KDM5A and KDM5B histone-demethylases contribute to HU-induced replication stress response and tolerance.

KDM5A and KDM5B histone-demethylases are overexpressed in many cancers and have been involved in drug tolerance. Here, we describe that KDM5A, together with KDM5B, contribute to replication stress (RS) response and tolerance. First, they positively regulate RRM2, the regulatory subunit of ribonucleotide reductase. Second, they are required for optimal levels of activated Chk1, a major player of the intra-S phase checkpoint that protects cells from RS. We also found that KDM5A is enriched at ongoing replication forks and associates with both PCNA and Chk1. Because RRM2 is a major determinant of replication stress tolerance, we developed cells resistant to HU, and show that KDM5A/B proteins are required for both RRM2 overexpression and tolerance to HU. Altogether, our results indicate that KDM5A/B are major players of RS management. They also show that drugs targeting the enzymatic activity of KDM5 proteins may not affect all cancer-related consequences of KDM5A/B overexpression.

Cancer therapy improvement with mesoporous silica nanoparticles combining targeting, drug delivery and PDT.

The synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) covalently encapsulating fluoresceine or a photosensitizer, functionalized with galactose on the surface is described. Confocal microscopy experiments demonstrated that the uptake of galactose-functionalized MSN by colorectal cancer cells was mediated by galactose receptors leading to the accumulation of the nanoparticles in the endosomal and lysosomal compartments. The MSN functionalized with a photosensitizer and galactose were loaded with the anti-cancer drug camptothecin. Those MSN combining drug delivery and photodynamic therapy were tested on three cancer cell lines and showed a dramatic enhancement of cancer cell death compared to separate treatments.

Involvement of gene polymorphisms of the folate pathway enzymes in gene expression and anticancer drug sensitivity using the NCI-60 panel as a model.

Folate, a vitamin of the B group involved in one-carbon group metabolism, plays an important role in DNA synthesis and methylation. Several polymorphisms in the genes involved in folate uptake and biotransformations have been shown to be associated to the risk of cancer and to anticancer drug response. We studied common polymorphisms in MTHFR (N(5,10)-methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase), MTHFD1 (N(5,10)-methylene-tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase), MTR (methionine synthetase) and SLC19A1 (reduced folate carrier) in the panel of 60 human tumour cell lines established by the NCI for anticancer drug screening and we tentatively associated these polymorphisms with gene expression and drug cytotoxicity as extracted from the public database of the Developmental Therapeutic Programme. We observed a consistent and highly significant association between the presence of the variant C allele of the A>C1298 polymorphism of MTHFR and the sensitivity to many anticancer drugs belonging to the classes of antifolates, antimetabolites, alkylating agents and, to a lesser extent, topoisomerase inhibitors. In contrast, the T variant allele of the C>T677 variation of MTHFR was rather associated to lower sensitivity of the cell lines towards anticancer drugs (alkylating agents, antifolates and antimetabolites) but with much lower effects than the A>C1298 variation. The polymorphisms of the other genes studied were not associated with differences in anticancer drug sensitivity, but the expression of the SLC19A1 gene was significantly correlated with the sensitivity to several drugs (antifolates, thiopurines, nitrosoureas, and DACH-platinum drugs). We concluded that the NCI-60 panel may constitute a good starting point for implementing clinical studies aimed at discovering and validating predictive genetic markers of drug efficacy and/or toxicity.

Comparison of carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine effects on aminothiol levels.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of carbamazepine (CBZ) and oxcarbazepine (OXCBZ) on aminothiol levels, including homocysteine (Hcy), cysteine, and cysteinylglycine, in chronically treated patients. METHODS: Epileptic patients receiving CBZ or OXCBZ were recruited as part of routine clinical practice. Demographic data and concomitant medications were recorded from the patient medical file. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included in the study; 30 patients were treated with CBZ and 30 with OXCBZ. Median Hcy level was significantly higher in CBZ-treated patients (20.6 micromol/l) than in OXCBZ-treated patients (14.0 micromol/l, p < 0.0001). No correlation was evidenced between antiepileptic drugs or metabolite levels and Hcy levels for each group. CONCLUSIONS: Less change observed with OXCBZ compared with CBZ on aminothiol levels could constitute an advantage for OXCBZ treatment in patients with other factors influencing Hcy levels and/or at high risk for cardiovascular diseases.

