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Laisné M, Rodgers B, Benlamara S, Wicinski J, Nicolas A, Djerroudi L, Gupta N, Ferry L, Kirsh O, Daher D, Philippe C, Okada Y, Charafe-Jauffret E, Cristofari G, Meseure D, Vincent-Salomon A, Ginestier C, Defossez PA. A novel bioinformatic approach reveals cooperation between Cancer/Testis genes in basal-like breast tumors. Oncogene 2024; 43:1369-1385. [PMID: 38467851 PMCID: PMC11065691 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03002-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in women worldwide. Within breast tumors, the basal-like subtype has the worst prognosis, prompting the need for new tools to understand, detect, and treat these tumors. Certain germline-restricted genes show aberrant expression in tumors and are known as Cancer/Testis genes; their misexpression has diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Here we designed a new bioinformatic approach to examine Cancer/Testis gene misexpression in breast tumors. We identify several new markers in Luminal and HER-2 positive tumors, some of which predict response to chemotherapy. We then use machine learning to identify the two Cancer/Testis genes most associated with basal-like breast tumors: HORMAD1 and CT83. We show that these genes are expressed by tumor cells and not by the microenvironment, and that they are not expressed by normal breast progenitors; in other words, their activation occurs de novo. We find these genes are epigenetically repressed by DNA methylation, and that their activation upon DNA demethylation is irreversible, providing a memory of past epigenetic disturbances. Simultaneous expression of both genes in breast cells in vitro has a synergistic effect that increases stemness and activates a transcriptional profile also observed in double-positive tumors. Therefore, we reveal a functional cooperation between Cancer/Testis genes in basal breast tumors; these findings have consequences for the understanding, diagnosis, and therapy of the breast tumors with the worst outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marthe Laisné
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Brianna Rodgers
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Sarah Benlamara
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Julien Wicinski
- CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille University, Epithelial Stem Cells and Cancer Laboratory, Equipe Labellisée LIGUE Contre le Cancer, Marseille, France
| | - André Nicolas
- Platform of Experimental Pathology, Department of Diagnostic and Theranostic Medicine, Institut Curie-Hospital, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Lounes Djerroudi
- Department of Pathology, Institut Curie, 26 Rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Nikhil Gupta
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Laure Ferry
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Kirsh
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Diana Daher
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, F-75013, Paris, France
| | | | - Yuki Okada
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Emmanuelle Charafe-Jauffret
- CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille University, Epithelial Stem Cells and Cancer Laboratory, Equipe Labellisée LIGUE Contre le Cancer, Marseille, France
| | | | - Didier Meseure
- Platform of Experimental Pathology, Department of Diagnostic and Theranostic Medicine, Institut Curie-Hospital, 75005, Paris, France
| | | | - Christophe Ginestier
- CRCM, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille University, Epithelial Stem Cells and Cancer Laboratory, Equipe Labellisée LIGUE Contre le Cancer, Marseille, France
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Anayyat U, Ahad F, Muluh TA, Zaidi SAA, Usmani F, Yang H, Li M, Hassan HA, Wang X. Immunotherapy: Constructive Approach for Breast Cancer Treatment. BREAST CANCER (DOVE MEDICAL PRESS) 2023; 15:925-951. [PMID: 38116189 PMCID: PMC10729681 DOI: 10.2147/bctt.s424624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
A novel and rapid therapeutic approach is the treatment of human breast cancer by enhancing the host's immune system. In initial findings, program death one (PD-1) and program cell death ligand one (PD-L1) showed positive results towards solid tumors, but tumor relapse and drug resistance are the major concerns. Breast cancer therapy has been transformed by the advent of immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs). Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) have exhibited enduring responses to clinical usage of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICBs) like atezolizumab and pembrolizumab. Nonetheless, a notable proportion of individuals with TNBC do not experience advantages from these treatments, and there is limited comprehension of the resistance mechanisms. Another approach to overcome resistance is cancer stem cells (CSCs), as these cells are crucial for the initiation and growth of tumors in the body. Various cancer vaccines are created using stem cells (dendritic, whole cell, bacterial) and focus primarily on targeting tumor-related antigens. The ultimate objective of cancer vaccines is to immunize the patients by active artificial immunity against cancer, though. In this review, we primarily focused on existing immunotherapeutic options, immune checkpoint blockers, the latest progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICBs), advanced strategies to overcome resistance to ICBs, cancer stem cell antigens and molecular markers, ongoing clinical trials for BCs and cancer vaccines for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umer Anayyat
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, People’s Republic of China
| | - Faiza Ahad
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tobias Achu Muluh
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, People’s Republic of China
| | - Syed Aqib Ali Zaidi
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, People’s Republic of China
| | - Faiza Usmani
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Hua Yang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mengqing Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hammad Ali Hassan
- Department of Cell Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Xiaomei Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, People’s Republic of China
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Bioengineered recombinant vault nanoparticles coupled with NY-ESO-1 glioma-associated antigens induce maturation of native dendritic cells. J Neurooncol 2020; 148:1-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s11060-020-03472-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Afzali F, Minuchehr Z, Jahangiri S, Ranjbar MM. Immunopeptidome screening to design An immunogenic construct against PRAME positive breast cancer; An in silico study. Comput Biol Chem 2020; 85:107231. [PMID: 32065960 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2020.107231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastasis is the main cause of breast cancer (BC) lethality, especially in early stages, led to improvements in therapeutic procedures. Lately, by improvements in our perception of biological processes and immune system new classes of vaccines are emerged that grant us the opportunity of designing resolute constructs against desired antigens. In the current study, we used a variety of immunoinformatics tools to design a novel cancer vaccine against Preferentially Expressed Antigen of Melanoma (PRAME), which counts as a cancer testis antigen for various human cancers including BC. The PRAME up-regulation leads to strengthen BC stem cells maintenance, drug resistance, cell survival, adaptation, and apoptosis evading in cancerous cells. METHODS AND RESULTS The PRAME co-expressed genes were mined and validated through BC RNA-sequencing of TCGA data. The immunodominant T-cell predicted epitopes were fused and engineered to form the vaccine. The safety, allergenicity, and immunogenic capabilities of the vaccine were confirmed by promising immunoinformatics tools. The vaccine's structure was verified to be hydrophilic in most areas through Kyte and Doolittle hydrophobicity plotting. The interactions between the designed vaccine and immune receptors of TLR4 and IL1R were confirmed by protein-protein docking after modeling its tertiary structure. Finally, codon optimization and in silico cloning were performed to guarantee better in-vivo results. CONCLUSION In conclusion, concerning in silico assessments' results in this study, the designed vaccine can potentially boost immune responses against PRAME, therefore may decrease BC development and metastasis. According to the mined PRAME co-expressed genes and their functional annotation, cell cycle regulation is the prime mechanism opted by this construct and its adjacent regulatory genes along boosting immune reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Afzali
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Zarrin Minuchehr
- Systems Biotechnology Department, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Samira Jahangiri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, FL, United States of America
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Ranjbar
- Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.
