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Yazdi N, Houshmand M, Atashi A, Kazemi A, Najmedini AA, Zarif MN. Long noncoding RNA PVT1: potential oncogene in the development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Turk J Biol 2018; 42:405-413. [PMID: 30930624 PMCID: PMC6438125 DOI: 10.3906/biy-1801-46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence shows that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in various cellular processes, and that plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1), a newly described oncogene that interacts with various molecules such as p15, p16, NOP2, and c-Myc, is a major contributing factor in tumor development. However, the role of this oncogene remains unknown in the pathogenesis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most prevalent form of childhood leukemia. In this study, we first measure the expression level of PVT1 in a Jurkat cell line, then small interfering (siRNA) PVT1 is applied to demonstrate the impact of PVT1 knockdown in apoptosis, proliferation, the cell cycle, and its downstream targets. Our findings show that lncRNA was significantly higher in the ALL cell line than normal lymphocytes and that PVT1 knock-down increased the rate of apoptosis, caused G0/G1 arrest in the cell cycle, reduced the proliferation rate, and, above all, reduced the stability of c-Myc protein. All findings were confirmed at the molecular level. Our results may indicate the role of PVT1 knock-down in the suppression of ALL development and might provide an option for targeted therapy for leukemic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narjes Yazdi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Tehran Medical Branch, Islamic Azad University , Tehran , Iran
| | - Mohammad Houshmand
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine , Tehran , Iran
| | - Amir Atashi
- Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences , Shahroud , Iran
| | - Alireza Kazemi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran
| | - Ali Anjam Najmedini
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran
| | - Mahin Nikougoftar Zarif
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine , Tehran , Iran
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The Myc/Max/Mxd Network Is a Target of Mutated Flt3 Signaling in Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Flt3-ITD-Induced Myeloproliferative Disease. Stem Cells Int 2018; 2018:3286949. [PMID: 30420889 PMCID: PMC6215545 DOI: 10.1155/2018/3286949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has poor prognosis due to various mutations, e.g., in the FLT3 gene. Therefore, it is important to identify pathways regulated by the activated Flt3 receptor for the discovery of new therapeutic targets. The Myc network of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes is involved in mechanisms regulating proliferation and survival of cells, including that of the hematopoietic system. In this study, we evaluated the expression of the Myc oncogenes and Mxd antagonists in hematopoietic stem cell and myeloid progenitor populations in the Flt3-ITD-knockin myeloproliferative mouse model. Our data shows that the expression of Myc network genes is changed in Flt3-ITD mice compared with the wild type. Mycn is increased in multipotent progenitors and in the pre-GM compartment of myeloid progenitors in the ITD mice while the expression of several genes in the tumor suppressor Mxd family, including Mxd1, Mxd2, and Mxd4, is concomitantly downregulated, as well as the expression of the Mxd-related gene Mnt and the transcriptional activator Miz-1. LSKCD150+CD48− hematopoietic long-term stem cells are decreased in the Flt3-ITD cells while multipotent progenitors are increased. Of note, PKC412-mediated inhibition of Flt3-ITD signaling results in downregulation of cMyc and upregulation of the Myc antagonists Mxd1, Mxd2, and Mxd4. Our data provides new mechanistic insights into downstream alterations upon aberrant Flt3 signaling and rationale for combination therapies for tyrosine kinase inhibitors with Myc antagonists in treating AML.
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Liang Y, Zhang T, Shi M, Zhang S, Guo Y, Gao J, Yang X. Low expression of NCOA5 predicts poor prognosis in human cervical cancer and promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion of cervical cancer cell lines by regulating notch3 signaling pathway. J Cell Biochem 2018; 120:6237-6249. [PMID: 30335900 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor coactivator 5 (NCOA5) specifically enhances estrogen receptor α-modulated transcriptional activity. As a novel tumor suppressor, depletion of NCOA5 is associated with the development of a variety of tumors, but its function in cervical cancer is currently unclear. In this study, we addressed how expression of NCOA5 changed in the development of human cervical cancer and its association with clinicopathological features, prognosis, and biology characteristics of cervical cancer. Analysis of the microarrays in the Oncomine database indicated that NCOA5 expression was lower in human cervical squamous cell carcinoma tissues than that in normal cervical tissues. That was corroborated by our experiments using fresh tissues: the expression levels of NCOA5 messenger RNA and protein were both significantly decreased in cervical cancer tissues compared with paired adjacent nontumor tissues (P < 0.01). Low expression of NCOA5 is associated with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage ( P = 0.043) and histological grade ( P = 0.018) of human cervical cancer. In addition, patients possessing low NCOA5 expression had poorer prognosis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that low NCOA5 expression may be an independent prognostic factor for poorer overall survival in cervical cancer. Further, downregulation of NCOA5 expression results in a significant increase in proliferation, migration, and invasion of HeLa cells. Data of xenograft tumor on BALB/c nude mice manifested that HeLa cells with low NCOA5 expression tend to form larger tumors than negative control ones. In contrast, overexpression of NCOA5 expression leads to the opposite results. Finally, we found that NCOA5 might affect the biological function of human cervical cancer cells by mediating the notch3 signaling pathway. These findings suggest that NCOA5 acts as a tumor suppressor to inhibit tumorigenicity, migration, and invasion, and thus represents a potential novel prognostic marker for overall survival in cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tianli Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Mengdie Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yaxing Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Jiwei Gao
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital-Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xingsheng Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
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54
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Dastur A, Choi AH, Costa C, Yin X, Williams A, McClanaghan J, Greenberg M, Roderick J, Patel NU, Boisvert J, McDermott U, Garnett MJ, Almenara J, Grant S, Rizzo K, Engelman JA, Kelliher M, Faber AC, Benes CH. NOTCH1 Represses MCL-1 Levels in GSI-resistant T-ALL, Making them Susceptible to ABT-263. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 25:312-324. [PMID: 30224339 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-0867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Effective targeted therapies are lacking for refractory and relapsed T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Suppression of the NOTCH pathway using gamma-secretase inhibitors (GSI) is toxic and clinically not effective. The goal of this study was to identify alternative therapeutic strategies for T-ALL. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We performed a comprehensive analysis of our high-throughput drug screen across hundreds of human cell lines including 15 T-ALL models. We validated and further studied the top hit, navitoclax (ABT-263). We used multiple human T-ALL cell lines as well as primary patient samples, and performed both in vitro experiments and in vivo studies on patient-derived xenograft models. RESULTS We found that T-ALL are hypersensitive to navitoclax, an inhibitor of BCL2 family of antiapoptotic proteins. Importantly, GSI-resistant T-ALL are also susceptible to navitoclax. Sensitivity to navitoclax is due to low levels of MCL-1 in T-ALL. We identify an unsuspected regulation of mTORC1 by the NOTCH pathway, resulting in increased MCL-1 upon GSI treatment. Finally, we show that pharmacologic inhibition of mTORC1 lowers MCL-1 levels and further sensitizes cells to navitoclax in vitro and leads to tumor regressions in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the development of navitoclax, as single agent and in combination with mTOR inhibitors, as a new therapeutic strategy for T-ALL, including in the setting of GSI resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahita Dastur
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - AHyun Choi
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Carlotta Costa
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Xunqin Yin
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - August Williams
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joseph McClanaghan
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Max Greenberg
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Justine Roderick
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Neha U Patel
- VCU Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, School of Dentistry and Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Jessica Boisvert
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ultan McDermott
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| | - Mathew J Garnett
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| | - Jorge Almenara
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Steven Grant
- Departments of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Institute for Molecular Medicine and Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Kathryn Rizzo
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Jeffrey A Engelman
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michelle Kelliher
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Anthony C Faber
- VCU Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, School of Dentistry and Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Cyril H Benes
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. .,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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55
