101
|
Wang MY, Liow P, Guzman MIT, Qi J. Exploring Methods of Targeting Histone Methyltransferases and Their Applications in Cancer Therapeutics. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:744-755. [PMID: 35363464 PMCID: PMC9336197 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Histone methyltransferases (HMTs) are enzymes that catalyze the methylation of lysine or arginine residues of histone proteins, a key post-translational modification (PTM). Aberrant expression or activity of these enzymes can lead to abnormal histone methylation of cancer-related genes and thus promote tumorigenesis. Histone methyltransferases have been implicated in chemotherapeutic resistance and immune stimulation, making these enzymes potential therapeutic targets of interest, and chemically targeting these proteins provides an avenue for novel drug development in cancer therapy. This Review aims to discuss the evolution of chemical approaches that have emerged in the past five years to design probes targeting these enzymes, including inhibition through noncovalent inhibitors, covalent inhibitors, and targeted protein degradation through proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs). This Review also highlights how these compounds have been used to study the myriad of HMT functions in cancer progression and treatment response. The recent advancement of some of these drugs into human clinical investigation and even to regulatory approval highlights HMTs as a promising class of targets for chemical intervention and novel therapy development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Y. Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Priscilla Liow
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Maria I. Tarazona Guzman
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Jun Qi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| |
Collapse
|
102
|
Alexandrova E, Salvati A, Pecoraro G, Lamberti J, Melone V, Sellitto A, Rizzo F, Giurato G, Tarallo R, Nassa G, Weisz A. Histone Methyltransferase DOT1L as a Promising Epigenetic Target for Treatment of Solid Tumors. Front Genet 2022; 13:864612. [PMID: 35495127 PMCID: PMC9043692 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.864612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The histone lysine methyltransferase DOT1L (DOT1-like histone lysine methyltransferase) is responsible for the epigenetic regulation of gene expression through specific methylation of lysine79 residue of histone H3 (H3K79) in actively transcribed genes. Its normal activity is crucial for embryonic development and adult tissues functions, whereas its aberrant functioning is known to contribute to leukemogenesis. DOT1L is the only lysine methyltransferase that does not contain a SET domain, which is a feature that allowed the development of selective DOT1L inhibitors that are currently investigated in Phase I clinical trials for cancer treatment. Recently, abnormal expression of this enzyme has been associated with poor survival and increased aggressiveness of several solid tumors. In this review evidences of aberrant DOT1L expression and activity in breast, ovarian, prostate, colon, and other solid tumors, and its relationships with biological and clinical behavior of the disease and response to therapies, are summarized. Current knowledge of the structural basis of DOT1L ability to regulate cell proliferation, invasion, plasticity and stemness, cell cycle progression, cell-to-cell signaling, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and chemoresistance, through cooperation with several molecular partners including noncoding RNAs, is also reviewed. Finally, available options for the treatment of therapeutically challenging solid tumors by targeting DOT1L are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Alexandrova
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Annamaria Salvati
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Oncology, AOU “S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona”, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pecoraro
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Jessica Lamberti
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Viola Melone
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Assunta Sellitto
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Francesca Rizzo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health—CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health—CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Roberta Tarallo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health—CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Giovanni Nassa
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health—CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- *Correspondence: Giovanni Nassa, ; Alessandro Weisz,
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Oncology, AOU “S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona”, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health—CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- *Correspondence: Giovanni Nassa, ; Alessandro Weisz,
| |
Collapse
|
103
|
Béné MC, Porwit A. Mixed Phenotype/Lineage Leukemia: Has Anything Changed for 2021 on Diagnosis, Classification, and Treatment? Curr Oncol Rep 2022; 24:1015-1022. [PMID: 35380407 PMCID: PMC9249706 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-022-01252-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Recent advances in the small field of the rare mixed phenotype acute leukemias (MPAL) are presented focusing on a better understanding of their pathophysiology and search for better therapeutic approaches. Recent Findings Three aspects of respective classification, therapy, and immunophenotype of MPAL are reviewed. New proposals have been made to segregate MPAL subtypes based on their genomic landscape. In parallel, it was found that a large array of therapeutic approaches has been tested in the past few years with increasingly good results. Finally, we explored the use of unsupervised flow cytometry analysis to dissect subtle variations in markers expression to better characterize the variegating aspect of MPALs. Summary Genomic and immunophenotypic aspects more clearly link MPAL subtypes with bona fide acute myeloblastic of lymphoblastic leukemias. This is likely to impact therapeutic strategies, towards a better management and outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie C. Béné
- Hematology Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Inserm, CHU de Nantes, CRCI2NA, INSERM UMR 1307 & CNRS UMR 6075 Nantes, France
| | - Anna Porwit
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Oncology and Pathology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 25b, 22185 Lund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
104
|
Yi Y, Ge S. Targeting the histone H3 lysine 79 methyltransferase DOT1L in MLL-rearranged leukemias. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:35. [PMID: 35331314 PMCID: PMC8944089 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01251-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Disrupting the methylation of telomeric silencing 1-like (DOT1L)-mediated histone H3 lysine 79 has been implicated in MLL fusion-mediated leukemogenesis. Recently, DOT1L has become an attractive therapeutic target for MLL-rearranged leukemias. Rigorous studies have been performed, and much progress has been achieved. Moreover, one DOT1L inhibitor, EPZ-5676, has entered clinical trials, but its clinical activity is modest. Here, we review the recent advances and future trends of various therapeutic strategies against DOT1L for MLL-rearranged leukemias, including DOT1L enzymatic activity inhibitors, DOT1L degraders, protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors, and combinatorial interventions. In addition, the limitations, challenges, and prospects of these therapeutic strategies are discussed. In summary, we present a general overview of DOT1L as a target in MLL-rearranged leukemias to provide valuable guidance for DOT1L-associated drug development in the future. Although a variety of DOT1L enzymatic inhibitors have been identified, most of them require further optimization. Recent advances in the development of small molecule degraders, including heterobifunctional degraders and molecular glues, provide valuable insights and references for DOT1L degraders. However, drug R&D strategies and platforms need to be developed and preclinical experiments need to be performed with the purpose of blocking DOT1L-associated PPIs. DOT1L epigenetic-based combination therapy is worth considering and exploring, but the therapy should be based on a thorough understanding of the regulatory mechanism of DOT1L epigenetic modifications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yi
- Departments of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shenglei Ge
- Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Middle Street, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
105
|
Khirsariya P, Pospíŝil P, Maier L, Boudný M, Babáŝ M, Kroutil OE, Mráz M, Vácha R, Paruch K. Synthesis and Profiling of Highly Selective Inhibitors of Methyltransferase DOT1L Based on Carbocyclic C-Nucleosides. J Med Chem 2022; 65:5701-5723. [PMID: 35302777 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c02228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Histone methyltransferase DOT1L is an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of hematological malignancies. Here, we report the design, synthesis, and profiling of new DOT1L inhibitors based on nonroutine carbocyclic C-nucleoside scaffolds. The experimentally observed SAR was found to be nontrivial as seemingly minor changes of individual substituents resulted in significant changes in the affinity to DOT1L. Molecular modeling suggested that these trends could be related to significant conformational changes of the protein upon interaction with the inhibitors. The compounds 22 and (-)-53 (MU1656), carbocyclic C-nucleoside analogues of the natural nucleoside derivative EPZ004777, and the clinical candidate EPZ5676 (pinometostat) potently and selectively inhibit DOT1L in vitro as well as in the cell. The most potent compound MU1656 was found to be more metabolically stable and significantly less toxic in vivo than pinometostat itself.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Khirsariya
- Department of Chemistry, CZ Openscreen, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.,International Clinical Research Center, Center for Biomolecular and Cellular Engineering, St. Anne's University Hospital in Brno, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Patrik Pospíŝil
- Department of Chemistry, CZ Openscreen, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáŝ Maier
- Department of Chemistry, CZ Openscreen, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.,International Clinical Research Center, Center for Biomolecular and Cellular Engineering, St. Anne's University Hospital in Brno, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Boudný
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Jihlavska 20, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Babáŝ
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ondr Ej Kroutil
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Mráz
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Brno and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Jihlavska 20, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Robert Vácha
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kamil Paruch
- Department of Chemistry, CZ Openscreen, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.,International Clinical Research Center, Center for Biomolecular and Cellular Engineering, St. Anne's University Hospital in Brno, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
106
|
Olsen SN, Godfrey L, Healy JP, Choi YA, Kai Y, Hatton C, Perner F, Haarer EL, Nabet B, Yuan GC, Armstrong SA. MLL::AF9 degradation induces rapid changes in transcriptional elongation and subsequent loss of an active chromatin landscape. Mol Cell 2022; 82:1140-1155.e11. [PMID: 35245435 PMCID: PMC9044330 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
MLL rearrangements produce fusion oncoproteins that drive leukemia development, but the direct effects of MLL-fusion inactivation remain poorly defined. We designed models with degradable MLL::AF9 where treatment with small molecules induces rapid degradation. We leveraged the kinetics of this system to identify a core subset of MLL::AF9 target genes where MLL::AF9 degradation induces changes in transcriptional elongation within 15 minutes. MLL::AF9 degradation subsequently causes loss of a transcriptionally active chromatin landscape. We used this insight to assess the effectiveness of small molecules that target members of the MLL::AF9 multiprotein complex, specifically DOT1L and MENIN. Combined DOT1L/MENIN inhibition resembles MLL::AF9 degradation, whereas single-agent treatment has more modest effects on MLL::AF9 occupancy and gene expression. Our data show that MLL::AF9 degradation leads to decreases in transcriptional elongation prior to changes in chromatin landscape at select loci and that combined inhibition of chromatin complexes releases the MLL::AF9 oncoprotein from chromatin globally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Naomi Olsen
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Laura Godfrey
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - James P Healy
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Yoolim A Choi
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Yan Kai
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Charles Hatton
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Florian Perner
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Internal Medicine C, University Medical Center Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Elena L Haarer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Behnam Nabet
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Guo-Cheng Yuan
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Scott A Armstrong
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
107
|
Castiglioni S, Di Fede E, Bernardelli C, Lettieri A, Parodi C, Grazioli P, Colombo EA, Ancona S, Milani D, Ottaviano E, Borghi E, Massa V, Ghelma F, Vignoli A, Lesma E, Gervasini C. KMT2A: Umbrella Gene for Multiple Diseases. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13030514. [PMID: 35328068 PMCID: PMC8949091 DOI: 10.3390/genes13030514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
KMT2A (Lysine methyltransferase 2A) is a member of the epigenetic machinery, encoding a lysine methyltransferase responsible for the transcriptional activation through lysine 4 of histone 3 (H3K4) methylation. KMT2A has a crucial role in gene expression, thus it is associated to pathological conditions when found mutated. KMT2A germinal mutations are associated to Wiedemann–Steiner syndrome and also in patients with initial clinical diagnosis of several other chromatinopathies (i.e., Coffin–Siris syndromes, Kabuki syndrome, Cornelia De Lange syndrome, Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome), sharing an overlapping phenotype. On the other hand, KMT2A somatic mutations have been reported in several tumors, mainly blood malignancies. Due to its evolutionary conservation, the role of KMT2A in embryonic development, hematopoiesis and neurodevelopment has been explored in different animal models, and in recent decades, epigenetic treatments for disorders linked to KMT2A dysfunction have been extensively investigated. To note, pharmaceutical compounds acting on tumors characterized by KMT2A mutations have been formulated, and even nutritional interventions for chromatinopathies have become the object of study due to the role of microbiota in epigenetic regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Castiglioni
- Department of Health Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy; (S.C.); (E.D.F.); (C.B.); (A.L.); (C.P.); (P.G.); (E.A.C.); (S.A.); (E.O.); (E.B.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (A.V.); (E.L.)