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Danilova A, Misyurin V, Novik A, Girdyuk D, Avdonkina N, Nekhaeva T, Emelyanova N, Pipia N, Misyurin A, Baldueva I. Cancer/testis antigens expression during cultivation of melanoma and soft tissue sarcoma cells. Clin Sarcoma Res 2020; 10:3. [PMID: 32042403 PMCID: PMC6998350 DOI: 10.1186/s13569-020-0125-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autologous dendritic cells (DC) loaded with tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) are a promising approach for anticancer immunotherapy. Polyantigen lysates appear to be an excellent source of TAAs for loading onto the patient's dendritic cells. Cancer/testis antigens (CTA) are expressed by a wide range of tumors, but are minimally expressed on normal tissues, and could serve as a universal target for immunotherapy. However, CTA expression levels can vary significantly in patients with the same tumor type. We proposed that patients who do not respond to DC-based therapy may have distinct features of the CTA expression profile on tumor cells. PATIENTS AND METHODS We compared the gene expression of the principal families CTA in 22 melanoma and 27 soft tissue and bone sarcomas cell lines (STBS), received from patients and used for DC vaccine preparation. RESULTS The majority (47 of 49, 95.9%) cell lines showed CTA gene activity. The incidence of gene expression of GAGE, NYESO1, MAGEA1, PRAME's was significantly different (adj. p < 0.05) between melanoma and sarcoma cell lines. The expression of the SCP1 gene was detected neither in melanoma cells nor in the STBS cells. Clustering by the gene expression profile revealed four different expression patterns. We found three main patterns types: hyperexpression of multiple CTA, hyperexpression of one CTA with almost no expression of others, and no expression of CTA. All clusters types exist in melanoma and sarcoma cell lines. We observed dependence of killing efficacy from the PRAME (rho = 0.940, adj. p < 0.01) expression during real-time monitoring with the xCELLigence system of the interaction between melanoma or sarcoma cells with the T-lymphocytes activated by the lysate of selected allogenous melanoma cell lines with high expression of CTA. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate that one can use lysates from allogeneic melanoma cell lines as a source of CTA for DC load during the production of anticancer vaccines for the STBS treatment. Patterns of CTA expression should be evaluated as biomarkers of response in prospective clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Danilova
- N.N. Petrov’ National Medical Cancer Research Center, Leningradskaya str., 68, Pesochniy, Saint-Petersburg, 197758 Russian Federation
- Department of Oncoimmunology, N.N. Petrov’ National Medical Cancer Research Center, Leningradskaya str., 68, Pesochniy, Saint-Petersburg, 197758 Russian Federation
| | - Vsevolod Misyurin
- N.N. Blokhin’ National Medical Cancer Research Center, Kashirskoye sh. 24, Moscow, 115478 Russian Federation
| | - Aleksei Novik
- N.N. Petrov’ National Medical Cancer Research Center, Leningradskaya str., 68, Pesochniy, Saint-Petersburg, 197758 Russian Federation
| | - Dmitry Girdyuk
- N.N. Petrov’ National Medical Cancer Research Center, Leningradskaya str., 68, Pesochniy, Saint-Petersburg, 197758 Russian Federation
| | - Natalia Avdonkina
- N.N. Petrov’ National Medical Cancer Research Center, Leningradskaya str., 68, Pesochniy, Saint-Petersburg, 197758 Russian Federation
| | - Tatiana Nekhaeva
- N.N. Petrov’ National Medical Cancer Research Center, Leningradskaya str., 68, Pesochniy, Saint-Petersburg, 197758 Russian Federation
| | - Natalia Emelyanova
- N.N. Petrov’ National Medical Cancer Research Center, Leningradskaya str., 68, Pesochniy, Saint-Petersburg, 197758 Russian Federation
| | - Nino Pipia
- N.N. Petrov’ National Medical Cancer Research Center, Leningradskaya str., 68, Pesochniy, Saint-Petersburg, 197758 Russian Federation
| | - Andrey Misyurin
- N.N. Blokhin’ National Medical Cancer Research Center, Kashirskoye sh. 24, Moscow, 115478 Russian Federation
| | - Irina Baldueva
- N.N. Petrov’ National Medical Cancer Research Center, Leningradskaya str., 68, Pesochniy, Saint-Petersburg, 197758 Russian Federation
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Tio D, Kasiem FR, Willemsen M, van Doorn R, van der Werf N, Hoekzema R, Luiten RM, Bekkenk MW. Expression of cancer/testis antigens in cutaneous melanoma: a systematic review. Melanoma Res 2019; 29:349-357. [PMID: 30615012 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The cancer/testis antigen (CTA) family is a group of antigens whose expression is restricted to male germline cells of the testis and various malignancies. This expression pattern makes this group of antigens potential targets for immunotherapy. The aim of this study was to create an overview of CTA expressed by melanoma cells at mRNA and protein level. A systematic literature search was performed in Medline (PubMed) and Embase from inception up to and including February 2018. Studies were screened for eligibility by two independent reviewers. A total of 65 full-text articles were included in the final analysis. A total of 48 CTA have been studied in melanoma. Various CTA show different expression rates in primary and metastatic tumours. Of the 48 CTA, the most studied were MAGE-A3, MAGE-A1, NY-ESO-1, MAGE-A4, SSX2, MAGE-A2, MAGE-C1/CT7, SSX1, MAGE-C2/CT10 and MAGE-A12. On average, MAGE-A3 mRNA is present in 36% of primary tumours, whereas metastatic tumours have an expression rate of 55-81%. The same applies to the protein expression rate of MAGE-A3 in primary tumours, which is reported to be at 15-37%, whereas metastatic tumours have a higher expression rate of 25-70%. This trend of increased expression in metastases compared with primary tumours is observed with MAGE-A1, MAGE-A2, MAGE-A4, MAGE-A12 and NY-ESO-1. Many CTA are expressed on melanoma. This review provides an overview of the expression frequency of CTAs in melanoma and may aid in identifying CTA as the therapeutic target for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darryl Tio
- Department of Dermatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, VU University
| | - Fazira R Kasiem
- Department of Dermatology and Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam
- Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam
| | - Marcella Willemsen
- Department of Dermatology and Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam
- Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam
| | | | - Nienke van der Werf
- Medical Library, Leiden Universitair Medisch Centrum, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Rick Hoekzema
- Department of Dermatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, VU University
- Department of Dermatology and Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam
| | - Rosalie M Luiten
- Department of Dermatology and Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam
- Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam
| | - Marcel W Bekkenk
- Department of Dermatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, VU University
- Department of Dermatology and Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam
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Gordeeva O. Cancer-testis antigens: Unique cancer stem cell biomarkers and targets for cancer therapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 53:75-89. [PMID: 30171980 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are considered as unique and promising cancer biomarkers and targets for cancer therapy. CTAs are multifunctional protein group with specific expression patterns in normal embryonic and adult cells and various types of cancer cells. CTAs are involved in regulating of the basic cellular processes during development, stem cell differentiation and carcinogenesis though the biological roles and cell functions of CTA families remain largely unclear. Analysis of CTA expression patterns in embryonic germ and somatic cells, pluripotent and multipotent stem cells, cancer stem cells and their cell descendants indicates that rearrangements of characteristic CTA profiles (aberrant expression) could be associated with cancer transformation and failure of the developmental program of cell lineage specification and germ line restriction. Therefore, aberrant CTA profiles can be used as panels of biomarkers for diagnoses and the selection of cancer treatment strategies. Moreover, immunogenic CTAs are prospective targets for cancer immunotherapy. Clinical trials testing broad range of cancer therapeutic vaccines against antigens of MAGEA and NY-ESO-1 families for treating various cancers have shown mixed clinical efficiency, safety and tolerability, suggesting the requirement of in-depth research of CTA expression in normal and cancer stem cells and extensive clinical trials for improving cancer immunotherapy technologies. This review focuses on recent advancement in study of CTAs in normal and cancer cells, particularly in normal and cancer stem cells, and provides a new insight into CTA expression patterns during normal and cancer stem cell lineage development. Additionally, new approaches in development of effective CTA-based therapies exclusively targeting cancer stem cells will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Gordeeva
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Mechanisms of Histogenesis, Kol'tsov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 26 Vavilov Street, Moscow, 119334, Russia.
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8
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Hutchison S, Pritchard AL. Identifying neoantigens for use in immunotherapy. Mamm Genome 2018; 29:714-730. [PMID: 30167844 PMCID: PMC6267674 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-018-9771-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on the types of cancer antigens that can be recognised by the immune system and form due to alterations in the cancer genome, including cancer testis, overexpressed and neoantigens. Specifically, neoantigens can form when cancer cell-specific mutations occur that result in alterations of the protein from ‘self’. This type of antigen can result in an immune response sufficient to clear tumour cells when activated. Furthermore, studies have reported that the likelihood of successful immunotherapeutic targeting of cancer by many different methods was reliant on immune response to neoantigens. The recent resurgence of interest in the immune response to tumour cells, in conjunction with technological advances, has resulted in a large increase in the predicted, identified and functionally confirmed neoantigens. This growth in identified neoantigen sequences has increased the contents of training sets for algorithms, which in turn improves the prediction of which genetic mutations may form neoantigens. Additionally, algorithms predicting how proteins will be processed into peptide epitopes by the proteasome and which peptides bind to the transporter complex are also improving with this research. Now that large screens of all the tumour-specific protein altering mutations are possible, the emerging data from assessment of the immunogenicity of neoantigens suggest that only a minority of variants will form targetable epitopes. The potential for immunotherapeutic targeting of neoantigens will therefore be greater in cancers with a higher frequency of protein altering somatic variants. There is considerable potential in the use of neoantigens to treat patients, either alone or in combination with other immunotherapies and with continued advancements, these potentials will be realised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Hutchison
- Genetics and Immunology Research Group, University of the Highlands and Islands, An Lòchran, 10 Inverness Campus, Inverness, IV2 5NA, Scotland, UK
| | - Antonia L Pritchard
- Genetics and Immunology Research Group, University of the Highlands and Islands, An Lòchran, 10 Inverness Campus, Inverness, IV2 5NA, Scotland, UK.
