Nicolás Anselmino

Abstract B18: Metabolic signature characterization in prostate cancer mediated by Heme-oxygenase 1

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer-associated death in men, with bone metastases being the main cause of mortality. Energetic metabolism alterations have become a new hallmark of cancer, since variations in a single gene can orchestrate changes in metabolic pathways and confer an adaptive advantage. Heme-oxygenase 1 (HO-1) exerts an antitumoral role in PCa inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, tumor growth and angiogenesis. The aim of this work was to assess the role of HO-1 in the metabolic signature of PCa. Through RNA-Seq we found a set of metabolic genes deregulated under pharmacologic induction (hemin treatment) or genetic induction of HO-1 in PC3 cells. STAR and ATP5L2 were found upregulated, while HMGCS2, PRODH and ACOT12 were downregulated. These genes encode for steroid hormone metabolism, ATP synthesis, ketogenesis, proline and lipid metabolism. The analysis of the deregulated genes (2-fold) under HO-1 modulation by Gene Ontology revealed alterations in several metabolic pathways such as steroid, tyrosine and lipid metabolism, and ion transport. Bone is the only site of PCa progression, and bone cells are able to produce factors that increase the growth and survival of tumor cells favoring progression. However, the molecular nature of this interaction remains to be elucidated. Our preliminary results performed on cocultures of PC3 cells (treated or not with hemin) with Raw264.7 (pre-osteoclastic) or MC3T3 (preosteoblastic) cells demonstrate that HO-1 is able to direct the metabolic fate of bone precursor cells due to the deregulation of glycolytic genes. HO-1 induction in PC3 cells downregulated the expression of PKM2 and LDHA in cocultured Raw264.7 and MC3T3 cells (p Based on our results, we propose HO-1 as a key regulator of the metabolic status of PCa cells and a powerful mediator capable of redefining the metabolic signature of bone precursor cells, thus favoring the establishment of a less aggressive phenotype. Citation Format: Valeria G. Antico Arciuch, Nicolas Anselmino, Alejandra Paez, Florencia Cascardo, Javier Cotignola, Geraldine Gueron, Elba Vazquez. Metabolic signature characterization in prostate cancer mediated by Heme-oxygenase 1 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR International Conference held in cooperation with the Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group (LACOG) on Translational Cancer Medicine; May 4-6, 2017; Sao Paulo, Brazil. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2018;24(1_Suppl):Abstract nr B18.

Game-changing restraint of Ros-damaged phenylalanine, upon tumor metastasis article

An abrupt increase in metastatic growth as a consequence of the removal of primary tumors suggests that the concomitant resistance (CR) phenomenon might occur in human cancer. CR occurs in murine tumors and ROS-damaged phenylalanine, meta-tyrosine (m-Tyr), was proposed as the serum anti-tumor factor primarily responsible for CR. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time that CR happens in different experimental human solid tumors (prostate, lung anaplastic, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma). Moreover, m-Tyr was detected in the serum of mice bearing prostate cancer (PCa) xenografts. Primary tumor growth was inhibited in animals injected with m-Tyr. Further, the CR phenomenon was reversed when secondary implants were injected into mice with phenylalanine (Phe), a protective amino acid highly present in primary tumors. PCa cells exposed to m-Tyr in vitro showed reduced cell viability, downregulated NFκB/STAT3/Notch axis, and induced autophagy; effects reversed by Phe. Strikingly, m-Tyr administration also impaired both, spontaneous metastasis derived from murine mammary carcinomas (4T1, C7HI, and LMM3) and PCa experimental metastases. Altogether, our findings propose m-Tyr delivery as a novel approach to boost the therapeutic efficacy of the current treatment for metastasis preventing the escape from tumor dormancy.