| | - Elisabetta Di Fede
- Department of Health Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy; (S.C.); (E.D.F.); (C.B.); (A.L.); (C.P.); (P.G.); (E.A.C.); (S.A.); (E.O.); (E.B.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (A.V.); (E.L.)
| | - Clara Bernardelli
- Department of Health Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy; (S.C.); (E.D.F.); (C.B.); (A.L.); (C.P.); (P.G.); (E.A.C.); (S.A.); (E.O.); (E.B.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (A.V.); (E.L.)
| | - Antonella Lettieri
- Department of Health Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy; (S.C.); (E.D.F.); (C.B.); (A.L.); (C.P.); (P.G.); (E.A.C.); (S.A.); (E.O.); (E.B.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (A.V.); (E.L.)
- “Aldo Ravelli” Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Brain Therapeutics, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Parodi
- Department of Health Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy; (S.C.); (E.D.F.); (C.B.); (A.L.); (C.P.); (P.G.); (E.A.C.); (S.A.); (E.O.); (E.B.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (A.V.); (E.L.)
| | - Paolo Grazioli
- Department of Health Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy; (S.C.); (E.D.F.); (C.B.); (A.L.); (C.P.); (P.G.); (E.A.C.); (S.A.); (E.O.); (E.B.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (A.V.); (E.L.)
| | - Elisa Adele Colombo
- Department of Health Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy; (S.C.); (E.D.F.); (C.B.); (A.L.); (C.P.); (P.G.); (E.A.C.); (S.A.); (E.O.); (E.B.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (A.V.); (E.L.)
| | - Silvia Ancona
- Department of Health Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy; (S.C.); (E.D.F.); (C.B.); (A.L.); (C.P.); (P.G.); (E.A.C.); (S.A.); (E.O.); (E.B.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (A.V.); (E.L.)
| | - Donatella Milani
- Pediatric Highly Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Emerenziana Ottaviano
- Department of Health Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy; (S.C.); (E.D.F.); (C.B.); (A.L.); (C.P.); (P.G.); (E.A.C.); (S.A.); (E.O.); (E.B.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (A.V.); (E.L.)
| | - Elisa Borghi
- Department of Health Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy; (S.C.); (E.D.F.); (C.B.); (A.L.); (C.P.); (P.G.); (E.A.C.); (S.A.); (E.O.); (E.B.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (A.V.); (E.L.)
| | - Valentina Massa
- Department of Health Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy; (S.C.); (E.D.F.); (C.B.); (A.L.); (C.P.); (P.G.); (E.A.C.); (S.A.); (E.O.); (E.B.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (A.V.); (E.L.)
- “Aldo Ravelli” Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Brain Therapeutics, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Ghelma
- Department of Health Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy; (S.C.); (E.D.F.); (C.B.); (A.L.); (C.P.); (P.G.); (E.A.C.); (S.A.); (E.O.); (E.B.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (A.V.); (E.L.)
| | - Aglaia Vignoli
- Department of Health Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy; (S.C.); (E.D.F.); (C.B.); (A.L.); (C.P.); (P.G.); (E.A.C.); (S.A.); (E.O.); (E.B.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (A.V.); (E.L.)
- Child NeuroPsychiatry Unit, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Lesma
- Department of Health Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy; (S.C.); (E.D.F.); (C.B.); (A.L.); (C.P.); (P.G.); (E.A.C.); (S.A.); (E.O.); (E.B.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (A.V.); (E.L.)
| | - Cristina Gervasini
- Department of Health Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy; (S.C.); (E.D.F.); (C.B.); (A.L.); (C.P.); (P.G.); (E.A.C.); (S.A.); (E.O.); (E.B.); (V.M.); (F.G.); (A.V.); (E.L.)
- “Aldo Ravelli” Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Brain Therapeutics, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0250-3230-28
| |
Collapse
|
108
|
Wander P, Arentsen-Peters STCJM, Vrenken KS, Pinhanҫos SM, Koopmans B, Dolman MEM, Jones L, Garrido Castro P, Schneider P, Kerstjens M, Molenaar JJ, Pieters R, Zwaan CM, Stam RW. High-Throughput Drug Library Screening in Primary KMT2A-Rearranged Infant ALL Cells Favors the Identification of Drug Candidates That Activate P53 Signaling. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030638. [PMID: 35327440 PMCID: PMC8945716 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
KMT2A-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in infants (<1 year of age) represents an aggressive type of childhood leukemia characterized by a poor clinical outcome with a survival chance of <50%. Implementing novel therapeutic approaches for these patients is a slow-paced and costly process. Here, we utilized a drug-repurposing strategy to identify potent drugs that could expeditiously be translated into clinical applications. We performed high-throughput screens of various drug libraries, comprising 4191 different (mostly FDA-approved) compounds in primary KMT2A-rearranged infant ALL patient samples (n = 2). The most effective drugs were then tested on non-leukemic whole bone marrow samples (n = 2) to select drugs with a favorable therapeutic index for bone marrow toxicity. The identified agents frequently belonged to several recurrent drug classes, including BCL-2, histone deacetylase, topoisomerase, microtubule, and MDM2/p53 inhibitors, as well as cardiac glycosides and corticosteroids. The in vitro efficacy of these drug classes was successfully validated in additional primary KMT2A-rearranged infant ALL samples (n = 7) and KMT2A-rearranged ALL cell line models (n = 5). Based on literature studies, most of the identified drugs remarkably appeared to lead to activation of p53 signaling. In line with this notion, subsequent experiments showed that forced expression of wild-type p53 in KMT2A-rearranged ALL cells rapidly led to apoptosis induction. We conclude that KMT2A-rearranged infant ALL cells are vulnerable to p53 activation, and that drug-induced p53 activation may represent an essential condition for successful treatment results. Moreover, the present study provides an attractive collection of approved drugs that are highly effective against KMT2A-rearranged infant ALL cells while showing far less toxicity towards non-leukemic bone marrow, urging further (pre)clinical testing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla Wander
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children’s Hospital, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Susan T. C. J. M. Arentsen-Peters
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
| | - Kirsten S. Vrenken
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
| | - Sandra Mimoso Pinhanҫos
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
- CNC-Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Bianca Koopmans
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
| | - M. Emmy M. Dolman
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Luke Jones
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
| | - Patricia Garrido Castro
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
| | - Pauline Schneider
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
| | - Mark Kerstjens
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children’s Hospital, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Jan J. Molenaar
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Pieters
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
| | - Christian Michel Zwaan
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children’s Hospital, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Ronald W. Stam
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands; (P.W.); (S.T.C.J.M.A.-P.); (K.S.V.); (S.M.P.); (B.K.); (M.E.M.D.); (L.J.); (P.G.C.); (P.S.); (J.J.M.); (R.P.); (C.M.Z.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-(0)88-9727672
| |
Collapse
|
109
|
Chi SG, Minami Y. Emerging Targeted Therapy for Specific Genomic Abnormalities in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:2362. [PMID: 35216478 PMCID: PMC8879537 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe recent updates of existing molecular-targeting agents and emerging novel gene-specific strategies. FLT3 and IDH inhibitors are being tested in combination with conventional chemotherapy for both medically fit patients and patients who are ineligible for intensive therapy. FLT3 inhibitors combined with non-cytotoxic agents, such as BCL-2 inhibitors, have potential therapeutic applicability. The menin-MLL complex pathway is an emerging therapeutic target. The pathway accounts for the leukemogenesis in AML with MLL-rearrangement, NPM1 mutation, and NUP98 fusion genes. Potent menin-MLL inhibitors have demonstrated promising anti-leukemic effects in preclinical studies. The downstream signaling molecule SYK represents an additional target. However, the TP53 mutation continues to remain a challenge. While the p53 stabilizer APR-246 in combination with azacitidine failed to show superiority compared to azacitidine monotherapy in a phase 3 trial, next-generation p53 stabilizers are now under development. Among a number of non-canonical approaches to TP53-mutated AML, the anti-CD47 antibody magrolimab in combination with azacitidine showed promising results in a phase 1b trial. Further, the efficacy was somewhat better in patients with the TP53 mutation. Although clinical evidence has not been accumulated sufficiently, targeting activating KIT mutations and RAS pathway-related molecules can be a future therapeutic strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yosuke Minami
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa 2778577, Japan;
| |
Collapse
|
110
|
Xu P, Ge R. Roles and drug development of METTL3 (methyltransferase-like 3) in anti-tumor therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 230:114118. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
111
|
Karsa M, Ronca E, Bongers A, Mariana A, Moles E, Failes TW, Arndt GM, Cheung LC, Kotecha RS, Kavallaris M, Haber M, Norris MD, Henderson MJ, Xiao L, Somers K. Systematic In Vitro Evaluation of a Library of Approved and Pharmacologically Active Compounds for the Identification of Novel Candidate Drugs for KMT2A-Rearranged Leukemia. Front Oncol 2022; 11:779859. [PMID: 35127484 PMCID: PMC8811472 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.779859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients whose leukemias harbor a rearrangement of the Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL/KMT2A) gene have a poor prognosis, especially when the disease strikes in infants. The poor clinical outcome linked to this aggressive disease and the detrimental treatment side-effects, particularly in children, warrant the urgent development of more effective and cancer-selective therapeutics. The aim of this study was to identify novel candidate compounds that selectively target KMT2A-rearranged (KMT2A-r) leukemia cells. A library containing 3707 approved drugs and pharmacologically active compounds was screened for differential activity against KMT2A-r leukemia cell lines versus KMT2A-wild type (KMT2A-wt) leukemia cell lines, solid tumor cells and non-malignant cells by cell-based viability assays. The screen yielded SID7969543, an inhibitor of transcription factor Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 5 Group A Member 1 (NR5A1), that limited the viability of 7 out of 11 KMT2A-r leukemia cell lines including 5 out of 7 lines derived from infants, without affecting KMT2A-wt leukemia cells, solid cancer lines, non-malignant cell lines, or peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy controls. The compound also significantly inhibited growth of leukemia cell lines with a CALM-AF10 translocation, which defines a highly aggressive leukemia subtype that shares common underlying leukemogenic mechanisms with KMT2A-r leukemia. SID7969543 decreased KMT2A-r leukemia cell viability by inducing caspase-dependent apoptosis within hours of treatment and demonstrated synergy with established chemotherapeutics used in the treatment of high-risk leukemia. Thus, SID7969543 represents a novel candidate agent with selective activity against CALM-AF10 translocated and KMT2A-r leukemias that warrants further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mawar Karsa
