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A stroma-corrected ZEB1 transcriptional signature is inversely associated with antitumor immune activity in breast cancer. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17807. [PMID: 31780722 PMCID: PMC6882801 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54282-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential developmental process which can be hijacked by cancer cells, leading to enhanced metastasis and chemoresistance in experimental models. Recent studies have linked gene expression of EMT-associated gene signatures to increased inflammatory immune response in multiple cancer types. However, these studies did not account for the potential confounding effects of gene expression by tumor-infiltrating mesenchymal stromal cells. In this study, we comprehensively dissect the associations between multiple EMT transcription factors and EMT markers with stromal and immune tumor infiltration. We find that EMT-related genes are highly correlated with intratumoral stromal cell abundance and identify a specific relationship between stroma-corrected ZEB1 expression and decreased immune activity in multiple cancer types. We derive a stroma-corrected ZEB1-activated transcriptional signature and demonstrate that this signature includes several known inhibitors of inflammation, including BMPR2. Finally, multivariate survival analysis reveals that ZEB1 and its expression signature are significantly associated with reduced overall survival in breast cancer patients. In conclusion, this study identifies a novel association between stroma-adjusted ZEB1 expression and tumor immune activity and addresses the critical issue of confounding between EMT-associated genes and tumor stromal content.
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252
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Multi-omics analysis reveals epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related gene FOXM1 as a novel prognostic biomarker in clear cell renal carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 11:10316-10337. [PMID: 31743108 PMCID: PMC6914426 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Identification of novel clinical biomarker in clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) is warranted. Integrating transcriptome (n=1669), DNA methylation (n=577) and copy number data (n=832), we developed a method to identify driver biomarkers by analyzing the omics-level dynamics of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)-related genes in ccRCC. We first identified 504 expression dynamic changed genes involved in ccRCC-associated key pathways such as EMT, cell cycle, EGFR and PI3K/AKT signaling. Further analysis identified 229 (90 gene promoters) aberrant expression quantitative trait methylation (eQTM) and 256 genes with expression quantitative trait copy number (eQTCN) alterations. Among them, FOXM1 was affected by both eQTM and eQTCN. FOXM1 copy number amplification (115/500, 23% of patients), occurred in an amplified peak in chromosome 12q13.3, was enriched in late-stage ccRCC samples and was associated with worse survival. FOXM1-overexpressed pT3 patients with distant metastasis showed ~25% shorter overall survival in both training (log-rank P=0.006) and validation (log-rank P=0.018) cohorts. The eQTM-gene hybrid signature (cg00044170 and FOXM1), superior to either gene expression or DNA methylation alone, showed great potential in diagnosing localized ccRCC in training (area under curve = 0.958) and validation datasets. FOXM1 could be a novel prognostic biomarker and shed light for early diagnosis at molecular level in ccRCC.
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253
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Gotoh O, Sugiyama Y, Takazawa Y, Kato K, Tanaka N, Omatsu K, Takeshima N, Nomura H, Hasegawa K, Fujiwara K, Taki M, Matsumura N, Noda T, Mori S. Clinically relevant molecular subtypes and genomic alteration-independent differentiation in gynecologic carcinosarcoma. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4965. [PMID: 31672974 PMCID: PMC6823358 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12985-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Carcinosarcoma (CS) of the uterus or ovary is a rare, aggressive and biphasic neoplasm composed of carcinoma and sarcoma elements. Previous genomic studies have identified the driver genes and genomic properties associated with CS. However, there is still no molecular subtyping scheme with clinical relevance for this disease. Here, we sequence 109 CS samples, focusing on 596 genes. We identify four molecular subtypes that resemble those observed in endometrial carcinoma: POLE-mutated, microsatellite instability, copy number high, and copy number low subtypes. These molecular subtypes are linked with DNA repair deficiencies, potential therapeutic strategies, and multiple clinicopathological features, including patient outcomes. Multi-regional comparative sequencing reveals genomic alteration-independent CS cell differentiation. Transcriptome and DNA methylome analyses confirm epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a mechanism of sarcoma differentiation. The current study thus provides therapeutic possibilities for CS as well as clues to understanding the molecular histogenic mechanism of its development.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Carcinoma, Endometrioid/genetics
- Carcinoma, Endometrioid/pathology
- Carcinosarcoma/classification
- Carcinosarcoma/genetics
- Carcinosarcoma/pathology
- Cluster Analysis
- DNA Copy Number Variations/genetics
- DNA Methylation
- DNA Polymerase II/genetics
- DNA Repair-Deficiency Disorders/genetics
- Decision Trees
- Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/genetics
- Female
- Genital Neoplasms, Female/genetics
- High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
- Humans
- INDEL Mutation
- Microsatellite Instability
- Middle Aged
- Mutation
- Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous/genetics
- Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous/pathology
- Ovarian Neoplasms/classification
- Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics
- Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology
- Peritoneal Neoplasms/genetics
- Poly-ADP-Ribose Binding Proteins/genetics
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Transcriptome
- Uterine Neoplasms/classification
- Uterine Neoplasms/genetics
- Uterine Neoplasms/pathology
- Young Adult
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Affiliation(s)
- Osamu Gotoh
- Project for Development of Innovative Research on Cancer Therapeutics, Cancer Precision Medicine Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuko Sugiyama
- Department of Gynecology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaka Takazawa
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Kato
- Department of Gynecology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norio Tanaka
- Project for Development of Innovative Research on Cancer Therapeutics, Cancer Precision Medicine Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kohei Omatsu
- Department of Gynecology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Takeshima
- Department of Gynecology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Nomura
- Department of Gynecology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kosei Hasegawa
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, 1397-1 Yamane, Hidaka-shi, Saitama, Japan
| | - Keiichi Fujiwara
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, 1397-1 Yamane, Hidaka-shi, Saitama, Japan
| | - Mana Taki
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Kawaharacho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Noriomi Matsumura
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Kawaharacho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Noda
- Project for Development of Innovative Research on Cancer Therapeutics, Cancer Precision Medicine Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Seiichi Mori
- Project for Development of Innovative Research on Cancer Therapeutics, Cancer Precision Medicine Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
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254
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Liu Z, Yu S, Ye S, Shen Z, Gao L, Han Z, Zhang P, Luo F, Chen S, Kang M. Keratin 17 activates AKT signalling and induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. J Proteomics 2019; 211:103557. [PMID: 31669361 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2019.103557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an aggressive malignancy and a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Lack of effective early diagnosis strategies and ensuing complications from tumour metastasis account for the majority of ESCC death. Thus, identification of key molecular targets involved in ESCC carcinogenesis and progression is crucial for ESCC prognosis. In this study, four pairs of ESCC tissues were used for mRNA sequencing to determine differentially expressed genes (DEGs). 347 genes were found to be upregulated whereas 255 genes downregulated. By screening DEGs plus bioinformatics analyses such as KEGG, PPI and IPA, we found that there were independent interactions between KRT family members. KRT17 upregulation was confirmed in ESCC and its relationship with clinicopathological features were analysed. KRT17 was significantly associated with ESCC histological grade, lymph node and distant metastasis, TNM stage and five-year survival rate. Upregulation of KRT17 promoted ESCC cell growth, migration, and lung metastasis. Mechanistically, we found that KRT17-promoted ESCC cell growth and migration was accompanied by activation of AKT signalling and induction of EMT. These findings suggested that KRT17 is significantly related to malignant progression and poor prognosis of ESCC patients, and it may serve as a new biological target for ESCC therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: Oesophageal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide and oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the major histological type of oesophageal cancer in Eastern Asia. However, the molecular basis for the development and progression of ESCC remains largely unknown. In this study, RNA sequencing was used to establish the whole-transcriptome profile in ESCC tissues versus the adjacent non-cancer tissues and the results were bioinformatically analysed to predict the roles of the identified differentially expressed genes. We found that upregulation of KRT17 was significantly associated with advanced clinical stage, lymph node and distant metastasis, TNM stage and poor clinical outcome. Keratin 17 (KRT17) upregulation in ESCC cells not only promoted cell proliferation but also increased invasion and metastasis accompanied with AKT activation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). These data suggested that KRT17 played an important role in ESCC development and progression and may serve as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhun Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Shaobin Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Shuting Ye
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Fujian Medical University, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Zhimin Shen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Lei Gao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Ziyang Han
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Peipei Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Fei Luo
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Sui Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China.
| | - Mingqiang Kang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China; Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Fujian Medical University, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350122, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Tumor Microbiology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China.
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255
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McCorry AM, Loughrey MB, Longley DB, Lawler M, Dunne PD. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition signature assessment in colorectal cancer quantifies tumour stromal content rather than true transition. J Pathol 2019; 246:422-426. [PMID: 30105762 PMCID: PMC6282832 DOI: 10.1002/path.5155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The process of epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer is a well‐described process whereby epithelial tumour cells undergo molecular/phenotypic changes and transition to a mesenchymal biology. To aid in the transcriptional characterisation of this process, gene expression signatures have been developed that attribute a relative EMT score to samples in a given cohort. We demonstrate how such EMT signatures can identify epithelial cell line models with high levels of transition but also highlight that, unsurprisingly, fibroblast cell lines, which are inherently mesenchymal, have a higher EMT score relative to any epithelial cell line studied. In line with these data, we demonstrate how increased tumour stromal composition, and reduced epithelial cellularity, significantly correlates with increasing EMT signature score, which is evident using either in silico subtyping analysis (p < 0.00001) or in situ histopathological characterisation (p < 0.001). Considered together, these results reinforce the importance not only of interdisciplinary research to correctly define the nature of EMT biology but also the requirement for a cadre of multidisciplinary researchers who can analyse and interpret the underlying pathological, bioinformatic and molecular data that are essential for advancing our understanding of the malignant process. © 2018 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Mb McCorry
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, UK
| | | | - Daniel B Longley
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, UK
| | - Mark Lawler
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, UK
| | - Philip D Dunne
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Belfast, UK
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256
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Thompson JC, Hwang WT, Davis C, Deshpande C, Jeffries S, Rajpurohit Y, Krishna V, Smirnov D, Verona R, Lorenzi MV, Langer CJ, Albelda SM. Gene signatures of tumor inflammation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) predict responses to immune checkpoint blockade in lung cancer with high accuracy. Lung Cancer 2019; 139:1-8. [PMID: 31683225 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2019.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has resulted in striking clinical responses, but only in a subset of patients. The goal of this study was to evaluate transcriptional signatures previously reported in the literature in an independent cohort of NSCLC patients receiving ICB. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study analyzed transcriptional profiles from pre-treatment tumor samples of 52 chemotherapy-refractory advanced NSCLC patients treated with anti-PD1/PD-L1 therapy. Gene signatures based on published reports were created and examined for their association with response to therapy and progression-free and overall survival (PFS, OS). RESULTS Two signatures predicting response and outcomes were identified. One reflected the degree of immune infiltration and upregulation of interferon-gamma-induced genes. A second reflected the EMT status. Compared to those not responding to therapy, patients whose tumors responded to ICB had higher scores in an inflammatory gene signature (6.0 ± 2.9 vs -5.5 ± 3.4, p = 0.014) or a more epithelial phenotype (-1.7 ± 1.0 vs 2.1 ± 1.2, p = 0.016). Both signatures demonstrated a satisfactory predictive accuracy for response: AUC of 0.69 (95% CI: 0.54, 0.84) for the inflammatory and 0.70 (95% CI: 0.55, 0.85) for EMT signatures, respectively. A weighted score combining EMT and inflammatory signatures showed increased predictive value with AUC of 0.92 (95% CI: 0.85, 0.99). Kaplan-Meier curves for patients above and below the median combined score showed a significant separation for PFS and OS (all p < 0.01, log rank test). CONCLUSIONS The EMT/Inflammation signature score may be useful in directing checkpoint inhibitor therapy in lung cancer and suggests that reversal of EMT might augment efficacy of ICB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey C Thompson
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Group, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
| | - Wei-Ting Hwang
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Christiana Davis
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Charuhas Deshpande
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Seth Jeffries
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - Vinod Krishna
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA, United States
| | - Denis Smirnov
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA, United States
| | - Raluca Verona
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA, United States
| | | | - Corey J Langer
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Steven M Albelda
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Group, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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257
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Jiang Y, Zhan H. Communication between EMT and PD-L1 signaling: New insights into tumor immune evasion. Cancer Lett 2019; 468:72-81. [PMID: 31605776 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockage has been considered a breakthrough in cancer treatment, achieving encouraging anti-tumor effects in some advanced solid malignancies. However, low response rate and therapeutic resistance represent significant challenges in this field. In addition to its typical role in embryonic development and tissue fibrosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a pivotal role in tumor immunosuppression and immune evasion. Previous studies revealed that EMT is associated with activation of different immune checkpoint molecules, including PD-L1. EMT-induced immune escape promotes cancer progression and may also provide a platform for discovery of novel therapeutic approaches and predictive biomarkers for checkpoint inhibitor therapeutic response. Here, we summarize recent findings focused on EMT-induced immune suppression and evasion in the tumor microenvironment (TME). EMT transcription factors (EMT-TFs), immune cells, cell plasticity and their regulatory role in the immune response are thoroughly reviewed. Bidirectional regulation between EMT and PD-L1 signaling is discussed in terms of cancer immune escape and possible combined therapies. Additionally, we investigated the value of preclinical or clinical trials using EMT targeted therapy combined with PD-L1 inhibitors. This review may help to further understand the role of EMT and PD-L1 signaling in cancer immune evasion. Meanwhile, additional molecular mechanistic studies and clinical trials are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Jiang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Hanxiang Zhan
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, China.