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Kelliher MA, Roderick JE. NOTCH Signaling in T-Cell-Mediated Anti-Tumor Immunity and T-Cell-Based Immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1718. [PMID: 30967879 PMCID: PMC6109642 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The NOTCH (1–4) family of receptors are highly conserved and are critical in regulating many developmental processes and in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Our laboratory and numerous others have demonstrated that aberrant NOTCH signaling is oncogenic in several different cancer types. Conversely, there is also evidence that NOTCH can also function as a tumor suppressor. In addition to playing an essential role in tumor development, NOTCH receptors regulate T-cell development, maintenance, and activation. Recent studies have determined that NOTCH signaling is required for optimal T-cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity. Consequently, tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment have acquired mechanisms to suppress NOTCH signaling to evade T-cell-mediated killing. Tumor-mediated suppression of NOTCH signaling in T-cells can be overcome by systemic administration of NOTCH agonistic antibodies and ligands or proteasome inhibitors, resulting in sustained NOTCH signaling and T-cell activation. In addition, NOTCH receptors and ligands are being utilized to improve the generation and specificity of T-cells for adoptive transplant immunotherapies. In this review, we will summarize the role(s) of NOTCH signaling in T-cell anti-tumor immunity as well as TCR- and chimeric antigen receptor-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Kelliher
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Justine E Roderick
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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56
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Kinoshita S, Ishida T, Ito A, Narita T, Masaki A, Suzuki S, Yoshida T, Ri M, Kusumoto S, Komatsu H, Shimizu N, Inagaki H, Kuroda T, Scholz A, Ueda R, Sanda T, Iida S. Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 as a potential specific molecular target in NK-cell leukemia/lymphoma. Haematologica 2018; 103:2059-2068. [PMID: 30076184 PMCID: PMC6269314 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2018.191395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BAY 1143572 is a highly selective inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 9/positive transcription elongation factor b. It has entered phase I clinical studies. Here, we have assessed the utility of BAY 1143572 for treating natural killer (NK) cell leukemias/lymphomas that have a poor prognosis, namely extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type and aggressive NK-cell leukemia, in a preclinical mouse model in vivo as well as in tissue culture models in vitro Seven NK-cell leukemia/lymphoma lines and primary aggressive NK-cell leukemia cells from two individual patients were treated with BAY 1143572 in vitro Primary tumor cells from an aggressive NK-cell leukemia patient were used to establish a xenogeneic murine model for testing BAY 1143572 therapy. Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 inhibition by BAY 1143572 resulted in prevention of phosphorylation at the serine 2 site of the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II. This resulted in lower c-Myc and Mcl-1 levels in the cell lines, causing growth inhibition and apoptosis. In aggressive NK-cell leukemia primary tumor cells, exposure to BAY 1143572 in vitro resulted in decreased Mcl-1 protein levels resulting from inhibition of RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain phosphorylation at the serine 2 site. Orally administering BAY 1143572 once per day to aggressive NK-cell leukemia-bearing mice resulted in lower tumor cell infiltration into the bone marrow, liver, and spleen, with less export to the periphery relative to control mice. The treated mice also had a survival advantage over the untreated controls. The specific small molecule targeting agent BAY1143572 has potential for treating NK-cell leukemia/lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiori Kinoshita
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan
| | - Takashi Ishida
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan .,Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Japan
| | - Asahi Ito
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan
| | - Tomoko Narita
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan
| | - Ayako Masaki
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan
| | - Susumu Suzuki
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Takashi Yoshida
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan
| | - Masaki Ri
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan
| | - Shigeru Kusumoto
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Komatsu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan
| | - Norio Shimizu
- Department of Virology, Division of Medical Science, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Inagaki
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan
| | | | - Arne Scholz
- Bayer AG Pharmaceuticals Division, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ryuzo Ueda
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Takaomi Sanda
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore
| | - Shinsuke Iida
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan
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57
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Oncogenic hijacking of the stress response machinery in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Nat Med 2018; 24:1157-1166. [PMID: 30038221 PMCID: PMC6082694 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-018-0105-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cellular transformation is accompanied by extensive re-wiring of many biological processes leading to augmented levels of distinct types of cellular stress, including proteotoxic stress. Cancer cells critically depend on stress-relief pathways for their survival. However, the mechanisms underlying the transcriptional initiation and maintenance of the oncogenic stress response remain elusive. Here, we show that the expression of heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) and the downstream mediators of the heat shock response is transcriptionally upregulated in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Hsf1 ablation suppresses the growth of human T-ALL and eradicates leukemia in mouse models of T-ALL, while sparing normal hematopoiesis. HSF1 drives a compact transcriptional program and among the direct HSF1 targets, specific chaperones and co-chaperones mediate its critical role in T-ALL. Notably, we demonstrate that the central T-ALL oncogene NOTCH1 hijacks the cellular stress response machinery by inducing the expression of HSF1 and its downstream effectors. The NOTCH1 signaling status controls the levels of chaperone/co-chaperone complexes and predicts the response of T-ALL patient samples to HSP90 inhibition. Our data demonstrate an integral crosstalk between mediators of oncogene and non-oncogene addiction and reveal critical nodes of the heat shock response pathway that can be targeted therapeutically.
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58
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Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Gastric Cancer Growth via Regulating c-Myc. Stem Cells Int 2018; 2018:9501747. [PMID: 30186330 PMCID: PMC6116400 DOI: 10.1155/2018/9501747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical application of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) has generated a great deal of interest because of their potential use in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. However, safety concerns over hBM-MSCs limit their clinical application. In this study, we observed that hBM-MSC-conditioned medium (hBM-MSC-CM) promotes gastric cancer development via upregulation of c-Myc. Our results showed that c-Myc was upregulated in MGC-803 and BGC-823 cells after hBM-MSC-CM treatment. Moreover, we found that the c-Myc inhibitor JQ1 and c-Myc siRNA decreased the expression of c-Myc in hBM-MSC-CM-treated tumor cells in vitro. Additionally, hBM-MSC-CM enhanced the migration and glucose uptake of gastric cancer cells. In vivo studies showed that JQ1 inhibited hBM-MSC-CM-induced gastric cancer growth. These results indicated that hBM-MSC-CM induced gastric cancer growth via upregulation of c-Myc, which may be a potential risk factor and/or a therapeutic target for clinical applications.
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59
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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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60
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Depletion of Mediator Kinase Module Subunits Represses Superenhancer-Associated Genes in Colon Cancer Cells. Mol Cell Biol 2018; 38:MCB.00573-17. [PMID: 29507187 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00573-17] [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: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In cancer, oncogene activation is partly mediated by acquired superenhancers, which therefore represent potential targets for inhibition. Superenhancers are enriched for BRD4 and Mediator, and both BRD4 and the Mediator MED12 subunit are disproportionally required for expression of superenhancer-associated genes in stem cells. Here we show that depletion of Mediator kinase module subunit MED12 or MED13 together with MED13L can be used to reduce expression of cancer-acquired superenhancer genes, such as the MYC gene, in colon cancer cells, with a concomitant decrease in proliferation. Whereas depletion of MED12 or MED13/MED13L caused a disproportional decrease of superenhancer gene expression, this was not seen with depletion of the kinases cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK8) and CDK19. MED12-MED13/MED13L-dependent superenhancer genes were coregulated by β-catenin, which has previously been shown to associate with MED12. Importantly, β-catenin depletion caused reduced binding of MED12 at the MYC superenhancer. The effect of MED12 or MED13/MED13L depletion on cancer-acquired superenhancer gene expression was more specific than and partially distinct from that of BRD4 depletion, with the most efficient inhibition seen with combined targeting. These results identify a requirement of MED12 and MED13/MED13L for expression of acquired superenhancer genes in colon cancer, implicating these Mediator subunits as potential therapeutic targets for colon cancer, alone or together with BRD4.
