Targeting the MDK/c‐Myc complex to overcome temozolomide resistance in glioma
Abstract Background Temozolomide (TMZ), which is an alkylating agent, is the standard chemotherapeutic drug used for glioma treatment. However, the development of resistance to TMZ limits its efficacy. Thus, identifying novel therapeutic targets is necessary. Methods In this study, the levels of mid...
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Wiley
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Clinical and Translational Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ctm2.70359 |
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| author | Xiaonan Xi Xiaojing Ding Qianqian Wang Ning Liu Bangmao Wang Genbei Wang Weilong Zhong Yaxin Lu |
| author_facet | Xiaonan Xi Xiaojing Ding Qianqian Wang Ning Liu Bangmao Wang Genbei Wang Weilong Zhong Yaxin Lu |
| author_sort | Xiaonan Xi |
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| description | Abstract Background Temozolomide (TMZ), which is an alkylating agent, is the standard chemotherapeutic drug used for glioma treatment. However, the development of resistance to TMZ limits its efficacy. Thus, identifying novel therapeutic targets is necessary. Methods In this study, the levels of midkine (MDK) and c‐Myc expression in glioma patient samples downloaded from TCGA were analyzed. Their interactions were also demonstrated through microthermometry and immunocoprecipitation. Furthermore, proteomics technology and Western blot showed that MDK interacted with c‐Myc and influenced its ubiquitination, thereby activating a prosurvival signalling pathway and epithelial–mesenchymal transition mechanism, which contributed to TMZ resistance. To target the MDK/c‐Myc complex, we screened for a small‐molecule inhibitor (ACT001) that specifically disrupts the interaction between MDK and c‐Myc. Treatment with ACT001 greatly sensitized TMZ‐resistant glioma cells to TMZ, promoting cell death and inhibiting cell proliferation. Moreover, combination therapy with ACT001 and TMZ showed synergistic effects that inhibit tumour growth in glioma xenograft models and glioma in situ models. Results ACT001 facilitated the degradation of c‐Myc by focusing on the MDK/c‐Myc complex and controlled the Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway via MDK, ultimately halting the advancement of glioma. When combined with TMZ, ACT001 showed good therapeutic potential for the treatment of glioma. Conclusion Focusing on the MDK/c‐Myc complex could be an effective approach to combat resistance to TMZ in glioma. Therapy with ACT001 may be a novel approach to improve the efficacy of TMZ‐based chemotherapy in patients with glioma. Further preclinical and clinical studies are warranted to validate the therapeutic potential of targeting the MDK/c‐Myc complex in glioma treatment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d88df1a0ec4e40158e02fdd3ed7974b8 |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
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| series | Clinical and Translational Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-d88df1a0ec4e40158e02fdd3ed7974b82025-06-25T06:56:47ZengWileyClinical and Translational Medicine2001-13262025-06-01156n/an/a10.1002/ctm2.70359Targeting the MDK/c‐Myc complex to overcome temozolomide resistance in gliomaXiaonan Xi0Xiaojing Ding1Qianqian Wang2Ning Liu3Bangmao Wang4Genbei Wang5Weilong Zhong6Yaxin Lu7State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Nankai University Tianjin ChinaCollege of Pharmacy Nankai University Tianjin ChinaState Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Nankai University Tianjin ChinaState Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Nankai University Tianjin ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Tianjin Medical University General Hospital Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases Tianjin ChinaPharmacology & Toxicology Research Center National Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization Tasly Pharma Co., Ltd. Tianjin ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Tianjin Medical University General Hospital Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases Tianjin ChinaState Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Nankai University Tianjin ChinaAbstract Background Temozolomide (TMZ), which is an alkylating agent, is the standard chemotherapeutic drug used for glioma treatment. However, the development of resistance to TMZ limits its efficacy. Thus, identifying novel therapeutic targets is necessary. Methods In this study, the levels of midkine (MDK) and c‐Myc expression in glioma patient samples downloaded from TCGA were analyzed. Their interactions were also demonstrated through microthermometry and immunocoprecipitation. Furthermore, proteomics technology and Western blot showed that MDK interacted with c‐Myc and influenced its ubiquitination, thereby activating a prosurvival signalling pathway and epithelial–mesenchymal transition mechanism, which contributed to TMZ resistance. To target the MDK/c‐Myc complex, we screened for a small‐molecule inhibitor (ACT001) that specifically disrupts the interaction between MDK and c‐Myc. Treatment with ACT001 greatly sensitized TMZ‐resistant glioma cells to TMZ, promoting cell death and inhibiting cell proliferation. Moreover, combination therapy with ACT001 and TMZ showed synergistic effects that inhibit tumour growth in glioma xenograft models and glioma in situ models. Results ACT001 facilitated the degradation of c‐Myc by focusing on the MDK/c‐Myc complex and controlled the Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway via MDK, ultimately halting the advancement of glioma. When combined with TMZ, ACT001 showed good therapeutic potential for the treatment of glioma. Conclusion Focusing on the MDK/c‐Myc complex could be an effective approach to combat resistance to TMZ in glioma. Therapy with ACT001 may be a novel approach to improve the efficacy of TMZ‐based chemotherapy in patients with glioma. Further preclinical and clinical studies are warranted to validate the therapeutic potential of targeting the MDK/c‐Myc complex in glioma treatment.https://doi.org/10.1002/ctm2.70359ACT001drug resistancegliomaMDKprotein complex |
| spellingShingle | Xiaonan Xi Xiaojing Ding Qianqian Wang Ning Liu Bangmao Wang Genbei Wang Weilong Zhong Yaxin Lu Targeting the MDK/c‐Myc complex to overcome temozolomide resistance in glioma Clinical and Translational Medicine ACT001 drug resistance glioma MDK protein complex |
| title | Targeting the MDK/c‐Myc complex to overcome temozolomide resistance in glioma |
| title_full | Targeting the MDK/c‐Myc complex to overcome temozolomide resistance in glioma |
| title_fullStr | Targeting the MDK/c‐Myc complex to overcome temozolomide resistance in glioma |
| title_full_unstemmed | Targeting the MDK/c‐Myc complex to overcome temozolomide resistance in glioma |
| title_short | Targeting the MDK/c‐Myc complex to overcome temozolomide resistance in glioma |
| title_sort | targeting the mdk c myc complex to overcome temozolomide resistance in glioma |
| topic | ACT001 drug resistance glioma MDK protein complex |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ctm2.70359 |
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