβ com UCP2 podrien ser biomarcadors interessants per a aconseguir una millor caracterització del tumor en relació al seu nivell d'estrès oxidatiu i la possible resposta al tractament.Oxidative stress is an imbalance between free radical production and the antioxidant systems responsible for counteracting them. The result of this imbalance is accumulation of damage in several cellular structures, including DNA. Cancer is associated with increased oxidative stress, therefore, many therapeutic treatments are targeted to raise cytotoxic ROS levels, which would lead to tumor cell apoptosis. However, during tumorigenesis, cells acquire several features that maintain ROS homeostasis and develop resistance to anticancer treatments. Breast cancer is a type of neoplasia in which the endocrine factor plays an important role in etiology and disease progress. In the preset thesis we set out to study the effects of hormonal factors: 17β-estradiol (E2), genistein and leptin, on oxidative stress modulation in breast carcinogenesis. E2 is one of the main risk factors for breast cancer initiation and progression; genistein is one of the phytoestrogens with greater estrogenic activity and, while, leptin has also shown enhancing effects on breast cancer, epidemiologically it is also considered to be a possible link between obesity and cancer. The aim of this work was to study: i) the dual effect of E2 and genistein on oxidative stress depending on the ERα and ERβ ratio in breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and T47D), and oxidative stress in invasive ductal carcinoma samples depending on estrogen receptor ratio; ii) the influence of chronic leptin on oxidative stress and response to anticancer drug cisplatin in MCF-7 cell line; iii) the significance of UCP2 in the regulation of endogenous and induced oxidative stress in MCF-7 cells as well as in mutant p53 pancreatic cancer cell lines. Results indicate that E2 induces oxidative stress in a ERα/ERβ ratio-dependent manner. Thus, the increase in oxidative stress, due to in part to a decrease in antioxidant systems, is mediated by ERα. In contrast, ERβ activation by genistein involves a lower oxidative stress and better mitochondrial function, which is promoted by an antioxidant response. In agreement with the in vitro study, breast tumors with a lower ERα/ERβ ratio showed a higher detoxifying response, which also improved cellular survival. In turn, leptin appears to decrease the basal level of oxidative stress, which could play a role in the acquisition of resistance to anticancer treatments. UCP2-mediated mitochondrial uncoupling protects the cancer cell from oxidative damage, which may possibly confer cytoprotection through chemoresistance acquisition. In pancreatic cancer cells, p53 mutant induces ROS production due to a decrease in UCP2, contributing to cell growth. In conclusion, the results of this thesis suggest that both ERβ and UCP2 may be interesting biomarkers for a better characterization of the tumor in relation to its level of oxidative stress and possible treatment response

Analysis of Recurrent Defects in the Execution of Ceramic-Coatings Cladding in Building Construction

This article presents a series of results that emerged from the implementation of the first phase of a Continuous Improvement study applied to a particular housing construction project. As a result of the study, it was possible to determine the relationship between the most common construction defects in ceramic cladding. Of 7 statistical analysis tools, the 4 most relevant have been selected and systematically used during the present work: data collection sheet, stratification, histogram, and Pareto diagram. The results show that there are 25 main types of detected-and most recurring-incidences of defects in housing construction. From the total sum of accounted defects, 87.5% occur during the execution process, whereas almost half-47.6%-are caused by or derived from improper grout preparation or faulty application. This relation of defects can be used by professionals in the construction industry to implement Continuous Improvement projects focused on minimizing failures. It can also be used as a checklist to carry out quality control of ceramic cladding.Sin financiación1.735 JCR (2016) Q2, 22/61 Construction & Building Technology, 44/125 Engineering, Civil; Q3, 25/44 Engineering, IndustrialUE

Chronic-Leptin Attenuates Cisplatin Cytotoxicity in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line

Background/Aims: Large-scale epidemiological studies support a correlation between obesity and breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Circulating leptin levels are increased in obese and it has been suggested to play a significant role in mammary tumor formation and progression. Moreover, regulation of oxidative stress is another important factor in both tumor development and responses to anticancer therapies. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between oxidative stress and chronic leptin exposure. Methods: We treated MCF-7 breast cancer cells with 100 ng/mL leptin for 10 days and analyzed cell growth, ROS production and oxidative damage, as well as, some of the main antioxidant systems. Furthermore, since the hyperleptinemia has been associated with a worse pathology prognosis, we decided to test the influence of leptin in response to cisplatin anticancer treatment. Results: Leptin signalling increased cell proliferation but reduced ROS production, as well as, oxidative damage. We observed an upregulation of SIRT1 after leptin exposure, a key regulator of stress response and metabolism. Additionally, leptin counteracted cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in tumor cells, showing a decrease in cell death. Conclusion: Chronic leptin could contribute to the effective regulation of endogenous and treatment-induced oxidative stress, and it contributes to explain in part its proliferative effects