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61
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Lv M, Wang Y, Wu W, Yang S, Zhu H, Hu B, Chen Y, Shi C, Zhang Y, Mu Q, Ouyang G. C‑Myc inhibitor 10058‑F4 increases the efficacy of dexamethasone on acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cells. Mol Med Rep 2018; 18:421-428. [PMID: 29749488 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.8935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The long‑term survival rate in paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) exceeds 80%; however, the outcome of adult ALL remains to be poor. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the preferred drugs in the traditional treatment of ALL patients. In the anti‑leukaemia molecular mechanisms of GCs, c‑Myc inhibition serves a critical role. In the present study, a c‑Myc inhibitor that increased the sensitivity to GCs in NALM6 cells of the B‑cell‑ALL cell line and CEM cells of the T‑cell‑ALL cell line was investigated. The data demonstrated that 10058‑F4, a c‑Myc inhibitor, increased the growth inhibition, G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis of the NALM6 and CEM cells as induced by dexamethasone (DXM), a type of GC. Additionally, 10058‑F4 reinforced the decreased expressions of c‑Myc, cyclin‑dependent kinase (CDK)‑4 and CDK6 in the NALM6 and CEM cells treated with DXM. These findings indicated that DXM in combination with the c‑Myc inhibitor 10058‑F4 may be a novel, potent therapeutic strategy for the treatment of ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Lv
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, P.R. China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, P.R. China
| | - Wenmiao Wu
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, P.R. China
| | - Shujun Yang
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, P.R. China
| | - Huiling Zhu
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, P.R. China
| | - Bei Hu
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, P.R. China
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, P.R. China
| | - Cong Shi
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, P.R. China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, P.R. China
| | - Qitian Mu
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, P.R. China
| | - Guifang Ouyang
- Department of Hematology, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, P.R. China
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62
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Richard NP, Pippa R, Cleary MM, Puri A, Tibbitts D, Mahmood S, Christensen DJ, Jeng S, McWeeney S, Look AT, Chang BH, Tyner JW, Vitek MP, Odero MD, Sears R, Agarwal A. Combined targeting of SET and tyrosine kinases provides an effective therapeutic approach in human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Oncotarget 2018; 7:84214-84227. [PMID: 27705940 PMCID: PMC5356656 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) tumor suppressor activity via the SET oncoprotein contributes to the pathogenesis of various cancers. Here we demonstrate that both SET and c-MYC expression are frequently elevated in T-ALL cell lines and primary samples compared to healthy T cells. Treatment of T-ALL cells with the SET antagonist OP449 restored the activity of PP2A and reduced SET interaction with the PP2A catalytic subunit, resulting in a decrease in cell viability and c-MYC expression in a dose-dependent manner. Since a tight balance between phosphatases and kinases is required for the growth of both normal and malignant cells, we sought to identify a kinase inhibitor that would synergize with SET antagonism. We tested various T-ALL cell lines against a small-molecule inhibitor screen of 66 compounds targeting two-thirds of the tyrosine kinome and found that combined treatment of T-ALL cells with dovitinib, an orally active multi-targeted small-molecule receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and OP449 synergistically reduced the viability of all tested T-ALL cell lines. Mechanistically, combined treatment with OP449 and dovitinib decreased total and phospho c-MYC levels and reduced ERK1/2, AKT, and p70S6 kinase activity in both NOTCH-dependent and independent T-ALL cell lines. Overall, these results suggest that combined targeting of tyrosine kinases and activation of serine/threonine phosphatases may offer novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nameeta P Richard
- Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Program, Portland, OR 97227, USA.,Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Raffaella Pippa
- Division of Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Megan M Cleary
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Alka Puri
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Deanne Tibbitts
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Shawn Mahmood
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Dale J Christensen
- Research and Development, Oncotide Pharmaceuticals, Research Triangle Park, NC 27710, USA .,Spyryx Biosciences, Durham, NC 27713, USA
| | - Sophia Jeng
- Division of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Shannon McWeeney
- Division of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - A Thomas Look
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Cancer Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Bill H Chang
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Tyner
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Michael P Vitek
- Research and Development, Oncotide Pharmaceuticals, Research Triangle Park, NC 27710, USA
| | - María D Odero
- Division of Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Rosalie Sears
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR USA-97239.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA-97239
| | - Anupriya Agarwal
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA-97239.,Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR USA-97239.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA-97239
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Qiu H, Li J, Clark LH, Jackson AL, Zhang L, Guo H, Kilgore JE, Gehrig PA, Zhou C, Bae-Jump VL. JQ1 suppresses tumor growth via PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway in endometrial cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 7:66809-66821. [PMID: 27572308 PMCID: PMC5341839 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of c-Myc is associated with worse outcomes in endometrial cancer, indicating that c-Myc may be a promising target for endometrial cancer therapy. A novel small molecule, JQ1, has been shown to block BRD4 resulting in inhibition of c-Myc expression and tumor growth. Thus, we investigated whether JQ1 can inhibit endometrial cancer growth in cell culture and xenograft models. In PTEN-positive endometrial cancer cells, JQ1 significantly suppressed cell proliferation via induction of G1 phase arrest and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, accompanied by a sharp decline in cyclin D1 and CDK4 protein expression. However, PTEN-negative endometrial cancer cells exhibited intrinsic resistance to JQ1, despite significant c-Myc inhibition. Moreover, we found that PTEN and its downstream PI3K/AKT signaling targets were modulated by JQ1, as evidenced by microarray analysis. Silencing of PTEN in PTEN-positive endometrial cancer cells resulted in resistance to JQ1, while upregulation of PTEN in PTEN-negative endometrial cancer cells increased sensitivity to JQ1. In xenografts models of PTEN-positive and PTEN-knock-in endometrial cancer, JQ1 significantly upregulated the expression of PTEN, blocked the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and suppressed tumor growth. These effects were attenuated in PTEN-negative and PTEN-knockdown xenograft models. Thus, JQ1 resistance appears to be highly associated with the status of PTEN expression in endometrial cancer. Our findings suggest that targeting BRD4 using JQ1 might serve as a novel therapeutic strategy in PTEN-positive endometrial cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haifeng Qiu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Division of Gynecological Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Leslie H Clark
- Division of Gynecological Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Amanda L Jackson
- Division of Gynecological Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Lu Zhang
- Division of Gynecological Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan, China
| | - Hui Guo
- Division of Gynecological Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan, China
| | - Joshua E Kilgore
- Division of Gynecological Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Paola A Gehrig
- Division of Gynecological Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Chunxiao Zhou
- Division of Gynecological Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Lineberger Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Victoria L Bae-Jump
- Division of Gynecological Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Lineberger Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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64
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Pizzi M, Margolskee E, Inghirami G. Pathogenesis of Peripheral T Cell Lymphoma. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY-MECHANISMS OF DISEASE 2018; 13:293-320. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathol-020117-043821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Pizzi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Elizabeth Margolskee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Giorgio Inghirami
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science and Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CeRMS), University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
- Department of Pathology and NYU Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
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65
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Abstract
Notch is commonly activated in lymphoid malignancies through ligand-independent and ligand-dependent mechanisms. In T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-ALL), ligand-independent activation predominates. Negative Regulatory Region (NRR) mutations trigger supraphysiological Notch1 activation by exposing the S2 site to proteolytic cleavage in the absence of ligand. Subsequently, cleavage at the S3 site generates the activated form of Notch, intracellular Notch (ICN). In contrast to T-ALL, in mature lymphoid neoplasms such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the S2 cleavage site is exposed through ligand-receptor interactions. Thus, agents that disrupt ligand-receptor interactions might be useful for treating these malignancies. Notch activation can be enhanced by mutations that delete the C-terminal proline (P), glutamic acid (E), serine (S), and threonine (T) (PEST) domain. These mutations do not activate the Notch pathway per se, but rather impair degradation of ICN. In this chapter, we review the mechanisms of Notch activation and the importance of Notch for the genesis and maintenance of lymphoid malignancies. Unfortunately, targeting the Notch pathway with pan-Notch inhibitors in clinical trials has proven challenging. These clinical trials have encountered dose-limiting on-target toxicities and primary resistance. Strategies to overcome these challenges have emerged from the identification and improved understanding of direct oncogenic Notch target genes. Other strategies have arisen from new insights into the "nuclear context" that selectively directs Notch functions in lymphoid cancers. This nuclear context is created by factors that co-bind ICN at cell-type specific transcriptional regulatory elements. Disrupting the functions of these proteins or inhibiting downstream oncogenic pathways might combat cancer without the intolerable side effects of pan-Notch inhibition.
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66
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Heaster TM, Walsh AJ, Zhao Y, Hiebert SW, Skala MC. Autofluorescence imaging identifies tumor cell-cycle status on a single-cell level. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2018; 11:10.1002/jbio.201600276. [PMID: 28485124 PMCID: PMC5680147 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201600276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The goal of this study is to validate fluorescence intensity and lifetime imaging of metabolic co-enzymes NAD(P)H and FAD (optical metabolic imaging, or OMI) as a method to quantify cell-cycle status of tumor cells. Heterogeneity in tumor cell-cycle status (e. g. proliferation, quiescence, apoptosis) increases drug resistance and tumor recurrence. Cell-cycle status is closely linked to cellular metabolism. Thus, this study applies cell-level metabolic imaging to distinguish proliferating, quiescent, and apoptotic populations. Two-photon microscopy and time-correlated single photon counting are used to measure optical redox ratio (NAD(P)H fluorescence intensity divided by FAD intensity), NAD(P)H and FAD fluorescence lifetime parameters. Redox ratio, NAD(P)H and FAD lifetime parameters alone exhibit significant differences (p<0.05) between population means. To improve separation between populations, linear combination models derived from partial least squares - discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) are used to exploit all measurements together. Leave-one-out cross validation of the model yielded high classification accuracies (92.4 and 90.1 % for two and three populations, respectively). OMI and PLS-DA also identifies each sub-population within heterogeneous samples. These results establish single-cell analysis with OMI and PLS-DA as a label-free method to distinguish cell-cycle status within intact samples. This approach could be used to incorporate cell-level tumor heterogeneity in cancer drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany M. Heaster
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin,
Madison, Wisconsin, 53715, USA
| | - Alex J. Walsh
- National Research Council, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 78234,
USA
- 711 Human Performance Wing, Human Effectiveness
Directorate, Bioeffects Division Optical Radiation Branch, Air Force Research Lab,
JBSA Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 78234, USA
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of
Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, USA
| | - Scott W. Hiebert
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of
Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee, 37232,
USA
| | - Melissa C. Skala
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin,
Madison, Wisconsin, 53715, USA
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, 53715,
USA
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67
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Lei H, Wang W, Wu Y. Targeting oncoproteins for degradation by small molecules in myeloid leukemia. Leuk Lymphoma 2017; 59:2297-2304. [DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2017.1403600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hu Lei
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Weiwei Wang
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yingli Wu
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
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68
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Schick M, Habringer S, Nilsson JA, Keller U. Pathogenesis and therapeutic targeting of aberrant MYC expression in haematological cancers. Br J Haematol 2017; 179:724-738. [DOI: 10.1111/bjh.14917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Schick
- Internal Medicine III; School of Medicine; Technische Universität München; Munich Germany
| | - Stefan Habringer
- Internal Medicine III; School of Medicine; Technische Universität München; Munich Germany
| | - Jonas A. Nilsson
- Department of Surgery; Sahlgrenska Cancer Center; Gothenburg University; Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Ulrich Keller
- Internal Medicine III; School of Medicine; Technische Universität München; Munich Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK); German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ); Heidelberg Germany
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69
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article highlights recent discoveries about Notch activation and its oncogenic functions in lymphoid malignancies, and discusses the therapeutic potential of Notch inhibition. RECENT FINDINGS NOTCH mutations arise in a broad spectrum of lymphoid malignancies and are increasingly scrutinized as putative therapeutic targets. In T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), NOTCH1 mutations affect the extracellular negative regulatory region and lead to constitutive Notch activation, although mutated receptors remain sensitive to Notch ligands. Other NOTCH1 mutations in T-ALL and NOTCH1/2 mutations in multiple B-cell malignancies truncate the C-terminal proline (P), glutamic acid (E), serine (S), threonine (T)-rich (PEST) domain, leading to decreased Notch degradation after ligand-mediated activation. Thus, targeting Notch ligand-receptor interactions could provide therapeutic benefits. In addition, we discuss recent reports on clinical testing of Notch inhibitors in T-ALL that influenced contemporary thinking on the challenges of targeting Notch in cancer. We review advances in the laboratory to address these challenges in regards to drug targets, the Notch-driven metabolome, and the sophisticated protein-protein interactions at Notch-dependent superenhancers that underlie oncogenic Notch functions. SUMMARY Notch signaling is a recurrent oncogenic pathway in multiple T- and B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. Understanding the complexity and consequences of Notch activation is critical to define optimal therapeutic strategies targeting the Notch pathway.
