201
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Qin S, Jiang J, Lu Y, Nice EC, Huang C, Zhang J, He W. Emerging role of tumor cell plasticity in modifying therapeutic response. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:228. [PMID: 33028808 PMCID: PMC7541492 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00313-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance to cancer therapy is a major barrier to cancer management. Conventional views have proposed that acquisition of resistance may result from genetic mutations. However, accumulating evidence implicates a key role of non-mutational resistance mechanisms underlying drug tolerance, the latter of which is the focus that will be discussed here. Such non-mutational processes are largely driven by tumor cell plasticity, which renders tumor cells insusceptible to the drug-targeted pathway, thereby facilitating the tumor cell survival and growth. The concept of tumor cell plasticity highlights the significance of re-activation of developmental programs that are closely correlated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition, acquisition properties of cancer stem cells, and trans-differentiation potential during drug exposure. From observations in various cancers, this concept provides an opportunity for investigating the nature of anticancer drug resistance. Over the years, our understanding of the emerging role of phenotype switching in modifying therapeutic response has considerably increased. This expanded knowledge of tumor cell plasticity contributes to developing novel therapeutic strategies or combination therapy regimens using available anticancer drugs, which are likely to improve patient outcomes in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, 610041, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingwen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, 610041, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Lu
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Edouard C Nice
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Canhua Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, 610041, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1166 Liutai Road, 611137, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jian Zhang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, People's Republic of China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Weifeng He
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Institute of Burn Research, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
- Chongqing Key Laboratory for Disease Proteomics, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
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202
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Whole transcriptome signature for prognostic prediction (WTSPP): application of whole transcriptome signature for prognostic prediction in cancer. J Transl Med 2020; 100:1356-1366. [PMID: 32144347 PMCID: PMC7483260 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-020-0413-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Developing prognostic biomarkers for specific cancer types that accurately predict patient survival is increasingly important in clinical research and practice. Despite the enormous potential of prognostic signatures, proposed models have found limited implementations in routine clinical practice. Herein, we propose a generic, RNA sequencing platform independent, statistical framework named whole transcriptome signature for prognostic prediction to generate prognostic gene signatures. Using ovarian cancer and lung adenocarcinoma as examples, we provide evidence that our prognostic signatures overperform previous reported signatures, capture prognostic features not explained by clinical variables, and expose biologically relevant prognostic pathways, including those involved in the immune system and cell cycle. Our approach demonstrates a robust method for developing prognostic gene expression signatures. In conclusion, our statistical framework can be generally applied to all cancer types for prognostic prediction and might be extended to other human diseases. The proposed method is implemented as an R package (PanCancerSig) and is freely available on GitHub ( https://github.com/Cheng-Lab-GitHub/PanCancer_Signature ).
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203
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Li J, Stanger BZ. How Tumor Cell Dedifferentiation Drives Immune Evasion and Resistance to Immunotherapy. Cancer Res 2020; 80:4037-4041. [PMID: 32554552 PMCID: PMC7541560 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-1420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, yet most patients do not respond. While tumor antigens are needed for effective immunotherapy, a favorable tumor immune microenvironment is also critical. In this review, we discuss emerging evidence that tumor cells exploit cellular plasticity and dedifferentiation programs to avoid immune surveillance, which in turn drives metastatic dissemination and resistance to immunotherapy. A deeper understanding of these programs may provide novel opportunities to enhance the efficacy of existing immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyang Li
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ben Z Stanger
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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204
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Xue AG, Chan M, Gujral TS. Pan-cancer analysis of the developmental pathways reveals non-canonical wnt signaling as a driver of mesenchymal-type tumors. Transl Res 2020; 224:1-15. [PMID: 32522670 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2020.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The processes of angiogenesis, cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, and the signaling pathways that drive these events, are activated in both cancer and during embryonic development. Here, we systematically assessed how the activity of major developmental signaling pathways, represented by the expression of genes encoding components of the pathways, correlated with patient survival in ∼8000 patients across 17 cancer types. We also compared the expressed genes enriched in developmental pathways with those associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) both in a cancer cohort and in mice during embryonic development. We found that EMT and gene expression profiles consistent with high activity of several developmental pathways, including the TGFβ, Notch, and non-canonical Wnt pathways, significantly correlated with poor patient survival in multiple cancer types. We investigated individual components of these pathways and found that expression of the gene encoding the non-canonical Wnt receptor, frizzled 2 (FZD2), is highly correlated with both poor patient survival and gene expression indicating EMT in the tumors. Further mechanistic studies and pathway analyses revealed that FZD2-regulated genes in cancer cells in culture or FZD2-regulated gene sets from the TCGA data or FZD2-regulated genes involved in mouse organogenesis converged in EMT-associated biological processes, suggesting that FZD2 is a key driver of mesenchymal-like cell state and thus, a contributor to cancer progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Xue
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Marina Chan
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Taranjit S Gujral
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington; Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
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205
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Hofman P. New insights into the interaction of the immune system with non-small cell lung carcinomas. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2020; 9:2199-2213. [PMID: 33209644 PMCID: PMC7653157 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-20-178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The basis of current and future lung cancer immunotherapy depends mainly on our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of interactions between cancer and immune cells (ICs), as well as on interactions occurring between the different populations of intra-tumor ICs. These interactions are very complex, as virtually all immune cell types, including macrophages, neutrophils, mast cells, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells and T and B lymphocytes can infiltrate lung cancer tissues at the same time. Moreover these interactions lead to progressive emergence of an imbalance in ICs. Initially ICs have an anti-tumor effect but then induce immune tolerance and eventually tumor progression and dissemination. All the cells of innate and adaptive intra-tumor immunity engage in this progressive phenotypic switch. A majority of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients do not benefit from the expected positive responses associated with current immunotherapy. Thus, there is urgent need to better understand the different roles of the associated cancer ICs. This review summarizes some of the new insights into this domain, with particular focus on: the myeloid cell population associated with tumors, the tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs), the role of the P2 purinergic receptors (P2R) and ATP, and the new concept of the “liquid microenvironment” implying blood circulating ICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Hofman
- CHU Nice, FHU OncoAge, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Pasteur Hospital, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.,CNRS, INSERM, IRCAN, FHU OncoAge, Team 4, Hospital-Integrated Biobank, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.,CHU Nice, FHU OncoAge, Hospital-Integrated Biobank, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
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206
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Aghajani MJ, Yang T, Schmitz U, James A, McCafferty CE, de Souza P, Niles N, Roberts TL. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and its association with PD-L1 and CD8 in thyroid cancer. Endocr Connect 2020; 9:1028-1041. [PMID: 33112841 PMCID: PMC7707834 DOI: 10.1530/ec-20-0268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) has recently been shown to play a role in the regulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT); however, the relationship between PD-L1 expression, EMT and the inflammatory tumour microenvironment has yet to be investigated in thyroid cancer. To address this issue, we examined the expression of CD8, PD-L1 and the EMT markers E-cadherin and vimentin in a cohort of 74 papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients and investigated the association of these with clinicopathologic characteristics and disease-free survival (DFS). The relationship between PD-L1 and EMT was further examined in three thyroid cancer cell lines via Western blot and live cell imaging. In order to expand our in vitro findings, the normalised gene expression profiles of 516 thyroid cancer patients were retrieved and analysed from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). PD-L1 positivity was significantly higher in PTC patients exhibiting a mesenchymal phenotype (P = 0.012). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that PD-L1 (P = 0.045), CD8 (P = 0.038) and EMT status (P = 0.038) were all significant predictors for DFS. Sub-analysis confirmed that the poorest DFS was evident in PD-L1 positive patients with EMT features and negative CD8 expression (P < 0.0001). IFN-γ treatment induced upregulation of PD-L1 and significantly promoted an EMT phenotype in two thyroid cancer cell lines. Our findings suggest that PD-L1 signalling may play a role in stimulating EMT in thyroid cancer. EMT, CD8 and PD-L1 expression may serve as valuable predictive biomarkers in patients with PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marra Jai Aghajani
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia
- Correspondence should be addressed to M J Aghajani:
| | - Tao Yang
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia
- Saint Vincent’s Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- SydPath, Saint Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ulf Schmitz
- Computational BioMedicine Laboratory Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Gene & Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine & Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alexander James
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Charles Eugenio McCafferty
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paul de Souza
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Navin Niles
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Tara L Roberts
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia
- South West Sydney Clinical School, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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207
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Ye Y, Kuang X, Xie Z, Liang L, Zhang Z, Zhang Y, Ma F, Gao Q, Chang R, Lee HH, Zhao S, Su J, Li H, Peng J, Chen H, Yin M, Peng C, Yang N, Wang J, Liu J, Liu H, Han L, Chen X. Small-molecule MMP2/MMP9 inhibitor SB-3CT modulates tumor immune surveillance by regulating PD-L1. Genome Med 2020; 12:83. [PMID: 32988398 PMCID: PMC7523356 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-020-00780-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy has demonstrated considerable clinical benefit in several malignancies, but has shown favorable response in only a small proportion of cancer patients. Recent studies have shown that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are highly associated with the microenvironment of tumors and immune cells. However, it is unknown whether MMPs are involved in immunotherapy. METHODS Here, we used integrative analysis to explore the expression landscape of the MMP family and its association with immune features across multiple cancer types. We used T cell cytotoxicity-mediated tumor killing assay to determine the co-cultured T cell activity of SB-3CT, an MMP2/9 inhibitor. We then used in vitro assays to examine the regulating roles of SB-3CT on PD-L1. We further characterized the efficacy of SB-3CT, in combination with anti-PD-1 and/or anti-CTLA4 treatment in mouse models with melanoma and lung cancer. RESULTS Our computational analysis demonstrated a strong association between MMP2/9 and immune features. We demonstrated that inhibition of MMP2/9 by SB-3CT significantly reduced the tumor burden and improved survival time by promoting anti-tumor immunity. Mechanistically, we showed that SB-3CT treatment significantly diminished both mRNA and protein levels of PD-L1 in cancer cells. Pre-clinically, SB-3CT treatment enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of PD-1 or CTLA-4 blockade in the treatment of both primary and metastatic tumors. CONCLUSIONS Our study unraveled novel molecular mechanisms regarding the regulation of tumor PD-L1 and provided a novel combination therapeutic strategy of SB-3CT and ICB therapy to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youqiong Ye
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Xinwei Kuang
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Xiangya Clinical Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Zuozhong Xie
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Xiangya Clinical Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Long Liang
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Medical Genetics & School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Zhao Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yongchang Zhang
- Department of medical oncology, lung cancer and gastrointestinal unit, Hunan cancer hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Fangyu Ma
- Department of Health Management Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Qian Gao
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Xiangya Clinical Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Ruimin Chang
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Xiangya Clinical Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Heng-Huan Lee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Shuang Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Xiangya Clinical Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Juan Su
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Xiangya Clinical Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Hui Li
- Medical Genetics & School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Jingbo Peng
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Huifang Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Minzhu Yin
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Xiangya Clinical Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Cong Peng
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Xiangya Clinical Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Nong Yang
- Department of medical oncology, lung cancer and gastrointestinal unit, Hunan cancer hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Early Clinical Trial Center, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Medical Genetics & School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- Xiangya Clinical Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- Research Center of Molecular Metabolomics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Leng Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- Xiangya Clinical Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
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208
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Spatial and Temporal Changes in PD-L1 Expression in Cancer: The Role of Genetic Drivers, Tumor Microenvironment and Resistance to Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197139. [PMID: 32992658 PMCID: PMC7583014 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies blocking immune inhibitory receptors programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) on T-cells have dramatically improved patient outcomes in a range of advanced cancers. However, the lack of response, and the development of resistance remain major obstacles to long-term improvements in patient outcomes. There is significant interest in the clinical use of biomarkers to improve patient selection, and the expression of PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) is often reported as a potential biomarker of response. However, accumulating evidence suggests that the predictive value of PD-L1 expression in tumor biopsies is relatively low due, in part, to its complex biology. In this review, we discuss the biological consequences of PD-L1 expression by various cell types within the tumor microenvironment, and the complex mechanisms that regulate PD-L1 expression at the genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic levels.
