Generic placeholder image

Current Pharmaceutical Design

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1381-6128
ISSN (Online): 1873-4286

Review Article

The Biological Impact of Ulipristal Acetate on Cellular Networks Regulating Uterine Leiomyoma Growth

Author(s): Andrea Tinelli*, Ioannis P. Kosmas, Ospan A. Mynbaev, Antonio Malvasi, Radmila Sparic and Daniele Vergara

Volume 26, Issue 3, 2020

Page: [310 - 317] Pages: 8

DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200121141533

Price: $65

conference banner
Abstract

Uterine Fibroids (UFs), or leiomyomas, represent the most frequent pelvic tumor in reproductive-aged women. Although of benign origin, UFs decrease fertility and cause significant reproductive dysfunctions. Compared to normal myometrium, UFs are characterized by a clinical and molecular heterogeneity as demonstrated by the presence of multiple genetic alterations and altered signaling pathways. Recently, selective progesteronereceptor modulators (SPRM), as ulipristal acetate (UPA), have demonstrated their clinical benefits by reducing tumor growth and extracellular matrix deposition. For these reasons, UPA is used in the clinical practice as an intermittent treatment for women symptomatic for UFs or, sometimes, before a myomectomy. However, drug effects on signaling pathways frequently upregulated in UFs remain largely unknown. In fact, the mechanisms of action of the UPA on UFs and on the surrounding areas are not yet understood. To learn more about UPA molecular mechanisms, UF samples were treated ex vivo with UPA and profiled for drug effects on selected markers. During this preliminary ex vivo UPA administration, significant changes were observed in the expression levels of proteins related to cell cycle regulation, cytoskeleton remodeling, and drug resistance. The UPA administration reduced cofilin, Erk and Src phosphorylation, p27 and ezrin protein levels, but not Akt phosphorylation and cyclin D1 and β-catenin levels. This preliminary ex vivo biological analysis provided new insights into the mechanism of action of UPA in the treatment of UFs, which could better explain the biological functioning of the drug on UFs.

Keywords: Uterine fibroids, leiomyoma, selective progesterone-receptor modulators, ulipristal acetate, progesterone, myometrium.