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258
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Halvorsen AR, Ragle Aure M, Õjlert ÅK, Brustugun OT, Solberg S, Nebdal D, Helland Å. Identification of microRNAs involved in pathways which characterize the expression subtypes of NSCLC. Mol Oncol 2019; 13:2604-2615. [PMID: 31505091 PMCID: PMC6887593 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of microRNAs is a common mechanism in the development of lung cancer, but the relationship between microRNAs and expression subtypes in non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is poorly explored. Here, we analyzed microRNA expression from 241 NSCLC samples and correlated this with the expression subtypes of adenocarcinomas (AD) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) to identify microRNAs specific for each subtype. Gene set variation analysis and the hallmark gene set were utilized to calculate gene set scores specific for each sample, and these were further correlated with the expression of the subtype‐specific microRNAs. In ADs, we identified nine aberrantly regulated microRNAs in the terminal respiratory unit (TRU), three in the proximal inflammatory (PI), and nine in the proximal proliferative subtype (PP). In SCCs, 1, 5, 5, and 9 microRNAs were significantly dysregulated in the basal, primitive, classical, and secretory subtypes, respectively. The subtype‐specific microRNAs were highly correlated to specific gene sets, and a distinct pattern of biological processes with high immune activity for the AD PI and SCC secretory subtypes, and upregulation of cell cycle‐related processes in AD PP, SCC primitive, and SCC classical subtypes were found. Several in silico predicted targets within the gene sets were identified for the subtype‐specific microRNAs, underpinning the findings. The results were significantly validated in the LUAD (n = 492) and LUSC (n = 380) TCGA dataset (False discovery rates‐corrected P‐value < 0.05). Our study provides novel insight into how expression subtypes determined with discrete biological processes may be regulated by subtype‐specific microRNAs. These results may have importance for the development of combinatory therapeutic strategies for lung cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Rita Halvorsen
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, OUS Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway.,Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Miriam Ragle Aure
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, OUS Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Åsa Kristina Õjlert
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, OUS Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Odd Terje Brustugun
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, OUS Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Steinar Solberg
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Oslo University Hospital-Rikshospitalet, Norway
| | - Daniel Nebdal
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, OUS Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Åslaug Helland
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, OUS Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway.,Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
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259
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Tuo Z, Zong Y, Li J, Xiao G, Zhang F, Li G, Wang S, Lv Y, Xia J, Liu J. PD-L1 regulation by SDH5 via β-catenin/ZEB1 signaling. Oncoimmunology 2019; 8:1655361. [PMID: 31741753 PMCID: PMC6844322 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1655361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a crucial target for lung cancer immunotherapy. In lung cancer patients with high PD-L1 expression, blocking or reducing its expression can inhibit tumor growth. PD-L1 is regulated by signaling pathways, transcription factors and epigenetic factors, such as the GSK3β/β-catenin pathway, P53 protein and EMT. In our previous study, succinate dehydrogenase 5 (SDH5) was reported to regulate ZEB1 expression, induce EMT and lead to lung cancer metastasis via the GSK3β/β-catenin pathway. It is possible that SDH5 is involved in the mechanisms of PD-L1 regulation.In the present study, we observed a negative correlation between the expression of PD-L1 and SDH5 in vivo and in vitro. The examination of patient tissues also confirmed our results. Furthermore, we also found that SDH5 could reverse PD-L1 expression by the GSK3β/β-catenin/ZEB1 pathways. All these results reveal that SDH5 regulates PD-L1 expression and suggest that SDH5 can be used as a marker to predict tumor immune micro-states and provide guidance for clinical immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhan Tuo
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Zong
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Li
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Guangqin Xiao
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Furong Zhang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Guiling Li
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Sihua Wang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Lv
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiahong Xia
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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260
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Hsu SY, Yu HY, Lee WC, Hsiao CE, Wu CL, Cheng HT, Lin LJ, Li F, Chou YT, Cheng JW. A novel CXCL8 analog is effective in inhibiting the growth via cell cycle arrest and attenuating invasion of Lewis lung carcinoma. Onco Targets Ther 2019; 12:7611-7621. [PMID: 31571912 PMCID: PMC6754332 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s215824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Lung cancer and other solid tumors contain not only tumor cells but various types of stromal cells, such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells. In addition, tumors are infiltrated by inflammatory cells (neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes). Tumor cells, stromal cells, and the tumor-associated leukocytes are responsible for the production of chemokines inside the tumor and the maintenance of systemic circulating chemokine levels. CXCL8 and its receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2, were found to play important roles in tumor proliferation, migration, survival, and growth. We have developed a novel ELR-CXC chemokine antagonist CXCL8-IP10 based on the structure of CXCL8 and IP10. Patients and methods We assessed the anticancer efficacies of the blockade of CXCL8-CXCR1/2 axis in the Lewis lung carcinoma (LL/2) model using CXCL8-IP10. Results We found that CXCL8-IP10 markedly reduced LL/2 cell anchorage-independent growth and invasion. Moreover, we demonstrated that CXCL8-IP10 could significantly suppress tumor growth and improve survival rate as well as lifespan of C57BL/6 mice inoculated with LL/2 cells. Conclusion Our results suggest that ELR-CXC chemokine antagonism would potentially be a useful therapeutic approach in patients with lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Ya Hsu
- Department of Medical Science, Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Yuan Yu
- Division of Cancer Research, Rise Biopharmaceuticals Inc., Zhongguancun Shangdi Bio-medical Park, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei-Chen Lee
- Department of Medical Science, Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Chia-En Hsiao
- Department of Medical Science, Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Lung Wu
- Department of Medical Science, Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Hsi-Tsung Cheng
- Division of Cancer Research, Rise Biopharmaceuticals Inc., Zhongguancun Shangdi Bio-medical Park, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Jin Lin
- Division of Cancer Research, Rise Biopharmaceuticals Inc., Zhongguancun Shangdi Bio-medical Park, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Immunology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Ting Chou
- Department of Medical Science, Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Jya-Wei Cheng
- Department of Medical Science, Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
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261
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Bai X, Fisher DE, Flaherty KT. Cell-state dynamics and therapeutic resistance in melanoma from the perspective of MITF and IFNγ pathways. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2019; 16:549-562. [PMID: 30967646 PMCID: PMC7185899 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-019-0204-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Targeted therapy and immunotherapy have greatly improved the prognosis of patients with metastatic melanoma, but resistance to these therapeutic modalities limits the percentage of patients with long-lasting responses. Accumulating evidence indicates that a persisting subpopulation of melanoma cells contributes to resistance to targeted therapy or immunotherapy, even in patients who initially have a therapeutic response; however, the root mechanism of resistance remains elusive. To address this problem, we propose a new model, in which dynamic fluctuations of protein expression at the single-cell level and longitudinal reshaping of the cellular state at the cell-population level explain the whole process of therapeutic resistance development. Conceptually, we focused on two different pivotal signalling pathways (mediated by microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and IFNγ) to construct the evolving trajectories of melanoma and described each of the cell states. Accordingly, the development of therapeutic resistance could be divided into three main phases: early survival of cell populations, reversal of senescence, and the establishment of new homeostatic states and development of irreversible resistance. On the basis of existing data, we propose future directions in both translational research and the design of therapeutic strategies that incorporate this emerging understanding of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Bai
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- 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
| | - David E Fisher
- Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Keith T Flaherty
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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262
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Jimbo T, Hatanaka M, Komatsu T, Taira T, Kumazawa K, Maeda N, Suzuki T, Ota M, Haginoya N, Isoyama T, Fujiwara K. DS-1205b, a novel selective inhibitor of AXL kinase, blocks resistance to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors in a non-small cell lung cancer xenograft model. Oncotarget 2019; 10:5152-5167. [PMID: 31497246 PMCID: PMC6718264 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The AXL receptor tyrosine kinase is involved in signal transduction in malignant cells. Recent studies have shown that the AXL upregulation underlies epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we investigated the effect of DS-1205b, a novel and selective inhibitor of AXL, on tumor growth and resistance to EGFR TKIs. In AXL-overexpressing NIH3T3 cells, DS-1205b potently inhibited hGAS6 ligand-induced migration in vitro and exerted significant antitumor activity in vivo. AXL was upregulated by long-term erlotinib or osimertinib treatment in HCC827 EGFR-mutant NSCLC cells, and DS-1205b treatment in combination with osimertinib or erlotinib effectively inhibited signaling downstream of EGFR in a cell-based assay. In an HCC827 EGFR-mutant NSCLC xenograft mouse model, combination treatment with DS-1205b and erlotinib significantly delayed the onset of tumor resistance compared to erlotinib monotherapy, and DS-1205b restored the antitumor activity of erlotinib in erlotinib-resistant tumors. DS-1205b also delayed the onset of resistance when used in combination with osimertinib in the model. These findings strongly suggest that DS-1205b can prolong the therapeutic benefit of EGFR TKIs in nonclinical as well as clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Jimbo
- Oncology Function, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mana Hatanaka
- Oncology Function, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Tomoe Taira
- Oncology Function, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Kumazawa
- Quality & Safety Management Division, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoyuki Maeda
- Oncology Function, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Suzuki
- Biologics Division, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Ota
- Research Management Department, Daiichi Sankyo RD Novare Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - Kosaku Fujiwara
- Medical Affairs Division, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
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263
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Ruan H, Xiang Y, Ko J, Li S, Jing Y, Zhu X, Ye Y, Zhang Z, Mills T, Feng J, Liu CJ, Jing J, Cao J, Zhou B, Wang L, Zhou Y, Lin C, Guo AY, Chen X, Diao L, Li W, Chen Z, He X, Mills GB, Blackburn MR, Han L. Comprehensive characterization of circular RNAs in ~ 1000 human cancer cell lines. Genome Med 2019; 11:55. [PMID: 31446897 PMCID: PMC6709551 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-019-0663-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human cancer cell lines are fundamental models for cancer research and therapeutic strategy development. However, there is no characterization of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in a large number of cancer cell lines. METHODS Here, we apply four circRNA identification algorithms to heuristically characterize the expression landscape of circRNAs across ~ 1000 human cancer cell lines from CCLE polyA-enriched RNA-seq data. By using integrative analysis and experimental approaches, we explore the expression landscape, biogenesis, functional consequences, and drug response of circRNAs across different cancer lineages. RESULTS We revealed highly lineage-specific expression patterns of circRNAs, suggesting that circRNAs may be powerful diagnostic and/or prognostic markers in cancer treatment. We also identified key genes involved in circRNA biogenesis and confirmed that TGF-β signaling may promote biogenesis of circRNAs. Strikingly, we showed that clinically actionable genes are more likely to generate circRNAs, potentially due to the enrichment of RNA-binding protein (RBP) binding sites. Among these, circMYC can promote cell proliferation. We observed strong association between the expression of circRNAs and the response to drugs, especially those targeting chromatin histone acetylation. Finally, we developed a user-friendly data portal, CircRNAs in cancer cell lines (CircRiC, https://hanlab.uth.edu/cRic ), to benefit the biomedical research community. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides the characterization of circRNAs in cancer cell lines and explored the potential mechanism of circRNA biogenesis as well as its therapeutic implications. We also provide a data portal to facilitate the related biomedical researches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Ruan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yu Xiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Junsuk Ko