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209
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The PKC universe keeps expanding: From cancer initiation to metastasis. Adv Biol Regul 2020; 78:100755. [PMID: 33017725 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2020.100755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Classical and novel protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes (c/nPKCs), members of the PKC family that become activated by the lipid second messenger diacylglycerol (DAG) and phorbol esters, exert a myriad of cellular effects that impact proliferative and motile cellular responses. While c/nPKCs have been indisputably associated with tumor promotion, their roles exceed by far their sole involvement as promoter kinases. Indeed, this original dogma has been subsequently redefined by the introduction of several new concepts: the identification of tumor suppressing roles for c/nPKCs, and their participation in early and late stages of carcinogenesis. This review dives deep into the intricate roles of c/nPKCs in cancer initiation as well as in the different stages of the metastatic cascade, with great emphasis in their involvement in cancer cell motility via regulation of small Rho GTPases, the production of extracellular matrix (ECM)-degrading proteases, and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program required for the acquisition of highly invasive traits. Here, we highlight functional interplays between either PKCα or PKCε and mesenchymal features that may ultimately contribute to anticancer drug resistance in cellular and animal models. We also introduce the novel hypothesis that c/nPKCs may be implicated in the control of immune evasion through the regulation of immune checkpoint protein expression. In summary, dissecting the colossal complexity of c/nPKC signaling in the wide spectrum of cancer progression may bring new opportunities for the development of meaningful tools aiding for cancer prognosis and therapy.
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210
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Macpherson AM, Barry SC, Ricciardelli C, Oehler MK. Epithelial Ovarian Cancer and the Immune System: Biology, Interactions, Challenges and Potential Advances for Immunotherapy. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E2967. [PMID: 32937961 PMCID: PMC7564553 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9092967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in the understanding of immune function and the interactions with tumour cells have led to the development of various cancer immunotherapies and strategies for specific cancer types. However, despite some stunning successes with some malignancies such as melanomas and lung cancer, most patients receive little or no benefit from immunotherapy, which has been attributed to the tumour microenvironment and immune evasion. Although the US Food and Drug Administration have approved immunotherapies for some cancers, to date, only the anti-angiogenic antibody bevacizumab is approved for the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer. Immunotherapeutic strategies for ovarian cancer are still under development and being tested in numerous clinical trials. A detailed understanding of the interactions between cancer and the immune system is vital for optimisation of immunotherapies either alone or when combined with chemotherapy and other therapies. This article, in two main parts, provides an overview of: (1) components of the normal immune system and current knowledge regarding tumour immunology, biology and their interactions; (2) strategies, and targets, together with challenges and potential innovative approaches for cancer immunotherapy, with attention given to epithelial ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M. Macpherson
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Adelaide Medical School, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5000, Australia; (A.M.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Simon C. Barry
- Molecular Immunology, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia;
| | - Carmela Ricciardelli
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Adelaide Medical School, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5000, Australia; (A.M.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Martin K. Oehler
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Adelaide Medical School, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5000, Australia; (A.M.M.); (C.R.)
- Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide 5000, Australia
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211
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Bai X, Flaherty KT. Targeted and immunotherapies in BRAF mutant melanoma: where we stand and what to expect. Br J Dermatol 2020; 185:253-262. [PMID: 32652567 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.19394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The therapeutic landscape for melanoma has evolved drastically in the past decade. Currently, immune checkpoint inhibitors and small-molecule inhibitors targeting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway are the two mainstay therapies for BRAFV600 mutant advanced melanoma. Although MAPK dependence has been variably demonstrated in melanomas lacking BRAFV600 mutations, definitive evidence of benefit with MAPK inhibitors has not been demonstrated. Thus, in the BRAFV600 'wild-type' setting, immune checkpoint inhibitors are the standalone option(s). In the BRAFV600 mutant setting, there is no definitive evidence prioritizing one therapeutic modality over another. Herein, we review the updated data of the pivotal phase III randomized controlled trials that established the standard-of-care first-line treatment for advanced melanoma, as it provides insights into long-term benefit, which is a major factor in therapy selection. We discuss the clinical considerations for choosing between these therapies in the front-line setting and beyond, specifically for patients with BRAFV600 mutant melanoma based on currently available evidence. We have previously proposed a time-dependent resistance paradigm in which future therapeutic development strategies can be rooted. We also discuss how these Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved therapeutic modalities are being pursued earlier in the course of disease management, namely in adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings. FDA-approved interlesional oncolytic virotherapy in the modern era is also briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Bai
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education, Beijing), Department of Renal Cancer and Melanoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China.,Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - K T Flaherty
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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212
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Yang Y, Yang Y, Yang J, Zhao X, Wei X. Tumor Microenvironment in Ovarian Cancer: Function and Therapeutic Strategy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:758. [PMID: 32850861 PMCID: PMC7431690 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of death in patients with gynecological malignancy. Despite optimal cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy, ovarian cancer disseminates and relapses frequently, with poor prognosis. Hence, it is urgent to find new targeted therapies for ovarian cancer. Recently, the tumor microenvironment has been reported to play a vital role in the tumorigenesis of ovarian cancer, especially with discoveries from genome-, transcriptome- and proteome-wide studies; thus tumor microenvironment may present potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer. Here, we review the interactions between the tumor microenvironment and ovarian cancer and various therapies targeting the tumor environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfei Yang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xia Zhao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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213
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Ancel J, Dewolf M, Deslée G, Nawrocky-Raby B, Dalstein V, Gilles C, Polette M. Clinical Impact of the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Lung Cancer as a Biomarker Assisting in Therapeutic Decisions. Cells Tissues Organs 2020; 211:91-109. [PMID: 32750701 DOI: 10.1159/000510103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the most common solid cancers and represents the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Over the last decade, research on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in lung cancer has gained increasing attention. Here, we review clinical and histological features of non-small-cell lung cancer associated with EMT. We then aimed to establish potential clinical implications of EMT in current therapeutic options, including surgery, radiation, targeted therapy against oncogenic drivers, and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Ancel
- Inserm, Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, P3Cell UMR-S1250, SFR CAP-SANTE, Reims, France.,Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital Maison Blanche, CHU de Reims, Reims, France
| | - Maxime Dewolf
- Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital Maison Blanche, CHU de Reims, Reims, France
| | - Gaëtan Deslée
- Inserm, Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, P3Cell UMR-S1250, SFR CAP-SANTE, Reims, France.,Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital Maison Blanche, CHU de Reims, Reims, France
| | - Béatrice Nawrocky-Raby
- Inserm, Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, P3Cell UMR-S1250, SFR CAP-SANTE, Reims, France
| | - Véronique Dalstein
- Inserm, Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, P3Cell UMR-S1250, SFR CAP-SANTE, Reims, France.,Laboratoire de Pathologie, Hôpital Maison Blanche, CHU de Reims, Reims, France
| | - Christine Gilles
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium,
| | - Myriam Polette
- Inserm, Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, P3Cell UMR-S1250, SFR CAP-SANTE, Reims, France.,Laboratoire de Pathologie, Hôpital Maison Blanche, CHU de Reims, Reims, France
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214
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Luo A, Xu Y, Li S, Bao J, Lü J, Ding N, Zhao Q, Fu Y, Liu F, Cho WC, Wei X, Wang H, Yu Z. Cancer stem cell property and gene signature in bone-metastatic Breast Cancer cells. Int J Biol Sci 2020; 16:2580-2594. [PMID: 32792858 PMCID: PMC7415422 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.45693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of the deaths from breast cancer is due to metastasis. Bone is the most common organ to which breast cancer cells metastasize. The mechanism regulating the bone-metastatic preference remains unclear; there is a lack of a gene signature to distinguish bone-metastatic breast cancer cells. Herein, florescence-labeled MDA-MB-231 cells were transplanted into the fat pads of of the mammary gland in nude mice to generate breast tumors. Tumor cells invaded into the circulation were tracked by in vivo flow cytometry system. Metastatic tumor cells in the bone were isolated using fluorescent-activated cell sorting technique, followed by assays of cell colony formation, migration and invasion, mammosphere formation in vitro, mammary gland tumorigenesis in vivo, and Next-Generation Sequencing analysis as well. Through tumor regeneration and cell sorting, two bone-metastatic cell sublines were derived from MDA-MB-231 cells; which showed higher abilities to proliferate, migrate, invade and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transit in vitro, and stronger ability to regenerate tumors and metastasize to the bone in vivo. Both cell sublines exhibited cancer stem cell-like characteristics including higher expression levels of stem cell markers and stronger ability for mommaspheres formation. Furthermore, a Normal Distribution-like pattern of the bone-metastatic cells invading into circulation was firstly identified. Deep-sequencing analysis indicated upregulation of multiple signaling pathways in regulating EMT, cell membrane budding and morphologic change, lipid metabolism, and protein translation, which are required to provide adequate metabolic enzymes, structural proteins, and energy for the cells undergoing metastasis. In conclusion, we established two bone-metastatic breast cancer cell sublines, carrying higher degree of stemness and malignancy. The gene signature distinguishing the bone-metastatic breast cancer cells holds therapeutic potentials in prevention of breast cancer metastasis to the bone.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Luo
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China.,Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Yue Xu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China.,Department of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shujun Li
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China.,The Third Hospital of BaoGang Group, Baotou, China
| | - Jinxia Bao
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China.,Department of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinhui Lü
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Nan Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Med-X Research Institute and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Yuting Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Med-X Research Institute and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - William C Cho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xunbin Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Med-X Research Institute and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Biomedical Engineering Department, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Haiyun Wang
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China.,Department of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zuoren Yu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
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215
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New CXCR4 Antagonist Peptide R (Pep R) Improves Standard Therapy in Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12071952. [PMID: 32708431 PMCID: PMC7409147 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The chemokine receptor CXCR4 is overexpressed and functional in colorectal cancer. To investigate the role of CXCR4 antagonism in potentiating colon cancer standard therapy, the new peptide CXCR4 antagonist Peptide R (Pep R) was employed. Human colon cancer HCT116 xenograft-bearing mice were treated with chemotherapeutic agents (CT) 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) and oxaliplatin (OX) or 5FU and radio chemotherapy (RT-CT) in the presence of Pep R. After two weeks, CT plus Pep R reduced by 4-fold the relative tumor volume (RTV) as compared to 2- and 1.6-fold reductions induced, respectively, by CT and Pep R. In vitro Pep R addition to CT/RT-CT impaired HCT116 cell growth and further reduced HCT116 and HT29 clonal capability. Thus, the hypothesis that Pep R could target the epithelial mesenchyme transition (EMT) process was evaluated. While CT decreased ECAD and increased ZEB-1 and CD90 expression, the addition of Pep R restored the pretreatment expression. In HCT116 and HT29 cells, CT/RT-CT induced a population of CD133+CXCR4+ cells, supposedly a stem-resistant cancer cell population, while Pep R reduced it. Taken together, the results showed that targeting CXCR4 ameliorates the effect of treatment in colon cancer through inhibition of cell growth and reversal of EMT treatment-induced markers, supporting further clinical studies.
