Zhuzhu Wang School of Pharmacy University of Pittsburgh Wipf Laboratory 8/3/12 Zhuzhu Wang @ Wipf Group Page 1 of 19 8/6/2012 Head & Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) v HNSCC 6th most common malignancy in the world. u 600,000 cases per year and 50% mortality rate. v HNSCC Risk Factors: Smoking, EtOH, age and HPV 16 (OP). v Areodigestive Tract :non-keratinizing squamous epithelium u oral cavity; oropharynx, supraglottis, hypopharynx, glottis v Signs & Symptoms: otalgia, dysphagia, dysphonia, sore throat u Late signs & symptoms: dyspnea, nonpainful neck mass v Multidisciplinary Treatment: TNM staging。 u Early stage (T1/2N0M0): single modality; surgery or external radiation u Late stage(T3/4N+M0) : multi-modality; surgery + radiation ± chemotherapy Zhuzhu Wang @ Wipf Group Page 2 of 19 8/6/2012 Total Laryngectomy for Advanced Stage Glottic HNSCC Intra-operative picture of removal of voice box Stoma after total larygectomy = breathing hole Intra-operative pictures were taken by Dr. Naib Tabr Zhuzhu Wang @ Wipf Group Page 3 of 19 8/6/2012 HNSCC Chemotherapy Agents v Alkylating Agents: u u Cisplatin Carboplatin v Antimetabolites: u u Methotrexate (MTX) 5- Flurouracil v Microtubule Stabilizer: u Paclitaxel Side effects: Non selectivity, hair loss, bone pain, immunosuppression. v Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) inhibitor: u Cetuximab (monoclonal antibody) – Selective, but only 30% patients respond it. Zhuzhu Wang @ Wipf Group Page 4 of 19 8/6/2012 We Need New Chemotherapy Agents! v Chemotherapy (cisplatin) saved this patient’s life! v Our dreaming new chemotherapy agents: u Great selectivity of HNSCC cells over normal cells. u Greater efficacy. u Great tolerability. Ultimately, our goal is to increase the overall survival! Pictures were taken by Dr. Naib Tabr Zhuzhu Wang @ Wipf Group Page 5 of 19 8/6/2012 (Table 1) as well as transcriptional profiles that are consistent with STAT3-regulated gene expression (2, 4, 6, 7). For many cancers, elevated levels of activated STAT3 have been associated with a poor prognosis (Table 1) (2, 4, 5, 11). STAT3-activated genes block apoptosis, favor cell proliferation and survival, promote angiogenesis and metastasis, and inhibit antitumor immune responses (2, 4–6, 12). Tumor cell lines bearing constitutively activated STAT3 require continued STAT3 activation, a phenotype that has been termed “oncogene addiction” (4). In contrast, approaches that disrupt STAT3 signaling lead to growth inhibition and apoptosis in tumor cell lines and can impair tumor growth in mouse xenograft cancer models (Table 1) (2, 5, 6, 9, 13–19). Although knockout of STAT3 leads to embryonic lethality in mice, the cumulative data 21). Here, we review approaches that have been pursued to target STAT3, and we highlight some of the challenges associated with developing an anticancer drug that might therapeutically inhibit the STAT3 signaling pathway. Domain Structure, Signaling, STAT3 SignalingSTAT3 Pathway as a and Regulation Therapeutic Target in Cancer STAT3 is structurally typical of the STAT family: an N-terminal coiled-coiled domain involved in protein–protein interactions; a DNA binding domain; a Src homology-2 (SH-2) domain; and a C-terminal transactivation domain (5, 22). In the canonical STAT3 Table 1. STAT3 in the Context of Various Cancers: Validation as an Anticancer Target Cancers Characterized by Elevated STAT3 Expression or Activity Poor Prognosis Linked to High