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Emma Ronca
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Angelika Bongers
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anna Mariana
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Drug Discovery Centre for Childhood Cancer, Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ernest Moles
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology and Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Timothy W. Failes
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Drug Discovery Centre for Childhood Cancer, Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Greg M. Arndt
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Drug Discovery Centre for Childhood Cancer, Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Laurence C. Cheung
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Rishi S. Kotecha
- Leukaemia Translational Research Laboratory, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Perth Children’s Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
- Division of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Maria Kavallaris
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology and Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Murray D. Norris
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- University of New South Wales (UNSW) Centre for Childhood Cancer Research, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle J. Henderson
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lin Xiao
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Klaartje Somers
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Klaartje Somers,
| |
Collapse
|
112
|
Menghrajani K, Gomez-Arteaga A, Madero-Marroquin R, Zhang MJ, Bo-Subait K, Sanchez J, Wang HL, Aljurf M, Assal A, Bacher VU, Badawy SM, Bejanyan N, Bhatt VR, Bredeson C, Byrne M, Castillo P, Cerny J, Chhabra S, Ciurea SO, DeFilipp Z, Farhadfar N, Gadalla S, Gale RP, Ganguly S, Gowda L, Grunwald MR, Hashmi S, Hildebrandt G, Kanakry CG, Kansagra A, Khimani F, Krem M, Lazarus H, Liu H, Martino R, Michelis FV, Nathan S, Nishihori T, Olsson R, Reshef R, Rizzieri D, Rowe JM, Savani BN, Seo S, Sharma A, Solh M, Ustun C, Verdonck LF, Hourigan C, Sandmaier B, Litzow M, Kebriaei P, Weisdorf D, Zhang Y, Tallman MS, Saber W. Risk classification at diagnosis predicts post-HCT outcomes in intermediate-, adverse-risk, and KMT2A-rearranged AML. Blood Adv 2022; 6:828-847. [PMID: 34551064 PMCID: PMC8945306 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021004881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about whether risk classification at diagnosis predicts post-hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) outcomes in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We evaluated 8709 patients with AML from the CIBMTR database, and after selection and manual curation of the cytogenetics data, 3779 patients in first complete remission were included in the final analysis: 2384 with intermediate-risk, 969 with adverse-risk, and 426 with KMT2A-rearranged disease. An adjusted multivariable analysis detected an increased risk of relapse for patients with KMT2A-rearranged or adverse-risk AML as compared to those with intermediate-risk disease (hazards ratio [HR], 1.27; P = .01; HR, 1.71; P < .001, respectively). Leukemia-free survival was similar for patients with KMT2A rearrangement or adverse risk (HR, 1.26; P = .002, and HR, 1.47; P < .001), as was overall survival (HR, 1.32; P < .001, and HR, 1.45; P < .001). No differences in outcome were detected when patients were stratified by KMT2A fusion partner. This study is the largest conducted to date on post-HCT outcomes in AML, with manually curated cytogenetics used for risk stratification. Our work demonstrates that risk classification at diagnosis remains predictive of post-HCT outcomes in AML. It also highlights the critical need to develop novel treatment strategies for patients with KMT2A-rearranged and adverse-risk disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexandra Gomez-Arteaga
- Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Rafael Madero-Marroquin
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai St Luke’s and Mount Sinai West, New York, NY
| | - Mei-Jie Zhang
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), Department of Medicine and
- Division of Biostatistics, Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Khalid Bo-Subait
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), Department of Medicine and
| | - Jonathan Sanchez
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), Department of Medicine and
| | - Hai-Lin Wang
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), Department of Medicine and
| | - Mahmoud Aljurf
- Department of Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital Center and Research, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amer Assal
- Department of Medicine, Bone Marrow Transplant and Cell Therapy Program, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Vera Ulrike Bacher
- Department of Hematology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sherif M. Badawy
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Nelli Bejanyan
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Immunotherapy, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
| | - Vijaya Raj Bhatt
- The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Christopher Bredeson
- The Ottawa Hospital Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Ottawa ON, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Byrne
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Paul Castillo
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Pediatrics in the College of Medicine, UF Health Shands Children's Hospital, Gainesville, FL
| | - Jan Cerny
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA
| | - Saurabh Chhabra
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), Department of Medicine and
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Stefan Octavian Ciurea
- Division of Cancer Medicine, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Zachariah DeFilipp
- Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Nosha Farhadfar
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
| | - Shahinaz Gadalla
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute (NCI) Clinical Genetics Branch, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, MD
| | - Robert Peter Gale
- Haematology Research Centre, Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Siddhartha Ganguly
- Division of Hematological Malignancy and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS
| | - Lohith Gowda
- Section of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT
| | - Michael R. Grunwald
- Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC
| | - Shahrukh Hashmi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Oncology Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Christopher G. Kanakry
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Ankit Kansagra
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Dallas, TX
| | - Farhad Khimani
- H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL
| | - Maxwell Krem
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY
| | - Hillard Lazarus
- Department of Medicine, University Hospitals Case Medical Center and Seidman Cancer Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Hongtao Liu
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Rodrigo Martino
- Division of Clinical Hematology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fotios V. Michelis
- Allogeneic Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sunita Nathan
- Section of Bone Marrow Transplant and Cell Therapy, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Taiga Nishihori
- The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Richard Olsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Clinical Research Sormland, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ran Reshef
- Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - David Rizzieri
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | - Jacob M. Rowe
- Department of Hematology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Bipin N. Savani
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Sachiko Seo
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Akshay Sharma
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Melhem Solh
- The Blood and Marrow Transplant Group of Georgia, Northside Hospital, Atlanta, GA
| | - Celalettin Ustun
- Hematology, Oncology, and Cell Therapy, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Leo F. Verdonck
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Isala Clinic, Zwolle, The Netherlands
| | | | - Brenda Sandmaier
- Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Mark Litzow
- Division of Hematology and Transplant Center, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, MN
| | - Partow Kebriaei
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Daniel Weisdorf
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; and
| | - Yanming Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Martin S. Tallman
- Leukemia Service and
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Wael Saber
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), Department of Medicine and
| |
Collapse
|
113
|
Cantone N, Cummings RT, Trojer P. Screening for Small-Molecule Inhibitors of Histone Methyltransferases. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2529:477-490. [PMID: 35733027 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2481-4_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Potent and highly selective small-molecule inhibitors are needed to unravel the biological complexities of histone methyltransferases and to reveal their therapeutic potential. A prerequisite to developing these inhibitors is the identification of validated chemical matter for initiating a medicinal chemistry campaign. For the most part, finding these initial starting points occurs through screening of large, unbiased compound libraries. The size and nature of these libraries, coupled with the complexities of the bisubstrate utilizing histone methyltransferases, necessitates that the primary screen and subsequent hit triage be carefully considered.In this chapter, using EZH2 as a representative example, we describe a screening and hit triage campaign that identified validated chemical matter allowing initiation of medicinal chemistry studies. Moreover, we discuss a cell-based assay to support lead identification and optimization. The approach described here entailing a mixture of biochemical, biophysical and cell-based assays should be applicable to identifying validated starting points for other histone methyltransferases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nico Cantone
- Constellation, A MorphoSys Company, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
114
|