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216
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Ramesh V, Brabletz T, Ceppi P. Targeting EMT in Cancer with Repurposed Metabolic Inhibitors. Trends Cancer 2020; 6:942-950. [PMID: 32680650 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2020.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) determines the most lethal features of cancer, metastasis formation and chemoresistance, and therefore represents an attractive target in oncology. However, direct targeting of EMT effector molecules is, in most cases, pharmacologically challenging. Since emerging research has highlighted the distinct metabolic circuits involved in EMT, we propose the use of metabolism-specific inhibitors, FDA approved or under clinical trials, as a drug repurposing approach to target EMT in cancer. Metabolism-inhibiting drugs could be coupled with standard chemo- or immunotherapy to combat EMT-driven resistant and aggressive cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vignesh Ramesh
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Clinical Research, University Hospital Erlangen, FAU-Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Brabletz
- Department of Experimental Medicine-I and Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Paolo Ceppi
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Clinical Research, University Hospital Erlangen, FAU-Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense, Denmark.
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217
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Chen T, Zhao Z, Chen B, Wang Y, Yang F, Wang C, Dong Q, Liu Y, Liang H, Zhao W, Qi L, Xu Y, Gu Y. An individualized transcriptional signature to predict the epithelial-mesenchymal transition based on relative expression ordering. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:13172-13186. [PMID: 32639951 PMCID: PMC7377874 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process is involved in cancer cell metastasis and immune system activation. Hence, identification of gene expression signatures capable of predicting the EMT status of cancer cells is essential for development of therapeutic strategies. However, quantitative identification of EMT markers is limited by batch effects, the platform used, or normalization methods. We hypothesized that a set of EMT-related relative expression orderings are highly stable in epithelial samples yet are reversed in mesenchymal samples. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed transcriptome data for ovarian cancer cohorts from publicly available databases, to develop a qualitative 16-gene pair signature (16-GPS) that effectively distinguishes the mesenchymal from epithelial phenotype. Our method was superior to previous quantitative methods in terms of classification accuracy and applicability to individualized patients without requiring data normalization. Patients with mesenchymal-like ovarian cancer showed poorer overall survival compared to patients with epithelial-like ovarian cancer. Additionally, EMT score was positively correlated with expression of immune checkpoint genes and metastasis. We, therefore, established a robust EMT 16-GPS that is independent of detection platform, batch effects and individual variations, and which represents a qualitative signature for investigating the EMT and providing insights into immunotherapy for ovarian cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Chen
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhangxiang Zhao
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Bo Chen
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yuquan Wang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Fan Yang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Chengyu Wang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Qi Dong
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yaoyao Liu
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Haihai Liang
- College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Wenyuan Zhao
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Lishuang Qi
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yan Xu
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yunyan Gu
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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218
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Mo Z, Yu L, Cao Z, Hu H, Luo S, Zhang S. Identification of a Hypoxia-Associated Signature for Lung Adenocarcinoma. Front Genet 2020; 11:647. [PMID: 32655624 PMCID: PMC7324800 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A hypoxia microenvironment plays a role in the initiation and progression of many cancer types, but its involvement in lung adenocarcinoma is still unclear. This study aimed to explore the potential correlation between hypoxia and lung adenocarcinoma and establish the hypoxia-associated gene signature in lung adenocarcinoma. Methods Lung adenocarcinoma cases were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. The genes to be included in the hypoxia-associated signature were selected by performing univariate Cox regression analysis and lasso regression analysis. Then, the gene signature was verified by performing a survival analysis and constructing the multiple receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The CIBERSORT tool was then used to investigate the potential correlation between the gene signature and immune cells. Moreover, a nomogram was constructed and evaluated by calculating the C-index. Results Four genes (XPNPEP1, ANGPTL4, SLC2A1, and PFKP) were included in the final signature. The results showed that patients in the high-risk group showed worse survival than those in the low-risk group. Moreover, we found two types of immune cells (memory activated CD4+ T cell and M0 macrophages) which showed a significant infiltration in the tissues of the high-risk group patients. Conclusion The hypoxia-associated gene signature established and validated in this study could be used as a potential prognostic factor in lung adenocarcinoma and may guide the immunotherapy choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuomao Mo
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Yu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhirui Cao
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Hu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaoju Luo
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shijun Zhang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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219
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Systematic Analysis of the Aberrances and Functional Implications of Ferroptosis in Cancer. iScience 2020; 23:101302. [PMID: 32629423 PMCID: PMC7334617 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a type of cell death related to cancer; however, the characteristics of ferroptosis in cancers are still uncertain. Based on the data in The Cancer Genome Atlas, we found that most ferroptosis regulator genes (FRGs) were differentially expressed in tumors, somatic copy number alterations (SCNA) and DNA methylation contributed to their aberrant expression. We established the ferroptosis potential index (FPI) to reveal the functional roles of ferroptosis and noticed that the FPI was higher in tumors than in normal tissues in most cancers and was associated with subtypes and clinical features. The FPI was negatively correlated with several metabolic pathways but positively associated with several important metastasis-related pathways and immune-related pathways. High FPI predicted poor prognosis in several tumors, whereas FPI and FRGs impacted drug sensitivity. Our study presents a systematic analysis of ferroptosis and its regulatory genes and highlights the potential of ferroptosis-based cancer therapy. The ferroptosis regulator genes were aberrantly expressed in tumor The ferroptosis potential index (FPI) was established to model ferroptosis level The FPI was correlated with metabolic, metastatic, and immune pathways High FPI predicted poor prognosis in many cancer types
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220
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van der Heijden M, Essers PBM, Verhagen CVM, Willems SM, Sanders J, de Roest RH, Vossen DM, Leemans CR, Verheij M, Brakenhoff RH, van den Brekel MWM, Vens C. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition is a prognostic marker for patient outcome in advanced stage HNSCC patients treated with chemoradiotherapy. Radiother Oncol 2020; 147:186-194. [PMID: 32413532 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2020.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prognosis of patients with HPV-negative advanced stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains poor. No prognostic markers other than TNM staging are routinely used in clinic. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been shown to be a strong prognostic factor in other cancer types. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of EMT in HPV-negative HNSCC outcomes. METHODS Pretreatment tumor material from patients of two cohorts, totalling 174 cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy treated HPV-negative HNSCC patients, was RNA-sequenced. Seven different EMT gene expression signatures were used for EMT status classification and generation of HNSCC-specific EMT models using Random Forest machine learning. RESULTS Mesenchymal classification by all EMT signatures consistently enriched for poor prognosis patients in both cohorts of 98 and 76 patients. Uni- and multivariate analyses show important HR of 1.6-5.8, thereby revealing EMT's role in HNSCC outcome. Discordant classification by these signatures prompted the generation of an HNSCC-specific EMT profile based on the concordantly classified samples in the first cohort (cross-validation AUC > 0.98). The independent validation cohort confirmed the association of mesenchymal classification by the HNSCC-EMT model with poor overall survival (HR = 3.39, p < 0.005) and progression free survival (HR = 3.01, p < 0.005) in multivariate analysis with TNM. Analysis of an additional HNSCC cohort from PET-positive patients with metastatic disease prior to treatment further supports this relationship and reveals a strong link of EMT to the propensity to metastasize. CONCLUSIONS EMT in HPV-negative HNSCC co-defines patient outcome after chemoradiotherapy. The generated HNSCC-EMT prediction models can function as strong prognostic biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martijn van der Heijden
- Division of Cell Biology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Head and Neck Oncology and Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul B M Essers
- Division of Cell Biology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Radiation Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline V M Verhagen
- Division of Cell Biology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Head and Neck Oncology and Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan M Willems
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Joyce Sanders
- Department of Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Reinout H de Roest
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, VUmc Cancer Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David M Vossen
- Division of Cell Biology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Head and Neck Oncology and Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C René Leemans
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, VUmc Cancer Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel Verheij
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ruud H Brakenhoff
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, VUmc Cancer Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel W M van den Brekel
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology and Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Conchita Vens
- Division of Cell Biology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Radiation Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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221