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Townsend MH, Shrestha G, Robison RA, O’Neill KL. The expansion of targetable biomarkers for CAR T cell therapy. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2018; 37:163. [PMID: 30031396 PMCID: PMC6054736 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0817-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers are an integral part of cancer management due to their use in risk assessment, screening, differential diagnosis, prognosis, prediction of response to treatment, and monitoring progress of disease. Recently, with the advent of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, a new category of targetable biomarkers has emerged. These biomarkers are associated with the surface of malignant cells and serve as targets for directing cytotoxic T cells. The first biomarker target used for CAR T cell therapy was CD19, a B cell marker expressed highly on malignant B cells. With the success of CD19, the last decade has shown an explosion of new targetable biomarkers on a range of human malignancies. These surface targets have made it possible to provide directed, specific therapy that reduces healthy tissue destruction and preserves the patient's immune system during treatment. As of May 2018, there are over 100 clinical trials underway that target over 25 different surface biomarkers in almost every human tissue. This expansion has led to not only promising results in terms of patient outcome, but has also led to an exponential growth in the investigation of new biomarkers that could potentially be utilized in CAR T cell therapy for treating patients. In this review, we discuss the biomarkers currently under investigation and point out several promising biomarkers in the preclinical stage of development that may be useful as targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle H. Townsend
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, 3142 LSB, Provo, UT 84602 USA
| | - Gajendra Shrestha
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, 3142 LSB, Provo, UT 84602 USA
- Thunder Biotech, Highland, UT USA
| | - Richard A. Robison
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, 3142 LSB, Provo, UT 84602 USA
| | - Kim L. O’Neill
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, 3142 LSB, Provo, UT 84602 USA
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Mahmoud AM. Cancer testis antigens as immunogenic and oncogenic targets in breast cancer. Immunotherapy 2018; 10:769-778. [PMID: 29926750 PMCID: PMC6462849 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2017-0179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer cells frequently express tumor-associated antigens that can elicit immune responses to eradicate cancer. Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are a group of tumor-associated antigens that might serve as ideal targets for cancer immunotherapy because of their cancer-restricted expression and robust immunogenicity. Previous clinical studies reported that CTAs are associated with negative hormonal status, aggressive tumor behavior and poor survival. Furthermore, experimental studies have shown the ability of CTAs to induce both cellular and humoral immune responses. They also demonstrated the implication of CTAs in promoting cancer cell growth, inhibiting apoptosis and inducing cancer cell invasion and migration. In the current review, we attempt to address the immunogenic and oncogenic potential of CTAs and their current utilization in therapeutic interventions for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abeer M Mahmoud
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Pathology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut 71111, Egypt
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Forghanifard MM, Rad A, Farshchian M, Khaleghizadeh M, Gholamin M, Moghbeli M, Abbaszadegan MR. TWIST1 upregulates the MAGEA4 oncogene. Mol Carcinog 2017; 56:877-885. [DOI: 10.1002/mc.22541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Abolfazl Rad
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center; Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences; Sabzevar Iran
| | - Moein Farshchian
- Molecular Medicine Research Department; ACECR-Khorasan Razavi Branch; Mashhad Iran
| | - Maryam Khaleghizadeh
- Division of Human Genetics; Immunology Research Center; Avicenna Research Institute; Mashhad University of Medical Sciences; Mashhad Iran
| | - Mehran Gholamin
- Division of Human Genetics; Immunology Research Center; Avicenna Research Institute; Mashhad University of Medical Sciences; Mashhad Iran
| | - Meysam Moghbeli
- Division of Human Genetics; Immunology Research Center; Avicenna Research Institute; Mashhad University of Medical Sciences; Mashhad Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Abbaszadegan
- Division of Human Genetics; Immunology Research Center; Avicenna Research Institute; Mashhad University of Medical Sciences; Mashhad Iran
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Salmaninejad A, Zamani MR, Pourvahedi M, Golchehre Z, Hosseini Bereshneh A, Rezaei N. Cancer/Testis Antigens: Expression, Regulation, Tumor Invasion, and Use in Immunotherapy of Cancers. Immunol Invest 2016; 45:619-40. [DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2016.1197241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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13
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Oncogenic cancer/testis antigens: prime candidates for immunotherapy. Oncotarget 2016; 6:15772-87. [PMID: 26158218 PMCID: PMC4599236 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent developments have set the stage for immunotherapy as a supplement to conventional cancer treatment. Consequently, a significant effort is required to further improve efficacy and specificity, particularly the identification of optimal therapeutic targets for clinical testing. Cancer/testis antigens are immunogenic, highly cancer-specific, and frequently expressed in various types of cancer, which make them promising candidate targets for cancer immunotherapy, including cancer vaccination and adoptive T-cell transfer with chimeric T-cell receptors. Our current understanding of tumor immunology and immune escape suggests that targeting oncogenic antigens may be beneficial, meaning that identification of cancer/testis antigens with oncogenic properties is of high priority. Recent work from our lab and others provide evidence that many cancer/testis antigens, in fact, have oncogenic functions, including support of growth, survival and metastasis. This novel insight into the function of cancer/testis antigens has the potential to deliver more effective cancer vaccines. Moreover, immune targeting of oncogenic cancer/testis antigens in combination with conventional cytotoxic therapies or novel immunotherapies such as checkpoint blockade or adoptive transfer, represents a highly synergistic approach with the potential to improve patient survival.
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Esfandiary A, Ghafouri-Fard S. New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma-1 and cancer immunotherapy. Immunotherapy 2016; 7:411-39. [PMID: 25917631 DOI: 10.2217/imt.15.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1 (NY-ESO-1) is a known cancer testis gene with exceptional immunogenicity and prevalent expression in many cancer types. These characteristics have made it an appropriate vaccine candidate with the potential application against various malignancies. This article reviews recent knowledge about the NY-ESO-1 biology, function, immunogenicity and expression in cancers as well as and the results of clinical trials with this antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Esfandiary
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19857-17443, Iran
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15
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Cannuyer J, Van Tongelen A, Loriot A, De Smet C. A gene expression signature identifying transient DNMT1 depletion as a causal factor of cancer-germline gene activation in melanoma. Clin Epigenetics 2015; 7:114. [PMID: 26504497 PMCID: PMC4620642 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-015-0147-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Many human tumors show aberrant activation of a group of germline-specific genes, termed cancer-germline (CG) genes, several of which appear to exert oncogenic functions. Although activation of CG genes in tumors has been linked to promoter DNA demethylation, the mechanisms underlying this epigenetic alteration remain unclear. Two main processes have been proposed: awaking of a gametogenic program directing demethylation of target DNA sequences via specific regulators, or general deficiency of DNA methylation activities resulting from mis-targeting or down-regulation of the DNMT1 methyltransferase. Results By the analysis of transcriptomic data, we searched to identify gene expression changes associated with CG gene activation in melanoma cells. We found no evidence linking CG gene activation with differential expression of gametogenic regulators. Instead, CG gene activation correlated with decreased expression of a set of mitosis/division-related genes (ICCG genes). Interestingly, a similar gene expression signature was previously associated with depletion of DNMT1. Consistently, analysis of a large set of melanoma tissues revealed that DNMT1 expression levels were often lower in samples showing activation of multiple CG genes. Moreover, by using immortalized melanocytes and fibroblasts carrying an inducible anti-DNMT1 small hairpin RNA (shRNA), we demonstrate that transient depletion of DNMT1 can lead to long-term activation of CG genes and repression of ICCG genes at the same time. For one of the ICCG genes (CDCA7L), we found that its down-regulation in melanoma cells was associated with deposition of repressive chromatin marks, including H3K27me3. Conclusions Together, our observations point towards transient DNMT1 depletion as a causal factor of CG gene activation in vivo in melanoma. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13148-015-0147-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Cannuyer
- Group of Genetics and Epigenetics, de Duve Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Aurélie Van Tongelen
- Group of Genetics and Epigenetics, de Duve Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Axelle Loriot
- Group of Genetics and Epigenetics, de Duve Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Charles De Smet
- Group of Genetics and Epigenetics, de Duve Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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Lee HJ, Kim JY, Song IH, Park IA, Yu JH, Gong G. Expression of NY-ESO-1 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Is Associated with Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and a Good Prognosis. Oncology 2015; 89:337-44. [DOI: 10.1159/000439535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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17
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Esfandiary A, Ghafouri-Fard S. MAGE-A3: an immunogenic target used in clinical practice. Immunotherapy 2015; 7:683-704. [PMID: 26100270 DOI: 10.2217/imt.15.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma antigen family A, 3 (MAGE-A3) is a cancer-testis antigen whose expression has been demonstrated in a wide array of malignancies including melanoma, brain, breast, lung and ovarian cancer. In addition, its ability to elicit spontaneous humoral and cellular immune responses has been shown in cancer patients. As antigen-specific immune responses can be stimulated by immunization with MAGE-A3, several clinical trials have used MAGE-A3 vaccines to observe clinical responses. The frequent expressions of this antigen in various tumors and its immunogenicity in cancer patients have led to application of this antigen in cancer immunotherapy. However, the results of recent clinical trials indicate that there is a need for research in the vaccine design, adjuvant selection as well as patient selection criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Esfandiary
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19857-17443, Iran
| | - Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19857-17443, Iran
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A Forward Genetic Screen for Suppressors of Somatic P Granules in Caenorhabditis elegans. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2015; 5:2209-15. [PMID: 26100681 PMCID: PMC4593002 DOI: 10.1534/g3.115.019257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In Caenorhabditis elegans, germline expression programs are actively repressed in somatic tissue by components of the synMuv (synthetic multi-vulva) B chromatin remodeling complex, which include homologs of tumor suppressors Retinoblastoma (Rb/LIN-35) and Malignant Brain Tumor (MBT/LIN-61). However, the full scope of pathways that suppress germline expression in the soma is unknown. To address this, we performed a mutagenesis and screened for somatic expression of GFP-tagged PGL-1, a core P-granule nucleating protein. Eight alleles were isolated from 4000 haploid genomes. Five of these alleles exhibit a synMuv phenotype, whereas the remaining three were identified as hypomorphic alleles of known synMuv B genes, lin-13 and dpl-1. These findings suggest that most suppressors of germline programs in the soma of C. elegans are either required for viability or function through synMuv B chromatin regulation.
