51
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Zhang J, Liu W, Zou C, Zhao Z, Lai Y, Shi Z, Xie X, Huang G, Wang Y, Zhang X, Fan Z, Su Q, Yin J, Shen J. Targeting Super-Enhancer-Associated Oncogenes in Osteosarcoma with THZ2, a Covalent CDK7 Inhibitor. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:2681-2692. [PMID: 31937612 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-1418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Malignancy of cancer cells depends on the active transcription of tumor-associated genes. Recently, unique clusters of transcriptional enhancers, termed super-enhancers, have been reported to drive the expression of genes that define cell identity. In this study, we characterized specific super-enhancer-associated genes of osteosarcoma, and explored their potential therapeutic value. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Super-enhancer regions were characterized through chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq). RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA level of CDK7 in patient specimens and confirm the regulation of sensitive oncogenes by THZ2. The phosphorylation of the initiation-associated sites of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) C-terminal repeat domain (CTD) was measured using Western blotting. Microarray expression analysis was conducted to explore transcriptional changes after THZ2 treatment. A variety of in vitro and in vivo assays were performed to assess the effects of CDK7 knockdown and THZ2 treatment in osteosarcoma. RESULTS Super-enhancers were associated with oncogenic transcripts and key genes encoding cell-type-specific transcription factors in osteosarcoma. Knockdown of transcription factor CDK7 reduced phosphorylation of the RNAPII CTD, and suppressed the growth and metastasis of osteosarcoma. A new specific CDK7 inhibitor, THZ2, suppressed cancer biology by inhibition of transcriptional activity. Compared with typical enhancers, osteosarcoma super-enhancer-associated oncogenes were particular vulnerable to this transcriptional disruption. THZ2 exhibited a powerful anti-osteosarcoma effect in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Super-enhancer-associated genes contribute to the malignant potential of osteosarcoma, and selectively targeting super-enhancer-associated oncogenes with the specific CDK7 inhibitor THZ2 might be a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Zhang
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weihai Liu
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Changye Zou
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiqiang Zhao
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanying Lai
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi Shi
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianbiao Xie
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gang Huang
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongqian Wang
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuelin Zhang
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zepei Fan
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiao Su
- Department of Animal Experiment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Junqiang Yin
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingnan Shen
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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52
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Zhang F, Wu Z, Chen P, Zhang J, Wang T, Zhou J, Zhang H. Discovery of a new class of PROTAC BRD4 degraders based on a dihydroquinazolinone derivative and lenalidomide/pomalidomide. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115228. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.115228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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53
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BET inhibitors impair leukemic stem cell function only in defined oncogenic subgroups of acute myeloid leukaemias. Leuk Res 2019; 87:106269. [PMID: 31751766 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2019.106269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal inhibitors (BETi) such as OTX015 are active in Acute Myeloid Leukaemias (AML). Their activity on Leukemic Stem Cells (LSCs) is less documented. We interrogated the anti-LSC activity of OTX015 in a niche-like long-term culture in 26 primary AML samples and validated our findings in vivo. OTX015 impaired LSCs in AMLs harbouring Core Binding Factor or KMT2A gene fusions, NPM1 or chromatin/spliceosome genes mutations, but not in those with aneuploidy/TP53 mutations. In four patients, we dissected the transcriptomic footprint of Bet inhibition on LSCs versus blasts. Our results can instruct future clinical trials of BETi in AML.
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54
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JAKs to STATs: A tantalizing therapeutic target in acute myeloid leukemia. Blood Rev 2019; 40:100634. [PMID: 31677846 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2019.100634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The Janus Associated Kinase-Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in hematopoietic growth factor signaling. Hyperactive JAK-STAT signaling is implicated in the pathogenesis of myeloid malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The significant headway in understanding the biology of AML has led to an explosion of novel therapeutics with mechanistic rationale for the treatment of newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory (R/R) AML. Most importantly, selective targeting of the JAK-STAT pathway has proven to be an effective therapeutic strategy in myeloproliferative neoplasms and is also being evaluated in related myeloid malignancies, including AML. This comprehensive review will focus on the apparent and evolving potential of JAK-STAT pathway inhibition in AML with emphasis on JAK inhibitors, highlighting both success and failure with this experimental approach in the clinic, and identifying rationally based combinatorial approaches.
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55
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Fehling SC, Miller AL, Garcia PL, Vance RB, Yoon KJ. The combination of BET and PARP inhibitors is synergistic in models of cholangiocarcinoma. Cancer Lett 2019; 468:48-58. [PMID: 31605774 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Our previous finding that the BET inhibitor (BETi) JQ1 increases levels of the DNA damage marker γH2AX suggested that JQ1 might enhance the sensitivity of tumor cells to PARP inhibitors (PARPi), which are selectively toxic to cells that harbor relatively high levels of DNA damage. To address this hypothesis, we evaluated the effect of a BETi (JQ1 or I-BET762) combined with a PARPi (olaparib or veliparib) in KKU-055 and KKU-100 cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cell lines and of JQ1 with olaparib in a xenograft model of CCA. Each combination was more effective than any of the four drugs as single agents. Combination indices ranged from 0.1 to 0.8 at the ED50 for all combinations, indicating synergy and demonstrating that synergy was not limited to a specific combination. Mechanistically, downregulation of BETi molecular targets BRD2 or BRD4 by shRNA sensitized CCA cells to BETi as single agents as well as to the combination of a BETi + a PARPi. Our data indicate that combinations of a BETi with a PARPi merit further evaluation as a promising strategy for CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel C Fehling
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Aubrey L Miller
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Patrick L Garcia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rebecca B Vance
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Karina J Yoon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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56
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Reyes-Garau D, Ribeiro ML, Roué G. Pharmacological Targeting of BET Bromodomain Proteins in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Malignant Lymphomas: From Molecular Characterization to Clinical Applications. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101483. [PMID: 31581671 PMCID: PMC6826405 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in protein-protein and DNA-protein interactions and abnormal chromatin remodeling are a major cause of uncontrolled gene transcription and constitutive activation of critical signaling pathways in cancer cells. Multiple epigenetic regulators are known to be deregulated in several hematologic neoplasms, by somatic mutation, amplification, or deletion, allowing the identification of specific epigenetic signatures, but at the same time providing new therapeutic opportunities. While these vulnerabilities have been traditionally addressed by hypomethylating agents or histone deacetylase inhibitors, pharmacological targeting of bromodomain-containing proteins has recently emerged as a promising approach in a number of lymphoid and myeloid malignancies. Indeed, preclinical and clinical studies highlight the relevance of targeting the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family as an efficient strategy of target transcription irrespective of the presence of epigenetic mutations. Here we will summarize the main advances achieved in the last decade regarding the preclinical and clinical evaluation of BET bromodomain inhibitors in hematologic cancers, either as monotherapies or in combinations with standard and/or experimental agents. A mention will finally be given to the new concept of the protein degrader, and the perspective it holds for the design of bromodomain-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Reyes-Garau
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Marcelo L Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology and Molecular Biology, Sao Francisco University Medical School, Braganca Paulista, São Paulo 12916-900, Brazil.