STAT3 Levels Upstream/Downstream Abnormalities of STAT3 Signaling Xenograft Models Responsive to Inhibition of STAT3 lØlA /lAÍYlÍYAÃYA lÞAÏlcÍ/Ílà®ÃlÆÆ á®AÆ ÃlYÏAÍYAYlà ÆÏÏØÏÞláÍAYÏÞAÏlcÍ//2 lAcÍAcÍlYÍƸØAØÆÍYlÍÍ YAÃYA "ØÏ®lÍálA %ÞAÃAÍYAÃYA %ÞlÃlà®ÃlÆÆÍyÍ0Æ ÃlAÆÏÍYAYlà AÆÏÃYÍYAÃYA á®lÃAYÏÞAÏlcÍÆ -ÃÆÏAÏlÍYAÃYA ÏlÆÏAÏá®lÍAÆÏÃYÍÍ AclYAÃYA lÞAÏlcÍ2AÌ Ë ØÍYAYlÃÍ°ÆAYl± /lAÍYlÍYAÃYAÍØÍYAYlà l®AÏYlØAÃÍYAÃYA AYAÃYA %ÞAÃAÍYAÃYA lÃÞYAÍƸØAØÆYlÍÍ YAÃYA OAÆÏA "ál®ÃylÃAÏÞlÍl®AÆÆ /lAÍYlÍYAÃYA ÃlAÆÏÍYAYlà ØÍAclYAÃYA YØÏlÍá®OAÆÏYÍlØlA %ÆÏlÆAÃYA ®ÏlAÍÞAÃAÍYAÃYA -AYÃlAÏYÍAclYAÃYA "lAA lAcÍAcÍlYÍƸØAØÆÍYlÍÍ YAÃYA Mol Interv.*IFVYEV] Johnston PA, Grandis JR, 2011 Feb; 11 (1): 18-26 :SPYQI-WWYI Zhuzhu Wang @ Wipf Group Page 6 of 19 8/6/2012 What is STAT3? v Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3). v STAT3 is a proto-oncogene. v Constitutively activated STAT3 (STAT3C) mediates cellular transformation. v STAT3 up-regulates. u Apoptosis inhibitor genes (Bcl-xl, Mcl-1, & Survivin). u Cell-cycle regulators (cyclin D1, pim-1 and c-Myc). v Activated STAT3 present in many cancers. u Directs tumor cells toward proliferation and survival. u Induces angiogenesis. u Alters the tumor microenvironment. u Promotes tumor metastases through its effect on cell migration and invasion. u In antigen presenting cells leads to dendritic cell anergy which triggers T cell tolerance and suppresses the anti-tumor immune response. Zhuzhu Wang @ Wipf Group Page 7 of 19 8/6/2012 Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 is activated in a wide variety of signaling systems and mediates a complex network of responses. They play an important role in numerous fundamental processes, including inflammation, cellular proliferation, survival, apoptosis, angiogenesis, transformation, invasion and metastasis of cancer. STAT3 was originally identified as the acute-phase response factor activated by IL-6 [14] and therefore this finding suggests its direct link to inflammation [15,16] . Besides its involvement in the IL-6–gp130– JAK pathway, STAT3 plays a role in promoting many other inflammatory pathways, including the pro-inflammatory transcription factor the innate and adaptive immune response, leading to antigen-specific T-cell activation [20] . It has also been found that blocking STAT3 signaling in macrophages induces the expression of IL-12, leading to loss of immune tolerance and restoration of T-cell responsiveness [21] . STAT3 plays a crucial role in cell growth and survival and contributes to malignancy by preventing apoptosis [22,23] . It regulates the expression of Bcl-xL and Mcl-1, which are members of anti-apoptotic genes of the Bcl-2 family [24,25] . Furthermore, STAT3 enhances the expression of other anti-apoptotic proteins such as survivin, a member of the family of inhibitors of apoptosis [26,27] . Both STAT3 and STAT5 signaling is implicated in the regulation of c-Myc expression u [28–30] , required in normal cells for SH2 domain transformation by the Src oncoprotein and for PDGF-stimulated mitogenesis [27] . Constitutive CC activation of STAT3 causes the upregulation of u [31–34] and it differently regulates gene Linker domain cyclin D1 expression related to proliferation and survival of various kinds of tumor cells (e.g., it reguDNA binding domain lates expression of tumor protein 53 [p53], a well-known tumor suppressor) [35,36]. Function N N of p53 can be restored in cancer cells by inhib§ Coiled-coil iting STAT3 signaling, thereby