Glioblastoma (GBM) are the most malignant primary brain tumor and patients with GBM (grade IV glioma) have a survival time of approximately 14 months. Estrogen plays a crucial role during brain development and differentiation. Epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests tumor suppressive role of estrogen on brain tumors. However, the molecular mechanisms by which estrogen mediate protection against GBM remains unknown. Estrogen functions are mediated by two ER-subtypes: ER? that functions as tumor promoter and ER? that functions as a tumor suppressor. Emerging evidence suggest that GBM cells express ER?;however, the clinical utility of ER? is limited due to lack of mechanistic insights and agents that specifically target ER?. Recent studies have identified liquiritigenin (LIQ) isolated from the plant Glycyrrhiza uralensis and synthetic compound LY500307 (LY) as selective ER? specific agonists. The objective of this proposal is to translate evolving scientific evidence and the functional role of ER? into a clinical strategy to suppress GBM by employing ER? specific agonists. Our central hypothesis is that ER? agonists inhibit the growth of GBM by enhancing tumor suppressive functions of ER? and that ER? agonists promote differentiation of glioma stem cells leading to increased therapeutic efficacy. The hypothesis is supported by our preliminary studies that (1) ER?-mediated mechanisms play a tumor suppressive function;(2) ER? agonists suppress GBM cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo;(3) ER?-agonists upregulate expression of ER? (4) ER?-agonists inhibit growth of Glioma Stem Cells and promote their differentiation. To investigate the proposed hypotheses, in aim 1, we will test the significance and therapeutic efficacy of ER? agonists to inhibit the growth of GBM.
In aim 2, we will determine the molecular mechanism(s) of ER? agonists in the suppression of GBM.
In aim 3, we will investigate the role of ER? agonists in the differentiation of Glioma Stem Cells. Understanding how ER? functions as a tumor suppressor in GBM will be useful in maximizing treatment opportunities for GBM. The proposed research is innovative due to the novelty of the concepts involving ER? agonists and their therapeutic potential in the suppression of GBM. This proposal will establish the significance and therapeutic potential of ER? signaling in GBM progression and thus create a new paradigm for the use of ER? specific ligands (LIQ and LY) for curbing GBM progression. Since ER? agonists currently in clinical trials are well tolerated with limited side effects and good blood-brain barrier permeability, identification of ER? agonists as a therapeutic agent can be readily adapted to clinical use as a monotherpy or in combination with current chemotherapies and radiation, thereby providing an additional tool for enhancing survival in GBM patients. Further, the results from these studies have the potential to provide novel insights into the mechanisms of ER? mediated tumor suppression at the molecular level.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01CA178499-01A1
Application #
8762188
Study Section
Tumor Cell Biology Study Section (TCB)
Program Officer
Kondapaka, Sudhir B
Project Start
2014-09-01
Project End
2019-08-31
Budget Start
2014-09-01
Budget End
2015-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Health Science Center
Department
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
San Antonio
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
78229
Liu, Jinyou; Sareddy, Gangadhara R; Zhou, Mei et al. (2018) Differential Effects of Estrogen Receptor ? Isoforms on Glioblastoma Progression. Cancer Res 78:3176-3189
Liu, Jinyou; Viswanadhapalli, Suryavathi; Garcia, Lauren et al. (2017) Therapeutic utility of natural estrogen receptor beta agonists on ovarian cancer. Oncotarget 8:50002-50014
Sareddy, G R; Viswanadhapalli, S; Surapaneni, P et al. (2017) Novel KDM1A inhibitors induce differentiation and apoptosis of glioma stem cells via unfolded protein response pathway. Oncogene 36:2423-2434
Sareddy, Gangadhara R; Li, Xiaonan; Liu, Jinyou et al. (2016) Selective Estrogen Receptor ? Agonist LY500307 as a Novel Therapeutic Agent for Glioblastoma. Sci Rep 6:24185
Sareddy, Gangadhara Reddy; Vadlamudi, Ratna K (2016) PELP1: Structure, biological function and clinical significance. Gene 585:128-134
Sareddy, Gangadhara R; Vadlamudi, Ratna K (2015) Cancer therapy using natural ligands that target estrogen receptor beta. Chin J Nat Med 13:801-807