| | - Gaël Roué
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
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57
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Wurm AA, Pina C. Long Non-coding RNAs as Functional and Structural Chromatin Modulators in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Oncol 2019; 9:899. [PMID: 31572684 PMCID: PMC6749032 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia is a hematopoietic neoplasm of dismal prognosis that results from the accumulation of immature myeloid blasts in the bone marrow and the peripheral blood. It is strongly dependent on epigenetic regulation for disease onset, maintenance and in response to treatment. Epigenetic regulation refers to the multiple chemical modifications of DNA or DNA-associated proteins that alter chromatin structure and DNA accessibility in a heritable manner, without changing DNA sequence. Unlike sequence-specific transcription factors, epigenetic regulators do not necessarily bind DNA at consensus sequences, but still achieve reproducible target binding in a manner that is cell and maturation-type specific. A growing body of evidence indicates that epigenetic regulators rely, amongst other factors, on their interaction with untranslated RNA molecules for guidance to particular targets on DNA. Non (protein)-coding RNAs are the most abundant transcriptional products of the coding genome, and comprise several different classes of molecules with unique lengths, conformations and targets. Amongst these, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are species of 200 bp to >100 K bp in length, that recognize, and bind unique and largely uncharacterized DNA conformations. Some have been shown to bind epigenetic regulators, and thus constitute attractive candidates to mediate epigenetic target specificity. Herein, we postulate that lncRNAs are central players in the unique epigenetic programming of AML and review recent evidence in support of this view. We discuss the value of lncRNAs as putative diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic targets in myeloid leukemias and indicate novel directions in this exciting research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A Wurm
- Department of Medical Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Cristina Pina
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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58
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Wingelhofer B, Somervaille TCP. Emerging Epigenetic Therapeutic Targets in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Oncol 2019; 9:850. [PMID: 31552175 PMCID: PMC6743337 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a genetically heterogeneous malignancy for which treatment options have been largely limited to cytotoxic chemotherapy for the past four decades. Next-generation sequencing and other approaches have identified a spectrum of genomic and epigenomic alterations that contribute to AML initiation and maintenance. The key role of epigenetic modifiers and the reversibility of epigenetic changes have paved the way for evaluation of a new set of drug targets, and facilitated the design of novel candidate treatment strategies. More recently, seven new targeted therapies have been FDA-approved demonstrating successful implementation of the past decades' research. In this review, we will summarize the most recent advances in targeted therapeutics designed for a focused group of key epigenetic regulators in AML, outline their mechanism of action and their current status in clinical development. Furthermore, we will discuss promising new approaches for epigenetic targeted treatment in AML which are currently being tested in pre-clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tim C. P. Somervaille
- Leukaemia Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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59
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Thoms JAI, Beck D, Pimanda JE. Transcriptional networks in acute myeloid leukemia. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2019; 58:859-874. [PMID: 31369171 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a complex disease characterized by a diverse range of recurrent molecular aberrations that occur in many different combinations. Components of transcriptional networks are a common target of these aberrations, leading to network-wide changes and deployment of novel or developmentally inappropriate transcriptional programs. Genome-wide techniques are beginning to reveal the full complexity of normal hematopoietic stem cell transcriptional networks and the extent to which they are deregulated in AML, and new understandings of the mechanisms by which AML cells maintain self-renewal and block differentiation are starting to emerge. The hope is that increased understanding of the network architecture in AML will lead to identification of key oncogenic dependencies that are downstream of multiple network aberrations, and that this knowledge will be translated into new therapies that target these dependencies. Here, we review the current state of knowledge of network perturbation in AML with a focus on major mechanisms of transcription factor dysregulation, including mutation, translocation, and transcriptional dysregulation, and discuss how these perturbations propagate across transcriptional networks. We will also review emerging mechanisms of network disruption, and briefly discuss how increased knowledge of network disruption is already being used to develop new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A I Thoms
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dominik Beck
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John E Pimanda
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Haematology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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60
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Chandhok NS, Prebet T. Insights into novel emerging epigenetic drugs in myeloid malignancies. Ther Adv Hematol 2019; 10:2040620719866081. [PMID: 31431820 PMCID: PMC6685116 DOI: 10.1177/2040620719866081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics has been defined as ‘a stably heritable phenotype resulting from changes in a chromosome without alterations in the DNA sequence’ and several epigenetic regulators are recurrently mutated in hematological malignancies. Epigenetic modifications include changes such as DNA methylation, histone modifications and RNA associated gene silencing. Transcriptional regulation, chromosome stability, DNA replication and DNA repair are all controlled by these modifications. Mutations in genes encoding epigenetic modifiers are a frequent occurrence in hematologic malignancies and important in both the initiation and progression of cancer. Epigenetic modifications are also frequently reversible, allowing excellent opportunities for therapeutic intervention. The goal of epigenetic therapies is to reverse epigenetic dysregulation, restore the epigenetic balance, and revert malignant cells to a more normal condition. The role of epigenetic therapies thus far is most established in hematologic malignancies, with several agents already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. In this review, we discuss pharmacological agents targeting epigenetic regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namrata S Chandhok
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Smilow Cancer Center at Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Thomas Prebet
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Smilow Cancer Center at Yale New Haven Hospital, 35 Park Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
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61
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Novel Therapies in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN): Beyond JAK Inhibitors. Curr Hematol Malig Rep 2019; 14:460-468. [DOI: 10.1007/s11899-019-00538-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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62
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Xu X, Wang L, Hu L, Dirks WG, Zhao Y, Wei Z, Chen D, Li Z, Wang Z, Han Y, Wei L, Drexler HG, Hu Z. Small molecular modulators of JMJD1C preferentially inhibit growth of leukemia cells. Int J Cancer 2019; 146:400-412. [PMID: 31271662 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Histone demethylases are promising therapeutic targets as they play fundamental roles for survival of Mixed lineage leukemia rearranged acute leukemia (MLLr AL). Here we focused on the catalytic Jumonji domain of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) demethylase JMJD1C to screen for potential small molecular modulators from 149,519 natural products and 33,765 Chinese medicine components via virtual screening. JMJD1C Jumonji domain inhibitor 4 (JDI-4) and JDI-12 that share a common structural backbone were detected within the top 15 compounds. Surface plasmon resonance analysis showed that JDI-4 and JDI-12 bind to JMJD1C and its family homolog KDM3B with modest affinity. In vitro demethylation assays showed that JDI-4 can reverse the H3K9 demethylation conferred by KDM3B. In vivo demethylation assays indicated that JDI-4 and JDI-12 could induce the global increase of H3K9 methylation. Cell proliferation and colony formation assays documented that JDI-4 and JDI-12 kill MLLr AL and other malignant hematopoietic cells, but not leukemia cells resistant to JMJD1C depletion or cord blood cells. Furthermore, JDI-16, among multiple compounds structurally akin to JDI-4/JDI-12, exhibits superior killing activities against malignant hematopoietic cells compared to JDI-4/JDI-12. Mechanistically, JDI-16 not only induces apoptosis but also differentiation of MLLr AL cells. RNA sequencing and quantitative PCR showed that JDI-16 induced gene expression associated with cell metabolism; targeted metabolomics revealed that JDI-16 downregulates lactic acids, NADP+ and other metabolites. Moreover, JDI-16 collaborates with all-trans retinoic acid to repress MLLr AML cells. In summary, we identified bona fide JMJD1C inhibitors that induce preferential death of MLLr AL cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xu
- Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China.,College of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Lin Wang
- The School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Weifang University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Linda Hu
- Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY
| | - Wilhelm G Dirks
- Department of Human and Animal Cell Culture, Leibniz-Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Yao Zhao
- Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Zhishuai Wei
- College of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Dexiang Chen
- College of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Zhaoliang Li
- Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Zhanju Wang
- The Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Yangyang Han
- College of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Liuya Wei
- College of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Hans G Drexler
- Department of Human and Animal Cell Culture, Leibniz-Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Zhenbo Hu
- Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
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63
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Zhang P, Li R, Xiao H, Liu W, Zeng X, Xie G, Yang W, Shi L, Yin Y, Tao K. BRD4 Inhibitor AZD5153 Suppresses the Proliferation of Colorectal Cancer Cells and Sensitizes the Anticancer Effect of PARP Inhibitor. Int J Biol Sci 2019; 15:1942-1954. [PMID: 31523195 PMCID: PMC6743290 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.34162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Bromodomain-containing protein 4(BRD4) is reported to play a vital role in the development of numerous malignant diseases, which is considered as a promising target for cancer therapy. AZD5153, a novel specific BRD4 inhibitor, showed potent anticancer effects in several cancer types, but its therapeutic potential has not been fully evaluated in colorectal cancer cells. Objective: We sought to evaluate the therapeutic potential of BRD4 inhibition of by AZD5153 and its combined anticancer cancer effect with PARP inhibitor BMN673 in vitro and in vivo in colorectal cancer. Methods: We analyzed The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to investigate BRD4 expression in colorectal cancer patient. Clonogenic assays 、MTT assays and PI/Annexin V staining were used to determine the effect of AZD5153 and BMN673 and combination therapy on cell viability and apoptosis induction. Western blotting was applied to detect relevant molecules changes. Propidium iodide staining was performed to examine cell cycle distributions after monotherapy or combination therapy. Nude mice xenograft model was generated to confirm the therapeutic effect of AZD5153 and BMN673 combination in vivo, and IHC staining was used to detect the expression level of BRD4 and related markers in colorectal patient and xenograft. Results: Analysis of TCGA database indicated that BRD4 was overexpressed in colorectal cancer patient. The clonogenic and MTT assays and PI/Annexin V staining demonstrated that AZD5153 significantly suppressed cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells HCT116 and LoVo. Western blotting showed that AZD5153 inhibited the expression of c-Myc and increased expression of the apoptosis markers, cleaved caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), besides, we found that BRD4 knockdown could also inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis. Moreover, AZD5153 inhibited the expression of Wee1 and impaired G2M cell cycle checkpoint, thus sensitized the anticancer effect of BMN673 in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: Our data revealed that AZD5153suppressed the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells and sensitized them to the anticancer effect of the PARP inhibitor BMN673 via Wee1 inhibition in vitro and in vivo. This suggested that targeting BRD4 might be a valuable strategy for colorectal cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Ruidong Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Hua Xiao
- Department of Gastroduodenal and Pancreatic Surgery, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, No. 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, Hunan Province 410013, China
| | - Weizhen Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Xiangyu Zeng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Genchen Xie
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Wenchang Yang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Liang Shi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yuping Yin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Kaixiong Tao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
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64
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Winer ES, Stone RM. Novel therapy in Acute myeloid leukemia (AML): moving toward targeted approaches. Ther Adv Hematol 2019; 10:2040620719860645. [PMID: 31321011 PMCID: PMC6624910 DOI: 10.1177/2040620719860645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogenous and complex disease characterized by rapid cellular proliferation, an aggressive clinical course, and generally high mortality. While progress has been made in the understanding of the genetic and molecular biology of the disease, the standard of care for patients had only changed minimally over the past 40 years. Recently, rapid movement of potentially useful agents from bench to bedside has translated into new therapies either recently approved or in clinical trials. These therapies include improved chemotherapies, mutationally targeted inhibitors, pro-apoptotic agents, microenvironment targeting molecules, cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors, and epigenetic regulators. Furthermore, advances in immunotherapy employ monoclonal and bispecific antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, checkpoint inhibitors, and vaccines provide an alternative pathway for AML treatment. In this review, we discuss the recent results of completed or ongoing clinical trials with these novel therapeutic agents in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric S. Winer
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Leukemia Division,
Department of Medical Oncology, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Richard M. Stone
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Leukemia Division,
Department of Medical Oncology, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02115,
USA
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65
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Abstract
Less than a decade ago, it was shown that bromodomains, acetyl lysine 'reader' modules found in proteins with varied functions, were highly tractable small-molecule targets. This is an unusual property for protein-protein or protein-peptide interaction domains, and it prompted a wave of chemical probe discovery to understand the biological potential of new agents that targeted bromodomains. The original examples, inhibitors of the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) class of bromodomains, showed enticing anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities, and several compounds have since advanced to human clinical trials. Here, we review the current state of BET inhibitor biology in relation to clinical development, and we discuss the next wave of bromodomain inhibitors with clinical potential in oncology and non-oncology indications. The lessons learned from BET inhibitor programmes should affect efforts to develop drugs that target non-BET bromodomains and other epigenetic readers.