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70
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Cioffi M, Trabulo SM, Vallespinos M, Raj D, Kheir TB, Lin ML, Begum J, Baker AM, Amgheib A, Saif J, Perez M, Soriano J, Desco M, Gomez-Gaviro MV, Cusso L, Megias D, Aicher A, Heeschen C. The miR-25-93-106b cluster regulates tumor metastasis and immune evasion via modulation of CXCL12 and PD-L1. Oncotarget 2017; 8:21609-21625. [PMID: 28423491 PMCID: PMC5400610 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The stromal microenvironment controls response to injury and inflammation, and is also an important determinant of cancer cell behavior. However, our understanding of its modulation by miRNA (miR) and their respective targets is still sparse. Here, we identified the miR-25-93-106b cluster and two new target genes as critical drivers for metastasis and immune evasion of cancer cells. Using miR-25-93-106b knockout mice or antagomiRs, we demonstrated regulation of the production of the chemoattractant CXCL12 controlling bone marrow metastasis. Moreover, we identified the immune checkpoint PD-L1 (CD274) as a novel miR-93/106b target playing a central role in diminishing tumor immunity. Eventually, upregulation of miR-93 and miR-106b via miR-mimics or treatment with an epigenetic reader domain (BET) inhibitor resulted in diminished expression of CXCL12 and PD-L1. These data suggest a potential new therapeutic rationale for use of BET inhibitors for dual targeting of cancers with strong immunosuppressive and metastatic phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Cioffi
- Stem Cells & Cancer Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara M Trabulo
- Stem Cells & Cancer Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.,Stem Cells in Cancer & Ageing, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Mireia Vallespinos
- Stem Cells & Cancer Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Deepak Raj
- Stem Cells in Cancer & Ageing, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Tony Bou Kheir
- Stem Cells in Cancer & Ageing, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Meng-Lay Lin
- Stem Cells in Cancer & Ageing, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Julfa Begum
- Stem Cells in Cancer & Ageing, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Ann-Marie Baker
- Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Ala Amgheib
- Stem Cells in Cancer & Ageing, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Jaimy Saif
- School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Manuel Perez
- Confocal Microscopy Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Spain
| | - Joaquim Soriano
- Confocal Microscopy Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Spain
| | - Manuel Desco
- Departamento de Ingenieria Biomedica e Ingeniería Aeroespacial, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Leganés, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Victoria Gomez-Gaviro
- Departamento de Ingenieria Biomedica e Ingeniería Aeroespacial, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Leganés, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lorena Cusso
- Departamento de Ingenieria Biomedica e Ingeniería Aeroespacial, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Leganés, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego Megias
- Confocal Microscopy Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Spain
| | - Alexandra Aicher
- Stem Cells & Cancer Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.,Stem Cells in Cancer & Ageing, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Christopher Heeschen
- Stem Cells & Cancer Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.,Stem Cells in Cancer & Ageing, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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71
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Bian B, Bigonnet M, Gayet O, Loncle C, Maignan A, Gilabert M, Moutardier V, Garcia S, Turrini O, Delpero JR, Giovannini M, Grandval P, Gasmi M, Ouaissi M, Secq V, Poizat F, Nicolle R, Blum Y, Marisa L, Rubis M, Raoul JL, Bradner JE, Qi J, Lomberk G, Urrutia R, Saul A, Dusetti N, Iovanna J. Gene expression profiling of patient-derived pancreatic cancer xenografts predicts sensitivity to the BET bromodomain inhibitor JQ1: implications for individualized medicine efforts. EMBO Mol Med 2017; 9:482-497. [PMID: 28275007 PMCID: PMC5376755 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201606975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
c-MYC controls more than 15% of genes responsible for proliferation, differentiation, and cellular metabolism in pancreatic as well as other cancers making this transcription factor a prime target for treating patients. The transcriptome of 55 patient-derived xenografts show that 30% of them share an exacerbated expression profile of MYC transcriptional targets (MYC-high). This cohort is characterized by a high level of Ki67 staining, a lower differentiation state, and a shorter survival time compared to the MYC-low subgroup. To define classifier expression signature, we selected a group of 10 MYC target transcripts which expression is increased in the MYC-high group and six transcripts increased in the MYC-low group. We validated the ability of these markers panel to identify MYC-high patient-derived xenografts from both: discovery and validation cohorts as well as primary cell cultures from the same patients. We then showed that cells from MYC-high patients are more sensitive to JQ1 treatment compared to MYC-low cells, in monolayer, 3D cultured spheroids and in vivo xenografted tumors, due to cell cycle arrest followed by apoptosis. Therefore, these results provide new markers and potentially novel therapeutic modalities for distinct subgroups of pancreatic tumors and may find application to the future management of these patients within the setting of individualized medicine clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Bian
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Martin Bigonnet
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Odile Gayet
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Celine Loncle
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Aurélie Maignan
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Marine Gilabert
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Vincent Moutardier
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France.,Hôpital Nord, Marseille, France.,CIC1409, AP-HM-Hôpital Nord, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Stephane Garcia
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France.,Hôpital Nord, Marseille, France
| | - Olivier Turrini
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France.,Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | - Mohamed Gasmi
- Hôpital Nord, Marseille, France.,CIC1409, AP-HM-Hôpital Nord, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | - Rémy Nicolle
- Programme Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs (CIT), Ligue Nationale Contre Le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Yuna Blum
- Programme Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs (CIT), Ligue Nationale Contre Le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Laetitia Marisa
- Programme Cartes d'Identité des Tumeurs (CIT), Ligue Nationale Contre Le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Marion Rubis
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | | | - James E Bradner
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jun Qi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gwen Lomberk
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Chromatin Dynamics, Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Raul Urrutia
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Chromatin Dynamics, Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Andres Saul
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Nanoscience de Marseille-CNRS UMR 7325, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Nelson Dusetti
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Juan Iovanna
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
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Epigenetic targeting of Notch1-driven transcription using the HDACi panobinostat is a potential therapy against T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Leukemia 2017; 32:237-241. [DOI: 10.1038/leu.2017.282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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73
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RUNX1 is required for oncogenic Myb and Myc enhancer activity in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood 2017; 130:1722-1733. [PMID: 28790107 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-03-775536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene encoding the RUNX1 transcription factor is mutated in a subset of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) patients, and RUNX1 mutations are associated with a poor prognosis. These mutations cluster in the DNA-binding Runt domain and are thought to represent loss-of-function mutations, indicating that RUNX1 suppresses T-cell transformation. RUNX1 has been proposed to have tumor suppressor roles in T-cell leukemia homeobox 1/3-transformed human T-ALL cell lines and NOTCH1 T-ALL mouse models. Yet, retroviral insertional mutagenesis screens identify RUNX genes as collaborating oncogenes in MYC-driven leukemia mouse models. To elucidate RUNX1 function(s) in leukemogenesis, we generated Tal1/Lmo2/Rosa26-CreERT2Runx1f/f mice and examined leukemia progression in the presence of vehicle or tamoxifen. We found that Runx1 deletion inhibits mouse leukemic growth in vivo and that RUNX silencing in human T-ALL cells triggers apoptosis. We demonstrate that a small molecule inhibitor, designed to interfere with CBFβ binding to RUNX proteins, impairs the growth of human T-ALL cell lines and primary patient samples. We demonstrate that a RUNX1 deficiency alters the expression of a crucial subset of TAL1- and NOTCH1-regulated genes, including the MYB and MYC oncogenes, respectively. These studies provide genetic and pharmacologic evidence that RUNX1 has oncogenic roles and reveal RUNX1 as a novel therapeutic target in T-ALL.