inducing p53domain mediated cancer cell apoptosis. STAT3 directly activates microRNAs, miR-21 and miR-181b-1, which inhibit phosphatase and tensin homolog and cylindromatosis tumor suppressor genes, § downregulation leads to respectively. This increased NF-NB activity required to maintain the transformed state in diverse cell lines and tumor growth in xenografts [37] . It is well known that many tumors stop growCrystal structure of N- and C-terminally truncated STAT1 ing unless they are supplied with oxygen and Figure 1. Crystal structure of N- and C-terminally truncated STAT1 molecule bound to DNA molecule bound to DNA. The structure of truncated STAT3 is virtually nutrients from newly formed blood vessels. A superimposable to that of STAT1 [2] . § oncogene products in stimurole of activated Future Med. Chem. (2011) 3(5), 567-597 SH2: Src homology 2; STAT: Signal transducer and activator of transcription. lating angiogenesis has been established [38,39] . Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription v Common STAT domain structure v Seven members: STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5a, STAT5b & STAT6 Cytoplasmic transcription factors regulating cytokine gene expression Interferons, IFNα/β and IFNγ (prototypic activators of STAT1 & STAT2) Hematopoietic cytokines, Growth hormone, Receptor tyrosine kinases (EGF, PDGF, TGFα, & Insulin) Src & Tec family kinases u 568 v Conserved tyrosine residueY701, Y705 or Y695 Zhuzhu Wang @ Wipf Group Future Med. Chem. (2011) 3(5) STATs 1, 3 & 5 are each activated by a large number of cytokines STATs 2, 4 & 6 are activated by relatively few future science group u Page 8 of 19 8/6/2012 Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Perspective STAT3 signaling pathway Nouri Neamati J. Med.respective Chem. ASAP Figure 2. Stat3 signaling pathway. Upon cytokines binding to et andal. activating receptors, Stat3 is recruited to the cytoplasmic domain of the receptors, where it is phosphorylated and activated. Phosphorylated Stat3 detaches from the cell surface and forms homo- or heterodimers, which to the nucleus and regulate gene expression. Stat3 activation regulated by SOCS, PIAS, and SHP-1/2. Zhuzhu Wang translocate @ Wipf Group Page 9 isofnegatively 19 25 8/6/2012 Strategies Review and Challenges to Therapeutic Intervention in STAT3 Signaling Table 2. Strategies and Challenges to Therapeutic Intervention into STAT3 Signaling Strategy Targets Examples Challenges Inhibit phosphorylation/ activation of STAT3 /ÍAÆ 2/ÍAYÏÞÏá ÍAYÏÞÏá 0ÍAYÏÞÏá lÏØàAO`Í®AÏØØAO lyÏO`ÍlÃÏO`ÍA®AÏO ~ç`Í 0¦ç~`Í#¦qÖ~`Í-Êç¦ AÆAÏO`Í?ç{Ñç`ÍOÆØÏO "clÆÏÍlyyYAYáÉÍclÞl®lÏÍyÍÃlÆÆ ÏAYlÉÍálÆØ®®ÃlÆÆ`ÍÍÏàYÏá`ÍÍ AcÍAcÞlÃÆlÍlÞlÏÆÉÍAÆlÍÆllYÏÞÏáÍ AcÍYAÃcÞAÆYØAÃÍÏàYÏá Inhibit intermolecular interactions that involve STAT3 022ÑÍ0ÖÍcAÆ %®l®ÏclÆÍclÆlcÍyÃÍ/`Í ®¦Ñç`ÍAcÍÏlÃÍÃlYl®ÏÃÍÃÍ®< YÏAÍ®l®ÏclÆÉÍ®l®ÏclÍA®ÏAlÃÆÉÍ ¸ØAÃÏlÏÍØYlÏclÆÉÍÆAl YØlÍ®l®ÏclÏYÆ -ÃÍYlÍ®lÃlAOÏáÍAcÍlyyYAYáÉÍÍ ®ÃÍlÏAOYÍÆÏAOÏáÉÍ®ÃÍÆllYÏÞÏáÍ yÃÍÆ®lYyYÍ0ÖÍcAÆÉÍ®ÏlÏAÍyÃÍ AcÞlÃÆlÍlÞlÏÆ Inhibit nuclear import/ export of STAT3 ®ÃÏÆÍAÑ`ÍAÍ{`ÍAÍÊÍ AÃáÆÏAÏͦͰlyylYÏÍÍ022ÑÍØcl ®ÃÏÍB ÏlÃlc± à®ÃÏͦ l®ÏáYÍÍAcÍ/AÏAclÍÍ Í"ØÏY®lÏÍAÏØÃlÍyÍØYlAÃÍÍ ®ÃlÍAcÍÏÃAÆYAÏÍÏÍyØáÍclÏlà lcÉÍÍÆ®lYyYÏáÍyÃÍÏÃAÆYAÏlcÍÍ ®ÃÏlÆÍ®ÃOlAÏY Inhibit STAT3-mediated transcription #ÍOcÍÆÏlÍÍ yÍ022Ñ cÆ%#ÍclYáÆÉÍ®l®ÏclÍA®ÏAlÃÆ -ÃÍYlÍ®lÃlAOÏáÍßÏØÏÍlyylYÏÞlÍ AcÍÆ®lYyYÍclÞlÃáÍÆáÆÏlÆÉÍ®ÃÍÍ lÏAOYÍÆÏAOÏá Natural products 4Æ®lYylc ØØÆÏlÃl`Í`ÍYØÃYØ`Í ÃlÆÞlÃAÏÃ`ÍyAÞ®Ãc`ÍYØYØÃOÏAY 