Abstract A019: Heme-oxygenase 1 drives the metabolic fate in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer-associated death in men. Energetic metabolism alterations have become a new hallmark of cancer, since variations in a single gene can orchestrate changes in metabolic pathways and confer an adaptive advantage. Heme-oxygenase 1 (HO-1) exerts an antitumoral role in PCa inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, tumor growth, and angiogenesis. The aim of this work was to assess the role of HO-1 in the metabolic signature of PCa. Through RNA-Seq we found a set of metabolic genes deregulated under pharmacologic induction (hemin treatment) or genetic induction of HO-1 in PC3 cells. STAR and ATP5L2 were upregulated, while HMGCS2, PRODH, and ACOT12 were downregulated. These genes encode for steroid hormone metabolism, ATP synthesis, ketogenesis, proline and lipid metabolism. The analysis of the deregulated genes (2-fold) by Gene Ontology revealed alterations in several metabolic pathways such as steroid, proline and lipid metabolism, and ATP synthesis. Functional analysis highlighted a decrease in oxygen consumption rate and ATP production under hemin treatment. Furthermore, HO-1 induction led to a decrease in the extracellular lactate levels. Bone is the only site of PCa progression, and bone cells are able to produce factors that favor progression. However, the molecular nature of this interaction remains elusive. Our results performed on cocultures of PC3 cells (treated or not with hemin) with Raw264.7 (preosteoclastic) or MC3T3 (preosteoblastic) cells demonstrate that HO-1 directs the metabolic fate of bone precursor cells due to the deregulation of glycolytic genes. HO-1 induction in PC3 cells downregulated PKM2 and LDHA expression in cocultured Raw264.7 and MC3T3 cells (p Based on our results, we propose HO-1 as a key regulator of the metabolic status of PCa cells and a powerful mediator capable of redefining the metabolic signature of bone precursor cells, thus favoring the establishment of a less aggressive phenotype. Citation Format: Valeria G. Antico Arciuch, Florencia Cascardo, Florencia Velazquez, Sofia Lage Vickers, Nicolas Anselmino, Estefania Labanca, Javier Cotignola, Geraldine Gueron, Nora Navone, Elba Vazquez. Heme-oxygenase 1 drives the metabolic fate in prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Prostate Cancer: Advances in Basic, Translational, and Clinical Research; 2017 Dec 2-5; Orlando, Florida. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(16 Suppl):Abstract nr A019.

Abstract B080: Heme-oxygenase 1 negatively regulates interferon inducible antiviral (mx1) in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a complex and progressive disease. Under the selective pressure of medical and drug treatment, PCa cells are able to acquire molecular changes that allow them to survive in androgen-deprived conditions and finally cause their host’s death. Inflammation fosters multiple hallmarks of cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms that prime the pathogenesis of cancer-related inflammation are yet to be deciphered. In this context, heme-oxygenase 1 (HO-1), the rate-limiting enzyme in heme degradation, emerges as a potential target in PCa, maintaining homeostasis and counteracting oxidative and inflammatory damage. We have previously documented HO-1 nuclear expression in human primary prostate carcinomas. In PCa cell lines we confirmed that HO-1 overexpression inhibits cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. It also impairs tumor growth in vivo and downregulates the expression of target genes associated with inflammation. Considering the crosstalk between inflammation and cancer progression, our next step sought to identify signaling pathways by which HO-1 could be operating. Towards this end we performed and analyzed RNAseq data on PCa cells overexpressing HO-1 pharmacologically or genetically. Of note, HO-1 significantly upregulated the human myxovirus resistant protein A (Mx1). The clear association between Mx1 expression and cancer remains unknown. In vitro studies revealed that forced expression of HO-1 in PCa cells significantly upregulated MX1 mRNA and protein levels and shifted its localization towards the perinuclear area. To address the relevance of MX1 in PCa we searched the public cancer microarray database, Oncomine. MX1 was ranked by its P-value for every analysis scoring a gene rank. We then obtained a median rank (median P-value rank across datasets) for MX1. The expression profile for MX1 showed a significant downregulation (fold change 1.5, P We extended the bioinformatics analysis, using cBioportal, assessing whole-exome and RNAseq data. The most frequent genetic alteration found for MX1 was deletion. RNASeq data also confirmed a significant downregulation for MX1 (P Overall, HO-1 potentially operates through Mx1, whose expression inversely correlates with PCa, depicting its critical role in prostate carcinogenesis. Citation Format: Emiliano Ortiz, Alejandra Paez, Nicolas Anselmino, Javier Cotignola, Pia Valacco, Elba Vazquez, Geraldine Gueron. Heme-oxygenase 1 negatively regulates interferon inducible antiviral (mx1) in prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Prostate Cancer: Advances in Basic, Translational, and Clinical Research; 2017 Dec 2-5; Orlando, Florida. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(16 Suppl):Abstract nr B080.

Abstract 4717: Clinical implications for m-tyrosine, an isomer of p-tyrosine, for the treatment of aggressive prostate tumors