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74
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Mendes RD, Canté-Barrett K, Pieters R, Meijerink JPP. The relevance of PTEN-AKT in relation to NOTCH1-directed treatment strategies in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Haematologica 2017; 101:1010-7. [PMID: 27582570 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2016.146381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) negatively regulates phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT signaling and is often inactivated by mutations (including deletions) in a variety of cancer types, including T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Here we review mutation-associated mechanisms that inactivate PTEN together with other molecular mechanisms that activate AKT and contribute to T-cell leukemogenesis. In addition, we discuss how Pten mutations in mouse models affect the efficacy of gamma-secretase inhibitors to block NOTCH1 signaling through activation of AKT. Based on these models and on observations in primary diagnostic samples from patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, we speculate that PTEN-deficient cells employ an intrinsic homeostatic mechanism in which PI3K-AKT signaling is dampened over time. As a result of this reduced PI3K-AKT signaling, the level of AKT activation may be insufficient to compensate for NOTCH1 inhibition, resulting in responsiveness to gamma-secretase inhibitors. On the other hand, de novo acquired PTEN-inactivating events in NOTCH1-dependent leukemia could result in temporary, strong activation of PI3K-AKT signaling, increased glycolysis and glutaminolysis, and consequently gamma-secretase inhibitor resistance. Due to the central role of PTEN-AKT signaling and in the resistance to NOTCH1 inhibition, AKT inhibitors may be a promising addition to current treatment protocols for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui D Mendes
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kirsten Canté-Barrett
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Pieters
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jules P P Meijerink
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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75
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Jiménez I, Baruchel A, Doz F, Schulte J. Bromodomain and extraterminal protein inhibitors in pediatrics: A review of the literature. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2017; 64. [PMID: 27900832 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.26334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The last few years have seen the identification of pharmacologic approaches to target bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins for cancer treatment. These proteins have an essential role in gene transcription regulation by binding acetylated lysine residues on histone tails, activating gene transcription. BET inhibitors have been tested in preclinical models including pediatric malignancies and several adult clinical trials are ongoing. Since the development of new drugs in pediatric cancer has long lagged behind programs for adults, the aim of this review is to show the importance of these therapies in pediatric malignancies to support their development in pediatric oncology/hematology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Jiménez
- Département d'Oncologie Pédiatrique, Adolescents et Jeunes Adultes de l'Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - André Baruchel
- Service d'hémato-immunologie de l'Hôpital Universitaire Robert Debré, Paris, France.,Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Centre Hayem, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.,Professor of Pediatrics, Université Paris-Diderot, Paris, France
| | - François Doz
- Département d'Oncologie Pédiatrique, Adolescents et Jeunes Adultes de l'Institut Curie, Paris, France.,Professor of Pediatrics, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Université Paris-Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Johannes Schulte
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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76
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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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77
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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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78
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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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79
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Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer, and despite cure rates exceeding 90% in children, it remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children and adults. The past decade has been marked by extraordinary advances into the genetic basis of leukemogenesis and treatment responsiveness in ALL. Both B-cell and T-cell ALL comprise multiple subtypes harboring distinct constellations of somatic structural DNA rearrangements and sequence mutations that commonly perturb lymphoid development, cytokine receptors, kinase and Ras signaling, tumor suppression, and chromatin modification. Recent studies have helped to understand the genetic basis of clonal evolution and relapse and the role of inherited genetic variants in leukemogenesis. Many of these findings are of clinical importance, and ongoing studies implementing clinical sequencing in the management of leukemia are expected to improve diagnosis, monitoring of residual disease, and early detection of relapse and to guide precise therapies. Here, we provide a concise review of genomic studies in ALL and discuss the role of genomic testing in clinical management.
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80
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The NOTCH1-MYC highway toward T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood 2017; 129:1124-1133. [PMID: 28115368 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2016-09-692582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a highly proliferative hematologic malignancy that results from the transformation of immature T-cell progenitors. Aberrant cell growth and proliferation in T-ALL lymphoblasts are sustained by activation of strong oncogenic drivers promoting cell anabolism and cell cycle progression. Oncogenic NOTCH signaling, which is activated in more than 65% of T-ALL patients by activating mutations in the NOTCH1 gene, has emerged as a major regulator of leukemia cell growth and metabolism. T-ALL NOTCH1 mutations result in ligand-independent and sustained NOTCH1-receptor signaling, which translates into activation of a broad transcriptional program dominated by upregulation of genes involved in anabolic pathways. Among these, the MYC oncogene plays a major role in NOTCH1-induced transformation. As result, the oncogenic activity of NOTCH1 in T-ALL is strictly dependent on MYC upregulation, which makes the NOTCH1-MYC regulatory circuit an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of T-ALL.
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81
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Targeting BET proteins improves the therapeutic efficacy of BCL-2 inhibition in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Leukemia 2017; 31:2037-2047. [PMID: 28074072 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2017.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Inhibition of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) has recently emerged as a promising new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of a variety of human cancers, including leukemia. Here, we used T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) as a model system to identify novel synergistic drug combinations with the BH3 mimetic venetoclax (ABT-199). In vitro drug screening in primary leukemia specimens that were derived from patients with high risk of relapse or relapse and cell lines revealed synergistic activity between venetoclax and the BET (bromodomain and extraterminal) bromodomain inhibitor JQ1. Notably, this drug synergism was confirmed in vivo using T-ALL cell line and patient-derived xenograft models. Moreover, the therapeutic benefit of this drug combination might, at least in part, be mediated by an acute induction of the pro-apoptotic factor BCL2L11 and concomitant reduction of BCL-2 upon BET bromodomain inhibition, ultimately resulting in an enhanced binding of BIM (encoded by BCL2L11) to BCL-2. Altogether, our work provides a rationale to develop a new type of targeted combination therapy for selected subgroups of high-risk leukemia patients.
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82
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Passaro D, Quang CT, Ghysdael J. Microenvironmental cues for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia development. Immunol Rev 2016; 271:156-72. [PMID: 27088913 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Intensive chemotherapy regimens have led to a substantial improvement in the cure rate of patients suffering from T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Despite this progress, about 15% and 50% of pediatric and adult cases, respectively, show resistance to treatment or relapse with dismal prognosis, calling for further therapeutic investigations. T-ALL is an heterogeneous disease, which presents intrinsic alterations leading to aberrant expression of transcription factors normally involved in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell development and mutations in genes implicated in the regulation of cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and T-cell development. Gene expression profiling allowed the classification of T-ALL into defined molecular subgroups that mostly reflects the stage of their differentiation arrest. So far this knowledge has not translated into novel, targeted therapy. Recent evidence points to the importance of extrinsic signaling cues in controlling the ability of T-ALL to home, survive, and proliferate, thus offering the perspective of new therapeutic options. This review summarizes the present understanding of the interactions between hematopoietic cells and bone marrow/thymic niches during normal hematopoiesis, describes the main signaling pathways implicated in this dialog, and finally highlights how malignant T cells rely on specific niches to maintain their ability to sustain and propagate leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Passaro
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, Lincoln's Inn Fields Laboratories, London, UK
| | - Christine Tran Quang
- Institut Curie, Centre Universitaire, Orsay, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Universitaire, Orsay, France
| | - Jacques Ghysdael
- Institut Curie, Centre Universitaire, Orsay, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Universitaire, Orsay, France
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83
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Aster JC, Pear WS, Blacklow SC. The Varied Roles of Notch in Cancer. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY-MECHANISMS OF DISEASE 2016; 12:245-275. [PMID: 27959635 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathol-052016-100127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 466] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Notch receptors influence cellular behavior by participating in a seemingly simple signaling pathway, but outcomes produced by Notch signaling are remarkably varied depending on signal dose and cell context. Here, after briefly reviewing new insights into physiologic mechanisms of Notch signaling in healthy tissues and defects in Notch signaling that contribute to congenital disorders and viral infection, we discuss the varied roles of Notch in cancer, focusing on cell autonomous activities that may be either oncogenic or tumor suppressive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon C Aster
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115;
| | - Warren S Pear
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Stephen C Blacklow
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
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84
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Boi M, Todaro M, Vurchio V, Yang SN, Moon J, Kwee I, Rinaldi A, Pan H, Crescenzo R, Cheng M, Cerchietti L, Elemento O, Riveiro ME, Cvitkovic E, Bertoni F, Inghirami G. Therapeutic efficacy of the bromodomain inhibitor OTX015/MK-8628 in ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma: an alternative modality to overcome resistant phenotypes. Oncotarget 2016; 7:79637-79653. [PMID: 27793034 PMCID: PMC5346742 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCL) represent a peripheral T-cell lymphoma subgroup, stratified based on the presence or absence of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) chimeras. Although ALK-positive ALCLs have a more favorable outcome than ALK-negative ALCL, refractory and/or relapsed forms are common and novel treatments are needed. Here we investigated the therapeutic potential of a novel bromodomain inhibitor, OTX015/MK-8628 in ALK-positive ALCLs.The effects of OTX015 on a panel of ALK+ ALCL cell lines was evaluated in terms of proliferation, cell cycle and downstream signaling, including gene expression profiling analyses. Synergy was tested with combination targeted therapies.Bromodomain inhibition with OTX015 led primarily to ALCL cell cycle arrest in a dose-dependent manner, along with downregulation of MYC and its downstream regulated genes. MYC overexpression did not compensate this OTX015-mediated phenotype. Transcriptomic analysis of OTX015-treated ALCL cells identified a gene signature common to various hematologic malignancies treated with bromodomain inhibitors, notably large cell lymphoma. OTX015-modulated genes included transcription factors (E2F2, NFKBIZ, FOS, JUNB, ID1, HOXA5 and HOXC6), members of multiple signaling pathways (ITK, PRKCH, and MKNK2), and histones (clusters 1-3). Combination of OTX015 with the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib led to cell cycle arrest then cell death, and combination with suboptimal doses of the ALK inhibitor CEP28122 caused cell cycle arrest. When OTX015 was associated with GANT61, a selective GLI1/2 inhibitor, C1156Y-resistant ALK ALCL growth was impaired.These findings support OTX015 clinical trials in refractory ALCL in combination with inhibitors of interleukin-2-inducible kinase or SHH/GLI1.