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66
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Damaneh MS, Hu JP, Huan XJ, Song SS, Tian CQ, Chen DQ, Meng T, Chen YL, Shen JK, Xiong B, Miao ZH, Wang YQ. A new BET inhibitor, 171, inhibits tumor growth through cell proliferation inhibition more than apoptosis induction. Invest New Drugs 2019; 38:700-713. [DOI: 10.1007/s10637-019-00818-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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67
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Khoueiry P, Ward Gahlawat A, Petretich M, Michon AM, Simola D, Lam E, Furlong EE, Benes V, Dawson MA, Prinjha RK, Drewes G, Grandi P. BRD4 bimodal binding at promoters and drug-induced displacement at Pol II pause sites associates with I-BET sensitivity. Epigenetics Chromatin 2019; 12:39. [PMID: 31266503 PMCID: PMC6604197 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-019-0286-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Deregulated transcription is a major driver of diseases such as cancer. Bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins (BRD2, BRD3, BRD4 and BRDT) are chromatin readers essential for maintaining proper gene transcription by specifically binding acetylated lysine residues. Targeted displacement of BET proteins from chromatin, using BET inhibitors (I-BETs), is a promising therapy, especially for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and evaluation of resistance mechanisms is necessary to optimize the clinical efficacy of these drugs. Results To uncover mechanisms of intrinsic I-BET resistance, we quantified chromatin binding and displacement for BRD2, BRD3 and BRD4 after dose response treatment with I-BET151, in sensitive and resistant in vitro models of leukemia, and mapped BET proteins/I-BET interactions genome wide using antibody- and compound-affinity capture methods followed by deep sequencing. The genome-wide map of BET proteins sensitivity to I-BET revealed a bimodal pattern of binding flanking transcription start sites (TSSs), in which drug-mediated displacement from chromatin primarily affects BRD4 downstream of the TSS and prolongs the pausing of RNA Pol II. Correlation of BRD4 binding and drug-mediated displacement at RNA Pol II pause sites with gene expression revealed a differential behavior of sensitive and resistant tumor cells to I-BET and identified a BRD4 signature at promoters of sensitive coding and non-coding genes. Conclusions We provide evidence that I-BET-induced shift of Pol II pausing at promoters via displacement of BRD4 is a determinant of intrinsic I-BET sensitivity. This finding may guide pharmacological treatment to enhance the clinical utility of such targeted therapies in AML and potentially other BET proteins-driven diseases. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13072-019-0286-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Khoueiry
- Cellzome GmbH, a GSK Company, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | | | - M Petretich
- Cellzome GmbH, a GSK Company, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - A M Michon
- Cellzome GmbH, a GSK Company, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - D Simola
- Target Science Computational Biology, GSK Medicines Research Centre, Upper Providence, USA
| | - E Lam
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Australia
| | - E E Furlong
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Genome Biology Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - V Benes
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Genomics Core Facility, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - M A Dawson
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Australia
| | - R K Prinjha
- Epigenetics DPU, GSK Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage, UK
| | - G Drewes
- Cellzome GmbH, a GSK Company, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - P Grandi
- Cellzome GmbH, a GSK Company, Heidelberg, Germany.
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68
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Bell CC, Fennell KA, Chan YC, Rambow F, Yeung MM, Vassiliadis D, Lara L, Yeh P, Martelotto LG, Rogiers A, Kremer BE, Barbash O, Mohammad HP, Johanson TM, Burr ML, Dhar A, Karpinich N, Tian L, Tyler DS, MacPherson L, Shi J, Pinnawala N, Yew Fong C, Papenfuss AT, Grimmond SM, Dawson SJ, Allan RS, Kruger RG, Vakoc CR, Goode DL, Naik SH, Gilan O, Lam EYN, Marine JC, Prinjha RK, Dawson MA. Targeting enhancer switching overcomes non-genetic drug resistance in acute myeloid leukaemia. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2723. [PMID: 31222014 PMCID: PMC6586637 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10652-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-genetic drug resistance is increasingly recognised in various cancers. Molecular insights into this process are lacking and it is unknown whether stable non-genetic resistance can be overcome. Using single cell RNA-sequencing of paired drug naïve and resistant AML patient samples and cellular barcoding in a unique mouse model of non-genetic resistance, here we demonstrate that transcriptional plasticity drives stable epigenetic resistance. With a CRISPR-Cas9 screen we identify regulators of enhancer function as important modulators of the resistant cell state. We show that inhibition of Lsd1 (Kdm1a) is able to overcome stable epigenetic resistance by facilitating the binding of the pioneer factor, Pu.1 and cofactor, Irf8, to nucleate new enhancers that regulate the expression of key survival genes. This enhancer switching results in the re-distribution of transcriptional co-activators, including Brd4, and provides the opportunity to disable their activity and overcome epigenetic resistance. Together these findings highlight key principles to help counteract non-genetic drug resistance.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
- Bone Marrow/pathology
- CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Epigenesis, Genetic/drug effects
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic/drug effects
- HEK293 Cells
- Humans
- Kaplan-Meier Estimate
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/mortality
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Sequence Analysis, RNA
- Single-Cell Analysis
- Trans-Activators/antagonists & inhibitors
- Trans-Activators/genetics
- Trans-Activators/metabolism
- Transcription, Genetic/drug effects
- Treatment Outcome
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles C Bell
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Katie A Fennell
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Yih-Chih Chan
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Florian Rambow
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Miriam M Yeung
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Dane Vassiliadis
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Luis Lara
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul Yeh
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Aljosja Rogiers
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Brandon E Kremer
- Epigenetics DPU, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Olena Barbash
- Epigenetics DPU, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Helai P Mohammad
- Epigenetics DPU, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Timothy M Johanson
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Marian L Burr
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Arindam Dhar
- Epigenetics DPU, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Luyi Tian
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Dean S Tyler
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Laura MacPherson
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Junwei Shi
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Nathan Pinnawala
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Chun Yew Fong
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Anthony T Papenfuss
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sean M Grimmond
- Centre for Cancer Research, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sarah-Jane Dawson
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Research, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rhys S Allan
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ryan G Kruger
- Epigenetics DPU, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - David L Goode
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Shalin H Naik
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Omer Gilan
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Enid Y N Lam
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jean-Christophe Marine
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rab K Prinjha
- Epigenetics DPU, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mark A Dawson
- Cancer Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Haematology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Centre for Cancer Research, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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69
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Lambert M, Alioui M, Jambon S, Depauw S, Van Seuningen I, David-Cordonnier MH. Direct and Indirect Targeting of HOXA9 Transcription Factor in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11060837. [PMID: 31213012 PMCID: PMC6627208 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11060837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
HOXA9 (Homeobox A9) is a homeotic transcription factor known for more than two decades to be associated with leukemia. The expression of HOXA9 homeoprotein is associated with anterior-posterior patterning during embryonic development, and its expression is then abolished in most adult cells, with the exception of hematopoietic progenitor cells. The oncogenic function of HOXA9 was first assessed in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML), particularly in the mixed-phenotype associated lineage leukemia (MPAL) subtype. HOXA9 expression in AML is associated with aggressiveness and a poor prognosis. Since then, HOXA9 has been involved in other hematopoietic malignancies and an increasing number of solid tumors. Despite this, HOXA9 was for a long time not targeted to treat cancer, mainly since, as a transcription factor, it belongs to a class of protein long considered to be an "undruggable" target; however, things have now evolved. The aim of the present review is to focus on the different aspects of HOXA9 targeting that could be achieved through multiple ways: (1) indirectly, through the inhibition of its expression, a strategy acting principally at the epigenetic level; or (2) directly, through the inhibition of its transcription factor function by acting at either the protein/protein interaction or the protein/DNA interaction interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Lambert
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S1172 - JPArc - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert Neurosciences and Cancer, F-59000 Lille, France.
- Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille, F-59045 Lille, France.
| | - Meryem Alioui
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S1172 - JPArc - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert Neurosciences and Cancer, F-59000 Lille, France.
- Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille, F-59045 Lille, France.
| | - Samy Jambon
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S1172 - JPArc - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert Neurosciences and Cancer, F-59000 Lille, France.
- Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille, F-59045 Lille, France.
| | - Sabine Depauw
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S1172 - JPArc - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert Neurosciences and Cancer, F-59000 Lille, France.
- Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille, F-59045 Lille, France.
| | - Isabelle Van Seuningen
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S1172 - JPArc - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert Neurosciences and Cancer, F-59000 Lille, France.
| | - Marie-Hélène David-Cordonnier
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S1172 - JPArc - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert Neurosciences and Cancer, F-59000 Lille, France.
- Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille, F-59045 Lille, France.