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Shengli Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ying Jing
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Youqiong Ye
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Zhao Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Tingting Mills
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jing Feng
- School of Computer Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun-Jie Liu
- Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Ji Jing
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jin Cao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Bingying Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, People's Republic of China
| | - Yubin Zhou
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Chunru Lin
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - An-Yuan Guo
- Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Lixia Diao
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Wenbo Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Zhiao Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 270 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianghuo He
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 270 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Gordon B Mills
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Michael R Blackburn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Leng Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Advances in Molecular Mechanisms and Immunotherapy Involving the Immune Cell-Promoted Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Lung Cancer. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2019; 2019:7475364. [PMID: 31531020 PMCID: PMC6721259 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7475364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has offered a new opportunity for the treatment of many malignancies. In patients with lung cancer, immune checkpoint inhibitors have significantly improved survival. However, little is known about predictive factors or primary and acquired resistance mechanisms. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex of phenotypic changes involved in carcinogenesis and resistance to cancer treatments. Specifically, immune cells in the tumor microenvironment can promote EMT, and mesenchymal phenotype acquisition negatively regulates the anticancer immune response. EMT is associated with higher expression of PD-L1 and other immune checkpoints. In this review, we focused on the role of EMT in the interplay between tumor cells and the immune system, with particular emphasis on lung cancer. On the basis of our findings, we hypothesize that the effects of EMT on immune cells could be overcome in this disease by a new combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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265
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Meitzler JL, Konaté MM, Doroshow JH. Hydrogen peroxide-producing NADPH oxidases and the promotion of migratory phenotypes in cancer. Arch Biochem Biophys 2019; 675:108076. [PMID: 31415727 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2019.108076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The cellular microenvironment plays a critical role in cancer initiation and progression. Exposure to oxidative stress, specifically hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), has been linked to aberrant cellular signaling through which the development of cancer may be promoted. Three members of the NADPH oxidase family (NOX4, DUOX1 and DUOX2) explicitly generate this non-radical oxidant in a wide range of tissues, often in support of the inflammatory response. This review summarizes the contributions of each H2O2-producing NOX to the invasive behaviors of tumors and/or the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer that plays an essential role in metastasis. Tissue localization in tumorigenesis is also highlighted, with patient-derived TCGA microarray data profiled across 31 cancer cohorts to provide a comprehensive guide to the relevance of NOX4/DUOX1/DUOX2 in cancer studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Meitzler
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Mariam M Konaté
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - James H Doroshow
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA; Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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266
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ARID1A and PI3-kinase pathway mutations in the endometrium drive epithelial transdifferentiation and collective invasion. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3554. [PMID: 31391455 PMCID: PMC6686004 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11403-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
ARID1A and PI3-Kinase (PI3K) pathway alterations are common in neoplasms originating from the uterine endometrium. Here we show that monoallelic loss of ARID1A in the mouse endometrial epithelium is sufficient for vaginal bleeding when combined with PI3K activation. Sorted mutant epithelial cells display gene expression and promoter chromatin signatures associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We further show that ARID1A is bound to promoters with open chromatin, but ARID1A loss leads to increased promoter chromatin accessibility and the expression of EMT genes. PI3K activation partially rescues the mesenchymal phenotypes driven by ARID1A loss through antagonism of ARID1A target gene expression, resulting in partial EMT and invasion. We propose that ARID1A normally maintains endometrial epithelial cell identity by repressing mesenchymal cell fates, and that coexistent ARID1A and PI3K mutations promote epithelial transdifferentiation and collective invasion. Broadly, our findings support a role for collective epithelial invasion in the spread of abnormal endometrial tissue. PIK3CA mutations and ARID1A loss co-exist in endometrial neoplasms. Here, the authors show that these co-mutations drive gene expression profiles correlated with differential chromatin accessibility and ARID1A binding in the endometrial epithelium, resulting in partial EMT and myometrial invasion.
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267
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Li W, Han J, Yuan K, Wu H. Integrated tumor stromal features of hepatocellular carcinoma reveals two distinct subtypes with prognostic/predictive significance. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 11:4478-4509. [PMID: 31299011 PMCID: PMC6660041 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Current clinical classification of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unable to predict prognosis efficiently. Our aim is to classify HCC into clinically/biologically relevant subtypes according to stromal factors. We detected seven types of stromal features in tumors from 161 HCC patients by immunohistochemical staining and Hematoxylin-eosin staining. Five stromal features were selected out of seven types of stromal features to construct stromal type based on LASSO COX regression model. Then, integrating multiple clinicopathologic characteristics and stromal type, we built two nomograms for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Further validation of the stromal type and nomograms were performed in the testing cohort (n = 160) and validation cohort (n = 120). Using the LASSO model, we classified HCC patients into stromal type A subgroup (CD34lowTIL-stromal-ratiohighStromal-tumor-ratiolowα-SMAweakStromamature) and stromal type B subgroup (CD34highTIL-stromal-ratiolowStromal-tumor-ratiohighα-SMAstrongStromaimmature). The stromal type was an independent prognostic factor for OS and DFS in the training, testing and validation cohorts. Two nomograms (for OS and DFS) that integrated the stromal type and clinicopathologic risk factors also showed good predictive accuracy and discriminatory power. In addition, immune cell recruitment in the tumor microenvironment (TME) was conditioned by the tumor stromal type. In conclusion, the newly developed tumor stromal type was an effective predictor of OS and DFS. Furthermore, the stromal type is associated with the immune phenotype in the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jun Han
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Hospital for Women and Children, Chengdu 610045, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Kefei Yuan
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Hong Wu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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268
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Liang W, Liu J, Wu H, Qiao X, Lu X, Liu Y, Zhu H, Ma L. Artemisinin induced reversal of EMT affects the molecular biological activity of ovarian cancer SKOV3 cell lines. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:3407-3414. [PMID: 31452821 PMCID: PMC6676620 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that celecoxib and artemisinin could mediate ovarian cancer development and metastasis. The present study investigated the effects of celecoxib and artemisinin on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) characteristics of the human ovarian epithelial adenocarcinoma cell line, SKOV3. SKOV3 cells were incubated with celecoxib (10 µM) for different periods of time to establish an EMT cell model. Subsequently, artemisinin (20, 40 and 80 µM) was used to establish a cell model of the reverse process, mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). Cell proliferation, metastasis, invasiveness and the expression of vimentin and E-cadherin were measured using Cell Counting Kit-8, wound healing assay, western blotting, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. The EMT cell model exhibited enhanced proliferative capacity, increased migration, increased vimentin expression and decreased E-cadherin expression. By contrast, artemisinin decreased proliferative capacity, decreased migration, decreased vimentin expression and increased E-cadherin expression of EMT model cells, indicating that MET was induced. These results demonstrated that artemisinin may reverse celecoxib-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in SKOV3 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weichen Liang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233030, P.R. China
| | - Jian Liu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233030, P.R. China
| | - Huazhang Wu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Tissue Transplantation, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233030, P.R. China
| | - Xuxu Qiao
- Graduate Department, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233030, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Lu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233030, P.R. China
| | - Yonghong Liu
- Graduate Department, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233030, P.R. China
| | - Hong Zhu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233030, P.R. China
| | - Ling Ma
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233030, P.R. China
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269
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Leskela S, Pérez-Mies B, Rosa-Rosa JM, Cristobal E, Biscuola M, Palacios-Berraquero ML, Ong S, Matias-Guiu Guia X, Palacios J. Molecular Basis of Tumor Heterogeneity in Endometrial Carcinosarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11070964. [PMID: 31324031 PMCID: PMC6678708 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11070964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial carcinosarcoma (ECS) represents one of the most extreme examples of tumor heterogeneity among human cancers. ECS is a clinically aggressive, high-grade, metaplastic carcinoma. At the morphological level, intratumor heterogeneity in ECS is due to an admixture of epithelial (carcinoma) and mesenchymal (sarcoma) components that can include heterologous tissues, such as skeletal muscle, cartilage, or bone. Most ECSs belong to the copy-number high serous-like molecular subtype of endometrial carcinoma, characterized by the TP53 mutation and the frequently accompanied by a large number of gene copy-number alterations, including the amplification of important oncogenes, such as CCNE1 and c-MYC. However, a proportion of cases (20%) probably represent the progression of tumors initially belonging to the copy-number low endometrioid-like molecular subtype (characterized by mutations in genes such as PTEN, PI3KCA, or ARID1A), after the acquisition of the TP53 mutations. Only a few ECS belong to the microsatellite-unstable hypermutated molecular type and the POLE-mutated, ultramutated molecular type. A common characteristic of all ECSs is the modulation of genes involved in the epithelial to mesenchymal process. Thus, the acquisition of a mesenchymal phenotype is associated with a switch from E- to N-cadherin, the up-regulation of transcriptional repressors of E-cadherin, such as Snail Family Transcriptional Repressor 1 and 2 (SNAI1 and SNAI2), Zinc Finger E-Box Binding Homeobox 1 and 2 (ZEB1 and ZEB2), and the down-regulation, among others, of members of the miR-200 family involved in the maintenance of an epithelial phenotype. Subsequent differentiation to different types of mesenchymal tissues increases tumor heterogeneity and probably modulates clinical behavior and therapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Leskela
- Department of Pathology, Institute Ramón y Cajal for Health Research, 28034 Madrid, Spain.
- CIBER-ONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Belen Pérez-Mies
- CIBER-ONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Manuel Rosa-Rosa
- Department of Pathology, Institute Ramón y Cajal for Health Research, 28034 Madrid, Spain
- CIBER-ONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Cristobal
- Department of Pathology, Institute Ramón y Cajal for Health Research, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Michele Biscuola
- CIBER-ONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), 41013 Seville, Spain
- Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | | | - SuFey Ong
- NanoString Technologies, Inc, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Xavier Matias-Guiu Guia
- CIBER-ONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Hospital U Arnau de Vilanova, 25198 Lleida, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Hospital U de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- IRBLLEIDA, IDIBELL, University of Lleida, 25003 Lleida, Spain
| | - José Palacios
- Department of Pathology, Institute Ramón y Cajal for Health Research, 28034 Madrid, Spain.
- CIBER-ONC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Alcalá de Henares, Alcalá de Henares, 28801 Madrid, Spain.