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MESH Headings
- Acetanilides/pharmacology
- Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/pharmacology
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Drug Synergism
- Gene Expression Profiling/methods
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring/pharmacology
- Humans
- Inhibitory Concentration 50
- Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic/drug therapy
- Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic/genetics
- Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic/pathology
- Phenotype
- Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Time Factors
- Transcriptome
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Boi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science and Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CeRMS), University of Torino, Torino, Italy
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria Todaro
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science and Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CeRMS), University of Torino, Torino, Italy
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Valentina Vurchio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science and Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CeRMS), University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Shao Ning Yang
- Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - John Moon
- Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ivo Kwee
- Lymphoma and Genomics Research Program, IOR Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IDSIA), Manno, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Rinaldi
- Lymphoma and Genomics Research Program, IOR Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Heng Pan
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
- Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ramona Crescenzo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science and Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CeRMS), University of Torino, Torino, Italy
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mangeng Cheng
- In Vitro Pharmacology, Merck Research Laboratory, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Leandro Cerchietti
- Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Olivier Elemento
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
- Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Esteban Cvitkovic
- Oncology Therapeutic Development, Clichy, France
- Oncoethix SA (Now Oncoethix GmbH, A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.), Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Bertoni
- Lymphoma and Genomics Research Program, IOR Institute of Oncology Research, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- IOSI Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Giorgio Inghirami
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science and Center for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CeRMS), University of Torino, Torino, Italy
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, and NYU Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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85
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Wu C, Zhang HF, Gupta N, Alshareef A, Wang Q, Huang YH, Lewis JT, Douglas DN, Kneteman NM, Lai R. A positive feedback loop involving the Wnt/β-catenin/MYC/Sox2 axis defines a highly tumorigenic cell subpopulation in ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. J Hematol Oncol 2016; 9:120. [PMID: 27821172 PMCID: PMC5100098 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-016-0349-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have previously described the existence of two phenotypically distinct cell subsets in ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK + ALCL) based on their differential responsiveness to a Sox2 reporter (SRR2), with reporter-responsive (RR) cells being more tumorigenic and chemoresistant than reporter-unresponsive (RU) cells. However, the regulator(s) of RU/RR dichotomy are not identified. In this study, we aim to delineate the key regulator(s) of RU/RR dichotomy. METHODS JASPER motif match analysis was used to identify the putative factors binding to SRR2 sequence. SRR2 probe pull-down assay and quantitate real-time PCR were performed to analyze the regulation of Sox2 transcriptional activity by MYC. Methylcellulose colony formation assay, chemoresistance to doxorubicin and mouse xenograft study were performed to investigate the biological functions of MYC. PCR array and western blotting were executed to study related signaling pathways that regulate MYC expression. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry assay were initiated to evaluate the expression of MYC and its correlation with its regulator by chi-square test analysis in human primary tumor cells. RESULTS We identified MYC as a potential regulator of RU/RR dichotomy. In support of its role, MYC was highly expressed in RR cells compared to RU cells, and inhibition of MYC substantially decreased the Sox2/SRR2 binding, Sox2 transcriptional activity, chemoresistance, and methylcellulose colony formation. In contrast, enforced expression of MYC in RU cells conferred the RR phenotype. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway, a positive regulator of MYC, was highly active in RR but not RU cells. While inhibition of this pathway in RR cells substantially decreased MYC expression and SRR2 reporter activity, experimental activation of this pathway led to the opposite effects in RU cells. Collectively, our results support a model in which a positive feedback loop involving Wnt/β-catenin/MYC and Sox2 contributes to the RR phenotype. In a mouse xenograft model, RU cells stably transfected with MYC showed upregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin/MYC/Sox2 axis and increased tumorigenecity. Correlating with these findings, there was a significant correlation between the expression of active β-catenin and MYC in ALK + ALCL primary tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS A positive feedback loop involving the Wnt/β-catenin/MYC/Sox2 axis defines a highly tumorigenic cell subset in ALK + ALCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengsheng Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, 5142J Katz Group Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1Z2 Canada
| | - Hai-Feng Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, 5142J Katz Group Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1Z2 Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Nidhi Gupta
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, 5142J Katz Group Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1Z2 Canada
| | - Abdulraheem Alshareef
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, 5142J Katz Group Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1Z2 Canada
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, 5142J Katz Group Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1Z2 Canada
| | - Yung-Hsing Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, 5142J Katz Group Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1Z2 Canada
| | - Jamie T. Lewis
- Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta Canada
| | - Donna N. Douglas
- Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta Canada
| | | | - Raymond Lai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, 5142J Katz Group Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1Z2 Canada
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta Canada
- DynaLIFEDX Medical Laboratories, Edmonton, Alberta Canada
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86
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Gerby B, Veiga DFT, Krosl J, Nourreddine S, Ouellette J, Haman A, Lavoie G, Fares I, Tremblay M, Litalien V, Ottoni E, Kosic M, Geoffrion D, Ryan J, Maddox PS, Chagraoui J, Marinier A, Hébert J, Sauvageau G, Kwok BH, Roux PP, Hoang T. High-throughput screening in niche-based assay identifies compounds to target preleukemic stem cells. J Clin Invest 2016; 126:4569-4584. [PMID: 27797342 DOI: 10.1172/jci86489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Current chemotherapies for T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) efficiently reduce tumor mass. Nonetheless, disease relapse attributed to survival of preleukemic stem cells (pre-LSCs) is associated with poor prognosis. Herein, we provide direct evidence that pre-LSCs are much less chemosensitive to existing chemotherapy drugs than leukemic blasts because of a distinctive lower proliferative state. Improving therapies for T-ALL requires the development of strategies to target pre-LSCs that are absolutely dependent on their microenvironment. Therefore, we designed a robust protocol for high-throughput screening of compounds that target primary pre-LSCs maintained in a niche-like environment, on stromal cells that were engineered for optimal NOTCH1 activation. The multiparametric readout takes into account the intrinsic complexity of primary cells in order to specifically monitor pre-LSCs, which were induced here by the SCL/TAL1 and LMO1 oncogenes. We screened a targeted library of compounds and determined that the estrogen derivative 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME2) disrupted both cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous pathways. Specifically, 2-ME2 abrogated pre-LSC viability and self-renewal activity in vivo by inhibiting translation of MYC, a downstream effector of NOTCH1, and preventing SCL/TAL1 activity. In contrast, normal hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells remained functional. These results illustrate how recapitulating tissue-like properties of primary cells in high-throughput screening is a promising avenue for innovation in cancer chemotherapy.