0®lYyYÏá`Í®ÏlYá`ÍAcÍlyyYAYá`ÍÍ lYAÆÍyÍAYÏÍØß mutations of the EGFR that preclude binding to monoclonal anti- and STAT3 occurs downstream of growth factor RTKs as well as v bodies Poor activity and mutations lack selectivity lot STAT3 GPCRs (9, 10, 30,killed 35). Severalasmall-molecule inhibitorsinhibitors of Src or tocellular small-molecule RTK inhibitors; alternative and other SFKs are currently in clinical development for a variety may result in activation of the Ras pathway, epithelial-mesenchymal identified bysignaling target based approaches such as inhibits high-throughput of solid tumors (Table 1) (9). Dasatinib SFK and BCR/ transition, or downstream pathways (36). ABL and has been approved for use, after imatinib treatment, in Upon activation of the IL-6 receptor, the receptor A-subunit screening or virtual screening. patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia and for Philadelphia recruits two gp130 signal–transducing subunits to the receptor chromosome–positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (9). However, complex; consequently, gp130-associated JAKs (i.e., JAK1, JAK2, there are reports that sustained Src inhibition Dasatinib and Tyk2) become activated and thereby implement, within the Johnston PA, Grandis JR, Mol by Interv. 2011 Feb; 11 (1): 18-26 only transiently inhibits STAT3 activation (35). Reactivation of cytoplasmic tail of gp130, pY docking sites for STAT3 (1, 22). STAT3 after prolonged Dasatinib treatment appears to be mediSeveral small-molecule JAK inhibitors (e.g., AG490, LS-104, Zhuzhu Wang @ Wipf Group Page 10 of 19 8/6/2012 ated through altered JAK-STAT binding and JAK kinase activity, ICNB18424, and CEP701) have been tested in tumor xenograft STAT3 and STAT1 have divergent roles in tumogenesis 356 G. Regis et al. / Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology 19 (2008) 351–359 Fig. 1. The importance of the balanced expression/activation of STAT1 and STAT3 in tumor settings. When STAT3 activation and/or expression overwhelm, tumor development and maintenance are favoured: the presence of soluble factors such as IL-10 induces tolerance in the immune cells; tumor cell proliferation and survival are favoured not only directly, but also indirectly, by the enhancement of angiogenesis and also metastatization to different anatomical sites is favoured. On the contrary, the prevalence of STAT1 activation is fundamental to directly block cell cycle progression and induce apoptosis of cancer cells. Moreover, STAT1 favours the generation of an adequate immune response against the tumor. v The STAT3 oncogene promotes: v The STAT1 tumor suppressor Cell Proliferation favors: Cell survival Cell cycle arrest et al., manuscript in preparation). The feasibility of this strategy 7. Conclusions Angiogenesis Apoptosis in other conditions characterized by insufficient STAT1 activation should also be explored. Many studies are underway to develop inhibitors of STAT3, Migration Anti-tumor immunity mainly aiming at exerting anti-tumor effects [167]. These studies are still at an early stage as the safety and efficacy of these Acknowledgements Metastasis compounds have not been clinically evaluated yet. However, as described in the above sections, alterations of the balanced expresWe wish to thank Drs. F. Bazzoni for discussions inspiring this Evasion of immunity G. Regis et al. / Seminars in Cell & Dev. Biology 19 (2008) 351–359 sion and/or activation of STAT1 and STAT3 may lead to