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Della Corte CM, Sen T, Gay CM, Ramkumar K, Diao L, Cardnell RJ, Rodriguez BL, Stewart CA, Papadimitrakopoulou VA, Gibson L, Fradette JJ, Wang Q, Fan Y, Peng DH, Negrao MV, Wistuba II, Fujimoto J, Solis Soto LM, Behrens C, Skoulidis F, Heymach JV, Wang J, Gibbons DL, Byers LA. STING Pathway Expression Identifies NSCLC With an Immune-Responsive Phenotype. J Thorac Oncol 2020; 15:777-791. [PMID: 32068166 PMCID: PMC7202130 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2020.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although the combination of anti-programmed cell death-1 or anti-programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) with platinum chemotherapy is a standard of care for NSCLC, clinical responses vary. Even though predictive biomarkers (which include PD-L1 expression, tumor mutational burden, and inflamed immune microenvironment) are validated for immunotherapy, their relevance to chemoimmunotherapy combinations is less clear. We have recently reported that activation of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) innate immune pathway enhances immunotherapy response in SCLC. Here, we hypothesize that STING pathway activation may predict and underlie predictive correlates of antitumor immunity in NSCLC. METHODS We analyzed transcriptomic and proteomic profiles in two NSCLC cohorts from our institution (treatment-naive patients in the Profiling of Resistance Patterns and Oncogenic Signaling Pathways in Evaluation of Cancers of the Thorax study and relapsed patients in the Biomarker-Integrated Approaches of Targeted Therapy for Lung Cancer Elimination study) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (N = 1320). Tumors were stratified by STING activation on the basis of protein or mRNA expression of cyclic GMP-AMP synthase, phospho-STING, and STING-mediated chemokines (chemokine ligand 5 [CCL5] and C-X-C motif chemokine 10 [CXCL10]). STING activation in patient tumors and in platinum-treated preclinical NSCLC models was correlated with biomarkers of immunotherapy response. RESULTS STING activation is associated with higher levels of intrinsic DNA damage, targetable immune checkpoints, and chemokines in treatment-naive and relapsed lung adenocarcinoma. We observed that tumors with lower STING and immune gene expression show higher frequency of serine-threonine kinase 11 (STK11) mutations; however, we identified a subset of these tumors that are TP53 comutated and display high immune- and STING-related gene expression. Treatment with cisplatin increases STING pathway activation and PD-L1 expression in multiple NSCLC preclinical models, including adeno- and squamous cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS STING pathway activation in NSCLC predicts features of immunotherapy response and is enhanced by cisplatin treatment. This suggests a possible predictive biomarker and mechanism for improved response to chemoimmunotherapy combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carminia M Della Corte
- Departments of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Triparna Sen
- Departments of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Carl M Gay
- Departments of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Kavya Ramkumar
- Departments of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Lixia Diao
- Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Robert J Cardnell
- Departments of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Bertha Leticia Rodriguez
- Departments of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - C Allison Stewart
- Departments of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Laura Gibson
- Departments of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jared J Fradette
- Departments of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Qi Wang
- Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Youhong Fan
- Departments of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - David H Peng
- Departments of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York
| | - Marcelo V Negrao
- Departments of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ignacio I Wistuba
- Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Junya Fujimoto
- Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Luisa M Solis Soto
- Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Carmen Behrens
- Departments of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ferdinandos Skoulidis
- Departments of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - John V Heymach
- Departments of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jing Wang
- Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Don L Gibbons
- Departments of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Lauren A Byers
- Departments of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
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Melcher V, Graf M, Interlandi M, Moreno N, de Faria FW, Kim SN, Kastrati D, Korbanka S, Alfert A, Gerß J, Meyer zu Hörste G, Hartmann W, Frühwald MC, Dugas M, Schüller U, Hasselblatt M, Albert TK, Kerl K. Macrophage-tumor cell interaction promotes ATRT progression and chemoresistance. Acta Neuropathol 2020; 139:913-936. [PMID: 31848709 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-019-02116-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (ATRT) are known for their heterogeneity concerning pathophysiology and outcome. However, predictive factors within distinct subgroups still need to be uncovered. Using multiplex immunofluorescent staining and single-cell RNA sequencing we unraveled distinct compositions of the immunological tumor microenvironment (TME) across ATRT subgroups. CD68+ cells predominantly infiltrate ATRT-SHH and ATRT-MYC and are a negative prognostic factor for patients' survival. Within the murine ATRT-MYC and ATRT-SHH TME, Cd68+ macrophages are core to intercellular communication with tumor cells. In ATRT-MYC distinct tumor cell phenotypes express macrophage marker genes. These cells are involved in the acquisition of chemotherapy resistance in our relapse xenograft mouse model. In conclusion, the tumor cell-macrophage interaction contributes to ATRT-MYC heterogeneity and potentially to tumor recurrence.
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223
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Gao Y, Chen L, Cai G, Xiong X, Wu Y, Ma D, Li SC, Gao Q. Heterogeneity of immune microenvironment in ovarian cancer and its clinical significance: a retrospective study. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1760067. [PMID: 32391193 PMCID: PMC7199814 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1760067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of ovarian cancer (OC) remains the biggest challenge among gynecological malignancies. Immune checkpoint blockade therapy is promising in many cancers but shows low response rates in OC because of its heterogeneity. Although the biological and molecular heterogeneity of OC has been extensively investigated, heterogeneity of immune microenvironment remains elusive. We have collected the expression profiles of 3071 OC patients from 22 publicly available datasets. CIBERSORT was applied to infer the infiltration fraction of 22 immune cells among 2086 patients with CIBERSORT P < .05. We then explored the heterogeneity landscape of immune microenvironment in OC at three levels (immune infiltration, prognostic relevance of immune infiltration, immune checkpoint expression patterns). Multivariable Cox regression model was used to investigate the associations between survival risk and immune infiltration. Constructed immune risk score stratified patients with significantly different survival risk (HR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.31–1.66, P < .0001). The immune infiltration landscape, prognostic relevance of immune cells, and expression patterns of 79 immune checkpoints exhibited remarkable clinicopathological heterogeneity. For instance, M1 macrophages were significantly associated with better outcomes among patients with high-grade, late-stage, type-II OC (HR: 0.77–0.83), and worse outcomes among patients with type-I OC (HR: 1.78); M2 macrophages were significantly associated with worse outcomes among patients with high-grade, type-II OC (HR: 1.14–1.17); Neutrophils were significantly associated with worse outcomes among patients with high-grade, late-stage, type-I OC (HR: 1.14–1.73). The heterogeneous landscape of immune microenvironment presented in this study provided new insights into prognostic prediction and tailored immunotherapy of OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Gao
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Lingxi Chen
- Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Guangyao Cai
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Xiaoming Xiong
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Yuan Wu
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Ding Ma
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Shuai Cheng Li
- Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Qinglei Gao
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Peoples Republic of China
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224
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Fedele V, Melisi D. Permissive State of EMT: The Role of Immune Cell Compartment. Front Oncol 2020; 10:587. [PMID: 32391271 PMCID: PMC7189417 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) type 3 is a reversible dynamic process recognized as a major determinant of the metastatic event, although many questions regarding its role throughout this process remain unanswered. The ability of cancer cells to migrate and colonize distant organs is a key aspect of tumor progression and evolution, requiring constant tumor cells and tumor microenvironment (TME) changes, as well as constant changes affecting the cross-talk between the two aforementioned compartments. Alterations affecting tumor cells, such as transcription factors, trans-membrane receptors, chromatin remodeling complexes and metabolic pathways, leading to the disappearance of the epithelial phenotype and concomitant gaining of the undifferentiated mesenchymal phenotype are undoubtedly major players of the EMT process. However, several lines of evidence point out toward a more critical role of TME composition in creating an “EMT-permissive state.” The “EMT-permissive state” consists in changes affecting physical and biochemical properties (i.e., stiffness and/or hypoxia) as well as changes of the TME cellular component (i.e., immune-cell, blood vessel, lymphatic vessels, fibroblasts, and fat cells) that favor and induce the epithelial mesenchymal transition. In this mini review, we will discuss the role of the tumor microenvironment cellular component that are involved in supporting the EMT, with particular emphasis on the immune-inflammatory cells component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vita Fedele
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, Section of Medical Oncology, Università degli Studi di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Davide Melisi
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, Section of Medical Oncology, Università degli Studi di Verona, Verona, Italy
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225
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Ribatti D, Tamma R, Annese T. Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer: A Historical Overview. Transl Oncol 2020; 13:100773. [PMID: 32334405 PMCID: PMC7182759 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2020.100773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 405] [Impact Index Per Article: 101.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs), the acquisition of mesenchymal features from epithelial cells, occur during some biological processes and are classified into three types: the first type occurs during embryonic development, the second type is associated with adult tissue regeneration, and the third type occurs in cancer progression. EMT occurring during embryonic development in gastrulation, renal development, and the origin and fate of the neural crest is a highly regulated process, while EMT occurring during tumor progression is highly deregulated. EMT allows the solid tumors to become more malignant, increasing their invasiveness and metastatic activity. Secondary tumors frequently maintain the typical histologic characteristics of the primary tumor. These histologic features connecting the secondary metastatic tumors to the primary is due to a process called mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). MET has been demonstrated in different mesenchymal tumors and is the expression of the reversibility of EMT. EMT modulation could constitute an approach to avoid metastasis. Some of the targeted small molecules utilized as antiproliferative agents have revealed to inhibit EMT initiation or maintenance because EMT is regulated through signaling pathways for which these molecules have been designed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Ribatti
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
| | - Roberto Tamma
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Tiziana Annese
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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226
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A Novel Approach for Quantifying Cancer Cells Showing Hybrid Epithelial/Mesenchymal States in Large Series of Tissue Samples: Towards a New Prognostic Marker. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12040906. [PMID: 32276404 PMCID: PMC7226581 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In cancer biology, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with tumorigenesis, stemness, invasion, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. Evidence of co-expression of epithelial and mesenchymal markers suggests that EMT should be a stepwise process with distinct intermediate states rather than a binary switch. In the present study, we propose a morphological approach that enables the detection and quantification of cancer cells with hybrid E/M states, i.e., which combine partially epithelial (E) and partially mesenchymal (M) states. This approach is based on a sequential immunohistochemistry technique performed on the same tissue section, the digitization of whole slides, and image processing. The aim is to extract quantitative indicators able to quantify the presence of hybrid E/M states in large series of human cancer samples and to analyze their relationship with cancer aggressiveness. As a proof of concept, we applied our methodology to a series of about a hundred urothelial carcinomas and demonstrated that the presence of cancer cells with hybrid E/M phenotypes at the time of diagnosis is strongly associated with a poor prognostic value, independently of standard clinicopathological features. Although validation on a larger case series and other cancer types is required, our data support the hybrid E/M score as a promising prognostic biomarker for carcinoma patients.