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Hartmann S, Meyer TJ, Brands RC, Haubitz IR, Linz C, Seher A, Kübler AC, Müller-Richter UDA. MAGE-A expression clusters and antineoplastic treatment in head and neck cancer. Int J Mol Med 2015; 35:1675-82. [PMID: 25872923 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2015.2174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The nonsurgical treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) usually consists of radiation and chemotherapy. In general, the treatment efficacy of chemotherapy in head and neck cancer is limited. Apart from the placenta, testis and fetal keratinocytes, melanoma-associated antigens-A (MAGE-A) are only found in malignancies. Even though their molecular role remains unclear, several subgroups have been found to contribute to resistance to different chemotherapeutic agents. In the present study, established human squamous cell carcinoma cell lines were incubated with various concentrations of cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, paclitaxel, docetaxel, cetuximab and panitumumab for 5, 10, 20 and 40 h. The treatment efficacy was measured dynamically by real-time cell analysis (RTCA). In addition, we determined the expression of all known MAGE-A subgroups (MAGE-A1 to MAGE-A12, excluding pseudogene MAGE-A7) by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Of note, one cell line showed only a marginal expression of MAGE-A antigens, whereas another cell line showed a distinct expression of almost all the MAGE-A subgroups. The expression pattern varied in the other cell lines. MAGE-A4 was the most highly expressed of all the subgroups, and MAGE-A8 could not be detected. With the exception of MAGE-A6, -A8, -A9 and -A10, the expression levels differed significantly between the cell lines. Factor analysis suggested simplifying the MAGE-A expression level into two groups. Spearman's rank correlation revealed a significant association between MAGE-A expression and treatment efficacy for 20.8% (25/120) of the experiments. In 100% of these cases (25/25), Spearman's Rho revealed a positive correlation between clustered MAGE-A expression and poor treatment efficacy. Our data highlight the fact that higher a MAGE-A expression correlates with a poorer outcome of antineoplastic treatment. Clustered MAGE-A expression analysis may help to identify patients who are at a higher risk of antineoplastic treatment failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Hartmann
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Till J Meyer
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Roman C Brands
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Imme R Haubitz
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christian Linz
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Axel Seher
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alexander C Kübler
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Urs D A Müller-Richter
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany
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Greve KBV, Lindgreen JN, Terp MG, Pedersen CB, Schmidt S, Mollenhauer J, Kristensen SB, Andersen RS, Relster MM, Ditzel HJ, Gjerstorff MF. Ectopic expression of cancer/testis antigen SSX2 induces DNA damage and promotes genomic instability. Mol Oncol 2014; 9:437-49. [PMID: 25363656 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2014.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Revised: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
SSX cancer/testis antigens are frequently expressed in melanoma tumors and represent attractive targets for immunotherapy, but their role in melanoma tumorigenesis has remained elusive. Here, we investigated the cellular effects of SSX2 expression. In A375 melanoma cells, SSX2 expression resulted in an increased DNA content and enlargement of cell nuclei, suggestive of replication aberrations. The cells further displayed signs of DNA damage and genomic instability, associated with p53-mediated G1 cell cycle arrest and a late apoptotic response. These results suggest a model wherein SSX2-mediated replication stress translates into mitotic defects and genomic instability. Arrest of cell growth and induction of DNA double-strand breaks was also observed in MCF7 breast cancer cells in response to SSX2 expression. Additionally, MCF7 cells with ectopic SSX2 expression demonstrated typical signs of senescence (i.e. an irregular and enlarged cell shape, enhanced β-galactosidase activity and DNA double-strand breaks). Since replication defects, DNA damage and senescence are interconnected and well-documented effects of oncogene expression, we tested the oncogenic potential of SSX2. Importantly, knockdown of SSX2 expression in melanoma cell lines demonstrated that SSX2 supports the growth of melanoma cells. Our results reveal two important phenotypes of ectopic SSX2 expression that may drive/support tumorigenesis: First, immediate induction of genomic instability, and second, long-term support of tumor cell growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrine B V Greve
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Jonas N Lindgreen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Mikkel G Terp
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark; The Lundbeckfonden Center of Excellence NanoCAN, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Christina B Pedersen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Steffen Schmidt
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark; The Lundbeckfonden Center of Excellence NanoCAN, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Jan Mollenhauer
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark; The Lundbeckfonden Center of Excellence NanoCAN, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Stine B Kristensen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Rikke S Andersen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Mette M Relster
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Henrik J Ditzel
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark; The Lundbeckfonden Center of Excellence NanoCAN, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark; Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, DK-5230 Odense, Denmark.
| | - Morten F Gjerstorff
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark.
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Ghafouri-Fard S, Shamsi R, Seifi-Alan M, Javaheri M, Tabarestani S. Cancer-testis genes as candidates for immunotherapy in breast cancer. Immunotherapy 2014; 6:165-79. [PMID: 24491090 DOI: 10.2217/imt.13.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-testis (CT) antigens are tumor-associated antigens attracting immunologists for their possible application in the immunotherapy of cancer. Several clinical trials have assessed their therapeutic potentials in cancer patients. Breast cancers, especially triple-negative cancers are among those with significant expression of CT genes. Identification of CT genes with high expression in cancer patients is the prerequisite for any immunotherapeutic approach. CT genes have gained attention not only for immunotherapy of cancer patients, but also for immunoprevention in high-risk individuals. Many CT genes have proved to be immunogenic in breast cancer patients suggesting the basis for the development of polyvalent vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19857-17443, Iran
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22
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Forghanifard MM, Gholamin M, Moaven O, Farshchian M, Ghahraman M, Aledavood A, Abbaszadegan MR. Neoantigen in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma for dendritic cell-based cancer vaccine development. Med Oncol 2014; 31:191. [DOI: 10.1007/s12032-014-0191-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2014] [Accepted: 08/13/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Skorodumova LO, Lukashina MI, Sal'nikova LE, Tikhonova OA, Ivanov SY, Larin SS. Study of expression of testicular cancer genes in breast cancer samples. DOKL BIOCHEM BIOPHYS 2014; 453:316-8. [PMID: 24385105 DOI: 10.1134/s1607672913060112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L O Skorodumova
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Vavilova 34/5, Moscow, 119334, Russia
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24
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Abstract
Background Glioblastoma (GBM) confers a dismal prognosis despite advances in current therapy. Cancer-testis antigens (CTA) comprise families of tumor-associated antigens that are immunogenic in different cancers. The aim of this study was to determine the expression profile of a large number of CTA genes in GBM. Methods We selected, from 153 CTA genes, those genes potentially expressed in GBM. The expression pattern of 30 CTA was then evaluated by RT-PCR in a series of 48 GBM and 5 normal brain samples. The presence of CTCFL protein was also evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. Results Among the genes with no expression in normal brain, ACTL8 (57%), OIP5 (54%), XAGE3 (44%) and CTCFL (15%) were frequently expressed in GBM, while over 85% of the tumors expressed at least 1 of these four CTA. Coexpression of two or more CTA occurred in 49% of cases. CTCFL protein expression was detected in 13% of the GBM and was negative in normal brain samples. GBM expressing 3-4 CTA was associated with significantly better overall survival (OS) rates (P = 0.017). By multivariate analysis, mRNA positivity for 3-4 CTA (P = 0.044), radiotherapy (P = 0.010) and chemotherapy (P = 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for OS. Conclusions GBM frequently express ACTL8, OIP5, XAGE3 and CTCFL. A relatively high percentage of tumors expressed at least one of these four CTA, opening the perspective for their utility in antigen-specific immunotherapy. Furthermore, mRNA positivity for 3-4 CTA is an independent predictor of better OS for GBM patients.
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Abstract
Tumor cells frequently exhibit widespread epigenetic aberrations that significantly alter the repertoire of expressed proteins. In particular, it has been known for nearly 25 years that tumors frequently reactivate genes whose expression is typically restricted to germ cells. These gene products are classified as cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) owing to their biased expression pattern and their immunogenicity in cancer patients. While these genes have been pursued as targets for anticancer vaccines, whether these reactivated testis proteins have roles in supporting tumorigenic features is less studied. Recent evidence now indicates that these proteins can be directly employed by the tumor cell regulatory environment to support cell-autonomous behaviors. Here, we review the history of the CTA field and present recent findings indicating that CTAs can play functional roles in supporting tumorigenesis.
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The novelty of human cancer/testis antigen encoding genes in evolution. Int J Genomics 2013; 2013:105108. [PMID: 23691492 PMCID: PMC3652184 DOI: 10.1155/2013/105108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2012] [Revised: 01/16/2013] [Accepted: 02/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to be inherited in progeny generations, novel genes should originate in germ cells. Here, we suggest that the testes may play a special “catalyst” role in the birth and evolution of new genes. Cancer/testis antigen encoding genes (CT genes) are predominantly expressed both in testes and in a variety of tumors. By the criteria of evolutionary novelty, the CT genes are, indeed, novel genes. We performed homology searches for sequences similar to human CT in various animals and established that most of the CT genes are either found in humans only or are relatively recent in their origin. A majority of all human CT genes originated during or after the origin of Eutheria. These results suggest relatively recent origin of human CT genes and align with the hypothesis of the special role of the testes in the evolution of the gene families.