Yang H, Garcia-Manero G, Sasaki K, Montalban-Bravo G, Tang Z, Wei Y, Kadia T, Chien K, Rush D, Nguyen H, Kalia A, Nimmakayalu M, Bueso-Ramos C, Kantarjian H, Medeiros LJ, Luthra R, Kanagal-Shamanna R. High-resolution structural variant profiling of myelodysplastic syndromes by optical genome mapping uncovers cryptic aberrations of prognostic and therapeutic significance. Leukemia 2022; 36:2306-2316. [PMID: 35915143 PMCID: PMC9417987 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01652-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Chromosome banding analysis (CBA) remains the standard-of-care for structural variant (SV) assessment in MDS. Optical genome mapping (OGM) is a novel, non-sequencing-based technique for high-resolution genome-wide SV profiling (SVP). We explored the clinical value of SVP by OGM in 101 consecutive, newly diagnosed MDS patients from a single-center, who underwent standard-of-care cytogenetic and targeted NGS studies. OGM detected 383 clinically significant, recurrent and novel SVs. Of these, 224 (51%) SVs, seen across 34% of patients, were cryptic by CBA (included rearrangements involving MECOM, NUP98::PRRX2, KMT2A partial tandem duplications among others). SVP decreased the proportion of normal karyotype by 16%, identified complex genomes (17%), chromothripsis (6%) and generated informative results in both patients with insufficient metaphases. Precise gene/exon-level mapping allowed assessment of clinically relevant biomarkers (TP53 allele status, KMT2A-PTD) without additional testing. SV data was complementary to NGS. When applied in retrospect, OGM results changed the comprehensive cytogenetic scoring system (CCSS) and R-IPSS risk-groups in 21% and 17% patients respectively with an improved prediction of prognosis. By multivariate analysis, CCSS by OGM only (not CBA), TP53 mutation and BM blasts independently predicted survival. This is the first and largest study reporting the value of combined SVP and NGS for MDS prognostication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Yang
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Guillermo Garcia-Manero
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Koji Sasaki
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Guillermo Montalban-Bravo
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Zhenya Tang
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Yue Wei
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Tapan Kadia
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Kelly Chien
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Diana Rush
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776School of Health Professions, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Ha Nguyen
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776School of Health Professions, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Awdesh Kalia
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776School of Health Professions, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Manjunath Nimmakayalu
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776School of Health Professions, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Carlos Bueso-Ramos
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Hagop Kantarjian
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - L. Jeffrey Medeiros
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Rajyalakshmi Luthra
- grid.240145.60000 0001 2291 4776Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX USA
| | - Rashmi Kanagal-Shamanna
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
115
|
Swaminathan M, Bourgeois W, Armstrong SA, Wang ES. Menin Inhibitors in Acute Myeloid Leukemia-What Does the Future Hold? Cancer J 2022; 28:62-66. [PMID: 35072375 DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Menin inhibitors constitute a novel class of agents targeting the underlying biology of nucleophosmin (NPM1) mutant and KMT2A (formerly known as MLL1) rearranged (KMT2Ar) acute leukemias. KMT2Ar acute leukemias constitute 5% to 10% of acute leukemias, and NPM1 mutations are identified in 30% of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs). In preclinical AML models, small molecule inhibitors of the menin-KMT2A protein-protein interaction induce differentiation, downregulate critical gene expression programs, and confer a survival advantage in patient-derived xenograft models of NPM1 mutant and KMT2Ar AML. Multiple clinical trials evaluating oral menin inhibitors in acute leukemias are ongoing. Preliminary results in relapsed/refractory NPM1 mutant and KMT2Ar AML have shown on-target effects, tolerable toxicity, and promising clinical activity. This review details the current clinical experience of menin inhibitors in AML and discusses how these agents can be successfully integrated into future therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahesh Swaminathan
- From the Department of Leukemia, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
| | - Wallace Bourgeois
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA
| | - Scott A Armstrong
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA
| | - Eunice S Wang
- From the Department of Leukemia, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY
| |
Collapse
|
116
|
Fernández-Serrano M, Winkler R, Santos JC, Le Pannérer MM, Buschbeck M, Roué G. Histone Modifications and Their Targeting in Lymphoid Malignancies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:253. [PMID: 35008680 PMCID: PMC8745418 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In a wide range of lymphoid neoplasms, the process of malignant transformation is associated with somatic mutations in B cells that affect the epigenetic machinery. Consequential alterations in histone modifications contribute to disease-specific changes in the transcriptional program. Affected genes commonly play important roles in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis-inducing signal transduction, and DNA damage response, thus facilitating the emergence of malignant traits that impair immune surveillance and favor the emergence of different B-cell lymphoma subtypes. In the last two decades, the field has made a major effort to develop therapies that target these epigenetic alterations. In this review, we discuss which epigenetic alterations occur in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Furthermore, we aim to present in a close to comprehensive manner the current state-of-the-art in the preclinical and clinical development of epigenetic drugs. We focus on therapeutic strategies interfering with histone methylation and acetylation as these are most advanced in being deployed from the bench-to-bedside and have the greatest potential to improve the prognosis of lymphoma patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miranda Fernández-Serrano
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (M.F.-S.); (J.C.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08014 Barcelona, Spain
| | - René Winkler
- Chromatin, Metabolism and Cell Fate Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (R.W.); (M.-M.L.P.)
| | - Juliana C. Santos
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (M.F.-S.); (J.C.S.)
| | - Marguerite-Marie Le Pannérer
- Chromatin, Metabolism and Cell Fate Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (R.W.); (M.-M.L.P.)
| | - Marcus Buschbeck
- Chromatin, Metabolism and Cell Fate Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (R.W.); (M.-M.L.P.)
- Program of Personalized and Predictive Medicine of Cancer, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Gaël Roué
- Lymphoma Translational Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Spain; (M.F.-S.); (J.C.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08014 Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
117
|
Conery AR, Rocnik JL, Trojer P. Small molecule targeting of chromatin writers in cancer. Nat Chem Biol 2021; 18:124-133. [PMID: 34952934 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-021-00920-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
More than a decade after the launch of DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors for the treatment of cancer, 2020 heralded the approval of the first histone methyltransferase inhibitor, revitalizing the concept that targeted manipulation of the chromatin regulatory landscape can have profound therapeutic impact. Three chromatin regulatory pathways-DNA methylation, histone acetylation and methylation-are frequently implicated in human cancer but hundreds of potentially druggable mechanisms complicate identification of key targets for therapeutic intervention. In addition to human genetics and functional screening, chemical biology approaches have proven critical for the discovery of key nodes in these pathways and in an ever-increasing complexity of molecularly defined human cancer contexts. This review introduces small molecule targeting approaches, showcases chemical probes and drug candidates for epigenetic writer enzymes, illustrates molecular features that may represent epigenetic dependencies and suggests translational strategies to maximize their impact in cancer therapy.
Collapse
|
118
|
Yan F, Li J, Milosevic J, Petroni R, Liu S, Shi Z, Yuan S, Reynaga JM, Qi Y, Rico J, Yu S, Liu Y, Rokudai S, Palmisiano N, Meyer SE, Sung PJ, Wan L, Lan F, Garcia BA, Stanger BZ, Sykes DB, Blanco MA. KAT6A and ENL form an epigenetic transcriptional control module to drive critical leukemogenic gene expression programs. Cancer Discov 2021; 12:792-811. [PMID: 34853079 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-1459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic programs are dysregulated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and help enforce an oncogenic state of differentiation arrest. To identify key epigenetic regulators of AML cell fate, we performed a differentiation-focused CRISPR screen in AML cells. This screen identified the histone acetyltransferase KAT6A as a novel regulator of myeloid differentiation that drives critical leukemogenic gene expression programs. We show that KAT6A is the initiator of a newly-described transcriptional control module in which KAT6A-catalyzed promoter H3K9ac is bound by the acetyllysine reader ENL, which in turn cooperates with a network of chromatin factors to induce transcriptional elongation. Inhibition of KAT6A has strong anti-AML phenotypes in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that KAT6A small molecule inhibitors could be of high therapeutic interest for mono or combinatorial differentiation-based treatment of AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fangxue Yan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Jinyang Li
- School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Jelena Milosevic
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital
| | | | | | | | - Salina Yuan
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | | | | | - Joshua Rico
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania
| | | | - Yiman Liu
- Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
| | - Susumu Rokudai
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine
| | | | | | | | - Liling Wan
- Cancer Biology, Department of Cancer Biology, University of Pennsylvania; Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Fei Lan
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University
| | - Benjamin A Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Ben Z Stanger
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - David B Sykes
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital
| | | |
Collapse
|
119
|
Discovery of SARS-CoV-2 Nsp14 and Nsp16 Methyltransferase Inhibitors by High-Throughput Virtual Screening. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14121243. [PMID: 34959647 PMCID: PMC8705538 DOI: 10.3390/ph14121243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uses mRNA capping to evade the human immune system. The cap formation is performed by the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA cap methyltransferases (MTases) nsp14 and nsp16, which are emerging targets for the development of broad-spectrum antiviral agents. Here, we report results from high-throughput virtual screening against these two enzymes. The docking of seven million commercially available drug-like compounds and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) co-substrate analogues against both MTases resulted in 80 virtual screening hits (39 against nsp14 and 41 against nsp16), which were purchased and tested using an enzymatic homogeneous time-resolved fluorescent energy transfer (HTRF) assay. Nine compounds showed micromolar inhibition activity (IC50 < 200 μM). The selectivity of the identified inhibitors was evaluated by cross-checking their activity against human glycine N-methyltransferase. The majority of the compounds showed poor selectivity for a specific MTase, no cytotoxic effects, and rather poor cell permeability. Nevertheless, the identified compounds represent good starting points that have the potential to be developed into efficient viral MTase inhibitors.