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227
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Wang T, Jing B, Xu D, Liao Y, Song H, Sun B, Guo W, Xu J, Li K, Hu M, Liu S, Ling J, Kuang Y, Zhang T, Zhang S, Yao F, Zhou BP, Deng J. PTGES/PGE 2 signaling links immunosuppression and lung metastasis in Gprc5a-knockout mouse model. Oncogene 2020; 39:3179-3194. [PMID: 32060421 PMCID: PMC7142021 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-1207-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Chronic inflammation has been linked to promotion of tumorigenesis and metastasis in lung. However, due to lack of a relevant animal model for characterization, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Lung tumor suppressor gene Gprc5a-knockout (ko) mice are susceptible to lung inflammation, tumorigenesis and metastasis, which resembles the pathological features in human patients. Here, we showed that PTGES/PGE2 signaling was highly associated with lung tumorigenesis and metastasis in Gprc5a-ko mice. Interestingly, Ptges-knockout in mouse lung tumor cells, although reduced their stemness and EMT-like features, still formed tumors and lung metastasis in immune-deficient nude mice, but not in immune-competent mice. This suggests that the major role of PTGES/PGE2 signaling in tumorigenicity and lung metastasis is through immunosuppression. Mechanistically, PTGES/PGE2 signaling intrinsically endows tumor cells resistant to T-cell cytotoxicity, and induces cytokines extrinsically for MDSC recruitment, which is crucial for suppression of T-cell immunity. Importantly, targeting PGE2 signaling in Gprc5a-ko mice by PTGES inhibitor suppressed MDSC recruitment, restored T cells, and significantly repressed lung metastasis. Thus, PTGES/PGE2 signaling links immunosuppression and metastasis in an inflammatory lung microenvironment of Gprc5a-ko mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Minister of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Jing
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Minister of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongliang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Minister of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yueling Liao
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Minister of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongyong Song
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Minister of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Beibei Sun
- Translational Medical Research Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenzheng Guo
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Minister of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianhua Xu
- Department of Pathology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Kaimi Li
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Minister of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Hu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Minister of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuli Liu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, the Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Ling
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanbin Kuang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Tuo Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Siwei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Minister of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Yao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Binhua P Zhou
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA.
| | - Jiong Deng
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Minister of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Translational Medical Research Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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228
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Cortesi M, Liverani C, Mercatali L, Ibrahim T, Giordano E. Computational models to explore the complexity of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition in cancer. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-SYSTEMS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2020; 12:e1488. [PMID: 32208556 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex biological process that plays a key role in cancer progression and metastasis formation. Its activation results in epithelial cells losing adhesion and polarity and becoming capable of migrating from their site of origin. At this step the disease is generally considered incurable. As EMT execution involves several individual molecular components, connected by nontrivial relations, in vitro techniques are often inadequate to capture its complexity. Computational models can be used to complement experiments and provide additional knowledge difficult to build up in a wetlab. Indeed in silico analysis gives the user total control on the system, allowing to identify the contribution of each independent element. In the following, two kinds of approaches to the computational study of EMT will be presented. The first relies on signal transduction networks description and details how changes in gene expression could influence this process, both focusing on specific aspects of the EMT and providing a general frame for this phenomenon easily comparable with experimental data. The second integrates single cell and population level descriptions in a multiscale model that can be considered a more accurate representation of the EMT. The advantages and disadvantages of each approach will be highlighted, together with the importance of coupling computational and experimental results. Finally, the main challenges that need to be addressed to improve our knowledge of the role of EMT in the neoplastic disease and the scientific and translational value of computational models in this respect will be presented. This article is categorized under: Analytical and Computational Methods > Computational Methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilisa Cortesi
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Engineering "S. Cavalcanti", Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering "G. Marconi" (DEI), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Chiara Liverani
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Laura Mercatali
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Toni Ibrahim
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Emanuele Giordano
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Engineering "S. Cavalcanti", Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering "G. Marconi" (DEI), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy.,BioEngLab, Health Science and Technology, Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-CIRI), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Advanced Research Center on Electronic Systems (ARCES), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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229
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Bergmann S, Coym A, Ott L, Soave A, Rink M, Janning M, Stoupiec M, Coith C, Peine S, von Amsberg G, Pantel K, Riethdorf S. Evaluation of PD-L1 expression on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC). Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1738798. [PMID: 32391189 PMCID: PMC7199812 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1738798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis shows durable responses in a subset of patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC). However, PD-L1 expression in tumor biopsies does not necessarily correlate with response to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Thus, a reliable predictive biomarker is urgently needed. Here, the expression of PD-L1 on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood from patients with advanced UC was analyzed. For this purpose, an assay to test PD-L1 expression on CTCs using the CellSearch® system was established using cells of five UC cell lines spiked into blood samples from healthy donors and applied to a heterogeneous cohort of UC patients. Enumeration of CTCs was performed in blood samples from 49 patients with advanced UC. PD-L1 expression in ≥1 CTC was found in 10 of 16 CTC-positive samples (63%). Both intra- and inter-patient heterogeneity regarding PD-L1 expression of CTCs were observed. Furthermore, vimentin-expressing CTCs were detected in 4 of 15 CTC-positive samples (27%), independently of PD-L1 analysis. Both CTC detection and presence of CTCs with moderate or strong PD-L1 expression correlated with worse overall survival. Analyses during disease course of three individual patients receiving ICI suggest that apart from CTC numbers also PD-L1 expression on CTCs might potentially indicate disease progression. This is the first study demonstrating the feasibility to detect CTC-PD-L1 expression in patients with advanced UC using the CellSearch® system. This assay is readily available for clinical application and could be implemented in future clinical trials to evaluate its relevance for predicting and monitoring response to ICI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Bergmann
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anja Coym
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Leonie Ott
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Armin Soave
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Rink
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Janning
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Malgorzata Stoupiec
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Cornelia Coith
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sven Peine
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gunhild von Amsberg
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Martini-Clinic, Prostate Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Riethdorf
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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230
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Li R, Zhang H, Cao Y, Liu X, Chen Y, Qi Y, Wang J, Yu K, Lin C, Liu H, He H, Li H, Chen L, Shen Z, Qin J, Zhang W, Sun Y, Xu J. Lauren classification identifies distinct prognostic value and functional status of intratumoral CD8 + T cells in gastric cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 69:1327-1336. [PMID: 32200421 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02550-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
With dichotomous etiology and pathogenesis, intestinal type and diffuse type gastric cancers vary in their clinical and molecular features to the point of representing distinct entities. However, the differences of tumor-infiltrating immune cells within the two types of gastric cancer have not been well researched. This study was aimed to evaluate the functional impact of Lauren classification on immune contexture in gastric cancer patients. Tumor tissues of gastric cancer patients from Zhongshan Hospital and gastric cancer data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort were analyzed. By immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry, we found that intratumoral CD8+ T cells were more abundant but less functional in diffuse type as compared with those in intestinal type tumor tissues. Survival analysis indicated that CD8+ T cells yielded favorable prognosis only in intestinal type patients other than diffuse type cancer patients. Moreover, such diffuse type-associated CD8+ T cell dysfunction was featured by elevated expression of immunosuppressive factors including interleukin-10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1). In summary, we found that the density, prognostic significance and functional status of intratumoral CD8+ T cells varied with Lauren subtypes in gastric cancer. These results further indicated Lauren classification might be a potential therapeutic marker, and should be considered in therapeutic decisions, especially immunotherapeutic eligibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruochen Li
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yifan Cao
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yifan Chen
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yangyang Qi
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jieti Wang
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kuan Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chao Lin
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hongyong He
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - He Li
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lingli Chen
- Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenbin Shen
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jing Qin
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Weijuan Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yihong Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Jiejie Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Actinidia chinensis Planch prevents proliferation and migration of gastric cancer associated with apoptosis, ferroptosis activation and mesenchymal phenotype suppression. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 126:110092. [PMID: 32203890 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Actinidia chinensis Planch (ACP) was the kiwifruit plant Chinese kiwifruit Actinidia chinensis Planch Root, which had been approved to be an anti-tumor drug widespread in clinical. However, the specific mechanism of ACP in resistance to gastric cancer remained unclear. Therefore, our study was dedicated to investigate the anti-proliferation and anti-migration effects of ACP on gastric cancer cells and its molecular mechanisms. Firstly, we utilized HPLC-MS to analyze the composition of ACP decoction, the results showed that ACP contained two main anti-tumor components, Ursolic acid and Oleanolic acid. The proliferation and migration ability of HGC-27 were examined by CCK-8 and cell scratch tests respectively. In addition, we also investigated HGC-27 cells apoptosis, mesenchymal phenotype and ferroptosis after ACP rat drug-containing serum (ACPs) treatment. EGFP-expressing lentiviral vectors were utilized to construct HGC-27 cells which containing green fluorescence. Then we take advantages of containing green fluorescence cells to establish a zebrafish xenograft model in vivo. The CCK-8 and cell scratch experiments verified that ACPs significantly inhibited proliferation and migration of HGC-27 in vitro. ACPs increased cells apoptosis rate, while were rescued by apoptosis inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. Furthermore, ACPs downregulated the expression levels of Vimentin protein and Snail protein markedly. Intriguingly, ACPs increased the accumulation of ROS via inhibited the glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) and xCT (SLC7A11) proteins, while were inhibited by Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) significantly. Furthermore, the zebrafish xenograft study further confirmed that administration of ACP suppressed the xenograft growth and metastasis of transplanted HGC-27 cells in vivo. In conclusion, ACP was a promising antineoplastic agent for the treatment of gastric cancer by regulating apoptosis, ferroptosis and mesenchymal phenotype.