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270
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Cortesi M, Pasini A, Furini S, Giordano E. Identification via Numerical Computation of Transcriptional Determinants of a Cell Phenotype Decision Making. Front Genet 2019; 10:575. [PMID: 31293614 PMCID: PMC6598594 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Complex cellular processes, such as phenotype decision making, are exceedingly difficult to analyze experimentally, due to the multiple-layer regulation of gene expression and the intercellular variability referred to as biological noise. Moreover, the heterogeneous experimental approaches used to investigate distinct macromolecular species, and their intrinsic differential time-scale dynamics, add further intricacy to the general picture of the physiological phenomenon. In this respect, a computational representation of the cellular functions of interest can be used to extract relevant information, being able to highlight meaningful active markers within the plethora of actors forming an active molecular network. The multiscale power of such an approach can also provide meaningful descriptions for both population and single-cell level events. To validate this paradigm a Boolean and a Markov model were combined to identify, in an objective and user-independent manner, a signature of genes recapitulating epithelial to mesenchymal transition in-vitro. The predictions of the model are in agreement with experimental data and revealed how the expression of specific molecular markers is related to distinct cell behaviors. The presented method strengthens the evidence of a role for computational representation of active molecular networks to gain insight into cellular physiology and as a general approach for integrating in-silico/in-vitro study of complex cell population dynamics to identify their most relevant drivers.
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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, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alice Pasini
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Engineering "S. Cavalcanti", Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering "G. Marconi" (DEI), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simone Furini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, 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, Bologna, 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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Lequeux A, Noman MZ, Xiao M, Sauvage D, Van Moer K, Viry E, Bocci I, Hasmim M, Bosseler M, Berchem G, Janji B. Impact of hypoxic tumor microenvironment and tumor cell plasticity on the expression of immune checkpoints. Cancer Lett 2019; 458:13-20. [PMID: 31136782 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Compared to traditional therapies, such as surgery, radio-chemotherapy, or targeted approaches, immunotherapies based on immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) have revolutionized the treatment of cancer. Although ICBs have yielded long-lasting results and have improved patient survival, this success has been seriously challenged by clinical observations showing that only a small fraction of patients benefit from this revolutionary therapy and no benefit has been found in patients with highly aggressive tumors. Efforts are currently ongoing to identify factors that predict the response to ICB. Among the different predictive markers established so far, the expression levels of immune checkpoint genes have proven to be important biomarkers for informing treatment choices. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms involved in the regulation of immune checkpoints is a key element that will facilitate novel combination approaches and optimize patient outcome. In this review, we discuss the impact of hypoxia and tumor cell plasticity on immune checkpoint gene expression and provide insight into the therapeutic value of the EMT signature and the rationale for novel combination approaches to improve ICB therapy and maximize the benefits for patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Lequeux
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Tumor Microenvironment Group, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Muhammad Zaeem Noman
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Tumor Microenvironment Group, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Malina Xiao
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Tumor Microenvironment Group, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Delphine Sauvage
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Tumor Microenvironment Group, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Kris Van Moer
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Tumor Microenvironment Group, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Elodie Viry
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Tumor Microenvironment Group, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Irene Bocci
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Tumor Microenvironment Group, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Meriem Hasmim
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Tumor Microenvironment Group, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Manon Bosseler
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Tumor Microenvironment Group, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Guy Berchem
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Tumor Microenvironment Group, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg; Centre Hospitalier du Luxembourg, Department of Hemato-Oncology, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Bassam Janji
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Tumor Microenvironment Group, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.
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272
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Targeting the Interplay between Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal-Transition and the Immune System for Effective Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11050714. [PMID: 31137625 PMCID: PMC6562947 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11050714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, both early diagnosis and targeted therapy have improved the survival rates of many cancer patients. Most recently, immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment options for cancers such as melanoma. Unfortunately, a significant portion of cancers (including lung and breast cancers) do not respond to immunotherapy, and many of them develop resistance to chemotherapy. Molecular characterization of non-responsive cancers suggest that an embryonic program known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is mostly latent in adults, can be activated under selective pressures, rendering these cancers resistant to chemo- and immunotherapies. EMT can also drive tumor metastases, which in turn also suppress the cancer-fighting activity of cytotoxic T cells that traffic into the tumor, causing immunotherapy to fail. In this review, we compare and contrast immunotherapy treatment options of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). We discuss why, despite breakthrough progress in immunotherapy, attaining predictable outcomes in the clinic is mostly an unsolved problem for these tumors. Although these two cancer types appear different based upon their tissues of origin and molecular classification, gene expression indicate that they possess many similarities. Patient tumors exhibit activation of EMT, and resulting stem cell properties in both these cancer types associate with metastasis and resistance to existing cancer therapies. In addition, the EMT transition in both these cancers plays a crucial role in immunosuppression, which exacerbates treatment resistance. To improve cancer-related survival we need to understand and circumvent, the mechanisms through which these tumors become therapy resistant. In this review, we discuss new information and complementary perspectives to inform combination treatment strategies to expand and improve the anti-tumor responses of currently available clinical immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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273
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Pan-cancer analysis connects tumor matrisome to immune response. NPJ Precis Oncol 2019; 3:15. [PMID: 31123708 PMCID: PMC6531473 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-019-0087-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent sequencing efforts unveil genomic landscapes of tumor microenvironment. A key compartment in this niche is the extracellular matrix (ECM) and its related components - matrisome. Yet, little is known about the extent to which matrisome pattern is conserved in progressive tumors across diverse cancer types. Using integrative genomic approaches, we conducted multi-platform assessment of a measure of deregulated matrisome associated with tumor progression, termed as tumor matrisome index (TMI), in over 30,000 patient-derived samples. Combined quantitative analyses of genomics and proteomics reveal that TMI is closely associated with mutational load, tumor pathology, and predicts survival across different malignancies. Interestingly, we observed an enrichment of specific tumor-infiltrating immune cell populations, along with signatures predictive of resistance to immune checkpoint blockade immunotherapy, and clinically targetable immune checkpoints in TMIhigh tumors. B7-H3 emerged as a particularly promising target for anti-tumor immunity in these tumors. Here, we show that matrisomal abnormalities could represent a potential clinically useful biomarker for prognostication and prediction of immunotherapy response.
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274
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Jia D, Li X, Bocci F, Tripathi S, Deng Y, Jolly MK, Onuchic JN, Levine H. Quantifying Cancer Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity and its Association with Stemness and Immune Response. J Clin Med 2019; 8:E725. [PMID: 31121840 PMCID: PMC6572429 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8050725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells can acquire a spectrum of stable hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) states during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Cells in these hybrid E/M phenotypes often combine epithelial and mesenchymal features and tend to migrate collectively commonly as small clusters. Such collectively migrating cancer cells play a pivotal role in seeding metastases and their presence in cancer patients indicates an adverse prognostic factor. Moreover, cancer cells in hybrid E/M phenotypes tend to be more associated with stemness which endows them with tumor-initiation ability and therapy resistance. Most recently, cells undergoing EMT have been shown to promote immune suppression for better survival. A systematic understanding of the emergence of hybrid E/M phenotypes and the connection of EMT with stemness and immune suppression would contribute to more effective therapeutic strategies. In this review, we first discuss recent efforts combining theoretical and experimental approaches to elucidate mechanisms underlying EMT multi-stability (i.e., the existence of multiple stable phenotypes during EMT) and the properties of hybrid E/M phenotypes. Following we discuss non-cell-autonomous regulation of EMT by cell cooperation and extracellular matrix. Afterwards, we discuss various metrics that can be used to quantify EMT spectrum. We further describe possible mechanisms underlying the formation of clusters of circulating tumor cells. Last but not least, we summarize recent systems biology analysis of the role of EMT in the acquisition of stemness and immune suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongya Jia
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | - Xuefei Li
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | - Federico Bocci
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | - Shubham Tripathi
- PhD Program in Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | - Youyuan Deng
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
- Applied Physics Graduate Program, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
| | - José N Onuchic
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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275
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The Vicious Cross-Talk between Tumor Cells with an EMT Phenotype and Cells of the Immune System. Cells 2019; 8:cells8050460. [PMID: 31096701 PMCID: PMC6562673 DOI: 10.3390/cells8050460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Carcinoma cells that undergo an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and display a predominantly mesenchymal phenotype (hereafter EMT tumor cells) are associated with immune exclusion and immune deviation in the tumor microenvironment (TME). A large body of evidence has shown that EMT tumor cells and immune cells can reciprocally influence each other, with EMT cells promoting immune exclusion and deviation and immune cells promoting, under certain circumstances, the induction of EMT in tumor cells. This cross-talk between EMT tumor cells and immune cells can occur both between EMT tumor cells and cells of either the native or adaptive immune system. In this article, we review this evidence and the functional consequences of it. We also discuss some recent evidence showing that tumor cells and cells of the immune system respond to similar stimuli, activate the expression of partially overlapping gene sets, and acquire, at least in part, identical functionalities such as migration and invasion. The possible significance of these symmetrical changes in the cross-talk between EMT tumor cells and immune cells is addressed. Eventually, we also discuss possible therapeutic opportunities that may derive from disrupting this cross-talk.
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276
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Contribution of Epithelial Plasticity to Therapy Resistance. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8050676. [PMID: 31091749 PMCID: PMC6571660 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8050676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapy resistance is responsible for tumour recurrence and represents one of the major challenges in present oncology. Significant advances have been made in the understanding of the mechanisms underlying resistance to conventional and targeted therapies improving the clinical management of relapsed patients. Unfortunately, in too many cases, resistance reappears leading to a fatal outcome. The recent introduction of immunotherapy regimes has provided an unprecedented success in the treatment of specific cancer types; however, a good percentage of patients do not respond to immune-based treatments or ultimately become resistant. Cellular plasticity, cancer cell stemness and tumour heterogeneity have emerged as important determinants of treatment resistance. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with resistance in many different cellular and preclinical models, although little evidence derives directly from clinical samples. The recognition of the presence in tumours of intermediate hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal states as the most likely manifestation of epithelial plasticity and their potential link to stemness and tumour heterogeneity, provide new clues to understanding resistance and could be exploited in the search for anti-resistance strategies. Here, recent evidence linking EMT/epithelial plasticity to resistance against conventional, targeted and immune therapy are summarized. In addition, future perspectives for related clinical approaches are also discussed.