Collapse
|
120
|
Permikin Z, Popov A, Verzhbitskaya T, Riger T, Plekhanova O, Makarova O, Froňková E, Trka J, Meyer C, Marschalek R, Tsaur G, Fechina L. Lineage switch to acute myeloid leukemia during induction chemotherapy for early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia with the translocation t(6;11)(q27;q23)/KMT2A-AFDN: A case report. Leuk Res 2021; 112:106758. [PMID: 34864370 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2021.106758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhan Permikin
- Regional Children's Hospital, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation; Ural State Medical University, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - Alexander Popov
- National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, 1 Samory Mashela St., 117998, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Tatiana Verzhbitskaya
- Regional Children's Hospital, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation; Research Institute of Medical Cell Technologies, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - Tatiana Riger
- Regional Children's Hospital, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation; Research Institute of Medical Cell Technologies, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - Olga Plekhanova
- Regional Children's Hospital, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - Olga Makarova
- Regional Children's Hospital, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - Eva Froňková
- Charles University, CLIP, Prague, Czech Republic; Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Trka
- Charles University, CLIP, Prague, Czech Republic; Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Claus Meyer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology/DCAL, Goethe-University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Rolf Marschalek
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology/DCAL, Goethe-University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Grigory Tsaur
- Regional Children's Hospital, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation; Ural State Medical University, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation; Research Institute of Medical Cell Technologies, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| | - Larisa Fechina
- Regional Children's Hospital, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation; Research Institute of Medical Cell Technologies, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
| |
Collapse
|
121
|
Jouffroy L, Verhoeven J, Brambilla M, Verniest G, Kong H, Zhao Y, Wang W, Meerpoel L, Thuring JW, Winne JM. Regio- and Stereoselective Synthesis of C-4' Spirocyclobutyl Ribofuranose Scaffolds and Their Use as Biologically Active Nucleoside Analogues. Org Lett 2021; 23:8828-8833. [PMID: 34730365 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.1c03334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Novel C-4',C-5' cyclobutane-fused spirocyclic ribonucleoside analogues were prepared. Thermal [2 + 2] cycloaddition between dichloroketene and readily derived 4'-exo-methylene furanoses afforded a first entry to the required constrained ribofuranoses, relying on a carbonyl transposition sequence. Alternatively, an unusual stereoselective ionic [2 + 2] cycloaddition using methyl propiolate promoted by methylaluminoxane gave a complementary, more direct approach to such ribofuranoses. Further conversion to the constrained adenosine analogues revealed promising structure-dependent inhibition of the protein methyltransferase PRMT5:MEP50 complex in the (sub)micromolar range.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucile Jouffroy
- Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Campus Sterre, Krijgslaan 281-S4, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Jonas Verhoeven
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry (ORGC), Department of Chemistry and Department of Bio-engineering Sciences, Faculty of Science and Bio-engineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marta Brambilla
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Guido Verniest
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry (ORGC), Department of Chemistry and Department of Bio-engineering Sciences, Faculty of Science and Bio-engineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hanchu Kong
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry, Pharmaron Beijing Co., Ltd., 6 Taihe Road BDA, Beijing 100176, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongbin Zhao
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry, Pharmaron Beijing Co., Ltd., 6 Taihe Road BDA, Beijing 100176, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenbin Wang
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry, Pharmaron Beijing Co., Ltd., 6 Taihe Road BDA, Beijing 100176, People's Republic of China
| | - Lieven Meerpoel
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | | | - Johan M Winne
- Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Campus Sterre, Krijgslaan 281-S4, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
122
|
He L, Lomberk G. Collateral Victim or Rescue Worker?-The Role of Histone Methyltransferases in DNA Damage Repair and Their Targeting for Therapeutic Opportunities in Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:735107. [PMID: 34869318 PMCID: PMC8636273 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.735107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Disrupted DNA damage signaling greatly threatens cell integrity and plays significant roles in cancer. With recent advances in understanding the human genome and gene regulation in the context of DNA damage, chromatin biology, specifically biology of histone post-translational modifications (PTMs), has emerged as a popular field of study with great promise for cancer therapeutics. Here, we discuss how key histone methylation pathways contribute to DNA damage repair and impact tumorigenesis within this context, as well as the potential for their targeting as part of therapeutic strategies in cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lishu He
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States,Division of Research, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States,Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Gwen Lomberk
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States,Division of Research, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States,Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States,LaBahn Pancreatic Cancer Program, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States,*Correspondence: Gwen Lomberk,
| |
Collapse
|
123
|
Alpár D, Egyed B, Bödör C, Kovács GT. Single-Cell Sequencing: Biological Insight and Potential Clinical Implications in Pediatric Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5658. [PMID: 34830811 PMCID: PMC8616124 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-cell sequencing (SCS) provides high-resolution insight into the genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic landscape of oncohematological malignancies including pediatric leukemia, the most common type of childhood cancer. Besides broadening our biological understanding of cellular heterogeneity, sub-clonal architecture, and regulatory network of tumor cell populations, SCS can offer clinically relevant, detailed characterization of distinct compartments affected by leukemia and identify therapeutically exploitable vulnerabilities. In this review, we provide an overview of SCS studies focused on the high-resolution genomic and transcriptomic scrutiny of pediatric leukemia. Our aim is to investigate and summarize how different layers of single-cell omics approaches can expectedly support clinical decision making in the future. Although the clinical management of pediatric leukemia underwent a spectacular improvement during the past decades, resistant disease is a major cause of therapy failure. Currently, only a small proportion of childhood leukemia patients benefit from genomics-driven therapy, as 15-20% of them meet the indication criteria of on-label targeted agents, and their overall response rate falls in a relatively wide range (40-85%). The in-depth scrutiny of various cell populations influencing the development, progression, and treatment resistance of different disease subtypes can potentially uncover a wider range of driver mechanisms for innovative therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donát Alpár
- HCEMM-SE Molecular Oncohematology Research Group, 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary; (D.A.); (B.E.); (C.B.)
| | - Bálint Egyed
- HCEMM-SE Molecular Oncohematology Research Group, 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary; (D.A.); (B.E.); (C.B.)
- 2nd Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Csaba Bödör
- HCEMM-SE Molecular Oncohematology Research Group, 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary; (D.A.); (B.E.); (C.B.)
| | - Gábor T. Kovács
- 2nd Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
124
|
Methylation Modification, Alternative Splicing, and Noncoding RNA Play a Role in Cancer Metastasis through Epigenetic Regulation. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:4061525. [PMID: 34660788 PMCID: PMC8514273 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4061525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Understanding the pathogenesis of metastasis at the molecular levels is of great significance for cancer research. However, the molecular diagnosis or treatment of cancer metastasis is limited. Accumulating and growing evidence shows that epigenetic changes are present in all human cancers, and epigenetic regulation is an indispensable factor to promote tumor metastasis. With the deepening of research and the advancement of technology, the function and mechanism of epigenetic regulation, including DNA methylation, histone/RNA modification, and precursor messenger RNA alternative splicing and noncoding RNAs, has become more increasingly clear. At present, the application of epigenetic therapies in tumor treatment is becoming a feasible therapeutic route. In this review, we looked for the key molecules in epigenetic regulation and discuss their relative regulating mechanisms in cancer metastasis. Furthermore, we highlight promising therapeutic strategies, including monitoring serum DNA for diagnostic purposes and early phase clinical trial therapies that target DNA and histone methylation. This may also be beneficial in finding new targets for further prognosis and diagnosis of cancer metastasis.
Collapse
|
125
|
Blasi F, Bruckmann C. MEIS1 in Hematopoiesis and Cancer. How MEIS1-PBX Interaction Can Be Used in Therapy. J Dev Biol 2021; 9:jdb9040044. [PMID: 34698191 PMCID: PMC8544432 DOI: 10.3390/jdb9040044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently MEIS1 emerged as a major determinant of the MLL-r leukemic phenotype. The latest and most efficient drugs effectively decrease the levels of MEIS1 in cancer cells. Together with an overview of the latest drugs developed to target MEIS1 in MLL-r leukemia, we review, in detail, the role of MEIS1 in embryonic and adult hematopoiesis and suggest how a more profound knowledge of MEIS1 biochemistry can be used to design potent and effective drugs against MLL-r leukemia. In addition, we present data showing that the interaction between MEIS1 and PBX1 can be blocked efficiently and might represent a new avenue in anti-MLL-r and anti-leukemic therapy.
Collapse
|
126
|
Yang B, Wang JQ, Tan Y, Yuan R, Chen ZS, Zou C. RNA methylation and cancer treatment. Pharmacol Res 2021; 174:105937. [PMID: 34648969 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
To this date, over 100 different types of RNA modification have been identified. Methylation of different RNA species has emerged as a critical regulator of transcript expression. RNA methylation and its related downstream signaling pathways are involved in plethora biological processes, including cell differentiation, sex determination and stress response, and others. It is catalyzed by the RNA methyltransferases, is demethylated by the demethylases (FTO and ALKBH5) and read by methylation binding protein (YTHDF1 and IGF2BP1). Increasing evidence indicates that this process closely connected to cancer cell proliferation, cellular stress, metastasis, immune response. And RNA methylation related protein has been becoming a promising targets of cancer therapy. This review outlines the relationship between different types of RNA methylation and cancer, and some FTO inhibitors in cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baochen Yang
- Department of Clinical Medical Research Center, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University (Shenzhen People's Hospital), The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, PR China; University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, PR China; Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Jing-Quan Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York, USA
| | - Yao Tan
- Shenzhen Aier Eye Hospital Affiliated to Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Runzhu Yuan
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York, USA.
| | - Chang Zou
- Department of Clinical Medical Research Center, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University (Shenzhen People's Hospital), The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, PR China; Shenzhen Public Service Platform on Tumor Precision Medicine and Molecular Diagnosis, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, Guangdong, PR China; School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Kong Hong, Shenzhen, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
127
|
Evolving Therapeutic Approaches for Older Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in 2021. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205075. [PMID: 34680226 PMCID: PMC8534216 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The better understanding of disease biology, the availability of new effective drugs and the increased awareness of patients’ heterogeneity in terms of fitness and personal expectations has made the current treatment paradigm of AML in the elderly very challenging. Here, we discuss the evolving criteria used to define eligibility for induction chemotherapy and transplantation, the introduction of new agents in the treatment of patients with very different clinical conditions, the implications of precision medicine and the importance of quality of life and supportive care, proposing a simplified algorithm that we follow in 2021. Abstract Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in older patients is characterized by unfavorable prognosis due to adverse disease features and a high rate of treatment-related complications. Classical therapeutic options range from intensive chemotherapy in fit patients, potentially followed by allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT), to hypomethylating agents or palliative care alone for unfit/frail ones. In the era of precision medicine, the treatment paradigm of AML is rapidly changing. On the one hand, a plethora of new targeted drugs with good tolerability profiles are becoming available, offering the possibility to achieve a prolonged remission to many patients not otherwise eligible for more intensive therapies. On the other hand, better tools to assess patients’ fitness and improvements in the selection and management of those undergoing allo-HCT will hopefully reduce treatment-related mortality and complications. Importantly, a detailed genetic characterization of AML has become of paramount importance to choose the best therapeutic option in both intensively treated and unfit patients. Finally, improving supportive care and quality of life is of major importance in this age group, especially for the minority of patients that are still candidates for palliative care because of very poor clinical conditions or unwillingness to receive active treatments. In the present review, we discuss the evolving approaches in the treatment of older AML patients, which is becoming increasingly challenging following the advent of new effective drugs for a very heterogeneous and complex population.
