Cited by 47Cancer Mechanisms and TherapyProtein Kinase Regulation and GTPase SignalingColorectal Cancer Treatments and Studies

The molecular rationale of Src inhibition in colorectal carcinomas

Open access
Gargalionis, Antonios N., Karamouzis, Michalis V., Papavassiliou, Athanasios G.·2014·International Journal of Cancer

Abstract

Src has been one of the most studied proto‐oncogenes. The cellular Src (c‐Src) holds a critical role in several human malignancies and has emerged as a key factor that promotes tumor progression during the multistep process of colorectal cancer (CRC) pathogenesis. The robust activation of Src in CRC of aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis seems to be a subsequent event of a strong link between its deregulated activity and the tumor's cell adhesion properties, invasiveness and metastatic potential. The rarely detected genetic defects drive interest in signaling networks that control Src kinase activity and integrate the association of Src with receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Therefore, a dynamic crosstalk is being formed with oncogenic capacity and therapeutic applications, because Src inhibition seems to sensitize previously unresponsive cancer cells to chemotherapy and anti‐EGFR inhibitors. The present review explores the molecular basis behind Src inhibition in colorectal carcinomas. Furthermore, preclinical studies and clinical trials of Src inhibitors and combination regimens are discussed, providing new insights for further investigation and new therapeutic strategies.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1002/ijc.28299

Cites

108 of 108 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

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Claims the paper makes

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  • Premisecitation

    Inducible overexpression of mutant c-src Y527F inhibits tumor growth itself.

    “inducible overexpression of the mutant c-src Y527F seems to inhibit even tumor growth itself.20”
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  • Interpretationreasoning

    The mechanisms described (protein overexpression and increased kinase activity combined with apparent absence of mutations) set aberrant regulation of kinase activity as the main pathogenic mechanism of Src contribution in CRC development.

    “The mechanisms described emerge as the driving force of Src deregulation in CRC, as protein overexpression and increased kinase activity combined with the apparent absence of mutations in this specific type of malignancy set the aberrant regulation of kinase activity as the main pathogenic mechanism of Src contribution in CRC development.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Premisecitation

    Src inhibitors as monotherapy have not produced promising results in clinical trials.

    “Up to now, Src inhibitors as a monotherapy have not produced promising results (Table 1).”
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  • Premisecitation

    Csk negatively regulates c-src by phosphorylating it at the C-terminal segment.

    “C-terminal src kinase (Csk) operates as a negative regulator phosphorylating c-src at the C-terminal segment (Fig. 1).22”
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  • Premisecitation

    A phase II trial of dasatinib in 19 unresected and previously metastatic CRC patients was terminated due to lack of efficacy.

    “a phase II trial of dasatinib in 19 unresected and previously metastatic CRC patients, who had undergone up to two prior regimens with fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin and irinotecan, was terminated due to lack of efficacy.83”
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    Interpretationreasoning

    The transforming activity of certain CRC cells may not depend on aberrant src activity, and src activity in early-stage CRC is probably still regulated so kinase overexpression may not be active.

    “This could be explained by the fact that the transforming activity of certain CRC cells may not depend upon aberrant src activity, for example KMC12 cells, whereas src activity in CRC cells of early stage is probably still regulated and kinase overexpression may not be active.”
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    Premisecitation

    High c-src activity correlates with dismal survival and is an independent aggravating prognostic factor in CRC.

    “c-src high activity was proved to be correlated with dismal survival, emerging as an independent aggravating prognostic factor.14”
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    Premisecitation

    Csk membrane delocalization is a key event allowing SFK-dependent invasiveness in CRC cells and is associated with PAG downregulation.

    “Csk membrane delocalization is a key event that allows SFKs dependent invasiveness in CRC cells and is also associated with phosphoprotein associated with glycosphingolipid-enriched microdomains downregulation (PAG).18”
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    Premisecitation

    Combined treatment with dasatinib and oxaliplatin in a CRC metastatic mouse model produced smaller tumors compared to single-agent therapy; oxaliplatin activates c-src through a ROS-dependent mechanism, so c-src inhibition by dasatinib sensitizes cells to oxaliplatin.