[1]
Sparic R, Mirkovic L, Malvasi A, Tinelli A. Epidemiology of uterine myomas: a review. Int J Fertil Steril 2016; 9(4): 424-35.
[PMID: 26985330]
[2]
Parker WH. Uterine fibroids: clinical features Uterine myoma, myomectomy and minimally invasive treatments. Springer Publisher 2015; pp. 39-52.
[3]
Hurst BS, Tinelli A, Malvasi A, Parker WH. Fibroids complications in pregnancy Di Renzo GC management and therapy of early pregnancy complications - First and second trimester. Springer Publisher 2016; pp. 134-60.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31377-1_7]
[4]
Tinelli A, Catherino WH, Gargiulo AR, et al. Uterine fibroids: from molecular oncology to reproduction. BioMed Res Int 2018; 2018 6284875
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/6284875] [PMID: 30250848]
[5]
Vergara D, Greco M. Genetic and genomics of uterine myomas Uterine myoma, myomectomy and minimally invasive treatments. Springer Publisher 2015; pp. 13-25.
[6]
Resta L. Uterine myomas and Histopathology Uterine myoma, myomectomy and minimally invasive treatments. Springer Publisher 2015; pp. 26-38.
[7]
Peddada SD, Laughlin SK, Miner K, et al. Growth of uterine leiomyomata among premenopausal black and white women. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2008; 105(50): 19887-92.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0808188105] [PMID: 19047643]
[8]
Mavrelos D, Ben-Nagi J, Holland T, Hoo W, Naftalin J, Jurkovic D. The natural history of fibroids. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2010; 35(2): 238-42.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/uog.7482] [PMID: 20069541]
[9]
Kaasinen E, Mäkinen N, Katainen R, et al. Characterization of uterine fibroids by whole-genome sequencing. N Engl J Med 2013; 369(1): 43-53.
[PMID: 23738515]
[10]
Mehine M, Mäkinen N, Heinonen HR, Aaltonen LA, Vahteristo P. Genomics of uterine leiomyomas: insights from high-throughput sequencing. Fertil Steril 2014; 102(3): 621-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.06.050] [PMID: 25106763]
[11]
Mehine M, Kaasinen E, Heinonen HR, et al. Integrated data analysis reveals uterine leiomyoma subtypes with distinct driver pathways and biomarkers. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2016; 113(5): 1315-20.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1518752113] [PMID: 26787895]
[12]
Laganà AS, Vergara D, Favilli A, et al. Epigenetic and genetic landscape of uterine leiomyomas: a current view over a common gynecological disease. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2017; 296(5): 855-67.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00404-017-4515-5] [PMID: 28875276]
[13]
Rizzello A, Franck J, Pellegrino M, et al. A Proteomic analysis of human uterine myoma. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2017; 18(2): 167-74.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389203717666160322150603] [PMID: 27001059]
[14]
Rafique S, Segars JH, Leppert PC. Mechanical signaling and extracellular matrix in uterine fibroids. Semin Reprod Med 2017; 35(6): 487-93.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0037-1607268] [PMID: 29100236]
[15]
Jamaluddin MFB, Nahar P, Tanwar PS. Proteomic characterization of the extracellular matrix of human uterine fibroids. Endocrinology 2018; 159(7): 2656-69.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/en.2018-00151] [PMID: 29788081]
[16]
Stewart EA, Laughlin-Tommaso SK, Catherino WH, Lalitkumar S, Gupta D, Vollenhoven B. Uterine fibroids. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2016; 2: 16043.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nrdp.2016.43] [PMID: 27335259]
[17]
Norian JM, Owen CM, Taboas J, et al. Characterization of tissue biomechanics and mechanical signaling in uterine leiomyoma. Matrix Biol 2012; 31(1): 57-65.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.matbio.2011.09.001] [PMID: 1983114]
[18]
Reis FM, Bloise E, Ortiga-Carvalho TM. Hormones and pathogenesis of uterine fibroids. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2016; 34: 13-24.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2015.11.015] [PMID: 26725037]
[19]
Bulun SE. Uterine fibroids. N Engl J Med 2013; 369(14): 1344-55.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1209993] [PMID: 24088094]
[20]
Olive DL, Lindheim SR, Pritts EA. Non-surgical management of leiomyoma: impact on fertility. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2004; 16(3): 239-43.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00001703-200406000-00006] [PMID: 15129053]
[21]
Leppert PC, Jayes FL, Segars JH. The extracellular matrix contributes to mechanotransduction in uterine fibroids. Obstet Gynecol Int 2014; 2014 783289
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/783289] [PMID: 25110476]
[22]
Pavlovich SV, Volkov NI, Burlev VA. Proliferative activity and level of steroid hormone receptors in the myometrium and myoma nodes in different phases of menstrual cycle. Bull Exp Biol Med 2003; 136(4): 396-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:BEBM.0000010962.35909.a1] [PMID: 14714093]
[23]
Malik M, Norian J, McCarthy-Keith D, Britten J, Catherino WH. Why leiomyomas are called fibroids: the central role of extracellular matrix in symptomatic women. Semin Reprod Med 2010; 28(3): 169-79.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0030-1251475] [PMID: 20414841]
[24]
Kakade AS, Kulkarni YS. Mifepristone: current knowledge and emerging prospects. J Indian Med Assoc 2014; 112(1): 36-40.
[PMID: 25935948]
[25]