Collapse
|
128
|
New Drugs Bringing New Challenges to AML: A Brief Review. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11101003. [PMID: 34683144 PMCID: PMC8537004 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11101003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The better understanding of the genomic landscape in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) has progressively paved the way for precision medicine in AML. There is a growing number of drugs with novel mechanisms of action and unique side-effect profiles. This review examines the impact of evolving novel therapies on survival in AML and the challenges that ensue.
Collapse
|
129
|
Golla U, Ehudin MA, Annageldiyev C, Zeng Z, Bastihalli Tukaramrao D, Tarren A, Date AA, Elcheva I, Berg A, Amin S, Loughran TP, Kester M, Desai D, Dovat S, Claxton D, Sharma A. DJ4 Targets the Rho-Associated Protein Kinase Pathway and Attenuates Disease Progression in Preclinical Murine Models of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4889. [PMID: 34638385 PMCID: PMC8508452 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The poor prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the highly heterogenous nature of the disease motivates targeted gene therapeutic investigations. Rho-associated protein kinases (ROCKs) are crucial for various actin cytoskeletal changes, which have established malignant consequences in various cancers, yet are still not being successfully utilized clinically towards cancer treatment. This work establishes the therapeutic activity of ROCK inhibitor (5Z)-2-5-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-ylmethylene)-1,3-thiazol-4(5H)-one (DJ4) in both in vitro and in vivo preclinical models of AML to highlight the potential of this class of inhibitors. Herein, DJ4 induced cytotoxic and proapoptotic effects in a dose-dependent manner in human AML cell lines (IC50: 0.05-1.68 μM) and primary patient cells (IC50: 0.264-13.43 μM); however, normal hematopoietic cells were largely spared. ROCK inhibition by DJ4 disrupts the phosphorylation of downstream targets, myosin light chain (MLC2) and myosin-binding subunit of MLC phosphatase (MYPT), yielding a potent yet selective treatment response at micromolar concentrations, from 0.02 to 1 μM. Murine models injected with luciferase-expressing leukemia cell lines subcutaneously or intravenously and treated with DJ4 exhibited an increase in overall survival and reduction in disease progression relative to the vehicle-treated control mice. Overall, DJ4 is a promising candidate to utilize in future investigations to advance the current AML therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Upendarrao Golla
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (U.G.); (C.A.); (A.T.); (D.C.)
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (A.B.); (S.A.); (D.D.)
| | - Melanie A. Ehudin
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (M.A.E.); (D.B.T.); (I.E.)
| | - Charyguly Annageldiyev
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (U.G.); (C.A.); (A.T.); (D.C.)
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (A.B.); (S.A.); (D.D.)
| | - Zheng Zeng
- Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (Z.Z.); (M.K.)
| | - Diwakar Bastihalli Tukaramrao
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (M.A.E.); (D.B.T.); (I.E.)
| | - Anna Tarren
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (U.G.); (C.A.); (A.T.); (D.C.)
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (A.B.); (S.A.); (D.D.)
| | - Abhijit A. Date
- The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawaii, Hilo, HI 96720, USA;
| | - Irina Elcheva
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (M.A.E.); (D.B.T.); (I.E.)
| | - Arthur Berg
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (A.B.); (S.A.); (D.D.)
| | - Shantu Amin
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (A.B.); (S.A.); (D.D.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (Z.Z.); (M.K.)
| | - Thomas P. Loughran
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Mark Kester
- Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (Z.Z.); (M.K.)
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Dhimant Desai
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (A.B.); (S.A.); (D.D.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (Z.Z.); (M.K.)
| | - Sinisa Dovat
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (M.A.E.); (D.B.T.); (I.E.)
| | - David Claxton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (U.G.); (C.A.); (A.T.); (D.C.)
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (A.B.); (S.A.); (D.D.)
| | - Arati Sharma
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (U.G.); (C.A.); (A.T.); (D.C.)
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (A.B.); (S.A.); (D.D.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (Z.Z.); (M.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
130
|
Yang Y, Luan Y, Yuan RX, Luan Y. Histone Methylation Related Therapeutic Challenge in Cardiovascular Diseases. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:710053. [PMID: 34568453 PMCID: PMC8458636 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.710053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The epidemic of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is predicted to spread rapidly in advanced countries accompanied by the high prevalence of risk factors. In terms of pathogenesis, the pathophysiology of CVDs is featured by multiple disorders, including vascular inflammation accompanied by simultaneously perturbed pathways, such as cell death and acute/chronic inflammatory reactions. Epigenetic alteration is involved in the regulation of genome stabilization and cellular homeostasis. The association between CVD progression and histone modifications is widely known. Among the histone modifications, histone methylation is a reversible process involved in the development and homeostasis of the cardiovascular system. Abnormal methylation can promote CVD progression. This review discusses histone methylation and the enzymes involved in the cardiovascular system and determine the effects of histone methyltransferases and demethylases on the pathogenesis of CVDs. We will further demonstrate key proteins mediated by histone methylation in blood vessels and review histone methylation-mediated cardiomyocytes and cellular functions and pathways in CVDs. Finally, we will summarize the role of inhibitors of histone methylation and demethylation in CVDs and analyze their therapeutic potential, based on previous studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Department of Translational Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ying Luan
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Rui-Xia Yuan
- Department of Translational Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yi Luan
- Department of Translational Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
131
|
Song T, Zou Q, Yan Y, Lv S, Li N, Zhao X, Ma X, Liu H, Tang B, Sun L. DOT1L O-GlcNAcylation promotes its protein stability and MLL-fusion leukemia cell proliferation. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109739. [PMID: 34551297 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone lysine methylation functions at the interface of the extracellular environment and intracellular gene expression. DOT1L is a versatile histone H3K79 methyltransferase with a prominent role in MLL-fusion leukemia, yet little is known about how DOT1L responds to extracellular stimuli. Here, we report that DOT1L protein stability is regulated by the extracellular glucose level through the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP). Mechanistically, DOT1L is O-GlcNAcylated at evolutionarily conserved S1511 in its C terminus. We identify UBE3C as a DOT1L E3 ubiquitin ligase promoting DOT1L degradation whose interaction with DOT1L is susceptible to O-GlcNAcylation. Consequently, HBP enhances H3K79 methylation and expression of critical DOT1L target genes such as HOXA9/MEIS1, promoting cell proliferation in MLL-fusion leukemia. Inhibiting HBP or O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) increases cellular sensitivity to DOT1L inhibitor. Overall, our work uncovers O-GlcNAcylation and UBE3C as critical determinants of DOT1L protein abundance, revealing a mechanism by which glucose metabolism affects malignancy progression through histone methylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tanjing Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Qingli Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yingying Yan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Suli Lv
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Neng Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xuefeng Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Xianyun Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Haigang Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Borui Tang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Lidong Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China.
| |
Collapse
|
132
|
Pediatric Mixed-Phenotype Acute Leukemia: What's New? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184658. [PMID: 34572885 PMCID: PMC8469808 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pediatric mixed-phenotype leukemia is a rare form of blood cancer in children. In this review, we cover both the evolution of treatment over the past several years and outline new emerging concepts in this disease. Abstract Mixed-phenotype acute leukemias (MPAL) are rare in children and often lack consensus on optimal management. This review examines the current controversies and emerging paradigms in the management of pediatric MPAL. We examine risk stratification, outcomes of recent retrospective and prospective collaborative trials, and the role of transplantation and precision genomics, and outline emerging targets and concepts in this rare entity.
Collapse
|
133
|
An update on allosteric modulators as a promising strategy targeting histone methyltransferase. Pharmacol Res 2021; 172:105865. [PMID: 34474102 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Histone methylation is a vital post-translational modification process in epigenetic regulation. The perturbation of histone methylation accounts for many diseases, including malignant cancers. Although achieving significant advances over past decades, orthosteric inhibitors targeting histone methyltransferases still suffer from challenges on subtype selectivity and acquired drug-resistant mutations. As an alternative, new compounds targeting the evolutionarily less conserved allosteric sites, exemplified by HKMTs and PRMTs inhibitors, offer a promising strategy to address this quandary. Herein, we highlight the allosteric sites and mechanisms in histone methyltransferases along with representative allosteric modulators, expecting to facilitate the discovery of allosteric modulators in favor of epigenetic therapy.
Collapse
|
134
|
Döhner H, Wei AH, Löwenberg B. Towards precision medicine for AML. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2021; 18:577-590. [PMID: 34006997 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-021-00509-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
With rapid advances in sequencing technologies, tremendous progress has been made in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), thus revealing enormous genetic and clonal heterogeneity, and paving the way for precision medicine approaches. The successful development of precision medicine for patients with AML has been exemplified by the introduction of targeted FLT3, IDH1/IDH2 and BCL-2 inhibitors. When used as single agents, these inhibitors display moderate antileukaemic activity. However, augmented clinical activity has been demonstrated when they are administered in combination with drugs with broader mechanisms of action targeting epigenetic and/or other oncogenic signalling pathways or with conventional cytotoxic agents. The development of immunotherapies has been hampered by the expression of antigens that are expressed by both leukaemic and non-malignant haematopoietic progenitor cells; nonetheless, a diverse range of immunotherapies are now entering clinical development. This myriad of emerging agents also creates challenges, such as how to safely combine agents with different mechanisms of action, the need to circumvent primary and secondary resistance, and new challenges in future clinical trial design. In this Review, we discuss the current state of precision medicine for AML, including both the potential to improve patient outcomes and the related challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hartmut Döhner
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Andrew H Wei
- Department of Clinical Hematology, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Bob Löwenberg
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
135
|
Abstract
The outcomes associated with pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have improved over the last few decades, with the implementation of intensive chemotherapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplant, and improved supportive care. However, even with intensive therapy and the use of HSCT, both of which carry significant risks of short- and long-term side effects, approximately 30% of children are not able to be cured. The characterization of AML in pediatrics has evolved over time and it currently involves use of a variety of diagnostic tools, including flow cytometry and comprehensive genomic sequencing. Given the adverse effects of chemotherapy and the need for additional therapeutic options to improve outcomes in these patients, the genomic and molecular architecture is being utilized to inform selection of targeted therapies in pediatric AML. This review provides a summary of current, targeted therapy options in pediatric AML.