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Peng F, Xiong L, Peng C. (-)-Sativan Inhibits Tumor Development and Regulates miR-200c/PD-L1 in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:251. [PMID: 32231566 PMCID: PMC7082844 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer cells could convert epithelial-like cells to mesenchymal-like cells, resulting in the increased capacity of migration and invasion of cancer cells, and is an essential step in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) development. Recent reports exert that these EMT-activated TNBC cells are more resistant to immune attacks, with high levels of programmed death ligand1 (PD-L1). Hence, it is worthwhile to find an effective approach in inhibiting EMT-activated TNBC cells. (-)-Sativan (SA) is a naturally isolated isoflavane and could be isolated from Spatholobus suberectus, a common traditional Chinese medicine used for breast cancer treatment. It was the first time that SA exerted anti-cancer effects on breast cancer cells, according to our study. In this study, SA displayed a significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of TNBC cells by inducing apoptosis. SA increased Bax expression, and decreased Bcl-2 protein levels. SA inhibited cell migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 cells. SA could decrease N-cadherin, Snail, Vimentin, and PD-L1 expression. SA increased miR-200c expression, and decreased PD-L1 expression. Luciferase assay showed that miR-200c directly targeted PD-L1. SA promoted tumor cell susceptibility to CTL-mediated lysis. Further study confirmed that SA could inhibit PD-L1 expression and EMT by up-regulating miR-200c. In vivo results displayed that SA could also inhibit tumor volumes and weights. These findings indicate that SA exerts an inhibitory effect on TNBC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumor gtrowth, and partly provide evidence for the anti-breast cancer effect of Spatholobus suberectus Dunn in TNBC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu Peng
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Systematic Research of Distinctive Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Liang Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Systematic Research of Distinctive Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- Key Laboratory of Systematic Research of Distinctive Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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233
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Horn LA, Fousek K, Palena C. Tumor Plasticity and Resistance to Immunotherapy. Trends Cancer 2020; 6:432-441. [PMID: 32348738 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2020.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Tumor cell plasticity exhibited as an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been identified as a major obstacle for the effective treatment of many cancers. This process, which involves the dedifferentiation of epithelial tumor cells towards a motile, metastatic, and mesenchymal tumor phenotype, mediates resistance to conventional therapies and small-molecule targeted therapies. In this review, we highlight current research correlating the role of tumor plasticity with resistance to current immunotherapy approaches and discuss future and ongoing combination immunotherapy strategies to reduce tumor cell plasticity-driven resistance in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas A Horn
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kristen Fousek
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Claudia Palena
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Rubio K, Castillo-Negrete R, Barreto G. Non-coding RNAs and nuclear architecture during epithelial-mesenchymal transition in lung cancer and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Cell Signal 2020; 70:109593. [PMID: 32135188 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2020.109593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. On the other hand, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common interstitial lung disease showing a prevalence of 20 new cases per 100,000 persons per year. Despite differences in cellular origin and pathological phenotypes, LC and IPF are lung diseases that share common features, including hyperproliferation of specific cell types in the lung, involvement of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and enhanced activity of signaling pathways, such as tissue growth factor (TGFB), epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), wingless secreted glycoprotein (WNT) signaling, among others. EMT is a process during which epithelial cells lose their cell polarity and cell-cell adhesion, and acquire migratory and invasive properties to become mesenchymal cells. EMT involves numerous morphological hallmarks of hyperproliferative diseases, like cell plasticity, resistance to apoptosis, dedifferentiation and proliferation, thereby playing a central role during organ fibrosis and cancer progression. EMT was considered as an "all-or-none" process. In contrast to these outdated dichotomist interpretations, recent reports suggest that EMT occurs gradually involving different epithelial cell intermediate states with mesenchyme-like characteristics. These cell intermediate states of EMT differ from each other in their cell plasticity, invasiveness and metastatic potential, which in turn are induced by signals from their microenvironment. EMT is regulated by several transcription factors (TFs), which are members of prominent families of master regulators of transcription. In addition, there is increasing evidence for the important contribution of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) to EMT. In our review we highlight articles dissecting the function of different ncRNAs subtypes and nuclear architecture in cell intermediate states of EMT, as well as their involvement in LC and IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Rubio
- Brain and Lung Epigenetics (BLUE), Glycobiology, Cell Growth and Tissue Repair Research Unit (Gly-CRRET), Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), 94010 Créteil, France; Lung Cancer Epigenetic, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Parkstraße 1, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Rafael Castillo-Negrete
- Brain and Lung Epigenetics (BLUE), Glycobiology, Cell Growth and Tissue Repair Research Unit (Gly-CRRET), Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), 94010 Créteil, France; Lung Cancer Epigenetic, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Parkstraße 1, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Guillermo Barreto
- Brain and Lung Epigenetics (BLUE), Glycobiology, Cell Growth and Tissue Repair Research Unit (Gly-CRRET), Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), 94010 Créteil, France; Lung Cancer Epigenetic, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Parkstraße 1, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany; Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russian Federation; Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), The German Center of Lung Research (Deutsches Zentrum für Lungenforschung, DZL), Germany.
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235
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Dou Y, Kawaler EA, Cui Zhou D, Gritsenko MA, Huang C, Blumenberg L, Karpova A, Petyuk VA, Savage SR, Satpathy S, Liu W, Wu Y, Tsai CF, Wen B, Li Z, Cao S, Moon J, Shi Z, Cornwell M, Wyczalkowski MA, Chu RK, Vasaikar S, Zhou H, Gao Q, Moore RJ, Li K, Sethuraman S, Monroe ME, Zhao R, Heiman D, Krug K, Clauser K, Kothadia R, Maruvka Y, Pico AR, Oliphant AE, Hoskins EL, Pugh SL, Beecroft SJI, Adams DW, Jarman JC, Kong A, Chang HY, Reva B, Liao Y, Rykunov D, Colaprico A, Chen XS, Czekański A, Jędryka M, Matkowski R, Wiznerowicz M, Hiltke T, Boja E, Kinsinger CR, Mesri M, Robles AI, Rodriguez H, Mutch D, Fuh K, Ellis MJ, DeLair D, Thiagarajan M, Mani DR, Getz G, Noble M, Nesvizhskii AI, Wang P, Anderson ML, Levine DA, Smith RD, Payne SH, Ruggles KV, Rodland KD, Ding L, Zhang B, Liu T, Fenyö D. Proteogenomic Characterization of Endometrial Carcinoma. Cell 2020; 180:729-748.e26. [PMID: 32059776 PMCID: PMC7233456 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We undertook a comprehensive proteogenomic characterization of 95 prospectively collected endometrial carcinomas, comprising 83 endometrioid and 12 serous tumors. This analysis revealed possible new consequences of perturbations to the p53 and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, identified a potential role for circRNAs in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and provided new information about proteomic markers of clinical and genomic tumor subgroups, including relationships to known druggable pathways. An extensive genome-wide acetylation survey yielded insights into regulatory mechanisms linking Wnt signaling and histone acetylation. We also characterized aspects of the tumor immune landscape, including immunogenic alterations, neoantigens, common cancer/testis antigens, and the immune microenvironment, all of which can inform immunotherapy decisions. Collectively, our multi-omic analyses provide a valuable resource for researchers and clinicians, identify new molecular associations of potential mechanistic significance in the development of endometrial cancers, and suggest novel approaches for identifying potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongchao Dou
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Emily A Kawaler
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Daniel Cui Zhou
- Department of Medicine and Genetics, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Marina A Gritsenko
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Chen Huang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lili Blumenberg
- Department of Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Alla Karpova
- Department of Medicine and Genetics, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Vladislav A Petyuk
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Sara R Savage
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shankha Satpathy
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Wenke Liu
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Yige Wu
- Department of Medicine and Genetics, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Chia-Feng Tsai
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Bo Wen
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhi Li
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Song Cao
- Department of Medicine and Genetics, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Jamie Moon
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Zhiao Shi
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - MacIntosh Cornwell
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Matthew A Wyczalkowski
- Department of Medicine and Genetics, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Rosalie K Chu
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Suhas Vasaikar
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hua Zhou
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Qingsong Gao
- Department of Medicine and Genetics, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Ronald J Moore
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Kai Li
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sunantha Sethuraman
- Department of Medicine and Genetics, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Matthew E Monroe
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Rui Zhao
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - David Heiman
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Karsten Krug
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Karl Clauser
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ramani Kothadia
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Yosef Maruvka
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Alexander R Pico
- Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Amanda E Oliphant
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Emily L Hoskins
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Samuel L Pugh
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Sean J I Beecroft
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - David W Adams
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Jonathan C Jarman
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Andy Kong
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Hui-Yin Chang
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Boris Reva
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Yuxing Liao
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dmitry Rykunov
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Antonio Colaprico
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Science, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Xi Steven Chen
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Science, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Andrzej Czekański
- Department of Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland; Wroclaw Comprehensive Cancer Center, 53-413 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Marcin Jędryka
- Department of Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland; Wroclaw Comprehensive Cancer Center, 53-413 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Rafał Matkowski
- Department of Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland; Wroclaw Comprehensive Cancer Center, 53-413 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Maciej Wiznerowicz
- Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznań, Poland; University Hospital of Lord's Transfiguration, 60-569 Poznań, Poland; International Institute for Molecular Oncology, 60-203 Poznań, Poland
| | - Tara Hiltke
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Emily Boja
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Christopher R Kinsinger
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mehdi Mesri
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ana I Robles
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Henry Rodriguez
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - David Mutch
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Katherine Fuh
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Matthew J Ellis
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Deborah DeLair
- Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Mathangi Thiagarajan
- Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - D R Mani
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Gad Getz
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Michael Noble
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Alexey I Nesvizhskii
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Pei Wang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Matthew L Anderson
- College of Medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of South Florida Health, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Douglas A Levine
- Gynecologic Oncology, Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Richard D Smith
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Samuel H Payne
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Kelly V Ruggles
- Department of Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Karin D Rodland
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA; Department of Cell, Developmental, and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97221, USA.
| | - Li Ding
- Department of Medicine and Genetics, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA.
| | - Bing Zhang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Tao Liu
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA.
| | - David Fenyö
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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Barneh F, Mirzaie M, Nickchi P, Tan TZ, Thiery JP, Piran M, Salimi M, Goshadrou F, Aref AR, Jafari M. Integrated use of bioinformatic resources reveals that co-targeting of histone deacetylases, IKBK and SRC inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cancer. Brief Bioinform 2020; 20:717-731. [PMID: 29726962 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bby030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
With the advent of high-throughput technologies leading to big data generation, increasing number of gene signatures are being published to predict various features of diseases such as prognosis and patient survival. However, to use these signatures for identifying therapeutic targets, use of additional bioinformatic tools is indispensible part of research. Here, we have generated a pipeline comprised of nearly 15 bioinformatic tools and enrichment statistical methods to propose and validate a drug combination strategy from already approved drugs and present our approach using published pan-cancer epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signatures as a case study. We observed that histone deacetylases were critical targets to tune expression of multiple epithelial versus mesenchymal genes. Moreover, SRC and IKBK were the principal intracellular kinases regulating multiple signaling pathways. To confirm the anti-EMT efficacy of the proposed target combination in silico, we validated expression of targets in mesenchymal versus epithelial subtypes of ovarian cancer. Additionally, we inhibited the pinpointed proteins in vitro using an invasive lung cancer cell line. We found that whereas low-dose mono-therapy failed to limit cell dispersion from collagen spheroids in a microfluidic device as a metric of EMT, the combination fully inhibited dissociation and invasion of cancer cells toward cocultured endothelial cells. Given the approval status and safety profiles of the suggested drugs, the proposed combination set can be considered in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnaz Barneh
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Drug Design and Bioinformatics Unit, Medical Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Mirzaie
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Payman Nickchi
- Drug Design and Bioinformatics Unit, Medical Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Tuan Zea Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore, Translational Centre for Development and Research, National University Health System, MD11, #03-10, 10 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Jean Paul Thiery
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117596, Singapore.,Institut Gustave Roussy, Inserm Unit 1186 Comprehensive Cancer Center, Villejuif, France.,CNRS UMR 7057 Matter and Complex Systems, University Paris Denis Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Mehran Piran
- Drug Design and Bioinformatics Unit, Medical Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mona Salimi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Goshadrou
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir R Aref
- Department of Medical Oncology, Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02215, USA
| | - Mohieddin Jafari
- Drug Design and Bioinformatics Unit, Medical Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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237
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AXL as a Target in Breast Cancer Therapy. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2020; 2020:5291952. [PMID: 32148495 PMCID: PMC7042526 DOI: 10.1155/2020/5291952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
AXL is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) that has been implicated in diverse tumor-promoting processes such as proliferation, migration, invasion, survival, and apoptosis. AXL therefore plays a role in cancer progression, and AXL has been implicated in a wide variety of malignancies from solid tumors to hematopoietic cancers where it is often associated with poor prognosis. In cancer, AXL has been shown to promote epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastasis formation, drug resistance, and a role for AXL in modulation of the tumor microenvironment and immune response has been identified. In light of these activities multiple AXL inhibitors have been developed, and several of these have entered clinical trials in the U.S. In breast cancer, high levels of AXL expression have been observed. The role of AXL in cancer with a focus on therapeutic implications for breast cancer is discussed.