Functional study of the 830C>G polymorphism of the human carboxylesterase 2 gene.

PURPOSE: Carboxylesterase 2 (CES2) is involved in the activation of the anticancer drug irinotecan to its active metabolite SN-38. We previously identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), with an allele frequency around 10%, as possibly involved in enzyme expression (Clin Pharmacol Ther 76:528-535, 2004), which could explain the large individual variation in SN-38 disposition. METHODS: The 830C>G SNP, located in the 5' untranslated region of the gene, was analysed in various DNA samples extracted from: (1) the National Cancer Institute NCI-60 panel of human tumour cell lines; (2) a collection of 104 samples of normal tissue from colorectal cancer patients; (3) blood samples from a population of 95 normal subjects; (4) a collection of 285 human livers. CES2 genotypes were tentatively related to irinotecan cytotoxicity and CES2 expression in the NCI-60 panel; to response to treatment and event-free survival in colorectal cancer patients; and to CES2 expression and catalytic activity in subsets of the human liver collection. RESULTS: No significant relationship was found in the NCI-60 panel between CES2 830C>G genotype and irinotecan cytotoxicity or CES2 expression. No significant relationship was found between CES2 830C>G genotype and the toxicity and therapeutic efficacy (tumour response, event-free survival) of irinotecan in colorectal cancer patients. There was no significant relationship between CES2 830C>G genotype and CES2 expression and catalytic activity determined in a subset of genotype-selected liver samples. CONCLUSION: The 830C>G SNP of CES2 is unlikely to have significant functional consequences on CES2 expression, activity or function.

Pharmacogenetics of human carboxylesterase 2, an enzyme involved in the activation of irinotecan into SN-38.

PURPOSE: Irinotecan, a drug widely used in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancers, is a prodrug requiring activation to 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) by carboxylesterase 2 (hCE2). The existence of functional polymorphisms in the gene encoding this enzyme could explain the individual variability in drug efficacy and toxicity. We have explored this possibility in looking for single nucleotide polymorphisms and their functional consequence. METHODS: In a series of 115 human deoxyribonucleic acid samples, we have explored the 12 exons of the hCE2 gene, the intron-exon junctions, and the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions, by denaturing HPLC and sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products. The functionality of the variations identified was studied in 60 human liver samples by measuring hCE2 gene expression by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction of messenger ribonucleic acid extracts and carboxylesterase activity by use of irinotecan as a substrate. RESULTS: We have identified a total of 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms, none of them able to alter the amino acid sequence of the protein. They are distributed in 10 distinct genotypes in addition to the wild type. The most frequent variation (localized in IVS10) has an allele frequency of 0.17 and has been identified at the homozygous state in 1 sample. hCE2 gene expression and carboxylesterase activity in the variants identified were not significantly different from those measured in wild-type samples. CONCLUSION: The hCE2 gene presents several polymorphisms, none of which seems to be involved in significant variations in protein activity and, therefore, in irinotecan activation.

Cellular parameters predictive of the clinical response of colorectal cancers to irinotecan. A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: We have examined, in this study, the feasibility of determining cellular factors contributing to irinotecan activity in colorectal cancers. Irinotecan is a camptothecin derivative requiting carboxylesterase activation to SN-38, which interacts with its target enzyme, topoisomerase I. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 9 surgical or biopsy samples of colorectal tumours and corresponding normal tissue, kept in a tumour bank, we evaluated topoisomerase I expression and activity, respectively by Western blotting and DNA relaxation assay, carboxylesterase activity using two different substrates and p53 status by immunohistochenistry. RESULTS: Topoisomerase I expression and activity were significantly correlated, as were the two types of determinations for carboxylesterase activity. Topoisomerase I was significantly more active in tumours than in corresponding normal tissue. The three samples presenting the highest topoisomerase I expression and activity originated from the patients who responded to irinotecan treatment. No such features were apparent for carboxylesterase activity and p53 staining. CONCLUSION: Topoisomerase I expression appeared as the parameter most likely to predict response to irinotecan therapy in the clinical setting.

