Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a pro-apoptotic ligand that has shown the exquisite ability to trigger extrinsic apoptosis in various types of cancer cells without significant toxicity toward normal cells, when compared to other pro-apoptotic ligands such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α or Fas ligand. Consequently, TRAIL-based therapies aim to trigger apoptosis in cancer cells by providing the soluble TRAIL or monoclonal antibodies targeting the death receptors TRAIL-R1 or TRAIL-R2. In this review, we start by highlighting the relevance of the tumor microenvironment in tumor development and elimination. We then address conventional and targeted therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment, highlighting the mechanisms involved or targeted. We describe the extrinsic and intrinsic pro-apoptotic pathways of TRAIL, together with the evidences for its pro-survival signaling, and with the relevance of these pathways in therapy. Possible mechanisms of resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis are highlighted (i.e. c-FLIP, Bcl-2, IAPs, p53, NF-κ B) and the rationale for the combined administration of TRAIL with drugs targeting these mechanisms is provided. Preclinical data are reported and show encouraging evidences for TRAIL consideration in pediatric malignancies (i.e., leukemia, lymphomas, neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, medulloblastoma). Clinical trials of TRAIL-based therapies on the overall population are in phase I or II, and we put particular focus on the pediatric population, on which only few trials have been conducted or are ongoing. Finally, we consider emerging cellular therapies based on TRAIL, such as TRAIL-engineered mesenchymal stem cells or ‘inflammatory’ dendritic cells.
Keywords: Cancer, pediatric malignancies, PARAs, targeted therapies, TRAIL, TRAIL resistance.
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title:TRAIL-Based Therapeutic Approaches for the Treatment of Pediatric Malignancies
Volume: 20 Issue: 17
Author(s): C. Gasparini, L. Vecchi Brumatti, L. Monasta and G. Zauli
Affiliation:
Keywords: Cancer, pediatric malignancies, PARAs, targeted therapies, TRAIL, TRAIL resistance.
Abstract: Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a pro-apoptotic ligand that has shown the exquisite ability to trigger extrinsic apoptosis in various types of cancer cells without significant toxicity toward normal cells, when compared to other pro-apoptotic ligands such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α or Fas ligand. Consequently, TRAIL-based therapies aim to trigger apoptosis in cancer cells by providing the soluble TRAIL or monoclonal antibodies targeting the death receptors TRAIL-R1 or TRAIL-R2. In this review, we start by highlighting the relevance of the tumor microenvironment in tumor development and elimination. We then address conventional and targeted therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment, highlighting the mechanisms involved or targeted. We describe the extrinsic and intrinsic pro-apoptotic pathways of TRAIL, together with the evidences for its pro-survival signaling, and with the relevance of these pathways in therapy. Possible mechanisms of resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis are highlighted (i.e. c-FLIP, Bcl-2, IAPs, p53, NF-κ B) and the rationale for the combined administration of TRAIL with drugs targeting these mechanisms is provided. Preclinical data are reported and show encouraging evidences for TRAIL consideration in pediatric malignancies (i.e., leukemia, lymphomas, neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, medulloblastoma). Clinical trials of TRAIL-based therapies on the overall population are in phase I or II, and we put particular focus on the pediatric population, on which only few trials have been conducted or are ongoing. Finally, we consider emerging cellular therapies based on TRAIL, such as TRAIL-engineered mesenchymal stem cells or ‘inflammatory’ dendritic cells.
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Cite this article as:
Gasparini C., Vecchi Brumatti L., Monasta L. and Zauli G., TRAIL-Based Therapeutic Approaches for the Treatment of Pediatric Malignancies, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2013; 20 (17) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867311320170009
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867311320170009 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
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