unexpected work and I. Barbieri for sharing his unpublished results. Work in results, since the targeted cells act in a micro-environmental conthe author’s laboratories was supported by the Italian Ministry of Research (MIUR PRIN) and by the Italian Association for Cancer Zhuzhu Wang @text Wipfwhere Groupdifferent stimuli can influence their behaviour. Thus, Page 11 of 19 care should be taken in the design of therapeutic interventions Research (AIRC). G. Regis was the recipient of a “Young Researchers 8/6/2012 STAT3 inhibitors in Clinical Trials Nouri Neamati et al. J. Med. Chem. ASAP Zhuzhu Wang @ Wipf Group Page 12 of 19 8/6/2012 1st Hypothesis An inhibitor that selective targets STAT3, without affecting STAT1 signaling pathway, will act as ideal cancer therapeutic & pSTAT3 HCS and pSTAT1 selectivity assays in HNSCC cells will identify the selective STAT3 pathway inhibitors with improved therapeutic potential Zhuzhu Wang @ Wipf Group Page 13 of 19 8/6/2012 High Content Screening (HCS) Assay Zhuzhu Wang @ Wipf Group Page 14 of 19 8/6/2012 STAT3 HCS Plate Map !"#"$%&'!%()*+,%-*.% $/%5676585%9:7+;:)<% 3=/>%?-!@% $/%5*A6585%9:7+;:)<% BCDE%67%3=/>%?-!@% >%B7F6G6+6:7%&,*+%-*.% /0120/31/% (*8)%#=%H:F7<+:7%%/31/% /4% Slide by Dr. Paul A. Johnston Zhuzhu Wang @ Wipf Group Page 15 of 19 8/6/2012 UPDDI 2 × ImageXpress Ultra’s (IXUs) !"##$%&%'%$()*+,-.+//%!01.)2/%3$,!/4% • Automated 5617()1+8%-79:1%/;)::9:*%;7:<7;)0% v point scanning confocal 9()*+.% imager u – 58=6/1)>0+%-9:?70+% Adjustable pinhole • 4@%0)/+.%09:+/% v laser lines – @ABC%@DDC%BEF%G%EHB%:(% u 405, 488, 561 & 635 nm • @%7>=+;19I+%16..+1% v 4 objective turret – J+0+;1)>0+%9:%/7<1K).+% Selectable in software – @'C%FA'C%&A'C%@A'C%EA'%%G%FAA'% u u 4×, 10×, 20×, 40×, 60× & 100× • @%"LM%8+1+;17./% v 4 –PMT detectors J+N6+:19)0O-).)00+0%);N69/9197:% Sequential / parallel acquisition • u PQJ%P)1)0R/1%+'-.+//%-0)1+%07)8+.% v CRS Catalyst express plate loader • v • v • v • L+1),-.+//%G%5;691R,-.+//% MetaXpress & AcuityXpress L#PJ17.+%8)1)>)/+% MDCStore database "7K+.P7.+% PowerCore FA%$()*+%5:)0R/9/%L7860+/%% v 10 Image Analysis Modules FH% Slide by Dr. Paul A. Johnston Zhuzhu Wang @ Wipf Group Page 16 of 19 8/6/2012 !"#$%&'()*+ pSTAT3-Y705 HCS Image Acquisition v 20× 0.45 NA ELWD objective v IR Laser autofocus v Laser excitation u 405, 488, 561 & 635 nm v Quad filter cube 405/488/561/635 u 5('6+%789:-#-$-".% 417-477 nm, 496-580 nm, 553-613 nm, & 645-725 nm v 2 fluorescent channels acquired sequentially u Hoechst channel laser autofocus Z-offset -6.98 µM, 405 laser 10% power, PMT gain 550 u pSTAT3-Y705 FITC channel Z-offset from W1 12.96 µM, 488 laser 10% power, PMT gain 625 v 2 images per channel per well v Time to scan 384-well plate ~ 90 min Slide by Dr. Paul A. Johnston Zhuzhu Wang @ Wipf Group Page 17 of 19 8/6/2012 ImageXpress Ultra 20× 0.45NA Objective !"#$%&'(%))*+,-(#*./&*/01234*567%8-9:%* @A%8B)-*CBD* 'EF4FG>HI/2*CB.* CA"'A)9-%* ;%<9#* !=>?* Slide by Dr. Paul A. Johnston .JDIJ./D.* Zhuzhu Wang @ Wipf Group K#L,*40*MABN)-AN**./D.* Page 18 of 19 D?* 8/6/2012 Acknowledgement v Dr. Peter Wipf. v Committee members: Dr. Donna Huryn, Dr. Barry Gold, Dr. Jelena Janjic. v Dr. Paul A Johnston (HCS bioassay), Dr. Jennifer Grandis (Kinase profile), Dr. James Jaber, Dr. Lynn Resnick, Dr. Matthew G LaPorte, Dr. Erin Skoda, Mr. Pete Chambers (ELS, LC-MS). v Wipf group members past & present. v Funding: NCI/SAIC−Frederick 29XS127. Zhuzhu Wang @ Wipf Group Page 19 of 19 8/6/2012