Showing papers by "Eric R. Fearon published in 2009"

MicroRNA miR-34 inhibits human pancreatic cancer tumor-initiating cells.

Abstract: Our results demonstrate that miR-34 may restore, at least in part, the tumor suppressing function of the p53 in p53-deficient human pancreatic cancer cells. Our data support the view that miR-34 may be involved in pancreatic cancer stem cell self-renewal, potentially via the direct modulation of downstream targets Bcl-2 and Notch, implying that miR-34 may play an important role in pancreatic cancer stem cell self-renewal and/or cell fate determination. Restoration of miR-34 may hold significant promise as a novel molecular therapy for human pancreatic cancer with loss of p53-miR34, potentially via inhibiting pancreatic cancer stem cells.

Mesenchymal cells reactivate Snail1 expression to drive three-dimensional invasion programs.

Abstract: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is required for mesodermal differentiation during development. The zinc-finger transcription factor, Snail1, can trigger EMT and is sufficient to transcriptionally reprogram epithelial cells toward a mesenchymal phenotype during neoplasia and fibrosis. Whether Snail1 also regulates the behavior of terminally differentiated mesenchymal cells remains unexplored. Using a Snai1 conditional knockout model, we now identify Snail1 as a regulator of normal mesenchymal cell function. Snail1 expression in normal fibroblasts can be induced by agonists known to promote proliferation and invasion in vivo. When challenged within a tissue-like, three-dimensional extracellular matrix, Snail1-deficient fibroblasts exhibit global alterations in gene expression, which include defects in membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP)-dependent invasive activity. Snail1-deficient fibroblasts explanted atop the live chick chorioallantoic membrane lack tissue-invasive potential and fail to induce angiogenesis. These findings establish key functions for the EMT regulator Snail1 after terminal differentiation of mesenchymal cells.

Gene expression patterns in mismatch repair-deficient colorectal cancers highlight the potential therapeutic role of inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT-mammalian target of rapamycin pathway.

Abstract: Purpose: High-frequency microsatellite-instable (MSI-H) tumors account for ∼15% of colorectal cancers. Therapeutic decisions for colorectal cancer are empirically based and currently do not emphasize molecular subclassification despite an increasing collection of gene expression information. Our objective was to identify low molecular weight compounds with preferential activity against MSI colorectal cancers using combined gene expression data sets. Experimental Design: Three expression/query signatures (discovery data set) characterizing MSI-H colorectal cancer were matched with information derived from changes induced in cell lines by 164 compounds using the systems biology tool “Connectivity Map.” A series of sequential filtering and ranking algorithms were used to select the candidate compounds. Compounds were validated using two additional expression/query signatures (validation data set). Cytotoxic, cell cycle, and apoptosis effects of validated compounds were evaluated in a panel of cell lines. Results: Fourteen of the 164 compounds were validated as targeting MSI-H cell lines using the bioinformatics approach; rapamycin, LY-294002, 17-(allylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin, and trichostatin A were the most robust candidate compounds. In vitro results showed that MSI-H cell lines due to hypermethylation of MLH1 are preferentially targeted by rapamycin (18.3 versus 4.4 μmol/L; P = 0.0824) and LY-294002 (15.02 versus 10.37 μmol/L; P = 0.0385) when compared with microsatellite-stable cells. Preferential activity was also observed in MSH2 and MSH6 mutant cells. Conclusion: Our study shows that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT-mammalian target of rapamycin pathway is of special relevance in mismatch repair-deficient colorectal cancer. In addition, we show that amalgamation of gene expression information across studies provides a robust approach for selection of potential therapies corresponding to specific groups of patients.

Pyrimidotriazinediones and pyrimidopyrimidinediones and methods of using the same

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to pyrimidotriazinediones and pyrimidopyrimidinediones having a formula (I), (II), or (III), or a mixture or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof, and to methods of treating cancer comprising administering the same.