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70
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He Y, Long W, Liu Q. Targeting Super-Enhancers as a Therapeutic Strategy for Cancer Treatment. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:361. [PMID: 31105558 PMCID: PMC6499164 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Super-enhancers (SEs) refer to large clusters of enhancers that drive gene expressions. Recent data has provided novel insights in elucidating the roles of SEs in many diseases, including cancer. Many mechanisms involved in tumorigenesis and progression, ranging from internal gene mutation and rearrangement to external damage and inducement, have been demonstrated to be highly associated with SEs. Moreover, translocation, formation, deletion, or duplication of SEs themselves could lead to tumor development. It has been reported that various oncogenic molecules and pathways are tightly regulated by SEs. Moreover, several clinical trials on novel SEs blockers, such as BET inhibitor and CDK7i, have indicated the potential roles of SEs in cancer therapy. In this review, we highlighted the underlying mechanism of action of SEs in cancer development and the corresponding novel potential therapeutic strategies. It is speculated that targeting SEs could complement the traditional approaches and lead to more effective treatment for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenyong Long
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qing Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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71
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Alqahtani A, Choucair K, Ashraf M, Hammouda DM, Alloghbi A, Khan T, Senzer N, Nemunaitis J. Bromodomain and extra-terminal motif inhibitors: a review of preclinical and clinical advances in cancer therapy. Future Sci OA 2019; 5:FSO372. [PMID: 30906568 PMCID: PMC6426170 DOI: 10.4155/fsoa-2018-0115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone lysine acetylation is critical in regulating transcription. Dysregulation of this process results in aberrant gene expression in various diseases, including cancer. The bromodomain, present in several proteins, recognizes promotor lysine acetylation and recruits other transcription factors. The bromodomain extra-terminal (BET) family of proteins consists of four conserved mammalian members that regulate transcription of oncogenes such as MYC and the NUT fusion oncoprotein. Targeting the acetyl-lysine-binding property of BET proteins is a potential therapeutic approach of cancer. Consequently, following the demonstration that thienotriazolodiazepine small molecules effectively inhibit BET, clinical trials were initiated. We thus discuss the mechanisms of action of various BET inhibitors and the prospects for their clinical use as cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Alqahtani
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Khalil Choucair
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Mushtaq Ashraf
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Danae M Hammouda
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Abduraham Alloghbi
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Talal Khan
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Neil Senzer
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - John Nemunaitis
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
- ProMedica Health System, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA
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72
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Jia B, Zhao C, Rakszawski KL, Claxton DF, Ehmann WC, Rybka WB, Mineishi S, Wang M, Shike H, Bayerl MG, Sivik JM, Schell TD, Drabick JJ, Hohl RJ, Zheng H. Eomes +T-bet low CD8 + T Cells Are Functionally Impaired and Are Associated with Poor Clinical Outcome in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancer Res 2019; 79:1635-1645. [PMID: 30709927 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-3107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a devastating blood cancer with poor prognosis. Immunotherapy targeting inhibitory pathways to unleash the antileukemia T-cell response is a promising strategy for the treatment of leukemia, but we must first understand the underlying molecular mechanisms. Eomesodermin (Eomes) and T-bet are both T-box transcription factors that regulate CD8+ T-cell responses in a context-specific manner. Here, we examined the role of these transcription factors in CD8+ T-cell immunity in AML patients. We report that the frequency of Eomes+T-betlow CD8+ T cells increased in newly diagnosed AML. This cell subset produced fewer cytokines and displayed reduced killing capacity, whereas depletion of Eomes by siRNA reversed these functional defects. Furthermore, Eomes bound the promoter of T-cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT) and positively regulated the expression of this inhibitory receptor on patient-derived T cells. A high frequency of Eomes+T-betlow CD8+ T cells was associated with poor response to induction chemotherapy and shorter overall survival in AML patients. These findings have significant clinical implications as they not only identify a predictive and prognostic biomarker for AML, but they also provide an important target for effective leukemia therapeutics. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings reveal that a high frequency of Eomes+T-betlow CD8+ T cells predicts poor clinical outcome in AML and that targeting Eomes may provide a therapeutic benefit against AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei Jia
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Chenchen Zhao
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania.,Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Kevin L Rakszawski
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - David F Claxton
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - W Christopher Ehmann
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Witold B Rybka
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Shin Mineishi
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Ming Wang
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Hiroko Shike
- Department of Pathology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael G Bayerl
- Department of Pathology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Jeffrey M Sivik
- Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Todd D Schell
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Joseph J Drabick
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Raymond J Hohl
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Hong Zheng
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania. .,Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
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73
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Pericole FV, Lazarini M, de Paiva LB, Duarte ADSS, Vieira Ferro KP, Niemann FS, Roversi FM, Olalla Saad ST. BRD4 Inhibition Enhances Azacitidine Efficacy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes. Front Oncol 2019; 9:16. [PMID: 30761268 PMCID: PMC6361844 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal hematopoietic stem cell-based disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, increased genomic instability and a tendency to progress toward acute myeloid leukemia (AML). MDS and AML cells present genetic and epigenetic abnormalities and, due to the heterogeneity of these molecular alterations, the current treatment options remain unsatisfactory. Hypomethylating agents (HMA), especially azacitidine, are the mainstay of treatment for high-risk MDS patients and HMA are used in treating elderly AML. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of the epigenetic reader bromodomain-containing protein-4 (BRD4) in MDS and AML patients. We identified the upregulation of the short variant BRD4 in MDS and AML patients, which was associated with a worse outcome of MDS. Furthermore, the inhibition of BRD4 in vitro with JQ1 or shRNA induced leukemia cell apoptosis, especially when combined to azacitidine, and triggered the activation of the DNA damage response pathway. JQ1 and AZD6738 (a specific ATR inhibitor) also synergized to induce apoptosis in leukemia cells. Our results indicate that the BRD4-dependent transcriptional program is a defective pathway in MDS and AML pathogenesis and its inhibition induces apoptosis of leukemia cells, which is enhanced in combination with HMA or an ATR inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Vieira Pericole
- Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Sangue, University of Campinas, Hemocentro-Unicamp, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana Lazarini
- Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Sangue, University of Campinas, Hemocentro-Unicamp, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciana Bueno de Paiva
- Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Sangue, University of Campinas, Hemocentro-Unicamp, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adriana da Silva Santos Duarte
- Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Sangue, University of Campinas, Hemocentro-Unicamp, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Karla Priscila Vieira Ferro
- Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Sangue, University of Campinas, Hemocentro-Unicamp, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Soares Niemann
- Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Sangue, University of Campinas, Hemocentro-Unicamp, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Marconi Roversi
- Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Sangue, University of Campinas, Hemocentro-Unicamp, São Paulo, Brazil.,Universidade São Francisco (USF), Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sara Teresinha Olalla Saad
- Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Sangue, University of Campinas, Hemocentro-Unicamp, São Paulo, Brazil
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74
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Fiskus W, Cai T, DiNardo CD, Kornblau SM, Borthakur G, Kadia TM, Pemmaraju N, Bose P, Masarova L, Rajapakshe K, Perera D, Coarfa C, Mill CP, Saenz DT, Saenz DN, Sun B, Khoury JD, Shen Y, Konopleva M, Bhalla KN. Superior efficacy of cotreatment with BET protein inhibitor and BCL2 or MCL1 inhibitor against AML blast progenitor cells. Blood Cancer J 2019; 9:4. [PMID: 30647404 PMCID: PMC6333829 DOI: 10.1038/s41408-018-0165-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
First-generation bromodomain extra-terminal protein (BETP) inhibitors (BETi) (e.g., OTX015) that disrupt binding of BETP BRD4 to chromatin transcriptionally attenuate AML-relevant progrowth and prosurvival oncoproteins. BETi treatment induces apoptosis of AML BPCs, reduces in vivo AML burden and induces clinical remissions in a minority of AML patients. Clinical efficacy of more potent BETis, e.g., ABBV-075 (AbbVie, Inc.), is being evaluated. Venetoclax and A-1210477 bind and inhibit the antiapoptotic activity of BCL2 and MCL1, respectively, lowering the threshold for apoptosis. BETi treatment is shown here to perturb accessible chromatin and activity of enhancers/promoters, attenuating MYC, CDK6, MCL1 and BCL2, while inducing BIM, HEXIM1, CDKN1A expressions and apoptosis of AML cells. Treatment with venetoclax increased MCL1 protein levels, but cotreatment with ABBV-075 reduced MCL1 and Bcl-xL levels. ABBV-075 cotreatment synergistically induced apoptosis with venetoclax or A-1210477 in patient-derived, CD34+ AML cells. Compared to treatment with either agent alone, cotreatment with ABBV-075 and venetoclax was significantly more effective in reducing AML cell-burden and improving survival, without inducing toxicity, in AML-engrafted immune-depleted mice. These findings highlight the basis of superior activity and support interrogation of clinical efficacy and safety of cotreatment with BETi and BCL2 or MCL1 inhibitor in AML.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Binding Sites
- Biomarkers, Tumor
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drug Synergism
- Female
- Humans
- Indoles/pharmacology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/mortality
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein/antagonists & inhibitors
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/drug effects
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism
- Protein Binding
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/antagonists & inhibitors
- Pyridones/pharmacology
- Sulfonamides/pharmacology
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren Fiskus
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Tianyu Cai
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Courtney D DiNardo
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Steven M Kornblau
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Gautam Borthakur
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Tapan M Kadia
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Naveen Pemmaraju
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Prithviraj Bose
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Lucia Masarova
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kimal Rajapakshe
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Dimuthu Perera
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Cristian Coarfa
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Christopher P Mill
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Dyana T Saenz
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - David N Saenz
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Baohua Sun
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Joseph D Khoury
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yu Shen
- AbbVie, Inc., North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA
| | - Marina Konopleva
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kapil N Bhalla
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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75