    “Combined treatment with dasatinib and oxaliplatin in a CRC metastatic mouse model presented an outcome of smaller tumors compared to single-agent therapy either way.Oxaliplatin was proved to activate c-src through a ROS-dependent mechanism, thereby, c-src inhibition by dasatinib sensitized cells to oxaliplatin activity.95”
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    Premisecitation

    Csk overexpression in highly metastatic mouse NL-17 CRC cells reduces src kinase activity in vitro and suppresses lung metastases and tumor invasiveness in vivo.

    “Csk overexpression in highly metastatic mouse NL-17 CRC cells reduces src kinase activity in vitro, suppresses lung metastases and tumor invasiveness in vivo.24”
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    Premisecitation

    c-src is implicated as a component of EGFR signal transduction, potentiating ligand-independent EGFR transactivation and facilitating EGFR phosphorylation.

    “C-src has been implicated as a component of EGFR signal transduction mechanisms potentiating the receptor's transactivation, which means EGFR activation in the absence of a ligand (Fig. 2).This leads to the initiation of a series of signaling pathways linking several receptors to EGFR-dependent signaling with src facilitating EGFR phosphorylation.70”
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    Premisecitation

    Saracatinib is an oral dual Src/Abl inhibitor targeting Csk and RTKs such as mutant EGFR; it shows anti-growth effects in several CRC cell lines in vitro and in mouse xenografts.

    “Saracatinib is also an oral dual Src/Abl inhibitor targeting Csk and RTKs, such as mutant forms of EGFR.Saracatinib shows anti-growth effects in several CRC cell lines in vitro and in mouse xenografts.79”
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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § The molecular rationale of Src inhibition in colorectal carcinomas

    c-Src is a 60-kD non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase and a member of the 9-gene Src family kinases.

    “The c-src is a non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase with a 60-kD molecular weight.It is a member of a 9-gene family named the Src family kinases (SFKs)”
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    Interpretationcitation

    c-src is a strong mediator between EGFR and other receptors' signaling and can transactivate EGFR; therefore, pharmacological EGFR inhibition alone is insufficient to completely abrogate its activity, and combination regimens are required.

    “Given the above findings, c-src is a strong mediator between EGFR and other receptors' signaling and owns the capacity of transactivating EGFR.Therefore, pharmacological inhibition of EGFR is not sufficient to completely abrogate its activity and combination regimens are required to fill in the gap.70”
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    Premisecitation

    Dasatinib is a dual oral Src/Abl inhibitor that also targets other SFK members and RTKs such as c-kit, PDGFRα/β, Ephrin receptors, and DDR1.

    “Dasatinib constitutes a dual oral inhibitor of Src/V-abl Abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog (Abl), which also targets a number of other SFK members and certain RTKs such as c-kit, platelet-derived growth factor-receptor a and b (PDGFRa, PDGFRb), Ephrin receptors and discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1).”
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    Premisecitation

    c-src is capable of mediating EGFR-driven tumorigenesis in vivo, and EGFR/c-src interaction leads to a more aggressive tumor phenotype.

    “C-src is capable of mediating EGFR-driven tumorigenesis in vivo, whereas the EGFR/c-src interaction leads to a more aggressive phenotype in tumors.73”
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    Premisecitation
    § The molecular rationale of Src inhibition in colorectal carcinomas

    Aberrant c-src activation occurs in many cancer types, including CRC, where it acts as a dominant molecule at the crossroad of several signal transduction pathways, mostly RTK-driven.

    “aberrant c-src activation has been described in many cancer types, among others in CRC, where it has been recognized as a dominant molecule at the crossroad of several signal transduction pathways, mostly those driven by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs).6”
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    Premisecitation

    Downregulation of transmembrane PTPa inhibits src kinase activity and induces apoptosis in CRC cells.

    “The downregulation of the transmembrane PTPa has been proven to inhibit src kinase activity and induce apoptosis in CRC cells.27”
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    Premisecitation

    Bosutinib, an oral Src/Abl inhibitor, abrogates c-src and FAK autophosphorylation in HT-29 cells, attenuates tumor growth in various CRC cell lines, and is active in injected nude mice.

    “bosutinib, another oral Src/Abl inhibitor, which abrogated c-src and FAK autophosphorylation in HT-29 cells, attenuated tumor growth in various CRC cell lines and was found to be also active in injected nude mice.81”
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    Premisecitation

    Splice mutants of RPTPa are detected in 30% of colon, breast, and liver tumors; expression of transforming RPTPa245 mutant facilitates src dephosphorylation/activation via RPTPa/endogenous RPTPa binding.

    “splice mutants of receptor-like PTPa (RPTPa) have been detected in 30% of colon, breast and liver tumors.In particular, expression of the transforming RPTPa245 mutant in tumors facilitates the elevation of src dephosphorylation/activation via RPTPa/endogenous RPTPa binding.28”
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    Premisecitation

    In CRC cells, the src inhibitor SU11333 attenuates VEGF-dependent vascular permeability in mice, proving VEGF signaling is SFK-dependent.

    “In CRC cells, the src inhibitor SU11333 attenuates the VEGF-dependent vascular permeability in mice proving that VEGF signaling is SFK-dependent.53”
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    Premisecitation

    In nude mice injected with KM12C and SW480 cells overexpressing c-src, only primary tumor growth increased, while metastatic potential in vivo and cell proliferation in vitro remained unaffected.

    “in nude mice that were injected with KM12C and SW480 cells, stably transfected to overexpress c-src, only primary tumor growth was increased, whereas metastatic potential in vivo and cell proliferation in vitro remained unaffected.19”
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    Interpretationreasoning

    Src is not the primary tumorigenic driver but acts as a key facilitator of pathogenic molecular mechanisms in colorectal cancer.

    “the emerging notion that Src does not seem to be the tumorigenic driving force rather than the key facilitator of pathogenic molecular mechanisms.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
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    Premisecitation

    In NCI-H226 lung cancer cells, c-src expression increases after long-term exposure to an EGFR inhibitory antibody; SFKs also show increased activity in cetuximab-resistant cells followed by increased sensitivity to dasatinib.

    “In NCI-H226 lung cancer cells, c-src expression is increased after long-term exposure to an EGFR inhibitory antibody.SFKs also show increased activity in cetuximab-resistant cells followed by respective increased sensitivity to dasatinib.98”
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  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Preclinical findings in CRC cell lines and mouse models predict clinical efficacy in human CRC patients.

    “These encouraging experimental data make the combination of Src/EGFR inhibition worth testing.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Kras mutations are predictive biomarkers of resistance to cetuximab in metastatic CRC.

    “In metastatic CRC, Kras mutations consist of predictive biomarkers of resistance in cetuximab.”
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Authors
Gargalionis, A. N., Karamouzis, M. V., & Papavassiliou, A. G.
Affiliations
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (GR)
Corresponding author
Papavassiliou, Athanasios G.
Venue
International Journal of Cancer
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2013-06-21
Volume
134
Issue
9
Pages
2019-2029
ISSN
  • 0020-7136 (ISSN-L)
  • 1097-0215
OpenAlex
W1548379836
Cited by
47
References
108
Citations by year
2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 1
FWCI
0.69
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • International Journal of Cancer (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Cancer Mechanisms and Therapy
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Protein Kinase Regulation and GTPase Signaling
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Colorectal Cancer Treatments and Studies
Keywords
Src kinase, colorectal cancer, Src kinase inhibition, proto-oncogenes, tumor progression, metastasis, cell adhesion, receptor tyrosine kinase, EGFR, chemosensitization, combination therapy, Src kinase inhibitor, clinical trials
MeSH terms
Adenocarcinoma, Animals, Antineoplastic Agents, Clinical Trials as Topic, Humans, Colorectal Neoplasms, src-Family Kinases, Protein Kinase Inhibitors, Molecular Targeted Therapy

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