Collapse
|
136
|
Piciocchi A, Messina M, Elia L, Vitale A, Soddu S, Testi AM, Chiaretti S, Mancini M, Albano F, Spadano A, Krampera M, Bonifacio M, Cairoli R, Vetro C, Colella F, Ferrara F, Cimino G, Bassan R, Fazi P, Vignetti M. Prognostic impact of KMT2A-AFF1-positivity in 926 BCR-ABL1-negative B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients treated in GIMEMA clinical trials since 1996. Am J Hematol 2021; 96:E334-E338. [PMID: 34048072 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Loredana Elia
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine Sapienza University Rome Italy
| | - Antonella Vitale
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine Sapienza University Rome Italy
| | | | - Anna Maria Testi
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine Sapienza University Rome Italy
| | - Sabina Chiaretti
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine Sapienza University Rome Italy
| | - Marco Mancini
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine Sapienza University Rome Italy
| | - Francesco Albano
- Hematology, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation University of Bari Bari Italy
| | - Antonio Spadano
- Department of Hematology, Transfusion Medicine and Biotechnology "Santo Spirito" Civic Hospital Pescara Italy
| | - Mauro Krampera
- Department of Medicine, Section of Haematology University of Verona Verona Italy
| | | | - Roberto Cairoli
- Department of Hematology ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda Milan Italy
| | - Calogero Vetro
- Division of Hematology Policlinico Rodolico‐S. Marco Catania Italy
| | | | - Felicetto Ferrara
- Division of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation Unit Cardarelli Hospital Naples Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cimino
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine Sapienza University, ASL Latina, Presidio Ospedaliero Nord ‐ Ospedale Santa Maria Goretti Latina Italy
| | - Renato Bassan
- Hematology Unit Ospedale dell'Angelo and Ospedale Ss Giovanni e Paolo Mestre Italy
| | - Paola Fazi
- GIMEMA Foundation Franco Mandelli Onlus Rome Italy
| | - Marco Vignetti
- GIMEMA Foundation Franco Mandelli Onlus Rome Italy
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine Sapienza University Rome Italy
| |
Collapse
|
137
|
Trager MH, Sah B, Chen Z, Liu L. Control of Breast Cancer Pathogenesis by Histone Methylation and the Hairless Histone Demethylase. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6259332. [PMID: 33928351 PMCID: PMC8237996 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease, encompassing many subtypes that have distinct origins, behaviors, and prognoses. Although traditionally seen as a genetic disease, breast cancer is now also known to involve epigenetic abnormalities. Epigenetic regulators, such as DNA methyltransferases and histone-modifying enzymes, play essential roles in gene regulation and cancer development. Dysregulation of epigenetic regulator activity has been causally linked with breast cancer pathogenesis. Hairless (HR) encodes a 130-kDa transcription factor that is essential for development and tissue homeostasis. Its role in transcription regulation is partly mediated by its interaction with multiple nuclear receptors, including thyroid hormone receptor, retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptors, and vitamin D receptor. HR has been studied primarily in epidermal development and homeostasis. Hr-mutant mice are highly susceptible to ultraviolet- or carcinogen-induced skin tumors. Besides its putative tumor suppressor function in skin, loss of HR function has also been implicated in increased leukemia susceptibility and promotes the growth of melanoma and brain cancer cells. HR has also been demonstrated to function as a histone H3 lysine 9 demethylase. Recent genomics studies have identified HR mutations in a variety of human cancers, including breast cancer. The anticancer function and mechanism of action by HR in mammary tissue remains to be investigated. Here, we review the emerging role of HR, its histone demethylase activity and histone methylation in breast cancer development, and potential for epigenetic therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan H Trager
- Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Bindeshwar Sah
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota 55912, USA
| | - Zhongming Chen
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota 55912, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55912, USA
| | - Liang Liu
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota 55912, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55912, USA
- Correspondence: Liang Liu, PhD, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, 55912, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
138
|
Salvaris R, Fedele PL. Targeted Therapy in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. J Pers Med 2021; 11:715. [PMID: 34442359 PMCID: PMC8398498 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11080715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The last decade has seen a significant leap in our understanding of the wide range of genetic lesions underpinning acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Next generation sequencing has led to the identification of driver mutations with significant implications on prognosis and has defined entities such as BCR-ABL-like ALL, where targeted therapies such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and JAK inhibitors may play a role in its treatment. In Philadelphia positive ALL, the introduction of TKIs into frontline treatment regimens has already transformed patient outcomes. In B-ALL, agents targeting surface receptors CD19, CD20 and CD22, including monoclonal antibodies, bispecific T cell engagers, antibody drug conjugates and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, have shown significant activity but come with unique toxicities and have implications for how treatment is sequenced. Advances in T-ALL have lagged behind those seen in B-ALL. However, agents such as nelarabine, bortezomib and CAR T cell therapy targeting T cell antigens have been examined with promising results seen. As our understanding of disease biology in ALL grows, as does our ability to target pathways such as apoptosis, through BH3 mimetics, chemokines and epigenetic regulators. This review aims to highlight a range of available and emerging targeted therapeutics in ALL, to explore their mechanisms of action and to discuss the current evidence for their use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ross Salvaris
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Monash Health, Clayton 3168, Australia;
- School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton 3168, Australia
| | - Pasquale Luke Fedele
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Monash Health, Clayton 3168, Australia;
- School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton 3168, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
139
|
Yokoyama A. Leukemogenesis via aberrant self-renewal by the MLL/AEP-mediated transcriptional activation system. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:3935-3944. [PMID: 34251718 PMCID: PMC8486200 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeostasis of the hematopoietic system is achieved in a hierarchy, with hematopoietic stem cells at the pinnacle. Because only hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) can self-renew, the size of the hematopoietic system is strictly controlled. In hematopoietic reconstitution experiments, 1 HSC can reconstitute the entire hematopoietic system, whereas 50 multipotent progenitors cannot. This indicates that only HSCs self-renew, whereas non-HSC hematopoietic progenitors are programmed to differentiate or senesce. Oncogenic mutations of the mixed lineage leukemia gene (MLL) overcome this "programmed differentiation" by conferring the self-renewing ability to non-HSC hematopoietic progenitors. In leukemia, mutated MLL proteins constitutively activate a broad range of previously transcribed CpG-rich promoters by an MLL-mediated transcriptional activation system. This system promotes self-renewal by replicating an expression profile similar to that of the mother cell in its daughter cells. In this transcriptional activation system, MLL binds to unmethylated CpG-rich promoters and recruits RNA polymerase II. MLL recruits p300/CBP through its transcriptional activation domain, which acetylates histone H3 at lysines 9, 18, and 27. The AF4 family/ENL family/P-TEFb complex (AEP) binds to acetylated H3K9/18/27 to activate transcription. Gene rearrangements of MLL with AEP- or CBP/p300-complex components generate constitutively active transcriptional machinery of this transcriptional activation system, which causes aberrant self-renewal of leukemia stem cells. Inhibitors of the components of this system effectively decrease their leukemogenic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Yokoyama
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Japan.,National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
140
|
Role of Dot1L and H3K79 methylation in regulating somatic hypermutation of immunoglobulin genes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2104013118. [PMID: 34253616 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2104013118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Somatic hypermutation (SHM) and class-switch recombination (CSR) of the immunoglobulin (Ig) genes allow B cells to make antibodies that protect us against a wide variety of pathogens. SHM is mediated by activation-induced deaminase (AID), occurs at a million times higher frequency than other mutations in the mammalian genome, and is largely restricted to the variable (V) and switch (S) regions of Ig genes. Using the Ramos human Burkitt's lymphoma cell line, we find that H3K79me2/3 and its methyltransferase Dot1L are more abundant on the V region than on the constant (C) region, which does not undergo mutation. In primary naïve mouse B cells examined ex vivo, the H3K79me2/3 modification appears constitutively in the donor Sμ and is inducible in the recipient Sγ1 upon CSR stimulation. Knockout and inhibition of Dot1L in Ramos cells significantly reduces V region mutation and the abundance of H3K79me2/3 on the V region and is associated with a decrease of polymerase II (Pol II) and its S2 phosphorylated form at the IgH locus. Knockout of Dot1L also decreases the abundance of BRD4 and CDK9 (a subunit of the P-TEFb complex) on the V region, and this is accompanied by decreased nascent transcripts throughout the IgH gene. Treatment with JQ1 (inhibitor of BRD4) or DRB (inhibitor of CDK9) decreases SHM and the abundance of Pol II S2P at the IgH locus. Since all these factors play a role in transcription elongation, our studies reinforce the idea that the chromatin context and dynamics of transcription are critical for SHM.
Collapse
|
141
|
Gene Transcription as a Therapeutic Target in Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147340. [PMID: 34298959 PMCID: PMC8304797 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood malignancies often arise from undifferentiated hematopoietic stem cells or partially differentiated stem-like cells. A tight balance of multipotency and differentiation, cell division, and quiescence underlying normal hematopoiesis requires a special program governed by the transcriptional machinery. Acquisition of drug resistance by tumor cells also involves reprogramming of their transcriptional landscape. Limiting tumor cell plasticity by disabling reprogramming of the gene transcription is a promising strategy for improvement of treatment outcomes. Herein, we review the molecular mechanisms of action of transcription-targeted drugs in hematological malignancies (largely in leukemia) with particular respect to the results of clinical trials.