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Bewersdorf JP, Shallis R, Stahl M, Zeidan AM. Epigenetic therapy combinations in acute myeloid leukemia: what are the options? Ther Adv Hematol 2019; 10:2040620718816698. [PMID: 30719265 PMCID: PMC6348528 DOI: 10.1177/2040620718816698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics refers to the regulation of gene expression mainly by changes in DNA methylation and modifications of histone proteins without altering the actual DNA sequence. While epigenetic modifications are essential for normal cell differentiation, several driver mutations in leukemic pathogenesis have been identified in genes that affect epigenetic processes, such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation. Several therapeutic options to target epigenetic alterations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have been successfully tested in preclinical studies and various drugs have already been approved for use in clinical practice. Among these already approved therapeutics are hypomethylating agents (azacitidine and decitabine) and isocitrate dehydrogenase inhibitors (ivosidenib, enasidenib). Other agents such as bromodomain-containing epigenetic reader proteins and histone methylation (e.g. DOT1L) inhibitors are currently in advanced clinical testing. As several epigenetic therapies have only limited efficacy when used as single agents, combination therapies that target AML pathogenesis at different levels and exploit synergistic mechanisms are also in clinical trials. Combinations of either epigenetic therapies with conventional chemotherapy, different forms of epigenetic therapies, or epigenetic therapies with immunotherapy are showing promising early results. In this review we summarize the underlying pathophysiology and rationale for epigenetically-based combination therapies, review current preclinical and clinical data and discuss the future directions of epigenetic therapy combinations in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Philipp Bewersdorf
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rory Shallis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Maximilian Stahl
- Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amer M Zeidan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, PO Box 208028, New Haven, CT 06520-8055, USA
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76
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Predicting response to BET inhibitors using computational modeling: A BEAT AML project study. Leuk Res 2019; 77:42-50. [PMID: 30642575 PMCID: PMC6442457 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2018.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Despite advances in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), overall survival rates remain low. The ability to predict treatment response based on individual cancer genomics using computational modeling will aid in the development of novel therapeutics and personalize care. Here, we used a combination of genomics, computational biology modeling (CBM), ex vivo chemosensitivity assay, and clinical data from 100 randomly selected patients in the Beat AML project to characterize AML sensitivity to a bromodomain (BRD) and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitor. Computational biology modeling was used to generate patient-specific protein network maps of activated and inactivated protein pathways translated from each genomic profile. Digital drug simulations of a BET inhibitor (JQ1) were conducted by quantitatively measuring drug effect using a composite AML disease inhibition score. 93% of predicted disease inhibition scores matched the associated ex vivo IC50 value. Sensitivity and specificity of CBM predictions were 97.67%, and 64.29%, respectively. Genomic predictors of response were identified. Patient samples harbouring chromosomal aberrations del(7q) or −7, +8, or del(5q) and somatic mutations causing ERK pathway dysregulation, responded to JQ1 in both in silico and ex vivo assays. This study shows how a combination of genomics, computational modeling and chemosensitivity testing can identify network signatures associating with treatment response and can inform priority populations for future clinical trials of BET inhibitors.
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77
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Ohanian M, Rozovski U, Kanagal-Shamanna R, Abruzzo LV, Loghavi S, Kadia T, Futreal A, Bhalla K, Zuo Z, Huh YO, Post SM, Ruvolo P, Garcia-Manero G, Andreeff M, Kornblau S, Borthakur G, Hu P, Medeiros LJ, Takahashi K, Hornbaker MJ, Zhang J, Nogueras-González GM, Huang X, Verstovsek S, Estrov Z, Pierce S, Ravandi F, Kantarjian HM, Bueso-Ramos CE, Cortes JE. MYC protein expression is an important prognostic factor in acute myeloid leukemia. Leuk Lymphoma 2019; 60:37-48. [PMID: 29741984 PMCID: PMC6226369 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2018.1464158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
As new drugs targeting MYC show clinical activity in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), understanding MYC expression in AML is of critical importance. We assessed MYC protein expression by immunohistochemistry in bone marrow of patients with untreated AML (n = 265). Overall, 90% of patients demonstrated MYC overexpression and MYC immunopositivity ≤6% was associated with superior complete remission (CR) duration of 23 months versus 12 months for MYC immunopositivity >6% (p = .028). Among 241 patients at higher risk for relapse, including those ≥55 years of age and patients with intermediate- and high-risk AML, MYC immunopositivity ≤6% conferred significantly superior median overall survival (OS) (24 versus 13 months; p = .042), event-free survival (EFS) (14 versus 6 months; p = .048), and relapse-free survival (RFS) (25 versus 12 months; p = .024). The prognostic impact of MYC-immunopositivity was retained on multivariate analysis of OS, EFS, and RFS. We conclude that MYC immunopositivity is an important prognostic factor in patients with untreated AML, particularly those at higher risk for relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maro Ohanian
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Uri Rozovski
- Department of Hematology, Davidoff Cancer Center at Rabin Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Rashmi Kanagal-Shamanna
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, Texas
| | - Lynne V. Abruzzo
- Department of Pathology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43202
| | - Sanam Loghavi
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, Texas
| | - Tapan Kadia
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Andrew Futreal
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Kapil Bhalla
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Zhuang Zuo
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, Texas
| | - Yang O. Huh
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, Texas
| | - Sean M. Post
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Peter Ruvolo
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Guillermo Garcia-Manero
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Michael Andreeff
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Steven Kornblau
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Gautam Borthakur
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Peter Hu
- School of Health Professions, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - L. Jeffrey Medeiros
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, Texas
| | - Koichi Takahashi
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Marisa J. Hornbaker
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | | | - Xuelin Huang
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Srdan Verstovsek
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Zeev Estrov
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Sherry Pierce
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Farhad Ravandi
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Hagop M. Kantarjian
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Carlos E. Bueso-Ramos
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, Texas
| | - Jorge E. Cortes
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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78
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Tzelepis K, De Braekeleer E, Aspris D, Barbieri I, Vijayabaskar MS, Liu WH, Gozdecka M, Metzakopian E, Toop HD, Dudek M, Robson SC, Hermida-Prado F, Yang YH, Babaei-Jadidi R, Garyfallos DA, Ponstingl H, Dias JML, Gallipoli P, Seiler M, Buonamici S, Vick B, Bannister AJ, Rad R, Prinjha RK, Marioni JC, Huntly B, Batson J, Morris JC, Pina C, Bradley A, Jeremias I, Bates DO, Yusa K, Kouzarides T, Vassiliou GS. SRPK1 maintains acute myeloid leukemia through effects on isoform usage of epigenetic regulators including BRD4. Nat Commun 2018; 9:5378. [PMID: 30568163 PMCID: PMC6300607 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07620-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently identified the splicing kinase gene SRPK1 as a genetic vulnerability of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here, we show that genetic or pharmacological inhibition of SRPK1 leads to cell cycle arrest, leukemic cell differentiation and prolonged survival of mice transplanted with MLL-rearranged AML. RNA-seq analysis demonstrates that SRPK1 inhibition leads to altered isoform levels of many genes including several with established roles in leukemogenesis such as MYB, BRD4 and MED24. We focus on BRD4 as its main isoforms have distinct molecular properties and find that SRPK1 inhibition produces a significant switch from the short to the long isoform at the mRNA and protein levels. This was associated with BRD4 eviction from genomic loci involved in leukemogenesis including BCL2 and MYC. We go on to show that this switch mediates at least part of the anti-leukemic effects of SRPK1 inhibition. Our findings reveal that SRPK1 represents a plausible new therapeutic target against AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Tzelepis
- Haematological Cancer Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK.
- Gurdon Institute and Department of Pathology, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK.
| | - Etienne De Braekeleer
- Haematological Cancer Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Demetrios Aspris
- Haematological Cancer Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
- Karaiskakio Foundation, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Isaia Barbieri
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital, CB2 0QQ, Cambridge, UK
| | - M S Vijayabaskar
- Haematological Cancer Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Wen-Hsin Liu
- Research Unit Apoptosis in Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU), 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Malgorzata Gozdecka
- Haematological Cancer Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Emmanouil Metzakopian
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Hills Rd, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Hamish D Toop
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Exonate Ltd, Milton Science Park, Cambridge, UK
| | - Monika Dudek
- Haematological Cancer Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Samuel C Robson
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Portsmouth, White Swan Road, Portsmouth, PO1 2DT, UK
| | - Francisco Hermida-Prado
- Haematological Cancer Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Yu Hsuen Yang
- Haematological Cancer Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | | | - Dimitrios A Garyfallos
- Haematological Cancer Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Hannes Ponstingl
- Haematological Cancer Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Joao M L Dias
- Cancer Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory, National Institute for Health Research, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Paolo Gallipoli
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, UK
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PT, UK
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | | | | | - Binje Vick
- Research Unit Apoptosis in Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU), 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Andrew J Bannister
- Gurdon Institute and Department of Pathology, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Roland Rad
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, Department of Medicine II and TranslaTUM Cancer Center, Technical University of Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, & German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rab K Prinjha
- Epigenetics DPU, Immunoinflammation and Oncology TA Unit, GSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - John C Marioni
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SD, UK
- Stem Cell Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Brian Huntly
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, UK
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PT, UK
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | | | - Jonathan C Morris
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Exonate Ltd, Milton Science Park, Cambridge, UK
| | - Cristina Pina
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PT, UK
| | - Allan Bradley
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Irmela Jeremias
- Research Unit Apoptosis in Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (HMGU), 81377, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, & German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University München, 80337, Munich, Germany
| | - David O Bates
- Exonate Ltd, Milton Science Park, Cambridge, UK
- Cancer Biology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG2 7UH, UK
| | - Kosuke Yusa
- Stem Cell Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK.
| | - Tony Kouzarides
- Gurdon Institute and Department of Pathology, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK.
| | - George S Vassiliou
- Haematological Cancer Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK.