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277
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Zhang J, Qian L, Wu J, Lu D, Yuan H, Li W, Ying X, Hu S. Up-regulation of FAM64A promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and enhances stemness features in breast cancer cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 513:472-478. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.03.207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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278
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Kerr KM, Thunnissen E, Dafni U, Finn SP, Bubendorf L, Soltermann A, Verbeken E, Biernat W, Warth A, Marchetti A, Speel EJM, Pokharel S, Quinn AM, Monkhorst K, Navarro A, Madsen LB, Radonic T, Wilson J, De Luca G, Gray SG, Cheney R, Savic S, Martorell M, Muley T, Baas P, Meldgaard P, Blackhall F, Dingemans AM, Dziadziuszko R, Vansteenkiste J, Weder W, Polydoropoulou V, Geiger T, Kammler R, Peters S, Stahel R. A retrospective cohort study of PD-L1 prevalence, molecular associations and clinical outcomes in patients with NSCLC: Results from the European Thoracic Oncology Platform (ETOP) Lungscape Project. Lung Cancer 2019; 131:95-103. [PMID: 31027705 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2019.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The PD-L1 biomarker is an important factor in selecting patients with non-small cell lung cancer for immunotherapy. While several reports suggest that PD-L1 positivity is linked to a poor prognosis, others suggest that PD-L1 positive status portends a good prognosis. METHODS PD-L1 positivity prevalence, assessed via immunohistochemistry (IHC) on tissue microarrays (TMAs), and its association with clinicopathological characteristics, molecular profiles and patient outcome- Relapse-free Survival (RFS), Time-to-Relapse (TTR) and Overall Survival (OS)- is explored in the ETOP Lungscape cohort of stage I-III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tumors are considered positive if they have ≥1/5/25/50% neoplastic cell membrane staining. RESULTS PD-L1 expression was assessed in 2182 NSCLC cases (2008 evaluable, median follow-up 4.8 years, 54.6% still alive), from 15 ETOP centers. Adenocarcinomas represent 50.9% of the cohort (squamous cell: 42.4%). Former smokers are 53.7% (current: 31.6%, never: 10.5%). PD-L1 positivity prevalence is present in more than one third of the Lungscape cohort (1%/5% cut-offs). It doesn't differ between adenocarcinomas and squamous cell histologies, but is more frequently detected in higher stages, never smokers, larger tumors (1/5/25% cut-offs). With ≥1% cut-off it is significantly associated with IHC MET overexpression, expression of PTEN, EGFR and KRAS mutation (only for adenocarcinoma). Results for 5%, 25% and 50% cut-offs were similar, with MET being significantly associated with PD-L1 positivity both for AC (p < 0.001, 5%/25%/50% cut-offs) and SCC (p < 0.001, 5% & 50% cut-offs and p = 0.0017 for 25%). When adjusting for clinicopathological characteristics, a significant prognostic effect was identified in adenocarcinomas (adjusted p-values: 0.024/0.064/0.063 for RFS/TTR/OS 1% cut-off, analogous for 5%/25%, but not for 50%). Similar results obtained for the model including all histologies, but no effect was found for the squamous cell carcinomas. CONCLUSION PD-L1 positivity, when adjusted for clinicopathological characteristics, is associated with a better prognosis for non-metastatic adenocarcinoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith M Kerr
- Department of Pathology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
| | - Erik Thunnissen
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Urania Dafni
- Froniter Science Foundation-Hellas & University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stephen P Finn
- Department of Histopathology, St James's Hospital and Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Lukas Bubendorf
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alex Soltermann
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eric Verbeken
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wojciech Biernat
- Department of Pathomorphology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Arne Warth
- Department of Pathology, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Antonio Marchetti
- Center of Predicitve Predictive Molecular Medicine, CeSI, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Ernst-Jan M Speel
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Sarawati Pokharel
- Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Anne Marie Quinn
- Wythenshawe Hospital, Department of Histopathology, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Kim Monkhorst
- Division of Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Atilio Navarro
- Department of Pathology, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Line Bille Madsen
- Department of Pathology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Teodora Radonic
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Joan Wilson
- Department of Pathology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Graziano De Luca
- Center of Predicitve Predictive Molecular Medicine, CeSI, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Steven G Gray
- Department of Clinical Medicine, St James's Hospital and Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Richard Cheney
- Department of Pathology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Spasenija Savic
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Miguel Martorell
- Department of Pathology, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Thomas Muley
- Translational Research Unit, Thoraxklinik, University Hospital of Heidelberg, and Translational Lung Research Center (TLRC) Heidelberg, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Paul Baas
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Peter Meldgaard
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Fiona Blackhall
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Anne-Marie Dingemans
- Department of Pulmonology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Rafal Dziadziuszko
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Johan Vansteenkiste
- Department of Respiratory Oncology, University Hospital KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Walter Weder
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Thomas Geiger
- Translational Research Coordination, ETOP Coordinating Office, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roswitha Kammler
- Translational Research Coordination, ETOP Coordinating Office, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Solange Peters
- Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Rolf Stahel
- Clinic of Oncology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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279
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Feng Y, Jiang Y, Wen T, Meng F, Shu X. Identifying Potential Prognostic Markers for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma by Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis. Pathol Oncol Res 2019; 26:1063-1072. [PMID: 31011911 DOI: 10.1007/s12253-019-00657-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Muscle-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma (MIBC) is characterized as a genetic heterogeneous cancer with a high percentage of recurrence and worse prognosis. Identify the prognostic potentials of novel genes for muscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer could at least provide important information for early detection and clinical treatment. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) algorithm, a powerful systems biology approach, was utilized to extract co-expressed gene networks from mRNA expression dataset to construct transcriptional modules in MIBC samples, which was associated with demographic and clinical traits of MIBC patients. The potential prognostic markers of MIBC were screened out in the discovery dataset and verified in an independent external validation dataset. A total of 8 co-expression modules were detected through the WGCNA algorithm in the discovery datasets based on 401 MIBC samples. One transcriptional module enriched in cell development was observed to be correlated with the MIBC prognosis in the discovery datasets (HR = 1.48, 95%CI = 1.04-2.11) and independently verified in an external dataset (HR = 3.59, 95%CI = 1.09-11.79). High expression of hub genes including discoidin domain receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (DDR2), PDZ and LIM domain 3 (PDLIM3), zinc finger protein 521 (ZNF521), methionine sulfoxide reductase B3 (MSRB3) were significantly associated with the unfavorable survival of MIBC patients. We identified and validated four novel potential biomarkers associated with prognosis of MIBC patients by constructing genes co-expression networks. The discovery of these genetic markers may provide a new target for the development of MIBC chemotherapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueyi Feng
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yiqing Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Harrison International Peace Hospital, Hengshui, 053000, China
| | - Tao Wen
- Medical Research Centre, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Fang Meng
- Centre of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China.
- Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, 215123, China.
| | - Xiaochen Shu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.
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280
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Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent tissue stem cells that differentiate into a number of mesodermal tissue types, including osteoblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes and myofibroblasts. MSCs were originally identified in the bone marrow (BM) of humans and other mammals, but recent studies have shown that they are multilineage progenitors in various adult organs and tissues. MSCs that localize at perivascular sites function to rapidly respond to external stimuli and coordinate with the vascular and immune systems to accomplish the wound healing process. Cancer, considered as wounds that never heal, is also accompanied by changes in MSCs that parallels the wound healing response. MSCs are now recognized as key players at distinct steps of tumorigenesis. In this review, we provide an overview of the function of MSCs in wound healing and cancer progression with the goal of providing insight into the development of novel MSC-manipulating strategies for clinical cancer treatment.
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281
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Monette A, Morou A, Al-Banna NA, Rousseau L, Lattouf JB, Rahmati S, Tokar T, Routy JP, Cailhier JF, Kaufmann DE, Jurisica I, Lapointe R. Failed immune responses across multiple pathologies share pan-tumor and circulating lymphocytic targets. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:2463-2479. [PMID: 30912767 DOI: 10.1172/jci125301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes are widely associated with positive outcomes, yet carry key indicators of a systemic failed immune response against unresolved cancer. Cancer immunotherapies can reverse their tolerance phenotypes, while preserving tumor-reactivity and neoantigen-specificity shared with circulating immune cells. Objectives We performed comprehensive transcriptomic analyses to identify gene signatures common to circulating and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in the context of clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Modulated genes also associated with disease outcome were validated in other cancer types. Findings Using bioinformatics, we identified practical diagnostic markers and actionable targets of the failed immune response. On circulating lymphocytes, three genes, LEF1, FASLG, and MMP9, could efficiently stratify patients from healthy control donors. From their associations with resistance to cancer immunotherapies and microbial infections, we uncovered not only pan-cancer, but pan-pathology failed immune response profiles. A prominent lymphocytic matrix metallopeptidase cell migration pathway, is central to a panoply of diseases and tumor immunogenicity, correlates with multi-cancer recurrence, and identifies a feasible, non-invasive approach to pan-pathology diagnoses. Conclusions The non-invasive differently expressed genes we have identified warrant future investigation towards the development of their potential in precision diagnostics and precision pan-disease immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Monette
- University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Montreal Cancer Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Antigoni Morou
- University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nadia A Al-Banna
- University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Montreal Cancer Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health Cluster, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Louise Rousseau
- University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jean-Baptiste Lattouf
- University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Montreal Cancer Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sara Rahmati
- Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tomas Tokar
- Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Routy
- Chronic Viral Illnesses Service and Division of Hematology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jean-François Cailhier
- University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Montreal Cancer Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Daniel E Kaufmann
- University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Igor Jurisica
- Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics and.,Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovak Republic
| | - Réjean Lapointe
- University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Montreal Cancer Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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282
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Gaudreau PO, Clairefond S, Class CA, Boulay PL, Chrobak P, Allard B, Azzi F, Pommey S, Do KA, Saad F, Trudel D, Young M, Stagg J. WISP1 is associated to advanced disease, EMT and an inflamed tumor microenvironment in multiple solid tumors. Oncoimmunology 2019; 8:e1581545. [PMID: 31069142 PMCID: PMC6492985 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1581545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: WNT1-Inducible Signaling Pathway Protein 1 (WISP1) is implicated in prostate cancer growth and metastasis and the regulation of inflammation in diverse benign diseases. The objectives of this study were to assess the prognostic value of WISP1, its association to inflammation and its relevance as a biomarker for immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) response. Methods: Publicly available RNA-seq datasets were used to evaluate the prognostic value of WISP1 gene expression and its association with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, inflamed tumor microenvironment, and anti-PD-1 ICB response. A tissue microarray (TMA) including 285 radical prostatectomy specimens was used to confirm these associations in prostate cancer. The effect of recombinant WISP1 (rWISP1) on inflammatory cytokines was assessed in vitro. Results: High levels of WISP1 correlated with BCR-free survival in prostate adenocarcinoma and overall survival in primary melanoma, low-grade glioma, and kidney papillary cell carcinoma. Some effects could be accounted for by higher WISP1 expression in advanced disease. High WISP1 expression in prostate adenocarcinoma was correlated with CD8+ cells density. In vitro, rWISP1 increased inflammatory cytokine production. High WISP1 gene expression in RNA-seq datasets was correlated with gene signatures of multiple immune cell types as well as an inflammatory cytokine, immune checkpoint, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) gene expression. WISP1 mRNA expression was associated with primary resistance to ICB in datasets showing EMT. Conclusions: Our results support an association between WISP1 expression and advanced disease, EMT and an inflamed tumor microenvironment in multiple solid tumors. The consequences of WISP1 expression on cancer immunotherapy remains to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Olivier Gaudreau
- Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sylvie Clairefond
- Axe Cancer, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Caleb A Class
- T. Boone Pickens Academic Tower, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Pierre-Luc Boulay
- Département de pharmacologie et de physiologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Pavel Chrobak
- Axe Cancer, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Bertrand Allard
- Axe Cancer, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Feryel Azzi
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montréal (CRCHUM)/Institut du Cancer de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sandra Pommey
- Axe Cancer, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Kim-Anh Do
- T. Boone Pickens Academic Tower, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Fred Saad
- Département d'Urologie du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montréal (CHUM) et Institut du Cancer de Montréal / CRCHUM, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Dominique Trudel
- Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (Département de pathologie), Département de pathologie et axe cancer, Université de Montréal (Département de pathologie et de biologie cellulaire) et Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marian Young
- NIDCR, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - John Stagg
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal et Institut du Cancer de Montréal / CRCHUM, Axe Cancer, Montreal, QC, Canada
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283
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Zheng A, Li F, Chen F, Zuo J, Wang L, Wang Y, Chen S, Xiao B, Tao Z. PD‑L1 promotes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell growth through mTOR signaling. Oncol Rep 2019; 41:2833-2843. [PMID: 30864729 PMCID: PMC6448093 DOI: 10.3892/or.2019.7053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), an immune co-stimulatory molecule, is expressed on various cancer cells and the surface of immune cells. Its overexpression on tumor cells suppresses the immune response to promote tumor cell immune escape. The present study demonstrated that PD-L1 was critical in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) carcinogenesis. Immunohistochemical analysis of HNSCC tissue microarrays revealed that PD-L1 was overexpressed in tumor tissue, and its expression increased as tumor malignancy progressed (from grade I to IV). Subsequently, the expression of PD-L1 was knocked down or overexpressed in the HNSCC cell lines Cal-27 and Fadu. It was demonstrated that PD-L1 significantly induced HNSCC cell proliferation and colony forming ability. Cell proliferation was also promoted in Cal-27 cell xenograft BALB/c nude mice. In addition, it was determined by western blotting that the PD-L1-mediated increase in HNSCC cell proliferation may have been associated with the activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Furthermore, mTOR inhibitor (rapamycin) prevented the increase in proliferation. Based on these results, it was concluded that PD-L1 promoted cell proliferation of HNSCC cells through mTOR signaling, and blocking PD-L1 may be conducive in HNSCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anyuan Zheng
- Department of Otolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Fen Li
- Research Institute of Otolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Fuhai Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Jingjing Zuo
- Department of Otolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Yongping Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Shiming Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Bokui Xiao
- Research Institute of Otolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Zezhang Tao
- Department of Otolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
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284
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Integrated Approaches for the Use of Large Datasets to Identify Rational Therapies for the Treatment of Lung Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11020239. [PMID: 30791396 PMCID: PMC6406670 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11020239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The benefit and burden of contemporary techniques for the molecular characterization of samples is the vast amount of data generated. In the era of “big data”, it has become imperative that we develop multi-disciplinary teams combining scientists, clinicians, and data analysts. In this review, we discuss a number of approaches developed by our University of Texas MD Anderson Lung Cancer Multidisciplinary Program to process and utilize such large datasets with the goal of identifying rational therapeutic options for biomarker-driven patient subsets. Large integrated datasets such as the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) for patient samples and the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) for tumor derived cell lines include genomic, transcriptomic, methylation, miRNA, and proteomic profiling alongside clinical data. To best use these datasets to address urgent questions such as whether we can define molecular subtypes of disease with specific therapeutic vulnerabilities, to quantify states such as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition that are associated with resistance to treatment, or to identify potential therapeutic agents in models of cancer that are resistant to standard treatments required the development of tools for systematic, unbiased high-throughput analysis. Together, such tools, used in a multi-disciplinary environment, can be leveraged to identify novel treatments for molecularly defined subsets of cancer patients, which can be easily and rapidly translated from benchtop to bedside.