Rabe T, Saenger N, Ebert AD, et al. Selective progesteron receptor modulators for the medical treatment of uterine fibroids with a focus on ulipristal acetate. BioMed Res Int 2018; 2018 1374821
[PMID: 30539001]
[26]
Safrai M, Chill HH, Reuveni Salzman A, Shushan A. Selective progesterone receptor modulators for the treatment of uterine leiomyomas. Obstet Gynecol 2017; 130(2): 315-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000002143] [PMID: 28697115]
[27]
Benagiano G, Bastianelli C, Farris M, Brosens I. Selective progesterone receptor modulators: an update. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2014; 15(10): 1403-15.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1517/14656566.2014.914494] [PMID: 24787486]
[28]
Maruo T, Ohara N, Yoshida S, et al. Translational research with progesterone receptor modulator motivated by the use of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system. Contraception 2010; 82(5): 435-41.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2010.05.006] [PMID: 20933117]
[29]
Yin P, Lin Z, Cheng YH, et al. Progesterone receptor regulates Bcl-2 gene expression through direct binding to its promoter region in uterine leiomyoma cells. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2007; 92(11): 4459-66.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/jc.2007-0725] [PMID: 17785366]
[30]
Elmore S. Apoptosis: a review of programmed cell death. Toxicol Pathol 2007; 35(4): 495-516.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01926230701320337] [PMID: 17562483]
[31]
Xu Q, Ohara N, Chen W, et al. Progesterone receptor modulator CDB-2914 down-regulates vascular endothelial growth factor, adrenomedullin and their receptors and modulates progesterone receptor content in cultured human uterine leiomyoma cells. Hum Reprod 2006; 21(9): 2408-16.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/del159] [PMID: 16720624]
[32]
Cox J, Malik M, Britten J, Lewis T, Catherino WH. Ulipristal acetate and extracellular matrix production in human fibroids in vivo: a laboratory analysis of a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Reprod Sci 2018; 25(2): 198-206.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1933719117728802] [PMID: 28929861]
[33]
Ghonim M, Magdy R, Sabbour M, Ghonim M, Nabhan A. A systematic review and meta-analysis of ulipristal acetate for symptomatic uterine fibroids. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2019; 146(2): 141-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.12868] [PMID: 31127621]
[34]
Xu Q, Ohara N, Liu J, et al. Progesterone receptor modulator CDB-2914 induces extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer in cultured human uterine leiomyoma cells. Mol Hum Reprod 2008; 14(3): 181-91.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/molehr/gan004] [PMID: 18216291]
[35]
Donnez J, Donnez O, Dolmans MM. Safety of treatment of uterine fibroids with the selective progesterone receptor modulator, ulipristal acetate. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2016; 15(12): 1679-86.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14740338.2016.1248943] [PMID: 27740868]
[36]
Courtoy GE, Henriet P, Marbaix E, et al. Matrix metalloproteinase activity correlates with uterine myoma volume reduction after ulipristal acetate treatment. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2018; 103(4): 1566-73.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/jc.2017-02295] [PMID: 29408988]
[37]
Nieman LK. Treatment of uterine fibroids with the selective progesteron receptor modulator CDB-2914 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ ct2/show/NCT00290251
[38]
Levens ED, Potlog-Nahari C, Armstrong AY, et al. CDB-2914 for uterine leiomyomata treatment: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol 2008; 111(5): 1129-36.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181705d0e] [PMID: 18448745]
[39]
Nieman LK, Blocker W, Nansel T, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of CDB-2914 treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids:. a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase IIb study. Fertil Steril 2011; 95(2): 767-72.e1-2.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.09.059] [PMID: 21055739]
[40]
Donnez J, Courtoy GE, Donnez O, Dolmans MM. Ulipristal acetate for the management of large uterine fibroids associated with heavy bleeding: a review. Reprod Biomed Online 2018; 37(2): 216-23.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.04.040] [PMID: 29706284]
[41]
Piecak K, Milart P, Woźniakowska E, Paszkowski T. Ulipristal acetate as a treatment option for uterine fibroids. Przegl Menopauz 2017; 16(4): 133-6.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.5114/pm.2017.72792] [PMID: 29483856]
[42]
Shin SJ, Kim J, Lee S, et al. Ulipristal acetate induces cell cycle delay and remodeling of extracellular matrix. Int J Mol Med 2018; 42(4): 1857-64.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2018.3779] [PMID: 30015921]
[43]
Reinhold C, Atri M, Mehio A, Zakarian R, Aldis AE, Bret PM. Diffuse uterine adenomyosis: morphologic criteria and diagnostic accuracy of endovaginal sonography. Radiology 1995; 197(3): 609-14.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1148/radiology.197.3.7480727] [PMID: 7480727]
[44]
De Falco M, Staibano S, Mascolo M, et al. Leiomyoma pseudocapsule after pre-surgical treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists: relationship between clinical features and immunohistochemical changes. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2009; 144(1): 44-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2009.02.006] [PMID: 19297072]