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Clinical Relevance of Immune Checkpoints on Circulating Tumor Cells in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12020376. [PMID: 32041353 PMCID: PMC7072621 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of CD47 and PD-L1 expression on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) remains unclear, and it is currently unknown whether their distribution varies between the blood and tumor tissue in breast cancer (BC). In this study, CD47 and PD-L1 expression was investigated a) on peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cytospins from early (n = 100) and metastatic (n = 98) BC patients, by triple immunofluorescence for CD47/PD-L1/Cytokeratins, and b) on matched primary and/or metastatic tumor tissue from CTC-positive patients using immunohistochemistry. CD47+and/orPD-L1+ CTCs were detected in 11%, 16.9%, and 29.6% of early, recurrent, and de novo metastatic patients (p = 0.016). In metastatic disease, CD47highand/orPD-L1high CTCs were associated with disease progression (p = 0.005) and shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.010), and independently predicted for an increased risk of relapse (HR: 2.719; p = 0.008) and death (HR: 2.398; p = 0.034). PD-L1 expression rates differed between CTCs and tissue tumor cells and between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) (positive concordance of 3.8% and 4%, respectively). CD47 expression also differed between CTCs and tumor cells (positive concordance of 11.5%). In conclusion, CTCs expressing CD47 and PD-L1 have independent poor prognostic implications in metastatic BC, indicating a potential role of innate and adaptive immune evasion mechanisms in their metastatic potential. The clinical value of the parallel assessment of the peripheral and local immune response merits further evaluation in BC.
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Peng YX, Yu B, Qin H, Xue L, Liang YJ, Quan ZX. EMT-related gene expression is positively correlated with immunity and may be derived from stromal cells in osteosarcoma. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8489. [PMID: 32117617 PMCID: PMC7003688 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer in children and young adults. Recent studies have shown a correlation between epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related gene expression and immunity in human cancers. Here, we investigated the relationship among EMT, immune activity, stromal activity and tumor purity in osteosarcoma. Methods We defined EMT gene signatures and evaluated immune activity and stromal activity based on the gene expression and clinical data from three independent microarray datasets. These factors were evaluated by single sample Gene Set Enrichment Analyses and the ESTIMATE tool. Finally, we analyzed the key source of EMT gene expression in osteosarcoma using microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus and human samples that we collected. Results EMT-related gene expression was positively correlated with immune and stromal activity in osteosarcoma. Tumor purity was negatively correlated with EMT, immune activity and stromal cells. We further demonstrated that high EMT gene expression could significantly predict poor overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in osteosarcoma patients, while high immune activity cannot. However, combining these factors could have further prognostic value for osteosarcoma patients in terms of OS and RFS. Finally, we found that stromal cells may serve as a key source of EMT gene expression in osteosarcoma. Conclusion The results of this study reveal that the expression of EMT genes and immunity are positively correlated, but these signatures convey disparate prognostic information. Furthermore, the results indicate that EMT-related gene expression may be derived from stromal rather than epithelial cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin-Xiao Peng
- Department of Orthopedics, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bin Yu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hui Qin
- Department of Orthopedics, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Li Xue
- Department of Orthopedics, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yi-Jian Liang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zheng-Xue Quan
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, Chongqing, China
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240
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Liang J, Zhao W, Tong P, Li P, Zhao Y, Li H, Liang J. Comprehensive molecular characterization of inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) for therapeutic targeting in cancer. BMC Med Genomics 2020; 13:7. [PMID: 31964418 PMCID: PMC6975060 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-020-0661-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) are a family of antiapoptotic proteins modulating cell cycle, signal transduction and apoptosis. Dysregulated IAPs have been reported to contribute to tumor progression and chemoresistance in various cancers. However, existing studies were sporadic and only focus on one specific cancer with one particular gene in the IAPs family. A systematic investigation on the co-expression pattern, regulation frameworks on various pathways, prognostic utility on patient outcomes, and predictive value on drug sensitivity among all the IAPs across multiple tumor types was lacking. Methods Leveraging The Cancer Genome Atlas data with comprehensive genomic characterizations on 9714 patients across 32 tumor types and the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer data with both genomic characterizations and drug sensitivity data on > 1000 cell lines, we investigated the co-expression pattern of IAPs, their regulations of apoptosis as well as other pathways and clinical relevance of IAPs for therapeutics development. Results We discovered diverse expression pattern among IAPs, varied spectrum of apoptosis regulations through IAPs and extensive regulations beyond apoptosis involving immune response, cell cycle, gene expression and DNA damage repair. Importantly, IAPs were strong prognostic factors for patient survival and tumor stage in several tumor types including brain, liver, kidney, breast and lung cancer. Further, several IAPs were found to be predictive of sensitivity to BCL-2 inhibitors (BIRC3, BIRC5, BIRC6, and BIRC7) as well as RIPK1 inhibitors (BIRC3 and BIRC6). Conclusion Together, our work revealed the landscape of regulations, prognostic utilities and therapeutic relevance of IAPs across multiple tumor types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Liang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University International Hospital, 1 Science Park Road, ZGC Life Science Park, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Wanni Zhao
- General Surgery Department, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology; Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.1 DaHua Road, Dong Dan, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Pan Tong
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai, 200065, China
| | - Yuanli Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University International Hospital, 1 Science Park Road, ZGC Life Science Park, Beijing, 102206, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 6 Tiantan Xili, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Hua Li
- State Key laboratory for Oncogenes and Bio-ID Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Jun Liang
- Department of Oncology, Peking University International Hospital, 1 Science Park Road, ZGC Life Science Park, Beijing, 102206, China.
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Clinicopathological and Prognostic Characteristics of CD276 (B7-H3) Expression in Adrenocortical Carcinoma. DISEASE MARKERS 2020; 2020:5354825. [PMID: 31998416 PMCID: PMC6977319 DOI: 10.1155/2020/5354825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignant endocrine tumor with a high tumor recurrence rate and poor postoperative survival. Recent studies suggest that CD276- (B7-H3) targeted therapy represents a promising therapeutic option for solid tumors. However, little is known about the expression status of CD276 or its association with progression and prognosis of ACC. Methods Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed from patients who underwent resection of ACC at our institution (n = 48). Archived, formalin-fixed, and paraffin-embedded samples were collected for immunohistochemical analysis, and the correlation between CD276 expression and clinicopathological parameters was evaluated. Kaplan-Meier and univariate/multivariate Cox regression methods were implemented to identify any prognostic effects. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) ACC cohort (n = 48). Archived, formalin-fixed, and paraffin-embedded samples were collected for immunohistochemical analysis, and the correlation between CD276 expression and clinicopathological parameters was evaluated. Kaplan-Meier and univariate/multivariate Cox regression methods were implemented to identify any prognostic effects. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) ACC cohort (. Results Positive expression of CD276 was detected on the cell membrane and in the cytoplasm of cancer cells or tumor-associated vascular cells in 91.67% (44/48) of ACCs. Vascular expression of CD276 was associated with local aggression (higher T stage, P = 0.029) and advanced ENSAT stage (P = 0.029) and advanced ENSAT stage (P = 0.029) and advanced ENSAT stage (P = 0.029) and advanced ENSAT stage (P = 0.029) and advanced ENSAT stage (P = 0.029) and advanced ENSAT stage (. Conclusion These findings highlight the immune checkpoint factor CD276 as an independent prognostic factor and a potential therapeutic target in ACC.
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Abou Khouzam R, Goutham HV, Zaarour RF, Chamseddine AN, Francis A, Buart S, Terry S, Chouaib S. Integrating tumor hypoxic stress in novel and more adaptable strategies for cancer immunotherapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 65:140-154. [PMID: 31927131 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is poised to become an increasingly utilized therapy in the treatment of cancer. However, several abnormalities in the tumor microenvironment (TME) that can thwart the efficacy of immunotherapies have been established. Microenvironmental hypoxia is a determining factor in shaping aggressiveness, metastatic potential and treatment resistance of solid tumors. The characterization of this phenomenon could prove beneficial for determining a patient's treatment path and for the introduction of novel targetable factors that can enhance therapeutic outcome. Indeed, the ablation of hypoxia has the potential to sensitize tumors to immunotherapy by metabolically remodeling their microenvironment. In this review, we discuss the intrinsic contributions of hypoxia to cellular plasticity, heterogeneity, stemness and genetic instability in the context of immune escape. In addition, we will shed light on how managing hypoxia can ameliorate response to immunotherapy and how integrating hypoxia gene signatures could play a role in this pursuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raefa Abou Khouzam
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, 4184, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Hassan Venkatesh Goutham
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, 4184, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Rania Faouzi Zaarour
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, 4184, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Ali N Chamseddine
- Département d'Oncologie Médicale, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus Grand Paris, Villejuif, France.
| | - Amirtharaj Francis
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, 4184, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Stéphanie Buart
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, EPHE, Faculty. De médecine Univ. Paris-Sud, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif F-94805, France
| | - Stéphane Terry
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, EPHE, Faculty. De médecine Univ. Paris-Sud, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif F-94805, France.
| | - Salem Chouaib
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, 4184, United Arab Emirates; INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, EPHE, Faculty. De médecine Univ. Paris-Sud, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif F-94805, France.