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, UK.
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PT, UK.
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79
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Mandal M, Maienschein-Cline M, Maffucci P, Veselits M, Kennedy DE, McLean KC, Okoreeh MK, Karki S, Cunningham-Rundles C, Clark MR. BRWD1 orchestrates epigenetic landscape of late B lymphopoiesis. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3888. [PMID: 30250168 PMCID: PMC6155124 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06165-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor (TF) networks determine cell fate in hematopoiesis. However, how TFs cooperate with other regulatory mechanisms to instruct transcription remains poorly understood. Here we show that in small pre-B cells, the lineage restricted epigenetic reader BRWD1 closes early development enhancers and opens the enhancers of late B lymphopoiesis to TF binding. BRWD1 regulates over 7000 genes to repress proliferative and induce differentiation programs. However, BRWD1 does not regulate the expression of TFs required for B lymphopoiesis. Hypogammaglobulinemia patients with BRWD1 mutations have B-cell transcriptional profiles and enhancer landscapes similar to those observed in Brwd1-/- mice. These data indicate that, in both mice and humans, BRWD1 is a master orchestrator of enhancer accessibility that cooperates with TF networks to drive late B-cell development. B-cell development is tightly regulated by transcription programs that are coordinated by transcription factors (TF) and locus accessibility. Here the authors show that, in mice and humans, the epigenetic reader BRWD1 inhibits and promotes the accessibility of enhancers for early and late B lymphopoiesis, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malay Mandal
- Department of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology and Gwen Knapp Center for Lupus and Immunology Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
| | - Mark Maienschein-Cline
- Core for Research Informatics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Patrick Maffucci
- Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Margaret Veselits
- Department of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology and Gwen Knapp Center for Lupus and Immunology Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Domenick E Kennedy
- Department of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology and Gwen Knapp Center for Lupus and Immunology Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Kaitlin C McLean
- Department of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology and Gwen Knapp Center for Lupus and Immunology Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Michael K Okoreeh
- Department of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology and Gwen Knapp Center for Lupus and Immunology Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Sophiya Karki
- Department of Research Biology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Charlotte Cunningham-Rundles
- Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marcus R Clark
- Department of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology and Gwen Knapp Center for Lupus and Immunology Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
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80
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Valenciaga A, Saji M, Yu L, Zhang X, Bumrah C, Yilmaz AS, Knippler CM, Miles W, Giordano TJ, Cote GJ, Ringel MD. Transcriptional targeting of oncogene addiction in medullary thyroid cancer. JCI Insight 2018; 3:122225. [PMID: 30135308 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.122225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is incurable and FDA-approved kinase inhibitors that include oncogenic RET as a target do not result in complete responses. Association studies of human MTCs and murine models suggest that the CDK/RB pathway may be an alternative target. The objective of this study was to determine if CDKs represent therapeutic targets for MTC and to define mechanisms of activity. Using human MTC cells that are either sensitive or resistant to vandetanib, we demonstrate that palbociclib (CDK4/6 inhibitor) is not cytotoxic to MTC cells but that they are highly sensitive to dinaciclib (CDK1/2/5/9 inhibitor) accompanied by reduced CDK9 and RET protein and mRNA levels. CDK9 protein was highly expressed in 83 of 83 human MTCs and array-comparative genomic hybridization had copy number gain in 11 of 30 tumors. RNA sequencing demonstrated that RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription was markedly reduced by dinaciclib. The CDK7 inhibitor THZ1 also demonstrated high potency and reduced RET and CDK9 levels. ChIP-sequencing using H3K27Ac antibody identified a superenhancer in intron 1 of RET. Finally, combined inhibition of dinaciclib with a RET kinase inhibitor was synergistic. In summary, we have identified what we believe is a novel mechanism of RET transcription regulation that potentially can be exploited to improve RET therapeutic targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisley Valenciaga
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Motoyasu Saji
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Christina M Knippler
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Wayne Miles
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Thomas J Giordano
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Gilbert J Cote
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Matthew D Ringel
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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81
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Gallipoli P, Huntly BJP. Novel epigenetic therapies in hematological malignancies: Current status and beyond. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 51:198-210. [PMID: 28782607 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2017.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Revised: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade transcriptional dysregulation and altered epigenetic programs have emerged as a hallmark in the majority of hematological cancers. Several epigenetic regulators are recurrently mutated in many hematological malignancies. In addition, in those cases that lack epigenetic mutations, altered function of epigenetic regulators has been shown to play a central role in the pathobiology of many hematological neoplasms, through mechanisms that are becoming increasingly understood. This, in turn, has led to the development of small molecule inhibitors of dysregulated epigenetic pathways as novel targeted therapies for hematological malignancies. In this review, we will present the most recent advances in our understanding of the role played by dysregulated epigenetic programs in the development and maintenance of hematological neoplasms. We will describe novel therapeutics targeting altered epigenetic programs and outline their mode of action. We will then discuss their use in specific conditions, identify potential limitations and putative toxicities while also providing an update on their current clinical development. Finally, we will highlight the opportunities presented by epigenetically targeted therapies in hematological malignancies and introduce the challenges that need to be tackled by both the research and clinical communities to best translate these novel therapies into clinical practice and to improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Gallipoli
- Department of Hematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and Addenbrookes Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK; Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Brian J P Huntly
- Department of Hematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and Addenbrookes Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK; Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, UK.
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82
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Zhou Y, Zhou J, Lu X, Tan TZ, Chng WJ. BET Bromodomain inhibition promotes De-repression of TXNIP and activation of ASK1-MAPK pathway in acute myeloid leukemia. BMC Cancer 2018; 18:731. [PMID: 29996811 PMCID: PMC6042241 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-018-4661-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Targeted therapy has always been the focus in developing therapeutic approaches in cancer, especially in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A new small molecular inhibitor, JQ1, targeting BRD4, which recognizes the acetylated lysine residues, has been shown to induce cell cycle arrest in different cancers by inhibiting MYC oncogene. However, the downstream signaling of MYC inhibition induced by BET inhibitor is not well understood. Methods In this study, we explored the more mechanisms of JQ1-induced cell death in acute myeloid lukemia and downstream signaling of JQ1. Results We found that JQ1 is able to reactivate the tumor suppressor gene, TXNIP, and induces apoptosis through the ASK1-MAPK pathway. Further studies confirmed that MYC could repress the expression of TXNIP through the miR-17-92 cluster. Conclusions These findings provide novel insight on how BET inhibitor can induce apoptosis in AML, and further support the development of BET inhibitors as a promising therapeutic strategy against AML. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-4661-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafeng Zhou
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore, 117599, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jianbiao Zhou
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore, 117599, Republic of Singapore
| | - Xiao Lu
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore, 117599, Republic of Singapore
| | - Tuan-Zea Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore, 117599, Republic of Singapore
| | - Wee-Joo Chng
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Centre for Translational Medicine, Singapore, 117599, Republic of Singapore. .,Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Republic of Singapore. .,Department of Hematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, NUHS, 1E, Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119228, Republic of Singapore.
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83
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Marando L, Huntly BJP. Hematopoietic stem cells made BETter by inhibition. Haematologica 2018; 103:919-921. [PMID: 29866885 PMCID: PMC6058785 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2018.193706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Marando
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, UK
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, UK
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, UK
| | - Brian J P Huntly
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, UK
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, UK
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, UK
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84
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Abstract
Chromatin packaging of DNA provides a framework for transcriptional regulation. Modifications to DNA and histone proteins in nucleosomes lead to conformational changes, alterations in the recruitment of transcriptional complexes, and ultimately modulation of gene expression. We provide a focused review of control mechanisms that help modulate the activation and deactivation of gene transcription specifically through histone acetylation writers and readers in cancer. The chemistry of these modifications is subject to clinically actionable targeting, including state-of-the-art strategies to inhibit basic oncogenic mechanisms related to histone acetylation. Although discussed in the context of acute leukemia, the concepts of acetylation writers and readers are not cell-type-specific and are generalizable to other cancers. We review the challenges and resistance mechanisms encountered to date in the development of such therapeutics and postulate how such challenges may be overcome. Because these fundamental cellular mechanisms are dysregulated in cancer biology, continued research and in-depth understanding of histone acetylation reading and writing are desired to further define optimal therapeutic strategies to affect gene activity to target cancer effectively.
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85
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Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the best studied malignancies, and significant progress has been made in understanding the clinical implications of its disease biology. Unfortunately, drug development has not kept pace, as the '7+3' induction regimen remains the standard of care for patients fit for intensive therapy 40 years after its first use. Temporal improvements in overall survival were mostly confined to younger patients and driven by improvements in supportive care and use of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Multiple forms of novel therapy are currently in clinical trials and are attempting to bring bench discoveries to the bedside to benefit patients. These novel therapies include improved chemotherapeutic agents, targeted molecular inhibitors, cell cycle regulators, pro-apoptotic agents, epigenetic modifiers, and metabolic therapies. Immunotherapies in the form of vaccines; naked, conjugated and bispecific monoclonal antibodies; cell-based therapy; and immune checkpoint inhibitors are also being evaluated in an effort to replicate the success seen in other malignancies. Herein, we review the scientific basis of these novel therapeutic approaches, summarize the currently available evidence, and look into the future of AML therapy by highlighting key clinical studies and the challenges the field continues to face.