Clinical and experimental evidence suggest that primary tumors may exert a controlling action on its metastases. The phenomenon, by which a tumor-bearing host is resistant to the growth of secondary tumor implants and metastasis, is known as concomitant tumor resistance (CR). We have previously showed in murine T-lymphoma (LB) tumors, that meta-tyrosine (m-Tyr) an isomer of tyrosine not present in normal proteins, is the main serum anti-tumoral factor responsible for CR. In this work, we assess for the first time the CR phenomenon in human prostate cancer (PCa). Athymic nude mice were inoculated with PC3 cells (primary implant) and after 14 days the animals received a second inoculation (secondary implant). Strikingly, the growth of the secondary implant was significantly reduced after 27 days, in animals carrying the primary xenograft. When phenylalanine (Phe), a protective amino acid highly present in primary tumors, and precursor of p-tyrosine, was periodically inoculated at the site of a secondary tumor implant (otherwise inhibited by CR), this secondary implant grew similarly to controls. On the contrary, when m-Tyr was inoculated at the site of a primary tumor implant or systemically, this implant did not grow. Tumor inhibition was associated with low expression of Ki-67 and STAT3. In vitro analyses demonstrate the higher inhibitory activity of the serum from tumor-bearing mice on PC3 cell proliferation, compared to serum from control animals. m-Tyr could account for most of the growth-inhibitory activity present in the serum. Furthermore, we observed an increase in the frequency of Gr1+ CD11b+ MDSCs in bone marrow, spleen and lymph nodes from tumor-bearing mice compared to control mice. This expansion correlated with a significantly higher production of reactive oxygen species and enhanced suppressor function upon CD8+ T cell proliferation. Further, in vitro studies also showed that exposure of PC3 cells to m-Tyr inhibited cell growth, induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, altered the expression levels of survivin, Ki67 and Hes1; impaired the NFκB/STAT3 pathway and induced autophagy; effects reversed by Phe treatment. Strikingly, m-Tyr periodic intravenous administration provoked a dramatic reduction of experimental lung metastases generated in mice bearing PC3 human tumors. Altogether, we demonstrate for the first time that RC occurs in experimental human solid tumors, that this effect is mediated by m-Tyr, a non-cytotoxic metabolite with high potential clinical implications for metastatic PCa. Citation Format: Geraldine Gueron, Nicolas Anselmino, Paula Chiarella, Emiliano Ortiz, Alejandra Paez, Jimena Giudice, Federico Schuster, Daiana Leonardi, Felipe Jaworski, Estefania Labanca, Veronica Manzano, Javier Cotignola, Roberto Meiss, Norma D′Accorso, Nora Navone, Raul Ruggiero, Elba Vazquez. Clinical implications for m-tyrosine, an isomer of p-tyrosine, for the treatment of aggressive prostate tumors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4717.

Abstract 5199: A second round for concomitant resistance in human cancer: A restraint upon metastasis

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Concomitant tumor resistance (CR) is the phenomenon according to which a tumor-bearing host inhibits the growth of secondary tumor implants. Ehrlich first described it in 1906, but this phenomenon remained forgotten for about 60 years. After its renascence, some groups have demonstrated that both immunogenic and non-immunogenic tumors can induce CR in different animal models. Metastases could be considered as secondary tumor implants developed spontaneously during the primary tumor growth, thus CR could be relevant for cancer progression. Clinical and experimental evidence suggest that the removal of human and murine tumors might be followed by an abrupt increase in metastatic growth, hence the primary tumor could exert a controlling action on its metastases. In previous papers we demonstrated that, in mice, two temporally separate peaks of CR can be detected during murine T-lymphoma (LB) primary tumor growth. The second peak of CR is mediated by most large-sized immunogenic and non-immunogenic tumors and is associated with the anti-tumor and anti-metastatic serum factor meta-tyrosine (m-tyr), an isomer of tyrosine not present in normal proteins. Based on this background, in this work we assessed whether CR was also occurring in human tumor experimental models. Athymic nude mice were inoculated s.c. in the right flank, with the human prostate cancer cell line PC3 (1 × 106, primary implant). After 14 days the animals received a second inoculation of PC3 cells in the left flank (1 × 106, secondary implant). The control group only received the secondary implant. The growth of the secondary implant was significantly reduced (92%; P<0.05) at 27 days, in animals carrying the primary implant. Moreover, m-tyr was detected in the serum of mice bearing the RC phenomenon. The tumor growth inhibition was recapitulated in animals inoculated with the primary tumors and injected with m-tyr. Strikingly the RC phenomenon was reversed when secondary implants were injected with phenylalanine, a protective amino acid highly present in primary tumors. In vitro results also showed that exposure of PC3 cells to m-tyr inhibited cell growth and a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, which was concomitant with alterations in the mRNA expression levels of survivin (apoptosis inhibitor), Ki67 (proliferation marker), Hes1 (transcription factor involved in Notch pathway) and STAT3 (prostate cancer survival factor) (P<0.01). We have further validated the RC phenomenon in two other human cancer models: anaplastic carcinoma of the lung (CALU-6), and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (KB), exhibiting also high levels of m-tyr in serum from nu/nu mice bearing CALU-6 or KB tumors. Altogether, we showcase for the first time that CR is triggered in human solid tumors, that this phenomenon is mediated by m-tyr and provide the molecular mechanisms that drive this process. These results offer an alternative therapeutic avenue in the management of metastatic cancers. Citation Format: Geraldine Gueron, Nicolas Anselmino, Damian Manchuca, Emiliano G. Ortiz, Maria Noelia Carabelos, Federico Schuster, Paula Chiarella, Alejandra Paez, Felipe M. Jaworski, Javier Cotignola, Roberto Meiss, Raul Ruggiero, Elba S. Vazquez. A second round for concomitant resistance in human cancer: A restraint upon metastasis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5199. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5199