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87
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Lian H, Li D, Zhou Y, Landesman-Bollag E, Zhang G, Anderson NM, Tang KC, Roderick JE, Kelliher MA, Seldin DC, Fu H, Feng H. CK2 inhibitor CX-4945 destabilizes NOTCH1 and synergizes with JQ1 against human T-acute lymphoblastic leukemic cells. Haematologica 2016; 102:e17-e21. [PMID: 27758824 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2016.154013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Haiwei Lian
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China.,Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, MA, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Wuhan University Renmin Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Dun Li
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, MA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, MA, USA
| | - Yun Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, MA, USA.,Department of Gynaecology, Wuhan University Renmin Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Esther Landesman-Bollag
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, MA, USA
| | - Guanglan Zhang
- Department of Computer Science, Metropolitan College, Boston University, MA, USA
| | - Nicole M Anderson
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, MA, USA
| | - Kevin Charles Tang
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, MA, USA
| | - Justine E Roderick
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Michelle A Kelliher
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - David C Seldin
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, MA, USA
| | - Hui Fu
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Hui Feng
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, MA, USA .,Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, MA, USA
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88
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Abstract
T cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive haematological malignancy derived from early T cell progenitors. In recent years genomic and transcriptomic studies have uncovered major oncogenic and tumour suppressor pathways involved in T-ALL transformation and identified distinct biological groups associated with prognosis. An increased understanding of T-ALL biology has already translated into new prognostic biomarkers and improved animal models of leukaemia and has opened opportunities for the development of targeted therapies for the treatment of this disease. In this Review we examine our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of T-ALL and recent developments in the translation of these results to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Belver
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Adolfo Ferrando
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
- Department of Pathology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
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89
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Xu Z, Sharp PP, Yao Y, Segal D, Ang CH, Khaw SL, Aubrey BJ, Gong J, Kelly GL, Herold MJ, Strasser A, Roberts AW, Alexander WS, Burns CJ, Huang DCS, Glaser SP. BET inhibition represses miR17-92 to drive BIM-initiated apoptosis of normal and transformed hematopoietic cells. Leukemia 2016; 30:1531-41. [PMID: 27055867 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2016.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Revised: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The BET (bromodomain and extraterminal domain) bromodomain-containing proteins, such as BRD4, are highly promising targets for treating lymphoid and myeloid malignancies. They act to modulate the expression of multiple genes that control diverse cellular processes including proliferation, survival and differentiation that are consequentially disrupted by small-molecule BET bromodomain inhibitors such as JQ1. By assessing the impact of these inhibitors on normal mouse hematopoietic cells or their transformed counterparts, we establish definitively that their cytotoxic action in vitro and in vivo relies predominantly on the activation of BAX/BAK-dependent mitochondrial (intrinsic) apoptosis. In large part, this is triggered by marked upregulation of the BH3-only protein BIM when the BET inhibitors suppress miR-17-92, a key post-transcriptional repressor of BIM expression. Thus, our study strongly suggests that mutations that permit the evasion of apoptosis (for example, BCL2 overexpression, BIM inactivation) are likely to blunt the activity of the BET bromodomain inhibitors and should be anticipated when therapy resistance develops. Strikingly, we also found that certain normal hematopoietic cells, especially those of lymphoid origin, are as prone to apoptosis induced by the BET inhibitors as their transformed counterparts, indicating that their susceptibility to BET inhibitors did not arise from oncogenic transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Xu
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - P P Sharp
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Y Yao
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - D Segal
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - C H Ang
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - S L Khaw
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Children's Cancer Centre, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - B J Aubrey
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Clinical Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - J Gong
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - G L Kelly
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - M J Herold
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - A Strasser
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - A W Roberts
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Clinical Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - W S Alexander
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - C J Burns
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - D C S Huang
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - S P Glaser
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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90
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The molecular mechanics of mixed lineage leukemia. Oncogene 2016; 35:5215-5223. [PMID: 26923329 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mixed lineage leukemia caused by MLL fusion proteins is still a mostly incurable disease. Research on novel treatment strategies has gained momentum in the last years with the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying the transforming potential of these powerful oncoproteins. This review summarizes the recent developments in this area including new attempts to treat MLL in a rational way by exploiting the biochemical vulnerabilities of the leukemogenic process.
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91
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Anderson NM, Li D, Peng HL, Laroche FJF, Mansour MR, Gjini E, Aioub M, Helman DJ, Roderick JE, Cheng T, Harrold I, Samaha Y, Meng L, Amsterdam A, Neuberg DS, Denton TT, Sanda T, Kelliher MA, Singh A, Look AT, Feng H. The TCA cycle transferase DLST is important for MYC-mediated leukemogenesis. Leukemia 2016; 30:1365-74. [PMID: 26876595 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2016.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Revised: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Despite the pivotal role of MYC in the pathogenesis of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and many other cancers, the mechanisms underlying MYC-mediated tumorigenesis remain inadequately understood. Here we utilized a well-characterized zebrafish model of Myc-induced T-ALL for genetic studies to identify novel genes contributing to disease onset. We found that heterozygous inactivation of a tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzyme, dihydrolipoamide S-succinyltransferase (Dlst), significantly delayed tumor onset in zebrafish without detectable effects on fish development. DLST is the E2 transferase of the α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) dehydrogenase complex (KGDHC), which converts α-KG to succinyl-CoA in the TCA cycle. RNAi knockdown of DLST led to decreased cell viability and induction of apoptosis in human T-ALL cell lines. Polar metabolomics profiling revealed that the TCA cycle was disrupted by DLST knockdown in human T-ALL cells, as demonstrated by an accumulation of α-KG and a decrease of succinyl-CoA. Addition of succinate, the downstream TCA cycle intermediate, to human T-ALL cells was sufficient to rescue defects in cell viability caused by DLST inactivation. Together, our studies uncovered an important role for DLST in MYC-mediated leukemogenesis and demonstrated the metabolic dependence of T-lymphoblasts on the TCA cycle, thus providing implications for targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- N M Anderson
- Departments of Pharmacology and Medicine, The Center for Cancer Research, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - D Li
- Departments of Pharmacology and Medicine, The Center for Cancer Research, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - H L Peng
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Hematology/Institute of Molecular Hematology, Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - F J F Laroche
- Departments of Pharmacology and Medicine, The Center for Cancer Research, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M R Mansour
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - E Gjini
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M Aioub
- Departments of Pharmacology and Medicine, The Center for Cancer Research, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - D J Helman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - J E Roderick
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - T Cheng
- Departments of Pharmacology and Medicine, The Center for Cancer Research, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - I Harrold
- Departments of Pharmacology and Medicine, The Center for Cancer Research, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Y Samaha
- Departments of Pharmacology and Medicine, The Center for Cancer Research, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - L Meng
- Departments of Pharmacology and Medicine, The Center for Cancer Research, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A Amsterdam
- David H Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - D S Neuberg
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - T T Denton
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, College of Pharmacy, Spokane, WA, USA
| | - T Sanda
- Department of Medicine, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - M A Kelliher
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - A Singh
- Departments of Pharmacology and Medicine, The Center for Cancer Research, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A T Look
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - H Feng
- Departments of Pharmacology and Medicine, The Center for Cancer Research, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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92
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Ogiwara H, Sasaki M, Mitachi T, Oike T, Higuchi S, Tominaga Y, Kohno T. Targeting p300 Addiction in CBP-Deficient Cancers Causes Synthetic Lethality by Apoptotic Cell Death due to Abrogation of MYC Expression. Cancer Discov 2015; 6:430-45. [DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-15-0754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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93
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Das A, Chai JC, Yang CS, Lee YS, Das ND, Jung KH, Chai YG. Dual transcriptome sequencing reveals resistance of TLR4 ligand-activated bone marrow-derived macrophages to inflammation mediated by the BET inhibitor JQ1. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16932. [PMID: 26582142 PMCID: PMC4652239 DOI: 10.1038/srep16932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent macrophage activation is associated with the expression of various pro-inflammatory genes, cytokines and chemokines, which may initiate or amplify inflammatory disorders. A novel synthetic BET inhibitor, JQ1, was proven to exert immunosuppressive activities in macrophages. However, a genome-wide search for JQ1 molecular targets has not been undertaken. The present study aimed at evaluating the anti-inflammatory function and underlying genes that are targeted by JQ1 in LPS-stimulated primary bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) using global transcriptomic RNA sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR. Among the annotated genes, transcriptional sequencing of BMDMs that were treated with JQ1 revealed a selective effect on LPS-induced gene expression in which the induction of cytokines/chemokines, interferon-stimulated genes, and prominent (transcription factors) TFs was suppressed. Additionally, we found that JQ1 reduced the expression of previously unidentified genes that are important in inflammation. Importantly, these inflammatory genes were not affected by JQ1 treatment alone. Furthermore, we confirmed that JQ1 reduced cytokines/chemokines in the supernatants of LPS treated BMDMs. Moreover, the biological pathways and gene ontology of the differentially expressed genes were determined in the JQ1 treatment of BMDMs. These unprecedented results suggest that the BET inhibitor JQ1 is a candidate for the prevention or therapeutic treatment of inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amitabh Das
- Department of Bionanotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Choul Chai
- Department of Molecular &Life Sciences, Hanyang University, Ansan, 426-791, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul-Su Yang
- Department of Molecular &Life Sciences, Hanyang University, Ansan, 426-791, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Seek Lee
- Department of Molecular &Life Sciences, Hanyang University, Ansan, 426-791, Republic of Korea
| | - Nando Dulal Das
- Epigenetics Drug Discovery Unit, Division of Structural &Synthetic Biology, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Kyoung Hwa Jung
- Institute of Natural Science &Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, 426-791, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Gyu Chai
- Department of Bionanotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea.,Department of Molecular &Life Sciences, Hanyang University, Ansan, 426-791, Republic of Korea
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94