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86
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Targeting General Transcriptional Machinery as a Therapeutic Strategy for Adult T-Cell Leukemia. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23051057. [PMID: 29724031 PMCID: PMC6099935 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23051057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells are highly reliant on certain molecular pathways, which support their survival and proliferation. The fundamental concept of molecularly targeted therapy is to target a protein that is specifically deregulated or overexpressed in cancer cells. However, drug resistance and tumor heterogeneity are major obstacles in the development of specific inhibitors. Additionally, many driver oncogenes exert their oncogenic property via abnormal expression without having genetic mutations. Interestingly, recent accumulating evidence has demonstrated that many critical cancer genes are driven by a unique class of enhancers termed super-enhancers. Genes associated with super-enhancers are relatively more susceptible to the inhibition of general transcriptional machinery compared with genes that are regulated by typical enhancers. Cancer cells are more sensitive to treatment with small-molecule inhibitors of CDK7 or BRD4 than non-transformed cells. These findings proposed a novel strategy to identify functionally important genes as well as novel therapeutic modalities in cancer. This approach would be particularly useful for genetically complicated cancers, such as adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), whereby a large mutational burden is present, but the functional consequences of each mutation have not been well-studied. In this review, we discuss recent findings on super-enhancers, underlying mechanisms, and the efficacy of small-molecule transcriptional inhibitors in ATL.
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87
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Chatterjee N, Bohmann D. BET-ting on Nrf2: How Nrf2 Signaling can Influence the Therapeutic Activities of BET Protein Inhibitors. Bioessays 2018; 40:e1800007. [PMID: 29603290 PMCID: PMC7025392 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201800007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BET proteins such as Brd3 and Brd4 are chromatin-associated factors, which control gene expression programs that promote inflammation and cancer. The Nrf2 transcription factor is a master regulator of genes that protect the organism against xenobiotic attack and oxidative stress. Nrf2 has demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity and can support cancer cell malignancy. This review describes the discovery, mechanism and biomedical implications of the regulatory interplay between Nrf2 and BET proteins. Both Nrf2 and BET proteins are established drug targets. Small molecules that either activate or suppress these proteins are currently tested in clinical trials. The crosstalk between Nrf2 and BET proteins may have important, and until now overlooked, implications for the therapeutic effects of these drugs. Based on the information covered in this review, it should be possible to design combinatorial treatment strategies for cancer and inflammatory diseases, which may improve the efficacy of targeting a Nrf2 or BET proteins individually.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dirk Bohmann
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642
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88
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Han L, Zhao Q, Liang X, Wang X, Zhang Z, Ma Z, Zhao M, Wang A, Liu S. Ubenimex enhances Brd4 inhibition by suppressing HEXIM1 autophagic degradation and suppressing the Akt pathway in glioma cells. Oncotarget 2018; 8:45643-45655. [PMID: 28484091 PMCID: PMC5542215 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of Brd4 by JQ1 treatment showed potential in the treatment of glioma, however, some cases showed low sensitivity of JQ1. In addition, the pre-clinical analysis showed its limitation by demonstrating that transient treatment with JQ1 leads to aggressive tumor development. Thus, an improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying JQ1 is urgently required to design strategies to improve its efficiency, as well as overcome its limitation. HEXIM1 has been confirmed to have an important role in regulating JQ1 sensitivity. In our study, ubenimex, a classical anti-cancer drug showed potential in regulating the JQ1 sensitivity of glioma cells using the WST-1 proliferation assay. Further studies demonstrated that ubenimex inhibited autophagy and downregulated the autophagic degradation of HEXIM1. The role of HEXIM1 in regulating JQ1 sensitivity was verified by the HEXIM1 knockdown. Since ubenimex was verified as an Akt inhibitor, we further studied the role of Akt inhibition in regulating JQ1 sensitivity and migration of glioma cells. Data showed that ubenimex improved the efficiency of JQ1 treatment and suppressed migration both in the in vitro and in vivo xenografts models. The Akt agonist attenuated these effects, pointing to the role of Akt inhibition in JQ1 sensitivity and suppressed migration. Our findings suggest the potential of ubenimex adjuvant treatment to enhance JQ1 efficiency and attenuate parts of its side effect (enhancing tumor aggressive) by regulating the autophagic degradation of HEXIM1 and Akt inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Han
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China.,Department of Neurology, Qianfoshan Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China.,Department of Neurology, Shandong Police Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Qingwei Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Shandong Police Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Xianhong Liang
- Department of Neurology, Shandong Police Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoqing Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Zhiguo Ma
- Department of Neurology, Shandong Police Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Miaoqing Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, P.R China
| | - Aihua Wang
- Department of Neurology, Qianfoshan Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Shuai Liu
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
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89
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Huang M, Garcia JS, Thomas D, Zhu L, Nguyen LXT, Chan SM, Majeti R, Medeiros BC, Mitchell BS. Autophagy mediates proteolysis of NPM1 and HEXIM1 and sensitivity to BET inhibition in AML cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:74917-74930. [PMID: 27732946 PMCID: PMC5342712 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying activation of the BET pathway in AML cells remain poorly understood. We have discovered that autophagy is activated in acute leukemia cells expressing mutant nucleophosmin 1 (NPMc+) or MLL-fusion proteins. Autophagy activation results in the degradation of NPM1 and HEXIM1, two negative regulators of BET pathway activation. Inhibition of autophagy with pharmacologic inhibitors or through knocking down autophagy-related gene 5 (Atg5) expression increases the expression of both NPM1 and HEXIM1. The Brd4 inhibitors JQ1 and I-BET-151 also inhibit autophagy and increase NPM1 and HEXIM1 expression. We conclude that the degradation of NPM1 and HEXIM1 through autophagy in certain AML subsets contributes to the activation of the BET pathway in these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Huang
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jacqueline S Garcia
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Daniel Thomas
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.,Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Li Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | | | - Steven M Chan
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.,Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Ravindra Majeti
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.,Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.,Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Bruno C Medeiros
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.,Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Beverly S Mitchell
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.,Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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90
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Sun Y, Chen BR, Deshpande A. Epigenetic Regulators in the Development, Maintenance, and Therapeutic Targeting of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Oncol 2018. [PMID: 29527516 PMCID: PMC5829038 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of epigenetic dysregulation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) pathophysiology has become increasingly apparent in recent years. Epigenetic regulators, including readers, writers, and erasers, are recurrently dysregulated by way of chromosomal translocations, somatic mutations, or genomic amplification in AML and many of these alterations are directly implicated in AML pathogenesis. Mutations in epigenetic regulators are often discovered in founder clones and persist after therapy, indicating that they may contribute to a premalignant state poised for the acquisition of cooperating mutations and frank malignancy. Apart from the proto-oncogenic impact of these mutations, the AML epigenome is also shaped by other epigenetic factors that are not mutated but co-opted by AML oncogenes, presenting with actionable vulnerabilities in this disease. Targeting the AML epigenome might also be important for eradicating AML leukemia stem cells, which can be critical for disease maintenance and resistance to therapy. In this review, we describe the importance of epigenetic regulators in AML. We also summarize evidence implicating specific epigenetic regulators in AML pathobiology and discuss emerging epigenome-based therapies for the treatment of AML in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Younguk Sun
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Bo-Rui Chen
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Aniruddha Deshpande
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
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91
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Huang M, Zhu L, Garcia JS, Li MX, Gentles AJ, Mitchell BS. Brd4 regulates the expression of essential autophagy genes and Keap1 in AML cells. Oncotarget 2018; 9:11665-11676. [PMID: 29545928 PMCID: PMC5837743 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
We have recently reported that activation of Brd4 is associated with the presence of autophagy in NPMc+ and MLL AML cells. In order to determine the mechanisms underlying this relationship, we have examined the role of Brd4 in regulating the expression of several genes that are central to the process of autophagy. We found that Brd4 binds to the promoters of ATG 3, 7 and CEBPβ, and expression of these genes is markedly reduced by inhibitors of Brd4, as well as by Brd4-shRNA and depletion of CEBPβ. Inhibitors of Brd4 also dramatically suppress the transcription of Keap1, thereby increasing the expression of anti-oxidant genes through the Nrf2 pathway and reducing the cytotoxicity induced by Brd4 inhibitors. Elimination of ATG3 or KEAP1 expression using CRISPR-cas9 mediated genomic editing markedly reduced autophagy. We conclude that Brd4 plays a significant role in autophagy activation through the direct transcriptional regulation of genes essential for it, as well as through the Keap1-Nrf2 axis in NPMc+ and MLL-fusion AML cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Huang
- Department of Medicine, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Li Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jacqueline S Garcia
- Department of Medicine, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael X Li
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Andrew J Gentles
- Department of Medicine, Biomedical Informatics Research, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Beverly S Mitchell
- Department of Medicine, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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92
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Lu R, Wang GG. Pharmacologic Targeting of Chromatin Modulators As Therapeutics of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Oncol 2017; 7:241. [PMID: 29075615 PMCID: PMC5643408 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2017.00241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a common hematological cancer of myeloid lineage cells, generally exhibits poor prognosis in the clinic and demands new treatment options. Recently, direct sequencing of samples from human AMLs and pre-leukemic diseases has unveiled their mutational landscapes and significantly advanced the molecular understanding of AML pathogenesis. The newly identified recurrent mutations frequently “hit” genes encoding epigenetic modulators, a wide range of chromatin-modifying enzymes and regulatory factors involved in gene expression regulation, supporting aberration of chromatin structure and epigenetic modification as a main oncogenic mechanism and cancer-initiating event. Increasing body of evidence demonstrates that chromatin modification aberrations underlying the formation of blood cancer can be reversed by pharmacological targeting of the responsible epigenetic modulators, thus providing new mechanism-based treatment strategies. Here, we summarize recent advances in development of small-molecule inhibitors specific to chromatin factors and their potential applications in the treatment of genetically defined AMLs. These compounds selectively inhibit various subclasses of “epigenetic writers” (such as histone methyltransferases MLL/KMT2A, G9A/KMT1C, EZH2/KMT6A, DOT1L/KMT4, and PRMT1), “epigenetic readers” (such as BRD4 and plant homeodomain finger proteins), and “epigenetic erasers” (such as histone demethylases LSD1/KDM1A and JMJD2C/KDM4C). We also discuss about the molecular mechanisms underpinning therapeutic effect of these epigenetic compounds in AML and favor their potential usage for combinational therapy and treatment of pre-leukemia diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Lu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Gang Greg Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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93
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Protein-Protein Interaction Modulators for Epigenetic Therapies. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2017; 110:65-84. [PMID: 29413000 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Targeting protein-protein interactions (PPIs) is becoming an attractive approach for drug discovery. This is particularly true for difficult or emerging targets, such as epitargets that may be elusive to drugs that fall into the traditional chemical space. The chemical nature of the PPIs makes attractive the use of peptides or peptidomimetics to selectively modulate such interactions. Despite the fact peptide-based drug discovery has been challenging, the use of peptides as leads compounds for drug discovery is still a valid strategy. This chapter discusses the current status of PPIs in epigenetic drug discovery. A special emphasis is made on peptides and peptide-like compounds as potential drug candidates.