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285
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Smith WM, Purvis IJ, Bomstad CN, Labak CM, Velpula KK, Tsung AJ, Regan JN, Venkataraman S, Vibhakar R, Asuthkar S. Therapeutic targeting of immune checkpoints with small molecule inhibitors. Am J Transl Res 2019; 11:529-541. [PMID: 30899360 PMCID: PMC6413273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoints are known to contribute to tumor progression by enhancing cancer's ability to evade the immune system and metastasize. Immunotherapies, including monoclonal antibodies, have been developed to target specific immunosuppressive molecules on the membranes of cancer cells and have proven revolutionary in the field of oncology. Recently, small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) have gained increased attention in cancer research with potential applications in immunotherapy. SMIs have desirable benefits over large-molecule inhibitors, such as monoclonal antibodies, including greater cell permeability, organ specificity, longer half-lives, cheaper production costs, and the possibility for oral administration. This paper will review the mechanisms by which noteworthy and novel immune checkpoints contribute to tumor progression, and how they may be targeted by SMIs and epigenetic modifiers to offer possible adjuvants to established therapeutic regimens. SMIs target immune checkpoints in several ways, such as blocking signaling between tumorigenic factors, building immune tolerance, and direct inhibition via epigenetic repression of immune inhibitory molecules. Further investigation into combination therapies utilizing SMIs and conventional cancer therapies will uncover new treatment options that may provide better patient outcomes across a range of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wade M Smith
- Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of MedicinePeoria, IL
| | - Ian J Purvis
- Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of MedicinePeoria, IL
| | - Colin N Bomstad
- Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of MedicinePeoria, IL
| | - Collin M Labak
- Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of MedicinePeoria, IL
| | - Kiran K Velpula
- Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of MedicinePeoria, IL
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois College of MedicinePeoria, IL
| | - Andrew J Tsung
- Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of MedicinePeoria, IL
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois College of MedicinePeoria, IL
- Department of Illinois Neurological Institute, University of Illinois College of MedicinePeoria, IL
| | - Jenna N Regan
- Department of Health Sciences Education, University of Illinois College of MedicinePeoria, IL
| | | | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of MedicineAurora, CO
| | - Swapna Asuthkar
- Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of MedicinePeoria, IL
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286
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Malta TM, Sokolov A, Gentles AJ, Burzykowski T, Poisson L, Weinstein JN, Kamińska B, Huelsken J, Omberg L, Gevaert O, Colaprico A, Czerwińska P, Mazurek S, Mishra L, Heyn H, Krasnitz A, Godwin AK, Lazar AJ, Stuart JM, Hoadley KA, Laird PW, Noushmehr H, Wiznerowicz M. Machine Learning Identifies Stemness Features Associated with Oncogenic Dedifferentiation. Cell 2019; 173:338-354.e15. [PMID: 29625051 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1207] [Impact Index Per Article: 241.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cancer progression involves the gradual loss of a differentiated phenotype and acquisition of progenitor and stem-cell-like features. Here, we provide novel stemness indices for assessing the degree of oncogenic dedifferentiation. We used an innovative one-class logistic regression (OCLR) machine-learning algorithm to extract transcriptomic and epigenetic feature sets derived from non-transformed pluripotent stem cells and their differentiated progeny. Using OCLR, we were able to identify previously undiscovered biological mechanisms associated with the dedifferentiated oncogenic state. Analyses of the tumor microenvironment revealed unanticipated correlation of cancer stemness with immune checkpoint expression and infiltrating immune cells. We found that the dedifferentiated oncogenic phenotype was generally most prominent in metastatic tumors. Application of our stemness indices to single-cell data revealed patterns of intra-tumor molecular heterogeneity. Finally, the indices allowed for the identification of novel targets and possible targeted therapies aimed at tumor differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tathiane M Malta
- Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto-SP 14049, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - John N Weinstein
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Bożena Kamińska
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of PAS, 02093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joerg Huelsken
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne; Switzerland
| | | | | | - Antonio Colaprico
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium; Interuniversity Institute of Bioinformatics in Brussels (IB)(2), 1050 Bruxelles; Belgium
| | | | - Sylwia Mazurek
- Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 61701 Poznań, Poland; Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Lopa Mishra
- George Washington University, Washington, D.C. 20052, USA
| | - Holger Heyn
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CNAG-CRG), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alex Krasnitz
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Andrew K Godwin
- University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Alexander J Lazar
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Joshua M Stuart
- University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | | | - Peter W Laird
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Houtan Noushmehr
- Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202, USA; University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto-SP 14049, Brazil.
| | - Maciej Wiznerowicz
- Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 61701 Poznań, Poland; Greater Poland Cancer Center, 61866 Poznań, Poland; International Institute for Molecular Oncology, 60203 Poznań, Poland.
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287
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Gordian E, Welsh EA, Gimbrone N, Siegel EM, Shibata D, Creelan BC, Cress WD, Eschrich SA, Haura EB, Muñoz-Antonia T. Transforming growth factor β-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal signature predicts metastasis-free survival in non-small cell lung cancer. Oncotarget 2019; 10:810-824. [PMID: 30783512 PMCID: PMC6368226 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) plays a key role in regulating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). A gene expression signature (TGFβ-EMT) associated with TGFβ-induced EMT activities was developed using human Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC) cells treated with TGFβ-1 and subjected to Affymetrix microarray analysis. The final 105-probeset TGFβ-EMT signature covers 77 genes, and a NanoString assay utilized a subset of 60 of these genes (TGFβ-EMTN signature). We found that the TGFβ-EMT and TGFβ-EMTN gene signatures predicted overall survival (OS) and metastasis-free survival (MFS). The TGFβ-EMT signature was validated as prognostic of 5-year MFS in 3 cohorts: a 133 NSCLC tumor dataset (P = 0.0002), a NanoString assays of RNA isolated from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples from these same tumors (P = 0.0015), and a previously published NSCLC MFS dataset (P = 0.0015). The separation between high and low metastasis signature scores was higher at 3 years (ΔMFS TGFβ-EMT = −28.6%; ΔMFS TGFβ-EMTN = −25.2%) than at 5 years (ΔMFS TGFβ-EMT = −18.6%; ΔMFS TGFβ-EMTN = −11.8%). In addition, the TGFβ-EMT signature correlated with whether the cancer had already metastasized or not at time of surgery in a colon cancer cohort. The results show that the TGFβ-EMT signature successfully discriminated lung cancer cell lines capable of undergoing EMT in response to TGFβ-1 and predicts MFS in lung adenocarcinomas. Thus, the TGFβ-EMT signature has the potential to be developed as a clinically relevant predictive biomarker, for example to identify those patients with resected early stage lung cancer who may benefit from adjuvant therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edna Gordian
- Tumor Biology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Eric A Welsh
- Cancer Informatics Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Nicholas Gimbrone
- Molecular Oncology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Erin M Siegel
- Cancer Epidemiology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - David Shibata
- Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Ben C Creelan
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - William Douglas Cress
- Molecular Oncology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Steven A Eschrich
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Eric B Haura
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Teresita Muñoz-Antonia
- Tumor Biology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
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288
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Lee CH. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition: Initiation by cues from chronic inflammatory tumor microenvironment and termination by anti-inflammatory compounds and specialized pro-resolving lipids. Biochem Pharmacol 2018; 158:261-273. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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289
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Tulchinsky E, Demidov O, Kriajevska M, Barlev NA, Imyanitov E. EMT: A mechanism for escape from EGFR-targeted therapy in lung cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2018; 1871:29-39. [PMID: 30419315 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 10/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a reversible developmental genetic programme of transdifferentiation of polarised epithelial cells to mesenchymal cells. In cancer, EMT is an important factor of tumour cell plasticity and has received increasing attention for its role in the resistance to conventional and targeted therapies. In this paper we provide an overview of EMT in human malignancies, and discuss contribution of EMT to the development of the resistance to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapies in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with the tumours bearing specific mutations in EGFR have a good clinical response to selective EGFR inhibitors, but the resistance inevitably develops. Several mechanisms responsible for the resistance include secondary mutations in the EGFR gene, genetic or non-mutational activation of alternative survival pathways, transdifferentiation of NSCLC to the small cell lung cancer histotype, or formation of resistant tumours with mesenchymal characteristics. Mechanistically, application of an EGFR inhibitor does not kill all cancer cells; some cells survive the exposure to a drug, and undergo genetic evolution towards resistance. Here, we present a theory that these quiescent or slow-proliferating drug-tolerant cell populations, or so-called "persisters", are generated via EMT pathways. We review the EMT-activated mechanisms of cell survival in NSCLC, which include activation of ABC transporters and EMT-associated receptor tyrosine kinase AXL, immune evasion, and epigenetic reprogramming. We propose that therapeutic inhibition of these pathways would eliminate pools of persister cells and prevent or delay cancer recurrence when applied in combination with the agents targeting EGFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Tulchinsky
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, Leicester University, UK; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow, region, 117303, Russia.