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Epigenetic regulation of L1CAM in endometrial carcinoma: comparison to cancer-testis (CT-X) antigens. BMC Cancer 2013; 13:156. [PMID: 23530769 PMCID: PMC3626534 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2012] [Accepted: 03/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background L1CAM was originally identified as an adhesion molecule involved in neural development. In many human carcinomas L1CAM is over-expressed and is associated with a bad prognosis. We previously reported that L1CAM was absent in the vast majority of endometrioid endometrial carcinomas (ECs) (type 1) but was strongly expressed in the more aggressive serous and clear-cell ECs (termed type 2). The differential regulation of L1CAM in ECs is not well understood. Recent evidence suggests that it can be regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. Here we investigated the role of DNA-methylation of the L1CAM promoter for expression. We also studied the relationship to cancer testis (CT-X) antigens that co-localize with L1CAM on chromosome Xq28, a region that is often activated in human tumors. Methods We used EC cell lines and primary tumor tissues for our analysis. For expression analysis we employed RT-PCR and Western blotting. DNA-Methylation of the L1CAM promoter was determined after bisulfite conversation and DNA sequencing. Tumor tissues were examined by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Results We demonstrate that the treatment of L1CAM low/negative expressing EC cell lines with 5′-Azacytidine (5-AzaC) or knock-down of DNMT1 (DNA methyltransferase 1) as well as the HDAC (histone deacetylase) inhibitor Trichostatin A (TSA) up-regulated L1CAM at the mRNA and protein level. The L1CAM gene has two promoter regions with two distinct CpG islands. We observed that the expression of L1CAM correlated with hypermethylation in promoter 1 and 5-AzaC treatment affected the DNA-methylation pattern in this region. The CT-X antigens NY-ESO-1, MAGE-A3 and MAGE-A4 were also strongly up-regulated by 5-AzaC or knock-down of DNMT1 but did not respond to treatment with TSA. Primary EC tumor tissues showed a variable methylation pattern of the L1CAM promoter. No striking differences in promoter methylation were observed between tumor areas with L1CAM expression and those without expression. Conclusions L1CAM expression correlated with methylation of the L1CAM promoter in EC cell lines. In negative cell lines L1CAM expression is up-regulated by epigenetic mechanism. Although genes localized on Xq28 are often re-expressed by human tumors, L1CAM and CT-X antigens show distinct regulation in response to HADC inhibitors and 5-AzaC.
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Expression of MAGE--A restricted to testis and ovary or to various cancers in dogs. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2013; 153:26-34. [PMID: 23466080 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2013.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2012] [Revised: 01/28/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Expression of MAGE-A protein, a family of cancer/testis antigens, was investigated in normal and neoplastic canine tissues. Immunohistochemical analysis of cross-reactions between a mouse anti-human MAGE-A proteins including MAGE-A1, -A2, -A3, -A4, -A6, -A10, and -A12 monoclonal antibody and canine proteins, showed positive immunoreactivity only in testicular spermatogonia and spermatocytes, and ovary oocytes. The immunoreaction was negative in all other tissues tested, including normal tissues of the skin, gingiva, muscle, adipose, connective, salivary gland, lymph node, intestinal mucosa, mammary gland, liver, cartilage, oviduct, endometrium, cerebrum and cerebellum. Use of a scoring system in the investigated tumors showed positive immunoreactivity in 75% (21/28) of melanomas including oral, cutaneous, eyelid, and interdigital melanomas; in 68.7% (22/32) of oral and nasal tumors; in 52.5% (21/40) discrete round cell tumors; and in 40.5% (15/37) of soft tissue sarcomas. Different tumor types also showed large difference in percentage of MAGE-A expression. Although oral squamous cell carcinomas, multicentric lymphomas and extraosseous osteosarcomas showed no expression, overexpression occurred in oral melanomas (81.82%, 18/21), malignant nasal tumors (100%, 3/3) and in transmissible venereal tumors (100%, 10/10). Based on the characteristic expression of MAGE-A in canine germ cells and in various neoplasms, MAGE-A has potential use as an indicator of malignancy but is probably unsuitable for strictly diagnostic purposes (i.e., diagnosis of tumor type).
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De Smet C, Loriot A. DNA hypomethylation and activation of germline-specific genes in cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2013; 754:149-66. [PMID: 22956500 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-9967-2_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation, occurring at cytosines in CpG dinucleotides, is a potent mechanism of transcriptional repression. Proper genomic methylation -patterns become profoundly altered in cancer cells: both gains (hypermethylation) and losses (hypomethylation) of methylated sites are observed. Although DNA hypomethylation is detected in a vast majority of human tumors and affects many genomic regions, its role in tumor biology remains elusive. Surprisingly, DNA hypomethylation in cancer was found to cause the aberrant activation of only a limited group of genes. Most of these are normally expressed exclusively in germline cells and were grouped under the term "cancer-germline" (CG) genes. CG genes represent unique examples of genes that rely primarily on DNA methylation for their tissue-specific expression. They are also being exploited to uncover the mechanisms that lead to DNA hypomethylation in tumors. Moreover, as CG genes encode tumor-specific antigens, their activation in cancer highlights a direct link between epigenetic alterations and tumor immunity. As a result, clinical trials combining epigenetic drugs with anti-CG antigen vaccines are being considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles De Smet
- Laboratory of Genetics and Epigenetics, de Duve Institute, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
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Ma Z, Hu Y, Jiang G, Hou J, Liu R, Lu Y, Liu C. Spontaneous generation of germline characteristics in mouse fibrosarcoma cells. Sci Rep 2012; 2:743. [PMID: 23077727 PMCID: PMC3473365 DOI: 10.1038/srep00743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2012] [Accepted: 09/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline/embryonic-specific genes have been found to be activated in somatic tumors. In this study, we further showed that cells functioning as germline could be present in mouse fibrosarcoma cells (L929 cell line). Early germline-like cells spontaneously appeared in L929 cells and further differentiated into oocyte-like cells. These germline-like cells can, in turn, develop into blastocyst-like structures in vitro and cause teratocarcinomas in vivo, which is consistent with natural germ cells in function. Generation of germline-like cells from somatic tumors might provide a novel way to understand why somatic cancer cells have strong features of embryonic/germline development. It is thought that the germline traits of tumors are associated with the central characteristics of malignancy, such as immortalization, invasion, migration and immune evasion. Therefore, germline-like cells in tumors might provide potential targets to tumor biology, diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhan Ma
- Department of Labratory Medicine, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200040, China
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NY-ESO-1 cancer testis antigen demonstrates high immunogenicity in triple negative breast cancer. PLoS One 2012; 7:e38783. [PMID: 22761704 PMCID: PMC3386262 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0038783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2012] [Accepted: 05/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE NY-ESO-1 cancer testis (CT) antigen is an attractive candidate for immunotherapy as a result of its high immunogenicity. The aim of this study was to explore the potential for NY-ESO-1 antigen directed immunotherapy in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) by determining the frequency of expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and the degree of inherent immunogenicity to NY-ESO-1. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN 168 TNBC and 47 ER+/HER2- primary breast cancer specimens were used to determine NY-ESO-1 frequency by IHC. As previous studies have shown that patients with a robust innate humoral immune response to CT antigens are more likely to develop CD8 T-cell responses to NY-ESO-1 peptides, we evaluated the degree to which patients with NY-ESO-1 expression had inherent immunogenicity by measuring antibodies. The relationship between NY-ESO-1 expression and CD8+ T lymphocytes was also examined. RESULTS The frequency of NY-ESO-1 expression in the TNBC cohort was 16% versus 2% in ER+/HER2- patients. A higher NY-ESO-1 score was associated with a younger age at diagnosis in the TNBC patients with NY-ESO-1 expression (p = 0.026). No differences in OS (p = 0.278) or PFS (p = 0.238) by NY-ESO-1 expression status were detected. Antibody responses to NY-ESO-1 were found in 73% of TNBC patients whose tumors were NY-ESO-1 positive. NY-ESO-1 positive patients had higher CD8 counts than negative patients (p = 0.018). CONCLUSION NY-ESO-1 is expressed in a substantial subset of TNBC patients and leads to a high humoral immune response in a large proportion of these individuals. Given these observations, patients with TNBC may benefit from targeted therapies directed against NY-ESO-1.
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Rousseaux S, Khochbin S. New hypotheses for large-scale epigenome alterations in somatic cancer cells: a role for male germ-cell-specific regulators. Epigenomics 2012; 1:153-61. [PMID: 22122641 DOI: 10.2217/epi.09.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic cell transformation is consistently associated with alterations of the cell epigenome leading to aberrant gene repression and activation. Some of these events, such as the DNA-methylation-based silencing of tumor suppressor genes, are considered to be oncogenic themselves. A much less-studied consequence of these epigenetic misregulations is the abnormal activation of tissue-specific genes in precancerous and transformed cells. Here, we explore the idea that the aberrant expression of germ-cell-specific genes in somatic cancer cells could contribute to malignant cell transformation and cancer progression. Indeed, a significant number of papers have reported the abnormal activation of germ cell-specific genes in various somatic cancers (known as cancer testis [C/T] antigens or factors). Although in most cases the physiological function of these genes remains unknown, functional investigations suggest that they can act as potent genome, epigenome and cellular reorganizers. Hence, in view of the existing literature, we discuss the hypothesis that C/T activation in somatic cells is not only a consequence of global epigenetic deregulation, but also a cause of further large-scale alterations of the epigenome, which themselves have direct oncogenic consequences for the affected cells. Finally, we highlight the fact that C/T factors have the potential to serve as valuable markers for cancer detection, as well as provide promising targets for developing new therapeutical strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Rousseaux
- INSERM U823, Université Joseph Fourier, Institut Albert Bonniot, Grenoble, France.