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94
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Shan X, Fung JJ, Kosaka A, Danet-Desnoyers G. Replication Study: Inhibition of BET recruitment to chromatin as an effective treatment for MLL-fusion leukaemia. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28653617 PMCID: PMC5487217 DOI: 10.7554/elife.25306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2015, as part of the Reproducibility Project: Cancer Biology, we published a Registered Report (Fung et al., 2015), that described how we intended to replicate selected experiments from the paper "Inhibition of BET recruitment to chromatin as an effective treatment for MLL-fusion leukaemia" (Dawson et al., 2011). Here, we report the results of those experiments. We found treatment of MLL-fusion leukaemia cells (MV4;11 cell line) with the BET bromodomain inhibitor I-BET151 resulted in selective growth inhibition, whereas treatment of leukaemia cells harboring a different oncogenic driver (K-562 cell line) did not result in selective growth inhibition; this is similar to the findings reported in the original study (Figure 2A and Supplementary Figure 11A,B; Dawson et al., 2011). Further, I-BET151 resulted in a statistically significant decrease in BCL2 expression in MV4;11 cells, but not in K-562 cells; again this is similar to the findings reported in the original study (Figure 3D; Dawson et al., 2011). We did not find a statistically significant difference in survival when testing I-BET151 efficacy in a disseminated xenograft MLL mouse model, whereas the original study reported increased survival in I-BET151 treated mice compared to vehicle control (Figure 4B,D; Dawson et al., 2011). Differences between the original study and this replication attempt, such as different conditioning regimens and I-BET151 doses, are factors that might have influenced the outcome. We also found I-BET151 treatment resulted in a lower median disease burden compared to vehicle control in all tissues analyzed, similar to the example reported in the original study (Supplementary Figure 16A; Dawson et al., 2011). Finally, we report meta-analyses for each result.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochuan Shan
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Stem Cell and Xenograft Core, Philadelphia, United States
| | | | - Alan Kosaka
- ProNovus Bioscience, LLC, Mountain View, United States
| | - Gwenn Danet-Desnoyers
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Stem Cell and Xenograft Core, Philadelphia, United States
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95
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What structural modifications can be used for BRD4 inhibitors for their use in leukemia therapy? Future Med Chem 2017. [PMID: 28635318 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2017-0084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
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96
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Braun T, Gardin C. Investigational BET bromodomain protein inhibitors in early stage clinical trials for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2017; 26:803-811. [PMID: 28541716 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2017.1335711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous group of malignancies driven by genetic mutations and deregulated epigenetic control. Relapse/refractory disease remains frequent in younger patients and even more so in older patients, including treatment with epigenetic drugs in this age group, mainly with hypomethylating agents. New treatment strategies are urgently needed. The recent discovery that epigenetic readers of the bromodomain (BRD) and extraterminal (BET) protein family, are crucial for AML maintenance by transcription of oncogenic c-MYC lead to rapid development of BET inhibitors entering clinical trials. Areas covered: We provide a critical overview using main sources for the use of BET inhibitors in AML treatment. Limits of this treatment approach including resistance mechanisms and future directions including development of new generation BET inhibitors and combination strategies with other drugs are detailed. Expert opinion: BET inhibitors were expected to overcome limits of conventional treatment in patients as impressive in vitro data emerged recently in well-characterized AML subsets, including those associated with poor risk characteristics in the clinic. Nevertheless single activity of BET inhibitors appears to be modest and resistance mechanisms were already identified. BET inhibitors with alternative mechanisms of action and/or combination strategies with epigenetic drugs should be tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorsten Braun
- a Hematology Department , Avicenne Hospital-Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), University Paris XIII , Bobigny , France.,b Laboratoire de Transfert des Leucémies , Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, University Paris VII , Paris , France
| | - Claude Gardin
- a Hematology Department , Avicenne Hospital-Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), University Paris XIII , Bobigny , France.,b Laboratoire de Transfert des Leucémies , Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, University Paris VII , Paris , France
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97
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Su J, Liu X, Zhang S, Yan F, Zhang Q, Chen J. A computational insight into binding modes of inhibitors XD29, XD35, and XD28 to bromodomain-containing protein 4 based on molecular dynamics simulations. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2017; 36:1212-1224. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2017.1317666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Su
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Xinguo Liu
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Shaolong Zhang
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Fangfang Yan
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Qinggang Zhang
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Jianzhong Chen
- School of Science, Shandong Jiaotong University, Jinan, 250357, China
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98
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Precision cancer therapy is impacted by oncogene-dependent epigenome remodeling. NPJ Precis Oncol 2017. [PMID: 29872691 DOI: 10.1038/s41698‐017‐0005‐2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The cancer genome provides the blueprint for identifying oncogenic mutations driving tumor growth and these mutant proteins and pathways are the targets for precision cancer therapies. However, many oncogenes are capable of reprogramming the landscape of active portion of the genome, commonly known as the epigenome. This creates fluidity, and thereby heterogeneity, that demands consideration of this additional layer of complexity for effective therapeutic design and application. Molecular dissection of the epigenome may identify oncogene-induced, actionable vulnerabilities, broadening the spectrum of precision oncology treatments.
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99
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Liu F, Mischel PS, Cavenee WK. Precision cancer therapy is impacted by oncogene-dependent epigenome remodeling. NPJ Precis Oncol 2017; 1:1. [PMID: 29872691 PMCID: PMC5871882 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-017-0005-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The cancer genome provides the blueprint for identifying oncogenic mutations driving tumor growth and these mutant proteins and pathways are the targets for precision cancer therapies. However, many oncogenes are capable of reprogramming the landscape of active portion of the genome, commonly known as the epigenome. This creates fluidity, and thereby heterogeneity, that demands consideration of this additional layer of complexity for effective therapeutic design and application. Molecular dissection of the epigenome may identify oncogene-induced, actionable vulnerabilities, broadening the spectrum of precision oncology treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Liu
- 1National Research Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai), State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Rui-Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Paul S Mischel
- 2Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA.,3Department of Pathology, UCSD School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA.,4Moores Cancer Center, UCSD School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Webster K Cavenee
- 2Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA.,4Moores Cancer Center, UCSD School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA.,5Department of Medicine, UCSD School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
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100
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Shin DG, Bayarsaihan D. A Novel Epi-drug Therapy Based on the Suppression of BET Family Epigenetic Readers. THE YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2017; 90:63-71. [PMID: 28356894 PMCID: PMC5369046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Recent progress in epigenetic research has made a profound influence on pharmacoepigenomics, one of the fastest growing disciplines promising to provide new epi-drugs for the treatment of a broad range of diseases. Histone acetylation is among the most essential chromatin modifications underlying the dynamics of transcriptional activation. The acetylated genomic regions recruit the BET (bromodomain and extra-terminal) family of bromodomains (BRDs), thereby serving as a molecular scaffold in establishing RNA polymerase II specificity. Over the past several years, the BET epigenetic readers have become the main targets for drug therapy. The discovery of selective small-molecule compounds with capacity to inhibit BET proteins has paved a path for developing novel strategies against cancer, cardiovascular, skeletal, and inflammatory diseases. Therefore, further research into small chemicals impeding the regulatory activity of BRDs could offer therapeutic benefits for many health problems including tumor growth, heart disease, oral, and bone disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Guk Shin
- The Computer Science and Engineering Department University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
| | - Dashzeveg Bayarsaihan
- Institute for System Genomics and Center for Regenerative Medicine and Skeletal Development, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
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