| | - Oleg Demidov
- Instutute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint-Petersburg 194064, Russia
| | | | - Nickolai A Barlev
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow, region, 117303, Russia; Instutute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint-Petersburg 194064, Russia
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290
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Hmeljak J, Sanchez-Vega F, Hoadley KA, Shih J, Stewart C, Heiman D, Tarpey P, Danilova L, Drill E, Gibb EA, Bowlby R, Kanchi R, Osmanbeyoglu HU, Sekido Y, Takeshita J, Newton Y, Graim K, Gupta M, Gay CM, Diao L, Gibbs DL, Thorsson V, Iype L, Kantheti H, Severson DT, Ravegnini G, Desmeules P, Jungbluth AA, Travis WD, Dacic S, Chirieac LR, Galateau-Sallé F, Fujimoto J, Husain AN, Silveira HC, Rusch VW, Rintoul RC, Pass H, Kindler H, Zauderer MG, Kwiatkowski DJ, Bueno R, Tsao AS, Creaney J, Lichtenberg T, Leraas K, Bowen J, Felau I, Zenklusen JC, Akbani R, Cherniack AD, Byers LA, Noble MS, Fletcher JA, Robertson AG, Shen R, Aburatani H, Robinson BW, Campbell P, Ladanyi M. Integrative Molecular Characterization of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. Cancer Discov 2018; 8:1548-1565. [PMID: 30322867 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-18-0804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 381] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a highly lethal cancer of the lining of the chest cavity. To expand our understanding of MPM, we conducted a comprehensive integrated genomic study, including the most detailed analysis of BAP1 alterations to date. We identified histology-independent molecular prognostic subsets, and defined a novel genomic subtype with TP53 and SETDB1 mutations and extensive loss of heterozygosity. We also report strong expression of the immune-checkpoint gene VISTA in epithelioid MPM, strikingly higher than in other solid cancers, with implications for the immune response to MPM and for its immunotherapy. Our findings highlight new avenues for further investigation of MPM biology and novel therapeutic options. SIGNIFICANCE: Through a comprehensive integrated genomic study of 74 MPMs, we provide a deeper understanding of histology-independent determinants of aggressive behavior, define a novel genomic subtype with TP53 and SETDB1 mutations and extensive loss of heterozygosity, and discovered strong expression of the immune-checkpoint gene VISTA in epithelioid MPM.See related commentary by Aggarwal and Albelda, p. 1508.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1494.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julija Hmeljak
- Department of Pathology and Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Francisco Sanchez-Vega
- Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Katherine A Hoadley
- Department of Genetics, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Juliann Shih
- The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Chip Stewart
- Department of Genetics, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - David Heiman
- Department of Genetics, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Patrick Tarpey
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Ludmila Danilova
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Esther Drill
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Ewan A Gibb
- GenomeDx Biosciences, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Reanne Bowlby
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Rupa Kanchi
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Hatice U Osmanbeyoglu
- Computational Systems Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Yoshitaka Sekido
- Division of Cancer Biology, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | | | - Yulia Newton
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering and Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California
| | - Kiley Graim
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering and Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California
| | - Manaswi Gupta
- The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Carl M Gay
- Department of Thoracic Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Lixia Diao
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | | | - Lisa Iype
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - David T Severson
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, The Lung Center and International Mesothelioma Program, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Gloria Ravegnini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrice Desmeules
- Department of Pathology, Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, Quebec, Canada
| | - Achim A Jungbluth
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - William D Travis
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Sanja Dacic
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Lucian R Chirieac
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Junya Fujimoto
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Aliya N Husain
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Henrique C Silveira
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Valerie W Rusch
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | | | - Harvey Pass
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Hedy Kindler
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center and Biological Sciences, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Marjorie G Zauderer
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - David J Kwiatkowski
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Raphael Bueno
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, The Lung Center and International Mesothelioma Program, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Anne S Tsao
- Department of Thoracic Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jenette Creaney
- School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
| | - Tara Lichtenberg
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Kristen Leraas
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jay Bowen
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | - Ina Felau
- National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - Rehan Akbani
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Andrew D Cherniack
- The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Lauren A Byers
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, The Lung Center and International Mesothelioma Program, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael S Noble
- The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Jonathan A Fletcher
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - A Gordon Robertson
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ronglai Shen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | | | - Bruce W Robinson
- School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
| | - Peter Campbell
- Cancer Genome Project, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Marc Ladanyi
- Department of Pathology and Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
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291
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Jolly MK, Somarelli JA, Sheth M, Biddle A, Tripathi SC, Armstrong AJ, Hanash SM, Bapat SA, Rangarajan A, Levine H. Hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotypes promote metastasis and therapy resistance across carcinomas. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 194:161-184. [PMID: 30268772 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis and therapy resistance are the major unsolved clinical challenges, and account for nearly all cancer-related deaths. Both metastasis and therapy resistance are fueled by epithelial plasticity, the reversible phenotypic transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). EMT and MET have been largely considered as binary processes, where cells detach from the primary tumor as individual units with many, if not all, traits of a mesenchymal cell (EMT) and then convert back to being epithelial (MET). However, recent studies have demonstrated that cells can metastasize in ways alternative to traditional EMT paradigm; for example, they can detach as clusters, and/or occupy one or more stable hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) phenotypes that can be the end point of a transition. Such hybrid E/M cells can integrate various epithelial and mesenchymal traits and markers, facilitating collective cell migration. Furthermore, these hybrid E/M cells may possess higher tumor-initiation and metastatic potential as compared to cells on either end of the EMT spectrum. Here, we review in silico, in vitro, in vivo and clinical evidence for the existence of one or more hybrid E/M phenotype(s) in multiple carcinomas, and discuss their implications in tumor-initiation, tumor relapse, therapy resistance, and metastasis. Together, these studies drive the emerging notion that cells in a hybrid E/M phenotype may occupy 'metastatic sweet spot' in multiple subtypes of carcinomas, and pathways linked to this (these) hybrid E/M state(s) may be relevant as prognostic biomarkers as well as a promising therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Jason A Somarelli
- Duke Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
| | - Maya Sheth
- Duke Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
| | - Adrian Biddle
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Satyendra C Tripathi
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Andrew J Armstrong
- Duke Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
| | - Samir M Hanash
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Sharmila A Bapat
- National Center for Cell Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India
| | - Annapoorni Rangarajan
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development & Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
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292
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Foy JP, Bertolus C, Ortiz-Cuaran S, Albaret MA, Williams WN, Lang W, Destandau S, Souza GD, Sohier E, Kielbassa J, Thomas E, Deneuve S, Goudot P, Puisieux A, Viari A, Mao L, Caux C, Lippman SM, Saintigny P. Immunological and classical subtypes of oral premalignant lesions. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1496880. [PMID: 30524889 PMCID: PMC6279331 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1496880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a major cause of cancer-associated morbidity and mortality and may develop from oral premalignant lesions (OPL). An improved molecular classification of OPL may help refining prevention strategies. We identified two main OPL gene-expression subtypes, named immunological and classical, in 86 OPL (discovery dataset). A gene expression-based score was then developed to classify OPL samples from three independent datasets, including 17 (GSE30784),13 (GSE10174) and 15 (GSE85195) OPLs, into either one of the two gene-expression subtypes. Using the single sample gene set enrichment analysis, enrichment scores for immune-related pathways were different between the two OPL subtypes. In OPL from the discovery set, loss of heterozygosities (LOH) at 3p14, 17p13, TP53, 9p21 and 8p22 and miRNA gene expression profiles were analyzed. Deconvolution of the immune infiltrate was performed using the Microenvironment Cell Populations-counter tool. A multivariate analysis revealed that decreased miRNA-142-5p expression (P = 0.0484) and lower T-cell, monocytic and myeloid dendritic cells (MDC) immune infiltration (T-cells, P = 0.0196; CD8 T cells, P = 0.0129; MDC, P = 0.0481; and monocytes, P = 0.0212) were associated with oral cancer development in the immunological subtype only. In contrast, LOH at 3p14 (P = 0.0241), 17p13 (P = 0.0348) and TP53 (P = 0.004) were associated with oral cancer development in the classical subtype only. In conclusion, we identified 2 subtypes of OPLs, namely immune and classical, which may benefit from different and specific personalized prevention interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Philippe Foy
- Univ Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France.,Department of Translational Research and Innovation, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Pierre Marie Curie-Paris 6, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Chloé Bertolus
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Pierre Marie Curie-Paris 6, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Sandra Ortiz-Cuaran
- Univ Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France.,Department of Translational Research and Innovation, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Marie-Alexandra Albaret
- Univ Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France.,Department of Translational Research and Innovation, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - William N Williams
- MD Anderson Cancer Center, Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at the University of Texas M. D., Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wenhua Lang
- MD Anderson Cancer Center, Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at the University of Texas M. D., Houston, TX, USA
| | - Solène Destandau
- Univ Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France.,Department of Translational Research and Innovation, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Geneviève De Souza
- Univ Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France.,Department of Translational Research and Innovation, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Emilie Sohier
- Department of Translational Research and Innovation, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.,Synergie Lyon Cancer-Platform of Bioinformatics Gilles Thomas, Lyon, France
| | - Janice Kielbassa
- Department of Translational Research and Innovation, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.,Synergie Lyon Cancer-Platform of Bioinformatics Gilles Thomas, Lyon, France
| | - Emilie Thomas
- Department of Translational Research and Innovation, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.,Synergie Lyon Cancer-Platform of Bioinformatics Gilles Thomas, Lyon, France
| | | | - Patrick Goudot
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Pierre Marie Curie-Paris 6, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Alain Puisieux
- Univ Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France
| | - Alain Viari
- Department of Translational Research and Innovation, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Li Mao
- Lung Cancer Center, Johnson & Johnson China
| | - Christophe Caux
- Univ Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France
| | - S M Lippman
- UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - P Saintigny
- Univ Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France.,Department of Translational Research and Innovation, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.,Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
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293
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Rogers TJ, Christenson JL, Greene LI, O'Neill KI, Williams MM, Gordon MA, Nemkov T, D'Alessandro A, Degala GD, Shin J, Tan AC, Cittelly DM, Lambert JR, Richer JK. Reversal of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer EMT by miR-200c Decreases Tryptophan Catabolism and a Program of Immunosuppression. Mol Cancer Res 2018; 17:30-41. [PMID: 30213797 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-18-0246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2), a rate-limiting enzyme in the tryptophan catabolism pathway, is induced in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) by inflammatory signals and anchorage-independent conditions. TNBCs express extremely low levels of the miR-200 family compared with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. In normal epithelial cells and ER+ breast cancers and cell lines, high levels of the family member miR-200c serve to target and repress genes involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). To identify mechanism(s) that permit TNBC to express TDO2 and other proteins not expressed in the more well-differentiated ER+ breast cancers, miRNA-200c was restored in TNBC cell lines. The data demonstrate that miR-200c targeted TDO2 directly resulting in reduced production of the immunosuppressive metabolite kynurenine. Furthermore, in addition to reversing a classic EMT signature, miR-200c repressed many genes encoding immunosuppressive factors including CD274/CD273, HMOX-1, and GDF15. Restoration of miR-200c revealed a mechanism, whereby TNBC hijacks a gene expression program reminiscent of that used by trophoblasts to suppress the maternal immune system to ensure fetal tolerance during pregnancy. IMPLICATIONS: Knowledge of the regulation of tumor-derived immunosuppressive factors will facilitate development of novel therapeutic strategies that complement current immunotherapy to reduce mortality for patients with TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Rogers
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jessica L Christenson
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Lisa I Greene
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Kathleen I O'Neill
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Michelle M Williams
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Michael A Gordon
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Travis Nemkov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Angelo D'Alessandro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Greg D Degala
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jimin Shin
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Aik-Choon Tan
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Diana M Cittelly
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - James R Lambert
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jennifer K Richer
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
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294