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Palacios-García J, Sanz-Flores M, Asensio A, Alvarado R, Rojo-Berciano S, Stamatakis K, Paramio JM, Cano A, Nieto MÁ, García-Escudero R, Mayor F, Ribas C. G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 safeguards epithelial phenotype in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Int J Cancer 2020; 147:218-229. [PMID: 31850518 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) arises from the mucosal lining of the upper aerodigestive tract and display few treatment options in advanced stages. Despite increased knowledge of HNSCC molecular biology, the identification of new players involved in triggering HNSCC recurrence and metastatic disease is needed. We uncover that G-protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 (GRK2) expression is reduced in undifferentiated, high-grade human HNSCC tumors, whereas its silencing in model human HNSCC cells is sufficient to trigger epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotypic features, an EMT-like transcriptional program and enhanced lymph node colonization from orthotopic tongue tumors in mice. Conversely, enhancing GRK2 expression counteracts mesenchymal cells traits by mechanisms involving phosphorylation and decreased functionality of the key EMT inducer Snail1. Our results suggest that GRK2 safeguards the epithelial phenotype, whereas its downregulation contributes to the activation of EMT programs in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Palacios-García
- Departamento de Biología Molecular and Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (UAM-CSIC), Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Sanz-Flores
- Departamento de Biología Molecular and Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (UAM-CSIC), Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Asensio
- Departamento de Biología Molecular and Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (UAM-CSIC), Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raúl Alvarado
- Departamento de Biología Molecular and Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (UAM-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Rojo-Berciano
- Departamento de Biología Molecular and Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (UAM-CSIC), Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Princesa, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, ISCIII (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Konstantinos Stamatakis
- Departamento de Biología Molecular and Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (UAM-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús M Paramio
- Molecular Oncology Unit, CIEMAT, Madrid, Spain.,Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Amparo Cano
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Bioquímica e Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Ángela Nieto
- Unidad de Neurobiología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Neurociencias CSIC-UMH, Alicante, Spain
| | - Ramón García-Escudero
- Molecular Oncology Unit, CIEMAT, Madrid, Spain.,Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), and Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Federico Mayor
- Departamento de Biología Molecular and Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (UAM-CSIC), Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Princesa, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, ISCIII (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Catalina Ribas
- Departamento de Biología Molecular and Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (UAM-CSIC), Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Princesa, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, ISCIII (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
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MacGregor HL, Sayad A, Elia A, Wang BX, Katz SR, Shaw PA, Clarke BA, Crome SQ, Robert-Tissot C, Bernardini MQ, Nguyen LT, Ohashi PS. High expression of B7-H3 on stromal cells defines tumor and stromal compartments in epithelial ovarian cancer and is associated with limited immune activation. J Immunother Cancer 2019; 7:357. [PMID: 31892360 PMCID: PMC6937725 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-019-0816-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND B7-H3 and B7-H4 are highly expressed by many human malignancies making them attractive immunotherapeutic targets. However, their expression patterns and immune contexts in epithelial ovarian cancer have not been well characterized. METHODS We used flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and genomic analyses to determine the patterns of B7-H3, B7-H4, and PD-L1 expression by tumor, stromal, and immune cells in the ovarian tumor microenvironment (TME). We analyzed immune cell frequency and expression of PD-1, TIM3, LAG3, ICOS, TIA-1, granzyme B, 2B4, CD107a, and GITR on T cells; CD20, CD22, IgD, BTLA, and CD27 on B cells; CD16 on monocytes; and B7-H3, B7-H4, PD-L1, PD-L2, ICOSL, CD40, CD86, and CLEC9a on antigen-presenting cells by flow cytometry. We determined intratumoral cellular location of immune cells using immunohistochemistry. We compared differences in immune infiltration in tumors with low or high tumor-to-stroma ratio and in tumors from the same or unrelated patients. RESULTS On non-immune cells, B7-H4 expression was restricted to tumor cells whereas B7-H3 was expressed by both tumor and stromal cells. Stromal cells of the ovarian TME expressed high levels of B7-H3 compared to tumor cells. We used this differential expression to assess the tumor-to-stroma ratio of ovarian tumors and found that high tumor-to-stroma ratio was associated with increased expression of CD16 by monocytes, increased frequencies of PD-1high CD8+ T cells, increased PD-L1 expression by APCs, and decreased CLEC9a expression by APCs. We found that expression of PD-L1 or CD86 on APCs and the proportion of PD-1high CD4+ T cells were strongly correlated on immune cells from tumors within the same patient, whereas expression of CD40 and ICOSL on APCs and the proportion of PD-1high CD8+ T cells were not. CONCLUSIONS This study provides insight into the expression patterns of B7-H3 and B7-H4 in the ovarian TME. Further, we demonstrate an association between the tumor-to-stroma ratio and the phenotype of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. We also find that some but not all immune parameters show consistency between peritoneal metastatic sites. These data have implications for the design of immunotherapies targeting these B7 molecules in epithelial ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L MacGregor
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Azin Sayad
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew Elia
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ben X Wang
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sarah Rachel Katz
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patricia A Shaw
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Blaise A Clarke
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sarah Q Crome
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Celine Robert-Tissot
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marcus Q Bernardini
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Linh T Nguyen
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pamela S Ohashi
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. .,Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. .,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Baldacchino S, Grech G. Somatic copy number aberrations in metastatic patients: The promise of liquid biopsies. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 60:302-310. [PMID: 31891778 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. The metastatic process involves measurable cellular changes that confer migratory potential, proliferative advantage and the ability to colonise a distinct microenvironment. Accumulation of aberrations and clonal evolution add complexity to patient management and the assessment of the therapeutic sensitivity profile of malignancies. Liquid biopsy presents a repeatable and minimally invasive assessment tool to detect early metastasis, characterise tumour phenotype and detect minimal residual disease. The promise of liquid biopsies is to inform patient management and therapeutic decisions in a timely manner. Clinical translation requires robust methodologies with high sensitivity and tumour specificity. This can be achieved through technological advances but also through novel biologically informed approaches that harness existing knowledge on tumorigenesis. Here we present a review of copy number variations as potential biomarkers for early detection of metastatic potential and outline a biomarker validation process in the context of liquid biopsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn Baldacchino
- Applied Biotech Ltd, Cambridge, UK; Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine & Surgery, University of Malta, Malta.
| | - Godfrey Grech
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine & Surgery, University of Malta, Malta
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Jing B, Wang T, Sun B, Xu J, Xu D, Liao Y, Song H, Guo W, Li K, Hu M, Zhang S, Ling J, Kuang Y, Zhang T, Zhou BP, Yao F, Deng J. IL6/STAT3 Signaling Orchestrates Premetastatic Niche Formation and Immunosuppressive Traits in Lung. Cancer Res 2019; 80:784-797. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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247
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Mapping lung cancer epithelial-mesenchymal transition states and trajectories with single-cell resolution. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5587. [PMID: 31811131 PMCID: PMC6898514 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13441-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Elucidating the spectrum of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) states in clinical samples promises insights on cancer progression and drug resistance. Using mass cytometry time-course analysis, we resolve lung cancer EMT states through TGFβ-treatment and identify, through TGFβ-withdrawal, a distinct MET state. We demonstrate significant differences between EMT and MET trajectories using a computational tool (TRACER) for reconstructing trajectories between cell states. In addition, we construct a lung cancer reference map of EMT and MET states referred to as the EMT-MET PHENOtypic STAte MaP (PHENOSTAMP). Using a neural net algorithm, we project clinical samples onto the EMT-MET PHENOSTAMP to characterize their phenotypic profile with single-cell resolution in terms of our in vitro EMT-MET analysis. In summary, we provide a framework to phenotypically characterize clinical samples in the context of in vitro EMT-MET findings which could help assess clinical relevance of EMT in cancer in future studies. Intermediate transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal states are associated with tumor progression. Here using mass cytometry, Plevritis and colleagues develop a computational framework to resolve and map these trajectories in lung cancer cells and clinical specimens.
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248
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A Novel Biomarker Based on miRNA to Predict the Prognosis of Muscle-Invasive Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2019; 2019:2654296. [PMID: 31885571 PMCID: PMC6925814 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2654296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Muscle-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma (MIBC) is characteristic of high mortality and high recurrence. Distinguishing the prognostic risk of MIBC at the molecular level of miRNA expression is rarely performed and thus of great significance for the management and treatment of MIBC in clinics. Adaptive lasso Cox's proportional hazards model was used to explore the relationship between differential expression miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) and MIBC survival. Furthermore, we evaluated the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) score and immune infiltration abundance by exploring EMT signature genes and TIMER database, respectively. A total of 8 DEmiRNAs were detected to be associated with the survival rate of MIBC by using the lasso Cox algorithm. Through the linear combination of these 8 DEmiRNAs, we constructed a calculated marker, which could be used to distinguish the prognosis risk in both TCGA dataset (HR = 2.03, 95% CI = (1.47, 2.83)) and independent validation dataset (HR = 7.74, 95% CI = (1.05, 56.93)). Meanwhile, the constructed marker had reasonably high predictive values of the AUC (area under the curve) in the TCGA dataset and validation dataset being 0.73 and 0.63, respectively. In addition, we observed that the expression values of let-7c, miR-100, and miR-145 were associated with EMT score and the abundance of macrophage in tumor tissue as well. This newly identified risk score signature based on the combination of 8 miRNAs could significantly predict the prognostic risk of MIBC and might provide insight into immunotherapy and targeted therapy of MIBC.
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Williams ED, Gao D, Redfern A, Thompson EW. Controversies around epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in cancer metastasis. Nat Rev Cancer 2019; 19:716-732. [PMID: 31666716 PMCID: PMC7055151 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-019-0213-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 259] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Experimental evidence accumulated over decades has implicated epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP), which collectively encompasses epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the reverse process of mesenchymal-epithelial transition, in tumour metastasis, cancer stem cell generation and maintenance, and therapeutic resistance. However, the dynamic nature of EMP processes, the apparent need to reverse mesenchymal changes for the development of macrometastases and the likelihood that only minor cancer cell subpopulations exhibit EMP at any one time have made such evidence difficult to accrue in the clinical setting. In this Perspectives article, we outline the existing preclinical and clinical evidence for EMP and reflect on recent controversies, including the failure of initial lineage-tracing experiments to confirm a major role for EMP in dissemination, and discuss accumulating data suggesting that epithelial features and/or a hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal phenotype are important in metastasis. We also highlight strategies to address the complexities of therapeutically targeting the EMP process that give consideration to its spatially and temporally divergent roles in metastasis, with the view that this will yield a potent and broad class of therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth D Williams
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Translational Research Institute (TRI), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre - Queensland (APCRC-Q) and Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Dingcheng Gao
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Neuberger Berman Lung Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew Redfern
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Fiona Stanley Hospital Campus, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Erik W Thompson
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- Translational Research Institute (TRI), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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Abstract
The recent genomic characterization of urothelial carcinoma by the Cancer Genome Atlas Project, made possible by the introduction of high throughput, reduced cost, and sequence analysis, has shed new insights on the biology of advanced disease. In addition, studies on imaging of advanced urothelial carcinoma have widened the knowledge on disease presentation and on pattern of metastatic spread and their correlation with the underlying biology of urothelial carcinoma. The wide range of treatments for advanced urothelial cancer, including combined chemotherapy regimens and immune checkpoint inhibitors, each result in treatment class-specific patterns of response and adverse events. Results of studies point to the need for a reliable biomarker, perhaps with imaging, that predicts prognosis and treatment response to systemic treatment, and can be used to select the most effective treatment while minimizing toxicity. This review of advanced urothelial cancer introduces the latest advances in genetic profiling, the current role of imaging, the radiographic appearance of treatment response and their toxicities, and details potential future areas of imaging research.
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