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Kourtis N, Strikoudis A, Aifantis I. Emerging roles for the FBXW7 ubiquitin ligase in leukemia and beyond. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2015; 37:28-34. [PMID: 26426760 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2015.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Protein degradation plays key roles in diverse pathways in cell division, growth and differentiation. Aberrant stabilization of crucial proteins participating in oncogenic pathways is often observed in cancer. The importance of proper protein turnover is exemplified by the SCF(Fbxw7) ubiquitin ligase, which is frequently mutated in human cancer, including T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Recent studies have revealed novel substrates of Fbxw7 and shed light on its role on differentiation of stem cells and expansion of stem-cell-like cells driving tumorigenesis. Detailed understanding of the contribution of the Fbxw7-regulated network of proteins in initiation and progression of cancer will facilitate the identification of candidate intervention targets in human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikos Kourtis
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; NYU Cancer Institute and Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Stem Cell Biology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Alexandros Strikoudis
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; NYU Cancer Institute and Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Stem Cell Biology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Iannis Aifantis
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; NYU Cancer Institute and Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Stem Cell Biology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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95
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Hammitzsch A, Tallant C, Fedorov O, O'Mahony A, Brennan PE, Hay DA, Martinez FO, Al-Mossawi MH, de Wit J, Vecellio M, Wells C, Wordsworth P, Müller S, Knapp S, Bowness P. CBP30, a selective CBP/p300 bromodomain inhibitor, suppresses human Th17 responses. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:10768-73. [PMID: 26261308 PMCID: PMC4553799 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1501956112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Th17 responses are critical to a variety of human autoimmune diseases, and therapeutic targeting with monoclonal antibodies against IL-17 and IL-23 has shown considerable promise. Here, we report data to support selective bromodomain blockade of the transcriptional coactivators CBP (CREB binding protein) and p300 as an alternative approach to inhibit human Th17 responses. We show that CBP30 has marked molecular specificity for the bromodomains of CBP and p300, compared with 43 other bromodomains. In unbiased cellular testing on a diverse panel of cultured primary human cells, CBP30 reduced immune cell production of IL-17A and other proinflammatory cytokines. CBP30 also inhibited IL-17A secretion by Th17 cells from healthy donors and patients with ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. Transcriptional profiling of human T cells after CBP30 treatment showed a much more restricted effect on gene expression than that observed with the pan-BET (bromo and extraterminal domain protein family) bromodomain inhibitor JQ1. This selective targeting of the CBP/p300 bromodomain by CBP30 will potentially lead to fewer side effects than with the broadly acting epigenetic inhibitors currently in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane Hammitzsch
- Botnar Research Institute, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LD, United Kingdom
| | - Cynthia Tallant
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom; Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, United Kingdom
| | - Oleg Fedorov
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom; Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, United Kingdom
| | - Alison O'Mahony
- BioSeek Division of DiscoveRx Corporation, South San Francisco, CA 94080
| | - Paul E Brennan
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom; Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, United Kingdom
| | - Duncan A Hay
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Fernando O Martinez
- Botnar Research Institute, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LD, United Kingdom
| | - M Hussein Al-Mossawi
- Botnar Research Institute, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LD, United Kingdom
| | - Jelle de Wit
- Botnar Research Institute, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LD, United Kingdom
| | - Matteo Vecellio
- Botnar Research Institute, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LD, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Wells
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Wordsworth
- Botnar Research Institute, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LD, United Kingdom
| | - Susanne Müller
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom; Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom; Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, United Kingdom; Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Paul Bowness
- Botnar Research Institute, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LD, United Kingdom;
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96
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Peirs S, Van der Meulen J, Van de Walle I, Taghon T, Speleman F, Poppe B, Van Vlierberghe P. Epigenetics in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Immunol Rev 2015; 263:50-67. [PMID: 25510271 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Normal T-cell development is a strictly regulated process in which hematopoietic progenitor cells migrate from the bone marrow to the thymus and differentiate from early T-cell progenitors toward mature and functional T cells. During this maturation process, cooperation between a variety of oncogenes and tumor suppressors can drive immature thymocytes into uncontrolled clonal expansion and cause T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Despite improved insights in T-ALL disease biology and comprehensive characterization of its genetic landscape, clinical care remained largely similar over the past decades and still consists of high-dose multi-agent chemotherapy potentially followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Even with such aggressive treatment regimens, which are often associated with considerable side effects, clinical outcome is still extremely poor in a significant subset of T-ALL patients as a result of therapy resistance or hematological relapses. Recent genetic studies have identified recurrent somatic alterations in genes involved in DNA methylation and post-translational histone modifications in T-ALL, suggesting that epigenetic homeostasis is critically required in restraining tumor development in the T-cell lineage. In this review, we provide an overview of the epigenetic regulators that could be implicated in T-ALL disease biology and speculate how the epigenetic landscape of T-ALL could trigger the development of epigenetic-based therapies to further improve the treatment of human T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Peirs
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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97
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Rational combination therapies targeting survival signaling in aggressive B-cell leukemia/lymphoma. Curr Opin Hematol 2015; 21:297-308. [PMID: 24811162 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The identification of oncogenic 'driver' mutations and activated survival pathways in selected aggressive B-cell malignancies directs the development of novel adjunctive therapies using targeted small molecule inhibitors. With a focus on diffuse large B-cell lymphoma 'not otherwise specified', Hodgkin lymphoma and childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia, this review will provide an up-to-date account of the current literature on the development of new molecularly targeted treatment modalities for aggressive B-cell malignancies. RECENT FINDINGS Subclassification of B-cell malignancies depending on their particular genetic 'driver' lesions and transcriptional and/or signaling signatures has led to the development of targeted therapeutic approaches using small molecule inhibitors to amend current combination chemotherapy. SUMMARY Treatment outcome with current combination chemotherapy is still poor for subsets of aggressive B-cell malignancies, and demands development of targeted therapeutic approaches. Advanced gene expression profiling and genomic sequencing have revealed a more detailed landscape of recurrent alterations, allowing a better subclassification of B-cell lymphomas and leukemias. Many alterations directly or indirectly lead to activation of survival signaling pathways and expression of key oncoproteins and prosurvival molecules, including Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT), phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR), avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (MYC) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCLl-2). Small molecule inhibitors targeting these proteins and pathways are currently being tested in clinical trials and preclinically to improve chemotherapeutic regimes and treatment outcomes.
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98
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Recent genome sequencing studies have identified a broad spectrum of gene mutations in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). The purpose of this review is to outline the latest advances in our understanding of how these mutations contribute to the formation of T-ALL. RECENT FINDINGS Aberrant expression of transcription factors that control hematopoiesis can induce an aberrant stem cell-like program in T-cell progenitors, allowing the emergence of an ancestral or preleukemic stem cell (pre-LSC). In contrast, gain-of-function mutations of genes involved in signaling pathways regulating T-cell development, such as NOTCH1, interleukin-7, KIT and FLT3, are insufficient per se to initiate T-ALL but promote pre-LSC growth independent of the thymic niche. Loss-of-function mutations of epigenetic regulators, such as DNMT3A, have been identified in T-ALL, but their role in leukemogenesis remains to be defined. SUMMARY Relapse is associated with clonal evolution from a population of pre-LSCs that acquire the whole set of malignant mutations leading to a full-blown T-ALL. Understanding the genetic events that underpin the pre-LSC will be crucial for reducing the risk of relapse.
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99
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Basheer F, Huntly BJP. BET bromodomain inhibitors in leukemia. Exp Hematol 2015; 43:718-31. [PMID: 26163798 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2015.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Revised: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The last few years have seen the identification of bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins as critical mediators of transcription with effects on its direct control and cisregulation. This discovery is important in furthering our understanding of the mechanisms of normal transcriptional control. Subsequent work has shed light on the multiple roles of BET proteins in various aberrant transcriptional pathways that have significant implications across many malignant cell types and other disease processes. Accordingly, considerable effort has been made to assess the utility of targeting BET proteins with specific small molecules in acute leukemia and across other types of cancer. In this review, we will discuss the most recent advances in our understanding of the mechanistic actions of BET proteins in normal transcriptional control, both at the gene body and cisregulatory elements; how this is subverted; and its aberrant downstream effects, specifically in the context of acute leukemia and other hematologic cancers. In particular, we will focus on altered epigenetic programs that have been shown to be central to the development and maintenance of acute myeloid leukemia in preclinical models. Finally, we will explore how the use of small-molecule BET inhibitors in leukemias has demonstrated significant promise in numerous single-agent and combination therapy preclinical models and will highlight efforts to translate this promise to the therapeutic arena through various clinical trials attempting to validate efficacy and safety. The considerable opportunities in epigenetically targeting leukemias through BET inhibition will undoubtedly play an important role in improving the management of these conditions in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Basheer
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Brian J P Huntly
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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Wang G, Wang J, Zhao H, Wang J, Tony To SS. The role of Myc and let-7a in glioblastoma, glucose metabolism and response to therapy. Arch Biochem Biophys 2015; 580:84-92. [PMID: 26151775 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2015.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Revised: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is thought to result from an imbalance between glucose metabolism and tumor growth. The Myc oncogene and lethal-7a microRNA (let-7a miRNA) have been suggested to cooperatively regulate multiple downstream targets leading to changes in chromosome stability, gene mutations, and/or modulation of tumor growth. Here, we review the roles of Myc and let-7a in glucose metabolism and tumor growth and addresses their future potential as prognostic markers and therapeutic tools in GBM. We focus on the functions of Myc and let-7a in glucose uptake, tumor survival, proliferation, and mobility of glioma cells. In addition, we discuss how regulation of different pathways by Myc or let-7a may be useful for future GBM therapies. A large body of evidence suggests that targeting Myc and let-7a may provide a selective mechanism for the deregulation of glucose metabolic pathways in glioma cells. Indeed, Myc and let-7a are aberrantly expressed in GBM and have been linked to the regulation of cell growth and glucose metabolism in GBM. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Targeting alternative glucose metabolism and regulate pathways in GBM cells for future glioblastoma therapies".
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200235, China; Hubei University of Medicine, No. 30 People South Road, Shiyan City, Hubei Province 442000, China.
| | - JunJie Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200235, China; Hubei University of Medicine, No. 30 People South Road, Shiyan City, Hubei Province 442000, China
| | - HuaFu Zhao
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shing Shun Tony To
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
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