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Wang L, Saci A, Szabo PM, Chasalow SD, Castillo-Martin M, Domingo-Domenech J, Siefker-Radtke A, Sharma P, Sfakianos JP, Gong Y, Dominguez-Andres A, Oh WK, Mulholland D, Azrilevich A, Hu L, Cordon-Cardo C, Salmon H, Bhardwaj N, Zhu J, Galsky MD. EMT- and stroma-related gene expression and resistance to PD-1 blockade in urothelial cancer. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3503. [PMID: 30158554 PMCID: PMC6115401 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05992-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancers infiltrated with T-cells are associated with a higher likelihood of response to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. Counterintuitively, a correlation between epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related gene expression and T-cell infiltration has been observed across tumor types. Here we demonstrate, using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) urothelial cancer dataset, that although a gene expression-based measure of infiltrating T-cell abundance and EMT-related gene expression are positively correlated, these signatures convey disparate prognostic information. We further demonstrate that non-hematopoietic stromal cells are a major source of EMT-related gene expression in bulk urothelial cancer transcriptomes. Finally, using a cohort of patients with metastatic urothelial cancer treated with a PD-1 inhibitor, nivolumab, we demonstrate that in patients with T-cell infiltrated tumors, higher EMT/stroma-related gene expression is associated with lower response rates and shorter progression-free and overall survival. Together, our findings suggest a stroma-mediated source of immune resistance in urothelial cancer and provide rationale for co-targeting PD-1 and stromal elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Icahn Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Sema4, A Mount Sinai venture, Stamford, CT, 06902, USA
| | - Abdel Saci
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, 08543, USA
| | | | | | - Mireia Castillo-Martin
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Josep Domingo-Domenech
- Departments of Oncology and Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Arlene Siefker-Radtke
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Padmanee Sharma
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - John P Sfakianos
- Department of Urology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Yixuan Gong
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Ana Dominguez-Andres
- Departments of Oncology and Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - William K Oh
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - David Mulholland
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | | | - Liangyuan Hu
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Center for Biostatistics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Carlos Cordon-Cardo
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Hélène Salmon
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Nina Bhardwaj
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Jun Zhu
- Icahn Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Sema4, A Mount Sinai venture, Stamford, CT, 06902, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - Matthew D Galsky
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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295
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Shrestha R, Prithviraj P, Anaka M, Bridle KR, Crawford DHG, Dhungel B, Steel JC, Jayachandran A. Monitoring Immune Checkpoint Regulators as Predictive Biomarkers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2018; 8:269. [PMID: 30057891 PMCID: PMC6053505 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The global burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the frequent causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, is rapidly increasing partly due to the limited treatment options available for this disease and recurrence due to therapy resistance. Immune checkpoint inhibitors that are proved to be beneficial in the treatment of advanced melanoma and other cancer types are currently in clinical trials in HCC. These ongoing trials are testing the efficacy and safety of a few select checkpoints in HCC. Similar to observations in other cancers, these immune checkpoint blockade treatments as monotherapy may benefit only a fraction of HCC patients. Studies that assess the prevalence and distribution of other immune checkpoints/modulatory molecules in HCC have been limited. Moreover, robust predictors to identify which HCC patients will respond to immunotherapy are currently lacking. The objective of this study is to perform a comprehensive evaluation on different immune modulators as predictive biomarkers to monitor HCC patients at high risk for poor prognosis. We screened publically available HCC patient databases for the expression of previously well described immune checkpoint regulators and evaluated the usefulness of these immune modulators to predict high risk, patient overall survival and recurrence. We also identified the immune modulators that synergized with known immune evasion molecules programmed death receptor ligand-1 (PD-L1), programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) and correlated with worse patient outcomes. We evaluated the association between the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and PD-L1 in HCC patient tumors. We also examined the relationship of tumor mutational burden with HCC patient survival. Notably, expression of immune modulators B7-H4, PD-L2, TIM-3, and VISTA were independently associated with worse prognosis, while B7-H4, CD73, and VISTA predicted low recurrence-free survival. Moreover, the prognosis of patients expressing high PD-L1 with high B7-H4, TIM-3, VISTA, CD73, and PD-L2 expression was significantly worse. Interestingly, PD-L1 expression in HCC patients in the high-risk group was closely associated with EMT marker expression and prognosticates poor survival. In HCC patients, high tumor mutational burden (TMB) predicted worse patient outcomes than those with low TMB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritu Shrestha
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Matthew Anaka
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Kim R Bridle
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Darrell H G Crawford
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Bijay Dhungel
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jason C Steel
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Aparna Jayachandran
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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296
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van Staalduinen J, Baker D, Ten Dijke P, van Dam H. Epithelial-mesenchymal-transition-inducing transcription factors: new targets for tackling chemoresistance in cancer? Oncogene 2018; 37:6195-6211. [PMID: 30002444 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0378-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chemoresistance remains a major complication of cancer treatments. Recent data provide strong evidence that chemoresistance is linked to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a latent developmental process, which is re-activated during cancer progression. EMT involves transcriptional reprogramming and is driven by specific EMT transcription factors (EMT-TFs). In this review, we provide support for the idea that EMT-TFs contribute to the development of resistance against cancer therapy and discuss how EMT-TFs might be targeted to advance novel therapeutic approaches to the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jente van Staalduinen
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - David Baker
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.
| | - Hans van Dam
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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297
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Liang J, Liu Z, Zou Z, Tang Y, Zhou C, Yang J, Wei X, Lu Y. The Correlation Between the Immune and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Signatures Suggests Potential Therapeutic Targets and Prognosis Prediction Approaches in Kidney Cancer. Sci Rep 2018; 8:6570. [PMID: 29700419 PMCID: PMC5919934 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25002-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Both epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and immune regulation are important biological process in malignant tumours. The current research aims to comprehensively explore the potential association between the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signature and immune checkpoint signature and its role in predicting the prognosis of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients. EMT-related genes were collected from an experiment-based study and then were investigated using data from the Cancer Genome Atlas. A total of 357 genes were included, and 23 of them that were upregulated and correlated with prognosis were analysed further as core EMT genes in ccRCC. Interestingly, the emerging immune checkpoints CD276, OX40 and TGFB1 were found to be significantly co-expressed with core EMT genes, and TGFB1, CXCR4, IL10, and IL6 were the most important molecules potentially interacting with EMT molecules in our model, as determined from mRNA co-expression and protein-protein interaction network analysis. Additionally, an integrated scoring model based on FOXM1, TIMP1 and IL6 was successfully established to distinguish ccRCC patients with different clinical risks. Our results identified core genes in the EMT-immunophenotyping correlation and evaluated their risk assessment capabilities, providing more potential therapeutic targets and prediction approaches regarding the translational research of treatment and prognosis in ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Liang
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhihong Liu
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Zijun Zou
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yongquan Tang
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Chuan Zhou
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jian Yang
- Center of Growth, Metabolism, and Aging, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin Wei
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
| | - Yiping Lu
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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298
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Ueno T, Tsuchikawa T, Hatanaka KC, Hatanaka Y, Mitsuhashi T, Nakanishi Y, Noji T, Nakamura T, Okamura K, Matsuno Y, Hirano S. Prognostic impact of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and its association with epithelial-mesenchymal transition in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Oncotarget 2018; 9:20034-20047. [PMID: 29732001 PMCID: PMC5929444 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA) has a poor prognosis. Although the possibility of immunotherapy has been studied, immune checkpoint molecules such as programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in eCCA are not well understood. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has recently been shown to regulate PD-L1 expression. Our aims were to assess the clinicopathological significance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and tumor PD-L1 expression in eCCA and to compare these immune responses with EMT marker expression. In this retrospective study, we conducted immunohistochemical analyses for 117 patients with eCCA. We stained for CD4, CD8, Foxp3, and PD-L1 as markers reflecting local immune responses, and for E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, ZEB1, ZEB2, SNAIL, and TWIST as markers associated with EMT. High numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ TILs correlated with node-negative (P = 0.009 and P = 0.046, respectively) and low SNAIL expression (P = 0.016 and P = 0.022, respectively). High PD-L1 expression was associated with poor histopathological classification (P = 0.034), and low E-cadherin (P = 0.001), high N-cadherin (P = 0.044), high vimentin (P < 0.001) and high ZEB1 (P = 0.036) expression. Multivariate analysis showed that CD4+ TILs, PD-L1 expression and N-cadherin expression were independent prognostic factors (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.61; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.38-1.00; HR=4.27; 95% CI = 1.82-9.39; HR = 2.20; 95% CI = 1.18-3.92, respectively). These findings could help to identify potential biomarkers for predicting not only the prognosis, but also the therapeutic response to immunotherapy for eCCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Ueno
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery II, Division of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Takahiro Tsuchikawa
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery II, Division of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kanako C. Hatanaka
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yutaka Hatanaka
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Tomoko Mitsuhashi
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yoshitsugu Nakanishi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery II, Division of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Takehiro Noji
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery II, Division of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Toru Nakamura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery II, Division of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Keisuke Okamura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery II, Division of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Matsuno
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Satoshi Hirano
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery II, Division of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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Rajabi H, Hiraki M, Kufe D. MUC1-C activates polycomb repressive complexes and downregulates tumor suppressor genes in human cancer cells. Oncogene 2018; 37:2079-2088. [PMID: 29379165 PMCID: PMC5908737 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-017-0096-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The PRC2 and PRC1 complexes are aberrantly expressed in human cancers and have been linked to decreases in patient survival. MUC1-C is an oncoprotein that is also overexpressed in diverse human cancers and is associated with a poor prognosis. Recent studies have supported a previously unreported function for MUC1-C in activating PRC2 and PRC1 in cancer cells. In the regulation of PRC2, MUC1-C (i) drives transcription of the EZH2 gene, (ii) binds directly to EZH2, and (iii) enhances occupancy of EZH2 on target gene promoters with an increase in H3K27 trimethylation. Regarding PRC1, which is recruited to PRC2 sites in the hierarchical model, MUC1-C induces BMI1 transcription, forms a complex with BMI1, and promotes H2A ubiquitylation. MUC1-C thereby contributes to the integration of PRC2 and PRC1-mediated repression of tumor suppressor genes, such as CDH1, CDKN2A, PTEN and BRCA1. Like PRC2 and PRC1, MUC1-C is associated with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program, cancer stem cell (CSC) state, and acquisition of anticancer drug resistance. In concert with these observations, targeting MUC1-C downregulates EZH2 and BMI1, inhibits EMT and the CSC state, and reverses drug resistance. These findings emphasize the significance of MUC1-C as a therapeutic target for inhibiting aberrant PRC function and reprogramming the epigenome in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Rajabi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Masayuki Hiraki
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Donald Kufe
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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300
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Yeh YH, Hsiao HF, Yeh YC, Chen TW, Li TK. Inflammatory interferon activates HIF-1α-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2018; 37:70. [PMID: 29587825 PMCID: PMC5870508 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0730-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor microenvironments (TMEs) activate various axes/pathways, predominantly inflammatory and hypoxic responses, impact tumorigenesis, metastasis and therapeutic resistance significantly. Although molecular pathways of individual TME are extensively studied, evidence showing interaction and crosstalk between hypoxia and inflammation remain unclear. Thus, we examined whether interferon (IFN) could modulate both inflammatory and hypoxic responses under normoxia and its relation with cancer development. METHODS IFN was used to induce inflammation response and HIF-1α expression in various cancer cell lines. Corresponding signaling pathways were then analyzed by a combination of pharmacological inhibitors, immunoblotting, GST-Raf pull-down assays, dominant-negative and short-hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown approaches. Specifically, roles of functional HIF-1α in the IFN-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and other tumorigenic propensities were examined by knockdown, pharmacological inhibition, luciferase reporter, clonogenic, anchorage-independent growth, wound-healing, vasculogenic mimicry, invasion and sphere-formation assays as well as cellular morphology observation. RESULTS We showed for the first time that IFN induced functional HIF-1α expression in a time- and dose- dependent manner in various cancer cell lines under both hypoxic and normoxic conditions, and then leading to an activated HIF-1α pathway in an IFN-mediated pro-inflammatory TME. IFN regulates anti-apoptosis activity, cellular metastasis, EMT and vasculogenic mimicry by a novel mechanism through mainly the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis. Subsequently, pharmacological and genetic modulations of HIF-1α, JAK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR or p38 pathways efficiently abrogate above IFN-induced tumorigenic propensities. Moreover, HIF-1α is required for the IFN-induced invasiveness, tumorigenesis and vasculogenic mimicry. Further supports for the HIF-1α-dependent tumorigenesis were obtained from results of xenograft mouse model and sphere-formation assay. CONCLUSIONS Our mechanistic study showed an induction of HIF-1α and EMT ability in an IFN-mediated inflammatory TME and thus demonstrating a novel interaction between inflammatory and hypoxic TMEs. Moreover, targeting HIF-1α may be a potential target for inhibiting tumor tumorigenesis and EMT by decreasing cancer cells wound healing and anchorage-independent colony growth. Our results also lead to rationale guidance for developing new therapeutic strategies to prevent relapse via targeting TME-providing IFN signaling and HIF-1α programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Hsiu Yeh
- Department and Graduate Institute of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Ho-Fu Hsiao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Sijhih Cathay General Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yen-Cheng Yeh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Tien-Wen Chen
- Department and Graduate Institute of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Tsai-Kun Li
- Department and Graduate Institute of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
- Center for Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
- Center for Genomic Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
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