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Castle JC, Kreiter S, Diekmann J, Löwer M, van de Roemer N, de Graaf J, Selmi A, Diken M, Boegel S, Paret C, Koslowski M, Kuhn AN, Britten CM, Huber C, Türeci O, Sahin U. Exploiting the mutanome for tumor vaccination. Cancer Res 2012; 72:1081-91. [PMID: 22237626 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-11-3722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 592] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Multiple genetic events and subsequent clonal evolution drive carcinogenesis, making disease elimination with single-targeted drugs difficult. The multiplicity of gene mutations derived from clonal heterogeneity therefore represents an ideal setting for multiepitope tumor vaccination. Here, we used next generation sequencing exome resequencing to identify 962 nonsynonymous somatic point mutations in B16F10 murine melanoma cells, with 563 of those mutations in expressed genes. Potential driver mutations occurred in classical tumor suppressor genes and genes involved in proto-oncogenic signaling pathways that control cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, and apoptosis. Aim1 and Trrap mutations known to be altered in human melanoma were included among those found. The immunogenicity and specificity of 50 validated mutations was determined by immunizing mice with long peptides encoding the mutated epitopes. One-third of these peptides were found to be immunogenic, with 60% in this group eliciting immune responses directed preferentially against the mutated sequence as compared with the wild-type sequence. In tumor transplant models, peptide immunization conferred in vivo tumor control in protective and therapeutic settings, thereby qualifying mutated epitopes that include single amino acid substitutions as effective vaccines. Together, our findings provide a comprehensive picture of the mutanome of B16F10 melanoma which is used widely in immunotherapy studies. In addition, they offer insight into the extent of the immunogenicity of nonsynonymous base substitution mutations. Lastly, they argue that the use of deep sequencing to systematically analyze immunogenicity mutations may pave the way for individualized immunotherapy of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Castle
- TRON-Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center Mainz, Germany
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Expression of MAGE-C1/CT7 and MAGE-C2/CT10 predicts lymph node metastasis in melanoma patients. PLoS One 2011; 6:e21418. [PMID: 21738656 PMCID: PMC3124507 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2010] [Accepted: 06/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
MAGE-C1/CT7 and MAGE-C2/CT10 are members of the large MAGE family of cancer-testis (CT) antigens. CT antigens are promising targets for immunotherapy in cancer because their expression is restricted to cancer and germ line cells and a proportion of cancer patients presents with immune responses against CT antigens, which clearly demonstrates their immunogenicity. This study investigates the expression of MAGE-C1/CT7 and MAGE-C2/CT10 in primary and metastatic melanoma. Immunohistochemical staining of tissue microarrays that consisted of 59 primary malignant melanomas of the skin, 163 lymph node and distant melanoma metastases and 68 melanoma cell lines was performed. We found MAGE-C1/CT7 expression in 15 out of 50 (24%) primary melanomas and 15 out of 50 (24%) cell lines, whereas MAGE-C2/CT10 was detected in 17 out of 51 (33%) primary melanomas and 14 out of 68 (17%) cell lines. MAGE-C1/CT7 and MAGE-C2/CT10 were both detected in 40% of melanoma metastases. Patients with MAGE-C1/CT7 or MAGE-C2/CT10 positive primary melanoma had significantly more lymph node metastases (p = 0.005 and p<0.001, resp.). Prediction of lymph node metastasis by MAGE-C1/CT7 and MAGE-C2/CT10 was independent of tumor cell proliferation rate (Ki67 labeling index) in a multivariate analysis (p = 0.01). Our results suggest that the expression of MAGE-C1/CT7 and MAGE-C2/CT10 in primary melanoma is a potent predictor of sentinel lymph node metastasis.
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Bhan S, Negi SS, Shao C, Glazer CA, Chuang A, Gaykalova DA, Sun W, Sidransky D, Ha PK, Califano JA. BORIS binding to the promoters of cancer testis antigens, MAGEA2, MAGEA3, and MAGEA4, is associated with their transcriptional activation in lung cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2011; 17:4267-76. [PMID: 21558405 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-0653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Aim of this study was to determine whether BORIS (Brother of the Regulator of Imprinted Sites) is a regulator of MAGEA2, MAGEA3, and MAGEA4 genes in lung cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Changes in expression of MAGEA genes upon BORIS induction/knockdown were studied. Recruitment of BORIS and changes in histone modifications at their promoters upon BORIS induction were analyzed. Luciferase assays were used to study their activation by BORIS. Changes in methylation at these promoters upon BORIS induction were evaluated. RESULTS Alteration of BORIS expression by induction/knockdown directly correlated with expression of MAGEA genes. BORIS was enriched at their promoters in H1299 cells, which show high expression of these cancer testis antigens (CTA), compared with normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells which show low expression of the target CTAs. BORIS induction in A549 cells resulted in increased amounts of BORIS and activating histone modifications at their promoters along with a corresponding increase in their expression. Similarly, BORIS binding at these promoters in H1299 correlates with enrichment of activating modifications, whereas absence of BORIS binding in NHBE is associated with enrichment of repressive marks. BORIS induction of MAGEA3 was associated with promoter demethylation, but no methylation changes were noted with activation of MAGEA2 and MAGEA4. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that BORIS positively regulates these CTAs by binding and inducing a shift to a more open chromatin conformation with promoter demethylation for MAGEA3 or independent of promoter demethylation in case of MAGEA2 and MAGEA4 and may be a key effector involved in their derepression in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheetal Bhan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Yin B, Liu G, Wang XS, Zhang H, Song YS, Wu B. Expression profile of cancer-testis genes in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Urol Oncol 2011; 30:886-92. [PMID: 21396841 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2010.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2010] [Revised: 08/11/2010] [Accepted: 08/18/2010] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the expression profile of multiple cancer testis (CT) genes in transitional cell carcinoma of bladder (TCC), and investigate its possible correlation with clinicopathologic characteristics. METHODS The mRNA expression of 6 CT genes was detected using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for 102 TCC samples (59 Ta-T1, 43 T2-T4, 44 G1, 32 G2, and 26 G3 samples) as well as the matching adjacent normal bladder mucosa for each sample. The MAGE-A3 protein expression was also determined by immunoblotting. Immunohistochemistry was performed in selected samples to confirm the MAGE-A3 protein expression. RESULTS The mRNA expression of all 6 CT genes was detected with relatively high frequencies in TCC tissues. The percent of samples positive for each gene in the TCC samples are: MAGE-A3, 58.8%; MAGE-A1, 56.9%; cTAGE-1, 52.9%; MAGE-A12, 51%; cTAGE-2, 49%; and NY-ESO-1, 45.1%. Furthermore, MAGE-A3 protein expression was positive in 52.9% of TCC tissues by immunoblotting. Immunohistochemistry showed an exclusively cytoplasmic staining pattern of MAGE-A3 protein. Neither CT gene mRNA expression nor MAGE-A3 protein expression was found in the adjacent normal tissue. There was no significant correlation between CT gene expression and clinicopathologic characteristics (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS All six CT genes are highly expressed in TCC, and may serve as therapeutic targets of specific immunotherapy for TCC, especially in multi-antigen vaccine preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Yin
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
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Fratta E, Coral S, Covre A, Parisi G, Colizzi F, Danielli R, Nicolay HJM, Sigalotti L, Maio M. The biology of cancer testis antigens: putative function, regulation and therapeutic potential. Mol Oncol 2011; 5:164-82. [PMID: 21376678 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2011.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 251] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2010] [Revised: 01/31/2011] [Accepted: 02/03/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer testis antigens (CTA) are a large family of tumor-associated antigens expressed in human tumors of different histological origin, but not in normal tissues except for testis and placenta. This tumor-restricted pattern of expression, together with their strong in vivo immunogenicity, identified CTA as ideal targets for tumor-specific immunotherapeutic approaches, and prompted the development of several clinical trials of CTA-based vaccine therapy. Driven by this practical clinical interest, a more detailed characterization of CTA biology has been recently undertaken. So far, at least 70 families of CTA, globally accounting for about 140 members, have been identified. Most of these CTA are expressed during spermatogenesis, but their function is still largely unknown. Epigenetic events, particularly DNA methylation, appear to be the primary mechanism regulating CTA expression in both normal and transformed cells, as well as in cancer stem cells. In view of the growing interest in CTA biology, the aim of this review is to provide the most recent information on their expression, regulation and function, together with a brief summary of the major clinical trials involving CTA as therapeutic agents. The pharmacologic modulation of CTA expression profiles on neoplastic cells by DNA hypomethylating drugs will also be discussed as a feasible approach to design new combination therapies potentially able to improve the clinical efficacy of currently adopted CTA-based immunotherapeutic regimens in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Fratta
- Cancer Bioimmunotherapy Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Via Franco Gallini 2, 33081 Aviano, Italy
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Gjerstorff MF, Burns J, Ditzel HJ. Cancer-germline antigen vaccines and epigenetic enhancers: future strategies for cancer treatment. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2010; 10:1061-75. [PMID: 20420535 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2010.485188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD Immunotherapy holds great potential for disseminated cancer, and cancer-germline (CG) antigens are among the most promising tumor targets. They are widely expressed in different cancer types and are essentially tumor-specific, since their expression in normal tissues is largely restricted to immune-privileged sites. Although the therapeutic potential of these antigens may be compromised by their highly heterogeneous expression in many tumors and low frequency in some cancers, recent developments suggest that tumor-cell-selective enhancement of CG antigen gene expression can be achieved using epigenetic modifiers. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW We provide an overview of the potential of CG antigens as targets for cancer immunotherapy, including advantages and disadvantages. We also discuss the current state of development of CG antigen vaccines, and the potential synergistic effect of combining CG antigen immunotherapeutic strategies with epigenetic modifiers. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN The reader will gain an overview of the past, present and future role of CG antigens in cancer immunotherapy. TAKE HOME MESSAGE Chemoimmunotherapy using epigenetic drugs and CG antigen vaccines may be a useful approach for treating cancer.
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mRNA expression of the XAGE-1 gene in human acute leukemia. Int J Hematol 2010; 91:209-12. [PMID: 20178013 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-010-0527-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2009] [Revised: 01/23/2010] [Accepted: 02/05/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
XAGE-1 is a cancer-testis antigen, which was demonstrated to be expressed at a significant frequency and to be immunogenic in some solid tumors. We analyzed the expression of 4 XAGE-1 transcript variant gene in human acute leukemias by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Among the 114 acute leukemias, 14/63 (22.22%) of the acute myeloid leukemia samples were positive for XAGE-1b genes. XAGE-1b mRNA expression was detected in 10/51 (19.61%) of the acute lymphocyte leukemia samples. However, we did not find any important correlation between XAGE-1b mRNA expression and clinical characteristics, such as sex, leukemia type, response to therapy and the percentage of blast in the first diagnosed bone marrow. We concluded that the XAGE-1b gene was expressed at the mRNA level in a proportion of human acute leukemia.
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Tan PH, Lota AS. Interaction of current cancer treatments and the immune system: implications for breast cancer therapeutics. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2009; 9:2639-60. [PMID: 18803451 DOI: 10.1517/14656566.9.15.2639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer may account for the current improvement in the mortality of breast cancer. However, achieving a complete 'cure' is the holy grail of cancer medicine and, in many cases, cancer patients still succumb to their ultimate fate. There is therefore a need to devise innovative therapies to overcome this problem. To this end, many emerging therapies utilizing the immune system to eradicate the residues of disease have been described in the preclinical and clinical arenas. However, there is very little work examining the impact of immunotherapy on the existing natural immunity. The relationship between antitumor immunity, in the form of immunotherapy (either passive or active), and current strategies of treatment also needs to be explored. If we are to improve the success of cancer treatment, we must understand how current therapies interact with the immune system and with the emerging immunotherapies. For breast-cancer treatment to be successful, therapeutics should be tailored towards antitumor immunity; they should also avoid tumor-specific tolerance. The sources of information used to prepare this paper were obtained through published work on Pubmed/Medline and materials published on the US/UK governmental agencies' websites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng H Tan
- University of Oxford, The John Radcliffe Hospital, Nuffield Department of Surgery, Headley Way, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.
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Tsuji K, Hamada T, Uenaka A, Wada H, Sato E, Isobe M, Asagoe K, Yamasaki O, Shiku H, Ritter G, Murphy R, Hoffman EW, Old LJ, Nakayama E, Iwatsuki K. Induction of immune response against NY-ESO-1 by CHP-NY-ESO-1 vaccination and immune regulation in a melanoma patient. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2008; 57:1429-37. [PMID: 18311489 PMCID: PMC11030644 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-008-0478-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2007] [Accepted: 02/04/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND NY-ESO-1 is a cancer/testis antigen highly immunogenic in cancer patients. Cholesterol-bearing hydrophobized pullulan (CHP) is a nanoparticle-forming antigen-delivery vehicle and CHP complexed with NY-ESO-1 protein (CHP-NY-ESO-1) efficiently activates CD4 and CD8 T cells in vitro. AIM In this study we report on a 50-year-old male melanoma patient with multiple skin and organ metastases (T4N3M1c) who was vaccinated with CHP-NY-ESO-1 at biweekly intervals and who had an unusual disease course. We characterized in this patient humoral and cellular immune responses, immune regulatory cells, and cytokine profiles in the peripheral blood and at local tumor sites. RESULTS Ten days after the second CHP-NY-ESO-1 vaccination (day 25), blisters appeared on the skin at the metastatic lesions associated with inflammatory changes. A skin biopsy showed the presence of many NY-ESO-1-expressing apoptotic melanoma cells as determined by a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) test. However, the tumors continued to grow, and the patient died of pulmonary failure due to multiple metastases on day 48. Serum antibody responses were detected after the second CHP-NY-ESO-1 vaccination and antibody titer increased with subsequent vaccinations. Th1 dependent IgG1 was the predominant immunoglobulin subtype. Both, NY-ESO-1-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell responses were detected in PBMC by IFN-gamma secretion assays. After CHP-NY-ESO-1 vaccination a slight decrease in CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs was observed in PBMC but significantly increased numbers of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs and CD68(+) immunoregulatory macrophages were detected at the local tumor sites. CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs were also increased in the blister fluid. Cytokines in the serum suggested a polarization towards a Th1 pattern in the PBMC and those in the blister fluid suggested a Th2-type response at the tumor site. CONCLUSIONS Our observations indicate induction of specific humoral and cellular immune responses against NY-ESO-1 after CHP-NY-ESO-1 vaccination in a melanoma patient. The concomitant appearance of regulatory T cells and of immune regulatory macrophages and cytokines at the local tumor sites in this patient may explain immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhide Tsuji
- Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.
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Prasad ML, Jungbluth AA, Patel SG, Iversen K, Hoshaw-Woodard S, Busam KJ. Expression and significance of cancer testis antigens in primary mucosal melanoma of the head and neck. Head Neck 2008; 26:1053-7. [PMID: 15515159 DOI: 10.1002/hed.20112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) are T-cell-defined tumor-associated antigens encoded by the genes and gene families such as MAGE, NY-ESO-1, and others. Their expression in a wide variety of malignant neoplasms but absence in all normal adult tissue except testicular germ cells makes them attractive targets for immunotherapy of cancer. Primary mucosal melanomas of the head and neck (HNMM) are rare aggressive malignant tumors that are usually difficult to treat. CTAs may provide useful targets for therapy; however, their expression in HNMM is not known. METHODS We analyzed 40 initial, 15 recurrent, and 15 metastatic HNMM to nonmucosal locations from 64 patients (oral, n = 30; sinonasal, n = 34). Immunohistochemistry was performed on archival tissue with monoclonal antibodies 57B, CT7-33, and ES121 to the following CTAs: MAGE-A4, CT7 (MAGE-C1), and NY-ESO-1, respectively. RESULTS CT7, MAGE-A4, and NY-ESO-1 expression was seen in 73%, 61%, and 24% of tumors, respectively, with 81% of the tumors expressing at least one of the CTAs. CT7 and MAGE-A4 were significantly more frequently expressed in tumors composed of epithelioid cells than spindle cells (p = .05). CTA expression did not correlate with disease progression, overall survival, and disease-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS CT7, MAGEA4, and NY-ESO-1 are frequently expressed in HNMM and may be potential targets for CTA-based immunotherapy. The expression does not seem to have prognostic significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manju L Prasad
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.
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Morrison BJ, Schmidt CW, Lakhani SR, Reynolds BA, Lopez JA. Breast cancer stem cells: implications for therapy of breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 2008; 10:210. [PMID: 18671830 PMCID: PMC2575525 DOI: 10.1186/bcr2111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of cancer stem cells responsible for tumour origin, maintenance, and resistance to treatment has gained prominence in the field of breast cancer research. The therapeutic targeting of these cells has the potential to eliminate residual disease and may become an important component of a multimodality treatment. Recent improvements in immunotherapy targeting of tumour-associated antigens have advanced the prospect of targeting breast cancer stem cells, an approach that might lead to more meaningful clinical remissions. Here, we review the role of stem cells in the healthy breast, the role of breast cancer stem cells in disease, and the potential to target these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Morrison
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Royal Brisbane Hospital Post Office, Brisbane 4029, Australia.
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Taylor M, Bolton LM, Johnson P, Elliott T, Murray N. Breast cancer is a promising target for vaccination using cancer-testis antigens known to elicit immune responses. Breast Cancer Res 2008; 9:R46. [PMID: 17650306 PMCID: PMC2206722 DOI: 10.1186/bcr1749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2006] [Revised: 03/09/2007] [Accepted: 07/24/2007] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cancer-testis antigens (CTAGs) are expressed solely in germ cells and in malignant tissues. They are targets of immune responses mediated by cytotoxic T cells in some cancers, and there is much interest in developing vaccines that induce these responses. The purpose of the present study was to ascertain the frequency of expression of CTAGs in breast cancer. METHODS Breast tumours were collected sequentially in the Southampton Tumour Bank from donors who had given written informed consent. Stored samples where there was sufficient material were sampled in sequence. An initial series of 42 tumours was screened for expression of 17 different CTAGs. A second panel of 40 tumours was screened for the expression of those antigens present in the first panel. RESULTS Ninety-three per cent of tumours in the first series expressed at least one CTAG, and 62% expressed the single antigen CTAG1. Eighty per cent of tumours in the second series expressed at least one CTAG, 50% expressing CTAG1. Tumours exhibiting higher risk features tended to express more CTAGs. CONCLUSION More than two-thirds of breast cancers would be covered by a vaccine directed against just three CTAGs - CTAG1, BAGE1, and MAGEA10 - all of which are known to be targets of cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Taylor
- Cancer Research – UK Clinical Centre, University of Southampton, MP824, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Louise M Bolton
- Cancer Research – UK Clinical Centre, University of Southampton, MP824, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Peter Johnson
- Cancer Research – UK Clinical Centre, University of Southampton, MP824, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Tim Elliott
- Cancer Research – UK Clinical Centre, University of Southampton, MP824, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Nick Murray
- Cancer Research – UK Clinical Centre, University of Southampton, MP824, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
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Mittendorf EA, Peoples GE, Singletary SE. Breast cancer vaccines: promise for the future or pipe dream? Cancer 2007; 110:1677-86. [PMID: 17763371 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.22978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to review issues involved in the search for a breast cancer vaccine. A review of the recent literature (2004-2007) was undertaken, with earlier literature included as appropriate for background, to assess 1) current approaches being used to create a therapeutic breast cancer vaccine, and 2) potential strategies for a preventive vaccine targeting either an infectious agent or tumor-associated antigen. Several approaches to the development of a therapeutic vaccine show promise, including tumor cell/dendritic cell fusion and DNA vaccines based on single purified antigens or DNA fragments from whole cells. Most of these experimental vaccines have either not moved beyond preclinical testing or have not shown a significant clinical response. Strategies involving host factors that mitigate immune response against tumors also show promise. Interest has increased in developing a preventive vaccine that can be administered to immunocompetent patients with minimal or no evidence of disease. Prophylactic vaccines typically target infectious agents, but the evidence for an infectious etiology for breast cancer is largely descriptive and difficult to interpret. A second strategy for a preventive breast cancer vaccine is to target tumor-associated antigens. Ongoing clinical trials are utilizing this approach, with preliminary results that are encouraging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Mittendorf
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030-4095, USA
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Kawabata R, Wada H, Isobe M, Saika T, Sato S, Uenaka A, Miyata H, Yasuda T, Doki Y, Noguchi Y, Kumon H, Tsuji K, Iwatsuki K, Shiku H, Ritter G, Murphy R, Hoffman E, Old LJ, Monden M, Nakayama E. Antibody response against NY-ESO-1 in CHP-NY-ESO-1 vaccinated patients. Int J Cancer 2007; 120:2178-84. [PMID: 17278093 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.22583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
NY-ESO-1 specific humoral responses are frequently observed in patients with various types of NY-ESO-1 antigen expressing tumors. In a large proportion of NY-ESO-1 antibody-positive patients of NY-ESO-1-specific CD8 T-cells can also be detected suggesting that monitoring of the NY-ESO-1 specific humoral immune response may be a relevant and more practical surrogate for estimating the overall immune response against NY-ESO-1 in clinical vaccine studies. We have immunized 9 cancer patients with full length NY-ESO-1 protein formulated with cholesterol-bearing hydrophobized pullulan (CHP-NY-ESO-1) and investigated the humoral immune responses against NY-ESO-1. Seven patients were NY-ESO-1 antibody-negative and 2 patients were positive prior to vaccination. Vaccination with CHP-NY-ESO-1 resulted in the induction or increase of NY-ESO-1 antibody responses in all 9 patients immunized. Epitope analysis revealed 5 regions in the NY-ESO-1 protein molecule that were recognized by antibodies induced after vaccination. The 5 regions were also recognized by antibodies present in nonvaccinated, NY-ESO-1 antibody-positive cancer patients. A peptide spanning amino acids 91-108 was recognized in 6 out of 9 vaccinated patients and in 8 out of 9 nonvaccinated, sero-positive patients, being the most dominant antigenic epitope in NY-ESO-1 for antibody recognition in cancer patients. In conclusion, we showed that CHP-NY-ESO-1 protein vaccination had a potent activity for inducing humoral immune responses against NY-ESO-1 antigen in cancer patients. The antigenic epitopes recognized by antibodies in the vaccinated patients were similar to those recognized in cancer patients with spontaneous humoral immunity against NY-ESO-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryohei Kawabata
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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Miles AK, Rogers A, Li G, Seth R, Powe D, McArdle SEB, McCulloch TA, Bishop MC, Rees RC. Identification of a novel prostate cancer-associated tumor antigen. Prostate 2007; 67:274-87. [PMID: 17192878 DOI: 10.1002/pros.20520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The identification of antigens that distinguish cancer cells from normal cells is of major importance for the definition of therapeutic targets in human malignancies. Using sera from cancer patients, we have previously reported on the identification of immunologically recognized proteins that belong to the family of cancer testis antigens (CTAs). METHODS A normal testicular cDNA library was screened with pooled allogeneic sera from patients with prostate cancer using a modified SEREX approach. Subsequently we have identified and characterized a novel antigen, T21, with an expression pattern similar to that of CTAs. mRNA expression of T21 was determined using a panel of whole tissues and prostate cell lines using Q-RT-PCR. For laser microdissection, fresh prostate cancer and benign tissue was obtained using our novel validated harvesting technique. Protein expression and cellular localization of T21 were assessed in prostate cell lines using Western blotting, confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. RESULTS T21 showed tissue-restricted mRNA expression in gastric, kidney and prostate cancers, and in normal testis and prostate tissues. Following laser microdissection, T21 was significantly over-expressed in malignant compared to benign prostatic epithelium. We have demonstrated expression of T21 at the protein level and confocal microscopy on PC3 cells probed with a T21-monospecific antibody revealed cytoplasmic localization of T21 protein. CONCLUSIONS The highly restricted expression pattern of T21 makes it an attractive vaccine target for prostate cancer. Several CTAs reportedly induce cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses, therefore it is reasonable to assume that T21 will be a valuable target for cancer immunotherapy.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Antigens, Neoplasm/blood
- Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- Base Sequence
- Blotting, Western
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Child
- DNA, Complementary/biosynthesis
- DNA, Complementary/genetics
- Exons
- Gene Library
- Humans
- Introns
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Prostatic Neoplasms/blood
- Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics
- Prostatic Neoplasms/immunology
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Neoplasm/chemistry
- RNA, Neoplasm/genetics
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K Miles
- School of Biomedical and Natural Science, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Clifton, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Sharma P, Shen Y, Wen S, Bajorin DF, Reuter VE, Old LJ, Jungbluth AA. Cancer-testis antigens: expression and correlation with survival in human urothelial carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2006; 12:5442-7. [PMID: 17000678 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-06-0527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Vaccination against human cancer is a promising therapeutic approach but the optimal antigen or antigens remain undefined. Cancer-testis antigens (CTA), a family of tumor-associated antigens, have both potent immunogenicity and restricted expression patterns in normal adult tissues, highly desirable characteristics for targets of anticancer vaccines. These antigens were evaluated for both the degree of expression and prognostic value in cancer of the urothelium. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The expression patterns of nine CTAs (NY-ESO-1, LAGE-1, MAGE-A1, MAGE-A3, MAGE-A4, MAGE-A10, CT7, CT10, and GAGE) were examined by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-PCR in a panel of high-grade urothelial carcinomas of the urinary bladder. Also assessed were correlations between the expression of CTAs by immunohistochemistry and both disease-free and overall survival. RESULTS At least one CTA was expressed in 77% of samples and 61% of these tumors expressed more than one CTA. Additionally, patients with CT10-positive tumors had an improved disease-free survival (P=0.008) and overall survival (P=0.037) compared with patients with CT10-negative tumors. CONCLUSIONS These findings establish CTAs as potential prognostic markers and as target candidates for vaccine development for patients with urothelial carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padmanee Sharma
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
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Nicholaou T, Ebert L, Davis ID, Robson N, Klein O, Maraskovsky E, Chen W, Cebon J. Directions in the immune targeting of cancer: lessons learned from the cancer-testis Ag NY-ESO-1. Immunol Cell Biol 2006; 84:303-17. [PMID: 16681828 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1711.2006.01446.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Since the early 1990s, numerous cancer Ag have been defined and for a handful of these there is now some clinical experience, which has made it possible to assess their value as targets for cancer immunotherapy. The cancer-testis Ag have been particularly attractive because their expression is limited to cancer and virtually no non-malignant cells apart from germ cells and trophoblast. Among these, NY-ESO-1 has been the focus of our attention. The exceptional immunogenicity of this Ag coupled with its widespread distribution among many cancer types make it a very good vaccine candidate, with the potential to be used in vaccines against many types of malignancies. This article reviews emerging knowledge about the biology of NY-ESO-1 and experience with the early clinical development of vaccines directed against NY-ESO-1. These early studies have yielded a wealth of information about the immunology of NY-ESO-1 and set the scene for future clinical strategies for immune targeting of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theo Nicholaou
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Cancer Vaccine Programme, Austin Hospital, Victoria, Australia
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Abstract
Novel adjuvant therapies are urgently needed to complement the existing treatment options for breast cancer. The advent of the use of dendritic cells (DCs) for cancer immunotherapy provides a unique opportunity to overcome the relative non-immunogenic property of breast tumours and address the underlying immunodeficiency. To date, the success of this approach has been limited, possibly due to the targeting of specific tumour antigens that rapidly mutate and, thus, become undetectable to the immune system. A more efficient approach would include preparations encompassing multiple antigens, such as those provided by loading of whole tumour cells or tumour RNA. It is proposed that targeting mammary stem cells responsible for resistance to chemo/immunotherapy, through the expression of a broad array of wild-type and mutated tumour antigens in the context of DCs, will become a mainstay for immunotherapy of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Pinzon-Charry
- Dendritic Cell and Cancer Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane 4006, Australia
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