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Hartman-Houstman H, Swenson S, Minea RO, Sinha UK, Chiang MF, Chen TC, Schönthal AH. Activation of Epstein-Barr Virus' Lytic Cycle in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells by NEO212, a Conjugate of Perillyl Alcohol and Temozolomide. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:936. [PMID: 38473298 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16050936] [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: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is accepted as a primary risk factor for certain nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) subtypes, where the virus persists in a latent stage which is thought to contribute to tumorigenesis. Current treatments are sub-optimal, and recurrence occurs in many cases. An alternative therapeutic concept is aimed at triggering the lytic cycle of EBV selectively in tumor cells as a means to add clinical benefit. While compounds able to stimulate the lytic cascade have been identified, their clinical application so far has been limited. We are developing a novel anticancer molecule, NEO212, that was generated by covalent conjugation of the alkylating agent temozolomide (TMZ) to the naturally occurring monoterpene perillyl alcohol (POH). In the current study, we investigated its potential to trigger the lytic cycle of EBV in NPC cells in vitro and in vivo. We used the established C666.1 cell line and primary patient cells derived from the brain metastasis of a patient with NPC, both of which harbored latent EBV. Upon treatment with NEO212, there was an increase in EBV proteins Zta and Ea-D, key markers of the lytic cycle, along with increased levels of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), a marker of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, followed by the activation of caspases. These effects could also be confirmed in tumor tissue from mice implanted with C666.1 cells. Towards a mechanistic understanding of these events, we used siRNA-mediated knockdown of CHOP and inclusion of anti-oxidant compounds. Both approaches blocked lytic cycle induction by NEO212. Therefore, we established a sequence of events, where NEO212 caused reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which triggered ER stress and elevated the levels of CHOP, which was required to stimulate the lytic cascade of EBV. Inclusion of the antiviral agent ganciclovir synergistically enhanced the cytotoxic impact of NEO212, pointing to a potential combination treatment for EBV-positive cancers which should be explored further. Overall, our study establishes NEO212 as a novel agent able to stimulate EBV's lytic cycle in NPC tumors, with implications for other virus-associated cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Hartman-Houstman
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Steve Swenson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, USC, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Radu O Minea
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, USC, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Uttam K Sinha
- USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, Keck School of Medicine, USC, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Ming-Fu Chiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, New Taipei City 24352, Taiwan
| | - Thomas C Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, USC, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- NeOnc Technologies, Inc., Los Angeles, CA 90069, USA
| | - Axel H Schönthal
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
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Xu L, Zhang M, Tu D, Lu Z, Lu T, Ma D, Zhou Y, Zhang S, Ma Y, Yan D, Wang X, Sang W. Chidamide Induces Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Lytic Infection and Acts Synergistically with Tenofovir to Eliminate EBV-Positive Burkitt Lymphoma. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 387:288-298. [PMID: 37875309 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a type of human γ-herpesvirus, and its reactivation plays an important role in the development of EBV-driven Burkitt lymphoma (BL). Despite intensive chemotherapy, the prognosis of relapsed/refractory BL patients remains unfavorable, and a definitive method to completely eliminate latent EBV infection is lacking. Previous studies have demonstrated that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors can induce the transition of EBV from latency to the lytic phase. The lytic activation of EBV can be inhibited by tenofovir, a potent inhibitor of DNA replication. Herein, we explored the antitumor effect and EBV clearance potential of a novel HDAC inhibitor called chidamide, combined with tenofovir, in the treatment of EBV-positive BL. In the study, chidamide exhibited inhibitory activity against HDAC. Moreover, chidamide inhibited BL cell proliferation, arrested cell cycle progression, and induced BL cell apoptosis primarily by regulating the MAPK pathways. Additionally, chidamide promoted the transcription of lytic genes, including BZLF1, BMRF1, and BMLF1 Compared with chidamide alone, the addition of tenofovir further induced growth arrest and apoptosis in EBV-positive BL cells and inhibited the transcriptions of EBV lytic genes induced by chidamide alone. Furthermore, our in vivo data demonstrated that the combination of chidamide and tenofovir had superior tumor-suppressive effects in a mouse model of BL cell tumors. The aforementioned findings confirm the synergistic effect of chidamide combined with tenofovir in inducing growth inhibition and apoptosis in EBV-positive BL cells and provide an effective strategy for eliminating EBV and EBV-associated malignancies. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: High levels of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-DNA have consistently been associated with unfavorable progression-free survival and overall survival in EBV-associated lymphomas. Therefore, identifying novel strategies to effectively eradicate tumor cells and eliminate EBV is crucial for lymphoma patients. This study confirmed, for the first time, the synergistic effect of chidamide combined with tenofovir in the treatment of Burkitt lymphoma and the eradication of EBV virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linyan Xu
- 1Blood Diseases Institute (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.), Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China; and Departments of Hematology (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Pathology (D.M.), the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- 1Blood Diseases Institute (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.), Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China; and Departments of Hematology (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Pathology (D.M.), the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Dongyun Tu
- 1Blood Diseases Institute (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.), Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China; and Departments of Hematology (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Pathology (D.M.), the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Ziyi Lu
- 1Blood Diseases Institute (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.), Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China; and Departments of Hematology (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Pathology (D.M.), the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Tianyi Lu
- 1Blood Diseases Institute (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.), Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China; and Departments of Hematology (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Pathology (D.M.), the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Dongshen Ma
- 1Blood Diseases Institute (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.), Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China; and Departments of Hematology (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Pathology (D.M.), the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- 1Blood Diseases Institute (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.), Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China; and Departments of Hematology (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Pathology (D.M.), the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- 1Blood Diseases Institute (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.), Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China; and Departments of Hematology (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Pathology (D.M.), the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yuhan Ma
- 1Blood Diseases Institute (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.), Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China; and Departments of Hematology (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Pathology (D.M.), the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Dongmei Yan
- 1Blood Diseases Institute (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.), Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China; and Departments of Hematology (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Pathology (D.M.), the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Xiangmin Wang
- 1Blood Diseases Institute (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.), Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China; and Departments of Hematology (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Pathology (D.M.), the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Wei Sang
- 1Blood Diseases Institute (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.), Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China; and Departments of Hematology (L.X., M.Z., D.T., Z.L., T.L., Y.Z., S.Z., Y.M., D.Y., X.W., W.S.) and Pathology (D.M.), the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
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