Collapse
|
142
|
Devkota K, Schapira M, Perveen S, Khalili Yazdi A, Li F, Chau I, Ghiabi P, Hajian T, Loppnau P, Bolotokova A, Satchell KJF, Wang K, Li D, Liu J, Smil D, Luo M, Jin J, Fish PV, Brown PJ, Vedadi M. Probing the SAM Binding Site of SARS-CoV-2 Nsp14 In Vitro Using SAM Competitive Inhibitors Guides Developing Selective Bisubstrate Inhibitors. SLAS DISCOVERY 2021; 26:1200-1211. [PMID: 34192965 PMCID: PMC8458670 DOI: 10.1177/24725552211026261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly brought the healthcare systems worldwide to a breaking point, along with devastating socioeconomic consequences. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes the disease, uses RNA capping to evade the human immune system. Nonstructural protein (nsp) 14 is one of the 16 nsps in SARS-CoV-2 and catalyzes the methylation of the viral RNA at N7-guanosine in the cap formation process. To discover small-molecule inhibitors of nsp14 methyltransferase (MTase) activity, we developed and employed a radiometric MTase assay to screen a library of 161 in-house synthesized S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) competitive MTase inhibitors and SAM analogs. Among six identified screening hits, SS148 inhibited nsp14 MTase activity with an IC50 value of 70 ± 6 nM and was selective against 20 human protein lysine MTases, indicating significant differences in SAM binding sites. Interestingly, DS0464 with an IC50 value of 1.1 ± 0.2 µM showed a bisubstrate competitive inhibitor mechanism of action. DS0464 was also selective against 28 out of 33 RNA, DNA, and protein MTases. The structure-activity relationship provided by these compounds should guide the optimization of selective bisubstrate nsp14 inhibitors and may provide a path toward a novel class of antivirals against COVID-19, and possibly other coronaviruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kanchan Devkota
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Matthieu Schapira
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sumera Perveen
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Fengling Li
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Irene Chau
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Pegah Ghiabi
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Taraneh Hajian
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Peter Loppnau
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Albina Bolotokova
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Karla J F Satchell
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University, Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ke Wang
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Program of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Deyao Li
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Program of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jing Liu
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - David Smil
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Minkui Luo
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Program of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jian Jin
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul V Fish
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Peter J Brown
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Masoud Vedadi
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
143
|
High-resolution characterization of gene function using single-cell CRISPR tiling screen. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4063. [PMID: 34210975 PMCID: PMC8249386 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24324-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of novel functional domains and characterization of detailed regulatory mechanisms in cancer-driving genes is critical for advanced cancer therapy. To date, CRISPR gene editing has primarily been applied to defining the role of individual genes. Recently, high-density mutagenesis via CRISPR tiling of gene-coding exons has been demonstrated to identify functional regions in genes. Furthermore, breakthroughs in combining CRISPR library screens with single-cell droplet RNA sequencing (sc-RNAseq) platforms have revealed the capacity to monitor gene expression changes upon genetic perturbations at single-cell resolution. Here, we present “sc-Tiling,” which integrates a CRISPR gene-tiling screen with single-cell transcriptomic and protein structural analyses. Distinct from other reported single-cell CRISPR screens focused on observing gene function and gene-to-gene/enhancer-to-gene regulation, sc-Tiling enables the capacity to identify regulatory mechanisms within a gene-coding region that dictate gene activity and therapeutic response. Identifying functional domains and genetic regulatory mechanisms is essential for developing new therapies. Here the authors present sc-Tiling, single-cell high-density CRISPR tiling screening for functional domain characterization.
Collapse
|
144
|
Berdasco M, Esteller M. Towards a druggable epitranscriptome: Compounds that target RNA modifications in cancer. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:2868-2889. [PMID: 34185879 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Epitranscriptomics is an exciting emerging area that studies biochemical modifications of RNA. The field has been opened up by the technical efforts of the last decade to characterize and quantify RNA modifications, and this has led to a map of post-transcriptional RNA marks in normal cell fate and development. However, the scientific interest has been fuelled by the discovery of aberrant epitranscriptomes associated with human diseases, mainly cancer. The challenge is now to see whether epitrancriptomics offers mechanisms that can be effectively targeted by low MW compounds and are thus druggable. In this review, we will describe the principal RNA modifications (with a focus on mRNA), summarize the latest scientific evidence of their dysregulation in cancer and provide an overview of the state-of-the-art drug discovery to target the epitranscriptome. Finally, we will discuss the principal challenges in the field of chemical biology and drug development to increase the potential of targeted-RNA for clinical benefit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Berdasco
- Epigenetic Therapies Group, Experimental and Clinical Hematology Program (PHEC), Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manel Esteller
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Cancer and Leukemia Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBCL), Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Physiological Sciences Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
145
|
Epigenetic dysregulation in myeloid malignancies. Blood 2021; 138:613-624. [PMID: 34157099 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019004262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic deregulation is now a well-recognized -though not yet fully understood- mechanism that contributes to the development and progression of myeloid malignancies. In the past 15 years, next generation sequencing studies have revealed patterns of aberrant DNA methylation, altered chromatin states, and mutations in chromatin modifiers across the spectrum of myeloid malignancies. Studies into the mechanisms that drive these diseases through mouse modeling have helped identify new avenues for therapeutic interventions, from initial treatment to resistant, relapsed disease. This is particularly significant when chemotherapy with cytotoxic agents remains the general standard of care. In this review, we will discuss some of the recent findings of epigenetic mechanisms and how these are informing the development of more targeted strategies for therapeutic intervention in myeloid malignancies.
Collapse
|
146
|
A JAK/STAT-mediated inflammatory signaling cascade drives oncogenesis in AF10-rearranged AML. Blood 2021; 137:3403-3415. [PMID: 33690798 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020009023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukemias bearing fusions of the AF10/MLLT10 gene are associated with poor prognosis, and therapies targeting these fusion proteins (FPs) are lacking. To understand mechanisms underlying AF10 fusion-mediated leukemogenesis, we generated inducible mouse models of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) driven by the most common AF10 FPs, PICALM/CALM-AF10 and KMT2A/MLL-AF10, and performed comprehensive characterization of the disease using transcriptomic, epigenomic, proteomic, and functional genomic approaches. Our studies provide a detailed map of gene networks and protein interactors associated with key AF10 fusions involved in leukemia. Specifically, we report that AF10 fusions activate a cascade of JAK/STAT-mediated inflammatory signaling through direct recruitment of JAK1 kinase. Inhibition of the JAK/STAT signaling by genetic Jak1 deletion or through pharmacological JAK/STAT inhibition elicited potent antioncogenic effects in mouse and human models of AF10 fusion AML. Collectively, our study identifies JAK1 as a tractable therapeutic target in AF10-rearranged leukemias.
Collapse
|
147
|
Tardif M, Souza A, Krajinovic M, Bittencourt H, Tran TH. Molecular-based and antibody-based targeted pharmacological approaches in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2021; 22:1871-1887. [PMID: 34011251 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2021.1931683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Despite the significant survival improvement in childhood acutelymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 15-20% of patients continue to relapse; outcomes following relapse remain suboptimal and have room for further improvement. Advances in genomics have shed new insights on the biology of ALL, led to the discovery of novel genomically defined ALL subtypes, refined prognostic significance and revealed new therapeutic vulnerabilities.Areas covered: In this review, the authors provide an overview of the genomic landscape of childhood ALL and highlight recent advances in molecular-based and antibody-based pharmacological approaches in the treatment of childhood ALL, from emerging preclinical evidence to published results of completed clinical trials.Expert opinion: Molecularly targeted therapies and immunotherapies have expanded the horizons of ALL therapy and represent promising therapeutic avenues for high-risk and relapsed/refractory ALL. These novel therapies are now moving into frontline ALL therapy and may define new treatment paradigms that aim to further improve survival and reduce chemotherapy-related toxicities in the management of pediatric ALL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magalie Tardif
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Charles-Bruneau Cancer Centre, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Amalia Souza
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Charles-Bruneau Cancer Centre, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Maja Krajinovic
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Charles-Bruneau Cancer Centre, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Université De Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Henrique Bittencourt
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Charles-Bruneau Cancer Centre, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Université De Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Thai Hoa Tran
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Charles-Bruneau Cancer Centre, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Université De Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
148
|
Zhou WM, Liu B, Shavandi A, Li L, Song H, Zhang JY. Methylation Landscape: Targeting Writer or Eraser to Discover Anti-Cancer Drug. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:690057. [PMID: 34149432 PMCID: PMC8209422 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.690057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a major global health challenge for our health system, despite the important pharmacological and therapeutic discoveries we have seen since past 5 decades. The increasing prevalence and mortality of cancer may be closely related to smoking, exposure to environmental pollution, dietary and genetic factors. Despite significant promising discoveries and developments such as cell and biotechnological therapies a new breakthrough in the medical field is needed to develop specific and effective drugs for cancer treatment. On the development of cell therapies, anti-tumor vaccines, and new biotechnological drugs that have already shown promising effects in preclinical studies. With the continuous enrichment and development of chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) and its derivative technologies, epigenetic modification has gradually become a research hotspot. As key ingredients of epigenetic modification, Writers, Readers, Erasers have been gradually unveiled. Cancer has been associated with epigenetic modification especially methylation and therefore different epigenetic drugs have been developed and some of those are already undergoing clinical phase I or phase II trials, and it is believed that these drugs will certainly assist the treatment in the near future. With respect to this, an overview of anti-tumor drugs targeting modified enzymes and de-modified enzymes will be performed in order to contribute to future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Min Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology and the State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University/Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Amin Shavandi
- BioMatter Unit, École Polytechnique de Bruxelles, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Hang Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Jian-Ye Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology and the State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
149
|
Richardson SE, Huntly BJP. Targeting Chromatin Regulation in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Hemasphere 2021; 5:e589. [PMID: 34095772 PMCID: PMC8171376 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Simon E. Richardson
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and Addenbrooke’s Hospital, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust—Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Brian J. P. Huntly
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and Addenbrooke’s Hospital, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust—Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
150
|
Fathi AT, Stein EM, DiNardo CD, Levis MJ, Montesinos P, Botton S. Differentiation syndrome with lower-intensity treatments for acute myeloid leukemia. Am J Hematol 2021; 96:735-746. [PMID: 33625753 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Differentiation Syndrome (DS) has been identified in a subset of patients undergoing treatment with novel classes of differentiating therapies for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) such as IDH and FLT3 inhibitors. While DS is a well-known treatment-related complication in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), efforts are still ongoing to standardize diagnostic and treatment parameters for DS in AML. Though the rates of incidence vary, many of the signs and symptoms of DS are common between APL and AML. So, DS can lead to fatal complications in AML, but prompt management is usually effective and rarely necessitates interruption or discontinuation of AML therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amir T. Fathi
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center Boston Massachusetts USA
- Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Eytan M. Stein
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York New York USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College New York New York USA
| | | | - Mark J. Levis
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Johns Hopkins University Baltimore Maryland USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|