[45]
Tinelli A, Malvasi A, Cavallotti C, et al. The management of fibroids based on immunohistochemical studies of their pseudocapsules. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2011; 15(11): 1241-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1517/14728222.2011.616196] [PMID: 21961807]
[46]
Munro MG, Critchley HO, Broder MS, Fraser IS. FIGO classification system (PALM-COEIN) for causes of abnormal uterine bleeding in nongravid women of reproductive age. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2011; 113(1): 3-13.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2010.11.011] [PMID: 21345435]
[47]
Tinelli A, Hurst BS, Hudelist G, et al. Laparoscopic myomectomy focusing on the myoma pseudocapsule: technical and outcome reports. Hum Reprod 2012; 27(2): 427-35.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/der369] [PMID: 22095838]
[48]
Ciavattini A, Di Giuseppe J, Stortoni P, et al. Uterine fibroids: pathogenesis and interactions with endometrium and endomyometrial junction. Obstet Gynecol Int 2013; 2013 173184
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/173184] [PMID: 24163697]
[49]
Ono M, Yin P, Navarro A, et al. Paracrine activation of WNT/β-catenin pathway in uterine leiomyoma stem cells promotes tumor growth. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2013; 110(42): 17053-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1313650110] [PMID: 24082114]
[50]
Kim JJ, Kurita T, Bulun SE. Progesterone action in endometrial cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and breast cancer. Endocr Rev 2013; 34(1): 130-62.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/er.2012-1043] [PMID: 23303565]
[51]
Peng L, Wen Y, Han Y, et al. Expression of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and IGF signaling: molecular complexity in uterine leiomyomas. Fertil Steril 2009; 91(6): 2664-75.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.10.083] [PMID: 18439583]
[52]
Britten JL, Malik M, Lewis TD, Catherino WH. Ulipristal acetate mediates decreased proteoglycan expression through regulation of nuclear factor of activated t-cells (NFAT5). Reprod Sci 2018; 26(2): 184-97.
[PMID: 30567472]
[53]
Ciarmela P, Carrarelli P, Islam MS, et al. Ulipristal acetate modulates the expression and functions of activin A in leiomyoma cells. Reprod Sci 2014; 21(9): 1120-5.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1933719114542019] [PMID: 25001022]
[54]
Courtoy GE, Donnez J, Ambroise J, et al. Gene expression changes in uterine myomas in response to ulipristal acetate treatment. Reprod Biomed Online 2018; 37(2): 224-33.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.04.050] [PMID: 29807764]
[55]
Zaitseva M, Vollenhoven BJ, Rogers PA. In vitro culture significantly alters gene expression profiles and reduces differences between myometrial and fibroid smooth muscle cells. Mol Hum Reprod 2006; 12(3): 187-207.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/molehr/gal018] [PMID: 16524927]
[56]
Ko YA, Jamaluddin MFB, Adebayo M, et al. Extracellular matrix (ECM) activates β-catenin signaling in uterine fibroids. Reproduction 2018; 155(1): 61-71.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1530/REP-17-0339] [PMID: 29066531]
[57]
Lange CA. Integration of progesterone receptor action with rapid signaling events in breast cancer models. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2008; 108(3-5): 203-12.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2007.09.019] [PMID: 17964138]
[58]
Shortrede JE, Montt-Guevara MM, Pennacchio G, et al. Ulipristal acetate interferes with actin remodeling induced by 17β-estradiol and progesteron in human endometrial stromal cells. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9: 350.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2018.00350] [PMID: 30013514]
[59]
Tinelli A, Malvasi A, Rahimi S, et al. Myoma pseudocapsule: a distinct endocrino-anatomical entity in gynecological surgery. Gynecol Endocrinol 2009; 25(10): 661-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09513590903015502] [PMID: 19526398]
[60]
Malvasi A, Cavallotti C, Nicolardi G, et al. NT, NPY and PGP 9.5 presence in myomeytrium and in fibroid pseudocapsule and their possible impact on muscular physiology. Gynecol Endocrinol 2013; 29(2): 177-81.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09513590.2012.709682] [PMID: 22849656]
[61]
Di Tommaso S, Massari S, Malvasi A, et al. Selective genetic analysis of myoma pseudocapsule and potential biological impact on uterine fibroid medical therapy. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2015; 19(1): 7-12.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1517/14728222.2014.975793] [PMID: 25363374]
[62]
O’Donnell PW, Manivel JC, Cheng EY, Clohisy DR. Chemotherapy influences the pseudocapsule composition in soft tissue sarcomas. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2014; 472(3): 849-55.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11999-013-3022-7] [PMID: 23640206]
[63]
Giudetti AM, De Domenico S, Ragusa A, et al. A specific lipid metabolic profile is associated with the epithelial mesenchymal transition program. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2019; 1864(3): 344-57.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbalip.2018.12.011] [PMID: 30578966]

Rights & Permissions Print Cite
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy