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Gallimore F, Fandy TE. Therapeutic Applications of Azanucleoside Analogs as DNA Demethylating Agents. EPIGENOMES 2023; 7:12. [PMID: 37489400 PMCID: PMC10366911 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes7030012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Azanucleosides, such as 5-azacytidine and decitabine, are DNA demethylating agents used in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. Researchers continue to explore their utility in the treatment of other hematologic and solid tumors. Based on the capacity of the compounds to inhibit DNA methyltransferase enzymes and the important role of DNA methylation in health and disease, it is essential to understand the molecular changes that azanucleosides induce and how these changes may improve treatment outcomes in subsets of patients. This review summarizes the molecular and therapeutic actions of azanucleosides and discusses recent clinical trials of these compounds as single agents or in combination therapy for the treatment of cancer and related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fallon Gallimore
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Administrative Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Charleston, Charleston, WV 25304, USA
| | - Tamer E Fandy
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Administrative Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Charleston, Charleston, WV 25304, USA
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2
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Lordo MR, Stiff AR, Oakes CC, Mundy-Bosse BL. Effects of epigenetic therapy on natural killer cell function and development in hematologic malignancy. J Leukoc Biol 2023; 113:518-524. [PMID: 36860165 PMCID: PMC10443672 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic therapy is an emerging field in the treatment of human cancer, including hematologic malignancies. This class of therapeutic agents approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for cancer treatment includes DNA hypomethylating agents, histone deacetylase inhibitors, IDH1/2 inhibitors, EZH2 inhibitors, and numerous preclinical targets/agents. Most studies measuring the biological effects of epigenetic therapy focus their attention on either their direct cytotoxic effects on malignant cells or their effects on modifying tumor cell antigen expression, exposing them to immune surveillance mechanisms. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that epigenetic therapy also has effects on the development and function of the immune system, including natural killer cells, which can alter their response to cancer cells. In this review, we summarize the body of literature studying the effects of different classes of epigenetic therapy on the development and/or function of natural killer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R. Lordo
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, 460 W. 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, 370 W. 9th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Andrew R. Stiff
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, 460 W. 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Physician Scientist Training Program, The Ohio State University, 370 W. 9th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 460 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Christopher C. Oakes
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, 460 W. 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 460 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Bethany L. Mundy-Bosse
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, 460 W. 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 460 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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3
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Hojjatipour T, Maali A, Azad M. Natural killer cell epigenetic reprogramming in tumors and potential for cancer immunotherapy. Epigenomics 2023; 15:249-266. [PMID: 37125432 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are critical members of the innate lymphoid cell population and have a pivotal role in cancer eradication. NK cell maturation, development and function are tightly regulated by epigenetic modifications, which can also be recruited for cancer propagation and immune escape. NK cells have the potential to be activated against tumors through several epigenetic regulators. Given that epigenetic changes are inducible and reversible, focusing on aberrant epigenetic regulations recruited by tumor cells provides a tremendous opportunity for cancer treatment. This review presents a comprehensive picture of NK cell normal epigenetic regulation and cancer-driven epigenetic modifications. From our perspective, a better understanding of epigenetic regulators that can edit and revise NK cells' activity is a promising avenue for NK cell-based therapy in cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Hojjatipour
- Department of Hematology & Blood Transfusion, Students Research Center, School of Allied Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhosein Maali
- Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Paramedicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Mehdi Azad
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
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4
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dos Reis FD, Jerónimo C, Correia MP. Epigenetic modulation and prostate cancer: Paving the way for NK cell anti-tumor immunity. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1152572. [PMID: 37090711 PMCID: PMC10113550 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1152572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunoepigenetics is a growing field, as there is mounting evidence on the key role played by epigenetic mechanisms in the regulation of tumor immune cell recognition and control of immune cell anti-tumor responses. Moreover, it is increasingly acknowledgeable a tie between epigenetic regulation and prostate cancer (PCa) development and progression. PCa is intrinsically a cold tumor, with scarce immune cell infiltration and low inflammatory tumor microenvironment. However, Natural Killer (NK) cells, main anti-tumor effector immune cells, have been frequently linked to improved PCa prognosis. The role that epigenetic-related mechanisms might have in regulating both NK cell recognition of PCa tumor cells and NK cell functions in PCa is still mainly unknown. Epigenetic modulating drugs have been showing boundless therapeutic potential as anti-tumor agents, however their role in immune cell regulation and recognition is scarce. In this review, we focused on studies addressing modulation of epigenetic mechanisms involved in NK cell-mediated responses, including both the epigenetic modulation of tumor cell NK ligand expression and NK cell receptor expression and function in different tumor models, highlighting studies in PCa. The integrated knowledge from diverse epigenetic modulation mechanisms promoting NK cell-mediated immunity in various tumor models might open doors for the development of novel epigenetic-based therapeutic options for PCa management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa D. dos Reis
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
- Master Program in Oncology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Margareta P. Correia
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Margareta P. Correia,
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5
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Lau CM, Wiedemann GM, Sun JC. Epigenetic regulation of natural killer cell memory. Immunol Rev 2022; 305:90-110. [PMID: 34908173 PMCID: PMC8955591 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Immunological memory is the underlying mechanism by which the immune system remembers previous encounters with pathogens to produce an enhanced secondary response upon re-encounter. It stands as the hallmark feature of the adaptive immune system and the cornerstone of vaccine development. Classic recall responses are executed by conventional T and B cells, which undergo somatic recombination and modify their receptor repertoire to ensure recognition of a vast number of antigens. However, recent evidence has challenged the dogma that memory responses are restricted to the adaptive immune system, which has prompted a reevaluation of what delineates "immune memory." Natural killer (NK) cells of the innate immune system have been at the forefront of these pushed boundaries, and have proved to be more "adaptable" than previously thought. Like T cells, we now appreciate that their "natural" abilities actually require a myriad of signals for optimal responses. In this review, we discuss the many signals required for effector and memory NK cell responses and the epigenetic mechanisms that ultimately endow their enhanced features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen M. Lau
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gabriela M. Wiedemann
- Department of Internal Medicine II, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Joseph C. Sun
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA,Department of Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
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6
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Li X, Zhang M, Cai S, Wu Y, You Y, Wang X, Wang L. Concentration-Dependent Decitabine Effects on Primary NK Cells Viability, Phenotype, and Function in the Absence of Obvious NK Cells Proliferation-Original Article. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:755662. [PMID: 34759824 PMCID: PMC8573336 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.755662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells can evade innate immune killing by modulating natural killer (NK) cells receptors and their cognate ligands in tumor cells, thus it may be possible to restore proper expression of immune receptors or ligands with immune sensitive drugs. Decitabine, as a hypomethylation agent, was approved for the treatment of AML and myelodysplastic syndrome. While clinical responses were contributed by epigenetic effects and the induction of cancer cell apoptosis, decitabine also has immune-mediated anti-tumor effects. After exposure to various concentration of decitabine for 24 h, the primary NK cells (AML-NK cells) cytotoxicity and receptor expression (NKG2D and NKp46) displayed parabola-shaped response, while U-shaped response was seen in cytokine release (IFN-γ and IL-10), and these effects were regulated by ERK and STAT3 phosphorylation level. Furthermore, AML-NK cells function displayed different response when the competitive MEK and STAT3 inhibitors applied respectively. Thus, we could conclude that the different dose of decitabine makes various effects on AML-NK cells function and receptors expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Institution of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Institution of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Sisi Cai
- Institution of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaohui Wu
- Institution of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong You
- Institution of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xianghong Wang
- Institution of Hematology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Wang
- Institution of Hematology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Lee P, Yim R, Yung Y, Chu HT, Yip PK, Gill H. Molecular Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy for Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10232. [PMID: 34638574 PMCID: PMC8508686 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a heterogeneous, clonal hematological disorder characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, cytopenia, morphologic dysplasia, and predisposition to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Stem cell genomic instability, microenvironmental aberrations, and somatic mutations contribute to leukemic transformation. The hypomethylating agents (HMAs), azacitidine and decitabine are the standard of care for patients with higher-risk MDS. Although these agents induce responses in up to 40-60% of patients, primary or secondary drug resistance is relatively common. To improve the treatment outcome, combinational therapies comprising HMA with targeted therapy or immunotherapy are being evaluated and are under continuous development. This review provides a comprehensive update of the molecular pathogenesis and immune-dysregulations involved in MDS, mechanisms of resistance to HMA, and strategies to overcome HMA resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Harinder Gill
- Division of Haematology, Medical Oncology and Haemopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Department of Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (P.L.); (R.Y.); (Y.Y.); (H.-T.C.); (P.-K.Y.)
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8
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Li Y, Cheng L, Xu C, Chen J, Hu J, Liu N, Lan S, Xie J, Sun T, Wang L, Zhang Y, Sun Y, Chen S, Hu L. A Retrospective Observation of Treatment Outcomes Using Decitabine-Combined Standard Conditioning Regimens Before Transplantation in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Oncol 2021; 11:702239. [PMID: 34504785 PMCID: PMC8421765 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.702239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypomethylating agents, decitabine (DAC) and azacitidine, can act as prophylactic and pre-emptive approaches after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and a non-intensive bridging approach before allo-HSCT. However, they are rarely used as a part of conditioning regimens in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This retrospectively study included a total of 65 patients (median, 37; range, 13–63) with relapsed or refractory AML who were treated by allo-HSCT after myeloablative conditioning regimens without or with DAC (high-dose DAC schedule, 75 mg/m2 on day −9 and 50 mg/m2 on day −8; low-dose DAC schedule, 25 mg/m2/day on day −10 to −8). DAC exerted no impact on hematopoietic reconstitution. However, patients who were treated with the high-dose DAC schedule had significantly higher incidence of overall survival (OS, 50.0%) and leukemia-free survival (LFS, 35.0%), and lower incidence of relapse (41.1%) and grade II–IV acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD, 10.0%) at 3 years, when compared with those treated with standard conditioning regimens or with the low-dose DAC schedule. In conclusion, high-dose DAC combined with standard conditioning regimens before allo-HSCT is feasible and efficient and might improve outcomes of patients with relapsed or refractory AML, which provides a potential approach to treat these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Li
- Department of Hematology, 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Longcan Cheng
- Department of Hematology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Sanya, China
| | - Chen Xu
- Department of Hematology, 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jianlin Chen
- Department of Hematology, 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jiangwei Hu
- Department of Hematology, 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Hematology, 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Sanchun Lan
- Department of Hematology, 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Xie
- Department of Hematology, 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Sun
- Department of Hematology, 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Hematology, 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Hematology, 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Sun
- Department of Hematology, 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shuiping Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Liangding Hu
- Department of Hematology, 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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9
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Can the New and Old Drugs Exert an Immunomodulatory Effect in Acute Myeloid Leukemia? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164121. [PMID: 34439275 PMCID: PMC8393879 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The advent of novel immunotherapeutic strategies has revealed the importance of immune dysregulation and of a tolerogenic microenvironment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) fitness. We reviewed the “off-target” effects on the immune system of different drugs used in the treatment of AML to explore the advantages of this unexpected interaction. Abstract Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is considered an immune-suppressive neoplasm capable of evading immune surveillance through cellular and environmental players. Increasing knowledge of the immune system (IS) status at diagnosis seems to suggest ever more attention of the crosstalk between the leukemic clone and its immunologic counterpart. During the last years, the advent of novel immunotherapeutic strategies has revealed the importance of immune dysregulation and suppression for leukemia fitness. Considering all these premises, we reviewed the “off-target” effects on the IS of different drugs used in the treatment of AML, focusing on the main advantages of this interaction. The data reported support the idea that a successful therapeutic strategy should consider tailored approaches for performing leukemia eradication by both direct blasts killing and the engagement of the IS.
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10
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Unleashing the power of NK cells in anticancer immunotherapy. J Mol Med (Berl) 2021; 100:337-349. [PMID: 34374809 PMCID: PMC8843917 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-021-02120-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Due to their physiological role in removing damaged cells, natural killer (NK) cells represent ideal candidates for cellular immunotherapy in the treatment of cancer. Thereby, the cytotoxicity of NK cells is regulated by signals on both, the NK cells as well as the targeted tumor cells, and the interplay and balance of these signals determine the killing capacity of NK cells. One promising avenue in cancer treatment is therefore the combination of NK cell therapy with agents that either help to increase the killing capacity of NK cells or sensitize tumor cells to an NK cell-mediated attack. In this mini-review, we present different strategies that can be explored to unleash the potential of NK cell immunotherapy. In particular, we summarize how modulation of apoptosis signaling within tumor cells can be exploited to sensitize tumor cells to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
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11
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Stomper J, Rotondo JC, Greve G, Lübbert M. Hypomethylating agents (HMA) for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes: mechanisms of resistance and novel HMA-based therapies. Leukemia 2021; 35:1873-1889. [PMID: 33958699 PMCID: PMC8257497 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01218-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant DNA methylation plays a pivotal role in tumor development and progression. DNA hypomethylating agents (HMA) constitute a class of drugs which are able to reverse DNA methylation, thereby triggering the re-programming of tumor cells. The first-generation HMA azacitidine and decitabine have now been in standard clinical use for some time, offering a valuable alternative to previous treatments in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, so far particularly in older, medically non-fit patients. However, the longer we use these drugs, the more we are confronted with the (almost inevitable) development of resistance. This review provides insights into the mode of action of HMA, mechanisms of resistance to this treatment, and strategies to overcome HMA resistance including next-generation HMA and HMA-based combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Stomper
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - John Charles Rotondo
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gabriele Greve
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Consortium (DKTK), Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael Lübbert
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
- German Cancer Research Consortium (DKTK), Freiburg, Germany.
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12
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Xia M, Wang B, Wang Z, Zhang X, Wang X. Epigenetic Regulation of NK Cell-Mediated Antitumor Immunity. Front Immunol 2021; 12:672328. [PMID: 34017344 PMCID: PMC8129532 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.672328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are critical innate lymphocytes that can directly kill target cells without prior immunization. NK cell activation is controlled by the balance of multiple germline-encoded activating and inhibitory receptors. NK cells are a heterogeneous and plastic population displaying a broad spectrum of functional states (resting, activating, memory, repressed, and exhausted). In this review, we present an overview of the epigenetic regulation of NK cell-mediated antitumor immunity, including DNA methylation, histone modification, transcription factor changes, and microRNA expression. NK cell-based immunotherapy has been recognized as a promising strategy to treat cancer. Since epigenetic alterations are reversible and druggable, these studies will help identify new ways to enhance NK cell-mediated antitumor cytotoxicity by targeting intrinsic epigenetic regulators alone or in combination with other strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaoran Xia
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bingbing Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zihan Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xulong Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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13
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Decitabine Promotes Modulation in Phenotype and Function of Monocytes and Macrophages That Drive Immune Response Regulation. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040868. [PMID: 33921194 PMCID: PMC8069756 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Decitabine is an approved hypomethylating agent used for treating hematological malignancies. Although decitabine targets altered cells, epidrugs can trigger immunomodulatory effects, reinforcing the hypothesis of immunoregulation in treated patients. We therefore aimed to evaluate the impact of decitabine treatment on the phenotype and functions of monocytes and macrophages, which are pivotal cells of the innate immunity system. In vitro decitabine administration increased bacterial phagocytosis and IL-8 release, but impaired microbicidal activity of monocytes. In addition, during monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation, treatment promoted the M2-like profile, with increased expression of CD206 and ALOX15. Macrophages also demonstrated reduced infection control when exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro. However, cytokine production remained unchanged, indicating an atypical M2 macrophage. Furthermore, when macrophages were cocultured with lymphocytes, decitabine induced a reduction in the release of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, maintaining IL-10 production, suggesting that decitabine could potentialize M2 polarization and might be considered as a therapeutic against the exacerbated immune response.
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14
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Wong KK, Hassan R, Yaacob NS. Hypomethylating Agents and Immunotherapy: Therapeutic Synergism in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes. Front Oncol 2021; 11:624742. [PMID: 33718188 PMCID: PMC7947882 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.624742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Decitabine and guadecitabine are hypomethylating agents (HMAs) that exert inhibitory effects against cancer cells. This includes stimulation of anti-tumor immunity in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients. Treatment of AML and MDS patients with the HMAs confers upregulation of cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) expression including the highly immunogenic CTA NY-ESO-1. This leads to activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells for elimination of cancer cells, and it establishes the feasibility to combine cancer vaccine with HMAs to enhance vaccine immunogenicity. Moreover, decitabine and guadecitabine induce the expression of immune checkpoint molecules in AML cells. In this review, the accumulating knowledge on the immunopotentiating properties of decitabine and guadecitabine in AML and MDS patients are presented and discussed. In summary, combination of decitabine or guadecitabine with NY-ESO-1 vaccine enhances vaccine immunogenicity in AML patients. T cells from AML patients stimulated with dendritic cell (DC)/AML fusion vaccine and guadecitabine display increased capacity to lyse AML cells. Moreover, decitabine enhances NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity or CD123-specific chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T cells antileukemic activities against AML. Furthermore, combination of either HMAs with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy may circumvent their resistance. Finally, clinical trials of either HMAs combined with cancer vaccines, NK cell infusion or ICB therapy in relapsed/refractory AML and high-risk MDS patients are currently underway, highlighting the promising efficacy of HMAs and immunotherapy synergy against these malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kah Keng Wong
- Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Rosline Hassan
- Department of Haematology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Nik Soriani Yaacob
- Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
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15
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Kwon YR, Kim HJ, Sohn MJ, Lim JY, Park KS, Lee S, Chung NG, Jeong DC, Min CK, Kim YJ. Effects of decitabine on allogeneic immune reactions of donor lymphocyte infusion via activation of dendritic cells. Exp Hematol Oncol 2020; 9:22. [PMID: 32908796 PMCID: PMC7470611 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-020-00178-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Successful prevention of post-transplantation relapse after donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) depends on its capability to mediate an effective graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) response while minimizing DLI-related toxicity, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Methods We assessed the effects of decitabine (DEC), a hypomethylating agent, upon allogeneic immune reaction in a murine model of DLI. Results Significantly greater tumor growth retardation and survival prolongation occurred in mice administered with 1.0 mg/kg DEC for 5 days (DEC-1.0) than in control or DEC-0.1 mice. Upon prompt DEC and DLI co-administration, dendritic cells (DCs) were activated; DEC-1.0/DLI induced severe GVHD, and survival was significantly lower than with DLI alone or DEC-0.1/DLI treatments. IFN-γ and CD28 levels were higher in splenic DCs of DEC-1.0 mice than in those of control mice. Assessment of delayed DLI co-administration with DEC, when IFN-γ levels were normalized to control levels, revealed that DEC-1.0/DLI successfully facilitated tumor management without causing severe GVHD. Conclusions Our results suggest that DEC primes allogeneic immune reactions of DLI via DC activation, and GVHD and GVL effects are separable through optimal DLI timing based on DEC-induced increase in IFN-γ expression levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Rim Kwon
- Laboratory of Hematological Disease and Immunology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Joung Kim
- Laboratory of Hematological Disease and Immunology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Jung Sohn
- Laboratory of Hematological Disease and Immunology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Young Lim
- Laboratory of Hematological Disease and Immunology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Shin Park
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Lee
- Laboratory of Hematological Disease and Immunology, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Leukemia Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Seoul St. Mary's Hematology Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591 Republic of Korea
| | - Nack-Gyun Chung
- Leukemia Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Seoul St. Mary's Hematology Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591 Republic of Korea.,Department of Pediatrics, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Chul Jeong
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Ki Min
- Laboratory of Hematological Disease and Immunology, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Leukemia Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Seoul St. Mary's Hematology Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591 Republic of Korea
| | - Yoo-Jin Kim
- Laboratory of Hematological Disease and Immunology, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Leukemia Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Seoul St. Mary's Hematology Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591 Republic of Korea
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16
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Miyazato K, Hayakawa Y. Pharmacological targeting of natural killer cells for cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:1869-1875. [PMID: 32301190 PMCID: PMC7293096 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that rapidly respond to cancer cells without prior sensitization or restriction to the cognate antigen in comparison with tumor antigen-specific T cells. Recent advances in understanding NK-cell biology have elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying the differentiation and maturation of NK cells, in addition to the control of their effector functions by investigating the receptors and ligands involved in the recognition of cancer cells by NK cells. Such clarification of NK-cell recognition of cancer cells also revealed the mechanism by which cancer cells potentially evade NK-cell-dependent immune surveillance. Furthermore, the recent clinical results of T-cell-targeted cancer immunotherapy have increased the expectations for new immunotherapies by targeting NK cells. However, the potential use of NK cells in cancer immunotherapy is not fully understood. In this review, we discuss the current evidence and future potential of pharmacological targeting of NK cells in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiho Miyazato
- Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
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17
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Huang HT, Su SC, Chiou TJ, Lin YH, Shih YC, Wu YX, Fan TH, Twu YC. DNA methylation-mediated Siglec-7 regulation in natural killer cells via two 5' promoter CpG sites. Immunology 2020; 160:38-51. [PMID: 32027025 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
First discovered on the natural killer (NK) cell, the cell surface inhibitory receptor sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin-7 (Siglec-7) is known for regulating many important biological activities. However, the detail regulatory mechanism for Siglec-7 expression in NK cells currently remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate how cell surface Siglec-7 expression is regulated and found that, in both NK cell lines and peripheral NK cells, transcription was the main regulatory step. Furthermore, when NK-92MI and peripheral NK cells were treated with DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor, the CpG island, with 9 CpG sites, in 5' Siglec-7 promoter became noticeably hypomethylated, and Siglec-7 expression increased in both RNA transcript and surface protein. Within this CpG island, we identified both CpG 8 and CpG 9 as two key regulators responsible for Siglec-7 expression. Additionally, by using histone deacetylases (HDAC) inhibitor, butyric acid, we showed that Siglec-7 expression was also subjected to the histone modification. And a combined treatment with both 5-azacytidine and butyric acid showed an additive effect on Siglec-7 transcript expression in peripheral NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Ting Huang
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chi Su
- Whole-Genome Research Core Laboratory of Human Diseases, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Tzeon-Jye Chiou
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Cancer Center, Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Hsi Lin
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chen Shih
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Xuan Wu
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Hsi Fan
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yuh-Ching Twu
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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18
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Luchtel RA, Bhagat T, Pradhan K, Jacobs WR, Levine M, Verma A, Shenoy N. High-dose ascorbic acid synergizes with anti-PD1 in a lymphoma mouse model. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:1666-1677. [PMID: 31911474 PMCID: PMC6983418 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1908158117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Major efforts are underway to identify agents that can potentiate effects of immune checkpoint inhibition. Here, we show that ascorbic acid (AA) treatment caused genomewide demethylation and enhanced expression of endogenous retroviral elements in lymphoma cells. AA also increased 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) levels of CD8+ T cells and enhanced their cytotoxic activity in a lymphoma coculture system. High-dose AA treatment synergized with anti-PD1 therapy in a syngeneic lymphoma mouse model, resulting in marked inhibition of tumor growth compared with either agent alone. Analysis of the intratumoral epigenome revealed increased 5hmC with AA treatment, consistent with in vitro findings. Analysis of the tumor immune microenvironment revealed that AA strikingly increased intratumoral infiltration of CD8+ T cells and macrophages, suggesting enhanced tumor immune recognition. The combination treatment markedly enhanced intratumoral infiltration of macrophages and CD8+ T lymphocytes, granzyme B production by cytotoxic cells (cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells), and interleukin 12 production by antigen-presenting cells compared with single-agent anti-PD1. These data indicate that AA potentiates anti-PD1 checkpoint inhibition through synergistic mechanisms. The study provides compelling rationale for testing combinations of high-dose AA and anti-PD1 agents in patients with aggressive B cell lymphoma as well as in preclinical models of other malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Luchtel
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461
| | - Tushar Bhagat
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461
| | - Kith Pradhan
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461
| | - William R Jacobs
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461;
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461
| | - Mark Levine
- Molecular and Clinical Nutrition Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Amit Verma
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461
| | - Niraj Shenoy
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461;
- Experimental Therapeutics Program, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461
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19
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Dan H, Zhang S, Zhou Y, Guan Q. DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors: Catalysts For Antitumour Immune Responses. Onco Targets Ther 2019; 12:10903-10916. [PMID: 31849494 PMCID: PMC6913319 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s217767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics is a kind of heritable change that involves the unaltered DNA sequence and can have effects on gene expression. The regulatory mechanism mainly includes DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNA regulation. DNA methylation is currently the most studied aspect of epigenetics. It is widely present in eukaryotic cells and is the most important epigenetic mark in the regulation of gene expression in the cell. DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi) have been increasingly recognized in the field of cancer immunotherapy, have been approved for the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and are widely being used in clinical trials of cancer immunotherapies. DNMTi promote the reactivation of tumour suppressor genes, enhance tumour immunogenicity, and stimulate a variety of immune cells to secrete cytokines that exert cytotoxic effects, promote tumour cell death, including macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells, and upregulate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression levels. Here, we mainly summarize the epigenetics related to DNMTi and their regulation of the antitumour immune response and DNMTi combined with immuno-therapeutics or histone deacetylase inhibitors to demonstrate the great development potential and clinical application value of DNMTi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Dan
- Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongning Zhou
- Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Quanlin Guan
- Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
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20
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Conditioning Regimen of 5-Day Decitabine Administration for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Myeloproliferative Neoplasms. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2019; 26:285-291. [PMID: 31494229 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2019.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a potentially curative treatment for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN). However, post-HSCT relapse remains a major cause of treatment failure. Here we assessed the efficacy of a new conditioning regimen comprising decitabine (Dec), busulfan (Bu), cyclophosphamide (Cy), fludarabine (Flu), and cytarabine (Ara-c) for allo-HSCT in patients with MDS and MDS/MPN. A total of 48 patients were enrolled, including 44 with MDS and 4 with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). Patients received Dec 20 mg/m2/day on days -9 to -5, combined with a Bu/Cy/Flu/Ara-c-modified preparative regimen. At a median follow-up of 522 days (range, 15 to 1313 days), the overall survival (OS) was 86%, relapse incidence was 12%, and nonrelapse mortality was 12%. The incidence of severe acute (grade III-IV) graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 23% and that of chronic GVHD was 15%. At 2 years, OS was 74% and 86%, respectively for high-risk and very-high-risk patients with MDS. Survival was promising in patients with poor-risk gene mutations, such as TP53 and ASXL1 (88%), and in those with ≥3 gene mutations (79%). Results of immunomonitoring studies revealed that proper natural killer cells made essential contributions to these favorable clinical outcomes. Overall, this new regimen was associated with a low relapse rate, low incidence and severity of GVHD, and satisfactory survival in allo-HSCT recipients with MDS and MDS/MPN.
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21
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Li X, Dong Y, Li Y, Ren R, Wu W, Zhu H, Zhang Y, Hu J, Li J. Low-dose decitabine priming with intermediate-dose cytarabine followed by umbilical cord blood infusion as consolidation therapy for elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia: a phase II single-arm study. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:819. [PMID: 31429724 PMCID: PMC6701020 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-5975-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in elderly patients remains a great challenge. In this prospective single arm study (ChiCTR-OPC-15006492), we evaluated the efficacy and safety of a novel consolidation therapy with low-dose decitabine (LD-DAC) priming with intermediate-dose cytarabine (ID-Ara-C) followed by umbilical cord blood (UCB) infusion in elderly patients with AML. METHODS A total of 25 patients with a median age of 64-years-old (60-74-years-old) who achieved complete remission (CR) after induction chemotherapy were enrolled in the study. RESULTS The 2-year actual overall survival (OS) rate and leukemia-free survival (LFS) was 68.0 and 60.0%, respectively. The hematological and non-hematological toxicity were mild to moderate, and only one patient died in remission due to infection with possible acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD). Compared to a concurrent cohort of patients receiving conventional consolidation therapy, the study group tended to have an improved OS and LFS (p = 0.046 and 0.057, respectively), while the toxicity was comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS This study suggested the novel combination of LD-DAC, ID-Ara-C, and UCB infusion might be an optimal consolidation therapy for elderly patients with AML, and a prospective phase III randomized study is warranted to confirm this observation. TRIAL REGISTRATION This single-arm phase II clinical trial in elderly AML patients was registered prospectively at www.chictr.org.cn (identifier: ChiCTR-OPC-15006492 ) on June 2, 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Li
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin No.2 Road, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuexin Dong
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin No.2 Road, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya Li
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin No.2 Road, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruibao Ren
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin No.2 Road, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen Wu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin No.2 Road, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongming Zhu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin No.2 Road, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunxiang Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin No.2 Road, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiong Hu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin No.2 Road, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Junmin Li
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin No.2 Road, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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22
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Li S, Xue L, Wang M, Qiang P, Xu H, Zhang X, Kang W, You F, Xu H, Wang Y, Liu X, Yang L, Wang X. Decitabine enhances cytotoxic effect of T cells with an anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor in treatment of lymphoma. Onco Targets Ther 2019; 12:5627-5638. [PMID: 31372000 PMCID: PMC6635897 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s198567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have substantial benefit in the treatment of patients with B-cell malignancies. However, despite encouraging therapeutic efficiency, there is limited overall response rate when anti-CD19 CAR-T cells are used to treat patients with relapsed and refractory (R/R) B cell lymphomas. Therefore, it further investigation is urgently needed to improve treatment efficacy. Method: A combined treatment protocol of CAR-T cell with decitabine (DAC) to treat B cell lymphoma was developed and tested on lymphoma cell lines first, and then efficacy and the underlying mechanism were investigated. After ethical approval was granted, the combined treatment protocol was applied to treat two patients with R/R B-cell lymphomas. Results: CAR-T cells were prepared successfully, and they recognized CD19 antigen expressed on lymphoma cell lines specifically. Cell-line studies also showed that CD19 antigen expression was increased by DAC pretreatment, and the function of CAR-T cells was not compromised. The cell-line study further demonstrated that lymphoma cells pretreated by DAC responded more to the treatment of CAR-T cells. Two patients with R/R B cell lymphoma were pretreated with DAC then treated with CAR-T, and both achieved complete remission (CR). Conclusions: The epigenetic modifying drug DAC increases expression of the surface antigen CD19 on lymphoma cells. The DAC pretreatment protocol may lead patients with B cell lymphoma to be more susceptible to adoptive transfer of anti-CD19 CAR-T cells treKeywordsatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujun Li
- Department of Hematology of Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Xue
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Quality Assurance, PersonGen-Anke Cellular Therapeutics Co., Ltd, China, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Qiang
- Department of Hematology of Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Xu
- Department of Hematology of Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuhan Zhang
- Department of Hematology of Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenyao Kang
- Department of Quality Assurance, PersonGen-Anke Cellular Therapeutics Co., Ltd, China, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengtao You
- Department of Quality Assurance, PersonGen-Anke Cellular Therapeutics Co., Ltd, China, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Hanying Xu
- Department of Quality Assurance, PersonGen-Anke Cellular Therapeutics Co., Ltd, China, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Quality Assurance, PersonGen-Anke Cellular Therapeutics Co., Ltd, China, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Hematology of Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Quality Assurance, PersonGen-Anke Cellular Therapeutics Co., Ltd, China, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingbing Wang
- Department of Hematology of Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
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23
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Schmidt M, Altdörfer V, Schnitte S, Fuchs AR, Kropp KN, Maurer S, Müller MR, Salih HR, Rittig SM, Grünebach F, Dörfel D. The Deubiquitinase Inhibitor b-AP15 and Its Effect on Phenotype and Function of Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells. Neoplasia 2019; 21:653-664. [PMID: 31132676 PMCID: PMC6538843 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin-proteasome system is elementary for cellular protein degradation and gained rising attention as a new target for cancer therapy due to promising clinical trials with bortezomib, the first-in class proteasome inhibitor meanwhile approved for multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. Both bortezomib and next-generation proteasome inhibitors mediate their effects by targeting the 20S core particle of the 26S proteasome. The novel small molecule inhibitor b-AP15 affects upstream elements of the ubiquitin-proteasome cascade by suppressing the deubiquitinase activity of both proteasomal regulatory 19S subunits and showed promising anticancer activity in preclinical models. Nonetheless, effects of inhibitors on the ubiquitin-proteasome system are not exclusively restricted to malignant cells: alteration of natural killer cell-mediated immune responses had already been described for drugs targeting either 19S or 20S proteasomal subunits. Moreover, it has been shown that bortezomib impairs dendritic cell (DC) phenotype and function at different levels. In the present study, we comparatively analyzed effects of bortezomib and b-AP15 on monocyte-derived DCs. In line with previous results, bortezomib exposure impaired maturation, antigen uptake, migration, cytokine secretion and immunostimulation, whereas treatment with b-AP15 had no compromising effects on these DC features. Our findings warrant the further investigation of b-AP15 as an alternative to clinically approved proteasome inhibitors in the therapy of malignancies, especially in the context of combinatorial treatment with DC-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Schmidt
- CCU Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Altdörfer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hematology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Pulmonology, UKT, Germany
| | - Sarah Schnitte
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hematology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Pulmonology, UKT, Germany
| | - Alexander Rolf Fuchs
- CCU Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Germany
| | - Korbinian Nepomuk Kropp
- CCU Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Maurer
- CCU Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Germany
| | - Martin Rudolf Müller
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hematology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Pulmonology, UKT, Germany
| | - Helmut Rainer Salih
- CCU Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Germany; Department of Medical Oncology, Hematology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Pulmonology, UKT, Germany
| | - Susanne Malaika Rittig
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hematology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Pulmonology, UKT, Germany; Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Charité University Hospital Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Grünebach
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hematology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Pulmonology, UKT, Germany
| | - Daniela Dörfel
- CCU Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Germany; Department of Medical Oncology, Hematology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Pulmonology, UKT, Germany.
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Direct potentiation of NK cell cytotoxicity by 8-azaguanine with potential antineoplastic activity. Int Immunopharmacol 2018; 67:152-159. [PMID: 30551032 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2018.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
This study identified 8-azaguanine (8-AG) as a novel immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) through a high-throughput screen of the Preswick Chemical Library in a model of human NK cell cytotoxicity against blood cancer cells. 8-AG, originally developed as an antineoplastic agent, significantly increased the cytotoxicity of NK cells and was superior in this activity to previously known IMiDs, such as fluoxetine and amphotericin B, identified from the same library. IFN-γ expression was also slightly increased by 8-AG. Mechanistically, 8-AG increased conjugate formation between NK and target cells and subsequent cytolytic granule polarization, but not calcium mobilization, regulation of activating receptors, or expression of perforin or granzyme B. Thus, the antineoplastic activity of 8-AG should be re-evaluated in light of this novel potentiating effect on NK cells.
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25
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Rothfelder K, Hagelstein I, Roerden M, Blumenstock G, Hofmann M, Nuebling T, Jung G, Salih HR, Dörfel D. Expression of the Immune Checkpoint Modulator OX40 in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Is Associated with BCR-ABL Positivity. Neoplasia 2018; 20:1150-1160. [PMID: 30300827 PMCID: PMC6175778 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OX40 and its ligand are members of the TNF/TNF receptor superfamily, which includes various molecules influencing cellular signaling and function of both tumor and immune cells. The ability of OX40 to promote proliferation and differentiation of activated T cells fueled present attempts to modulate this immune checkpoint to reinforce antitumor immunity. While we recently found evidence for the involvement of OX40 in pathophysiology of acute myeloid leukemia including natural killer (NK) cell immunosurveillance, less is known on its role in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In the present study, OX40 expression on ALL cells was significantly associated with positivity for the adverse risk factor BCR-ABL. In line, signaling via OX40 increased metabolic activity of primary ALL cells and resulted in release of cytokines involved in disease pathophysiology. Furthermore, interaction of ALL-expressed OX40 with its cognate ligand on NK cells stimulated ALL cell lysis. The data presented thus not only identify the yet unknown involvement of OX40/OX40L in ALL pathophysiology and NK cell immunosurveillance but also point to the necessity to thoroughly consider the consequences of modulating the OX40/OX40L molecule system beyond its effects on T cells when developing OX40-targeting approaches for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Rothfelder
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ilona Hagelstein
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Germany
| | - Malte Roerden
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hematology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Pulmonology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gunnar Blumenstock
- Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Applied Biometry, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Martin Hofmann
- Department of Immunology, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tina Nuebling
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gundram Jung
- Department of Immunology, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Helmut Rainer Salih
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Germany; Department of Medical Oncology, Hematology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Pulmonology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniela Dörfel
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Germany; Department of Medical Oncology, Hematology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Pulmonology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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26
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Kropp KN, Maurer S, Rothfelder K, Schmied BJ, Clar KL, Schmidt M, Strunz B, Kopp HG, Steinle A, Grünebach F, Rittig SM, Salih HR, Dörfel D. The novel deubiquitinase inhibitor b-AP15 induces direct and NK cell-mediated antitumor effects in human mantle cell lymphoma. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2018; 67:935-947. [PMID: 29556699 PMCID: PMC11028140 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-018-2151-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The first therapeutic proteasome inhibitor bortezomib has clinical efficacy in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) which resulted in its incorporation in treatment algorithms for this disease. Impairment of proteasomal function by bortezomib is mediated via inhibition of the 20S core particle. However, proteasome function can also be modified by targeting upstream components of the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Recently, b-AP15 has been identified as a small molecule achieving proteasome inhibition by targeting the deubiquitinase (DUB) activity of the 19S regulatory subunit and was found to inhibit cancer cell growth in preclinical analyses. In the present study, both direct antitumor effects and the possibility to induce natural killer group 2 member D ligands (NKG2DL) to reinforce NK cell immunity with b-AP15 were investigated to provide a rational basis for clinical evaluation of this novel DUB inhibitor in MCL. Treatment with b-AP15 resulted in reduced viability as well as induction of apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner, which could be attributed to caspase activation in MCL cells. In addition, treatment with b-AP15 differentially induced NKG2DL expression and subsequent NK cell lysis of MCL cells. These results indicate that the DUB inhibitor b-AP15 displays substantial antitumor activity in human MCL and suggest that b-AP15 might be a novel therapeutic option in the treatment of MCL that warrants clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korbinian N Kropp
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Maurer
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Rothfelder
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bastian J Schmied
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Kim L Clar
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Moritz Schmidt
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Benedikt Strunz
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Kopp
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hematology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Pulmology, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Departments of Molecular Oncology and Thoracic Oncology, Robert-Bosch-Hospital Stuttgart, Auerbachstr. 110, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Alexander Steinle
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Frank Grünebach
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hematology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Pulmology, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Susanne M Rittig
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hematology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Pulmology, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Helmut R Salih
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hematology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Pulmology, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniela Dörfel
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner site Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hematology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Pulmology, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
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27
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Niu C, Li M, Zhu S, Chen Y, Zhou L, Xu D, Li W, Cui J, Liu Y, Chen J. Decitabine Inhibits Gamma Delta T Cell Cytotoxicity by Promoting KIR2DL2/3 Expression. Front Immunol 2018; 9:617. [PMID: 29632540 PMCID: PMC5879086 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Gamma delta (γδ) T cells, which possess potent cytotoxicity against a wide range of cancer cells, have become a potential avenue for adoptive immunotherapy. Decitabine (DAC) has been reported to enhance the immunogenicity of tumor cells, thereby reinstating endogenous immune recognition and tumor lysis. However, DAC has also been demonstrated to have direct effects on immune cells. In this study, we report that DAC inhibits γδ T cell proliferation. In addition, DAC increases the number of KIR2DL2/3-positive γδ T cells, which are less cytotoxic than the KIR2DL2/3-negative γδ T cells. We found that DAC upregulated KIR2DL2/3 expression in KIR2DL2/3-negative γδ T cells by inhibiting KIR2DL2/3 promoter methylation, which enhances the binding of KIR2DL2/3 promoter to Sp-1 and activates KIR2DL2/3 gene expression. Our data demonstrated that DAC can inhibit the function of human γδ T cells at both cellular and molecular levels, which confirms and extrapolates the results of previous studies showing that DAC can negatively regulate the function of NK cells and αβ T cells of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Niu
- Department of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shan Zhu
- Department of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yongchong Chen
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lei Zhou
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Dongsheng Xu
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiuwei Cui
- Department of Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yongjun Liu
- Department of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Sanofi Research and Development, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Jingtao Chen
- Department of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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28
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CD56-Negative Aggressive NK Cell Leukemia Relapsing as Multiple Cranial Nerve Palsies: Case Report and Literature Review. Case Rep Hematol 2017; 2017:3724017. [PMID: 29163992 PMCID: PMC5661071 DOI: 10.1155/2017/3724017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aggressive natural killer cell leukemia (ANKL) is extremely rare and habitually manifests as a systemic disease with multiorgan failure that rapidly evolves to death. The neoplastic natural killer (NK) cells usually harbor the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with a latent viral infection pattern type II; they often have a cytoplasmic CD3ε+ and surface CD3−, CD2+, and CD56+ immunophenotype, and they show complex genetic abnormalities affecting multiple tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. We present a rare case of CD56-negative ANKL and review the clinical and laboratorial criteria for the diagnosis, as well as the available therapies. Case Presentation A European 36-year-old male presented with acute onset fever, pallor, weakness, and jaundice. He had hepatosplenomegaly, severe pancytopenia, hepatic cytolysis, and very high serum lactic dehydrogenase levels. The bone marrow studies resulted in the diagnosis of an EBV-positive, CD56-negative ANKL. The patient failed to respond to gemcitabine and cisplatin-based polychemotherapy, dying three months later with leukemic meningitis and multiple cranial nerves palsies. Conclusions The diagnosis of ANKL is difficult and requires both clinical suspicion and an extensive laboratorial approach. Absence of CD56 expression on the neoplastic NK cells may impose difficulties in the diagnosis, which requires morphological, immunophenotypic, histopathological, immunohistochemical, cytogenetic, and molecular studies.
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29
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Decitabine enhances targeting of AML cells by CD34 + progenitor-derived NK cells in NOD/SCID/IL2Rg null mice. Blood 2017; 131:202-214. [PMID: 29138222 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-06-790204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Combining natural killer (NK) cell adoptive transfer with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) is an attractive therapeutic approach for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, data regarding the impact of HMAs on NK cell functionality are mostly derived from in vitro studies with high nonclinical relevant drug concentrations. In the present study, we report a comparative study of azacitidine (AZA) and decitabine (DAC) in combination with allogeneic NK cells generated from CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC-NK cells) in in vitro and in vivo AML models. In vitro, low-dose HMAs did not impair viability of HSPC-NK cells. Furthermore, low-dose DAC preserved HSPC-NK killing, proliferation, and interferon gamma production capacity, whereas AZA diminished their proliferation and reactivity. Importantly, we showed HMAs and HSPC-NK cells could potently work together to target AML cell lines and patient AML blasts. In vivo, both agents exerted a significant delay in AML progression in NOD/SCID/IL2Rgnull mice, but the persistence of adoptively transferred HSPC-NK cells was not affected. Infused NK cells showed sustained expression of most activating receptors, upregulated NKp44 expression, and remarkable killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor acquisition. Most importantly, only DAC potentiated HSPC-NK cell anti-leukemic activity in vivo. Besides upregulation of NKG2D- and DNAM-1-activating ligands on AML cells, DAC enhanced messenger RNA expression of inflammatory cytokines, perforin, and TRAIL by HSPC-NK cells. In addition, treatment resulted in increased numbers of HSPC-NK cells in the bone marrow compartment, suggesting that DAC could positively modulate NK cell activity, trafficking, and tumor targeting. These data provide a rationale to explore combination therapy of adoptive HSPC-NK cells and DAC in patients with AML.
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30
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Cifaldi L, Locatelli F, Marasco E, Moretta L, Pistoia V. Boosting Natural Killer Cell-Based Immunotherapy with Anticancer Drugs: a Perspective. Trends Mol Med 2017; 23:1156-1175. [PMID: 29133133 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells efficiently recognize and kill tumor cells through several mechanisms including the expression of ligands for NK cell-activating receptors on target cells. Different clinical trials indicate that NK cell-based immunotherapy represents a promising antitumor treatment. However, tumors develop immune-evasion strategies, including downregulation of ligands for NK cell-activating receptors, that can negatively affect antitumor activity of NK cells, which either reside endogenously, or are adoptively transferred. Thus, restoration of the expression of NK cell-activating ligands on tumor cells represents a strategic therapeutic goal. As discussed here, various anticancer drugs can fulfill this task via different mechanisms. We envision that the combination of selected chemotherapeutic agents with NK cell adoptive transfer may represent a novel strategy for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana Cifaldi
- Department of Pediatric Haematology/Oncology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Haematology/Oncology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Emiliano Marasco
- Department of Rheumatology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Immunology Research Area, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Vito Pistoia
- Immunology Research Area, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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31
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Zingoni A, Fionda C, Borrelli C, Cippitelli M, Santoni A, Soriani A. Natural Killer Cell Response to Chemotherapy-Stressed Cancer Cells: Role in Tumor Immunosurveillance. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1194. [PMID: 28993779 PMCID: PMC5622151 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate cytotoxic lymphoid cells that actively prevent neoplastic development, growth, and metastatic dissemination in a process called cancer immunosurveillance. An equilibrium between immune control and tumor growth is maintained as long as cancer cells evade immunosurveillance. Therapies designed to kill cancer cells and to simultaneously sustain host antitumor immunity are an appealing strategy to control tumor growth. Several chemotherapeutic agents, depending on which drugs and doses are used, give rise to DNA damage and cancer cell death by means of apoptosis, immunogenic cell death, or other forms of non-apoptotic death (i.e., mitotic catastrophe, senescence, and autophagy). However, it is becoming increasingly clear that they can trigger additional stress responses. Indeed, relevant immunostimulating effects of different therapeutic programs include also the activation of pathways able to promote their recognition by immune effector cells. Among stress-inducible immunostimulating proteins, changes in the expression levels of NK cell-activating and inhibitory ligands, as well as of death receptors on tumor cells, play a critical role in their detection and elimination by innate immune effectors, including NK cells. Here, we will review recent advances in chemotherapy-mediated cellular stress pathways able to stimulate NK cell effector functions. In particular, we will address how these cytotoxic lymphocytes sense and respond to different types of drug-induced stresses contributing to anticancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Zingoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Fionda
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiana Borrelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy.,Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Cippitelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Santoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy.,Neuromed I.R.C.C.S. - Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Alessandra Soriani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
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32
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epigenetic changes resulting from aberrant methylation patterns are a recurrent observation in hematologic malignancies. Hypomethylating agents have a well-established role in the management of patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia. In addition to the direct effects of hypomethylating agents on cancer cells, there are several lines of evidence indicating a role for immune-mediated anti-tumor benefits from hypomethylating therapy. Areas covered: We reviewed the clinical and basic science literature for the effects of hypomethylating agents, including the most commonly utilized therapeutics azacitidine and decitabine, on immune cell subsets. We summarized the effects of hypomethylating agents on the frequency and function of natural killer cells, T cells, and dendritic cells. In particular, we highlight the effects of hypomethylating agents on expression of immune checkpoint inhibitors, leukemia-associated antigens, and endogenous retroviral elements. Expert commentary: In vitro and ex vivo studies indicate mixed effects on the function of natural killer, dendritic cells and T cells following treatment with hypomethylating agents. Clinical correlates of immune function have suggested that hypomethylating agents have immunomodulatory functions with the potential to synergize with immune checkpoint therapy for the treatment of hematologic malignancy, and has become an active area of clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Lindblad
- a Myeloid Malignancies Section, Hematology Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute , National Institutes of Health , Bethesda , MD , USA
| | - Meghali Goswami
- a Myeloid Malignancies Section, Hematology Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute , National Institutes of Health , Bethesda , MD , USA
| | - Christopher S Hourigan
- a Myeloid Malignancies Section, Hematology Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute , National Institutes of Health , Bethesda , MD , USA
| | - Karolyn A Oetjen
- a Myeloid Malignancies Section, Hematology Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute , National Institutes of Health , Bethesda , MD , USA
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33
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Amphotericin B, an Anti-Fungal Medication, Directly Increases the Cytotoxicity of NK Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18061262. [PMID: 28608807 PMCID: PMC5486084 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18061262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) present one example of immunomodulatory agents that improve cancer immunotherapy. Based on the cytotoxic activity of natural killer (NK) cells against cancer cells, a high throughput screening method for the identification of novel immunomodulatory molecules with the potential to stimulate NK cell cytotoxicity against cancer cells was designed and tested using an approved drug library. Among the primary hit compounds, the anti-fungal drug amphotericin B (AMP-B) increased the cytotoxicity of NK cell line and human primary NK cells in a direct manner. The increase in NK cell activity was related to increased formation of NK-target cell conjugates and the subsequent granule polarization toward target cells. The results of the present study indicate that AMP-B could serve a dual function as an anti-fungal and immunomodulatory drug.
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34
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Guillerey C, Huntington ND, Smyth MJ. Targeting natural killer cells in cancer immunotherapy. Nat Immunol 2017; 17:1025-36. [PMID: 27540992 DOI: 10.1038/ni.3518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 767] [Impact Index Per Article: 109.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Alteration in the expression of cell-surface proteins is a common consequence of malignant transformation. Natural killer (NK) cells use an array of germline-encoded activating and inhibitory receptors that scan for altered protein-expression patterns, but tumor evasion of detection by the immune system is now recognized as one of the hallmarks of cancer. NK cells display rapid and potent immunity to metastasis or hematological cancers, and major efforts are now being undertaken to fully exploit NK cell anti-tumor properties in the clinic. Diverse approaches encompass the development of large-scale NK cell-expansion protocols for adoptive transfer, the establishment of a microenvironment favorable to NK cell activity, the redirection of NK cell activity against tumor cells and the release of inhibitory signals that limit NK cell function. In this Review we detail recent advances in NK cell-based immunotherapies and discuss the advantages and limitations of these strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Guillerey
- Immunology of Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Australia
| | - Nicholas D Huntington
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mark J Smyth
- Immunology of Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Australia
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35
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Zhu Y, Zhao H, Zhang X, Wu Y, Xie Y, Li Y, Lian Y, Huang J, Li J, Chen Y, Qian S. Decitabine before Low-Dose Cytarabine-Based Chemotherapy Combined with Human Leukocyte Antigen–Mismatched Stem Cell Microtransplantation Improved Outcomes in Elderly Patients with Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2017; 23:830-835. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2017.01.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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36
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Combination treatment with decitabine and ionizing radiation enhances tumor cells susceptibility of T cells. Sci Rep 2016; 6:32470. [PMID: 27671170 PMCID: PMC5037374 DOI: 10.1038/srep32470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Decitabine has been found to have anti-metabolic and anti-tumor activities in various tumor cells. Recently, the use of decitabine in combination with other conventional therapies reportedly resulted in improved anti-tumor activity against various tumors. Ionizing radiation (IR) is widely used as a cancer treatment. Decitabine and IR improve immunogenicity and susceptibility of tumor cells to immune cells by up-regulating the expression of various molecules such as major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I; natural-killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) ligands; and co-stimulatory molecules. However, the effects of combining decitabine and IR therapies are largely unknown. Our results indicate that decitabine or IR treatment upregulates MHC class I, along with various co-stimulatory molecules in target tumor cells. Furthermore, decitabine and IR combination treatment further upregulates MHC class I, along with the co-stimulatory molecules, when compared to the effect of each treatment alone. Importantly, decitabine treatment further enhanced T cell-mediated cytotoxicity and release of IFN- γ against target tumor cells which is induced by IR. Interestingly, decitabine did not affect NKG2D ligand expression or NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity in target tumor cells. These observations suggest that decitabine may be used as a useful immunomodulator to sensitize tumor cells in combination with other tumor therapies.
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Sohlberg E, Pfefferle A, Andersson S, Baumann BC, Hellström-Lindberg E, Malmberg KJ. Imprint of 5-azacytidine on the natural killer cell repertoire during systemic treatment for high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome. Oncotarget 2016; 6:34178-90. [PMID: 26497557 PMCID: PMC4741444 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
5-azacytidine (5-aza) is a hypomethylating agent approved for the treatment of high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). It is assumed to act by demethylating tumor suppressor genes and via direct cytotoxic effects on malignant cells. In vitro treatment with hypomethylating agents has profound effects on the expression of killer-cell immunoglobulin-like (KIR) receptors on natural killer (NK) cells, as these receptors are epigenetically regulated via methylation of the promoters. Here we investigated the influence of 5-aza on the NK-cell repertoire during cytokine-induced proliferation in vitro and homeostatic proliferation in vivo in patients with high-risk MDS. In vitro treatment of NK cells from both healthy donors and MDS patients with low doses of 5-aza led to a significant increase in expression of multiple KIRs, but only in cells that had undergone several rounds of cell division. Proliferating 5-aza exposed NK cells exhibited increased IFN-γ production and degranulation towards tumor target cells. MDS patients had lower proportions of educated KIR-expressing NK cells than healthy controls but after systemic treatment with 5-aza, an increased proportion of Ki-67+ NK cells expressed multiple KIRs suggesting uptake of 5-aza in cycling cells in vivo. Hence, these results suggest that systemic treatment with 5-aza may shape the NK cell repertoire, in particular during homeostatic proliferation, thereby boosting NK cell-mediated recognition of malignant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebba Sohlberg
- Department of Medicine, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Aline Pfefferle
- Department of Medicine, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sandra Andersson
- Department of Medicine, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bettina C Baumann
- Department of Medicine, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Hellström-Lindberg
- Department of Medicine, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karl-Johan Malmberg
- Department of Medicine, Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway.,The KG Jebsen Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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38
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An Fc-optimized CD133 antibody for induction of NK cell reactivity against myeloid leukemia. Leukemia 2016; 31:459-469. [PMID: 27435001 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2016.194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of natural killer (NK) cells largely contributes to the success of monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment in cancer. As no antibodies are clinically available for immunotherapy of myeloid leukemias (MLs), we aimed to develop an Fc-optimized CD133 mAb for induction of NK ADCC against MLs. When comparing different available CD133 mAbs, no difference was observed with regard to binding to primary chronic myeloid leukemia cells. However, clone 293C3 recognized acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells in a substantially higher percentage of patient cases and was thus chosen to generate chimeric mAbs with either wild-type Fc part (293C3-WT) or a variant containing amino-acid exchanges (S239D/I332E) to enhance affinity to CD16 on NK cells (293C3-SDIE). In vitro, treatment with 293C3-SDIE significantly enhanced activation, degranulation and lysis of primary CD133-positive AML cells by allogeneic and autologous NK cells as compared with its wild-type counterpart. In line with the observed lower expression levels of CD133 on healthy cells compared with malignant hematopoietic cells, 293C3-SDIE caused no relevant toxicity towards committed hematopoietic progenitor cells. In a NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidIL2rgtmWjl/Sz xenotransplantation model, 293C3-SDIE facilitated elimination of patient AML cells by human NK cells. Thus, 293C3-SDIE constitutes an attractive immunotherapeutic compound, in particular for elimination of minimal residual disease in the context of allogeneic stem cell transplantation in AML.
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Saleh MH, Wang L, Goldberg MS. Improving cancer immunotherapy with DNA methyltransferase inhibitors. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2016; 65:787-96. [PMID: 26646852 PMCID: PMC11028536 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-015-1776-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy confers durable clinical benefit to melanoma, lung, and kidney cancer patients. Challengingly, most other solid tumors, including ovarian carcinoma, are not particularly responsive to immunotherapy, so combination with a complementary therapy may be beneficial. Recent findings suggest that epigenetic modifying drugs can prime antitumor immunity by increasing expression of tumor-associated antigens, chemokines, and activating ligands by cancer cells as well as cytokines by immune cells. This review, drawing from both preclinical and clinical data, describes some of the mechanisms of action that enable DNA methyltransferase inhibitors to facilitate the establishment of antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad H Saleh
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael S Goldberg
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
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Decitabine enhances anti-CD33 monoclonal antibody BI 836858-mediated natural killer ADCC against AML blasts. Blood 2016; 127:2879-89. [PMID: 27013443 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2015-11-680546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common type of acute leukemia, affecting older individuals at a median age of 67 years. Resistance to intensive induction chemotherapy is the major cause of death in elderly AML; hence, novel treatment strategies are warranted. CD33-directed antibody-drug conjugates (gemtuzumab ozogamicin) have been shown to improve overall survival, validating CD33 as a target for antibody-based therapy of AML. Here, we report the in vitro efficacy of BI 836858, a fully human, Fc-engineered, anti-CD33 antibody using AML cell lines and primary AML blasts as targets. BI 836858-opsonized AML cells significantly induced both autologous and allogeneic natural killer (NK)-cell degranulation and NK-cell-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). In vitro treatment of AML blasts with decitabine (DAC) or 5-azacytidine, 2 hypomethylating agents that show efficacy in older patients, did not compromise BI 836858-induced NK-cell-mediated ADCC. Evaluation of BI 836858-mediated ADCC in serial marrow AML aspirates in patients who received a 10-day course of DAC (pre-DAC, days 4, 11, and 28 post-DAC) revealed significantly higher ADCC in samples at day 28 post-DAC when compared with pre-DAC treatment. Analysis of ligands to activating receptors (NKG2D) showed significantly increased NKG2D ligand [NKG2DL] expression in day 28 post-DAC samples compared with pre-DAC samples; when NKG2DL receptor was blocked using antibodies, BI 836858-mediated ADCC was significantly decreased, suggesting that DAC enhances AML blast susceptibility to BI 836858 by upregulating NKG2DL. These data provide a rationale for combination therapy of Fc-engineered antibodies such as BI 836858 with azanucleosides in elderly patients with AML.
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Schenk A, Bloch W, Zimmer P. Natural Killer Cells--An Epigenetic Perspective of Development and Regulation. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:326. [PMID: 26938533 PMCID: PMC4813188 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17030326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on their ability to recognize and eliminate various endo- and exogenous pathogens as well as pathological alterations, Natural Killer (NK) cells represent an important part of the cellular innate immune system. Although the knowledge about their function is growing, little is known about their development and regulation on the molecular level. Research of the past decade suggests that modifications of the chromatin, which do not affect the base sequence of the DNA, also known as epigenetic alterations, are strongly involved in these processes. Here, the impact of epigenetic modifications on the development as well as the expression of important activating and inhibiting NK-cell receptors and their effector function is reviewed. Furthermore, external stimuli such as physical activity and their influence on the epigenetic level are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Schenk
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Muengersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, Germany.
| | - Wilhelm Bloch
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Muengersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, Germany.
| | - Philipp Zimmer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Muengersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, Germany.
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Wang L, Amoozgar Z, Huang J, Saleh MH, Xing D, Orsulic S, Goldberg MS. Decitabine Enhances Lymphocyte Migration and Function and Synergizes with CTLA-4 Blockade in a Murine Ovarian Cancer Model. Cancer Immunol Res 2015; 3:1030-41. [PMID: 26056145 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-15-0073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The lack of second-line treatment for relapsed ovarian cancer necessitates the development of improved combination therapies. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy each confer clinical benefit, albeit limited as monotherapies. Ovarian cancer is not particularly responsive to immune checkpoint blockade, so combination with a complementary therapy may be beneficial. Recent studies have revealed that a DNA methyl transferase inhibitor, azacytidine, alters expression of immunoregulatory genes in ovarian cancer. In this study, the antitumor effects of a related DNA methyl transferase inhibitor, decitabine (DAC), were demonstrated in a syngeneic murine ovarian cancer model. Low-dose DAC treatment increases the expression of chemokines that recruit NK cells and CD8(+) T cells, promotes their production of IFNγ and TNFα, and extends the survival of mice bearing subcutaneous or orthotopic tumors. While neither DAC nor immune checkpoint blockade confers durable responses as a monotherapy in this model, the efficacy of anti-CTLA-4 was potentiated by combination with DAC. This combination promotes differentiation of naïve T cells into effector T cells and prolongs cytotoxic lymphocyte responses as well as mouse survival. These results suggest that this combination therapy may be worthy of further consideration for improved treatment of drug-resistant ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and AIDS, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Zohreh Amoozgar
- Department of Cancer Immunology and AIDS, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and AIDS, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mohammad H Saleh
- Department of Cancer Immunology and AIDS, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Deyin Xing
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sandra Orsulic
- Women's Cancer Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Michael S Goldberg
- Department of Cancer Immunology and AIDS, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
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43
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Gras Navarro A, Björklund AT, Chekenya M. Therapeutic potential and challenges of natural killer cells in treatment of solid tumors. Front Immunol 2015; 6:202. [PMID: 25972872 PMCID: PMC4413815 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells that hold tremendous potential for effective immunotherapy for a broad range of cancers. Due to the mode of NK cell killing, requiring one-to-one target engagement and site-directed release of cytolytic granules, the therapeutic potential of NK cells has been most extensively explored in hematological malignancies. However, their ability to precisely kill antibody coated cells, cancer stem cells, and genotoxically altered cells, while maintaining tolerance to healthy cells makes them appealing therapeutic effectors for all cancer forms, including metastases. Due to their release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, NK cells may potently reverse the anti-inflammatory tumor microenvironment (TME) and augment adaptive immune responses by promoting differentiation, activation, and/or recruitment of accessory immune cells to sites of malignancy. Nevertheless, integrated and coordinated mechanisms of subversion of NK cell activity against the tumor and its microenvironment exist. Although our understanding of the receptor ligand interactions that regulate NK cell functionality has evolved remarkably, the diversity of ligands and receptors is complex, as is their mechanistic foundations in regulating NK cell function. In this article, we review the literature and highlight how the TME manipulates the NK cell phenotypes, genotypes, and tropism to evade tumor recognition and elimination. We discuss counter strategies that may be adopted to augment the efficacy of NK cell anti-tumor surveillance, the clinical trials that have been undertaken so far in solid malignancies, critically weighing the challenges and opportunities with this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andreas T Björklund
- Karolinska University Hospital, Hematology Center and Karolinska Institute , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Martha Chekenya
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway
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Arimany-Nardi C, Errasti-Murugarren E, Minuesa G, Martinez-Picado J, Gorboulev V, Koepsell H, Pastor-Anglada M. Nucleoside transporters and human organic cation transporter 1 determine the cellular handling of DNA-methyltransferase inhibitors. Br J Pharmacol 2015; 171:3868-80. [PMID: 24780098 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2013] [Revised: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 04/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Inhibitors of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), such as azacytidine, decitabine and zebularine, are used for the epigenetic treatment of cancer. Their action may depend upon their translocation across the plasma membrane. The aim of this study was to identify transporter proteins contributing to DNMT inhibitor action. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Drug interactions with selected hCNT and hENT proteins were studied in transiently transfected HeLa and MDCK cells. Interaction with human organic cation transporters (hOCTs) was assessed in transiently transfected HeLa cells and Xenopus laevis oocytes. KEY RESULTS Zebularine uptake was mediated by hCNT1, hCNT3 and hENT2. Decitabine interacted with but was not translocated by any nucleoside transporter (NT) type. hCNT expression at the apical domain of MDCK cells promoted net vectorial flux of zebularine. Neither hOCT1 nor hOCT2 transported decitabine, but both were involved in the efflux of zebularine, suggesting these proteins act as efflux transporters. hOCT1 polymorphic variants, known to alter function, decreased zebularine efflux. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS This study highlights the influence of human NTs and hOCTs on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of selected DNMT inhibitors. As hOCTs may also behave as efflux transporters, they could contribute either to chemoresistance or to chemosensitivity, depending upon the nature of the drug or combination of drugs being used in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Arimany-Nardi
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Institut de Biomedicina, Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB) & National Biomedical Research Institute on Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseaes (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain
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45
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Comment on "5-azacytidine promotes an inhibitory T-cell phenotype and impairs immune mediated antileukemic activity". Mediators Inflamm 2015; 2015:871641. [PMID: 25838640 PMCID: PMC4370204 DOI: 10.1155/2015/871641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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46
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Costello RT, Leclercq A, Treut TL, Sanchez C, Mercier D, Sébahoun G. Effects of 5-azacytidine on natural killer cell activating receptor expression in patients with refractory anemia with excess of blasts. Leuk Res Rep 2015; 4:15-7. [PMID: 25709892 PMCID: PMC4327760 DOI: 10.1016/j.lrr.2014.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2014] [Revised: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic drugs modify DNA methylation and are used in refractory anemia with excess of blasts (RAEB). These drugs may reactivate anti-oncogene expression and restore a normal phenotype instead of inducing antitumor toxicity, although they also have immunosuppressive effects on T-lymphocytes [1] In RAEB and acute myeloid leukemia, a defect in natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity has been shown, which relies on abnormal expression of activating receptors. Previous study has shown that 5-azacytidine impaired mRNA synthesis and induced apoptosis in NK cells [2]. In this study we investigated the effect of the demethylating drug 5-azacytidine (Vidaza®) on NK receptors with the hypothesis that demethylation of the promoters of activating NK receptor genes induces gene reactivation and thus may increase their expression. We analyze the effects of the demethylating agent azacytidine on NK cells in RAEB. The expression of NCRs and NKG2D activating molecules are not modified. The expression of the co-stimulating molecule 2B4/CD244 is drastically decreased. The expression of inhibitory NK cell molecules is not modified (data not shown). These data argue for the association of demethylating agents with IMIDs in RAEB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Régis T Costello
- Laboratoire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Nord, Marseille, France ; Université de la Méditerranée, France ; Technologies Avancées pour la Génomique et la Clinique (TAGC)/unité INSERM U1090, Route de Luminy, Marseille, France ; Service d'Hématologie et Thérapie Cellulaire, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire La Conception, 147 Boulevard Baille, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Amélie Leclercq
- Laboratoire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Nord, Marseille, France ; Université de la Méditerranée, France
| | - Thérèse Le Treut
- Laboratoire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Nord, Marseille, France ; Université de la Méditerranée, France
| | - Carole Sanchez
- Laboratoire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Nord, Marseille, France ; Université de la Méditerranée, France ; Technologies Avancées pour la Génomique et la Clinique (TAGC)/unité INSERM U1090, Route de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Delphine Mercier
- Laboratoire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Nord, Marseille, France ; Université de la Méditerranée, France
| | - Gérard Sébahoun
- Laboratoire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Nord, Marseille, France ; Université de la Méditerranée, France ; Service d'Hématologie et Thérapie Cellulaire, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire La Conception, 147 Boulevard Baille, 13005 Marseille, France
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Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are normal white blood cells capable of killing malignant cells without prior sensitization. Allogeneic NK cell infusions are attractive for cancer therapy because of non-cross-resistant mechanisms of action and minimal overlapping toxicities with standard cancer treatments. Although NK therapy is promising, many obstacles will need to be overcome, including insufficient cell numbers, failure of homing to tumor sites, effector dysfunction, exhaustion, and tumor cell evasion. Capitalizing on the wealth of knowledge generated by recent NK cell biology studies and the advancements in biotechnology, substantial progress has been made recently in improving therapeutic efficiency and reducing side effects. A multipronged strategy is essential, including immunogenetic-based donor selection, refined NK cell bioprocessing, and novel augmentation techniques, to improve NK function and to reduce tumor resistance. Although data from clinical trials are currently limited primarily to hematologic malignancies, broader applications to a wide spectrum of adult and pediatric cancers are under way. The unique properties of human NK cells open up a new arena of novel cell-based immunotherapy against cancers that are resistant to contemporary therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing Leung
- Author's Affiliations: Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; and Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee, Memphis, Tennessee
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48
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Wild J, Schmiedel BJ, Maurer A, Raab S, Prokop L, Stevanović S, Dörfel D, Schneider P, Salih HR. Neutralization of (NK-cell-derived) B-cell activating factor by Belimumab restores sensitivity of chronic lymphoid leukemia cells to direct and Rituximab-induced NK lysis. Leukemia 2015; 29:1676-83. [PMID: 25710310 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2015.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Revised: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes that substantially contribute to the therapeutic benefit of antitumor antibodies like Rituximab, a crucial component in the treatment of B-cell malignancies. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the ability of NK cells to lyse the malignant cells and to mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity upon Fc receptor stimulation is compromised, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unclear. We report here that NK-cells activation-dependently produce the tumor necrosis factor family member 'B-cell activating factor' (BAFF) in soluble form with no detectable surface expression, also in response to Fc receptor triggering by therapeutic CD20-antibodies. BAFF in turn enhanced the metabolic activity of primary CLL cells and impaired direct and Rituximab-induced lysis of CLL cells without affecting NK reactivity per se. The neutralizing BAFF antibody Belimumab, which is approved for treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus, prevented the effects of BAFF on the metabolism of CLL cells and restored their susceptibility to direct and Rituximab-induced NK-cell killing in allogeneic and autologous experimental systems. Our findings unravel the involvement of BAFF in the resistance of CLL cells to NK-cell antitumor immunity and Rituximab treatment and point to a benefit of combinatory approaches employing BAFF-neutralizing drugs in B-cell malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Wild
- 1] Department of Hematology and Oncology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany [2] Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - B J Schmiedel
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - A Maurer
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - S Raab
- 1] Department of Hematology and Oncology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany [2] Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - L Prokop
- Department of Immunology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - S Stevanović
- Department of Immunology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - D Dörfel
- 1] Department of Hematology and Oncology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany [2] Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - P Schneider
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - H R Salih
- 1] Department of Hematology and Oncology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany [2] Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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49
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Wu FL, Li RT, Yang M, Yue GF, Wang HY, Liu Q, Cui FB, Wu PY, Ding H, Yu LX, Qian XP, Liu BR. Gelatinases-stimuli nanoparticles encapsulating 5-fluorouridine and 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine enhance the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to chemical therapeutics. Cancer Lett 2015; 363:7-16. [PMID: 25592042 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2015.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2014] [Revised: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant methylation of the transcription factor AP-2 epsilon (TFAP2E) has been attributed to 5-fluorouridine (5-FU) sensitivity. 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (DAC), an epigenetic drug that inhibits DNA methylation, is able to cause reactive expression of TFAP2E by demethylating activity. This property might be useful in enhancing the sensitivity of cancer cells to 5-FU. However, the effect of DAC is transient because of its instability. Here, we report the use of intelligent gelatinases-stimuli nanoparticles (NPs) to coencapsulate and deliver DAC and 5-FU to gastric cancer (GC) cells. The results showed that NPs encapsulating DAC, 5-FU, or both could be effectively internalized by GC cells. Furthermore, we found that the NPs enhanced the stability of DAC, resulting in improved re-expression of TFAP2E. Thus, the incorporation of DAC into NPs significantly enhanced the sensitivity of GC cells to 5-FU by inhibiting cell growth rate and inducing cell apoptosis. In conclusion, the results of this study clearly demonstrated that the gelatinases-stimuli NPs are an efficient means to simultaneously deliver epigenetic and chemotherapeutic drugs that may effectively inhibit cancer cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-lei Wu
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, 321 Zhongshan Rd, Nanjing 210008, China; Department of Oncology, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ru-Tian Li
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, 321 Zhongshan Rd, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Mi Yang
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, 321 Zhongshan Rd, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Guo-Feng Yue
- Nanjing Medical University, 140 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Hui-yu Wang
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, 321 Zhongshan Rd, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Qin Liu
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, 321 Zhongshan Rd, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Fang-bo Cui
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, 321 Zhongshan Rd, Nanjing 210008, China; Department of Oncology, The People' Hospital of Ma Anshan, Ma Anshan City 243000, Anhui, China
| | - Pu-yuan Wu
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, 321 Zhongshan Rd, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Hui Ding
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, 321 Zhongshan Rd, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Li-Xia Yu
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, 321 Zhongshan Rd, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Qian
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, 321 Zhongshan Rd, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Bao-Rui Liu
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, 321 Zhongshan Rd, Nanjing 210008, China.
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Methylation of NKG2D ligands contributes to immune system evasion in acute myeloid leukemia. Genes Immun 2014; 16:71-82. [PMID: 25393931 DOI: 10.1038/gene.2014.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Revised: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Engagement of the activating receptor NKG2D (natural killer group 2 member D) with its ligands (NKG2DL) major histocompatibility complex class I related-A and -B (MICA/B), UL-16 binding protein families (ULBPs 1-6) is important to ensure the innate immunity to tumor cells. However, these cells have developed strategies to downregulate NKG2DL expression and avoid immune recognition. We demonstrate that DNA methylation can contribute to the absence of NKG2DL expression during tumor progression. We analyzed the DNA methylation profiles for each NKG2DL by pyrosequencing in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), hepatocellular carcinoma (HC), breast cancer and colon cancer cell lines. High levels of DNA methylation for NKG2DL were found in some tumor cell lines, mainly in AML cells. This hypermethylation was correlated with the absence of transcription for NKG2DL. Higher DNA methylation levels for MICA, ULBP1 and ULBP2 were observed in AML patients (n=60) compared with healthy donors (n=25). However, no DNA methylation for NKG2DL was found in colon cancer patients (n=44). Treatment with demethylating agents (5-azacytidine and 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine) restored the expression of NKG2DL on the cell surface of AML cells, leading to an enhanced recognition by NKG2D-expressing cells. Our data suggest that NKG2DL may be aberrantly silenced by DNA methylation as a consequence of tumor development in AML patients.
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