Determination of drug interactions occurring with the metabolic pathways of irinotecan.

Irinotecan or CPT-11 [7-ethyl-10-[4-(1-piperidino)-1-piperidino]carbonyloxycamptothecine] is a derivative of camptothecine used in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. It requires activation to SN-38 (7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecine) by carboxylesterase. Irinotecan and SN-38 are detoxified through two major metabolic pathways: the first one leads to oxidative degradation compounds, APC [7-ethyl-10-[4-N-(5-aminopentanoic acid)-1-piperidino]carbonyloxycamptothecine] and NPC [7-ethyl-10-(4-amino-1-piperidino)carbonyloxycamptothecine], and involves cytochrome P450 (3A4 isoform); the second one leads to SN-38 glucuronide (SN-38G) and involves UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT). Using human hepatic microsomes, we studied the interactions of 15 drugs of common use in colorectal cancer patients on these metabolic pathways. Only nifedipine had a significant effect on SN-38 formation, decreasing carboxylesterase activity by 50% at 100 microM and 35% at 10 microM. Three drugs had a significant effect on SN-38G formation: clonazepam increased UGT activity by 50% at 100 microM and 30% at 10 microM, and nifedipine and vinorelbine inhibited the activity by 65 and 55% at 100 microM, respectively, with no effect at 10 microM. Five drugs exerted a significant inhibition on SN-38 formation at 100 microM: clonazepam (70%), methylprednisolone (50%), nifedipine (80%), omeprazole (85%), and vinorelbine (100%). Only omeprazole and vinorelbine still exerted a significant inhibition at 10 microM (30 and 90%, respectively), whereas only vinorelbine had a significant effect at 2 and 0.5 microM (70 and 40%, respectively). In conclusion, potential clinical interactions with the metabolism of irinotecan are likely to be important for vinorelbine, which strongly inhibits irinotecan catabolism by CYP3A4 at clinically relevant concentrations, but not for the other drugs, which exert an effect at concentrations not achievable in patients.

Determinants of the cytotoxicity of irinotecan in two human colorectal tumor cell lines.

PURPOSE: Irinotecan is a drug of the camptothecin family that has proven activity in advanced colon cancer, with about 20% responses in untreated as well as in 5-fluorouracil-resistant tumors. Irinotecan is considered as a prodrug which needs to be activated to SN-38 by carboxylesterases to become able to interact with its target, topoisomerase I. The work reported here intended to identify the determinants of the cytotoxicity of irinotecan in two human colorectal tumor cell lines, LoVo and HT-29, at the level of the target of the drug and at the level of the availability of the active metabolite to the target. RESULTS: The cytotoxicity of irinotecan and SN-38 markedly differed in the two cell lines: irinotecan IC(50) values were 15.8 microM for LoVo cells and 5.17 microM for HT-29 cells; SN-38 IC(50) values were 8.25 n M for LoVo cells and 4.50 n M for HT-29 cells. Topoisomerase I expression (at the mRNA and the protein levels) and catalytic activity were similar in the two cell lines. Irinotecan induced similar amounts of cleavable complexes at its IC(50) in both cell lines. SN-38 induced a concentration-dependent formation of cleavable complexes, which was not significantly different in the two cell lines. Expression of the carboxylesterase CES1 was higher in HT-29 than in LoVo cells. Expression of the carboxylesterase gene CES2 was comparable in the two cell lines and much higher than CES1 gene expression. Carboxylesterase activity was extremely low using p-nitrophenylacetate as a substrate (1.45 and 1.84 pmol/min per mg proteins) and could not even be detected using irinotecan as a substrate. Cell accumulation of irinotecan was markedly different, reaching consistently higher levels in HT-29 cells than in LoVo cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that (1) the cytotoxicity of irinotecan was likely due to the drug itself and not to its metabolite SN-38, and (2) that irinotecan uptake was more predictive of its cytotoxicity than topoisomerase I availability and activity in these two cell lines.